Through Foreign Eyes

This summer Prairie Repertory Theatre is celebrating its 38th season. This year we are presenting the shows BINGO: A Winning New Musical, Escanaba in Love, Move Over, Mrs. Markham and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. All PRT shows in Brookings are shown at Doner Auditorium and are free to all SDSU students.
Bingo is described as a zany musical comedy where the audience gets to play the bingo game. The story takes place at Hamerin County’s St. Luke’s church basement where the audience meets Vern, Honey, and Patsy who have braved a hurricane to play their weekly obsession. Bingo mixes song, quirky contestants, romance and rivalry into an interactive, presentational contest. Bingo runs June 11-14 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee June 15 at 2:00 p.m.

Escanaba in Love is the prequel to last summer’s smash hit Escanaba in Da Moonlight. Jeff Daniels brings a touching, romantic comedy element to the rugged hunter-humor of Michigan’s favorite yooper family. As deer hunting season arrives, the Soady men meet their biggest challenge; not a great buck or a hunter’s dream, but the camp’s first female visitor, young Albert Soady Jr’s impromptu bride Big Betty Balou. Escanaba runs June 18-21 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee June 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Move Over, Mrs. Markham is a British farce where the audience meets Philip Markham. Philip has reluctantly agreed to let his business partner borrow his apartment for the evening to entertain his latest girl friend. At the same time Philips wife has also let her friend borrow the apartment to entertain her lover. When the Markham’s evening out is cancelled it is too late to let any of the parties know, and three sets of hopeful lovers all converge on the bedroom at the same time. Complications abound, leading to a hectic and hilarious evening. Markham runs June 25-28 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee June 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is the story of Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, who goes to town to get a wife. He convinces Milly to marry him that same day and return to his backwoods home. Milly sets out to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Bursting with rambunctious energy, colorful costumes, and charismatic characters, this breathtaking musical production is guaranteed to put a spring in your step and a tune on your lips. Seven runs July 9-12 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee July 13 at 2:00 p.m.

South Dakota State University students get in FREE with their ID (the ID issued last year counts for this year).

Watch Prairie Repertory Theatre in Brookings, you will enjoy it. For further info and to buy tickets online, visit Prairie Repertory Theatre online!

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I wrote and posted pictures of last year's Festival of Cultures. Last week, the annual festival was celebrated once again.

The Festival of Cultures 2008 held at the Hyper Center in South Dakota State University Campus attracted visitors from around town. Like last year, high school students abound in the area. They came in groups with their papers, pencils, and a set of questions. They were asked to interview people who participated in the event as part of their subject requirements.

At first, it went well when a couple of girls asked me few things like the language in the Philippines, the favorite dish of the Filipinos, how Filipinos say hello or goodbye...stuff like that. But when minute after minute students from various schools stopped by the Filipino display booth and asked the same questions over and over again, it was just annoying!

If you happened to see the booth with no one manning it, I was somewhere escaping from the irritating "interview" portion.
There were few differences in this year's event from the one last year. First, I had "fashion accessories" sold in our booth (finally, the business-minded person in me came out). I realized it was the only event that I could make money out of Pinoy products. I told my little brother who is working in Manila to send me a box of those beautiful little things he sees in Divisoria -- things foreigners usually buy. He did send me a huge box and I had a hard time pricing them all. In the end, I sold each item for $2.50 and lowered it to $2.00 during the closing hour. Business was good. Really good!

Second, it was the first time that the Filipinos had a Food Booth. Maricel did a good job as well as Ate Nitz and her husband in preparing the food to sell. We had egg rolls (in two varieties - chicken and pork), fried rice and pancit (rice noddles). As early as 12 noon, we already ran out of food (pancit and rice) . Sold out! That was how good Pinoys were in cooking. There were customers who waited and queued only to be disappointed to know they couldn't taste the rice noodles anymore. Next year, we already know what to do, what to sell, how to estimate the number of people who love the taste of the tropics.
The day ended with the Filipinos happy. Happy that we were able to share our culture to the other nationals. Happy that everything turned out well and good. We will have a much bigger booth to accommodate everyone next year. Promise.

