Sep 282017
 

The viral “FollowMeTo” couple of Murad and Nataly Osmann are featuring the Philippines in their new season episodes.

The Osmann’s released in September the first four You Tube episodes of their adventures in the country, going to travel spots, sampling local cuisine and fashion, and familiarizing themselves with the culture and warmth of their Filipino hosts.

The Russian couple have also posted official snapshots of their trademark poses of Nataly facing a picturesque scene with her hand back towards her husband who was taking the picture, on The FollowMeTo Project and Murad Osmann’s Instagram accounts which have racked up about 5 million followers.

FollowMeTo Filipino Fashion

The first episode of the new series “FollowMeTo Philippines” premiered on September 15 featuring the famous couple checking out Rajo Laurel’s store in Manila and shopping for outfits to be worn by Nataly for their “FollowMeTo” photos.

The 6-minute video showed the couple playfully bickering over which clothes to pick, as they familiarized themselves with Filipino fashion and seeking out clothes with a national motif.

WATCH EPISODE 1: “Shopping in Manila, How we bought a dress for Nataly”

 
FollowMeTo Manila

 
The next FollowMeTo episode brought the couple through a walking tour of the old walled city of Intramuros in Manila where the two chatted about the Philippines’ history with Spain.
Nataly’s amazement at the preservation of the 16th century city is shown on the video: “It’s surprising to witness the spirit of colonial Spain in the center of the Philippines! It’s like we’re in Europe!”

The traveling couple tried riding the iconic local jeepney, referring to it as a “wonderful local bus” and praising its creativity.
“You will also never see two jeepneys that look the same! It’s like a contest for the most creative Filipino!”

The FollowMeTo couple shared how, “You can’t see the country by just going around the luxury places” as they tried local fruits and their bargaining skills at a local stand.

They also danced as they dined at Bistro Remedios, a popular restaurant in Malate.

WATCH EPISODE 2: “Manila Trying Out Exotic Fruit and local transport”

 
FollowMeTo Mayon Volcano

 
The social media celebrity couple had their share of unexpected adventures as they went to Legazpi, Albay to film the world-famous Mayon Volcano as the country was hit by a typhoon, making the couple’s first FollowMeTo photo shoot at a volcano even more challenging, and rewarding.

Seeing the quaint town near the volcano, Nataly mused, “Only by moving around the country can you realize how different its regions are.”

She then asked Murad, “Did you know there are about 7000 islands in the Philippines and every single one has something authentic, unique to it.”

The first FollowMeTo snapshot was taken at the Cagsawa Church ruins with the view of Mayon Volcano.
The couple rode quad sport utility bikes towards the volcano to get a closer snapshot.

“It’s so awesome to be God knows where and to see this beauty…And the sky is so calm,” Nataly said, just before they had to quickly leave Albay to escape the stormy weather.

WATCH EPISODE 3 “Conquering a volcano and escaping a typhoon”

 
FollowMeTo Bohol Chocolate Hills

The 4th installment of the FollowMeTo Philippines series brought the Osmann pair to Bohol where they climbed to the top of a Chocolate Hill for a picture with Nataly finally able to wear her Filipino-motif clothes.

The couple had many things to say about the wonderful sights they saw, praising the Philippines’ “Incredible beauty. No building can compare to creations of nature.”

The video also shows the couple enjoying the powdery white beaches and pristine waters of Bohol.

WATCH EPISODE 4: Island of Chocolate Hills | Fight with nature

 
FollowMeTo Philippines Episode 5 is expected to be posted on September 28, promising to show what Nataly says she “came to the Philippines personally for.”

The post Viral “FollowMeTo” couple videos feature Philippines appeared first on Good News Pilipinas.

