Mark Your Calendars!

The 'ber months officially start tomorrow. And of course, as we give way to Christmas, along with it comes the bazaar season! It's definitely my favorite time of the year. All four MONTHS of the year, that is! ;-)

Mark your calendars now as there's a lot to look forward to in the month of September alone! And we're not only talking about shopping here. Have a look at the list below and sing with me: "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." ;-)

FOOD AND DRINKS ASIA 2010

WHAT: According to ClicktheCity, it's an "international exposition on Specialty Foods, Delicatessen, Confectionery, Beverages, Beers, Wines & Spirits in conjunction with Food Franchising 2010." It's open to all -- whether you already have a food business, or are interested in having one, or is just simply interested in food. ;-) That means it's open to everyone. Who isn't interested in food anyway? ;-)

WHEN: September 2-5, 2010

HOURS: Thurs 11 am-7 pm, Fri/Sat 10 am-7 pm, Sun 10 am-8 pm

WHERE: World Trade Center, Pasay City

FOR MORE INFO: Click the City site

ASIA FOOD EXPO 2010

WHAT: According to the Clickthecity site, it's an "international exposition on Food Processing, Packaging and Handling Machinery Equipment and Technology in conjunction with Food Serv Asia 2010 and Bakery Asia 2010." I remember going to one of these a few years back. Please note that they might require visitors to wear closed shoes because of the fact that there are baking, cooking, and assembly-line type machineries at the expo.

WHEN: September 8-11, 2010

HOURS: Open to everyone on Saturday, Sept 11 from 10 am-6 pm; Open to trade business operators on the other days -- Wed, Sept 8 from 11 am-7 pm and Thurs/Fri, Sept 9 and 10 from 10 am-7 pm

WHERE: World Trade Center, Pasay City

FOR MORE INFO: Click the City site

13TH CINE EUROPA

WHAT: The schedule and movie line-up are not posted yet. But from the poster, it says that the Shangrila Cineplex will feature movies from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, UK, Denmark, Finland, Greece, and many others. Admission is free but it's on a first-come, first-served basis.

WHEN: September 10-19, 2010

WHERE: Cinema 2, Shangrila Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City

FOR MORE INFO: Shangrila Website, DELPHL Website

MANILA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 2010

WHAT: It's a trade fair that brings all publishers and book suppliers in one place. You can also find suppliers of school materials, educational supplies, and facilities here. Along with that, there are a number of launches, seminars, talks, contests, and storytelling for children, teachers, librarians and all book lovers.

WHEN: September 15-19, 2010 from 10 am-8 pm

WHERE: SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

FOR MORE INFO: MIBF site

ROSEWOOD WELLNESS FAIR AND BAZAAR

WHAT: We are having a wellness-themed bazaar at our community. There will be sugar-free goodies, healthy treats, organic fare, natural beauty products, free massages and treatments, and any other product or services related to promoting your general well-being.

WHEN: September 18, 2010 from 9 am-10 pm

WHERE: Rosewood Pointe Clubhouse, Brgy. Ususan, Taguig City

FOR MORE INFO: This is actually a shameless plug since I might be one of the bazaaristas. ;-) If you have other questions, just leave a comment on this entry.

THE 9th SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL

WHAT: If I were to list the top 5 things that I look forward to each year, I would have to include the annual Spanish Film Festival as one. I think I look forward to it more than my actual birthday! ;-) Anyway, I see Spanish directors and writers as the most talented in the world. They showcase their best and most popular movies in this film festival. See the best for only 65 pesos per movie! ;-)

WHEN: September 30-October 10, 2010

WHERE: Greenbelt 3, Makati City

FOR MORE INFO: Pelicula Website, Instituto Cervantes Site

Photo Sources:

http://www.clickthecity.com

http://wellness.ucsd.edu/images/wellness2.jpg

What else is going on this month, Manila?

