Author: Em Alcantara

Manila Workshops partner with Touringkitty

Touringkitty and Manila Workshops are partners in learning!

MW ad_1

 

I have attended several of their workshops in the past couple of years, and I don’t only learn in the workshops, they’re also a great way to build my network and look for possible job leads.

This semi work at home momma has partnered with them, so you’ll be reading some of their upcoming workshops over the blog and on Facebook. To start, here’s one workshop I think you should attend, too.

Four years ago, I wrote about investing in the stock market. It was a writing collaboration between my husband and I. We still maintain some stocks, though we’re not that keen on monitoring it lately. This upcoming series of workshops will be a good refresher.

Manila Workshops present Stock Smarts Workshop Series, a four-part workshop which encompasses the ins and outs of investing in the stock market. You may choose to attend one, or attend all!

Don’t forget to enter TKEASMWS1 in the Referral Code Box as you register so that we know you got info from Touringkitty.

Watch out for more information about upcoming workshops!

 

~ Touringkitty

PRESS RELEASE: Acclaimed soprano Nelly Miricioiu to perform in Manila

Nelly-withNajibIsmail

World-renowned soprano Nelly Miricioiu will perform in Manila on March 6 at the Meralco Theater at 8 p.m. Her program includes songs by Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, Respighi, Chausson and Chopin. She will be assisted on the piano by Najib Ismail.

She will also hold an intensive vocal workshop on bel canto singing to advance and young Filipino singers. For three consecutive days (March 9 -11) at the Ayala Museum, she will coach 12 of the country’s finest singers in the art of singing bel canto opera, specializing in the music of Bellini and Donizetti.

The masterclass is open to the public. Two culminating concert, “An Evening with Donizetti,” will be held on March 14 and “An Evening with Bellini” March 21. All will be held at the Ayala Museum at 7:30 p.m.

Hailed as a singing actress, Miricioiu is one of the most versatile artists of our day. Her repertoire extends from Mozart and bel canto to Verdi, Puccini to the verismo and modern Italian opera Respighi and Zandonai. She has also sung the works of French and Russian composers.

Critics have described her as “A rare vocal phenomenon of this century” (L’Opera of France) and “This extraordinary diva can sing anything and sing it well” (Rodney Milnes of Opera, the leading opera magazine in the world).

Since her Covent Garden debut in 1982 as Nedda in I Pagliacci opposite Jon Vickers, Piero Cappuccili and Thomas Allen and her 1983 triumphant La Scala debut as Lucia di Lammermoor, Nelly has been heard in all major opera houses of the world. She has worked with some of the most prestigious conductors and directors in leading roles, including Tosca with Jose Carreras, Jose Cura and Neil Schicoff), Mimi with Placido Domingo, Violetta in La Traviata with Franco Bonisolli, Roberto Alagna, Renato Bruson, Alfredo Kraus, among many leading artists of the day.

It was in the bel canto repertoire and her dedication to rediscovering forgotten operas where Nelly found her niche. Universally acclaimed for her luscious sound, beautifully constructed technique and exceptional theatrical stage presence, Michael Davdison wrote in Opera Magazine: “The highly individual timbre of Miricioiu’s voice, her imagination and intensity, her exceptional range and sense of timing make for a unique talent.”

London became Nelly’s home. After her successful debut, she became a household name at the Royal Opera House where she has sung for over two decades in roles such as Marguerite in Faust, Antonia in Tales of Hoffmann, Valentine in Les Huguenots, Norma, Elisabetta in Roberto Devereux to name just a few.

In 1996, she was entrusted with reviving the infamous Tosca production for Maria Callas. The revival was a huge success and established her as one of the best Tosca’s seen on stage. Clive Hirshon wrote in the Daily Express: “Nelly Miricioiu had the requisite passion for the title role plus a melting pianissimo that ravished the house with its purity of tone.”

The Financial Times’ Richard Fairman wrote: “Her Tosca is an artist down to her fingertips, the kind who turns every wave in a theatrical event.” She reprised her appearance as Tosca on the Royal Opera House stage in 2001 and in 2003 she enjoyed an immense success as Elisabetta in Roberto Devereux by Donizetti of which a recording was later released by Opera Rara.

George Hall of Opera News raved: “It was Miricioiu’s opera, and ultimately her evening. Hers was the longest role and the most demanding, not merely in its manifold technical difficulties but in its range of mood – suspicion, hope, love, hate, joy, pride and finally a bitter, crazed fury. All of these require expression, both in the enunciation of Cammarano’s text and in the vocalizing of Donizetti’s taxing music. Even the greatest bel canto exponents might experience mishaps over such a long ordeal, but Miricioiu’s diligent connection to words, music and meaning held out to the end in singing of outstanding consistency and command.”