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The Indian Night or Nite 2008 at the South Dakota State University (SDSU) came as a big surprise for me. Compared to last year's event, this one is many times better.

I arrived on time at the venue and, oh man, seats were running out! The hall was big and me hoping that less people would attend, I was too confident I'd get the best seat. Best, in my vocabulary, means the one nearest to the food table.

I was disappointed to realize that there was no seat for me. Eric has to stand at the back wishing someone would go the toilet so he could steal a chair!

Thanks heavens, an Indian friend offered a chair and two other Filipinos provided a little space for me to squeeze in. Thus, the sad little Eric became the happy bee again!

As usual, I am giving my rate for the Indian Nite.

Cultural presentation. Perfect. Indians have the best way to entertain Americans. What's the use of the popular Bollywood music if Indians would fail in the entertainment aspect? Rate - 10/10

Attendance. Jam-packed! That was the reason I wasn't able to get a seat. I maybe would give them a minus point for inviting so many people beyond the hall capacity. But I won't. People love it. That is why they were there. Rating - 10/10

Knowledge-gained. Since I have attended last year's event, there wasn't so many additional inputs I learned today. However, hearing and seeing the presentations was a good recollection. Rating - 9/10

Emcees. Among all the cultural events I have attended this year so far, the emcees for the Indian night were more lively. Rojit, the quite funny Indian guy (who is a friend) was one of the emcees. He brought a lighter side to the serious lady emcee. Rating - 9/10.

Food. I thought the food wouldn't surprise me as I have been eating lots of Indian food since I've been here in the U.S. I liked the bean stuff. It looked like peanuts, but it was a bean -- like boiled bean, soft and not so spicy. Rating - 9/10.

Indian people. Very friendly and they love to joke around. There was this Indian stand-up comedian who is always present in every event and who loves to get his break in the American comedy platform. He was quite funny although some of his jokes were really corny. I can forgive him for that. Rating - 10/10.

That's it guys. Indian night is the best so far. Watch out for the first-ever Filipino night next year. Have I told you already that I am organizing it?

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It is Maricel's birthday today. Cel is the girl who takes care of me here in Brookings. No kidding. She possesses so much love that she is sharing some of it to me.
I know we have so many things in common. We both love to have fun and eat a lot. We laugh together and kid around most of the time. I love teasing her. I love the way she moves. I love everything about her.

Since there are no enough words to thank her for all the wonderful things she has been doing to me, she will surely understand if I'll just say, Happy Birthday...oh well, in different languages.

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd! or Van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag! [Dutch]

Buon Compleanno! [Italian]

Fortuna dies natalis! [Latin]

Suk San Wan Keut! [Thai]

Joyeux Anniversaire! [French]

Vill Gleck fir daei Geburtsdaag! [Luxembourgeois]

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! [German]

Feliz Cumpleaños! [Spanish]

Bisaya [Maayong Adlawng Natawhan]

English [Happy Birthday]


Take care always! Should I say mwahhhhhhhh?!

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It was my first time to attend a Nepali Nite. I was only convinced by a Filipino friend to join and had it not been for a free ticket, I could have said NO.
Here are my impressions.

Cultural presentation. It was good - not the usual eye-popping performances, but generally, it was okay. The presentations seemed to have been copied from other cultural nites, like the Indian nite -- the act, the dancing, the singing. There wasn't something unique about it. I will give it a 7 out of 10.

Attendance. It was jam-packed. The auditorium was filled to the brim with people from different cultures. The hardwork of the Nepalis to get the tickets sold should be given a recognition. For this, I will give it a 10/10.

Knowledge-gained. Without the Powerpoint presentations, I might have fallen asleep. Nothing interesting by just listening to the presenters. The slides showing the different scenes of Nepal and the culture they had, made me stick to the program. I will give it 6/10.

Emcees. Totally boring. Lines were memorized. It would have been livelier when the hosting was done spontaneously. Lots of gaps between segments because of the emcees' slackness. The score for that is 2/10.

