***KnEeKo’S aRt ExPeDiTiOn***

Happy New Year to All! I’m really sorry guys for not visiting your blogs lately; kinda busy training my replacement on my job. After completing two years working in this company, I will leave the desert land again for the second time. My colleagues and friends were surprised but when I explained to them what will happens next, they wished me “Good luck and all the best!”

Meanwhile, just want to share another poem written almost a year ago. This was the time when I considered to stop blogging.

The Fall of Gentle Wind

At this moment, Zephyrtouch can’t keep on drifting
The west wind that never worn-out blowing
Even in winter or summer time he stands still
But in split seconds he feels ill

He’s now looking for an unruffled place
A place where he can take a profound breathe
To make his soul absolutely clean
Free from any wrongdoings or particular sin.

By gazing over a blue moon
He consider to look for an unknown lagoon
Bathe unclothed until his head submerge
Tasting the shallow salty water in his lips,

After being seized by melancholies
He will be residing in a blissful place
Righteous in every way
Anywhere, anytime and any day.

Then, he will continue to fly again
As a gentle wind blows in your chin
Whispering in your soft ear
Saying that he certainly defeated his own fear,

Halt! Back into reality
His life still looks unhealthy
We will just wait and see
What will happens next, come what may…

Kneeko
2007
KSA

December 07, 2007 - The OFW Congress launched the Search for Miss Little Princess OFW-Eastern Province 2007 held at International Philippine School in Al-Khobar (IPSA).

The Miss Little Philippines OFW Logo

An American guest singer…

Kimverlie Molina - 2006 TFC Popstar Grand Champion

Another FilPop Talent

High school students shared an ethnic dance.

Oh before I forgot, the winner is…… contestant # 8… the crowd really enjoyed when she delivered a monologue as her talent… Someday, you guys will be seeing here my daughter photos ramping on stage also…

Please click THIS for more photos of the pageant.

We (together with 3 official photographers) encountered difficulties in shooting our subjects because of low lighting, spot light and the glittering outfits of the contestants. The result is… more over exposed photos. No enhancement done on my shots, cropping only.

To Master, thanks for the help.

November 30, 2007 - again, organized by Saudi Arabia Hiligaynon Inc. (SAHI), the yearly event was a successful one. They invite Nyoy Volante and Blakdyak to be the guest performers from the Phillipines but unfortunately Blakdyak didn’t make it due to the late visa processing. Together with the local performers including us entertain the crowd.

Thursday night, Nyoy studying the song he will sing with us during our rehearsal…

While having a break, some choirmates pose with Nyoy for picture souvenir….

Friday, a pose with the group after the last rehearsal…

PNE on stage - rendered “Pasko na Sinta Ko” & “Manila”…

The crowd enjoyed pure pleasure with the acoustic repertoire of Nyoy…

Finale Acapella song - “Muntik ng Maabot ang Langit” - PNE & Nyoy

Dinner at Chili’s before Nyoy and Company’s departure…

To view more photos please visit KaPePe’s site.

For last year’s All Filipino Community Day please click - one, two, three, four.

Delayed again? My flight coming back here in KSA via Gulf Air was delayed due to some reasons. Passengers got an option, to stay in the hotel (provided by the airlines) or get a P500.00 cash for taxi fare if you’re living within Metro Manila. I chose to get the P500 cash and called my friend M to fetch me up from the airport and go someplace to sip few bottles of beer. By the way, The first time my flight was delayed was last January 2006 via Saudia Airlines . I stayed at the hotel that time.


Ninoy Aquino International Airport


OWWA Section…


OFW’s like me… waiting for the flight schedule…

MOA by night…

MOA

Dinner at Teriyaki Boy - Ground Floor, Main Mall Arcade, SM Mall of Asia

Hope to see you again my blogmates!

NANCY - A Remarkable City - Part 1

Few cities in the world are quite like Nancy. It is a city of art, culture and tradition; it is a meeting place where great talents can do research, discuss, create, innovate and invent. It is also a city in which people can gather, dance, stroll… The “Livre sur la Place” festival is a week - long literary celebration. Nancy Jazz Pulsations, a major event on the international jazz circuit, is organized at venues throughout the town adding a touch of colour and rhythm to autumn evenings. The Choir Festival thrills the town with a thousand international fantastic voices. Nancy has no shortage of events throughout the year to ensure visitors get the most out of their stay.

