Dubai Marathon 2010 Announced

Dubai: January 22, 2010 Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie will be back in Dubai UAE to defend the title he has won for the past two years at the 2010 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.



Marathon General Information:

The Marathon will start and finish at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina. Starting opposite the hotel, in front of Dubai Media City, running along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, turning at Union House beside the big flag and returning along the same route finishing outside the hotel. Route Map Here

How To Register Please Click Here

Double Knock Out Fight

Please Watch this two fighter knock out its other...

Burj Dubai Grand Inauguration on 04.01.2010

from BurjDubai.com

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Emaar will officially inaugurate Burj Dubai on January 4, 2010, the 4th Anniversary of the accession of His Highness Sheikh Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

A day of pride and celebration for Dubai, UAE and the world over, the day will mark the start of a new chapter in global history.

ABS CBN Christmas Station ID - "Bro Ikaw Ang Star ng Pasko"

More versions of the ABS CBN Christmas Station ID - "Bro Ikaw Ang Star ng Pasko" from recording to broadcasting of it.

Iron Man - 2

Hollywood’s biggest hits next year, and that the movie’s first trailer is a superb watch the trailer below and share your thoughts!

Presidential Candidates for 2010 Philippines National Election

And then there were 8 presidential candidates

Comelec lets Estrada run, drops Perlas

By Kristine L. Alave, Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:51:00 12/16/2009

MANILA, Philippines—Eight, 8 and 158.

These are the numbers of certificates of candidacy (CoCs) for president, vice president and senator, respectively, that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has initially approved for the national elections in May.

These figures were trimmed from the 99 presidential aspirants, 20 vice presidential hopefuls and 158 senatorial wannabes who filed CoCs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1.

Comelec Chair Jose Melo Tuesday identified those running for president as follows: Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party), JC de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) and former President Joseph Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino).

Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan), Sen. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal (Independent), former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Bro. Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas) and Sen. Manuel Villar (Nacionalista Party).

That the Comelec excluded some people—including environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, who filed a CoC for president as an independent, and gay activist Danton Remoto, who filed a CoC for senator also as independent candidate—did not mean that they were nuisance candidates.

Melo said the poll body did not approve the CoCs of other people because it appeared that they did not have the capacity and resources to launch a national campaign, one of the requirements mandated by the Comelec.

The short-listed candidates for vice president are Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), Dominador Chipeco (Ang Kapatiran) and Bayani Fernando (Bagumbayan).

Sen. Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition), actor Edu Manzano (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II (Liberal Party), broadcaster Jay Sonza (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) and former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Perfecto Yasay Jr. (Bangon Pilipinas).

Read the full Story on Enquirer.net

Filipino Community Set To Celebrate Bayanihan Festival

Filipino Community Set To Celebrate Bayanihan Festival
Khaleej Times by - Lily B. Libo-on 6 November 2009

DUBAI — The ‘One Filipino Spirit’ that motivated the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to help the typhoon victims in the Philippines, will be celebrated with the Bayanihan Festival set for December 11 at the Megabowl, Zabeel Park.

‘Bayanihan’ or the spirit of working together will be celebrated once again in the year-end programme. It will be a celebration of the heroic deeds not just of the leaders and members of the more than 60 Filipino organisations accredited with the Philippine Consulate General but also of the ordinary Filipino workers in the UAE, who contributed for the cause.

Robert Ramos of the National Association of Mapua Alumni, chairman of the Organising Committee of the Filipino Community, told Khaleej Times that this year’s celebration will be somewhat different from last year because it will highlight the innate goodness and helpfulness of every Filipino in the UAE, particularly those based in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Now on its second year, the Bayanihan Festival this year carries the Theme, ‘Together We Made A Difference’.

The event will be a whole-day affair of fun games and exciting presentations of martial arts, cheering squads, dance exhibition, public speaking and songs.

It will start at 8am with a mini-bazaar and a special show to be presented by TV personalities from Manila.

Ramos said Philippine schools in Dubai and the Northern Emirates will participate in the cheering squad presentation while the other units will render their own performances.

The event will be free, although there will be a Dh5 fee park entrance.

New Zealand wins during Dubai Rugby 7's 2009

Dubai: New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens feels victory in Dubai has set his side up for more success in the long season ahead, which includes the IRB Sevens World Series and next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The Kiwis beat Samoa 24-12 in Saturday's final at The Sevens, for their first title in just over 18 months. A number of new faces were drafted into Tietjens' side last season and for most of the players, the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens triumph was their first taste of success.

