U.S. Embassy, Manila Philippines invites you to America in 3-D

 U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. Invites You to “America in 3-D!”

Interested in working for American companies? Want to travel to the United States? Do you like American music, food and films? Ambassador Thomas and the U.S. Embassy invite you to celebrate American culture, values, and programs in the Philippines during a three-day program we call “America in 3-D.”

From March 18 through 20 at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City, come participate in free musical performances, food tastings, sports clinics, a job fair, information sessions about applying for visas and studying in the United States, and so much more!

You will have the opportunity to meet representatives of various Embassy sections and agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the visa section, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Peace Corps, the U.S. Commercial Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, and the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF). They will provide you with valuable information to help you connect with the Embassy.

A Road Show in Diplomacy, Development and Defense program schedules:

Friday March 18
4 :00 p.m. Opening Program featuring Martin Nievera and Jaya
6:00 p.m. Consular Corner: The Visa Process Demystified
7:00 p.m. Hip-Hop Dance by the Philippine All-Stars

Saturday March 19
8:00 a.m. Learn what’s cooking at The White House with Fil-Am White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford
10:30 a.m. Cooking Demonstrations and Seminar on American Wines
3:00 p.m. Consular Corner: The Visa Process Demystified
4:00 p.m. Jazz Performance by the UST Jazz Ensemble
5:30 p.m. EducationUSA: Learn About Studying in the U.S.
7:00 p.m. American Pop: Jed Madela

Sunday March 20
10:30 a.m. Learn to Line and Square Dance with the Manila Hoedowners
11:30 a.m. Consular Corner: The Visa Process Demystified
12:00 p.m. Learn to Hip-Hop Dance with the Philippine All-Stars
2:00 p.m. Gospel Music: Greenhills Christian Fellowship Chancel Choir
3:00 p.m. EducationUSA: Learn About Studying in the U.S.
4:00 p.m. Broadway and Popular Tunes with Stephanie Reese
5:30 p.m. Consular Corner: The Visa Process Demystified
6:30 p.m. Country Music Performance by Miles “Asia’s Ambassadress
of Country Music”

Detailed Schedule Available at Facebook.com/manila.usembassy

America in 3D full program schedule (PDF file)

America in 3D basketball clinics schedule (PDF file)

America in 3D film screening schedule (PDF file)

America in 3D Education U.S.A schedule (PDF file)

America in 3D Job Fair List (PDF File)

For more information, please check for updates on the Embassy’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/manila.usembassy.

Free Coke Zero at America in 3D

Unexpectedly of me, it happened that I was at SM North Edsa The Block the opening day of this event exactly 4pm, Friday of March 18. I got interested in hearing what was being discussed at the activity center and excited to watch Hip Hop dance and forgot that I am going to buy something or do window shopping.

I listened to some details on how to get to the U.S. either as a tourist, student or working discussed by the new Consular General of U.S. Manila Embassy and so on but not all details are being discussed.

They encourage interested parties to go to a booth they set up at the activity to accommodate their concern or visit their Facebook page. They also give a piece of paper that includes the steps on how to inquire online and email address.

At the event, I got a chance to meet the U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas in person, the Manila Embassy Console General and other officials of the embassy and sat beside the crowd to witness Hip Hop dances.

They are also introducing imported products from the U.S. such as grapes, nuts, California raisins, alcoholic drinks such as white wines, candies etc. There are classic Chevrolet cars on display as well. (966’s Stingray Corvette and 1957’s Cadillac Eldorado). They set up booths for free tasting of different American food and they are giving free Coke Zero.

They set up a photo booth as well with different famous landmarks in the U.S. to choose from as the background for free and they also uploaded it on their Facebook page. They will also have a Job Fair set up at SM North Annex activity center and sport clinics to be held at the Sky Dome.

After 2 hours of Q&A portion entitled Consular Corner: The Visa Process Demystified finally Hip Hop dance is next this is the one reason why I got interested because I love modern dancing and the freestyle.

For the next 2 hours I been dancing on my chair while watching Hip-Hop Dance performances, heart beating, high-flying stunts, back flips and show stopping moves of our very own two-time World Hip Hop Champions the Philippine All-Stars, together with Pinoy Funky Style, Unschooled, Philippine House Dance Community, Flo Soldiahs and Krumpinoy.

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Hip Hop artist Chelo Aestrid, Knowa Lazarus Chelo and DJFlamatiks of QYork Endutainment Inc. introduced their own style of Hip Hop and rap music. They rendered their original songs telling stories about the Philippines and the Filipino culture.

I like their Manila version of Jay Z’s Empire State of Mind they call it QYork State of Mind.  The Different dance acts performed by the groups above showcases the old and new styles of Hip Hop.

They do popping, locking, breaking/breakdancing or they call it now B-boy, krumping, jacking, modern jazz etc. Philippine House Dance Community is introduced new style but too bad I can’t remember what they call it but it is similar with jacking and locking.

After the show, I took pictures of Philippine All Stars and had a photo opt with them and too bad I was taken using my camera phone so the pictures kinda blurry. I can’t groove with them also because right beside me are parents that I don’t know if they like Hip Hop or they are just their because they wanted to go to the U.S. haha but nevertheless the show and my whole experience was just awesome, fun and am still having goosebumps as of this writing.

Enjoy reading my blog and I hope you find inspiration in wanting to go to the U.S. and know more about the Filipino-American culture by liking their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/manila.usembassy. Break it Down Yo! Mabuhay Pilipinas!