This time, what I saw is not the typical police on the Sharjah-Dubai road. Since traffic is standstill, I just saw enough of what needs to be seen. One car has stopped abruptly in this busy highway. A Sharjah police asked the motorist to push his car to the dirty road and open the hood. The police car parked on the side and the gentle officer took a battery jumper and connected it to the other car right away. Way to go officer!
Meet Marielle, Dubai-based nurse cum recording artist making waves on the hit charts
A nurse takes care of us so we may attain or maintain good health, or we recover from illnesses. But what if a nurse does these things not by means of any scientific medications, but by her soothing angelic voice?
Yes indeed! Meet Marielle “Yelle” Castro, a 24-year old nurse and laser therapist by profession and a singing star written on her future. She works at Dubai Medical Village in Jumeirah. She was introduced to me by my friend DJ John Luna of Pinas Music Zone via her Youtube videos. Having to leave the home country and work here in Dubai did not stop Yelle from pursuing her first love. She continuously honed her musical craft. Her own experiences contribute to her amazing songwriting style. “All my compositions are based on my tough experiences but I don’t focus on the negativity and instead, divert them to positive and hopeful thoughts,” she says.
She released two tracks, Bubble and Escape, on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and opm2go. Bubble did well on MYX music charts at number 14 upon its release, and number 21 on iTunes Philippines. Currently it sits at number 10 in Pinas Music Zone’s Top Picks Twenty20.
While some Dubai-based aspirants has to go through rigorous talent searches like Pilipinas Got Talent and X-Factor Philippines, Yelle’s talent discovery came at a great odd chance, a lucky break. “I was practising and my father, who was outside our house with friends, called me and introduced me to Sherrie Ang, a music industry executive. She asked me to video record some of my songs and do some covers too. I did and to my surprise she sent it to different record labels back home.” she said in an interview with Gulfnews. And quickly after, she inked a deal with GMA Records. Now I’m excited about what’s in her bright future ahead.
Like her Facebook page and subscribe to here Youtube channel to receive more updates about this rising star.
On Friday night she will be performing as front act to Aiza Seguerra’s show in Dubai. See the poster below for more details.
Planning an ideal vacation at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
It’s halfway through the summer and I’m searching for exciting ways to spend quality time with my family. Wanting to really treat all of us, I decided to book a stay at one of the luxurious Jumeirah hotels.
This time my choice fell on Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. I have always been curious about the hotel because of its grand architecture and stunning interior inspired by the opulent Ottoman Era. It is a truly lavish beachside resort located on the west crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s impressive skyline. The hotel promises unrivalled luxury with an imperial touch at the culturally-inspired 405 rooms and suites and 38 Royal Residences. A wide range of activities is on offer, including access to the award-winning Talise Ottoman Spa, one of the largest most luxurious spas in the Middle East, where guests can truly indulge in exquisite treatments and facilities. Guests may also enjoy private beach access, infinity pool, various water sports, tennis courts, kids club as well as 12 restaurant and nightlife options. The number of facilities offered combined with thoughtful service makes for an opulent hospitality experience.
Convincing me to book my stay this time is Jumeirah’s recent special offer, Summer Breaks, where one can enjoy 10% off on the Best Available Rate with a host of value added benefits. Rates start from AED 900 and includes
- Buffet breakfast
- Access to Sinbad’s Kids Club
- Exclusive private beach access
- Internet access
…and much more …
Follow this link to book your stay online at any of Jumeirah’s properties: www.jumeirah.com/summerbreaks.
You may also call:
Dubai 800 JUMEIRAH (800 5863 4724) **
Saudi Arabia 800 897 1439
Bahrain 800 00555
Qatar +971 4 364 7541**
Kuwait +971 4 364 7540**
**IDD rates apply
or email reservations@jumeirah.com
Parokya Ni Edgar and Eraserheads to Play in a Music Festival in Dubai?
UPDATE: Confirmed! Please click here for the event info.
Best Christmas Ever! Based on Chito Miranda’s tweets below, these 2 legendary bands are set to rock the stage in December. Rakenroll!
