And I mean, really profound.
Last night, Pikoy gave me a ticket to a music and dance presentation. It was entitled Formacio de Cambra Almodis. It was a presentation by the Spanish Program For Cultural Cooperation, Instituto Cervantes, and the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation, Inc.
The quintet and the dancers.
I thought it was a play but it was, actually, sort of a concerto [quintet] with some dances in between to spice things up.
I know dance is universal – just like music. But I just simply did not understand what really transpired last night. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I love their presentation. It was awesome, in fact. But there was just too much footwork and ironically, less ‘action’. You know what I mean? Well, maybe it just wasn’t my thing. Hehehe. But hey, I tried hard to understand the meaning of their dance routines. I really did.
Mr. Guitarman
But it was still time well spent. I’d watch it again in a heartbeat. But I hope, the next time, they give out a brochure with a synopsis or something.
Well, that’s just a suggestion. =)
By the way, there were tons of Spanish-speaking people last night. It was crazy. And they all looked pretty. Even the men. That old lady talking to somebody on the phone at the lobby in rapid-fire Spanish was just awesome. Spanish is a lovely language. Just like French, I believe.
Well, don’t mind me. It was my first time.
😀
MY ticket
Entrance
The lights went out and when it came back on, they were on stage. Creepy. LOL
My assumption was that she was a ghost or a lost soul or something.
The amazing quintet.
It’s not the camera It’s not me, either. The ballerina was just dizzy. hehehe. 😀
After the presentation.
During those moments when the dancers were backstage and the quintet just played some creepy tunes, I tried shooting the lights. I accidentally moved, however, and got these pretty cool shots.
EXTRA: Caltex and Sarossa Hotel on my way home.
Ley, tagpila na man ang rates sa mga 3 star hotels sa Cebu? I have a friend nga mobisita sa Cebu next month and want to stay sa hotel like Cebu Midtown, Sarrosa, etc. kanang dili mahal. I know you featured hotels in the past. I wonder if you can research some hotels and feature them here para makapili siya ug asa siya mo stay na reasonable ang price at the same time. This will be his first time sa Pilipinas, unya I want you to meet him also kay naa ko’y pasalubong para nimo.
toinks. sige mag research ko sir coco…
Midtown Hotel – around 2,700/standard 2 adults
Montebello – around 2,400
Golden Peak – around 2,200
Vacation Hotel Cebu – around 1,800
Mango Park Hotel – around 1,500
Crowne Garden Hotel – around 1,800
Metro Park Hotel – around 1,300
Crown Regency Residences – around 35 dollars
this site lists the rates of almost all hotels in cebu…
http://www.travelmart.net/cebuhotels.html
Wow si SPEEDY GONZALES man siguro ka Ley? I-email tika sa details sa iyang itinerary so all you have to do is meet him, ok?
ok sir, coco. thanks 😀
tour guide na pod diay ka ron ley? 🙂 dapat dyud ka tagaan ug award ni mayor tom ba…..:)
hehehehe 😀
I just love stage plays or presentations. My sisters were participants in CIC & Santa Theresa schools. I sang & recited a poem on stage when I was in high school. I stuck out my tongue when I forgot a line during my poem presentation. I was forever teased by that. LOL Otherwise, the lights are awesome!
I love that Montebello Villa Hotel!
Too bad nasunog na ang Magellan Hotel. My mom used to work there for almost 20 years!
Hi i heard Magellan hotel site is now the Elizabeth Hotel site. Maybe the block before Ayala Center. But i wonder since i recall Magellan as quite big and a bit off Gorordo.
Also if there is still an Adelfa st. And where the De Guzman n Songfo families are now.
so you had a bit of a culture shocker that night huh!
Does Cebu have any beaches with surf – for body surfing.
1m -2m waves beach break.
Coco, nausunog ba ang Magellan Hotel? I used to work in mid-70’s there. thought it was imploded to give way to Ayala Bus Centre. Can anyone give a true account of how Magellan Hotel vanished from the map.
Ozmike, Cebu beaches was not and could not be a surf haven. It is not like Hawaii or some South American beaches. Overheard in northern Luzon, the Batanes and Ilocos region- I could not confirm on this.
Ozmike, check this out: http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/2937
Thanks Mary, tikboy.
I’m looking at coming to Cebu for electronics mfg business, but we have small 2m beach surf here – the whole family enjoy to body surf – swim and catch waves. Only my daughter has a board. I recall some good ‘white beach’ locations in my Philippines travels back in 1985 when I was a young backpacker Luzon, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol…. I think Batangas was good beach surf.
the good thing if you will be based in Cebu for your business is that the environment is very conducive to investors due to its proximity to other isalnds and its economy as a whole…an hour flight won’t be that much if you would like to surf in those areas you just mentioned. Good luck…
Can someone tell me about schools.
What we call ‘high school’ from 8th year on. Are there good schools that are english language that are not too expensive or should I try tutors?
Your school year is August to July following I believe.
