get crazy and high

 If New York has the Empire State Building, and Paris has the Eiffel Tower, then Cebu may just have Crown Regency Hotel. Afterall, in these tall landmarks, it is not unusual for many tourists and locals to come up, and take in all the panoramic views the eyes can afford to see from such edifices. People in the city of New York clamber up to the 86^th floor of the famed Art-deco office building to set eyes on the uniformed street blocks of Manhattan and its countless skyscrapers. In Paris, all try to move up into the observation platform of the iron tower of Eiffel, and gush at the lush garden sceneries down below, particularly the Trocadero Fountains. But once in Cebu, visitors go to the highest floors of the hotel edifice, and try to admire the vast aerial views of the metropolis, but possibly, even quite literally, with a twist.

 Of course at the very top of the building which is said to be the  tallest in Cebu, and probably in the whole Philippines, there are the usual coin operated binoculars and telescopes to zoom in on specific areas of Cebu City, but one can be most appreciative of the commanding and extensive views of the city without the necessity of such peering device. But alas, still that would be a little unexciting as there are more atypical ways to get a 360 degree views of this historic and economically robust southern city destination through the Sky Experience Adventure, at the very top of the Crown Regency, along President Osmena Boulevard.

Take the Plunge.  One can even get out of the comfort zone by checking the vista a little outside the perimeter of the building through its Edge Coaster. At the 39^th floor, one can take on the ride, similar to the cabs of a rollercoaster, that takes you around the building, yet facing full frontally the views. But then the seat tilts down 55 degrees giving one the impression of plunging 430 feet towards the ground. In fact, if both parties (the cab can only seat two at a time) decide to increase the slant more, the seat can even go to an extreme 90 degree down slope. But then one gets to realize that one is strapped safely at the coaster. Still the experience is intense and may not be advisable for those who have the fear of falling.

 The ride starts with the gracious staff giving all pointers for safety. And not like the usual rollercoaster where cabs move together, each cab in the Edge Coaster moves independently. Then the cab slowly tips over and gives one that feeling of falling down. One just prays that one does not actually fall off from the seat. Expectedly, people just hold on to the to the seat’s handlebars for dear life. But as the cab moves slowly around, then the safety features of the ride are guaranteed ok. During the ride, it is a little straining and awkward for some because of the position they are in. But then the ride is not very long, it just goes around for a minute or so.

 Look Ma, No Railings. If the Edge Coaster gives one a sensation of dropping toward land, another feature of the Sky Experience Adventure, the Sky Walk provides an impression of flying – or at least walking on air. At the 38^th floor of the building, there is a four foot wide ramp around the building to walk on, without the supposed security of the railings or barrier. At the ramp there is only the harness which is securely tied from the ceiling to the suit worn by person that provides some sense of protection.  The harness’s length is short enough to make the person stay only on at the ramp, making it difficult for one to fall off from the ledge. Again, one gets to see the whole scenic vistas of Cebu. But of course, somehow there is just more mind thrill when one is romping around on the tallest building in the city, and without supposedly the safety net of the guardrails.

 But indeed, the Sky Experience Adventure team does all the precautionary procedures to avoid all untoward incidents. The team of ladies and gentlemen who have mostly mountaineering experience briefs everyone on the safety measures provided for the Skywalk Experience and how everyone should conduct himself during the walk. One must don on the blue and yellow suit specifically for such walk. And if there are those who are in slippers or highheeled shoes, the team can lend rubbershoes to provide them sole traction while on the ramp. The team also says that harnesses which can carry a weight of 5000 pounds are there for the utmost safety of the people. The ramp is strong enough and can accommodate a number of people at a given moment.

Then people are instructed to get out of the building premises, and go out and step on the actual walkway. Together with some members of the team crew, people are instructed to start walking guided by the harnesses that dangle from ceiling top. With some trepidation, one walks, and in due time, he or she enjoys a seeming moment of freedom. Then somehow, one is even emboldened to perch and sit at the very rim of the pathway. Or he can show off  a one foot standing trick at the glass edge as well, directed by the team leader. Everything can be documented by an official photographer that goes along with group for the romp.