There's a lot to look forward to this month. Not only are we heading to KL next week, but there's a bunch of things going on around the metro. Check these out:


LATE NIGHT SHOW WITH THE COMEDY CARTEL
WHAT: For 150 pesos, you can watch stand-up comedy like how it should be done! None of the corny, below-the-belt bashing that is common in local comedy bars. Take your friends, have dinner, a few drinks, and share a lot of laughs this Monday after a possibly long day at work! ;-)

WHEN: Monday, April 12, 2010 at 8 pm

WHERE: Spicy Fingers Restaurant, Greenbelt 2, Makati City

FOR MORE INFO: eCircle Entertainment website



JON SANTOS' FOR VOTER OR FOR WORSE
WHAT: This came highly recommended by a friend. Jon Santos, apparently, has done this show a number of times in the Teatrino Promenade at Greenhills. It was initially slated for just a couple of runs but due to a high demand, they decided to extend the show at a theater in Makati this time. In his comedy act, For Voter or For Worse, Jon Santos impersonates the likes of Noynoy Aquino, Kris Aquino, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, Aling Dionisia (Manny Pacquiao's mother), Korina Sanchez, and many others. And I heard he's really good at it too. It sounds like this is sure to bring a lot of giggles! ;-)

WHEN: April 14, 21, and 28, 2010 at 8:30 pm

WHERE: PowerPlant Mall, Cinema 2, Makati City

HOW TO GET TICKETS: Call 898-1441 or 898-1441 to book your tickets.

FOR MORE INFO: Check out this SITE to see Jon Santos in action. Here you'll see videos and short excerpts of his impersonation of Korina Sanchez, Gloria Arroyo, and Joseph Estrada. ;-)



AWESOME PLANET'S ULTIMATE TASTE TEST 4.0
WHAT: Anton, the blog writer of Awesome Planet, has put together this event for start-up food suppliers who would like to break into the market AND foodies who would be more than willing to try what they have to offer and rate them. It's a win-win thing where food suppliers get no-holds-barred feedback as a way to improve their products and foodies simply get to awaken their tastebuds from all these yummy samples of food! On top of that, the St. Michael the Archangel Parish is happy too since 100% of the proceeds (P150/person entrance fee) goes to the building and construction of this new church at the Fort. ;-)

WHEN: Friday, April 16, 2010 at 7 pm

WHERE: You will be informed of the location after your email registration. Just email rache@diaz.ph with your full name and contact info to join either as a supplier or a foodie.

FOR MORE INFO: Awesome Planet website



MALL OF ASIA SALE
WHAT: It's a mallwide sale with discounts of up to 70%! And if you have an SM Advantage card, you might not want to miss the special 10 am-12 pm sale that they have in the department store. You'll get an additional 10% discount on everything! And that's on top of the sale prices already.

WHEN: Friday, April 16-Sunday, April 18, 2010, 10 am to midnight (Friday and Saturday) and 10 am to 11 pm (Sunday)

WHERE: Mall of Asia, Pasay City



EARTH DAY RUN 2010
WHAT: Join a marathon and choose between 3K, 5K or 10K. Proceeds of this fundraising will support Design Against the Elements Competition. This competition is said to bring "innovative solutions to climate-vulnerable communities in developing countries."

WHEN: Sunday, April 18, 2010, morning

WHERE: near Mall of Asia, Pasay City

HOW TO REGISTER: Register online at http://natgeorun.com/ or go to Timex at the Mall of Asia or SM North Edsa to personally register. Registration costs 500 pesos for a 3K run, 600 pesos for 5K, and 700 pesos for 10K.



"MAS FLAMENCO" SHOW
WHAT: It's a fundraising show for the benefit of the Dance Scholarship Fund at Clara Ramona's school -- Centro de Danza Flamenca. Have a chance to see Clara Ramona dance. I've had a bit of exposure to Flamenco dance and I believe that Clara Ramona is the best there is here in the Philippines. She's very passionate and just completely breathtaking when she dances. For this show, she will also be accompanied by six other female dancers who she has trained and molded to become the amazing Flamenco dancers that they are!
For just 700 pesos, you'll get to see the whole show and enjoy Spanish tapas too.

WHEN: Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 8 pm

WHERE: Clara Ramona Centro de Danza Flamenca, 5062 P. Burgos Street, corner Guerrero, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City

HOW TO GET TICKETS: Call 899-1346 or 0915-434-5789 to reserve.


