Travel: Malacanang of the North

Malacanang ti Amianan

Malacanang of the North or known as "Malacanang ti Amianan" in Ilocano was a former official residence in Ilocos Norte during the presidency of the late Ferdinand Marcos. It is also one of Ilocos Norte's tourism centerpieces

Built in 1977 on a 5-hectare property, the two-storey mansion is surrounded by lush vegetation and a magnificent view of Paoay Lake. The house was a gift from her wife, the former First Laday Imelda Marcos, during his 60th birthday.

The property was sequestered by the Philippine Government when Marcos was ousted from power in 1986. It was then given to the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte after 20 years. It underwent series of restoration and renovation headed by Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and was converted into the Malacanang Museum in time for the late president's 95th birthday (September 11).

It was an interesting experience visiting a house this grand and full of history. They have memorabilia and history of the Marcos era spread throughout seven rooms.

Study Room

The Study Room features the former president's book collection as well as various images and memorabilia. There is also an agriculture room which contains information about Masagana 99; Diplomacy room shows his foreign and international trade relations; Nation building room shows the various infrastructure programs including buildings, airports and bridges. OFW is tribute room to Ilocano overseas workers. Culture room shows cultural renaissance which was formerly headed by the former First Lady; and Family room that shows the former First Family.

First floor living room overlooking Paoay Lake

Manila Airport scale model

Books that are part of the library

Second Floor Living Room

Malacañang ti Amianan is open from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM daily except Mondays. Entrance fee of Php 20 for adults, Php 16 for Seniors and Php 10 for children.

Malacanang ti Amianan

Visited: December 2012
Address: Paoay Lake, Suba, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Related Links and Sources:
Wikipilipinas - http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Malaca%C3%B1ang_of_the_North
Town of Paoay - http://www.paoay.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=40
Philippine Information Agency - http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=331348040488

Christmas Once Again

I wrote this for Christmas 2003 and I want to share it with everyone during this Christmas.. 

Christmas Once Again

Its Christmas once more, another season of giving hope and spreading peace all over the world. Some of us are lucky enough to celebrate christmas with our families. Some spend their christmas alone in another country while some loss a loved one. I am sure that someone has a loved one who is in a different country this holiday season. This year saw a lot of families of soldiers spending their Christmas without their brother or father, who are stationed somewhere in the world. They should not be lonely this season but should be glad because their loved ones are on those countries to make sure that we would have a peaceful Holiday season not just for us but for those people who are in that country.


Now losing someone special is a little bit different. Those who lost someone so near the holidays are truly heartbreaking. How can someone celebrate Christmas when you lost someone so close to that date. Will you be able to celebrate it with joy or are you going to be in grief? But I know that the death of my cousin spun a new life somewhere. Remember that each of us will die eventually as like that of Christ who gave up his life for us. When we died, we give life to a newborn and the life cycle goes on and on.


This Christmas is unusual for me. Usually, I would have recieved tons of Christmas Cards from friends and loved ones one week before Christmas. So far, I have recieved..umm...two. Well, its actually one becuase the other one was from a company that I'm buying stuff from. But I don't really mind. This has happened to me a couple times already especially when I was a kid who always recieved only A gift during Christmas. I mean we are always taught about the saying "It's better to give than to recieve" and I truly believe in that saying. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has experience this but just keep in mind that you always put a smile on someone's face everytime you give them something especially in this holiday season.


So this Christmas, whether you recieve tons of cards and gifts or you recieve none. Whether you are with you family or you are alone. Just always remember that Christmas is not about just giving gifts but its about celebrating the birth of Christ and spreading happiness. Call your friends who you havent talk for awhile, I'm sure they would be glad to hear from you. Call those loved ones who are in a different country. Give something to those who are in need and you will make them happy and seeing someone happy would uplift your spirit this Christmas season. Merry Christmas to all and have a Prosperous New Year.

12/25/03 12:00AM

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Travel: Paoay Church

Paoay Church is located at Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The Roman Catholic church was started in 1694 and was completed in 1710. The church is an example of Earthquake Baroque architecture which is basically architecture made to adapt to the conditions of the area. And since Philippines lies on the Ring of Fire, the country is frequently visited by earthquakes. The architecture is demonstrated through its thicker and heavily buttressed walls and wider proportions.

The Church was also declared as a National Treasure by the then late President Ferdinand Marcos. In 1993, it was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the prime examples of Baroque Churches in the Philippines along with San Agustin Church (Intramuros, Manila), Miag-ao Church (Iloilo), and Santa Maria Church (Ilocos Sur). Site #677. The facade exudes Javanese architecture.