Proceeds from her Manila concerts will go to Juan Antonio Lanuza endowment fund for advance vocal studies. This program aims to help Filipino young artists in the advancement of their careers through masterclasses, workshops and scholarships.

Ms. Nelly Miricioiu’s concert is presented by the Cultural Arts Events Organizer in partnership with the Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation, Ayala Museum, Lyric Piano and DZFE.FM The Master’s Touch.

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or CAEO at 997-9483, 7827164, 0918-347-3027 or 0920-954-0053. Limited discounted tickets for students available via CAEO. You may also purchase online through Ticketworld at this link: https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/NellyMiricioiu.

Papal Visit PH: All you need to know in one go

The Catholic Faithful are counting only a couple of days for Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines! And as of this writing, he had arrived in Sri Lanka where, among other things, His Holiness will canonize an Indian saint.

How do we prepare ourselves for his visit? Here’s all we need to know in one go:

THE ITINERARY

Papal Itinerary as posted in social media sites.
Papal Itinerary as posted in social media sites.

Since the faithful are expected to welcome His Holiness, and given that this is an announced non-working holiday for Metro Manila, road closures will take effect starting Thursday, Wednesday for some. Details here. Likewise, as he visits Palo, Leyte, there will be road closures and rerouting. Details of Tacloban-Palo rerouting, which will take effect starting January 16 here.

THE LITURGY for the Mass at Quirino Grandstand: Download here. The copy of the liturgy was produced by Bayard Presse, an international publishing company sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption (Assumptionists). Since limited printed copies are made available, the faithful are encouraged to download or print this copy for their use during the January 18 Concluding Mass of the Pope.

 

THE LITURGICAL MUSIC: Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ was commissioned by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines President, Archbishop Soc Villegas, to compose what is now known as the Mass of Mercy and Compassion. The text is set to seven languages, and the scores are made available for download through this link, while study guides are available here, as recorded by the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Is it coincidence that a Francisco composed this music for the good Pope Francis? Maybe it’s Divine Intervention, who knows!

REMINDERS, REMINDERS, REMINDERS! Someone said to me that the cure for forgetfulness is a gentle reminder. Archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, gives out several reminders for those who will take part in welcoming the People’s Pope, whether as volunteer, part of the liturgy, greeter, expectator. Watch the reminders for the Papal Visit here.

THE VISIT’S THEME SONG. Filipinos are well known for creating theme songs for everything. Since Filipinos are a very musical culture, it is but fitting that a song would forever remind us of Pope Francis’ visit. We are all God’s Children was created with that in mind, in which lyrics remind us why the Pope so wanted to visit our country–to bring the message of mercy and compassion, especially the victims of the typhoon two years ago, one of the highlights of his visit. Learn the song and hand actions in the video.

If we can recall, 20 years ago already, Tell the World of His Love still rings a bell, or a tune in our heads, in memory of Saint John Paul II’s (then Pope John Paul II) visit to Manila for the World Youth Day celebration.

Now we’re ready, we’re set, then let’s go welcome the Pope on Thursday! Whether you’re setting foot to where he is or not, check out the tips here so you could better prepare yourselves physically and spiritually (and musically!) for this rare event. If anything, I am just touched that the popes remember to visit our country. That’s why I look forward to his visit, and hopefully, get a glimpse of him in person, far or near.

 

~ Touringkitty

Help Touringkitty WIN a Hello Kitty Evercoss Cellphone!

Click the photo to take you to the link! But don’t forget to like their Facebook Page as well, @imhellokittyph!

Yep, I am begging pleading REQUESTING for your help, Touringkitty fans!

Please help me win this really nice and perfect Hello Kitty Evercoss Cellphone!

Hello Kitty Philippines is running a liking contest and I did not miss the chance to join because of the prize. You see, I’m sort of desperate here, haha, because I know not all my friends like Hello Kitty as much as I do.

So, I’d really really really appreciate if you could help me in this really simple cause. Please consider this your Christmas gift for my family (so that my husband won’t buy me a new phone, haha!).

For the entry to be counted, you should also LIKE the Hello Kitty Philippines Facebook Page. Then like the photo.

Link addresses which you can copy and paste and share to your family and friends here:
Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/imHelloKittyPH
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/imHelloKittyPH/photos/a.1530811230503266.1073741842.1411274982456892/1530811333836589/?type=1

So, dear friends, family, colleagues, classmates, schoolmates, choirmates, churchmates, workmates, bloggy friends, mommy friends, work bosses, students, idols, fans, etc., hope I could get your support on this. Let me know how I can reciprocate the favour. May God bless you a hundredfold!

