There's More to Sausages and the Boys Choir in Vienna

Vienna in Austria is listed as the most livable city in the world. That's according to a survey made early this year. I would not wonder why. This peaceful city really feels warm despite the cold weather. It is a place worth visiting and deserving of the accolade.

Vienna is typical of any other European city. It is a mixture of the old and the new. Old architectural buildings have been maintained despite the proliferation of modern structures.

Part of the maintenance done by the government is having stores use the facade of building in their original state. Even the big-named houses of fashion and other business establishments make do with the buildings where they stores/businesses are located. I call it respect for legacy.

Vienna has a United Nations headquarters which decentralizes the activities of the world organization which has a Swiss office. Several offices are housed to cater to the needs of certain advocacies. Of course, there are castles upon castles since Austria was once ruled by the monarchy.

As in any other city in Europe, Vienna has many churches. Almost every corner we go to, we saw churches. One particular church that caught my attention was the St. Stephan Cathedral. The interiors of the said church can be considered baroque and modern. Austrians have a way of incorporating religion and art.

Despite the modern times, one can see artistry at its best. There is a certain aura of elegance which is very evident most especially in a modern city like Vienna.

Nearby Parndorf is a place where people who love shopping can go around to their hearts delight. Different brands, both known and start-ups, sell their wares at discounted prices. It is an outlet area which is visited by almost all tourists who go to Vienna. Never miss Parndorf!

Looking at Vienna from the mountain top, you will see a city that is serene yet it exudes a certain appeal of a place which is moving forward with the times. It is indeed deserving of its title as the World's Most Livable City.

Special thanks go to our host, Mrs. Angelita Santos, for taking care of us during our stay in Vienna. Her kindness and hospitality and that of her family and relatives truly made our trip to Austria a very memorable one. Thank you also to Elmer and Ellen Blanco for the valuable time they shared.

I would not mind going back to Vienna, if given another chance. After this trip, I realized that there is really more to Vienna than sausages and the boys' choir. It surely has a lot to offer.

Padova, Italy is the City Where St. Anthony Belongs

Padova is one city in Italy that we visited. Actually, it was our main hub when we went to Europe last May to June 2016. They say that it is a city of tradition. It is also called a city of education. It is the home of St. Anthony of Padua.

Natives of Padova at particular about education. They have centers of educational excellence that have enrollees not only coming from the city but from some areas in the Northeastern part of Italy called Veneto. The city boasts of schools and universities which are being partonized by the best students in the country.

One thing that I have noticed, Padova has a lot of churches. Almost every block has one. It just goes to show the religiosity of the people with Italy being the seat of catholicism. Proudly, it is the Filipinos in the city who frequently visit the churches.

Padova is where you will find the Basilica di San't Antonio di Padova. St. Anthony is the patron saint of Padova which, by the way, is also the patron saint of my hometown Zumarraga, Samar. It was an enriching experience visiting the basilica seeing the relics of St. Anthony like his tongue and jaw. I felt at home.

It is one city that can be proud of having structures that have been preserved. But it has its own modernity as well to cater to the daily needs of the people. In the past, Padova had a citadel which made it a walled city. Now, one side is the old city while the other side is the new enclave where business establishments abound.

A place to go to is the Prato della Valle where families and friends converge for a leisurely get-together. It is surrounded by statues of famous Italians who have made a mark in their society. Another must-visit is the Piazza della Fruta outside the Palazzo della Ragione. This is one place where you can buy different kinds of fruits and street food.

Like any other European city, Padova has an effective transportation system. The tram is used as one of the main means of going around the city. Buses also ply routes that take people from one point to another. Cute smalls-sized cars are being utilized due to the small streets of Padova. Wonder of wonders, these cars can accommodate what medium-sized and large automobiles can have. With the good street system and discipline that they have, it is safe to drive around the city.

All in all, my Padova experience is one of nostalgia. Nostalgia because their patron saint is our patron saint in the province. We say the same prayers. It is one visit to Italy that cannot be forgotten. It is a city where one can learn a lot of things. It is one city where I made a lot of friends. Special thanks to our host Ms. Cecilia Silva, our Balik sa Basik producer Ms. Laarni Silva & her daughters Feida & Bea and the Associazione Donne Filippine whose members have untiringly shared to us their hospitality. Special mention also goes to half-Filipino and half-French photographer Nadine Silva for making our stay in Padova more enjoyable with her expert talent and by sharing her children Amanda & Raoul with us to our hearts' delight.

I wish I could go back to Padova in the future to explore it more. It is one Italian city which gave me good memories. It made me appreciate art and architecture more. It really is the city of culture.

Philippine Fashion Week: 20 Years and Beyond

20 years...yes, 20 years! No mean feat for an event which aims to bring to fore Philippine fashion at its best. 20 years of ups and downs. 20 years of relentlessly believing in the Filipino talent whether based in the country or abroad.

Joey and Audie Espino had a vision. A vision to put the Philippines in the fashion map of the world. A vision that they have sustained even in the most trying of times. A vision they have never gotten tired of.

Several big names in the local fashion industry have become who they are today through the help and exposure given by Philippine Fashion Week. Upstarts have become names to reckon with. Those who were afraid to venture into the fashion design business are now confident business-artists who dared to meet the challenges head-on.

Established designers have also made Philippine Fashion Week as a showcase of their time-proven artistry.

Brands have made it as a platform to introduce to the public their latest collections. Philippine Fashion Week has become a venue for their launches.

With 20 years tucked in the sleeves of Philippine Fashion Week, there is more reason to look forward to another 20 years and beyond. Time and again, it has proved to its nay-sayers what they have thought otherwise.

Personally, I would like to thank the Espino brothers for believing in me. Congratulations for bringing to fore Philippine fashion all these years. I may not be physically present in the Philippines this season but my thoughts are with you and I feel proud to be part of your noble vision. Again, MARAMING SALAMAT at MABUHAY ang PHILIPPINE FASHION WEEK!