Nina Live in Dubai 2009 - the Concert

The recent concert of Asia’s Soul Siren in Dubai was a big hit as the Nina fanatics from different parts of UAE gathered together in Ratsky Bar last Thursday evening. There were also other nationalities spotted during that night and they seems to be excited to hear the sweet voice of the Philippines Queen of Pop.

Fans begun to cheer as Nina entered the stage with a song “Sunlight” wearing an elegant backless dress, but it was the song “StickWitU” (originally performed by the Pussycat Dolls) pumped up the crowd. Fans sing along with her and every time she pauses, the audience will finish the next line of the song where everyone really enjoyed.

As usual as every bar shows have, the event was attended by numerous birthday celebrants. Maybe some of them just sat on the corner quietly but there were some stood up and took the opportunity to have a duet with the Soul Siren. There was also a sexy vocalist from 12:30 band that had a vocal belting showdown with her.

The most awaited part and the most requested song of the night is of course, “Through the Fire”, one of her revival hits. A fan had a duet with her that he almost sang the entire lyrics.

We really enjoyed the show and we would like to say “Thank you!” to Ms. Rachel for inviting us in the show.

More photos of the concert here.

Nina Live in Dubai 2009 - the Prescon

We arrived at Pinoy Grill at around 12:45 PM this afternoon and there we met Ms. Rachel, the event coordinator who invited us for the Soul Siren’s Press Conference where Saleh Bin Lahej Group is the main sponsor of the event.  There, I also met Jinger Panganiban the Assistant Marketing Manager of Saleh Bin Lahej, Hospitality Division.
We started with a lunch (actually this is the part that I like most), we sat together with the Big Bang Event Organizers and right beside our table is the Tunog Pinoy Group. I’ve learned from the organizers that there are more big Stars from Philippine Showbiz that are set to perform here in Dubai and this sounds so exciting.

At around 1:30 PM, the Philippines Queen of Pop arrived wearing a casual yellow dress and our DSLRs starts flashing, a sign that we are now set for the main course of the afternoon “the Question and Answer portion”.
The host from Tunog Pinoy casts the first stone by asking love life related questions but Nina only smiled to us, seems that she avoids those kinds of questions.

It’s already the third time that Nina visited Dubai in her career and already visited the only 7 star hotel in the world, Burj Al Arab hotel. She’s also excited to visit the newest mall in Dubai, The Dubai Mall also near the World’s tallest building, Burj Dubai.

Aside from the famous skyscrapers of Dubai, Nina also eager to visit Palm Jumeirah where according to her she has a friend who lives in the Man Made Island that can tour here around.
But the true excitement of the Soul Siren is to meet her Kabayans and Fans here in Dubai and tomorrow, July 9, 2009 in Ratsky.

Nina promised that the concert which scheduled tomorrow will be interactive, where fans have the opportunity to request their favorite song and the Soul Siren will sing it for them.

Nina Live in Dubai 2009

The Asia’s Soul Siren and the Philippine’s Queen of Pop will have a concert at Ratsky Club in Deira, Dubai this July 9, 2009.

Time: July 9, 2009 at 8pm to July 10, 2009 at 3am
Location: NINA Live at RATSKY CLUB Ramada Continental Hotel
Street: Abu Hail, Deira
City/Town: Dubai
Contact Info: 050-6783664, 050-4262001,050-4358304
Ticket Price: 85 AED
Doors open @ 8PM

2nd FilExpo in Dubai 2009 - A Night with Bossa Nova

The Queen of Bossa Nova, Ms. Sitti Navarro entertained the crowd of the just concluded “2nd FILEXPO in Dubai 2009: Tiangge, Bazaar, Atbp.” The event ended with a high note as shoppers (especially Filipinos) from around UAE gathered together in Hall 3 of the Dubai World Trade Center to shop and enjoy the nightly shows for the last three days.
“Sitti is a combination of Beauty and Brains” said DJ China Heart of WRR 101.9, “with a figure of a true beauty queen” he added. Indeed it’s true as Ms. Navarro bagged the title of Miss Visayas 2001 in the Miss Travel Girl Pageant and the first runner-up prize in the search for “Miss Silka” where she also won both Miss Friendship and Best in Swimwear.