Photo Credits:
Juice website, http://www.juice.ph/nightout/event/jon-santos-in-kuring-gluring-syerrap-at-dyuning-election-is-nearing
Comedy Cartel, http://www.comedycartel.com.ph/
Eating Asia, http://eatingasia.typepad.com/eatingasia/2007/09/index.html
Jun Acullador's Flicker account, http://www.flickr.com/photos/acullador/1377674349/
Running Pinoy, http://runningpinoy.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/national-geographic-channel%E2%80%99s-earth-day-run/
Life of Guangzhao, http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_35/node_112/node_264/2007/12/06/119692370831324.shtml

The "ber" months are officially here!

To be exact, the "ber" month started 12 days ago. ;-) You can tell that the holiday season is coming up by the number of events to look forward to. There's soooo many things going on! So if you're looking for something to do and a place to go, have a look at the list below. Click on the headings to be directed to a website which will give you more info on the event. These are mostly shopping events intended to prepare us for Christmas. But there are events there too to cover other interests. Have fun and hopefully I'll see you at one of these! You know I'll be there. ;-)

1.) Negros Trade Fair
Date: September 11-16, 2009
Location: Rockwell Tent, Makati City




2.) Mall of Asia Midnight Madness
Date: September 18-20, 2009
Location: Mall of Asia, Pasay City



3.) Manila International Book Fair
Date: September 16-20, 2009, 10 am-8 pm
Location: SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City




4.) Hobbes and LandesWarehouse Sale
Date: September 17-19, 2009, 9 am-5 pm
Location: Unit 3, Topy's Building, 3 Economia St., Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City



5.) New Balance Power Run
Date: September 27, 2009, 5:30 am
Location: Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig




6.) 8th Spanish Film Festival
Date: October 1-14, 2009
Location: Greenbelt 3 Cinemas, Makati City

"Mad Max" at the Spicy Fingers

We've known about the comedy shows at Greenbelt's Spicy Fingers for a while now. We've been wanting to go. Jojo and I had even called to reserve once -- only to cancel it hours before. Something always gets in the way. And it didn't exactly help that all of these shows are scheduled only on Mondays.

Somehow, things worked out and we were able to go just last Monday. We reserved days before and came to Greenbelt quite early. The show doesn't start until 8 pm. But we had planned to come to Spicy Fingers early so that we could have dinner there and reserve good seats too. But when we dropped by the restaurant, not one person was inside. We found out from their waiters that the seats were reserved beforehand anyway. I guess the promoters (E-Circle) choose the seats for you depending on the number of people in your group.

We decided to have dinner elsewhere and at exactly 7:30, we were right at the door of Spicy Fingers. We paid for our tickets at the entrance (P150 each) and looked for the table which had my name on it. I guess it doesn't really matter where you end up sitting. It's a small and intimate place and any seat can assure you of a good view. Ours happened to be in the center -- second row from the front. We were so close that we didn't need to zoom to take pictures. ;-) My only beef was how packed the place got come show time. It's really best to take the trip to the bathroom before the place fills up. Because there's really no way to get around when all the chairs are occupied.

As expected, the show didn't start until 8:45ish. That's 45 minutes late! The performers were ready. They could have started on time if they wanted to. With "Filipino" time in effect, there were only 3 tables occupied when it got to 8:00. That's only 6 or 7 audience members. I can understand why they had to start late. I just wish it didn't have to be so. Uggghhhh.

All this was forgiven and forgotten right after the first act. The show was sooo packed! There were about 6 or 7 (I've lost count!) acts. And the topics and jokes ranged from school rivalries, married life, to living as a Chinese, local/international transport, to maid foibles, and the like. It's really all about finding comedy in the most everyday, mundane things. From the laughter and applause, you can easily tell that yes, everyone can relate! ;-)

Of the 6 or 7, I have two favorites. I absolutely LOVED Mike Unson and Alex Calleja. Mike Unson's thoughts on our MRT system left me in absolute stitches. ;-) Alex Calleja, seemingly a more experienced and "senior" one, also had a lot of interesting (and oh so very true and factual!) things to say about marriage. ;-) It's obvious that he has given all this a lot of thought. ;-) He even gave the married ladies in the crowd a foolproof way of finding out whether your husband is cheating on you. Just hilarious!!!

The other 4 or 5 had their moments too. But it really was Mike and Alex that stood out the most. To get a taste of their comedy, click the links below. These are short video excerpts of their spiel taken from Youtube.





You may also click this link to find out about their upcoming shows. I know I'm going to the April 27 one for sure. Maybe I'll see you there? ;-)