About Boy Dubai - Page 28 of 80 - Boy Dubai: Experiencing Dubai

Hawa-Hawa inflatable park opens in La Mer Dubai

News

Ion

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January 14, 2019

If you are like us who’s always looking for great outdoor activities for the family, you might also want to do Hawa-Hawa next.

Hawa-Hawa, a huge trampoline park shaped and inspired by dunes, opened in La Mer recently.

Hawa Hawa is an exciting new inflatable playground for children, teenagers and adults who can’t sit still – or who just feel like jumping for joy. The dune-shaped concept originates from Japan, where it has been installed in public parks and other open spaces. Hawa Hawa is also the first of its kind outside of East Asia, with two unique dunes and seven peaks where families and friends can share some low-impact, high-intensity trampoline-type fun together. Each of the two dunes at Hawa Hawa are made from an all-weather double-skin tensile membrane that has been tested and imported directly from Japan, with a small dune and large dunes ensuring various age groups can play alongside each one another.

Why is free-jumping good for kids?

The free-jumping playground consists of two dunes and seven peaks, and is great for visitors of all ages who want to engage in a low-impact, high-intensity activity.

I always encourage my daughter to do trampoline because of these 3 key points:

Free-jumping makes kids (and anyone) happy, while just being a low-energy passive exercise.
It’s a great diversion from the “screens,” and the right social activity for them as they get mixed up with other kids on the jump as well.
It increases fitness. It helps improve coordination, balance and their young muscle development.

After reaping all its physical and mental benefits, their body will voluntarily invite them to bed quickly.

Here’s a preview of what Hawa-Hawa feels like:

The park is open from 10am – 10pm on weekdays, 10am til midnight on weekends. Entry costs AED 25 for a 15-minute session, and AED 40 for 30 minutes.

Photos are from Hawa-Hawa. For updates, follow them on Instagram.

Debunking the controversy of blogging in exchange for free food

Ion

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January 11, 2019

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Do I blog for free food?

Short answer, NO. Long answer, keep reading.

Note: This post is about my personal perspective and may or may not share the same sentiments of other bloggers or influencers.

It is a common belief that we create content for restaurants in exchange for a free meal. There are 2 scenarios on this. First, bloggers get invited by the restaurant to try their food. Second, bloggers pitch to create content for restaurants in exchange of free food (duh!).

I don’t do the second scenario, so let me focus on the first: getting invited to review a restaurant.

I never ask for free food, NEVER. I receive invitations to free dining but I never asked for it. They are extended to me as a way of introduction, or as a gesture of gratitude.

When a blogger is invited to dine in for free and review the food, the review may be perceived as biased or sugar coated because “the blogger ate free therefore he won’t say something bad about the restaurant.“

If people don’t understand the vision of a blogger, they can easily say that such blogger can be “bribed” of free food in exchange of a good review.

I blog to build relationships. When a restaurant invites me, if I have the time and the capacity, I say yes – not because the worth of my blog is just a free meal, but because I value the LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP I could create with the restaurant.

Restaurant as a business has their needs, and so as bloggers have needs too. A healthy relationship will go a long way.

Given the hours spent in writing, video editing, taking photos and sharing content, the value of a blog or vlog is far beyond the free meal.

How I do food review

Taste is subjective. What’s good for me may not be good for you. When it comes to food, I’m not really hard to please because I appreciate more than I criticize.

Now if something is really bad, I’d rather not write a review at all (It is clear on my disclaimer). I am not entitled to write anything that may harm a restaurant only because of my bad experience. Again, taste is subjective.

Instead, I talk to the manager and give him directly my feedback. This is a way to not disrespect the person who invited me in the first place.

In some cases, I still write those little undesirable tastes in a positive and constructive way – something that is favorable both for the restaurant and for me. Like…

“The seafood is nice, but I find it extra sweet that it affects the natural seafood flavor.”

“If they can lessen the salt, it would taste even better.”

Blogging or video editing is a hobby to many. It is an outlet to unleash their creativity. Invitations are opportunities for them to enjoy their hobby. If you are one of those hobbyist, remember that you are accountable to your readers or viewers as well. You can respond to as many invitations so long as you remain honest in what you say to your blog or video.

Personal invitation works better

These days, third-party invitation is becoming a norm. While there is nothing bad in it, there is less opportunity for the other invited bloggers to connect directly with the restaurant owner (or manager).

I prefer to be invited personally. A direct invitation sets a foothold for me to establish interaction with the restaurant.

If you are invited via another blogger, it’s okay. Once you are in the restaurant, stand-up and properly introduce yourself to the owner or manager and build your own bridge.

So, do I blog in exchange for free food?

NO. I blog to build relationships, and with that, sometimes, comes the free food. 😛

Two Kite Festivals happening in Dubai

Events

Ion

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January 10, 2019

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One good thing to do during the cooler months is to fly a kite. If you can’t fly one, then watching these colorful floaters in the sky is the next best thing to do.