The Pinoy Big Brother Season 2 host greeted her Dubai based fans and praised them for all their hardworks. A series of songs from her hits and her favorite songs of the 70s where the music of the evening but the most entertaining part of the show was when she started to tease her body guards to dance samba.

Another highlight of the evening was, when Sitti accomodated a request from a couple whose getting married. She was suppose to attend the wedding but due to some complications on her schedule, she can’t make it to the event.  So to make up for the couple, she opted to make a video which will be shown to the couple during their wedding.

The show ended with Sitti singing her most popular song “Hey look at the Sun” from her album Cafe Bossa. After the show, she gave her fans a chance to meet and greet her personally. The expo visitors who bought her album had a chance to get an autograph and meet her personally.

Sitti gave a beautiful performance which it was a fitting to end the night of the 2nd Philippine Expo. We are looking forward for the 3rd FILEXPO in dubai.

More photos from the Bossa Nova’s concert here.

The 2nd Filipino Expo in Dubai 2009 - the Grand Opening Day

The time is already 11:50 AM but complains from the users are still coming plus the backup job is still running but thank God when the time reaches at exactly 12 noon everything became peaceful and my Boss agreed that he’ll do the changing of the backup tapes so that I can attend the Grand Opening and the Cutting of Ribbon of the 2nd Filipino Expo in Dubai 2009.

When I reached Hall 3 of Dubai World Trade Center, there were already a number of Filipinos standing outside, waiting for the grand opening. During this time (12:30 PM) several members from the press geared with either DigiCam or VideoCam start to flock the area looking for the best position for the ribbon cutting.

At exactly 1:00 PM, the Grand Opening ceremony started and the Ribbon-Cutting also took place headed by the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Libran Cabactulan  and just like that the 2nd Filipino Expo 2009 in Dubai is now open to everyone.

Below are some of the photos that we took during the event.

The FilExpo will not be complete without the original products of the Philippines and it is indeed everybody’s favorite, the “Dried Sea Foods”.

For more festive mood and Pinoy style, colorful banderitas will be seen inside the FilExpo.

Signage as big as shown above will surely take the attention of anyone who pass by the corridors of Dubai World Trade Center.

I usually see the flag of the Philippines sticked on a Filipino owned car, but during the event a new way of showcasing of being a true “makabayan”, Flag on the Sleeve.

Giant size Crocs at the FilExpo! If you missed the sale of Crocs a month ago then don’t get dismayed because they’re still here, a perfect pasalubong item for our family members and friends in Pinas.

Missed our local sweet products? Crave no more because they are waiting for you in Hall 3 of the Dubai World Trade Center.

Summer time is here and if you want to look cool in your short pants then why take one of these cool sandals, to cool your day?

Can’t get close to your favorite celebrity? No problem because giant screen is there to make them larger.

The 2nd Filipino Expo 2009 in Dubai

There’s definitely more reason to join the merry festivities at The 2nd FILEXPO in Dubai: Tiangge, Bazaar, Atbp. In the line with The Filipino Channel’s 15th anniversary, we are bringing you a BIGGER, BETTER and MORE FUN-FILLED EXPERIENCE on July 2 to 4, 2009 at the Hall 3, Dubai World Trade Center.

The 1st Filipino Expo in Dubai and Qatar held in 2008 gathered a tumultuous number close to 60,000 attendees making it the most successful and most attended all-Filipino organized event in the Middle East to date. Shoppers and exhibitors alike had a superb experience in the event that is beyond doubt for the Filipino, by the Filipino.

This year, set your sights to the largest convergence of Philippine companies in Dubai. Expect the leading groups in the industry of real estate, banking, cargo and remittance, transportation and automobile products to offer their best deals for the Global Pinoy. Don’t get left behind with the most up-to-date offers on electronics and telecommunications. Plan your next trip with travel and leisure packages within your reach. You want ‘tiangge’? Then ‘tiangge’ it is! Get ready for more stylish apparels, accessories and cosmetics to satiate the fashion frenzy.

Various services will be offered to the Filipinos in the UAE. Representatives of the Philippine Government will be present through the three-day affair. Employment and business opportunities are also available in the exhibition hall.