Place Stanislas is the ideal starting point for a walking tour of Nancy. The rectangular square, which was formerly known as Place Royal, is regularly the theater for traditional, cultural and folklore events. Restored to its original state in 2005 became-pedestrians only - to everyone’s satisfaction. Situated between the old town, built in the 10th century and 16th century new town, the square houses - the City Hall ( hotel de ville) the municipal opera house and theater as well as the Fine Arts Museum (musee des beaux arts). This museum prestigious collections take in almost every major period in the European art, from the 14th century to the present day. Works by, Caravvaggio, rubens, Delacroix, Mondigliani, Picasso, Rodin and Maillol.

To reach the old town, strolll trough Place de la Carriere, with its elegant urban architecture culminating with the double hemicycle of the Governor’s Palace, designed by the architect Emmanuel Here.

The medieval town with its narrow streets and numerous townhouses, former residences of local notables, offers the ideal setting for leisurely walk.

The last stop, Porte de la Crafee, is the last vestige of the city’s 14th century fortifications. A former prison, it was also the monumental arch
through which the Dukes of Lorraine passed before ascending the throne. A stone’s throw away, the Parc de la Pepiniere leads on to the new town, which was built under Charles III. Boasting a fine rose garden and an elegant bandstand, the gardens which were originally commissioned by Stanislas are popular among local residents.

The new town, also once fortified, is now a bustling city centre and boasts its fair share of fine buildings of architectural interest. Among them are the city’s Cathedral built by Boffrand and Mansart, the baroque church Saint Sebastien and Notre Dame de Bonsecours which was built by Here.

Source: Nancy Tourism

Thanks to pakner for introducing photobucket… I should have upload the photos on my gallery but for some reasons it’s not working. Wheeww…

In Nancy, we marked our names to their hearts… the experienced will be treasured forever…

*We were featured in the newspaper for three times on “Les Republicain”… on the left side our group, (they called us - de sacres phenomenes) and on the right side the Imusicapella (fait sensation).

*For the second time around…

*Front page… on the last day of event.

“Kahit saan, kahit kailan, angat ang Pinoy!”

May 20, 2007 - Last day in Nancy… Parting time…

*We had a farewell lunch at the Gentilly Village Hall with all foreign choirs.
>
*Let me do it… hehehe

*As requested by fellow choirs… one last “bukunat woman” song

*Thanks to our foster parents… Mama Josephine & Papa Joseph, hope to see u next year…

May 19, 2007 - final night… the showdown of all choirs, three (3) songs each choir.*930Am-11AM, final rehearsal at Plaza Stanislas of the Latin and French songs for the night…

*A posed w/ Imusicapella - representative of the Phlippines. While waiting for lunch time at Brabois University..

*230PM - parade of all choirs around the main streets of Nancy…

*Last concert of our group at the Hotel de Ville of Nancy lasted for 30 minutes.

*815PM - the concert started… crowd of more 5,000… - this shot was taken from the big screen inside the opera house where all choirs were waiting for their turn to go to stage.

*The group representing Saudi Arabia.

*Photos # 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6 by KPP

18 May - the most tiring day. We did four (4) concerts in a row…

*3PM @ the school Brossolette of Vandoeuvre lasted for 45 minutes. Our crowd were the little angels…

*4:15PM @ “Les Jonquilles” home for the aged of Vandoeuvre for 45 minutes also.

*A pose with a lady senator (mid-left) and the Mayor of Nancy (mid-right).

*8PM @ the Poirell Hall (old opera house) lasted for 45 minutes.
*9PM @ the Holy Bernadette church.

Night of May 16, we were really want to sleep after our dinner but we have to watch a welcome concert offered by the organizers in the place called Zenith.
*My bed (on the left), waiting to be laid.

*On our way going to Zenith… We’re late, parked afar from the stadium.

Choirs from Nancy and a guest performer from Canada, Fabienne Thibeault entertained us but not quite impressive… it was so boring. What I did, just went to coffee shop, ordered a coffe and a bottled water. When I was about to pay, the cashier asked, “Are you an Italian?” I smiled and answered, “Madam, I’m a full blooded Filipino…”… Well, guys… Do I like an Italian? hehehehe… By the way, it happened again in Paris. Wheww..
*It was raining all night… 9PM that time but still looks like an afternoon only.

I was not able to take photos of the show because it was prohibited inside if you’re not an official photographer of the event. All cameras were deposited at the gate.