 

~ Touringkitty (who is desperate for your support!)

Touringkitty Travels: Brick Adventure at Adventure Jungle

Last November, my daughter and I got a chance to visit Adventure Jungle. This day, the Brick Adventure at Adventure Jungle was also launched.

Brick Adventure at Adventure Jungle.
Brick Adventure at Adventure Jungle.

Adventure Jungle (formerly known as Kinder Zoo), is the 2000 square meter zoo and private facility inside Manila Zoo launched Brick Adventure to press people and bloggers last November 30.

The Brick Adventure is a place for young at heart to play this famous toy building brick (Original Lego Toys) The bricks can be assembled in different ways to breathe any object your mind desires. In adventure jungle, we created lots of different animals from Lego blocks, like a giraffe (6 feet high) or even the amazing seating lady taking care of them all named Andria, the exhibit truly is a site to see and not an ordinary brick construction because of the gigantic construction of the toys from the usual 3 to 4 inches miniatures.

My daughter enjoys building Lego figures, and enjoyed it more while in the midst of those big Lego masterpieces.
My daughter enjoys building Lego figures, and enjoyed it more while in the midst of those big Lego masterpieces.

A site to see and touch also among the 58 different species we have are our amazing 50 years old Mr. T (Tortoise), Blu (Hyacinth Macaw from the movie Rio) and Gabbie (Gibbon).

Think Rio and you'll easily recall Blu. Here are seven of these Macaws, brought here from Brazil!
Think Rio and you’ll easily recall Blu. Here are seven of these Macaws, brought here from Brazil!
Rafael, yes!
Rafael, yes!

My daughter got to ride the horse for the first time!

First timer!
First timer!

And she got to feed Mali the elephant, with the help of Mr. John Chua, the volunteer elephant keeper. Read my story about him and a dedicated zookeeper, Neng, here.

Visit Brick Adventure inside Adventure Jungle, and enjoy the array of activities for the kids and kids at heart.

For more info, check Kinder Zoo Adventure Jungle in Facebook, @Kinder_zoo on Twitter or send sms to Neng at  +63 928 834 3476. 

Address: Manila Zoo, Adriatico Street, Malate, Metro Manila. 

FoodPandaPH: Fast, fresh, favorite foods in your fingertips

Being condominium dwellers ourselves, food delivery is the next best thing to making our own food. Apart from the usual fast food delivery services, we always seek restaurants which delivery home-loved freshly cooked foods.

Good thing there’s Food Panda!

 

Food Panda Website

 

You can order through their hotline, but Mommy Bloggers Philippines had their members try this service online. So, they gave us vouchers!

It took me quite a while to choose a restaurant, because (1) not all stores deliver in your location and (2) not all stores accept vouchers. Luckily, one store does, Gerry’s Grill in Macapagal Avenue!

Ordering online was easy:

1. Choose your location.

2. Choose the restaurant that delivers to your location.

3. Place your orders. The cart will prompt you whether you have reached their minimum order bill. Check out what I got:

fpgerrys2
They accept vouchers, and has a small delivery fee!

4. For the remainder of the amount, I paid it upon delivery.

Fresh food at our doorstep! Gerry's Grill Chopsuey and Crispy Squidheads.
Fresh food at our doorstep! Gerry’s Grill Chopsuey and Crispy Squidheads.

How would I describe their service?

Fast. Well, it really could have been faster if it were not a busy season like today was. It took the order about an hour and a half.

Fresh. Steaming hot, fresh food right at your doorstep, order placed with a touch of your fingertips (they have a phone application as well).

Favorite. Some of my favorite brands all in one place, without searching or memorizing all those hotlines. Here’s proof:

I ordered Yellow Cab last week. Unfortunately the vouchers were not accepted for this restaurant.
I ordered Yellow Cab last week. Unfortunately the vouchers were not accepted for this restaurant.

How could Food Panda be improved?

1. Vouchers should be accepted in all restaurants. They could be given as gifts, too!

2. More branches so that more restaurants can deliver to a wider location.

3. They should feed back 15 minutes after a customer has not received confirmation. I emailed them 30 minutes after placing my order because I did not receive any confirmation yet, but they were quick to reply.

 

Overall, it is a good service, so you should try it out as well.

FROZEN at Movie Stars Cafe

Last month, we visited Movie Stars Cafe for the third time. Yup, three times already!

And why would we not? We heard Frozen is already showing on the Restaurant with a Show, or a Show with a Restaurant!

