Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Team SEA Gals Finishes Red Bull Can You Make It? Challenge

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines’ all-girls team, the SEA Gals, crossed the finish line in Paris, France together with 157 other successful teams out of the original 165 at this year’s Red Bull Can You Make It? after traveling a total of 2,424 kilometers as they passed through 5 countries in 7 days from April 12 to 19, 2016.

Throughout their week-long journey, the team only had their wits, skills, charm, and Red Bull cans to trade for food, accommodations, and transportation in European city after European city.

The three University of the Philippines Diliman architecture students – Nadine Balaccua, Alison Estabaya, and Nikki Palma – kicked off the competition in Florence, Italy and made their way northwards to Innsbruck, Austria; across Munich and Stuttgart, Germany down south to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland; and boarded their final train straight to Paris, France.

“Every country had its own merits, but Switzerland was our favorite! For one thing, the people there spoke good English, making trades and communication so much easier. Getting to Switzerland from Germany also proved to be really easy because we met someone who gave us tickets to Basel (the French-Swiss-German border)… Getting to the Lauterbrunnen checkpoint was just so unbelievably smooth that we couldn’t believe it. And the mountain holiday park – Camping Jungfrau – that the checkpoint was located in just sealed our initial impression of Switzerland,” the SEA Gals shared.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Amir Sali collection during the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2016 had everyone gawking from start to finish at the sophisticated and classy masterpieces. It was a collection of elegant and exquisite dresses done in white and high-shine gold.

It is not everyday we get to see an impressive line-up that truly captivates the senses. They were exquisitely crafted by a true visionary of the fashion industry.

European-trained Filipino designer Amir Sali is top-notch in every aspect. The industry’s “Prince of Beads” proved his right to the title by showcasing a collection that had no shortage of luster. He played around with shimmer, tassels, and feathers. No two of his gowns are alike! Each is a masterpiece of embroidery, beadwork and other embellishment.

The internationally-acclaimed Filipino master couturier from Jolo, Sulu worked for 17 years in Egypt and in Saudi Arabia, where among his loyal Middle Eastern clientele were the royal families and other Arabian elites. This is probably why his works are so regal in nature. You wouldn't want anything less.

His collection truly wowed the crowd! From royals to runway, Amir Sali lavished the 20th Philippine Fashion Week at Discovery Primea over the weekend with his intricate beadwork on varying shades of white.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Patapat Viaduct is a 1.3 km long concrete coastal bridge that's 31 m above sea level making it the fourth longest bridge in the country. It can be found in the municipality of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte to connect the Maharlika Highway in Laoag to the Cagayan Valley region.

This bridge, built during the 80s, is around 16 kilometers from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. That's between 30 minutes to 1 hour of travel depending on the speed of your vehicle. Pagudpud, on the other hand, is around 570 kilometers from Manila. But the computations would be different because we all know the traffic congestion coming out of Manila is devastating.

Not surprising, the bridge has become a tourist attraction not just because of its length or snake-like shape, but also because of the scenic surroundings as it is situated between the greenish mountain and the bluish sea.

Since the country is composed primarily of several islands, bridges are necessary to help everyone to easily commute or travel greater distances when the means of flight is not accessible or necessary. Traveling by road, though longer, is of course more affordable.

For tourists, road trips can also be fun as you get to spend more time bonding with your friends or families and we also get to enjoy the scenery along the way. I guess it's the best way to appreciate the world around us instead of flying to our destination where most people won't get to enjoy the view from below.