And there are two kite festivals happening in the next 2 Fridays.

On January 18, the International Kite Fest is happening at Al Mamzar Park, Beach Area 1.

Prizes are up for grabs to those who’d fly their own creative kites. There will also be kite-making workshops for kids, free face painting, henna, live DJ music, and more family-oriented activities.

There will be variety of food stalls as well, or you can go to the park and bring your own picnic basket.

Tickets cost AED25, inclusive of park entry. Kids below 5 years old enter free | 10am to 7pm

For more info, check out this Facebook event page.

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The other kite festival happening January 11 at Creek Park Dubai also promises a lot of fun. Check the poster below for more details:

We’re a frequent spectator of various kite festivals in the past. Here are some of our photos:

Philippine Azkals scores class outside the field

Sports & Hobbies

Ion

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January 9, 2019

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Philippine Azkals scores class outside the field

The Philippines lost 0-1 to perennial powerhouse South Korea in an honorable showing, but left a more impressive score outside the field.

A tweet from the Philippine Azkals of a photo of a clean and spotless locker room with a note, “Left an empty stadium with full hearts tonight. Maraming Salamat Dubai!“ won the hearts on many.

Some people started calling this as one of the most beautiful moments in this edition of Asian Cup so far.

A winner indeed, and a beautiful sight to behold amidst the viral photos of Filipinos leaving trail of trash in huge events in Manila.

Left an empty stadium with full hearts tonight. Maraming Salamat Dubai! 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/vAhEFTPaMv

— The Philippine Azkals (@TheAzkalsPH) January 7, 2019

If we could remember, the Japanese football team went viral for doing the same hearty gesture during a loss in a World Cup match last year.

This is how Japan left the changing room after losing vs. Belgium. Spotless and with a ‘thank you’ note in Russian.

Pure class. 👏 pic.twitter.com/CGj7a1iiXy

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 3, 2018

Similarly, the Japanese fans speaks class as they clean up the stadium even after a glorious victory in the World Cup.

May this act of the Azkals and Japan inspire us to also use our platform to create a lasting positive influence. Here’s to a hope that other teams follow suit and continue to lead a good example on and off the field.

A tribute to Chris Tiu from Dubai

Ion

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January 8, 2019

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It’s official. Chris Tiu retires today. This man may not be your typical basketball superstar, but one of only few athletes I look up to – not only because of his game, but how he does life and his ethics as well. Probably because I see some similarities. Ehem!

Chris is not the most athletic guy out there. He won’t score buckets. He won’t fill the stats sheet all the time. But on the hardwood he is a “playing coach.” His teammates see him as an extension of the coaching staff. He shows an effective leadership by the way he rallies his team, set up plays, and does the intangibles of motivating his teammates to simply play their potentials. He is a mentor on and off the court.

Chris, despite of his innocent young looks, is a man of hustle. He will chase his man and will dive for the loose ball.

He is one of the most underrated physical players in the league. He won’t back down nor get intimidated even by bigger opponents. I’ve seen all his games in Dubai from his time with Gilas 1.0 and he courageously attack and defend bigger players from various Middle East clubs.

Outside basketball, he is an businessman, a TV personality, an endorser, a public servant, and a family man – something that I really see alignment in what I do – people who know me can attest to this.

He’s been running these businesses while actively playing in the PBA. He certainly knows how to live the life.

He had stints in TV hosting. In one of his latest TV segments, “Tiu-torized” he shows his passion in sharing his knowledge to those who aspire to learn the game.

He is an active community leader – a recipient of multiple youth leadership awards; and a great man of faith as well. He never miss to thank God for all his milestones.

What a way to hang up the jersey. Chris played his last game for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters scoring a career high 30 points – after successive games of breaking his career highs thrice.

God bless your journey Chris. Keep on inspiring!

Life’s lessons from Snakes & Ladders

Ion

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January 3, 2019

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I was playing Snakes & Ladder last night with Aya and was reminded how life is very much similar to the board game. I have these key takeaways:

There’s no direct path to our goals. The road is full of snakes and ladders – obstacles and lifts.
Do not celebrate too early. Recognize the milestones you reach but do not be complacent as if you already won the game. There could be snakes along the road to bring you down.
Some snake are not setbacks at all. When you fall down deep, you can find a tall ladder to climb up higher than where you previously were.
It’s okay to be behind others. Today they are ahead, tomorrow you take the lead. Our success lies in every step we take, no matter where we are in the board game.
We roll our own dice but it’s not us who determine what we’ll get. No matter what technique we use to roll the dice, we’ll never know what we’re gonna get.

In life, ladders are not only opportunities that bring us to new heights. Ladders can be happiness, good health, relationships, and faith in God.