Food. I had high expectations of the Nepali food. However, the food has failed me. It looked like they didn't spend much time to make it savory. The dishes were spicy yet tasteless. Sorry, but that was exactly how my taste buds sensed them. Even the orange juice [which I think was free from the sponsor] didn't go so well. I will give the food a low 3/10.

Nepali people. I have made some Nepali friends. They are friendly and always ready for a smile. The smiles, one-of-a-kind culture plus the colorful national costumes make Nepal an attractive country. For friendliness, I will give it 10/10.

I think there are more to see and explore for this small treasure in Asia. Whether I will attend the next Nepali nite, is not a question anymore. I will still be there -- hoping to be be amazed by that Nepali girl gracefully dancing...what was her name again?

More photos here.

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Just few hours ago, I had the chance to watch for free the concert of the all-male vocal ensemble, CANTUS, a group from Minnesota. It was held at the Performing Arts Center in Brookings, South Dakota.
I am not really a fan of classical music, but when CANTUS started singing -- only one word I uttered right then and there -- WOW!

Amazingly wow! With all songs sang in a capella and with uniquely blend of voices, it will pull you towards loving the classics.

Their repertoire spans many periods and genres, including Gregorian chant, Renaissance motets, contemporary sacred works, art songs, world music, spirituals, and pop. Cantus’ singing has been called “spontaneous grace” by the Washington Post and “wonderful” by the L.A. Times.

For the past years, CANTUS has gained the recognition as one of America's finest professional male vocal ensembles. The group have included performances throughout the U.S. and it made its European debut at France's Polyfolia Festival.

CANTUS has already recorded 8 CDs on its own label, Cantus Recordings.

CANTUS members:

Tenors: Eric Hopkins, Aaron Humble, Micheal Jones, Gary Ruschman, Shazore Shah

Baritones: Dashon Burton, Adam Reinwald

Basses: Tom McNichols, Tim Takach

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I am quite excited of the 2008 Festival of cultures. I remember I had fun last year. See the video below.

I will have a long post of this event soon. Watch out for it.

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Black Friday is synonymous to a big nationwide sale and shopping!

Black Friday is celebrated a day after Thanksgiving in the United States. I didn't hear about this event last year, only yesterday, from Filipino friends.

It was amazing to hear stories from them of how people pack the stores for this big sale day. They go to the stores hours before the opening, even sleeping along alleys and sidewalks, in the middle of a cold winter night, just to be among the firsts to get inside and grab the best items on display. Yes, buyers are that eager to shop!

It is because the items are discounted hugely. Getting an item 70% less of the original price is significantly helpful for a tight-budget family, or even for those fashion-oriented individuals who look for the latest fad on sale.

There is computer shop that sells Toshiba laptops for the first 10 customers for only $300 (roughly P15,000). Who doesn't want to get one? I heard the laptop specs were awesome!

Today, I left the house at 6AM and head for Sioux Falls, to the Empire Mall. I went with two of my Filipino friends, Cel and Ping. We were in time for the hassle and bustle of the shopping jungle when we got there with our enthusiastic shopping moods.

We shopped till we dropped, so to speak. I bought two new shoes (adding to my shoe collection). I also bought long sleeves and a scarf for winter protection. The sale wasn't whole day so we had to move fast to get the things we want. We, literally, rubbed elbows with the same enthusiastic American shoppers.

We went home with big smiles. It was one hell of a shopping experience, not to mention the over-the-budget expenses. Well, it happens only once a year - so I better enjoy it. And, oh, I did.

Labels: Brooking Fun, USA Blogging

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Yesterday was my first international night. Though there are just few of us Filipinos in Brookings, South Dakota, we still decided to join the event.
Kristy, Maria, Cel and I prepared a Filipino dish. We served our very own version of the Filipino Chopsuey. It would have been an eggroll menu, but its preparation would take hours. With about 300 people to serve, there was no time to waste for a complicated dish.

The Filipino Chopsuey came in three varieties - the pure Filipino vegetarian Chopsuey, Chopsuey with shrimp (for the seafood lovers), and the Chopsuey with chicken (for the seafood allergic). The chopsuey with shrimp was the most-loved dish.

