SUMMER IS HERE!

Hello there fellas!!!

The month of May will have its last weekend soon and that means only one thing. SUMMER is fast approaching. And besides the summer breaks that youngsters look forward to, activities here and there are just overflowing. While the sun is up and shining, endorphins run freely amongst us that drives us to be alive, adventurous and up and about.

A line of events is what I wanted to share to you in this blog post that may help you zest up your summer vacay.

MAY 30

Mitu's tribe at Bahce Turkish Restaurant

You may be wanting to try something different here in Hong Kong as far as Turkish food and a one-of-a-kind ambiance are concerned. Lantau Island holds a gem that offers good company, delicious food and fabulous music as my good friend, Khaya Mshengoristo Maseko, who recently just banged a role in the UK Tour, Lion King, joins Mitu's Tribe. Mitu's Tribe had been one of the most developed group of musicians that had marked good times in Bahce Turkish Restaurant, whose performance is looked forward to by locals of the island and by those who have experienced hearing them play. I am inviting you to come out to feel the summer breeze in Lantau and hear them out by dropping by on Friday between 9pm to 12am.

MAY 31

Macau is the place to be this weekend as South Africa's WBA undisputed featherweight world champion Simpiwe "V12" Vetyeka competes with Philippines' Three Division World Champion and 2012 Fighter of the Year, Nonito "the Flash" Donaire in Cotai Arena at The Venetian Macau Resort in Macau, China.

Donaire (mistakenly pronounced as "Doh-neyr" but should actually be "Doh-nigh-re"), who was born in Talibon, Bohol, Philippines grew up in General Santos city like Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and went to school together at one point. But at age 11, he lived with his dad in in San Leandro Bay Area and was exposed to boxing to channel out his energy to sports and to get him out of the streets. Now, he is  considered a Filipino American professional boxer as he had worked out the ladder from one victory to another with a promise to himself not to disappoint all that supported him, most especially his father, after a loss to Rosendo Sanchez in 2001. From then on, he owned a winning streak for 12 years. 

Early years in boxing had almost made him dread the sport because of too much pressure and he had come to a point that he didn't enjoy it anymore. But once again, he stayed in the sport for his love of his father and will prove that as he steps on the ring this Saturday. He won against Vic Darchinyan, landing a left hook over a non-title fight in his last battle. 

All the best to you fellow Filipino, Nonito!!! 

JUNE 1 & JUNE 2:

Of course, special mention to the hot and sizzling dragon boat races that will be held in Discovery Bay and Stanley beaches this coming June 1 and June 2 respectively. It's not to be missed as it is a long weekend for most of the companies considering June 2 (Monday) as a holiday.

2013 TEAM MUSHU Achievements

Once a Mushu, always a Mushu! So let me plug them and the Magic Team, both from Hong Kong Disneyland, who had worked hard as they will be joining the mentioned races.

As we all know, TEAM MUSHU becoming one of the strongest teams to beat, will once again come out to defend a title for the Dragon Boat Race Competition held annually in Discovery Bay. It surely would be full of fun and adrenaline rush as they come to bring heart pumping action both at the race and on stage. Their cheerleading team had always been a guest performer showing off bursting split jumps on air and mighty entertaining pyramids and stunts. Their performance usually comes right before the awardings happen. This was taken last 2012 when I used to still be a part of it. In 2013, I trained to paddle instead with my husband.

I was just able to race one time because now, we're expecting our little one

so I will just be one of the expectators for now.

Needless to say, I'll always be my husband's no. 1 fan so I will come

out to support this Sunday for sure..

With the words, "ONE TEAM, ONE HEART!", allow me to share their road to victory last 2013.

With the SunLife Stanley Dragon Boat Races, the Magic Team will be competing against a huge number of teams. Now, very much advertised on TV, I'm pretty sure they will not come unprepared. They are driven, they are fearless and they will race their heart out and all out support on them too. A shoutout to my friend Sylvia Tsang who had recently joined the team, Ga Yao!!!!

Also happening on June 1 is a recital where Disney babies (some of the Disney cast members's kids are performing) will be featuring a presentation. Edge'n Pointe Dance Centre is holding this event where in the proceeds is aimed into granting a dance scholarship program for the less privileged children in Tung Chung.

If you are looking for an inspiration for your little one as to what to engage in this summer, come and take them to this recital and maybe their interest in dancing might get ignited. Who knows? You might be watching them the next time during their own recital.

JUNE 6 TO JUNE 8

KIDSFEST offers a 10% discount to the upcoming drama theatre play, Rapunzel. All you have to do is quote ABA14 as you book your ticket via www.hkticketing.com or by calling 31 288 288.

Remember, "THE ONLY WAY YOUR KID WOULD GO OUT, IS IF YOU GO WITH THEM." So, between these two, (dance recital and drama theatre), you can bond with your kid and you'd give them something to think about, get inspired with and talk non stop why their 2014 summer break is an unforgettable one.


JUNE 8

MISS NEVADA 2014 - NIA SANCHEZ

Don't miss out also on vegging out at home over the tube. Believe it or not, this is the time of my life where you have to get off your butt, to earn a buck. So, I treat it as one of the luxurious moments nowadays. Hahaha! It is rejuvenating and I give it to myself every chance I get. But there's got to be something special on the tube for that.

A very good colleague turned friend had been blessed with a chance to compete against the beauties of the United States of America. I am rooting for her on this day as she stands up for what an American Beauty is all about. I know Nia Sanchez, this year's reigning Ms. Nevada USA, from work and there's only one thing I could tell about her. She doesn't have a problem keeping it real. I hope you make it Nia!!! Supporting ya all the way from Hong Kong.