Everything to see and feel. During the day time, you get the whole arresting vista of Cebu’s Metropolis, with the Cebu Harbor at the Southeast, and the other neighboring cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Naga and Talisay.  There might be some challenge to find famous landmarks of Cebu such as Tops at the hills of Busay. But definitely, one can easily find the iconic memorial plaza – the Fuente Osmena Circle, and of course, further up – the beautiful and majestic Capitol building of Cebu Province.

And since the Sky Experience Adventure opens until past midnight, particularly during weekends, it is very worthy to visit and participate in both rides during the evenings as well to see the luminous lights of the Capitol and Fuente Osmena Circle, and experience another enthralling aspect of the whole Cebu City. One must do the rides then twice – during the day and during the night.

Bill Killgore, General Manager of Sky Experience Adventure, devised ways to make the rides affordable, even offering two rides for the price of one promotion, many times. The patrons even get a certificate after each ride – detailing the exact date, time and even the condition of the weather. Then of course, one can purchase a picture of himself enjoying the rides, and if hungry, then he may have some food at the Sky Lounge or Sky Resto Bar.

And if there is some more money to spend, one can go several floors down to watch and experience a movie of a 4D kind! In other words, not only will he view movie scenes almost realistically through state of the art magic, he also experiences and definitely feels everything almost authentically what is shown on the screen. It is not good to spoil a film by spilling out the details, but it is recommended that one brings a hanky or small towel at the theater.

Bill Killgore, recollects that Cebu locals had some hesitations when the Sky Experience Adventure started late 2008, and it was people outside Cebu who were more adventurous and enthusiastic to partake in such rides. But it has changed through the months. In fact one local Cebuano guy, through the help of the Sky Adventure Experience team and its manager, surprised his girlfriend and popped the ultimate question – “Will you marry me?” – at the 38^th Floor during their promenade at the Sky Walk. “I am just waiting that a marriage ceremony will be done here one of these days,” Killgore says a matter of factly. Well, that surely is another way of taking the plunge – 30 plus floors above the ground in Cebu.

(lg2a) give me the dirty, the dingy, the dazzling new york city

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“This reminds me of Cubao, Quiapo and Makati altogether,” one sister declared.

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Yes it can be true. Just go to the heart of New York City – Manhattan that is, and you get a melange of all our iconic busy places in Metro Manila. The monumental glass buildings and skyscrapers, and fancy boutique glasswindows remind you of Ayala Avenue. The corner delicatessens, the quaint coffeshops and small emporiums, and the ubiquitous hotdog stands are reminiscent of the old Cubao, just before the posh Gateway Mall was built. Oh yes, the seedy, dirty streets, the incessant scaffoldings blocking pedestrians, and  the chaotic volume of people, crisscrossing the grid streets (which then Manila Metropolitan Commission Governor Imelda Marcos wanted to impossibly copy for the layout of Metro Manila )of Manhattan implore a Quiapo feel overall.

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“I will never come back here,” another sister threatened. She is happy to stay in a quiet suburb somewhere in the midwest.

——–

It is not only her who seems to be disillusioned by New York City. Aside from the disarray of Manhattan, some have outrightly warned of the bedlam that happens in the Big Apple such as frequent muggings and  the saucy attitude by the New Yorkers. There was even a time when all patrons were forcibly asked  to leave a store just because it was already closing. My sister pointed out such crudeness to a store manager. The store got some rude awakening from a Detroit diva there!

————-

But it is the diamond in the rough that makes New York special and iconic to many of us non-New York dwellers. The Statue of Liberty at the harbor, United Nations Headquaters and the Financial District appeal to those who have romanticized the ideals of freedom, harmony and capitalism. The beaches at Hamptons, the artifacts of the numerous galleries and museums, the runway fashion shows of designers, and the explosion of architecture connect highly to the desires and senses of the erudite, the avantgarde, the sophisticated, and the moneyed from all over the globe.

————

But for many of us, hoi-polloi, including me, it is the razzle-dazzle of pop culture that makes us warm with delight in the City that Never Sleeps. Aside from the music and stories that are churned out from musicals and plays of Broadway and the numerous movies which featured the city, it is the weekly and probably daily television shows, old and new, that familiarize us with a piece of New York life. Shows such as Seinfeld, Friends, and Sex in the City give the couch potatoes a weekly dose of insights regarding independence, fraternization and even perhaps fabulous urban living, aside from the quality comedic scripts that comeout from these shows. It is the involved appreciation of such shows that make travelling to this megapolis quite surreal and a definite treat for pop culture afficionados. 