In Canada, high school is from grade 7 to 11. The school year starts from September to June. Public schools here is free from kinder to grade 11. There are private schools too, but very expensive (I think it’s from $30,000.00 a year). There are many good english schools to choose from. Tutoring is good too, but also expensive. I think it’s the same in the USA. Good luck!
Hi ianne, thanks for that – I meant in Cebu.
hi ozmike. i’m not really familiar with the system in the US but usually students here start at 7. That’s Grade 1. The elementary Level is from Grade one to Grade six. Then it’s the high school level. From first year to fourth year. Then it’s off to college. First year to fourth year.
Most, if not all schools here use english as the primary language in classrooms.
Cebu has lots of nice schools both private and state-run. University of the Philippines High School is around 500 per semester. Cebu Normal University is pretty affordable too. Private schools include University of San Carlos, etc.
Public high schools are generally good.
School year: June to March.
Hi Leylander – that’s great info, thanks!
I’m coming from Australia.
Tell me, is it possible to jump years if you’re too clever, or do they impose a barrier age to uni.
I have a small electronics business so will be needing small suppliers and was planning to rent a shop/house initially ( upstairs accom) for character and convenience.
i think public schools allow gifted kids to be accelerated. i’m sure some private schools allow that, too.
there are lots of leasable space in the city. houses range from around Php3,000 to Php10,000.
for more info on acquiring or leasing real property in the philippines check this out: http://members.tripod.com/propertiesmla/id6.html
more on school. . . I think developed countries of Commonwealth Nations, like UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zeal have similar school system: 6:3:3.
Six yrs for elementary, Three yrs for Jr High, Three yrs for Sr. High. US schools follows similar system, I believe. The Philippines school system is 6 and 4 only. Six yrs elementary and 4 years High School. Post secondary or University courses depends on what course you are to take. It ranges from 4-6rys, if you are to get a Bachelor’s degree. If your older child is in grade 8 right now, it could be equivalent to Sophmore (2nd yr) high school in Phil. I am not certain if Philippine school system accelerates super talented student-you may enquire directly from the school Administration. You can search online on their policy.
As Leyland said, there are varied, good, and affordable schools in Cebu-from public, private, and exclusive schools. Most of these up-standard schools have ‘sister schools’ e.g., in Australia. Meaning, that Australian Univ/School for that matter recognizes and give full credits on the courses offered/taught at their ‘sister school’ in Cebu. Again, you can so do some research online.
good luck in your planned investment in Cebu!
this may be of help…..from USJR website
Foreign students are non-immigrant aliens who have the proper authorization to enroll in a Philippine school of their choice.
Foreign students should apply for admission to the university registrar. A complete copy of the official transcript of high school and college records should be sent with the application to the university. The records will be evaluated by the college / department concerned and if found satisfactory will be forwarded to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), Manila. A copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA), together with the Certificate of Acceptance of the University Registrar, will be sent to the applicant. Only upon receipt of these documents from the university should an applicant for a student’s visa be made.
In accordance with regulations of the DECS and other government agencies supervising foreign students, no foreign students should be allowed to enroll unless he can submit a valid permit to study, a verified Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR), and a student’s visa to the registrar’s office.
link: http://www.usjr.edu.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=87&limit=1&limitstart=2
that’s about going to University, after high school, I presume, it’s similar in other schools too and for high school curriculum. Good Luck…
FWIW the school system in (this part of) Australia is 7 years in primary school followed by 5 years at secondary school then to university for 3 or 4 years or more…
Ahh thank you .. for the red tape reminder.
I will come at the first opportunity to start enquiries and look for ‘digs’ .
i would love a Paco de Lucia concert!!!!!
hi ley!
I would have wanted to watch this presentation =) I believe they were playing Flamenco. It’s wonderful to have organizations like Instituto Cervantes who bring these artists to Cebu. I really love to watch these kinds of performances. I used to be really immersed in this way back in high school when I studied violin in Mdme. Ingrid Sala-Santamaria’s school. And yes, it was way before I started my stint in the visual arts.
I really love Cebu’s artistic and cultural diversity =)
my name is francesc, I am from barcelona, spain, and I am the second violinst of the formació de cambra almodis, the group of the concert you were invited in one week ago. thanks a lot for coming! I’m sorry some of the dances were difficult to understand…it’s just an explanation about the way such music as danced and played in the time they were composed, there was not really, in fact, one “action” as you mention. Anyway, I hope you liked the performance, and I hope to see you in any of our next concerts! We will think about your suggestions about the brochure with the synopsis or something like that! thank you very much!
Magellan Hotel was raised by a kitchen fire.
how certain r u , Cliff?
Hi Leylander,
I did a search on violin rental in cebu and for some reason this website came up. Maybe because there’s a violinist in one of your pictures. Anyhow, do you know or does anybody here know where we can rent (very short term) a violin in cebu? My daughter is visiting and would like to play for her lola but she didn’t bring her violin.
Thank you and your pictures are great!!!