Special treats in eventful, high-flying July

ONGLAO. Her tours up the excitement for adventurous travelers.

The month of June was quite eventful, but it looks like July is going to turn out to be a real humdinger. So, let’s make sure to clear up our schedule to make room and time for its special treats:

First off, the annual Cinemalaya indie film festival unreels on July 15, with scores of new movies up for viewers’ delectation—or rejection, as the case may be. Let’s get dazzled by the gems, and “forgive” the occasional clunkers, which are par for the course in any extensive showcase of new film efforts.

And, while we’re at it, let’s drum up greater interest in Cinemalaya 2011 among our friends, especially the uninitiated, so that the audience for indie movies will continue to grow and their makers can start making a profit, so they can make and screen more movies even outside of the festival season.

‘Care Divas’ phenomenon

This month, let’s also go out of our way to catch the season’s big “sleeper” theater hit, Peta’s production of the OFW musical, “Care Divas.” After 36 performances at the Peta Theater Center, the show has just kept going and going—and it looks like there’s no end in sight to the musical’s “leggy” repeat runs.

New performances: July 15-17 at 8 p.m. for the benefit of the Chameleon Foundation. July 17 at 3 p.m., for the Ladlad Partylist. July 22, for 88 Story Films. July 23 at 3 p.m., benefit show for Child Haus. At 8 p.m., for St. Paul College HS Class of ’75 Foundation. July 23, for Folded and Hung. Call (02) 725-6244, or visit [email protected].

Walk in Jesus’ footsteps

THE OFW musical is the season’s big “sleeper” hit.

We’ve just come back from a  trip to Europe with Arlina Onglao’s Journeys of Faith, on wings of Emirates airlines, where we worked on a new Marian documentary.

Journeys of Faith’s new tours and pilgrimages this year include: Sept. 27-Oct. 10, Journey to the Land of the Bible (Jordan, Israel, Egypt) with Fr. Sanny de Claro. Oct. 22-31 with Fr. Felipe Rufes. Oct. 22-31, pilgrimage for couples, with Jojo and Ditsy Sumpaico. Nov. 18-Dec.1 with Fr. Delfin Tumaca. Dec. 19-Jan.1 with Fr. Boyd Sulpico. Journeys of Faith also organizes “Weddings in Cana” in the Holy Land for interested couples.

Journeys of Faith has a busy tour and pilgrimage schedule and does a lot of “repeat” business, because people like its personalized service and varied tours. Aside from the usual pilgrimage sites, its tours can go way off the beaten track to up the excitement and discovery level for especially adventurous travelers. Call (632) 929-0144, mobile (+63) 0917 561-6440, fax (632) 426-7295, or visit www.journeys.com.ph.