Last 23rd of May, the Pinoy Youth Ministry in Salmiya Kuwait showcased a popular Filipino Folk Dance called Cariñosa representing the beautiful culture and tradition of the Philippines in front of different Ambassadors, selected Kuwaiti officials and Catholic parishioners at the Al Zumerida Palace Hotel in Salwa. The event was organized as a "Family Dinner for a Cause" by the Catholic community of Kuwait City Church for the completion of the cathedral in Bahrain.
PYMSK in traditional Filipino costume
Cariñosa Dance Presentation
Video courtesy of SaintGregorie Productions
The presentation lasted for less than 8 minutes combined with colorful video presentation showcasing the beautiful culture and popular tourist destinations of the country.
Official event poster. Image credit to SaintGregorieProductions
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name - Psalm 18:49
The past 2 weeks has been a crazy roller coaster ride. Who would've thought that I would be part of two amazing music events to be held on the same week? I'm not an amateur nor a pro at handling events but I've personally handled a wedding, debut, seminars/workshops/conferences, drama play, school contest and fair and even a Bingo event in our local community back then. But this is somewhat different since both affairs were done for a cause. The rock concert aims to contribute in building a catholic church in Bahrain while the singing contest is to promote Filipino talents in the Middle East as well as support the scholarship projects of ANCOP in the Philippines.
The Bigkis Bandang Pinoy Concert for a Causewhich was held last Thursday, September 5 at Don Bosco School in Salmiya was organized by the Pearl of the Orient (PYMSK and TFC) led by Fr. Ben Barrameda in cooperation with Pinoy Q8 Talents. Different Filipino organizations also helped sponsor the event (FAST, Pindot, PinoyHubs etc) and the night was a success with 7 Pinoy local bands (Middle String, 8th Note, Beats &Pieces, Blue Chords, Lillium, Impulse and Abandoned) who graced the stage with awesome live music showcasing Filipino musical talents.
Image credit to Among Ben
Moreover, theANCOP Global Pinoy Singing Idol Kuwait Finals was held at the Ballroom Hall of Carlton Hotel in Kuwait City last September 6, Friday. The contest is a project of ANCOP in cooperation with ABS-CBN DZMM and was sponsored locally by ICSA and some generous individuals. This singing contest does not only aim at showcasing Filipino prowess in singing but as well as in promoting ANCOP Global Walk 2013 in support for ANCOP's scholarship projects in the Philippines.
Official video teaser for ANCOP Global Pinoy Singing Idol Kuwait Finals 2013
Official ANCOP GPSI Kuwait Finals poster
Eight (8) amazing talents graced the stage rendering their own version of Louis Armstrongs "Wonderful World" and singing their heart out with their chosen Finale pieces.
Image credit to ANCOP's Jon Parian
At the end, the Jazzy Popster contender from Hawally, Ms Lyza Pajo won the event bagging the all expense paid round-trip airfare to the ANCOP Global Pinoy Singing Idol Middle East Finals on September 27. From there, two (2) winners will represent the Middle East in the ANCOP Global Pinoy Singing Idol Championships to be held in Manila on December 2013/January 2014. The champion will take home $1000 USD cash prize, the title of ANCOP GPSI Champion for 2014 and possibly a recording contract* from ABS-CBN.
As of this writing, ANCOP GPSI Kuwait winner is already preparing for the Middle East finals so I'm crossing my fingers now that she'll hopefully win the said competition. Go Lyza! Go Kuwait! :)
Last Thursday night I have been invited to attend a blessing ceremony for the new Filipino paper Kabayan Global Magazine's mother company, Alkaline Media Advertising. It was a fun-filled event where representatives from the Philippine Embassy and Filipino organizations here are present. Interestingly, it was actually my first time to attend such an event here in Kuwait so it was an experience that would probably stick for a while.