Paoay Church

We were lucky that the crowd a large crowd dissipated after a few minutes and gave me a chance to take photos of the interior of the church. The Parish was founded by Agustinian missionaries in 1593 and the cornerstone was laid in 1704.  The Church was damaged twice by earthquake in 1706 and 1927. 

One of the colorful windows of Paoay Church

The Church's tower was used as an observation post during the revolution and the Japanese Occupation. Its bell tower is made of coral stone and is detached from the main building. This was done to ensure the sanctuary is safe in case the tower collapses.

Church Tower

Visited: December 2012
Address: Marcos Avenue, Paoay, Philippines (Map)

Related Links and Sources
UNESCO World Heritage - http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/677
Heritage Conservation Society - http://heritageconservation.wordpress.com/2006/07/27/paoay-church/
Serial Tripper - http://serialtripper.com/2011/10/paoay-church-ilocos-norte/

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paoay_Church

Album Review: Solarstone pres. Pure Trance - The Album

Pure Trance will bring you back to what Trance is all about

Trance has evolved into various type of sub-genres and that many of speculated the genre has lost its aura. This is the reason why the album Pure Trance came about. And who better to bring us back than the trance legend himself Solarstone along with Orkidea. These 2 disc album is the 100th album released by Black Hole Recordings.

Solarstone begins our journey with the Pure Intro mix of "The Spell." The melodic track taken for his Pure album features the sultry vocals of Clare Stagg and the melodic beats and rhythms of the trance legend. This was followed by Almar's "Evening Star", an uplifting track filled with beats that would surely ease your soul. Then comes in the typical Solarstone melodic riff and acoustic guitar courtesy of his mix of "We Can't Fly" by Lemon. He slowed things down with "Split Source" by Ehren Stowers before bringing the beats up with "Euphonia" by Kyau & Albert and Ronski Speed in the Ronski Speed Mix and Giuseppe Ottaviani's "Earthbeat" Just close your eyes and let these tracks take you to a journey filled with operatic melodies and beats.

Solarstone continues with the vocal track "Days Turn Into Nights" by Delerium adding his pure signature to an already classic trance track before bringing in one of the best tracks of 2012 in "Falcons," a track he collaborated with Ottaviani filled with melodic beats and haunting female chant. He transitions to the goosebump inducing melodic track "Hopeful" by A.R.D.I. before bringing in Omnia's "Infina", track that is surely going to get you pump on the dance floor. He brings us back down a notch the melodic "Ari" by C-Systems & Bushi in the Suncatcher remix. This haunting vocal is surrounded by melodic beats and piano keys that would surely ease your mind and soul.

The pulsating melodies of the Thomas Datt remix of his track "Voyager" follows before he mixed in the melodic piano-filled track "In Her Eyes" by Temple One. This track symbolizes what trance is about - pure and emotional. He continues this with Rex Mundi's "Streaming Waterfalls" and  Mark Pledger's "A New World" before bringing in the pure mix of the vocal track "Sail On the Waves" by Walsh & McAuley, a track filled with melodic beats the compliments well with the great voice of David Berkeley. Solarstone closes disc one with his classic track "Seven Cities" in the pure mix. This track surely symbolized trance and would be played in many years to come.

Orkidea start disc two with the pure mix of his track "Unity", a melodic filled tuned with lovely synths and haunting chopped vocals. Increasing the beats but keeping the melody, he brings in "Sun Down" in the Michael Cassette remix before bringing in the melodic synth-filled tracks in Kay-D's "Avalanche" and Lowland's acoustic-filled "Cheap Shrink".

Orkidea follows this with the Simon Templar remix of "Whisper" by Winkee, a track filled with psy-trance melodies and beats. Next up is the lovely and haunting Allende remix of "Secret" by Way Out West then followed by the lovely beats and rhythms in "Valssi" by Slusnik Luna, "Sulfur" by Nicholas Bennison and the Datt remix of "Vueltas" by Steve Brian.

Orkidea change things a bit with Protoculture's "Perpetual Motion," increasing the beats and adding more bass and melodies. Then he brings in his amazing remix of the classic "Southern Sun" by Paul Oakenfold. He continues with Future Disciple's "No Man's Land" which got a little balearic sound surrounded by lovely percussion beats and a massive drop that would surely satisfy one's senses. He then continues with the melodramatic rhythms of Mindwave remix of "Autumn Lights" by Vibrasphere before ending the compilation with the melodic remix of his "Unity" track by Solarstone.

With seamless transitions and superb tracks, Pure Trance - The Album would surely satisfy trance lovers out there.

