Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO City, Philippines — Who would have thought that I would catch the world-renowned Loboc Children’s Choir in Antipolo City instead of Bohol?

The Loboc Children’s Choir is composed of young kids ages 6 to 15 years. Just this October 8, 2008, they went all the way to Assumption College of Antipolo together with the Loboc Youth Ambassador’s Band to render series of song and music for peace. It was a concert for a cause and the proceeds will go to the Children and Peace Philippines.

Before their concert, I spoke with Maestra Alma Taldo, the conductor of the famous children’s choir that was born in 1980. According to her, she never really expected that they will go this far.

“We assembled a choir because there was a memorandum from National Musical Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA ) to organize a choir and so we did for the sake of organizing,” Taldo says. But no one had a clue that they will eventually earn recognitions and invitations from different parts of the world after winning three times in the National Champion Prize in the NAMCYA. The choir won its first NAMCYA in 1993.

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By Izah Morales
INQUIRER.net

“Bahay Kubo kahit munti ang halaman doon ay sari-sari…”

The song brings nostalgia of how life in the rural side can be simple and modest. But as time ticks away, such life calls for modernization. Would a modern Bahay Kubo be possible in the age of digitization?

Isolina Calma made it possible when she conceptualized a modern Bahay Kubo 57 years ago. Her daughter, Jophine Calma-Lazaro recalled how her mother fancied bamboos.

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This article is also published in the Proudly Filipina blog, an online magazine and social network that simulates the warm, intimate and safe environment of bonding with your sisters or best girlfriends. Through a selection of articles on love, sex, hobbies, soulful stories, inspiration, health and wellness, advocacies and women’s issues and that are targeted towards enriching the Pinay’s heart, body and spirit, it’s every Filipina’s virtual coffee-and-cupcake time at the click of a mouse.

By Rissa Calica-Gimenez

ARE you a Maria Clara? A Gabriela Silang? Or a Cory Aquino? Like all women, Filipinas do come in all shapes and sizes. But what sets us apart is our character — unique, distinct, feisty, yet caring to the max. Find out what type of a Filipina you are and have fun!

You’re a Maria Clara if you…

Dare not dine alone in a restaurant
Can’t wear a dress with low neckline
Won’t go out on a first date without a friend or a chaperone
Are demure and would not think of raising your voice
Would rather “die” than call a guy on the phone

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UPDATE: Editor’s note: Added videos.

By Izah Morales
INQUIRER.net

KNOWN for its wood-carved religious images, Paete is a haven for sculpture. But behind the religious images are two different sculptors whom I met while looking for the Last Supper.

When I entered Galerie Christine, I was amazed by the paintings and sculpture displayed.

There I met a young sculptor, Glenn Cagandahan, a Fine Arts graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He shared that he once only created art when he was in the mood. But then, sometimes it takes a month before inspiration motivates him to do sculptures. His wake-up call came when he was asked to do masks for a theatrical production at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

Here’s a video interview I conducted.

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By Quay Evano, Contributor
INQUIRER.net

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates–During the press conference of award-winning composer and rock balladeer (l-r) Wency Cornejo, sexy actress-turned-singer Ara Mina and saxophone player John Ray for their show in Dubai called “Rock Ballad, Soul and All That Jazz,” one of the members of the Filipino Press Club-UAE asked the three artists how they want to be remembered by people when they are no longer famous.

Wency quickly answered: “More than anything else, I think I will be remembered for my songs. I believe I have composed many songs that have touched the hearts of many Filipinos. For an artist, I believe that is what is important — to have a legacy in the lives of people. Even if I pass away, my songs will live on and in some sense, so will I.”

Yes, for millions of his Filipino fans, Wency Cornejo, the unique and soulful voice behind beautiful ballads such as “Habang May Buhay,” “Hanggang” and “Only You” and generation-defining rock anthems like “Next in Line,” “Mangarap Ka,” “Pagtawid” and “Panahon,” he will surely be remembered for his songs. His immortality is clearly defined in his music. But for most of his closest friends, it is his true friendship, more than his music that he will be remembered for… because that’s what he really is aside from being a true musician — he is a true friend.

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CHECK out this video taken by INQUIRER.net business editor Ma. Salve Duplito. Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando talks about Marikina’s unique Angkan Angkanan Festival, which may include this year a new competition on which clan has traced the most number of ancestors.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

For more videos, visit INQUIRER.net VDO.

SAMAON SULAIMAN of Mama sa Pano, Maguindanao received the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasure Award in 1993 for outstanding artistry in the Maguindanao kutyapi, a two-stringed plucked lute. Watch him play this difficult-to-master Filipino instrument.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Video produced and provided by Tesoros.ph.

By Margaux Ortiz
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–Imagine going to Manila Bay and coming face-to-face with a shark or even a school of fierce barracudas.

Come December, this awesome scene would be experienced by Filipinos — adults and children alike — with the completion of the Manila Ocean Park just behind the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park.

The ocean park, a P1-billion project of Singaporean and Malaysian investors, is the first world-class marine park to adopt a “fusion concept,” according to Manila Ocean Park president Lim Chee Yong.

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By Gerald Gene R. Querubin
Inquirer

BOAC, Marinduque–The Muslims have their “singkil” and the Visayans, their “Usahay” and “Dandansoy.” But what do the people of Marinduque have?

This question has inspired an advocacy by a music educator since childhood to learn and preserve songs and folk dances that are truly Marinduqueño.

“I heard old folks in my place singing old short songs aside from the kundiman and love songs with positive values. I listened to some of them and there, my research began,” says Prof. Rex Manuel Asuncion, who is now director of the Center for Cultural Arts Studies of the Marinduque State College in Boac town.

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