May gig daw kami sa Dubai sa Dec27 kasama ang…ERASERHEADS!!! Best Christmas EVER!!! SHET!!! Excited na ko!!!
— Alfonso Miranda Jr (@chitomirandajr) August 16, 2013
@fdanielim music festival yun eh. Madaming yatang banda. Pero kung sabay kami ng Eheads, sigurado ako na main act sila. Eraserheads yun eh!
— Alfonso Miranda Jr (@chitomirandajr) August 17, 2013
Eraserheads had a very momentous reunion concert earlier this year and fans will surely love to see them return – what more if they’ll share the stage with Parokya.
We’ll get more information and soon let you know of the details, if indeed this gigantic gig pushes through.
What’s UAE According to Twitterverse? My 15 #UAE101 Favorite Tweets
Today, hundreds of netizens in the UAE tweet about what UAE is for them using the hashtag #UAE101, making it one of the Trending Topics here. Tons of really cool posts flood my timeline. Some are funny and satirical, some gripe with loads of criticisms, and many also tweet about seriously great and not-so-great things in the UAE. It was a blast on Twitter.
Great job to whoever started #UAE101. Here are my 15 random favorites out of the thousand tweets:
Where we have the biggest, largest, tallest, longest of everything. #UAE101
— Arun Rajagopal (@arun4) August 20, 2013
No-one actually knows where Internet City ends and Media City begins #UAE101
— Tom Paye (@MrTomPaye) August 20, 2013
Public displays of affection between a man & a woman is frowned upon but you see two men holding hands & it’s OK #UAE101
— Grace (@sandierpastures) August 20, 2013
Rain in the UAE is either a miracle or someone fiddling with nature. And seeds. #UAE101
— Nick (@theregos) August 20, 2013
#UAE101 Cab drivers take offence if you don’t answer where ur from. Say you’re Mexican to avoid conversations about why you’re not married
— Uzma Atcha (@TheAtcha) August 20, 2013
#UAE101 Drinking is illegal, except its not, except it is, except its not.
— Adam Flinter (@AdamFlinter) August 20, 2013
My favourite, oh-so-true tweet from the #UAE101 today: “Where the police drive Ferraris and the taxi drivers can’t afford deodorant.”
— Distracted housewife (@dubaiunveiled) August 20, 2013
#UAE101 customer service: if the customer is not happy, offer no refund or apology, and tell them they can go somewhere else.
— alison altmeyer (@alialt_) August 20, 2013
Grocery/convenience stores deliver whatever you want, even if it’s just a bottle of water, with no charge. #UAE101
— Espinoza, Kay (@gkayespinoza) August 20, 2013
You don’t say street names to taxi drivers you say landmarks! #UAE101
— G_ (@FluffyGi) August 20, 2013
#UAE101 where all you need to do to exercise is stand in your balcony and you’ll start sweating automatically.
— Amin (@Aminlawscarrot) August 20, 2013
Where we have more nationalities presented than the united nations #UAE101
— Abdelaziz AlMadhloum (@AlmadhloumAziz) August 20, 2013
if you accidentally take one wrong turn in Dubai, you’ll find yourself in Abu-Dhabi =))) #UAE101
— Celine Cruz (@iammecelinezurc) August 20, 2013
#UAE101 It’s not uncommon to see royalty without security, driving on their own or in the Metro #peace #safety
— Farrukh Naeem (@farrukhnaeem) August 20, 2013
where you can leave car running in a public area and still find it there after being gone for 20 minutes #UAE101
— Jessy (@MissD5) August 20, 2013
And here’s what I had to tweet:
where ‘behind’ is ‘backside’, and ‘in front’ is ‘opposite side’ – but they actually are blocks away #UAE101
— Ion Gonzaga (@ionGonzaga) August 20, 2013
where security guards don’t carry guns #UAE101
— Ion Gonzaga (@ionGonzaga) August 20, 2013
#UAE101 when you call your friend Mohammad/Muhammad/Muhamed, and everyone turns their head to you as well
— Ion Gonzaga (@ionGonzaga) August 20, 2013
Dubai to Abu Dhabi Flights via Rotana Jet Starts Today
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| Photo from Rotana Jet Facebook Page |
A new Dubai to Abu Dhabi flight service targeted mostly for business travelers and tourists starts today. Rotana Jet launches this 30-minute inter-Emirates route at rate starting from AED150 for one-way – that’s about half less than the avarage taxi fare.