10/10

"Pure Trance is a feeling, a passion which exists outside of contemporary musical fads and fashions. It is the bringing together of millions of fans for whom this music is a way of life" - Solarstone

You can also find this review at http://trancehub.com/reviews/albums/solarstone-presents-pure-trance-the-album/

Tracklist
Disc 1 - Mixed By Solarstone
01. Solarstone & Clare Stagg - The Spell (Pure Intro Mix)
02. Almar - Evening Star
03. Lemon - We Can't Fly (Solarstone Pure Mix)
04. Ehren Stowers - Split Source
05. Kyau & Albert with Ronski Speed - Euphonia (Ronski Speed Mix)
06. Giuseppe Ottaviani - Earthbeat
07. Delerium featuring Michael Logen - Days Turn Into Nights (Solarstone Pure Mix)
08. Solarstone with Giuseppe Ottaviani - Falcons (Solarstone Extended Mix)
09. A.R.D.I. – Hopeful
10. Omnia - Infina
11. C-Systems & Bushi - Ari (Suncatcher Exclusive Remix)
12. Solarstone - Voyager (Thomas Datt Remix)
13. Temple One - In Her Eyes
14. Rex Mundi - Steaming Waterfalls (Original Mix)
15. Mark Pledger - A New World
16. Walsh & McAuley featuring David Berkeley - Sail On The Waves (Solarstone Pure Mix)
17.  Solarstone - Seven Cities (Solarstone Pure Mix)

Disc 2 - Mixed By Orkidea
01. Orkidea - Unity (Pure Intro Mix)
02. Orkidea - Sun Down (Michael Cassette Remix)
03. Kay-D - Avalanche
04. Lowland - Cheap Shrink
05. Winkee - Whisper (Simon Templar Refresh)
06. Way Out West - Secret (Allende Remix)
07. Slusnik Luna - Valssi (Orkidea Mix)
08. Nicholas Bennison - Sulfur (Light Mix)
09. Steve Brian - Vueltas (Thomas Datt Instrumental Mix)
10. Protoculture - Perpetual Motion (Original Mix)
11. Paul Oakenfold - Southern Sun (Orkidea's Tribute Mix)12. Future Disciple - No Man's Land
13. Vibrasphere - Autumn Lights (Mindwave Remix)
14. Orkidea - Unity (Solarstone's Metabreaks Remix)

Released Date: November 19, 2012 through Black Hole Recordings

Where to Buy: Pure Trance | SolarShop | Beatport | iTunes | FineNight | Amazon

Solarstone - website | Beatport | Facebook | iTunes | MixCloud | @RichSolarstone
Orkidea - website | Beatport | Facebook | iTunes | SoundCloud | Spotify | @DJOrkidea

Album Review: Roger Shah - Magic Island: Music for Balearic People Vol. 4

Feels like summer anytime with Magic Island 4

Mr. Balearic brings us another installment of his "Magic Island: Music for Balearic People." This two-disc album contains brand new and exclusive tracks mixed by Roger Shah.

Roger Shah begins the journey back to the island with "Ibiza Feelings" by Sean Norvis and Seepryan, a track that opens with guitar riffs and burst into a melodic mixture of bass and melodies. This continues with Garrido & Skehan’s "Split Second" before going to a smoother rhythm in Rocking J’s "New Dawn." He then brings smooth vocals and conga drums courtesy of Jamie Carpenter’s "You're Not Alone" featuring the voice of Ciaran Warren followed by the Balearic beats and guitar riffs courtesy of his smash hit "Try to be Love" in the Naughty Love Mix. Still can’t get enough of Zara Taylor’s voice on this track.

Shah tone things down with the melodic MI4 mix of "When The Sun Goes Down" by Kim Svärd & Chase. I could listen to this track all day with its amazing beats and great vocals. This is followed by a collaboration between Shah and Rocking J in "Finca." Another smooth track with lovely beats, melodies and a lovely guitar riff in between. On to some darker beats in "Limitless" by Julian Wess & Mike Carey. This was a surprising add to the album since there is no balearic sound involve yet it adds a different dimension, mixing things up. This change continues with Hanski & Jojo’s "Utopia."

Bringing back vocals with another of his smash hit, this time collaborating with Aly & Fila and Adrina Thorpe in "Perfect Love." This is a perfect combination of Balearic sound with uplifting beats that would surely be an instant classic. MI4 is back with another remix in "Denpasar" by Rikkaz & Vast Vision, this track got some darker big room sound with its deep bass, heavy use of lower notes and roller coaster ride on the bpm train. He continues with the darker beats in the Antillas Club Mix of his track "Island." Love what he did to this track with the chop vocals and the wicked drop which would make the crowd go wild. Shah then slow things down with his melodic orchestral remix of "Polarized" by Epos before increasing the bpm with the Andrew Rayel remix of his track with Carla Werner, "One Love." Rayel complimented the balearic sound with pounding beats and melodic synths. He then ends with another MI4 remix, the melodic and sultry "Come Home" by Roman Messer.