Aya was so competitive that she always wishes me to land on the snake spots. And every time she does that, the opposite happens. I told her to not feel disappointed when she land on snakes. It is important to focus on the bigger thing – the game, else she won’t enjoy it. And true enough, she found the fun and beauty of “just” playing the game, winning or losing.

When we both landed on the same spot, she cheerfully said, “now we’re together daddy.” And I affirmed that it always feels great to be with somebody in a journey.

As we end the game night, I told her, you cannot win all your games. But even if you lose, always find the beauty in losing. It’s the fun, the learning and the joy we gain while playing.

It’s the journey towards the goal that matters. How we play the journey defines us. ~~full-width~~

Like Philippines, Dubai has trash problems too but…

Adulting

Ion

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January 2, 2019

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Like Philippines, Dubai has trash problems too but…

Pictures of trash left by holiday revelers in Manila have been doing rounds in social media and all angst are pointed towards the people.

A peek in one of the comment thread about the pictures of trash in Luneta Park

I’m with you.

While I agree, we seem to be ignoring another perspective.

Trash happens everywhere, even in first-world countries like the US, UK, and even here in UAE. Out of millions of people attending huge gatherings, only at least 20% (or slightly even more) will leave trash. In the Philippines, this gets magnified by the media to look like everyone in the crowd is irresponsible.In cities like Dubai, ON EVERY EVENT, the crowd is aware that cleaners are around during and after events. Their visibility tells people they will take care of the garbage. Similar to a food court behavior of many of us. We are aware that cleaners will pick-up our leftover trays so we can just leave our table when we’re done.

I am not at all coming in defense of the irresponsible. I’m just saying that authorities should always be aware of this fact, and should have a strategy in place to keep it orderly and clean.

Because of social media, every detail of an event is “newsworthy” even garbage shares the same limelight with the main highlights of any event.

What Dubai Did

Dubai, in the video below also has a share of trash problems during events. But look at what happened after just 3 hours. The government’s strategic approach makes the environment look clean again in no time.

Downtown Dubai is shining once again, we’d like to thank our facility management for restoring the place back to it’s original state in just three hours! #EmaarNYE2019 pic.twitter.com/RRwdjeONEK

— Downtown Dubai by Emaar (@MyDowntownDubai) January 1, 2019

If local authorities in Manila have implemented similar ‘basic’ strategies like providing more trash bins or deploying more cleaning personnel during and after the celebrations, we could’ve seen photos going viral for a more pleasant reason.

And people, if you can’t find any trash bins, carry your leftovers until you see one okay. This is not about Filipinos alone, it’s about every human who walks the earth.

Imagine – if people and government are both responsible – what a clean environment it would be.

The discipline of Filipinos abroad vs in the Philippines

Ion

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January 2, 2019

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The discipline of Filipinos abroad vs in the Philippines

It’s a common observation within the community that in other countries, we easily abide by the rules and regulations; but when we are in our country, we don’t.

Why is it so? Here’s the face of the Filipino community in the UAE, Mr. Tatak Pinoy Rico Cardoniga giving us a brighter perspective about this sad reality.

Poem of a traveling balikbayan

Life Abroad

Ion

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January 1, 2019

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After finally spending Christmas in the Philippines in 10 years, here’s what I had to say as we travel back to Dubai.

Paalam Pilipinas
Nakapag-Pasko rin sa wakas
Nanaman kami’y lalabas
Haharapin pangako ng bukas.

Hanggang sa susunod na pagluwas
Ingat ka bayan ko sa mga ungas!

– 2016

Philippine Azkals plays in Asian Cup for the first time

Ion

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January 1, 2019

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For the first time in history, the Philippines will play in AFC Asian Cup. Thanks to the football renaissance that started in the early 2010s, which also marked the birth of Azkals Pilipinas Futbol team.

During 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification third round, they successfully topped their group with three wins and three draws, to book ticket to the UAE. The rising level of football success in the Philippines has given hopes for Filipinos when the Azkals will make their debut this month.

But as expected, Azkals will have to face tough battles right from the get go, battling Pool C powerhouse teams China, South Korea and Kyrgyzstan.

Phil Younghusband, team captain and longtime face of the Philippine Azkals earlier encourages the Filipino community to come and watch the matches live:

“We’ve got plans to visit the Filipino community to rally the troops and make sure we make each game feel like a home game,” he said on the sidelines of Friday’s draw at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Downtown.

In an interview with Gulfnews, he added:

“That’s important because we will be going into the games with a handicap due to the quality of teams we are up against, but hopefully our fans will make it more of a leveller,” he added of the Azkals’ (Street Dogs) first ever Asian Cup participation.

Azkals will play South Korea, China and Kyrgyzstan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Tickets are available at AED25, 50 and 75 denominations. Below are the match dates and venues: