Step Up with Fame

I look fat and inconceivably athletic these days that people don't know that I have a passion for dance. Funny you never asked. I used to be a member of my elementary and high school dance troupes and pretty much competed in different parts of the country doing Philippine dance, jazz, and pretty much about any genre I could get my hands on. Dance takes you to a different high, much of what endorphins do when you move and sway to the music, it's addicting and is a good confidence booster after doing shows on stage. You also get to entertain people and make them watch you, not to mention learning a skill that can get you places, and the health benefits too. 

Now I have long put this on the shelves because of other priorities (like life happens). Though a couple of weeks ago, I got invited to a summer dance recital by the owners of FAME Artists Studio based in Makati. They call it Step Up with FAME, to showcase what they have learned these past few months. This is their second year and they did this because the first one was successful. This also happened at the RCBC Tower's Auditorium. I did arrive a bit late so I don't know if I missed anything, so forgive me if I didn't get to see some parts. I sat amongst teenagers, their parents, grandparents (in full wheelchair garb so as to not miss their loving apo's first recital) and their friends. I could see how happy they were once the performers shot out from the back of the stage and began their performance. Let me tell you about what I observed.

Creative/Beginners Ballet

It's great to see toddlers, preschool abled kids take their interests into a higher form by enrolling in beginner ballet. Their confidence just exhudes on that stage. They were like little butterflies flipping their wings for the first time. Even though their routine was easy, it was long and they need to memorize a lot even at a young age. They all wanted to be in front for some reason, and the audience loved it!

Adult Jazz Classes

During the Jazz routine, I could feel a lot of them were first timers. Their faces had that look of nervousness, but they enjoyed it a lot. Physically they were not in their perfect form but imagine if they didn't train for this, they'd be less healthy and prolly wouldn't move a muscle when they were just stuck at home. In the middle part, the nerves were gone, you could see them smile every now and then, it's not easy to perform in front of a crowd, they did wonderful.

Hip hop for teens and adults

They had a little more to give. They all looked hungry to learn, I guess just like the rest of them, they are fueled by passion. They looked great out there despite the pretty complicated steps especially the part where they played dark music reminiscent of the underground french thing, I forgot the term lol (vogueing I think?). They were in different age groups mind you, but they didn't mind at all. It just felt fun!

Belly Dancing for Kids

They were just too cute for show! If I had a daughter I would have her enroll in this. A bit complicated to learn but achievable. 

Belly Dancing for Adults

Yes they can, yes they did. I would mistake them to be professionals already. They didn't mind their shape or form, they love dance and that takes a lot. Now why don't guys try this thing LOL.

WYLDSTYLE CREW

They did a number inspired by those chinese zombies, they must be the studio's in house professional dancers. (I learned they were guests later on)

Vogue Adults

They did a number from Chicago, Cher's Burlesque. They sectioned off prople to fit the physical fitness and did their individual choreography. Worked well, and it's a good thing they're not forced or anything. 

Pole Fit for Kids

I can't believe there are kids doing pole dances, like below 12. And they can whip it out like adults, crazy.

Pole Mix for Adults

When you thought first timers would just do mediocre moves, and they do complicated stuff instead. These ladies deserve the applause they got from us. 

Pole Intermidiate Class

Then they up the ante with ladies getting a more advanced class. I could feel they endured a lot of pain doing this, like literal blood sweat and tears. 

Nique Manza

Judging from the looks of it, he's probably an instructor or international pole champion. (And I was right!)

Pole Flow

It's got a different feel, it's like pole mixed with boudoir and fashion. (Ladies would love doing this).

Johnny Sustantivo Villanueva

He showed reasons why men should do pole. He's an international champion, and it shows. I beckon it felt like I was watching Magic Mike in Las Vegas, right in Makati.

LDT Manila

They did a really good number, interpretative, lyrical, ballet and jazz. In house professionals? Yep! Some mishaps in the music didn't stop them from dancing, and they were good. I only heard in the awarding that they were from Lyceum (hence the dance troupe). 

Hoops for Adults

This one was a bit hard, and they were not backing off from a challenge. They weren't that type. Oh let me get that straight, it's quite dangerous too, but they did it.

Heelsque

I guess it's inspired by the same dance of Yannis Marshall - of AGT fame. They were good. 

Silk Beginners

It didn't feel like they were beginners. They did some pretty complicated stuff climbing and maneouvering with the cloth, splits and stuff, and this one is pretty dangerous too.

Silk Intermidiate

And they did even more complicated stuff, one of them (platinum blonde lady) pretty much took a ton of classes.

The Fame Teachers

This whole thing won't work without these guys. Individually, they are all superbly skilled. Some of them have already won awards internationally, thank you Step Up with Fame! You guys should stage a third one, definitely.

If I had a chance to do this all over again, I would. If I had the time, I'd arrange to do the pole and jazz classes, it would fit me real well. I'm sitting here reminiscing of the past, don't feel sorry for me becasue there will come a time that I'd do this again. If you would like to join them and their classes, check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/fameartistsstudio/ as they are very responsive to messages. They are based in Makati so if you live nearby or work in this area, give them a call. Tell your friends too. It's not too late to start worthwhile activities, you CAN dance!

Here's snippets of it on video:

Congratulations to everyone who made Step Up with FAME a success! You did not do good, you did GREAT!

