2011 Pundaquit Festival Schedule (Season 18)

The Pundaquit Festival is the community arts program of CASA San Miguel designed to develop the local fishing community through various programs including long- and short-term residencies for visiting artists, performances, workshops and exhibits. Now in it's 17th season entitled "r/evolution", the program aims to foster excellence and empowerment through enlightenment and direct mentorship.


Casa San Miguel (Photo by Miel David)

The performance series for Season Eighteen 2011 at the newly-renovated Ramon l. Corpus Hall features a series of intimate chamber music concerts featuring CASA San Miguel founder Coke Bolipata, with the Pundaquit Virtuosi (the chamber group composed of local talents he trains)with guest artists including David Eggar and the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

February 26: BACHBACHAN: Back-to-back Bach
Featuring: Concerto for harpsichord in F Minor with guest pianist Jourdann Petalver, the Concerto for violin and oboe with guest oboist Franz Ramirez, and the Orchestral Suite #1 in C Major.

March 11 & 12
Philippine Madrigal Singers in celebration of CASA San Miguel's 17th Foundation Day

March 27: Drama't Emo
Revives highlights of the romantic period including Dvorak's American String Quartet, Beethoven's String Quartet Op 18, Brahms String Sextet in B-Flat Major and Mendelssohn Octet in E-Flat Major.

April 16
Cellist David Eggar serves his week-long residency culminating with a concert on April 16 with the Pundaquit Virtuosi and Aeta tribes from Botolan. Eggar is a 2011 Grammy-nominated artist for his arrangement of Itsbynne Reel, a track on his Kingston Blues album.

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES

April 22, Good Friday
Seven Last Words of Christ by Joseph Haydn

April 24
Light Easter concert featuring the Minstrels of Hope

May 28
SOLOISTS NIGHT with the Pundaquit Virtuosi under the batons of Olga Elloso and Jourdann Petalver featuring:

• 14 year old Miguel Estrada in Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E-minor;
• 10 year old Julian Duque in Sarasate's Gypsy Airs;
• 14 year old Yvonne Madarang in Mozart's Violin Concerto in D Major;
• 15 year old Joven Aquisap in Telleman's Viola Concerto;
• 19 year old cellist Nehemiah Lipana in Boccherini's Cello Concerto in G Major.

Concert tickets are priced at P1000 each, and includes entrance to the galleries, cocktails before the show and post concert dinner with featured artists and resident artists of Casa San Miguel. Activities for season seventeen are made possible primarily by Starbucks Coffee and D and L industries with partnerships with Sony, Lyric pianos, Star Philippines, and DZFE-FM. For more information, please call the secretariat at 6818304.

Casa San Miguel Facebook

Zambales mentioned in Lonely Planet's Top Ten Value Destinations for 2011

Lonely Planet lists the Philippines as one of the "Top Ten Value Destinations for 2011". Our lovely province Zambales gets a special mention as well!

The Philippines may be just about to rudely shove Thailand off the ‘best cheap beaches’ perch it’s occupied for the best part of two decades. While travellers argue long and hard about which is cheaper, there’s no denying Thailand is more popular. For those who desire nothing more than to find great, undiscovered beaches, surf the odd wave and eat unique, distinctive food for under US$20 a day, the Philippines has the edge. Add in the possibility of beach camping along the Zambales Coast or in the Bacuit Archipelago and you’ve got the recipe for timeless island hopping that suits any budget. Ferries link many idyllic destinations in the Philippines. Expect to pay around US$5 for each hour you’re on the water. (Source)

I heartily agree that Zambales has one of the best coastlines in the country and is easily accessible from Manila.

Manila Bulletin article on Casa San Miguel

This is one my favorite places in Zambales. My sister and youngest brother used to study here.

An art center betwixt the mountains and the seas
By VINCE G. LOPEZ
June 27, 2010, 11:58am
Some tourists travel to the province of Zambales to experience a quick beach getaway, others to get a taste of its bountiful harvest that includes the world’s sweetest mangoes. But for the artistically inclined, they visit the province to indulge in Filipino artistry at its finest.

Casa San Miguel is nestled within the stretch of wonderful beaches and breathtaking mountains.

This oasis for fine arts was built in 1921 by the Corpuz family. The house initially served as the family’s own retreat house by the sea and a place for picnics and numerous musical gatherings.

In 1993, Coke Bolipata, grandson of the original owner Ramon L. Corpuz, designed an Art Center to replace the house that was damaged over time. Since then, Casa San Miguel became a center where Filipino talent is honed and developed.