———–

It is quite a testament to New York City, a city that has experienced trouble in the last few years, in terms of finance and security, of how it has remained on the top, for visitors and travellers passing by America.  No matter how shoddy and dirty New York is, the spotlight stays on that Big Apple.

(lg2a) this is not panama city, panama

 

 

An aunt from Canada was to attend a family member’s wake and burial in Panama City, Florida. However instead of going directly to one of the gulf cities of Florida, she found herself in another part of North America –  at Panama City, Panama.

Probably this story has been retold amongst family members countless times, just to regale ourselves and have some hearty guffaws at such an oddball experience.  But it did happen, and can happen even in the Philippines. If you want to go to San Fernando, make sure which Luzon capital city you are stopping by – the one in Pampanga for some culinary experience or La Union for some surfing action in nearby town, San Juan.

When you think about “Cagayan,” you do ask yourself, “Is this the capital, Cagayan de Oro City of Misamis Oriental of Northern Mindanao or is this Cagayan Province of Northern Luzon?” Cagayan de Oro City boasts of whitewater rafting activities and a busy seaport while Cagayan Province has cave exploration and spelunking for tourists. But “Cagayan Province” should not be confused with “Cagayan Valley” or the whole Region 2 area,  which is composed of the provinces of Batanes, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Cagayan Province.

Another name, “Davao,” set in the Mindanao turf, sets chaos probably among the minds of Filipino students studying for a geography quiz. Davao City which is the business and tourism hub of Mindanao is independent of any province, including Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur. Davao del Norte’s capital is Tagum City while Davao del Sur’s is Digos. Interestingly, and even probably more confusingly, Davao del Norte’s official and newest name is Davao Province.

—

But heck, after some stressful geography lessons in the Philippines, I guess it is time for some destressing which you can get plenty of in Panama City Beach Florida which is distinct from Panama City, Panama.

(For some personal pics on my travel to America, please click on this: https://letsgopinas.wordpress.com/letsgopinas-goes-2-america/)

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Panama City may not be a top of mind destination in Florida. Miami and Orlando should be prime city targets among travellers in the socalled Sunshine State. However Panama City, together with adjacent environ, Panama City Beach has so much to offer for the sunworshippers – torquoise waters, powdery white shores, and magnificent sunsets. Americans from the Southern states usually enjoy the beaches and the countless high rise accommodations that line the area. Families during the summers and students the socalled springbreak troop to the 27 miles of stunning beachfront sceneries of Panama City Beach.

–

And between Panama City, Florida, and the country, Panama is the Carribean Gulf. This piece of info should settle the confusion once and for all.

——–

As we try to hairsplit these geographical names, how about finding out where the phonetically troublesome and originally named town of “Sexmoan” is.

—–

How about “Sasmuan, Pampanga.”

dude, where’s my (surf)board?!

 

Well Dude, it might just be floating around at the beaches of Baler, Aurora.

Baler afterall is the Filipino surfers’ sacred ground. This is where the surfing action in the Philippines all started. If you are a movie trivia buff, you would know this was where some scenes of the graphic anti-war movie, Apocalypse Now of Francis Ford Coppola were taken in 1975. And apparently some people at the movie set had brought along their surfing boards and tested the waters of the Baler Bay which opens to the rest of the Pacific Ocean. After Coppola had packed up, the members of his team just left the boards to the appreciative local youths. Of course, the kids  just started to rock the waves since then.

From Genesis Bus terminal at Cubao, Quezon City, it is a grueling 8 hour bus ride that traverses northern provinces of Bulacan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija then goes a little bit more up north to Nueva Vizcaya and finally ends up at the eastern province of Aurora. In this travel, much of the roads are concreted and paved, but it is upon reaching Nueva Ecija’s Pantabangan area and Nueva Vizcaya where roads are rough and turns are tight. So just before reaching the destination, you are all shaken and stirred up. The sceneries which are undeniably beautiful and lyrical make up for the tiring bus ride. Definitely, you need to leave the driving to those who know very well the roads. And one more tip from experienced passengers: try to avoid the last trip of the day since if anything untoward  happens, no rescuing bus from the same company would pick you up.

