SM Aura Premier Opens May 17, 2013

According to the Twitter account of SM Aura Premier, it is set to open on May 17, 2013. This will be the latest SM Mall to be open in the country and the first SM Supermall in Taguig City.

According to Wikipedia, SM Aura Premier will be located along C5 Road corner M.H. del Pilar Drive near the Sampaguita Interchange. It is situated near Market! Market! (owned by Ayala Malls).

Some of the features of SM Aura Premier are:

• Al Fresco Bars and Restaurants
• Sculpture and Botanical Gardens
• Performance Hall (1,100 seats)
• Chapel named after the 2nd Filipino Saint, Pedro Calungsod (250 seats)
• SM Department Store and SM Supermarket
• Trade Hall
• Food Court
• 2 Regular Cinemas
• 2 Director’s Club facilities
• IMAX Theater

The SM Aura Premier is designed by architectural firm, Arquitectonica, an architecture, interior design and planning firm that began in Miami in 1977.

Again, the information about SM Aura Premier are taken from Wikipedia and their official Twitter account.

Technorati Tags: SM Aura Premier,Taguig City,Arquitectonica

Newport Ultra Cinema 1

I can’t thank Nuffnang Philippines enough for giving me the chance to experience one of the most expensive places to watch a movie – at the Newport Ultra Cinema 1, Resorts World Manila, Newport City in Pasay.

We watched the film “Resident Evil: Retribution” and I truly enjoyed the fully reclining seats (Lazy Boy) that I almost fell asleep while watching the movie. This is so far, the most luxurious cinema I’ve ever been to. It has enclosed private cubicles for couples, unlimited pop corns and drinks and butler service. It’s truly a great experience.

By the way, this event was co-sponsored by PLDT myDSL. They even gave use some freebies at the event (cap, mouse pad and wrist pillow). They also promoted their newest service called the PLDT Wi-Fi Zone and the search for Derek’s new Anna.

Here are some of the pictures I have of the Newport Ultra Cinema 1 at the 4^th floor of the Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila. There are 3 other cinemas here but Cinema 1 is definitely the best.

Thank you PLDT myDSL for the freebies! 

Technorati Tags: Newport Ultra Cinema 1,Newport City,Resorts World Manila

SM Mall of Asia (MoA) At Night

I practiced taking pictures at night (again) at the SM Mall of Asia (MoA) Esplanade. This place is packed with people! There are some rides that kids would definitely love to try. There’s also a fountain that is lit with colorful lights and a Ferris wheel at the far end of the MoA Esplanade.

There are kids inside large balloon balls playing on the swimming pool. The MoA Esplanade also has a zip line and there are a lot of mime artist on this part of Manila Bay. There’s a carousel and similar rides. I’m expecting that the number of people visiting this place would double in the coming months. I sure hope to visit this place soon to take more pictures.

By the way, I used long exposure (f/11 to f/18), slow shutter speed (6 seconds or more) and my Benro tripod in these pictures.

Technorati Tags: SM Mall of Asia Esplanade,MoA At Night,Night Shots

The Famous Manila Bay Sunset

I’ve seen several pictures of the famous Manila Bay sunset and I dream of having a similar picture. Last Sunday, during the PiPho Anniversary Celebration, I decided to take pictures of this famous scenery. I went to the SM Mall of Asia Esplanade to capture the meeting of the sun and the horizon. There were so many people in this part of the bay!

Unfortunately, it was cloudy last Sunday so I wasn’t able to capture that postcard-perfect shot of the famous Manila Bay Sunset. I guess those shots were taken during the summer season. So I’ll try my luck next summer and hopefully, get that scarlet-effect on the clouds during the sunset.

Anyways, let me share the pictures to you my dear readers of my version of the famous Manila Bay sunset.

Technorati Tags: The Famous Manila Bay Sunset,SM Mall of Asia Esplanade

Road To Live Party

This year marks the 9^th year anniversary of Philippine Ragnarok Online. It’s the country’s first MMORPG and it still has a solid gaming community. In fact, Philippine Ragnarok Online recently launched a new server called New Iris and it’s crowded with people.

To celebrate this gaming milestone, Level Up! Games (publisher of Philippine Ragnarok Online) will have an event called Road To Live Party. It will be held at the 4th Floor of the SM Annex (North EDSA) this Saturday, September 1 at 10AM.

It’s basically a preview of what’s going to happen in the popular annual event called Level Up! Live, which usually takes place at the World Trade Center.

My friend Jereil and I are definitely coming this Saturday. Are you?

Technorati Tags: Road To Live Party,Level Up! Live 2012,Philippine Ragnarok Online

The 3rd Olongapo No-Gi Grappling Competition

I was at Subic Bay Freeport during the weekends. I have reserved a hotel room a few weeks ago but I didn’t realize that it would be a very wet experience. I booked the hotel using Agoda and as much as I wanted to cancel the hotel accommodation because of the rains, it was already charged to my credit card and cancelling it would still incur some fees. So I just made the most out of my weekend escapade.

I use to go to Olongapo a few years ago but ever since I worked in the call center industry, my visit to this city had become lesser. My first love lives in Olongapo and he’s the sole reason why I visit this place. Olongapo and Subic Bay Freeport always brings back good memories of my friendship with my first love. I’ll probably talk about this some other time. Let’s just focus on the 3^rd Olongapo No-Gi Grappling Competition.

I was surprised to learn that there is an Ayala Mall inside the Subic Bay Freeport just a few meters away from the newly-opened SM Olongapo. The mall’s name is Harbor Point and it’s HUGE when it comes to floor area. It’s only 3 stories tall but it’s wide and there are a lot of stalls that aren’t opened yet. I stumbled upon the 3^rd Olongapo No-Gi Grappling Competition and I got curious on what it is.

I later found out that Grappling is a style in martial arts that comprises techniques that relies on grabbing and controlling your opponent using body leverage to achieve supremacy. It’s very similar to Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and the Olympic Wrestling. It’s the opposite of “striking” martial arts like Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo or Kickboxing. Grapping seems to be less dangerous than the “striking” martial arts. Thanks to Rio Grappling Club for clearing this out for me.

I don’t know why the straight guys are into this sport but for a gay guy like me, it looks very intimate and sexy and I swear my mind is thinking something else when I saw these guys on the competition mat.

How about you, what do you see?

Technorati Tags: The 3rd Olongapo No-Gi Grappling Competition,Harbor Point,Subic Bay Freeport