We came in with our Filipino costumes. Of course, we were proud of our culture and history and for being Filipinos in the United States.

Maricel and I represented the Philippines in the fashion show, where different culture representatives sashayed with their respective national costumes. It was fun. We are thinking of doing it again next year.

I will post more photos once I get them from friends. Ugh, I forgot to bring my camera!

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It was a night of pure fun. It was a night of dancing - first time that we did it inside the house. It was a salsa night, to be specific!
We invited lady friends to dance the night away with. Since it was a salsa night, we had the best salsa music to go along our Latin dancing moves.

My love for Latin music began the moment I had my first taste of merengue and salsa music when I lived in the Netherlands for two years. Influenced by Spanish friends, who couldn't stop themselves from visiting a Latin bar each week, I learned the tricks gradually. I observed how professional male dancers whooshed and whisked their lady partners to the fast rhythm of salsa and each step was something I wanted to learn.

In no time, I was on the dance floor with my constant tall, Dutch partner. I couldn't forget my first slip, of course. I could not forget the very first sensual Latin dance with a very sexy lady, as well. There were bad memories along the way, but the good memories brought much encouragement, even to this day.

Last night, I did apply few dance moves that I have almost forgotten. It was awesome to be able to swing once again and twist my partner in some unexpected turns. Yeah, twist the arms! I taught few of them the tricks and became an instant dance instructor. LOL.
I am not a good dancer, but I can dance. I can go where the music leads me to. Dancing can be learned, just like singing. If given the chance to further my dancing skills, I would love to focus on Latin dances. Once I become a pro, I'd take my crush to the center of the dance floor - guide her hands to my shoulders while I put mine to her hips.

Then expect something wonderful to happen next.

Photos of last night's salsa party is here.

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Read first my previous post about Pinoys celebrating the Arts Festival 2007 in Brookings. Then enjoy the video below.

More to come soon.

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You don't have to say it. I admit that I am beginning to be addicted to skating. Not because I am good at it. It's all because of the fun I derived from it. You see, I've been at the Larson Ice Skating rink for only 4 times. Those 4 times were learning experiences. I find it very fulfilling to see myself improving on the ice.


It wasn't good at the beginning, believe me. The moment you put your feet on the frozen ice, you feel like you're gonna slide up to the other end, and you could only wish the ice were rough. But that cannot happen, you know that.

So you'd just be contented on the sides and just wait for your guts to rise beyond your head for you to brave the center of the rink, which are dominated by professional skaters. One more thing: once you are in the middle, pray that nobody bumps on you. Otherwise, it can be very painful.

Expect also that you'd fall -- one, two or maybe many times, on your tries to balance. Part of the learning process ladies and gentlemen.

Today, I have improved a lot. I also noticed that I can skate better if I sing while I skate. There is truth to that. Really.




I prepared a video, of course.


More pictures from the snowy Brookings:

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I have seen that my efforts towards learning the art of skating is beginning to bear fruits. Yesterday I conquered the fear of being in the middle of the ice rink. I thought it would be difficult to be in the middle where people just whoosh past me. I was afraid to let go of the railings, but I did. I was happy I did. Marcela, Adam and Mark were all terrific skating instructors heh heh heh.

Look for me in this video [after the jump].


More videos to come soon.

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Thought of the day: Do not count the number of years you have lived, count the number of friends you have gained.

Few hours ago, it was just wonderful. T'was the birthday of Chouchou, Matt Hansen's wife. Matt, by the way, is the Senior Scientist and Co-Director of the GIS Center of Excellence.

It was awesome to meet a lot of people in just one event. It was my first time to eat with such enormous amount of food, which was, needless to say, perfectly varied.

One interesting part was the dancing. I never thought people would like my way of dancing to the groove of the Latin music. I learned the styles when I was in the Netherlands few years ago. Although, I have forgotten most of the exotic steps, I do think I could easily dance my way through someone's attention.

