April 24, 2008. I went with a friend to this free string quartet concert at Philam Life Theater in Ermita, Manila a week ago. It was the first time I witnessed a live string quartet concert. The concert was by a quartet called Quatuor Diotima from France. There was quite a number of French expats in the theater, and because it was free-admission there were also all sorts of people, including nuns and even street children, which is a nice thing, for a concert of music traditionally associated with the wealthy.

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Tags: concert, Ermita, Manila, music, string music

March 14, 2008. Thousands of students from different universities in Metro Manila marched to Liwasang Bonifacio to continue the clamor for truth and accountability from the scandal-ridden Arroyo administration.

It was the Friday before Holy Week, many students were busy with exams and other final academic requirements for the semester. Despite the academic load and pressure on that day, around a hundred students and teachers from UP Diliman joined the youth rally at Liwasang Bonifacio.

A short program was held at the steps of Palma Hall before we all boarded hired jeepneys to Espana Avenue in Manila, from where we marched all the way through Quiapo until we crossed the Pasig River to Liwasang Bonifacio.

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Tags: Espana, Gloria Arroyo, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila, Palma Hall, Philippine politics, political dissent, rally, UP Diliman, youth sector