If Disc 1 was Balearic trance, Disc 2 has more electro-house vibe. It begins with the melodic beats and synthesizer riffs of "Between 2 Worlds" by Areena remixed by MI4. Then he brings in the lovely voice of Emma Hewitt in "Foolish Boy" in which he emphasis more of the beats without overpowering the melodic voice of Ms. Hewitt. He followed this with a set of electro-house tunes beginning with the melodic track in "The Float" by Sunstrøm. The beats of this tune sounds very familiar to another track that came out this year from a trio. He continues with the big festival sounds with the Denzal Park remix of "Ray Of Love" by Tune In Tokyo and Pedro Henriques remix of "Walk Away" by Addict Djs and Ellenyi.

Shah ventured into a more dark electro house Global Experience’s "Fox & Koi" remixed by Brian Laruso and himself and "Feel" by Third Party and Cicada. The latter combined synthesizer beats with lovely vocals to produce a lovely but danceable track. Next up is the dirty drums of Carl Louis & Martin Danielle remix of "Still Here" by Mike Shiver and Bo Bruce. This is followed by Kim Svärd and Szen’s "Break Of Dawn" in a melodic MI4 mix. Beat slow down a bit with "Everything Is You," a track by Rocking J and Chris Gallo and remixed by Shah himself. This track is filled with amazing melodies and break beats that would surely make you want to dance.

Shah transitions back to trance starting the with Cosmic Gate’s "Over The Rainbow," a track filled with pounding beats and melodic rhythms. Then he brings in some nasty beats in his remix of "Stars" by Ferry Corsten and the lovely Betsie Larkin. He follows this with a melodic remix of the classic "Southern Sun" by Paul Oakenfold. Then the thumping beats of "Alesia" by Wach and Roman Sokolovski before ending the disc with the melodic "My World" by Alexander Popov featuring the lovely vocals of Kyler England. What a great track to end this compilation.

Magic Island Volume 4 is different from it’s predecessor. For one, Mr. Shah has added more house track in the mix showing his versatility in the ever changing electronic dance music scene. Those who are Balearic fans might not like how the album turn out but give it a listen, you might just like it.

9.8/10

You can also find this review at TranceHub.com - http://trancehub.com/reviews/albums/magic-island-music-for-balearic-people-vol-4/


Tracklist:

CD1

01 Sean Norvis & Seepryan - Ibiza Feelings
02 Garrido & Skehan - Split Second
03 Rocking J - New Dawn
04 Jamie Carpenter feat. Ciaran Warren - You're Not Alone
05 Sunlounger & Zara Taylor - Try To Be Love (Roger Shah Naughty Love Mix)
06 Kim Svärd feat. Chase - When The Sun Goes Down (MI4 Mix)
07 Sunlounger & Rocking J - Finca (Roger Shah & Rocking J Original Mix)
08 Julian Wess & Mike Carey - Limitless
09 Hanski & Jjoo - Utopia
10 Aly & Fila meet Roger Shah feat. Adriana Thorpe - Perfect Love
11 Rikkaz & Vast Vision - Denpasar (MI4 Edit)
12 Roger Shah feat. Adrina Thorpe - Island (Antillas Club Mix)
13 Epos - Polarized (Roger Shah Anthem Mix)
14 Roger Shah feat. Carla Werner - One Love (Andrew Rayel Remix)
15 Roman Messer - Come Home (MI4 Mix)

CD2
01 Areeena - Between 2 Worlds (MI4 Intro Mix)
02 Emma Hewitt - Foolish Boy (Roger Shah Naughty Boy Remix)
03 Sunstrøm - The Float
04 Tune In Tokyo - Ray Of Love (Denzal Park Remix)
05 Addict Djs feat. Ellenyi - Walk Away (Pedro Henriques Remix)
06 Global Experience - Fox & Koi (Roger Shah & Brian Laruso Original Mix)
07 Third Party vs Cicada - Feel
08 Mike Shiver feat. Bo Bruce - Still Here (Carl Louis & Martin Danielle Remix)
09 Kim Svärd feat. Szen - Break Of Dawn (MI4 Mix)
10 Rocking J & Chris Gallo - Everything Is You (Roger Shah Areeena Remix)
11 Cosmic Gate & J’Something - Over The Rainbow
12 Betsie Larkin & Ferry Corsten - Stars (Roger Shah Pumpin' Island Mix)
13 Paul Oakenfold - Southern Sun (Roger Shah Remix)
14 Wach with Roman Sokolovski - Alesia
15 Alexander Popov feat. Kyler England - My World

Release date: November 23rd 2012

ArmadaShop
iTunes

Roger Shah - website | Beatport | Facebook | Flowd | G+ | iTunes | MySpace | Youtube | @roger_shah