I am no talented person. I may have something to show, but I don't count it as a talent. For many, it might be. I mention this, because friends and friends of friends (yes, few hours ago) would tell me I am talented. When I write, I write not because I want to impress others. I write because I love to and I want to show to myself that I can. There are moments that I do not even consider it as good writing, and that in those times, I find my self demeaning my own capabilities. In truth, I am no good in the craft. Each time I read famous authors or magazine and paper writers, I could only wish I could be better. If people love the topics I write or the style I follow, it is just an added bonus -- which of course I appreciate so much.

To those people who said that I am talented just because I write and dance and paint and sing (they still have to hear me sing though) and some other things that may find their point of revelation in time, THANK YOU!

I would like to share photos with you all. (Photos are best viewed when clicked.)

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Thought of the day: Your friends are always your best treasures.

I have the best buddies in the world! Believe me. I find consolation, feeling of boost and cheer when I am with them. Why is that so? I'd give you options. Which of the three you think I'd go for:

a) they are not the "bad influence" kind of people you find out there
b) they share the same likes as mine, well, somehow
c) they teach you how to ice skate

I'd pick all of the above, though I would give the biggest weight for letter c. HAHAHA. These guys are just worry-free.

Last night was all fun. There was free skating for all at the Larson Ice Skating Center organized by, I think, student organizations. It was crowded but that is where the fun is. I wasn't the only who doesn't know how to skate. Thank God! I wouldn't like to be the center of attraction or the laughing stock, for that matter.

There were few Americans who didn't even know how to balance in the ice and shared the sidebars with me. While almost everyone was gliding and sliding and turning and spinning, I was at the sides, praying not to fall, taking few steps at a time, sliding and thinking how to continue inching forward, at times considering to free myself from the hold, studying other first-timer's techniques and simply adoring my friends who seemed to be so comfortable on the slippery ice.

Mark and Adam were the good ones among us. Watching them skating confidently increased my determination to learn the tricks. It wasn't effortless. No, it was not like writing a column for the Collegian. I even fell on my back at one attempt to follow Mark. But, as Mark said, it is part of the education process. True enough, it pushes me to go further.

Now, time for the photos.










The fun didn't end when the rink closed at 10PM. We decided to spend a few hours at Mark's place. We had a pasta and pizza to feed our hungry mouths after that two-hour skating adventure. Inside the house I thought of how I could improve myself on the ice faster next time. That was how affected I was. HAHAHA. Could it be a normal feeling of a first-timer? Probably.

I took a picture of Vincent sleeping while watching a video of Mark's wave surfing actions in Hawaii. Mark is one active and talented guy. You should see how he braved the big waves of Maui. Awesome!

Some photos are just funny!




This post is already long. However, I cannot end this without sharing to you a video I made myself. Hope you like my, yes, again, "first-time" editing.

Labels: Blogging, Brooking Fun, Brookings Photos, South Dakota State University

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Thought of the day: Get a life and be happy!

Ok. I wasn't expecting it to be that fun.

It was my first time to be at Cubbys, a bar in downtown Brookings. For a newcomer, I never thought such a bar existed. Initially, my impression was, Brookings bars can never be better than what's Cebu (my city back home) bars can offer. I still have to see live bands playing in a bar here. Few say, they do have that on some occasions.

I was proven wrong. The bar has big TV screens. I mean really BIG screens on the walls. Take note I said walls, because big TV screens are all over the place. Just pick a TV to watch. Of course, they were showing football, well, what would I expect, it's America.
I had fun with colleagues, or should I say, friends. Photos below show how happy I was. It was actually a double birthday celebration. Adam Baer, a geospatial analyst, had the same birthday as mine.

Thanks to my friend Mark. He did the planning for that. Oh, he bought the birthday card too. Nice choice!

See what I got!


Nice one, huh!


Friendship beyond boundaries.

Yo! Good conversations over bottles of beer.

Love them all!

Torn between two ladies..hehe.

Friends all over!

Adam and Jake

Eugene and all the TVs behind him

Labels: Brooking Fun, Drinking Bar, USA Blogging

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