Jul 292017
 
Kammerchor Manila bags grand prizes at Italy and Spain

Kammerchor Manila has brought home 3 grand prizes from international choral competitions in Europe. Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo P. Nolasco, competition jury member Nancy Roman of the Philippines, and members of the Kammerchor Manila at the 8th Musica Eterna Roma held from 05 to 09 July 2017 at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome, Italy. [via DFA] The church-based choral group won 1 st Prize at the 63rd Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonia in Torrevieja, Spain. The Filipino choir was also awarded the Grand Prix at the 1st Leonardo Da Vinci Choral Festival held in Florence, Italy. The group of 35 young professionals also received Gold Diplomas during the 8th edition of the Musica Eterna Roma International Choir and Festival Competition in the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome, Italy. Kammerchor Manila received the awards during their 4th European tour held from June-July 2017 where they performed in Austria, Germany, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. In Torrevieja, Kammerchor Manila won: 1 st prize in Habanera, prize money of 12,000 euros 2nd prize in Polyphony with the prize money of 4,000 euros They performed "Marinero" and "Niña Mersé" for Habaneras. Their pieces for Polyphony were "Kaisa isa niyan" and "Gloria" in Polyphony. In their Italian leg which brought them to Florence, Kammerchor Manila won various categories and bagged the overall grand prize: CATEGORY WINNER: Mixed Choir Category – Gold Diploma Level 3 (96.25 points) Modern Contemporary Category – Gold Diploma Level 3 (97.81 points) Folk Gospel Pop Category Read More …

May 122017
 
John Raspado wins Mr. Gay World 2017 in Spain

Mr. Gay World Philippines title holder, John Raspado, has won the new Mr. Gay World 2017 held at the World Pride 2017 in Spain. John Raspado Raspado’s win marks the first Philippine win in Mr. Gay World since the competition began in 2009. Raspado, an online marketer and businessman, bested 20 other candidates from 5 continents in the overall judging which included the best in regional costume, swimsuit, and evening dress. The Philippines’ bet also brought home the shashes for the Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Dress, Mr. Gay World Closed Door Interview, Mr. Online Votes and Mr. Social Media Special Award. "Itong pagkapanalo ko ay hindi lamang sa aking pamilya ngunit para sa mga baklang katulad ko na may prinsipyo at layunin sa pinaglalaban (I offer this win not only to my family but to other gay men like me who engage in principled fights),” posted Raspado on the Mr. Gay World Philipines Facebook page. Raspado’s life story was aired on Philippine television as a Lenten special. He won the Mr. Gay World Philippines title in 2016. The Mr. Gay World contest is a pageant that supports the fight against sexual prejudice, injustice and equality for the LGBT community across the world. It aims to modernize the perception towards gays and break all stereotypes from public consciousness. In addition, MGWPO continues the advocacy of HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment assistance for everyone.   The post John Raspado wins Mr. Gay World 2017 in Spain appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Read More …

Feb 042014
 
5 Filipino sailors rescued as storms resurge off Spain

Agence France-Presse 5:42 am | Wednesday, February 5th, 2014 A fishing boat is hit by a wave near the coastal city of Burela, northwestern Spain, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. Spanish coastguards rescued five Filipino sailors by helicopter after the seamen’s boat got caught in a storm on Tuesday off northwestern Spain, where fresh sea gales were growing, authorities said. AFP PHOTO/MIGUEL RIOPA MADRID—Spanish coastguards rescued five Filipino sailors by helicopter after the seamen’s boat got caught in a storm on Tuesday off northwestern Spain, where fresh sea gales were growing, authorities said. The five were lifted from the Esnaad 715, an Emirates-flagged supply ship, which was “in danger of sinking” 50 nautical miles from the Spanish port of La Coruna, the national coastguard said in a statement. “The rescue operation was complicated by the adverse weather conditions in the area, with southeasterly winds of 45 knots,” equivalent to more than 80 kilometers, or 50 miles, an hour, it added. It said the coastguard had brought the sailors to land in the nearby Spanish port of Viveiro and sent a tugboat to assess the situation of the Esnaad, which had been on the way from the Netherlands to Abu Dhabi. Fierce waves were pounding seafronts and fishing boats off northern Spain, where authorities issued alerts for storm tides and strong winds for Wednesday, with snow forecast in some places. On Sunday, authorities said a boy was swept out to sea as storm surges hit Galicia and other northwestern regions. He Read More …