Frozen the Musical on Movie Stars Cafe! Not to be missed this cold Christmas season!
Frozen the Musical on Movie Stars Cafe! Not to be missed this cold Christmas season!
Curtain Call. Yes, that's Geoff Taylor as Hans.
Curtain Call. Yes, that’s Geoff Taylor as Hans.
With my Frozen fanatic.
With my Frozen fanatic.
Also caught Barbie show. Dancing girls with colourful hair.
Also caught Barbie show. Dancing girls with colourful hair.
Visit Movie Stars Cafe soon!
Visit Movie Stars Cafe soon!

And what’s even greater, Touringkitty is giving 10% off your food and drinks! Don’t forget to RESERVE SEATS via www.moviestarscafe.com and as you bill out, mention my special code, LGRK-5489. Check out their Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/moviestarscafe or call them ahead to know which shows are showing.

See you at the Cafe!

 

~ Touringkitty

Touringkittyps: Five ways for a meaningful #MerrySMChristmas

Christmas is just around the corner, literally. Eight more days and we once again feast, celebrate, gather family and friends, and feel God’s abundant blessings.

Are you fond of making Christmas lists? If you haven’t yet, maybe you could include these five things that I hope would make Christmas more meaningful to you.

A meaningful Christmas is:

1. Thanking God for His gift to mankind. Have a few minutes of reflection at the start or end of the day, and recall how God’s love is manifested through the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

2. Giving back. As you complete your Christmas list, don’t forget to set aside for your favourite charity.

Our church, the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life near SM Mall of Asia, has an annual Christmas fundraising project for the Shrine’s maintenance and repairs. Last year, my children’s choir donated and we’re planning to do the same this year, hopefully with a higher amount. Your P1,000 donation will go a long way. Contact our Shrine Office from Tuesday to Sunday for details.

3. Serving others with gladness. Be it volunteering for an institution, visiting the poor and sick, or sharing your talents and skills for the church. Sharing is serving.

4. Doing good. In the simplest forms, like not littering, recycling, supporting local products, showing courtesy, following traffic rules. There are a thousand and one ways to do good anytime, anywhere.

And teach others to do good. MY daughter did her own share of doing good by donating to the SM Cares’ Bears of Joy. P200 for two bears, in which one is given to charity. She chose to give both.

Do good and teach others to do good.
Do good and teach others to do good.

5. Connecting with family and friends. Especially those whom you have not connected with for a long time, even enemies! Give love on Christmas Day may just be a song, but it holds the real essence of Christmas, which is God’s love for us.

And from the mall chain that has got it all for us, here’s how they make a very #MerrySMChristmas! Visit http://bit.ly/MerrySMChristmas for more details, and watch “How #MerrySMChristmas Begins.”

Have a good one!

~ Touringkitty

PRESS RELEASE: Bierra Paluto Restaurant: An extraordinary Dining Experience

From the moment you walk through our door, you can expect a warm welcome, lively atmosphere and a burst of exquisite flavors. Take a look and you’ll find a host of authentic features, the freshest ingredients and mouth-watering delicacies that capture the very essence of all things Filipino in Tex Mex Style. Put all of these together and you’ve got a vibrant and laid-back fiesta feeling that Bierra has become famous for. So sit back, relax and enjoy as Bierra takes ordinary dining into an extraordinary experience.

Bierra’s extraordinary experience will take you to a good food experience that no other Paluto Restaurant can do. Bierra’s must try dishes are the following: Buttered Shrimp with Garlic is sumptuous and very buttery with a hint of garlic. Sinigang sa Misong Tanigue will surely make your day, the soup is not too sour and the fish is very delectable. And last but not the least for their must try food is Sizzling Gambas has a lot of flavor and spiciness that you will ask for it every time you go to Bierra.

The Bierra’s menu boasts a wide variety of delicacies of seafood, chicken and meat. To excite your appetite, here is a glimpse of what’s in store at Bierra:

Seafood:

Calamares, Buttered Shrimp with Garlic, Baked Tahong with Cheese, Sizzling Tanigue Steak, Prawn in Chili Sauce, Sinigang sa Miso, Halaan Soup and Ginataang Kuhol.

10833861_315284585344747_81729394_n
A Seafood Feast

Chicken:

Sizzling Chicken, Tinolang Manok, Buttered Chicken and Fried Chicken

Meat (Beef / Pork):

Sinigang na Baboy, Pork Adobo and Ihaw Marinated BBQ.

Veggies:

Adobong KangKong, Chopsuey, Ensaladang Lato and Ensaladang Mangga.

