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After a successful premiere during PhilFest in April 2012, the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. is proud to present “Ana Maria”, a Filipino Zarzuela, at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center on Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 3:00PM and 6:30 PM. This comic Philippine musicale, which was popular in the 1920’s, was collaboration by Filipino composer and national artist Antonio Molina (1894-1980) and playwright Severino Reyes (1861-1942), aka Lola Basyang.

Photos taken around Hotel Maya in Long Beach, California during my cousin Elise’s wedding. It was a perfect place for a wedding reception – the riverfront, Queen Victoria in the background, colorful city lights at night and such! And with a happy family around, the event was just perfect!

Photos I took at the University of the Philippines, Diliman when I went there to visit in June, 2011. It was a very nostalgic moment because I haven’t seen my school in nearly ten years or so. I was glad I went there, even just for a moment!

The Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. presents five classical artists, violinist Brent Lorenzo Taghap, flutist Joshua Abrahan and pianists Joy Tyler, David Martinez III and Nhick Ramiro Pacis in an afternoon of pure instrumental classics on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 3:00 in the afternoon at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center in Tampa, Florida.

I just uploaded photos from the Philippine Performing Arts Company, Inc. gala show “Dances of the Philippines” at the David Straz Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 26, 2012. These dances were put together by Joey Omila, PPAC’s artistic director, who was a member of the Bayanihan Dance Company in the Philippines.

Photos from the Philippine Performing Arts Company, Inc. gala show “Dances of the Philippines” at the David Straz Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 26, 2012. These dances were put together by Joey Omila, PPAC’s artistic director, who was a member of the Bayanihan Dance Company in the Philippines.

Photos of Taal Volcano that I took during my vacation in the Philippines in 2011. This violently active volcano lies just a few miles south of Manila and it is one of the most picturesque nature destinations near the city. If you happen to be in the Philippines, this is a must-see!

Unresolved realities in Manila (and the whole Philippines) that need not be overlooked: these shanties are just a sampling of what a big percentage of Manila [still] looks like. Yes, we are always bragging about the fancy shopping centers and the classy condos being constructed everywhere but what about these people who almost don’t have anything but crumbling walls and ceilings?

Although converted into University of Tampa in 1933, this wonderful structure was a 3-million-dollar hotel built in the 1880’s. I had the pleasure of taking photos during Eric Whitacrer’s “Soaring Leap” workshop in January, 2012. I forgot to note that I separated the photos of the building from the ones from the workshop so when I saw them tonight I ended up editing them for my site. University of Tampa is such a nice nook in downtown Tampa and I think its buildings are among the most beautiful structures in the area. Here are some photos that I took.