And after hours of shopping, treat yourself to the soothing sounds of ASAP Sessionistas. A variety of Kapamilya artists will serenade the audience with their distinct mellow tunes paired with their authentic musical talent that is proudly Filipino. Savor the soothing vocals of crooner Richard Poon in Ballad Thursday. Meet you Pinoy Dream Academy idols Bugoy Drilon and Laarni Lozada in Pop Radio Friday. Chill with the Bossa Nova siren Sitti on Bossa Saturday. Radio DJ of WRR 101.9 China Heart will be the on-the-ground jock to provide extra entertainment to the expo-goers.

Entry to the venue is absolutely FREE. Tickets for the nightly shows are at AED 20 only. Plus, a free shuttle service will be offered to the venue. All these and more will be made possible especially for you at The 2nd FILEXPO IN DUBAI: TIANGGE, BAZAAR, ATBP.

Dubai Summer Surprises 2009 - Surprising Dubai

Summer season is now here in Dubai but will this be the reason that we’ll stay indoor because of the extreme temperature outside? I guess not because DSS or Dubai Summer Surprises 2009 will be our reason to stay on the go despite of scorching heat. Below are the activities prepared by DSF office for the residents and visitors of Dubai.

World of Stories: (12 June - 23 June)
Organized to recreate the fantasy world of fairytales and fables, World of Stories brings actors to stage to enact celebrated tales like ‘Cindrella’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. The shows will be held in English and Arabic. A new addition this year would be presenting stories from the Holy Qur’an.

Kids Fashion Week: (16 Jul - 22 Jul)
A glitzy fashion show by all means, the DSS Kids Fashion show sees some of the latest trends in kids fashion from across the region and the world and some budding fashion models on the ramp. Brands at the 2009 Kids Fashion Week include internationally renowned labels.

Kids Olympics Games: (23 July - 29 July)
A competitive but fun-filled series of sport activities for children, Kids Olympics brings out the competition in children and their parents. A must-watch event for all families, the 2009 edition of Kids Olympics features two arenas to accommodate competitions for children of all ages.

The Collectors: (27 July - 7 August)
An exhibition of various artifacts and collectibles, visitors can find seasoned regional and local collectors and prodigies with their valuable treasures. The collectibles displayed include cars, stamps, coins, photographs, car licence plates etc.

Min Bladi Al Emarat: (1 July - 10 July)
A traditional event that focuses on Emirati heritage activities, Min Bladi has been a major crowd puller since it featured in In-Mall Events. The main attraction of Min Bladi is the competitions that are held to pick the best displays of local food and culture. The event is an authentic presentation of culture in the UAE.

Arts Oasis: (9 July - 15 July)
A gathering of artists from around the world, Arts Oasis is an opportunity for all to meet some highly regarded and well-known resident artists and their works. Organised in cooperation with the Dubai Cultural Council, Arts Oasis 2008 will feature works themed on various cultures. The 2009 Arts Oasis will lay emphasis on the ‘Go-Green’ theme to highlight effects of global warming.

Sheila and Abaya Fashion: (27 June - 30 June)
A gathering of talented local Sheila and Abaya designers, the Sheila and Abaya Fashion is among the most glamorous shows in Dubai for local attire. Featuring the hottest designs and the coolest trends in the world of abaya fashion, the event also hands out the best designer award.

Photography Exhibition: (6 August - 13 August)
An opportunity for talented photographers to display their creativity, the exhibition attracts some of the best talents in the country. In 2009, the Photography Exhibition will be open to all talented photographers whose entries will be judged by an eminent jury for the DSS 2009 Photography Award. Another highlight of this event is the participation by renowned National Geographic.

Junior Chef of the Year Awards: (8 July - 14 July)
Among the most prestigious awards in the Middle East in the hotel industry, the Junior Chef Awards are recognition of culinary talent across the region. The jury for the Awards include Master Chefs from around the world. During the event, multi-national chefs battle it out to showcase their finest preparations in numerous categories. A spectacular culinary display lasting seven days, the Awards attract around 600 chefs from all over the GCC every year.