 

manggaatbagoong
Filipino delights Mangga at Bagoong

Bierra’s décor is engaging and have earth hues, it has Mexican feel and ambiance, but truly Filipino in taste. They have a nice wooden glass door, 4 wall light fixtures. The dining room can seat 100 plus people and they accommodate Baptism, Company Christmas Party, Debut and other occasions.

dirtynachos

They also have Live bands, Acoustic Nights, Stand Up Comedian, Videoke Nights and Rock Bands.

It’s all here waiting for you at Bierra Paluto Restaurant!

Bierra Paluto Restaurant is located at Unit 105 Seaside sa Ortigas, Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City is

open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Street parking and public lots are readily

available. Visit the restaurant on their Facebook Page, facebook.com/BierraPalutoRestaurant. For

reservations, please call (650)367.7974.

Caritas et amor in the noblest way

I have been wanting to write about this for weeks now, but I was not able to create the best title for this, until I found this:

Caritas et amor (Gregorian chorale) by Z. Randall Stroope (*1955)
Sung by the Philippine Madrigal Singers
Church of St. Matthias, Munich-Fürstenried, Germany, 2010.
Video credits: isispartners

And that’s what I experienced during my visit to two institutions last month: Elsie Gaches Village and Kinder Zoo (now known as Adventure Jungle).

Caritas

Christian love of humankind. Charity.

The Shrine of Jesus volunteers visited Elsie Gaches Village in Alabang, Muntinlupa as our outreach activity. As we arrived, we were briefed by one of the social workers there, as to what to expect. They only have a few social workers taking care of some 500 people, young and old, with physical disabilities and special conditions, specifically the mentally challenged. If I recall it right, the proportion is two social workers to one cottage with about 50 persons. That’s too much! A salute is not enough for their noble work.

We were ready. The patients trickled in, and so did the rain. We would have wanted to take a peek of the 16-hectare area donated to the government that used to be a summer villa of philanthropists Samuel Gaches and Elsie McCloskey. One of the volunteers cracked the ice by teaching the patients an action song, which I accompanied with the guitar my husband brought. We were asked to render some songs for them later in the morning.

Randomly, some volunteers would pull me out of a group to play guitar for the others. And they were all delighted to listen to the guitar! Some patients have amazing voices, like the girl who sang Journey popularized by Lea Salonga. Some requested songs and I tried my best to play them well. Mind you, I had to play everything without sheet music, and I did it! What power and love music can give.

One specific reminder that was mentioned to us is that these people appreciate being touched as a sign of love, because of the lack of it. High fives, handshakes, and hugs filled that rainy morning, and were generously given by the Shrine volunteers, and reciprocated by the patients.

We capped the visit with snacks and a simple gift-giving. Theirs are such appreciative and kind souls. We, for sure, are the strangers in their special and blessed world. And as we part, we can’t just help but wonder when they will feel that love again, and from whom. The social worker told us that since the holidays are coming in, a number of organizations wanted to pay the village a visit to do an outreach as well.

I can’t explain how I felt but I was just grateful to the Divine Master for this opportunity not only to do our apostolate to those in need, but also for the chance to do this with some of the nicest people I know — the Shrine volunteers and our Rector, Mons Bobby. They are all inspirations to us as we continue to do our ministry in the Shrine. Challenging days in the Shrine are always outshined by days like this.

It was also a great opportunity to meet the social workers and listen to their stories. They are the patients’ heroes. They are our heroes! No one can match the caritas they selflessly give.

Amor

Love. The greatest gift.

Love for animals. They say that animals are a man’s best friend. For zookeepers, this love is so pure.

I took my daughter to Adventure Jungle, found in nearby Manila Zoo, through the invitation of their PR officer, Grace Nicolas, a fellow mom blogger. We’ve been to Manila Zoo before, but this is another facility inside the zoo. And we saw new animals and Aria even got to ride the horse! Truly a highlight for my little champ.

There also, we met and talked with two people, Neng, who has been a zookeeper for more than a decade already. She explained to us that a zookeeper should be mindful of the animal’s feeding schedule, diet, and the like. She had studied these animals on her own, and she’s not even a veterinarian! It was just pure love dedicated to these animal friends.

We also met Mr. John Chua, brand ambassador for Canon Philippines, and a volunteer elephant keeper at the Manila Zoo. He frequents Manila Zoo and he loves Mali the elephant so much, that Mali follows his commands! The kids during the tour were able to feed Mali with some bananas, and Mr. Chua asked Mali to hug one of the media people who covered the event. And he is not paid for this.

If these animals could only talk, I am sure that they will profusely thank Ms. Neng and Mr. John, and their loving zookeepers.

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. God is defintely there, in these two places.

~ Touringkitty