KUMAGCOW

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Nutriasia's JoyRide at Independence Day Celebrations in Rizal Park

Today marks another year of the independence for the Republic of the Philippines, and what better venue to do it than in the place where our national hero Jose Rizal is buried, at Luneta in the city of Manila. I've had memories as a child and even in my teens of going on different parades for my school in the past, and this place has changed quite a little. The people here are of various economic levels, from Class A to F. Manila is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and that means that some are homeless and still live in the streets, some of these people end up in the Luneta Park, but let's not dwell on that shall we?

We're here for food as one of the country's well loved brands under the roof of Nutriasia wants to show off what they can do with teir products. They own Datu Puti, UFC Ketchup, Golden Fiesta Cooking Oil, and tons of brands under their name. I'm sure your Mom has cooked some really special dishes with these products I mentioned, and you sat in your dining table, contently enjoy the love and care they put into these hearty meals they make. If you were in Luneta today, you must have seen this cute truck right at the place where the iconic Carabao of the park is located.

They call this the Nutriasia "Joy Ride" Food Truck where they prepare meals and sell for cheap so the Filipino public would be able to taste gourmet prepared dishes at a fraction of the cost. These days, if you order Adobo in restaurants it'll cost you a lot not to mention measly servings that wouldn't satisfy your hunger right? At the Joy Ride Food Truck, they serve their meals differently and even let you enjoy locally produced All Natural Blended Juice Drink. They use real fruit juice so you only get to have the best that only Nutriasia can provide.  

This Guyabano-body but You drink was just the perfect thing to have during that scorching hot weather. There are other flavors available like Kamias (which I also love), Dalandan, Mangosteen and others which you can also drink in this kind of day. It's not too sweet, it's just right.

You and I have their version of the perfect Adobo. Thing is, a lot of them prefer trusted brands like Datu Puti. The salty savory soy sauce and the intense sour vinegar just makes the perfect marriage when in that pot boiled with chicken, pork, or both of them. Simmered four an hour or two, then served with heaping hot white rice, ugh! You just won't be satisfied with one serving. The updated Adobo Wrap they had us tried that day was so good, I had to make this an exception to my no rice diet again. (Cheat day LOL).

Now who in their right mind would serve fried Chicken Skin on this day? I think they want to make us believe in FREEDOM a little more LOL!

They also served Adoburrito Humba Wraps made with pork simmered in broth and Datu Puti Adobo Series Humba. They also had us try the sinful Bagnet Wrap that's got deep fried air dried pork and the lovely super hot Mang Tomas Siga which is the liver sauce they sell in leading supermarkets and stores nationwide. Now why is the Chicken Skin so good you say? That's easy to answer, they've got a new product called Golden Fiesta BIG CRUNCH which is designed for Fried Chicken (but you can use pork as you please) and they used it in the Chicken Skin. After frying them to a crunchy state, they doused it with flavor powders that also comes in the package. I love the barbecue flavor the most, but they have it in Sour Cream and Onion, and in Cheese too!  

Now you don't have to settle with boring fried chicken, because Nutriasia took care of that problem. Isn't this like those Korean Fried Chicken you see in restaurants already?

Thank you so much to Nutriasia for having us in their event. I saw how families, friends and ordinary people enjoy it that afternoon. It was my first time to see the BIG CRUNCH too. I'm sure this will be enjoyed by everybody at home as I took some of it home.

Make sure you get them at all leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide! Trust me on the Smoked Barbecue Flavor, it's so good

KUMAGCOW

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Celebrate Freedom with Free WIFI at MRT Stations in EDSA Today!

If you haven't been paying attention lately to what's happening in Metro Manila, you might have missed one good thing at the MRT stations. I had my phone's WIFI ON one time and I noticed some external routers have been installed on walls of the MRT stations. I know because I've configured things like these for years (Hello Cisco!). Apparently, Smart has been working nonstop for the past few months to bring something good for Filipinos. It's FREE WIFI! 

There's one at the back of this beer bottle. 

You can also see them on the back of the phone antennas right at the top of the long stairs of the MRT station. I saw how MVP was kinda hinting about this on his tweet a couple of days ago. Remember this?

The busiest highway is EDSA of course, and what better way to celebrate FREEDOM but by getting FREE WIFI! Imagine blazing internet speeds that can accomodate 500 users at the same time per access point with unbelievable MB's per second given FREE for the first thirty minutes of use! You can't beat that at all!

Look for the SSID indicated saying #Smart Wifi @ Edsa and connect to it. It will ask you for your phone number and you'll have to input that too.

And as for the speed, this one measured from a Hong Kong server went off the charts! Mind you I was just downstairs and I'm already getting something phenomenal wirelessly!

You can upload videos, play games, browse facebook all day so you can get to enjoy momentd with your family! If you are done with the FREE minutes, you can always top up and use it even longer by going to retailers at these stations and pay 20 pesos for 2 hours worth of surfing valid for 2 days. You can also pay 50 pesos for 5 more hours valid for 5 days. You can also convert your existing prepaid load on Sun, TNT and Smart to wifi credits by sending keywords WIFI10, WIFI20 or WIFI50 to 9991 and it will get you the corresponding minutes as easy as that!

If you want to know more about it, check out Smart's channels, FB page and @livesmart at IG and Twitter. Isn't that a good thing to have on our independence day? This is a project of Smart to complete it's promise to DICT and the government under PRRD.

It's as fast as 300Mbps and has no data cap! So enjoy! :) cheers to freedom like no other!

KUMAGCOW

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