From being a haven for leisurely picnics and family gatherings, the place became a home for budding artists who wish to develop their skills and learn more about their craft. This center for the arts was built on the belief that art can extend its boundaries to create more awareness for an enriched humanity.

The main house features a distinctively artistic appeal for artists and art lovers. The interiors and accents within the main house instill inspiration and fascination for the arts. Amidst mango trees and lush greeneries are scattered art works including sculptures from Leeroy New. A relaxing ambience fills the air as visitors realize the overflowing creativity that the house has produced over the years.

Casa San Miguel complements the scenery by housing indoor concerts for the public. The Ramon Corpuz Hall is designed for concerts that can accommodate a chamber orchestra, theater plays, operettas and even ballet productions. Outside the hall is an outdoor circular theater that serves as an alternative venue where guests can enjoy concerts and performances with nature as its backdrop.

News article: Zambales after Pinatubo

19 years after Pinatubo’s ‘big bang,’ a lot of changes for these folks
By: Tonette Orejas
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Norther Luzon Bureau

WITH SIX GOATS IN TOW, Miranda King stands on the edge of a cliff, surveying the grass and shrubs below before the sun sets over Inararo, the closest village to Mount Pinatubo on the side of Porac, Pampanga.

King, 80, makes a slow descent, wanting to feed his goats with plants wet by the morning dew. To his far right, layers of charcoal-colored rocks cover the slopes in this part of the volcano that erupted in June 1991 and changed Central Luzon’s landscape.

The sand, ash and pumice stones that the eruptions spewed out are gone, washed down by rains. No one in his Aeta tribe ventures here, though, because the rocks chip off from the weight of climbers.

Far down, to King’s left, the river in San Marcelino, Zambales, looks every bit like a winding highway leading straight to the South China Sea. Houses dot what is now a green sweep.

In Inararo, two waterfalls gurgle off water, feeding streams in the village. But irrigation is not enough because farms covered by volcanic debris need lots of water.

And so members of King’s clan planted banana one would think a plantation is out here. They were so desperate to earn that they cultivated the plant even on steep rises.

Villa Maria resettlement, a half-day walk from Inararo, offers a bird’s eye view of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway that cuts through the highlands of Hermosa and Dinalupihan towns in Bataan, and Floridablanca and Porac towns in Pampanga.

King’s grandson, Joseph, left for Saudi Arabia two years ago to work as a welder.

“Dakal na ing menibayu (A lot has changed),” King said of his clan’s life and their environs.

Read more: 19 years after Pinatubo’s ‘big bang,’ a lot of changes for these folks

News: Ebdane declared as Zambales governor

Three days after the country's first automated elections, the winning candidates of the gubernatorial and congressional slots in Zambales were declared. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., former Public Works and Highways Secretary came victorious against Amor Deloso, who was seeking re-election as Zambales governor.

Mitos Magsaysay and Antonio Diaz, both re-elected representatives of the first and second districts of Zambales respectively, were also proclaimed.

The delay in the proclamation was attributed to transmission problems in several clustered precincts, as well as compact flash cards in four towns that were deemed defective.

Source: Inquirer.net

Pundaquit Festival Season 17 Calendar of Activities

For more details, visit the Pundaquit Festival blog.

The Seventeenth Season of the Pundaquit Festival is made possible by support from Starbucks Coffee, D&L Industries and Lyrics Pianos with additional contributions from generous individuals.

Interested sponsors can call 632-6818304 or e-mail pundaquitfestival@gmail.com for details regarding support.

Holy Week events at the Casa San Miguel

It's the 17th season of the Pundaquit Festival. On Friday, April 2, 2010, the Pundaquit Virtuosi will perform Haydn's "Seven Last Words." This performance is a yearly event conducted by the group as part of the Pundaquit Festival as well as the celebration of the Holy Week.

Haydn was commissioned by the Cathedral of Cádiz in 1785 to write seven orchestral interludes to be performed alongside the recitation of Jesus' seven last words, including an introduction and an epilogue.

On Sunday, April 4, 2010, the Pundaquit Virtuosi will perform Handel's "Messiah," an English oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel.

These events are open to everyone and admission is free.

For more details, visit the Pundaquit Festival blog.

I was able to see this about two years ago. You must give this a try at least once. The Pundaquit Virtuosi is a very talented group of kids and young adults, led by Coke Bolipata.

Know your candidates!