Shopping in Dubai - win with every purchase
Dubai’s shopping malls, known for their expansive size and architectural detail, will be one among the main venues during DSS 2009, hosting several DSS activities and offering unbelievable promotions and discounts on a wide range of international brands. Shoppers in Dubai have a multitude of shopping options on a wide range of tax-free goods including electronics, garments, and some of the finest jewellery collections in the region.

Sources: Timeout Dubai, AME Info, MyDSF

The Ruins of Talisay

Last year during my yearly vacation, me and my family visited the place called the “Ruins” located in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. At that time the place is already a popular tourist attraction and became a favorite place for events like birthday, wedding, debuts and if someone blogs about Negros Island, the Ruins of Talisay is a must topic.

This morning as part of my daily routine before I start to work, I normally open a browser to read online news and usually the first website that I browse is of course the Visayan Daily Star, to keep me updated what’s the latest news in my province. The article that captured my attention is the “Talisay Ruins on list of 12 most fascinating”. According to the online newspaper, the Ruins of Talisay was included on the “12 of the World’s Most Fascinating Ruins” as featured on Oddee website, an entertainment blog on oddities, attracting over a million visitors each month.

Oddee.com is an entertainment blog on oddities, attracting over a million visitors each month. Focused on the odd, bizarre and strange things of our world, its daily articles and sections explore subjects from Science to Advertising and Technology; over 8.2 million pages are read at Oddee every month.

Just for a brief history, The “Ruins of Talisay” was built by a sugar planter named Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his wife Doña Maria Braga in the early 1900s but during World War II, the structure was torched with fire by the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) to prevent the Japanese forces to use the mansion as there headquarters.

Sources: VisayanDailyStar, ExperienceNegros, Oddee
Photos by: Wawartzzz Pix

Jebel Hafeet - Al Ain

Jebel Hafeet (Arabic: جبل حفيت‎) (variously translated Jabal, Jabel and Jebal) is a mountain primarily in the United Arab Emirates on the outskirts of Al Ain. The mountain actually straddles part of the border with Oman. The mountain rises 1240 meters and offers an impressive view over the city. Jebel Hafeet was a well-known landmark throughout the area’s history and is a contemporary tourist attraction. An extensive natural cave system winds through Jebel Hafeet.

At the foothills of Jabal Hafeet lies the Green Mubazarrah, a well developed tourist attraction. At the Green Mubazarrah, hot-water springs gush forth in little streams and form a lake. Swimming pools and jacuzzis are scattered all over the Green Mubazarrah. Jebel Hafeet is also home to a wide range of animals including bats, foxes, snakes, etc.

It is often incorrectly labelled U.A.E.’s highest mountain (as it is certainly the most well-known); this honor actually belongs to an unnamed ca 1910m knoll just across the border from Jebel Bil Ays in Oman. Jabal Yibir is the U.A.E.’s highest named peak.

Source: Wikipedia
Photos by Wawartzzz

Dubai - the History

Very little is known about pre-Islamic culture in the south-east Arabian peninsula, except that many ancient towns in the area were trading centers between the Eastern and Western worlds. The remnants of an ancient mangrove swamp, dated at 7,000 years, were discovered during the construction of sewer lines near Dubai Internet City. The area had been covered with sand about 5,000 years ago as the coastline retreated inland, becoming a part of the city’s present coastline. Prior to Islam, the people in this region worshiped Bajir (or Bajar). The Byzantine and Sassanian empires constituted the great powers of the period, with the Sassanians controlling much of the region. After the spread of

Islam in the region, the Umayyad Caliph, of the eastern Islamic world, invaded south-east Arabia and drove out the Sassanians. Excavations undertaken by the Dubai Museum in the region of Al-Jumayra (Jumeirah) indicate the existence of several artifacts from the Umayyad period. The earliest recorded mention of Dubai is in 1095, in the “Book of Geography” by the Andalusian-Arab geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri. The Venetian pearl merchant Gaspero Balbi visited the area in 1580 and mentioned Dubai (Dibei) for its pearling industry. Documented records of the town of Dubai exist only after 1799.

