Vallarta Blog

Ujena Jam, Thursday 28th of August, Collage Disco, Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy some of our pictures from the Collage Foam Party and get ready for the hot weekend because this beautiful event will be over September 1.

If you are in PV:
What is the answer on where to go tomorrow (Friday) at 10:00pm?
Mandala.

2 girls

TV fun

Going in the pool

Little break

Chic

Crew

Sexy

More foam!

Ambient

….ummm

For one week, beginning August 23, 2008, Puerto Vallarta Mexico will play host to the world’s largest live swimwear model and photographer search, the 24th Annual Ujena Jam.

More than 180 models and photographers will be competing from eight countries for more than $200,000 in cash, awards, gifts, scholarships and prizes in this event that has been appropriately dubbed the “Olympics” of swimwear competitions. Not only will they compete for magazine covers and lucrative modeling contracts, the models, photographers and guests will also participate in events that range from a 5k run and 50 meter swim, to golf and deep-sea fishing tournaments.

Many of the events are open to locals and non-models, and each of the event’s five days culminates in theme-related parties around the town. This year will also feature a contest within-a-contest for Mexico-resident models and photographers only. The winners of the Ujena TV Special Model and Photographer Contest will be featured in a one-hour televised special aired on Televisa and receive coverage in Maxim en Espanol magazine.

“This year’s event is the biggest Jam ever in terms impact on the Mexican marketplace,” said Bob Anderson, founder of the Ujena Swimwear Company and creator of the Ujena Jam. “We have an unprecedented 30 events and contests during the week, including a $20,000 Bisbee’s Offshore Ujena JAM fishing tournament and the 3rd Annual El Tigre Ujena JAM golf tournament. There will be more than 100 hours of video footage shot that will air to millions of viewers worldwide.”

The event will also be used to launch a new energy drink to the Mexico market. Verve, a healthy energy drink and product of the Arizona-based Vemma company, will be distributed free during the event as the networking company officially launches business in Mexico.

Ujena Jam week has become a late summer tradition in Puerto Vallarta, attracting hundreds of local visitors, media and industry executives. Editorial crews from Women’s Fitness magazine, Maxim en Espanol, Lifestyles Family Fitness and Ujena Magazine and local media will be covering the action and looking for new talent. The Ujena Jam Expo at the NH Krystal hotel and spa allows media and business sponsors to network and find new talent for models, spokespersons and photographers.

In addition to Bisbee, El Tigre and Verve, some of this year’s sponsors are Nikon, Pepsi, Corona, Gatorade, Action Event Pros, Tinbu, C1RCA skateboard company, BetCris, the NH Krystal’s nightclub Christine’s, the Crown Paradise hotel, Tequilas premium, RMX radio and the city of Puerto Vallarta.

“Welcome Ujena to Puerto Vallarta. You are at the most beautiful tourist destination. We are happy and proud to welcome the Ujena JAM with opened arms, let us pamper you with the warmth of the people in our city that will make you feel at home. Our main objective is that you have the best unforgettable moments and that you always come back.” said mayor of Puerto Vallarta, Lic. Francisco Javier Bravo Carbajal.

The Ujena Jam’s 3rd annual Party by the Sea takes place during the day on the busy streets of downtown and offers a chance for everyone in town to watch the photo shoots and participate in the fun and outside of Hilo Sunday August 24th starting at 4 pm.

Already the world’s largest live model and photographer talent search, the Ujena Jam’s emphasis on fitness contests puts it in a class of its own. While most events and competitions are provided for fun and entertainment, all competing models and photographers must participate in the 5k run, even if they walk.

More than 400 runners are expected to participate in this year’s 5k, which now attracts quality runners as well as fun runners. Its inclusion as a mandatory event is not surprising, given Anderson’s background. Prior to Ujena, at age 17, Anderson started Runner’s World magazine and built it into a $30 million dollar company that launched America’s love affair with running in the 1970s. The Ujena 5K is set for Saturday August 30 at 9am across from the Sheraton. $1000 in cash prizes will be awarded.

“With the race, a swim, an extreme hike, soccer tournament and even an acrobatics competition there is always something going on during the Ujena Jam week,” says Alberto Estarrano, Director of Ujena en Espanol. “The events are why this event continues to grow each year.”