This route will be serviced by a 50-seater Embraer aircraft and flights will operate between Dubai’s Terminal 2 and Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Established in late 2010 by Dr. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al‐Nahyan, Rotana Jet operates both Executive Charter and Scheduled Airline services
With its main operating base at Al‐Bateen Airport, situated only 10km from the City Centre of Abu Dhabi, Rotana Jet is uniquely located for corporate clients and domestics passengers alike.
Will the passengers need to go through the standard airport procedures before flight? I’ll find out next…
Vehicular Heat Stroke, when parents leave their child in the car
Sadly and unfortunately, some parents don’t deserve to be parents. This should be shown on UAE’s local TV. Tens of cases like this still happen. I would’ve done the same if I were the guy who smashed the window. This world has no place for stupid ‘parents.’
Love at first sight: Filipino tourists first 24 hours in Dubai
From picking up our guests at the airport to reaching home, they’re talking about how impressive Dubai already is. It’s quite amusing to hear what they had to say about the emirate in just their first 24 hours – just as how we felt when we first set afoot here. The comparison to our homeland is just inevitable.
On the road, they notice the postlights are very bright. All streets are widely spaced and very well lit unlike Manila’s, they say. And they start talking about politics – that if only road funds will be well utilized, Philippines can be as bright as Dubai.
They also notice the orderliness in the streets; the huge malls, the towering skyscrapers that make Ayala and Ortigas minute.
Then they see a Ferrari and a Lamborghini parked on an ordinary streetside. “They just park these luxury cars here?” they asks. “In the Philippines you can’t dare to do it.”
After a quick rest we had lunch in a chicken fastfood. They’re not used to dining without rice, and with a bigger serving. “So that’s why you’ve grown bigger here…” they said.
As we were strolling around, they notice how people use their gadgets untroubled that someone might snatch them away. They feel it is safe in the city that everyone seems to flaunt their gadgets out. Again, not in the Philippines.
“So where is the desert and the camels?” they asked. Although they’ve seen Dubai in the media with these buildings and modern structures, they still thought that we live in a desert.
After the first 24 hours of impression, they say “Parang Pinas pa rin, ang daming Filipino.” “But even if Philippines don’t look as shiny as Dubai, we already miss home. we will never get tired of the irking sounds of trike and jeepneys, and of the adventurous streets of Manila.”
Indeed, the heart can never love two at a time equally. We can be amazed and impressed by other nations, but eventually, there will always be one place that we truly love – though not as great as others, but we’ve learned to accept what it is, and what it is not. Philippines will always be our home.
Burj Khalifa, the first destination in Dubai to have Google Street View
Google Street View is a technology featured in Google Maps and Google Earth that provides panoramic views from positions along many streets in the world. It was launched on May 25, 2007, in several cities in the United States, and has since expanded to include cities and rural areas worldwide.
Finally, Dubai has a spot in Google Street View – and it’s no less than the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The virtual tour includes views from Level 43 pool terrace, At The Top observation deck at the 124th floor and at the ground floor entrance, Unit 73 Building Maintenance Area, Level 152 Lounge, and view of Downtown Dubai. You can view the gallery here.
Here’s a behind-the-scene peek at how the new Trekker technology is able to capture Street View imagery of the Burj Khalifa:
Kobe Bryant will be in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for Health and Fitness Weekend
Fans of the Black Mamba are thrilled when Kobe Bryant himself announced in his Facebook page that he is going to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in September for the ‘Kobe Ultimate Fantasy Weekend.’
He will be in the country on September 26 and 27. According to Sport360, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar and 5-time NBA champion is set to conduct a skills clinic in Abu Dhabi before heading to Dubai to coach a celebrity basketball team.
More updates soon.