In the early 19th century, the Al Abu Falasa clan (House of Al-Falasi) of Bani Yas clan established Dubai, which remained a dependent of Abu Dhabi until 1833. On 8 January 1820, the sheikh of Dubai and other sheikhs in the region signed the “General Maritime Peace Treaty” with the British government. However, in 1833, the Al Maktoum dynasty (also descendants of the House of Al-Falasi) of the Bani Yas tribe left the settlement of Abu Dhabi and took over Dubai from the Abu Fasala clan without resistance. Dubai came under the protection of the United Kingdom by the “Exclusive Agreement” of 1892, with the latter agreeing to protect Dubai against any attacks from the Ottoman Empire. Two catastrophes struck the town during the 1800s. First, in 1841, a smallpox epidemic broke out in the Bur Dubai locality, forcing residents to relocate east to Deira. Then, in 1894, fire swept through Deira, burning down most homes. However, the town’s geographical location continued to attract traders and merchants from around the region. The emir of Dubai was keen to attract foreign traders and lowered trade tax brackets, which lured traders away from Sharjah and Bandar Lengeh, which were the region’s main trade hubs at the time.

Dubai’s geographical proximity to India made it an important location. The town of Dubai was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen, chiefly those from India, many of whom eventually settled in the town. Dubai was known for its pearl exports until the 1930s. However, Dubai’s pearling industry was damaged irreparably by the events of World War I, and later on by the Great Depression in the late 1920s. Consequently, the city witnessed a mass migration of people to other parts of the Persian Gulf. Since its inception, Dubai was constantly at odds with Abu Dhabi. In 1947, a border dispute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the northern sector of their mutual border, escalated into war between the two states. Arbitration by the British and the creation of a buffer frontier running south eastwards from the coast at Ras Hasian resulted in a temporary cessation of hostilities. However, border disputes between the emirates continued even after the formation of the UAE; it was only in 1979 that a formal compromise was reached that ended hostilities and border disputes between the two states. Electricity, telephone services and an airport were established in Dubai in the 1950s, when the British moved their local administrative offices from Sharjah to Dubai. In 1966 the town joined the newly independent country of Qatar to set up a new monetary unit, the Qatar/Dubai Riyal, after the devaluation of the Persian Gulf rupee. Oil was discovered in Dubai the same year, after which the town granted concessions to international oil companies. The discovery of oil led to a massive influx of foreign workers, mainly Indians and Pakistanis. As a result, the population of the city from 1968 to 1975 grew by over 300%, by some estimates.

On 2 December 1971 Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi and five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates after former protector Britain left the Persian Gulf in 1971. In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a uniform currency: the UAE dirham. In the 1970s, Dubai continued to grow from revenues generated from oil and trade, even as the city saw an influx of Lebanese immigrants fleeing the civil war in Lebanon. The Jebel Ali Free Zone, comprising the Jebel Ali port (reputedly the world’s largest man made port) was established in 1979, which provided foreign companies unrestricted import of labour and export capital.

The Persian Gulf War of 1990 had a huge impact on the city. Economically, Dubai banks experienced a massive withdrawal of funds due to uncertain political conditions in the region. During the course of the 1990s, however, many foreign trading communities — first from Kuwait, during the Persian Gulf War, and later from Bahrain, during the Shia unrest, moved their businesses to Dubai. Dubai provided refueling bases to allied forces at the Jebel Ali free zone during the Persian Gulf War, and again, during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Large increases in oil prices after the Persian Gulf War encouraged Dubai to continue to focus on free trade and tourism. The success of the Jebel Ali free zone allowed the city to replicate its model to develop clusters of new free zones, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Maritime City. The construction of Burj Al Arab, the world’s tallest freestanding hotel, as well as the creation of new residential developments, were used to market Dubai for purposes of tourism. Since 2002, the city has seen an increase in private real estate investment in recreating Dubai’s skyline with such projects as The Palm Islands, The World Islands and Burj Dubai. However, robust economic growth in recent years has been accompanied by rising inflation rates (at 11.2% as of 2007 when measured against Consumer Price Index) which is attributed in part due to the near doubling of commercial and residential rental costs, resulting in a substantial increase in the cost of living for residents.

Source: Wikipedia
Photos by Wawartzzz

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