Most all events welcome spectators. Many of the fitness and sporting events are open to local and non-model participants. A full schedule of events and times can be viewed at ujenajam.com. All competing models and photographers will be featured at UjenaTalent.com and full coverage of the event and awards will be at UjenaJam.com and Ujena.tv.

Ujena Bikini Jam Schedule
Puerto Vallarta International August 2008

Friday 22
3:00 PM Press Conference (Golden Crown Paradise)
4:00 PM Official Ribbon Cutting (Golden Crown Paradise)

Saturday 23
*Arrivals for nine night package*
FREE NIGHT

Sunday 24
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots

UjENA Talent Workshops
One hour each at the Crown Hotel

10:00 AM Getting the Most Out of the JAM (Keith McNulty and Martha Gonzales)
11:20 AM On Location Photography (Addison Fitzgerald and Catherine Cross)
 1:00 PM Working With the Light (Keith McNulty)
 4:00 PM Party by the Sea - Photo Shoots until Sunset (Hilo Downtown PV)
10:00 PM Media Martini Party (Ztai)

Monday 25
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots

UjENA Talent Workshops
One hour each at the Crown Hotel

10:00 AM Editing and Selecting Images for Print (Bob Anderson)
11:30 AM On Location Makeup and Styling for Print (Catherine Cross)
 1:00 PM Editorial Style Photography (Ed Alexander)
 4:00 PM Photo Shoots until Sunset
 9:00 PM Carlos O’Brian’s Party
 
Tuesday 26
 7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ujena Bikini Expo and Casting Day #1

UjENA Talent Workshops
One hour each at the Crown Hotel

10:30 AM Getting the Most Out of Your Camera (Addison Fitzgerald)
11:30 AM Artistic Photography (Alejandro Zenker) (in Spanish)
 1:00 PM Bikini Model Posing (Trisha Tompkins)
 4:00 PM Photo Shoots until Sunset
 9:00 PM Rio Latino Party

Wednesday 27
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
*Arrivals for five night package*
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ujena Bikini Expo and Casting Day #2
 7:45 PM - 8:45 PM Required Model and Photographer Orientation (Expo)
 8:00 PM Bisbee’s Off Shore Ujena Jam Captain’s Meeting (Hotel)
 8:45 - 10:00 PM JAM Networking Party #1 (Expo)
10:00 PM - Official Jam Welcome Party at Hilo

Thursday 28
 7:00 AM Bisbee’s Off Shore Ujena Jam Fishing Day #1
 7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ujena Bikini Expo and Casting Day 3
11:00 AM 50m Swim Competition

UjENA Talent Workshops
One hour each at the Bikini Expo

  2:00 PM “Lights! Camera! Tracking!” Workshop presented by Holdon Log
  4:00 PM Photo Shoots until Sunset
  8:30 PM - 9:30 PM JAM Networking Party #2
 10:00 PM C1RCA 3rd Annual Ujena Foam Party (Collage)

Friday 29
 7:00 AM Bisbee’s Off Shore Ujena Jam Fishing Day #2
 7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
 1:00 PM Photos are due for Models, Photographers and Makeup Artists
 2:00 PM Judged Photo Shoot at the Marina (All models and photographers are required to attend)
 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM JAM Networking Party #3
10:00 PM Maxim en español Ujena Clubkini Party at Mandala

Saturday 30
 8:00 AM Leave for Ujena 5K from Hotel
 9:00 AM Ujena 5K Run/Walk (Required event)
10:15 AM Ujena Jam Acrobatics
10:45 AM C1RCA Skateboard Exhibition
12:30 PM Announcement: Top 20 Ujena Models, Top 10 Ujena Photographers Top 3 Ujena Makeup Artists
 4:00 PM Ujena Finalists Shootout
10:00 PM Ujena Costume Party at Christine Club

Sunday 31
 8:00 AM Photo Tour at El Tigre (Shoot with the Tigers)
 8:30 AM Interviews Model/Photographer
 9:00 AM 3rd Annual El Tigre Ujena Jam Golf Tournament
 3:00 PM Rehearsal for Ujena top 20 models and Partners
 8:00 PM 3rd Annual Ujena Jam Image Awards (40 Image Awards will be presented)
10:00 PM Final Night Party at Christine Club

Monday Sept 1
Departures all day

[BanderasNews]

Related: Puerto Vallarta | Ujena Bikini Jam 2007

The city of Vallarta has prepared a special program of cultural activities in honor to Puerto Vallarta and its people. This year we’ll be enjoying the Fiestas de May08.