Oct 202013
 
Spanish Embassy and Instituto Cervantes present flamenco show

“Abriendo Caminos” is composed of different parties whose only common thread is an authentic taste of flamenco and the music played by live musicians. MANILA, Philippines – The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the One Meralco Foundation and Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, present “Abriendo Caminos” on Oct 24, 8 p.m., at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas Ave., Pasig City. Entrance is free. The flamenco show is directed and choreographed by dancer Ùrsula López. Moving between the different flamenco styles in the most orthodox ways, Ùrsula López, accompanied by her dancers and musicians, intends to convey feelings and emotions, giving the world an updated touch of flamenco with “Abriendo Caminos.” Ùrsula López was born in Córdoba. She entered the Andalusian Dance Company in 1996, and has been performing various shows around the world since. In 2007, she started the premiere of her first solo show, “Abriendo Caminos” at the Flamenco Festival of Jerez, with which she is still working. For information, call the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines at 817-6676, fax 817-4892 or e-mail emb.manila@maec.es.  

Jul 072013
 
Siege of Baler rekindles PH-Spain ties

114TH ANNIVERSARY RITES By Michael Lim UbacPhilippine Daily Inquirer 12:25 am | Monday, July 8th, 2013 BALER, Aurora—Spanish film writer-director Jesús Valbuena, a descendant of one of the 33 Spanish soldiers who survived the 11-month siege by Filipino revolutionaries of Baler in 1899, is eternally indebted to the people of this town. The “adopted son” of Baler has kept coming back to Aurora every June 30, Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, to keep alive the cultural and historical ties between the two countries. Aurora is the site of the Siege of Baler, the last and historically significant story of the Philippine war of independence against Spain. “I am alive, thanks to Balerianos,” a tearful Valbuena told residents during ceremonies marking the 11th year of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, which also coincided with the 114th anniversary of the attack and the 500th year of Spanish presence in the Pacific. With his wife, Anabel Izquierdo Rubio, Valbuena flew in from Spain to attend this year’s commemoration. He said the siege took place at the “sunset” of the once powerful Spanish empire that ruled over the Philippine archipelago for 333 years. Generosity “My wife and I try to teach our three kids (Adrian, David and Raquel) … to have dignity in defeat and humbleness in victory, and we try to teach them that, one day, the last will be the first,” he said. He said that during the siege, the generosity of Filipinos became “the universal legacy that this town has given the world.” “So Read More …

Jun 062013
 
Senate fails to ratify 3 extradition treaties

The Senate adjourned on Thursday night without ratifying extradition treaties between the Philippines and three countries. Even with foreign diplomats in the Senate gallery, the chamber failed to muster the 16 votes it needed to ratify extradition treaties with Spain, India and the United Kingdom. When the roll call was called at past 4 p.m., only 14 senators were present on the Senate floor. The Senate instead approved local bills, such as the measure upgrading the Cotabato City District Engineering Office, the bill creating a new barangay in Occidental Mindoro, and proposed legislations allowing the construction of fish ports. — Andreo Calonzo/BM, GMA News

Jan 292013
 

8:51 pm | Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 VALLADOLID, The Yucatan—This is not my first time in the Yucatan nor in Mexico, and every time I visit, always as a turista (to act otherwise would be disingenuous), I feel a connection with the country, a stronger one with it and the rest of Latin America than with that country north of the border, where my wife and I live, even as the tangled layers of bloodlines, colonial history, and economic imperatives, among other things, tie us to both the Hispanic world and that of the norteamericanos. Perhaps this can be explained by the simple fact that Las Islas Filipinas—that perla del mar oriente—was under the Iberian thumb far, far longer than the roughly half a century of US colonial occupation. The United States did take over a Southeast Asian country but one that was already Hispanicized. Walking around this lovely, un-bustling 16th-century colonial town, blessedly far from the hordes of visitors that clog Cancun on the Caribbean coast but not too far as to be a long haul from the Cancun airport, I do have a sense of déjà vu, even if this may be my first visit to this particular pueblo that is still largely Mayan. Whenever asked, I always facetiously summarize the legacies of more than three centuries of Spanish rule as the fiesta, the siesta, and la iglesia—with the last being a legacy the Philippines would be much better shaking off. (In this sense, the Mexicans very astutely Read More …