Invitation I got from Ms. Gracia Amor
Alkaline Media owner with the Philippine Embassy representatives during the signing of the Alkaline Media blessing memorabilia board
Alkaline media owner with the Philippine Embassy representatives during the ribbon cutting ceremony
Office building at Room 103
During the reception where Pastor Gil Bantugan led the grace before meals. A small active discussion was presented by Filinvest Representatives highlighting Filipino pride
I'm not really sure when the exhibit started and for what cause, but one thing I know it's meant to showcase the local's wealth with their obviously expensive yachts. A friend of mine got in but because she's friends with one of the yacht owners wife and as far as I know the show is kind of exclusive. We do tried to get in (Jan 31st) but were told you need invites to do so. It sure sucks since I wanted to get inside one of the yachts. But anyway... I have also seen the model used by the local coast guard when patrolling their seas. The amount of each yacht were not plastered but by the looks of them, I'm definite they're worth thousands (millions) of dollars!
Main entrance to the Kuwait Yacht Show 2013
Italian Azimut 95 model Yacht, a Flybridge collection model
It has a total of 120 square metres surface
Guess how much it's worth? A staggering US $10,000,000!
Since I keep seeing logos of Wataniya and Burgan Bank, I guess it's obvious they're one of the show's sponsors
For weeks now, the Ai-Ai delas Alas, Bugoy Drilon and Lizcel Garcia tandem has been a trending topic in the Pinoy community in Kuwait. Tons of posters are scattered all over and tickets are sold like candy. So when the day came last January 25th, Al-Arabi Sports Club was jam packed with screaming fans. People are everywhere anticipating the time when their favorite celebrity would come out. The atmosphere was filled with excitement because another set of Filipino celebrities came to Kuwait for a night of promising laughter and joy.
General Admission tickets that we bought for the event. But through a good sponsor, we were upgraded to VIP!
The concert "Musika at Tawanan sa Kuwait" also featured amateur singers based here to showcase their talents. After only an hour of waiting, Lizcel serenaded the fans with hit OPM songs as well as Bugoy singing his hit-tunes. Then came Philippine's blockbuster comedy queen Ai-Ai Delas Alas doing a series of song-and-dance performances. She also used her wit and funny punch lines to entertain the crowd, whilst proving her celebrity title.
Crowded stadium!
Bugoy Drilon performing his hit song "Hindi na Bale"
The comedy queen Ai-ai de las Alas
The concert ended with a raffle give-away for the audience as part of the event's main cause to aid a distressed Filipino convict who has been held in prison due to false accusations for more than 15 years. Knowing this however made me feel more better since I not only enjoyed the event but I found out that through this, I was also able to partake in the cause.
-- Unfortunately I was only able to take pictures using my smart phone since I really didn't plan on going in the first place. *sigh* --
One friend told me "Iba ang pakiramdam kapag alam mo na makakatulong ka/It's a different feeling when you know you can help". This statement simply sums up what I have experienced last Friday after I said YES to become part of a Garage Sale.
This kind of event isn't something new to me. As a kid growing up in a Catholic school, we've been doing regular charity events or sales in order to raise funds for those who are in need of help. The usual fund raising activity would either be a Bingo game, a sports tournament, a ball/party, food sales or garage sales such as this one. On most occasions, the resources that we use for these events were sponsored by my rich classmates or from companies who have answered our sponsorship letters, so I actually don't remember a time when we have certain difficulties whenever we gather our resources. But with the recent event that I attended to...it was a rather different experience.
Since this is only a religious-community-based event, under the CFC, the initial gathering of resources for the said Garage sale has already posed a struggle. Unfortunately, not everyone appears to have a kind heart to donate their semi-used goods for charitable purposes. But still lucky enough, and yes, through God's way, unexpected miracles do happen. It's only a matter of believing, I guess. So on the day of the said event, when we're about to tally what we have gathered, we're surprised to find 2 boxes and a couple of huge plastic bags filled with clothes and accessories to sell with! Some good-hearted people even donated used appliances to add to our list!
By the end of the day (around 5PM to be exact), even though not all of our stuffs were sold we have at least accumulated around 56KD! Not bad enough though. This money, as little as it may seem, will be sent to the Philippine's CFC ANCOP scholarship fund to help young kids with their school. But what's more interesting is that the left-over things will be shipped off instead to a depressed part in India as aid for those who have been stricken by the current flooding. This has been agreed upon by the leaders of the community since the last time when the Filipino members of the CFC community were in need of help, our Indian brothers and sisters have been generous enough. So this of course seems like a great deal of giving back what they deserve.