To those who want to stream the pageant online, click here.


JUNE 14

As unpredictable as the weather in Hong Kong is, opportunities may knock only once. So instead of laying low and relaxing this Summer, challenge yourself to something that could change your life. Try for the Vocalist Audition in Manila this June 14, 2014 Saturday to know if your dreams are meant to be lived. Check the poster for details.

JUNE 22

For those who are in Hong Kong already and are interested to be part of our family, there's an audition happening at the end of June for dancers this time. So, if you got the passion, the time and what it takes in spreading magic, here are the details for you.

Have you chosen anything yet?

Well, the beach awaits you, hiking is yet another adventure that you may try too and basically exploring Hong Kong - those are additional splendid ways to make memories for Summer this 2014. Are you ready?

Related posts:

1. ANGSANA LAGUNA, PHUKET - our honeymoon experience

2. BORACAY '13 - why it's worth going back to

3. 10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT HONG KONG - why it maybe a good time to explore Hong Kong this Summer of 2014.

THE BUZZ

SPRING TRAVEL has not been this exciting. There are just so many things to see in so many places. And with friends and colleagues all over the world, we see a place alien to us in a special kind of way offering an unforgettable experience. I may be limited in terms of traveling because I'm almost on my 7th month of pregnancy but I am wishing all of these people the best of luck wherever they are and I am rooting for them in spirit.

LONDON:

Let me start with Miss Saigon opening its curtains again to lovers of musical theatre productions last Saturday. It is the 17th amongst the list of the longest running musicals of all time. It first ran from 1989 to 1999. But CAMERON MACINTOSH relives his golden years with one of his 7 Billion Dollar productions as he launches the new cast with the same remarkable helicopter scene. The photo on the left was captured last Saturday during a standing ovation.

Again, friends, Ela Lisondra and Ariel Reonal are currently part of the cast. You may want to fly there to have a first hand experience of why the people's feedback upon seeing it once again wish for the musical to run longer this time.

HAWAII:

FALANIKO PENESA,
Samoan Siva Afi Competition 2009

The Polynesian Cultural Center hosts the 2014 World Fire Knife Competition where 28 senior competitors are fighting over the championship title. This goes on from May 7-10, 2014 in the North Shore of OAHU. 

My brother-in-law, Falaniko Penesa, is one of the competitors who made it in the semi finals. 9 of them are left out of the 28 making the whole competition so exciting with a variety in their moves and presentation of the fire-knife dancing as a sport and art. Falaniko, known commonly as Frankie, sets his debut this year in the World Fire Knife by starting strong. Getting educated of the craft at a young age made him follow his brother, Hogan Toomalatai's footsteps, joining competitions back in Samoa, where he is originally from. Getting exposed to competitions since he was 19 years old, he got moulded into banging a contract in Hong Kong Disneyland, doing fire-knife for the Lion King show. In 2 years, he worked on a routine that he thought deserving to enter in the World Fire Knife Competition so, it's worth all looking forward to. We wish him the best in the competition knowing that this is his first time to join. You can stream it around in the afternoon (Hong Kong time) over the weekend to get hold of the Champion of 2014 succeeding a good friend who had been the Champion of 2012 & 2013.

PHILIPPINES:

Ariel Reonal, one of the cast of Miss Saigon, adviced of a good chance to hon skills in acting as you take in the beauty of Boracay.

Furthermore in Manila, Philippines, a good friend of mine, Patrick Mabanta, who had been really into krumping lately and who never failed to express himself when it comes to dancing, had invited me to this event in the Philippines and having a go-signal to share, this is all for those who are interested....

NO STUDIO! Just the Streets, the speaker and the KRUMP TEACHER!

2 hour Workshop for ONLY 100php!!

WHAT: THE GUTTER (Street KRUMP workshop, taught by 1K)
WHEN: May 10th 9pm-11pm
WHERE: Behind CCP on the Corner of Bukaneg street and Magdalena Jalandoni.

REAL HIGH QUALITY KRUMP for a DIRT CHEAP PRICE. You're crazy if u miss this. So come thru! Share this event page and invite your friends to learn KRUMP!

Also, The Manila Moshpit will start after the workshop which will be for free of charge as always from 11pm-12:30am.

SINGAPORE:

Singapore's Biggest Water Sports Festival is celebrating by holding Dragon Boat Races in Singapore this May at DBS Marina Regatta offering up to SGD20,000 worth of cash prizes for the winners to take all. They just have to win the 200m and 500m one on the 17th and 18th of May respectively. The most renowned Dragon Boat Racing Teams (both local and international) are up for a battle. Last year's participants were around 140 excluding Hong Kong. But this year, Hong Kong Disneyland's Team MUSHU (where a number of friends and my husband is in) will be one of Hong Kong's representatives working on earning a title. One thing's for sure about this team, they don't compete to disappoint. Hoping that they will be able to take home the beef, the races I'm sure are worth watching. So, keep abreast, decide on which team you're going to pick by logging on to their website and drop by Marina Bay to have a one-of-a-kind experience that will truly give you an adrenaline rush.

TEAM MUSHU, back-to-back champs of 500m LAMMA ISLAND RACES in Hong Kong

Related posts:

1. THE HEAT IS ON - featuring Tony Award winner, Lea Salonga
2. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS - Frankie Penesa Solomona in the newspaper - speaking of old school!
3. WHO'S GOT THE SWAG - some of the people who made a name in dancing...