México, Germany, France and Spain are the countries of origin of some of the artists who will perform at the international events throughout the month of may.

The fiestas will have something for everyone: Regional Mexican dance, Tahitian, Contemporary, Jazz, Afro, Flamenco and so much more.

The main event of Las Fiestas de May08 will be hold on the malecon arches, but there will be other public locations like the Pitillal plaza, Las Juntas and the Sport area “Augusting Flores Contreras” which will present the traditional Chinese Dance of the Lions on 30th of May.

32 events with over 250 artists will be held on Fiestas de May08 in Puerto Vallarta.

Event schedule:

1st - 20:00 – Inauguration at the malecon arches with the tropical rhythm of “Los Fumancheros”

2nd – 18:30 – Romantic Music by the “Festival de Estudiantes” (malecon arches)

2nd – 20:00 “Grupo Rey Nayar” Regional Dance in Plaza Pitillal

2nd – 21:00 – “Radiopatias” with musical humor, intelligence and sketches will bring everyone some good fun time. (malecon arches)

3rd – 19:00 “Grupo Rey Nayar” Regional Dance (in Las Juntas)

3rd – 19:00 – Romantic Music by the “Festival de Estudiantes” (malecon arches)

3rd – 20:15 – “La Quinto Danza” Contemporary Dance to welcome Jerome Murat on the malecon arches.

3rd – 21:00 – French “Jerome Murat”, best mime ever will perform his masterpiece “The white statue” on the malecon arches.

Jerome Murat

4th – 20:00 “Grupo Rey Nayar” Regional Dance (malecon arches)

4th – 21:00 – “Orquestra Chamaco” Jamaican music mix with reggae rhythms.

5th – 21:00 – “2 Play” Acrobatic Comedy representing the comeback of the living legend of Olympic gymnastic.

7th - - “Sherele” Hebrew music from Europe with an emotional and spiritual touch. (malecon arches)

15th - 20:30 – German Orchestra from the Chamber of Stuttgart directed by “Michael Hofstetter” in the hotel Krystal, room Jalisco. Enjoy Mozart, Bach and Mendelssohn for only $150 pesos / ticket. (This is the only event with cost, all the others will be free)

Michael Hofstetter

16th – 20:00 - Italian “Marco Carolei” will guarantee a lot of laughter with his professional clown techniques on the malecon arches.

Marco Carolei

18th - 20:00 – “Carsten Daerr Trio” also from Germany will be playing a Jazz concert

Carsten Daerr

30th – 21:00 – “Dance of the Lions”, traditional Chinese Dance followed by traditional Mexican fireworks.

The month of May has always been a very important month in Mexican history. “La Batalla de Puebla”, the Battle of Puebla is celebrated every year on the 5th of May.

History says that the Mexican army with only 4,500 poorly armed men had won the battle against the French army that had over 8,000 well-armed soldiers.

It was also the first time that the imperial troops of Napoleon III fell overdue demonstrating that they were not invincible. The celebration surpasses that of the Mexican Independence Day, something very logical if one notes that the bulk of Méxican Americans born in the United States, while not naturalized Mexican residents still celebrate the Mexican Independence Day.

Vallarta Blog wishes everyone a great weekend!

So don’t forget to..

… let your monkey out! (at least once in a while)

Happy Weekend!

In the above picture you can see three boats heading (at full speed) towards a couple of whales.

These pictures where taken on March 29. According to vallartawhales.com the season ends on March 24. The date changes, depending on the source, like on puertovallartatours.net it says the season is until March 31st.

 No matter if the season is on or not, it is not ok for boats to turn towards whales, especially on full speed.

We were sitting on the beach and had noticed the whales before these boats showed up. It looked like two whales playing together and constantly jumping out of the water. Of course they disappeared as soon as the boats in the above picture sped towards them… pretty sad.

In the next picture you can see how close the 3 boats are from the whales. And then people ask themselves how it’s possible that every year there are accidents with whales.

 This combined with some news talking about Vallarta being one of Mexico’s most polluted beaches.. is.. sad.

Please inform yourself well enough to know if you are participating in a real eco friendly tour/ride/adventure or if you are contributing to endangering our whales from being hit or maybe even never come back home to the Bay of Banderas.