I do hope that this act of kindness and sharing will be a common practice not only because this is an event run by a religious community nor by a certain group of people, but by everyone in the hopes that this will be a symbol of unity for all.
For the past week now I have been seeing numerous flags of different countries proudly standing on the islands of 4th ring road, 6th ring road, etc and cops are just everywhere, some even barricading numerous roads and hotels. I thought it was just some sort of International affair that the locals are celebrating since the Eid holiday is only a few weeks away. But after watching the news on cable TV and reading an article about Asia Cooperation Summit to be held here in Kuwait, that confirmed what I have been witnessing lately. Since I'm not much of a political-business-junkie, I wasn't even aware that such groups like the ACD existed. I know the likes of UN, G7 and the ASEAN, but the ACD sound's new to my ears. After researching on google and reading an article, here's what I found (Link):
"The summit would review promotion of investments especially the role of
sovereign wealth funds to invest in other Asian nations which have the
potential." (AFP News)
Technically speaking, the ACD is to gather all the major energy producers in the region and discussing ways to promote investments. This would also serve as a tie to strengthen the relationship of each member nations. What's interesting is that I have heard no such thing has occurred in Kuwait for the last decade, more so having the country as a host. This of course can pave way to highlight the image of Kuwait among the other oil-rich nations in the world. Hopefully though, more projects and ties can be created to benefit a lot of people and that this kind of international summits will not be the last.
My Dad, who is a frequent traveller would always tell me that "in order to really feel what it's like to be in a new place, it's always good to check out where the locals would go." This of course would instantly tell me to go and search for the hotspots where everyone would hangout with, but obviously that would either be the gazillion restaurants in Kuwait, numerous malls, theme parks or the long stretch of Marina bay. (Note: Kuwait is a coastal country) But instead, what my Dad really wants to tell me was to be in places were the locals would really be found...where culture would be very evident.
First stop.. the Mosque. Unfortunately though, I'm not a Muslim so it would be weird for me to go in there and take pictures. Although there's a foreign-based group here called the AWARE CENTER that cater tour guides for expats. It so happens that my schedule just couldn't fit theirs. Maybe next time..haha.
And yes..the Wet market. Interestingly, all the salesmen wear white labcoats and the whole fish market was centralized with AC. That's a new thing for me because back in Manila, only supermarkets have centralized ACs. But this is a public wet market! But what's the best thing? You can buy cheap chunks of big fish like Tuna, Blue Marlin, etc for only less than 1.5KD a kilo.
The other day while I was checking my Facebook account I was linked to a page, encouraging me to like a certain drawing. Curious, I scanned the whole album and saw that it was part of Eureka's Drawing contest. (Eureka by the way is a known electronic shop in Kuwait) The first thought that came to my head was "I need to be in it". So yes, the next thing I did was read the mechanics of the contest, message Eureka's page with my name and contact details and wait for their call to set me up an appointment. I wasn't actually sure why I did that, but hey there's always a first time. Plus, the winner would take home $3,500 in cash and a brand new Samsung Galaxy Note.
Well, I honestly can say that I'm not that good with drawing or paintings or sketches, but I do have an eye for the arts. Funny thing is, the last time I made my own canvass was back in College and that was more than 6 years ago. So when they called me roughly 2 days after I signed up, or applied for if that's the proper term, I was kind of..ecstatic. I reread the mechanics again and interestingly they have 3 prizes to be given away. Obviously I'm not up for either the first or the second prize because I find myself wanting to bag the third prize. Guess what that is? They have this "Worst Drawing" award where you can win a brand new Samsung Galaxy Note minus the money. That was funny, but at least a worst drawing can still get a prize. And that's the important thing.
