It is interesting to write about the Folk Arts Theater at this time in the midst of the preparations for the country’s 3rd stint to host the Miss Universe pageant that will happen on January 2017. That is because the Folk Arts Theater itself came into being because of the Miss Universe pageant, when the Philippines hosted it for the first time in 1974. Reportedly, then First Lady Imelda Marcos pushed hard for the country to host the pageant, especially after the country’s Miss Universe candidate, Margarita Moran, won the title in 1973, becoming the second Filipina Miss Universe after Gloria Diaz. With the hosting secured, Mrs. Marcos had the idea of holding…
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A Lit Fest And A History Con Weekend (Sorry, AsiaPop Comic Con)
It was a packed weekend recently as a number of events were simultaneously happening around the metropolis. Unfortunately, due to personal commitments, I was not able to check out all of them. Sadly, one of those I was not able to check out was the AsiaPop Comic Con 2016 which happened at the SMX Convention Center. However, I was able to check out a couple of interesting events: the Philippine Readers and Writers Festival 2016 at the Raffles Hotel in Makati and History Con Manila 2016 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Coverage follows after the break.
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Streets Of Unsung Revolutionary Heroes
Today is National Heroes Day. Normally, we take this opportunity to remember the prominent figures in our history. We usually commemorate the heroism of Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Jacinto, Tandang Sora, Plaridel, General Luna, among others and their contributions to our history. Then there are the heroes who were not as fortunate to be as honored as the aforementioned figures. The closest to an honor they would get is a street named after name, as well as a monument if they are more fortunate. Even so, because no one has bothered to educate the people with regards to the identities of the people behind these street names and their contributions to the country, such honors…
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Dispatches From The Urban Jungle: 7 Stories From 7 Years of Urban Roaming
Seven years. Yup, it has been that long since I thought of setting up this site called The Urban Roamer. Back then, I never really thought this little “side project” would go on that long. Heck, if this was an actual job, this is now by far the longest employment record I would gladly put on my resumé. It is also amazing to see how much The Urban Roamer has grown. I still find myself surprised seeing how much some of my work has gone viral, or getting appreciation from people and institutions I look up to like the Wilson Lee Flores, Intramuros Administration, and the Ayala Museum, among others.…
