By Fung Yu

Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Click the images to view the 360-degree VRs. Adobe Flash 10 or higher is required. Average VR size is 2.3Mb each.

ANOTHER great dream is being unfolded in a little corner of space near the grounds of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Led by Art Valdez, the man behind the success of putting Filipinos on the summit of Mt. Everest, the new project will embark on a maritime adventure across the Philippine archipelago using a traditional wooden boat called the “balangay.”

The aim of this endeavor is to re-trace some of our ancestor’s journey in the Indo-Pacific during pre-colonial times in the effort to rekindle Filipino pride and spirit in the long forgotten maritime heritage.

First excavated in the late 1970s in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte by the National Museum, the balangay (also called ‘Butuan boat’), is a plank boat adjoined by carved-out planks edged through pins or dowels. Nine balangays were actually discovered. The first one was preserved and displayed in the excavation site, carbon-dated at year 320AD. The second was dated to 1250 and is now displayed in the National Museum. The third was moved to the Butuan Regional Museum for preservation works, while the remaining six balangays remained in their original waterlogged condition, and are yet to be excavated.

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By Fung Yu

Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Click the images to view the 360-degree VRs. Adobe Flash 10 or higher is required. Average VR size is 2.2Mb each.

Eldar’s Tent was filled with soap bubbles reflected against multi-colored stage lights, the interior was made to appear like an underwater scene. The play was a summer special entitled “An Under the Sea Experience” which showcase the talents of EK’s cast members and select GMA artists.

Dressed in colorful costumes, cast members serenaded the audience with songs and dance that told the adventures of the sea creatures with the surface dwellers. The musical play captured everyone’s imagination, and for a brief moment, it can truly be described as magical!

Together with a group of select bloggers, this writer was invited to experience Enchanted Kingdom’s many attractions, foremost being the newly launched “Magicalympics.”

Magicalympics is a team building activity that fuses certain tasks with the park’s rides in order to accomplish a team’s goal in the least amount of time. Call it ala Amazing Race with a little twist.
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IF you love Singapore and a good deal, then this is good time to book Jetstar.

The carrier is now offering one of its largest promotions in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board.

The package offers the carrier’s passengers a Singapore experience, including accommodation, a ride on the Singapore Flyer–the world’s largest observation wheel–and shop at the airport–all for free.

Jetstar says passengers booking flights to Singapore between June 8 and 16, 2009 for flights between July 1 and 31 October 2009, will receive a free return flight (excluding airport taxes).

For every one-night stay at participating Accor properties–IBIS Singapore on Bencoolen, the Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel or the Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay–Jetstar passengers will also get the second night’s stay for free during this promotional period.

The freebies do not just cover the flights and accommodation. By presenting the Jetstar boarding pass, passengers participating in the promotion will be able to take a free ride on the iconic Singapore Flyer and enjoy a 5 Singapore-dollar voucher to shop at Singapore Changi Airport on the way home from their Singapore holiday.

Each traveler stands to save and even get to see some events in the pipeline:
• Great Singapore Sale (29 May - 26 July 2009)
• Ballet Under the Stars (17 July 2009)
• Singapore Food Festival (17-26 July 2009)
• Jazz by the Beach (4 July 2009)
• Nine Inch Nails Live in Singapore (10 August 2009)
• Singapore Sun Festival (3-12 October 2009)
• ARTSingapore (9-12 October 2009)

Promotional packages can be booked via jetstar.com or 1800 1611 0280 (24hr TOLL FREE) or Jetstar Makati Office (632) 810 4744, Cubao 913 2792, Cebu (32) 254 9604, Davao (82) 224 6001. Terms and conditions apply visit www.jetstar.com/specials/1for1