More Pics Here

Rakrakan Fest 2009 -TFC Middle East successful events

Filipino Rock Arise in Dubai

By: Dominique Pechuela-Famador

ABS-CBN Middle East capped 2009 with the Rakrakan Fest 2009 on December 4, 2009 which was attended by thousands. Callalily, Itchyworms, Brownman Revival and Wolfgang kept the crowd’s untiring energy at its highest peak for hours at the free standing venue, East Hall of the Dubai Airport Expo. The ‘rock concert’ first staged in 2006 has evolved into an annual reunion of the Filipino expats in the Middle East. In its previous legs done in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Rakrakan did not only showcase the best of Filipino rock acts perse. The organizer took the pulse of the masses in full consideration and tried their very best to heed the plea of these modern-day heroes. This year, the team embarked on a brave venture to combine four of the Philippines’ most sought-after bands in their own respective genres.

Starting the night was the youthful Callalily. The talented young guns had set the tempo so high with their alternative singles and passionate preludes. They have undoubtedly got the ladies screaming and the gentlemen singing along. Theirs was such an impressive performance that gives assurance of a promising future for Philippine music. Quirky and catchy—that’s Itchyworms for you. The group invited great vibe and the audience willingly engaged. After all, this is the band whose songs Pinoys would sing over the highs and lows of their lives. It was Itchyworms’ second time to perform in Dubai but this is definitely their first with this magnitude.

The unlikely crew of Brownman Revival showed why they made it to the fold in spite of being a Reggae act. The 9-piece band gave their grooving twists to most-loved OPM (Original Pilipino Music) as well as wicked flavors to their own compositions. The desert winter was taken over by cool and comforting Philippine breeze that seemed to be settling during the whole stretch of their set. They spontaneously played Filipino Christmas carols to the delight of the masses. It was during their set that Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates H.E. Grace Princesa graciously went onstage to greet all who were present.

But more than anything, the audiences at the Rakrakan Fest 2009 were predominantly part of the ‘wolf pack’. More people began to gather and were entranced song after song. An unforgettable moment came was when lead vocalist Basti Artadi paused in “Natutulog Kong Mundo” and the crowd just filled in the following lines… It was a total uproar from front to back of the concert hall as thousands clapped and sang in unison: a truly hair-raising experience. Each of the band members couldn’t pick the right words to describe how great they felt.

In this YouTube era, where people can watch their favorite bands perform at their own convenience, this convergence of rock aficionados at the Dubai Airport Expo is undoubtedly exceptional as it is exhilarating. The global and national crisis that they are going through took the backseat for a good five hours—all in the name of Filipino pride. Other nationalities came to rock with much amusement. There were even Filipinos who came all the way from neighboring countries just to see their favorite bands. And everyone would agree that Rakrakan Fest 2009 is an event that truly lived up to their money’s worth…and much more! More Pics here

RAKRAKAN Fest 2009

RAKRAKAN FEST 2009: ‘ASTIG ANG ORIG!’

The experimental event concept in 2006 has now become a yearly tradition that is being looked forward to by Filipinos in the UAE. A Filipino rock phenomenon that was born in Dubai has already branched out to its neighboring countries–Qatar and Bahrain—for its off-shore legs. A historical feat which was primarily intended to amuse and entertain rock enthusiasts has now charmed Pinoys of all ages, from the different walks of life.
This December, ABS-CBN Middle East bids adieu to 2009 with a roaring rock music celebration. The most successful and most attended Filipino concert in the whole of Middle East to date is set to explode as four bands rock our world. Experience grand mix of Alternative, Reggae, Heavy Metal and Grunge at the Rakrakan Fest 2009!

CALLALILY—THE YOUNG GUNS
(Kean Cipriano on lead vocals; Aaron Paul Ricafrente on bass guitar; Tatsi Jamnaque on rhythm guitar; Alden Acosta on lead guitar; Lemuel Belaro on drums)
The youngest of the pack picked their unique-sounding name CALLALILY from a rather odd source—their favorite brand of bread. But that distinctive ring to it gave just as fast a recall as their hits. Barely on their 20s when they started in the scene, the five-piece band consisted of talented college studs has already claimed notoriety especially to the younger crowd. Their fresh music that has been widely embraced by the masses includes Stars, Magbalik and Susundan which garnered recognition since their rise to fame in 2006.