So a few hours ago, I finally went there. My schedule was at 6PM Eureka Salmiya Showroom. I came just in time, thankfully though there was no traffic. The event was held at the basement area and there were 4 couches with flat screens in front where everyone can see the drawings. Oh yeah, the drawing was supposed to be done using the Samsung Galaxy Note. Isn't that wicked? It sure it. Unfortunately though we were only given 15 minutes to do any kind of drawing we'd want (obviously under PG rating since hello this is Kuwait) and that my hands were shaking all over. I didn't know why I suddenly got nervous, but I just couldn't stop my hands from shaking. Add the fact that the Galaxy note was thin and the stylus pen seems so delicate. There were also press people taking photos on the event and there's this one old media man joking around while telling me to concentrate on my work. Great, just exactly what I needed. Well It took me a couple of tries to muster my confidence (yeah right) and finish my drawing entry. Here's what I did below. Looking at it, I'm not eve sure what I had in mind. Don't laugh. Besides art is about expressing oneself right?
When I was done, one of the guys at Eureka told me that they'd put my work on their Facebook page and I'll just get a call if I'd win. Of course, his last statement almost made me laugh. But then I did remember what I came for..to win the Worst Drawing. (crosses my fingers) So, I guess I'll just have to wait if I'd win. They'd be announcing it by next week, I think.
It's been a month since I first heard that another set of Filipino artists would come to Kuwait to do a show, but unlike the previous one that I attended it wasn't free nor it was located inside a gorgeous hotel with dozens of freebies to be given away through its sponsors. Like any, the ticket fee was 3.5KD, coupled with the free rides inside the Sha'ab Park, but of course suffering the cold winter breeze that ranges from 10-13°C since it would be held in an open ground. I don't know who the hell conceptualized the idea that having the show in a leisure park is good with the current season in mind, but anyway it's probably all about the money. Considering those, I obviously didn't intend to see it even though I'd really like to see Richard Poon in person.
Luckily, my cousin wanted to see Sitti, one of the two artists and thought it's a good chance to spend his rare 2 and half days off from his job. He works in a hospital and it's not everyday that he'd get to have those free time. Bottom line, I ended up calling one of my friends for the tickets as I braced myself to see if this event would be successful as I initially thought it wouldn't be.
And just as I have imagined, the area wasn't as crowded or full as I have experienced before with the Allan K concert a few months ago. It was probably due to the two crazy factors I cited above, but anyway since I'm already there I took all the chance I got to entertain myself in taking their photos and listening to their music. Oh, have to say Richard Poon was really charming in person than on TV.
While I was cleaning my computer for unnecessary files, I stumble upon a few pictures that I took last August. It was included in the Ramadan picture folder that I have in my D drive. They were photos of three Arab musicians playing at a local mall here (Al Fanar). I didn't know their names nor the kind of instruments that they were using but I have to say that their melody was good. Not the typical pop, rnb, hip hop or soul music that you'd hear on the radio because it presents more of an ethnic feel, you know something that would remind you about folk songs, more like probably how Arab traditional music sounds like. Reminiscing back that memory, I know I was with my cousins that day and I had been surprised to see that there's such a performance occurring on this place. I mean back home mall tours of different local and international artists were a common thing but in Kuwait? I was like...really?! I know we listened to their performance - mind you it was all instrumental - for more than 15 minutes because it was really soothing to the ears. It felt like a lullaby.
Looking at the photos, I googled to know what the instruments that these musicians were playing. Unfortunately blogger diasbled the caption feature for each photos so I'll just describe who plays which instrument. The man on the left happened to be playing what they call Oud. At first glance you'd thought it's a banjo, because of its strings but with a bigger pear-shaped body, lacking frets and appears to have a rather small neck. The other man on the right side was seen playing a Riq. I thought it was a typical tambourine at first glance but according to what I read it's mainly composed of wood and fish or goat skin. Among the three, the girl's instrument really caught my attention. I've never seen such a flat-stringed instrument like what she was using and thanks to Wikipedia, I found out that it was called Kanun. It's a type of zither that has a trapezoidal body. If you look closely she placed it on a table to have the ease of playing it instead of putting it on her lap. Then as I continued to read what each does, I found out that what I have just seen back then at the mall was called a Takht Performance or what they'd call an ensemble of Arabic musical instruments. The only question left in my mind was who were these people, I mean if they're known artists and what musical genre were they really playing? Anyhow, I'd probably see more of these kinds of performances later on since I'll be staying here for a while.