Source: Know-your-candidates.com

Zambales Candidates

For Provincial Governor

• Deloso, Amor Dominado ; (LP )
• Ebdane, Hermogenes Jr. Edejer "Jun"; (LM )
• Español, Myrna Flordelisa "Myrna"; (IND. )
• Pangan, Hilary Dantes "Padz"; (AKP )

For Provincial Vice Governor

• Ablola, Samuel Domil "Sam"; (IND. )
• Bactad, Saturnino Viado "Satur"; (LP )
• Collado, Renato Hebron "Atong"; (LKS-KAM )
• Deloso, Jury Elamparo ; (LM )
• Lacbain, Ramon II Groesbeck "Mon"; (IND. )
• Viloria, Willie Bonilla "Boy Agimat"; (IND. )

For Member, House of Representatives (1st District)

• Gordon, Anne Marie Cuñada "Anne"; (B.BAYAN )
• Magsaysay, Maria Milagros E Habana "Mitos"; (LKS-KAM )

For Member, House of Representatives (2nd District)

• Deloso-Montalla, Cheryl Poynter "Cheryl"; (LP )
• Diaz, Antonio Magsaysay "Buenas Diaz"; (LM )
• Mendoza, Alfred Sebarrotin "Al"; (LKS-KAM )

For Provincial Board Members (1st District)

• Abata, Virgilio Esteves "Dong"; (LP )
• Dela Llana, Loretta Panlilio "Baby"; (LP )
• Felarca, Jose Benedicto Dela Cruz "Jb"; (LP )
• Gutierrez, Jose De Jesus "Peping"; (IND. )
• Khonghun, Jonathan John Ferrer "Jon"; (LP )
• Pantaleon, Teofilo Jr. Gallardo "Boy"; (NP )

For Provincial Board Members (2nd District)

• Abasta, Sancho Jr. Agostosa "Jun"; (LKS-KAM )
• Bada, Lawag Fontelera "Ding"; (NP )
• Blanco, Roberto Ronquillo "Boy"; (LP )
• Dacquel, Leonardo Goce "Dong"; (IND. )
• Ebarle, Eric Estella "Eric"; (IND. )
• Edora, Quentin Estella "Kens"; (LKS-KAM )
• Ejanda-juarez, Gigi Ejida "Gigi"; (LP )
• Elamparo, Porfirio Felix "Toy"; (LP )
• Fallorin, Conrado Caguineman ""k""; (IND. )
• Fogata, Florante Viado "Dante"; (LP )
• Guatlo, Milagros Araña "Rosie"; (LP )
• Gutierrez, Gabriel De Castro "Bing"; (IND. )
• Jugatan, Lito Tominis "Tubag"; (AKP )
• Medina, Herminigildo Flores "Power Eagle"; (IND. )
• Misa, Eddie Boy Edquid "Boy Misa"; (LKS-KAM )
• Pacis, Jose Torres "Boy Pacis"; (LKS-KAM )
• Pamoleras, Danilo Uy "Danny"; (IND. )
• Pangan, Wilfredo Paul Dantes "Jun"; (LM )
• Paradeza, Erodito Ancheta "Rody"; (LP )
• Tarongoy, Reynaldo Cabana "Rey"; (LP )

Maligayang Pasko cu mo yo halban!

Hope I said that right. God bless!

Philippines: 25 Best New Trips of 2010

The Philippines is included in the 25 Best New Trips of 2010, published in the November 2009 issue of National Geographic's Adventure magazine.

Summit to Sea

The Philippines has a PR problem. While it harbors as many islands as the Caribbean and some of the most spectacular reefs on the planet, the nation sees only a fraction of the visitors of nearby Thailand. Even travel companies, it seems, have bought the bad rap: Other than the occasional sea kayaking trip, U.S. guides have largely avoided the archipelago.

But Wilderness Travel has finally gotten wise. This May the outfit will lead clients high into the 4,000-foot Cordillera Central, then deep into the world’s most biodiverse marine environment.

The trip begins in Banaue, where travelers spend days hiking into terraced mountains and nights back at the town’s namesake hotel (pine cabins, private balconies, killer views). Then it’s down to the island of Cabilao, trading butterflies for fish� species of them. For the next five days, you’ll bob around reefs, scanning the area’s 350 varieties of coral (including table coral that’s a whopping nine feet wide).

But don’t forget: The best snorkeling starts at dusk. “It’s like being in a train station during commuting hours,” says Barbara Banks, Wilderness Travel’s director of new trip development. “The day fish are moving out and the night creatures like octopuses and eels are moving in.”

Links:
25 Best New Trips in 2010
Philippines – RP in National Geographic’s 25 Best New Travel Destinations in the World for 2010; Ancient Cultures, Structures and Biodiversity Cited

Time to shine folks!

Cross-posted: Candelaria, Zambales