Upon reaching Baler, just hire a trike to take you to Sabang Beach, popular to most surfers. There you are greeted by the sound of the Pacific Ocean’s roaring waves, expressing its power and ferocity. The robust incessant undulation of water can intimidate first time goers even during the relatively calm months of March and April when waves can only go as high as two feet. In other months, waves can get a lot bigger which would be more ideal for experienced surfers.

The shore at Sabang may not have the preferred pristine white sands, and may not have the commercial establishments which create panache to many tourists. Still you come to Baler primarily for the tides and waves which provide character to its beaches.

There are plenty of room accommodations in the area, particularly along Sabang Beach. Hometels are around 600 pesos per night with electric fans to cool you. But if you want to splurge, then Bahia Hotel is the right one for you. Airconditioning, cable television and even a terrace in this hotel will provide you all your urban needs in a resort setting.  Most popular to the backpacking surfers is Bay’s Inn where you can still get cheap rates. Yet you need to make reservations ahead for rooming during summer months, particularly during holy week as there can be a serious shortage when people come in droves. You may want to settle though in other hotels which do not have frontage of the bay, perhaps near the Kapitolyo, still in Baler.

Summer months would be the perfect time to learn the sport of surfing as the waves are smaller. In fact one young Englishman, Alex, fell in love with the place and has stayed in Baler after learning how to surf two summers ago. There are cool schools which are actually shacks, offering one-on-one tutorials to those eager to paddle through the waves, and hopefully would be able to balance themselves successfully in their surfing boards back to the shore. Groups of young college people and yuppies start to get their basic knowledge from men as young as 18 at a rate of P300 per hour inclusive of the surf board rent.  But of course if you have a relative for teacher, then it is for free. Joseph de los Santos, a professional lifeguard at Sabang Beach and a father to three daughters, had an early morning breakfast right at the beach to start teaching his kids and even his wife how to surf. “Gusto nila talaga matuto (they really want to learn),” he proudly explains.

But not all young people from Baler know how to surf. “There is not much of a pressure for everyone to learn,” Henry, a lifeguard too, mentions in a huddle with other surfers at their tower. Yet it is in Baler where there is the biggest surfing community in the Philippines. There are about a hundred people who can surf in this area alone. Probably, not only because it has an older history in terms of surfing but because Baler has a longer shoreline compared to other surfing areas in the country.

Qualified surfers in Baler are many times invited to other surfing areas in the Philippines to participate in heavily sponsored competitions where the top prize is as much as P50,000.00.  Just like other professional athletes, many surfers have their own corporations and companies funding them and providing surfing suits and accessories just to promote their brands. In a way, there is considerable amount of money and prestige that one can get when one goes seriously into this sport.

 And in Baler, it is at Cemento, near the fishing port where professionals compete and play, particularly during the Aurora Surfing Cup. From September to February when the Amihan wind patterns are consistent, waves at Cemento are spectacular enough for the adventurous kind to conquer. There, waves are what you usually get to see in magazines and movies. But of course there are other surfing spots, each with its own surfing qualities such as Lindy’s Point and Charlie’s Point which name has remained after it had been called as such in a major action sequence from the movie Apocalypse Now.

One basic and prime tip for those surfing is that the leash of the board should always be attached to the leg when in the sea. The leash is the lifeline for survival. Without attaching the leash to the leg, life is in danger and the scenario can be fatal as the current can bring you to dangerous places.

So Dude, I presume you forgot to attach the leash to your leg, and lost your surfboard somewhere because of the strong wave. And you are one lucky guy to survive it. 

“Yes, thanks for the info. But I think I have a bigger problem – Dude, where’s my boardshort?”

wedding of the year

 

The story could have come from a tv soap opera in epic proportion.

A story of strong political couple, willfully ruling a place for some decades, with a vision of creating a perfect  familial image.

In the early 1980s, Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos might have  tried mightily to control the minds of the Filipinos from their Malacanang Palace, but surely enough, they were not able to restrain the heart of their first daughter, Imee.

Apparently, Imee, who was already making her own political mark, as National Chairperson of the Kabataang Barangay, fell in love with a married sportsman, Tommy Manotoc. Obviously, during that time when there were no cellphones, no text messaging, no emails, and even no freedom of the press, such salacious, portently scandalous story would have to be spread through hushed tones, and word of mouth.