ITCHYWORMS—POP ROCK MADE BETTER
(Jazz Nicolas on lead vocals and drums; Jugs Jugueta on lead vocals and guitars; Chino Singson on lead guitar and backing vocals; Kelvin Yu on bass and backing vocals)
Surely you’ve heard the song of a lovelorn guy choosing between his unrequited love and alcohol… Or maybe you’ve sang “Akin Ka Na Lang” yourself to that one person who, at the moment, cannot be yours. You might have been glued on TV during Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition days and heard “Kabataang Pinoy” over and over. No matter how many times you play their music, you just can’t get enough of them. Exceptional vocal harmonies and masterful musicality is what definitely sets ITCHYWORMS apart from their contemporaries.

BROWNMAN REVIVAL—REGGAE FIX
(Dino Concepcion on lead vocals; Dennis Concepcion on drums; Jayson Cuevas on trombone; Amber Abundo on trumpet; Jojo Antinero on saxophone; Januarie Sundiang on percussions; Jao Larion on bass; Alphy Desaville on guitar; Onard Bonavente on keyboards)
Gone were the days when other more senior acts such as their genre conquered the Philippine music charts. Now, listeners don’t have the trouble relating Filipino reggae to BROWNMAN REVIVAL. They’ll certainly make your heart skip a beat or two with their bold and one-of-its-kind renditions of all-time favorite OPMs. Passionate as it is festive, the entourage effectively blends the fusion of reggae and pop sensibilities eagerly accepted by the chill-out loving audience. Their repertoire comprises of Binibini, Maling Akala, Lintik, Under the Reggae Moon and more. Best to get your grooves ready…

WOLFGANG—THE REUNION
(Basti Artadi on lead vocals; Manuel Legarda on guitar; Mon Legaspi on bass guitar; Francis Aquino on drums)
The band’s reunion happened two years ago. However, this year, WOLFGANG will be reuniting with their fans that had missed their groundbreaking live performances since they had gone on hiatus and their followers had embraced the life of an expatriate. With almost 12,000 fans on a social networking site such as Facebook, the band undoubtedly hasn’t lost their fangs. Prepare your grunge mood as you sing along their best hits such as Halik ni Hudas, Natutulog Kong Mundo, Arise and Beast. Welcome the heavy music of their new album, Villain. And experience once again three things: Mosh Pit. Nineties. Wolfgang.

For only AED 85, these four bands will unleash the rocker in you in one night. Be there on December 4, 2009 at the East of Dubai Airport Expo. Gates open at 5PM. Concert starts at 7PM. Dial 800-ABSCBN for more details. Don’t miss the ‘annual Kapamilya reunion’ happening at the RAKRAKAN FEST 2009: ASTIG ANG ORIG!

Dubai Debt

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – If global investors were looking for reassurances from Dubai that it would stand behind its massive, debt-swamped investment conglomerate, they got none Monday. Instead, the Gulf city-state seemed to wash its hands of the financial woes that have rattled world markets.

'Shocking'

The Dubai government said in a statement that the request to delay debt repayments also applied to property developer Nakheel, a Dubai World subsidiary.

"It's shocking because for the past few months the news coming out has given investors comfort that Dubai would most probably be able to meet its debt obligations," said analyst Shakeel Sarwar, of SICO Investment Bank.

Dubai is one of the seven self-governing emirates or states that make up the United Arab Emirates.

Analysts say the Dubai government has paid the price for a flamboyant economic model centred on foreign capital and giant construction projects.

Questions are now being raised about Dubai's ability to repay its debts, said the BBC's Middle East correspondent Jeremy Howell.

Some have speculated it is likely to turn to the more economically conservative Abu Dhabi emirate to bail it out.

Global credit rating agency Standard & Poor's, which rules on a company's or government's ability to repay its debts, said the announcement "may be considered a [debt] default".

Our correspondent said: "Standard & Poor's and Moodys immediately downgraded all six state-backed corporations in Dubai, downgrading some to junk status."

Junk is the term commonly used to describe bonds that are rated below investment grade by ratings agencies.

The Dubai World announcement was made on the eve of the Eid al-Adha Muslim festival, which will see many government agencies and companies close in Dubai until 6 December.

courtersy of BBC News