And the story took a wilder, more frighteningly turn.  Tommy Manotoc was kidnapped. The alternative press such as We Forum, the precursor of Malaya Newspaper, had a heyday reporting the story, albeit there was a strong possibility of the paper being clamped down by Malacanang. Then all of a sudden Tommy Manotoc just came out of nowhere, reportedly from the New People’s Army camp in the mountains of Sierra Madre. But of course, the popular conclusion about this sordid tale was that Imelda masterminded the abduction.

Some years later, during in first few months of 1983, the youngest daughter, Irene would marry Greggy of the pedigreed and landed Araneta clan. Although Imee could maintain relationship with Tommy, and even start family of their own, they were not able to get the grand nuptials that the Marcoses wanted for them. Tommy who was able to get a divorce from beauty queen Aurora Pijuan could not merit another marriage as the Catholic Church would not allow such. Thus this time around, the Marcoses saw to it that a fabulous wedding would have to be prepared for Irene and Greggy.

Ryan Cayabyab, Irene’s personal friend and musical mentor from University of the Philippines, involved himself in composing a whole wedding cantata.  European designer Renato Balestra was tasked to do the Italian silk and Philippine pina cloth wedding gown.  The exclusive, and red bricked Fort Ilocandia Hotel in Laoag was rushed to beat the nuptial date deadline, as it was where many of the invited foreign dignitaries, esteemed government officials and chic members of the society would stay before, during and after the wedding. It was also the venue for the reception.

And of course, Irene and Greggy chose the heritage church of  the sleepy town of Sarrat, where the Edralin side (mother) of Ferdinand Marcos came from, and where the ancestral house still stands. The Baroque and Neo Classical Sta. Monica Church had to be cleaned up, spruced and refurbished for the wedding.  Hundreds were deployed to paint the walls of the edifice, and install large airconditioning  machines in the cavernous church building. And beside the church,  a huge tent was put up for the town’s local officials and people who might  not have the necessary credentials and status to get inside the official reception area, and yet should partake in the lavish food prepared.

True enough, it was the grand social event of that year for the Philippines as  the Marcoses, particularly Imelda would have envisioned. The local press put the event as the banner story, and paralleled it with the Diana and Charles’s royal wedding, a year before.

Some months later in  August, 1983, a strong earthquake shook the church. And some days later, again in August, Ninoy Aquino arrived and shook the Marcoses. And the seeming  telenovela story continued.

amped!

I see the 15 storey-tall contraption, just at the edge of the shore. Some more similar frames, but leaner in size, are placed along the circumference of  a lagoon. And in the middle of the water, an islet sits on it. The lagoon could be likened to a race-horse track in terms of its measurement. Then I see steel cable  lines encircling the water connected to and from the tall frame apparatuses.  Then I see that from the machine-contraption, a person is whisked away, hauled hard by the cables, along  the perimeter of  the water. Then I  just realize that the person is just having the ride of his life!

Camarines Sur or CamSur brings forth to the open its newest sensation which catapults its image as the prime spot in the Philippines for the adventure seekers and the extreme sports enthusiasts. The Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) is a provincial government  initiated project which provides a jolt to anyone trying out the biggest and best park for wakeboarding  in the world.

Apparently, CWC has been opened for some years now, but somehow it just in the recent months that its popularity truly made impact to the domestic public. But for those professional riders of the watersports, particularly from Europe and North America, the park is well-known and is taken as a serious venue for showing off skills and abilities through the different ramps and obstacles. And many competitions have been mounted such that all legendary names in the field have approved the standards of the course. It would not be a wonder if many of the foreigner guests come only for the wakeboarding facilities in Pili, Camarines Sur.

Wakeboarding is quite similar to waterskiing , and it involves riding a wakeboard that skims over a surface of water while the person is towed at a certain minimum speed. Some would run the course alone, but some would do it on tandem. Others would opt to waterski and waterskate, using other footgear.  For those just trying out the watersport of wakeboarding, one can start through the use of a kneeboard and be on the water with knees fastened on the board. There is a person ready to give you pointers and instructions to ride out the cables. Prices are very moderate – 160 bucks to rent out the gear and do practice runs for an hour.

CWC is a well thought off plan and undertaking, with the global youthful travelers in mind. It is plush and truly world class; it is resort-style in touches and amenities.  At the beaches, cabanas are installed for some  deep tissue massages.  Row of tiki huts along shore provides shelter from the searing sun while the famished read the menu of food and drinks which cater to Filipinos and international guests. German sausage meals are on top of the list.  There is an ample sized infinity swimming pool to lounge between the cabanas and huts. But what is unmistakebly welcomed is the park’s  free wi-fi connection just right beside the man-made lagoon. Surely, one can get connected to the rest of the world right after getting  a kick in the water!

Tired in the knees and arms from wakeboarding?  How about doing the ramps instead on the ground with skateboarding – ala street fashion. Just at the back of the park’s open-air bar and restaurant, one can do some shuffling and board tricks on the simulated street environment. Or one can just frolick more on the water. The still to be opened man-made lake behind the main receiving hall has  inflatable slides and  giant toys to play around with.

But the provincial government does not stop there. It gives several choices of well appointed rooms and housing for staying for a while. There are trailer homes – in red, blue and green- which accommodate families. There are also the cabanas, and the newly opened palochina walled cabins to provide luxurious comforts in rustic style. There are vans and coasters to bring the guest to and from the beach area to their respective rooms, and to the other different places around the Capitol Grounds where CWC is located. The park administration even offers free shuttle to Naga, the charter city of Cam Sur and airport transfers.

I am not exactly an extreme sports type of guy.  But not to partake the seeming thrill of going around the lake is quite just  unreasonable. Afterall with a floating vest on,  the worse that can happen is to get submerged in the water for a second, and be propped up the next second. After some directions provided by the instructor, and all geared up, I go to the water, and instantaneously lose balance.  Then and there, I swim towards the shore and I decide to head to the pool instead. Afterall, I know a successful wakeboarding activity won’t just happen to me within the hour. I am after the experience.  But while I float at my back in the now placid water, and while I take a look at the image of Camarines Sur’s Mount Isarog looming in the distance, I say quietly to myself, “This is CamSur, and I am amped about it.”

man and the machine

In Greek mythology, Icarus was so obsessed with flying that he created wings for himself.  Eventually he made the leap off a cliff and flapped his wings. He was able to fly and enjoy his freedom until the sun singed the feathers of his wings. Eventually the whole wings burned. And Icarus perished at the end.

Despite the possibility of injurious accidents and fatal mishaps, people  have been seduced in creating technology which can  fly them out in a distance, either as a mode of transportation or just a form of fun and recreation. 

And in the recent Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Clark (,https://letsgopinas.wordpress.com/2009/02/14/full-of-hot-air/),  the event showcased, not only hot air balloons, but  all other variations of machines and contraptions which propel people to fly and undulate in the air – from the traditional skydiving to the more sophisticated paragliding using ultralights. The crowd admired  how man and the machine maneuvered and created stunts several hundred feet above.  Some would do tandem choreography; some would do death defying freefalls.

In the same event, there was a display of  aircrafts which many have been most important to the commerce and military in our nation building.  There one could ogle at the sleek Dornier Jet Aircraft which is being used by some to transport  tourists from one island to another here in the Philippines .  In another part of the strip, inside the hangar, there was the F5-A aircraft which has been used by our elite  Blue Diamond Squad, the air demonstration unit of the Philippine Air Force.

It was not necessary that a particular flying machine be a vehicle for transportation for people to enjoy . During the festival, there were several men who had  amorous relationships with their remote controlled planes. Vicariously, people still got the intense rush of flying when seeing planes sped up and did some sommersaults . Of course, one can simply be entertained by young girls and boys fly the different sizes and forms of  kites tugged by the wind.  In true manner, obviously, the death of Icarus never made a dent on the continuing romance between man and the flying machine.

let’s play ball

 

Summer of 2008 has ended. And usually it is in summer when many of the kids participate wholeheartedly in games and sports. But instilling discipline among the youth should be a never ending affair. And what city in Metro Manila aspires for more control and regulation but in Marikina where present MMDA chief, Bayani Fernando had started to make his presence felt as then strict city mayor.  Now it is his wife, Marides who continues the reputation of Marikina being a very orderly city. And this kind of discipline is carried through in the Marikina Sports Center where the youth can flex their muscles, challenge their abilities yet have fun being in sports. Again, even when it is not summer.