Tour de France

Nicole Croisille

2009-04-29T03:22:00.000-07:00

Nicole Croisille -Il Ne Pense Qu’à Toi (Parlez-moi de lui)

He Only Thinks of You (Tell Me About Him )

Puisque là -bas vous êtes ses amis Since U are his friends over there

Asseyez-vous et parlez-moi de lui Sit down and tell me about him

Il voulait voyager du sud au nord He wanted to travel from South to North

Et pour qu'il soit heureux, j'étais d'accord And for him to be happy, I agreed

Parlez-moi de lui, il n'a pas écrit Tell me about him, he didn’t write

A-t-il enfin trouvé, la joie la liberté? Has he finally found joy and freedom ?

Parlez-moi de lui Tell me about him

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Comment va sa vie ? How is his life ?

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Dans ce pays lointain In this far away country

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Est-il heureux enfin ? Is he happy at last ?

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Est-il vrai qu'il habite sur le port ? Is it true that he lives by the port ?

A-t-il toujours sur lui ma chaîne d'or ? Is he always wearing my gold chain ?

Sur les photos il semble avoir changé In the pictures he seemed to have changed

Et il me parait triste et fatigué And he looks sad and tired to me

Parlez-moi de lui Tell me about him

A-t-il des ennuis ? Is he in trouble ?

Comment est sa maison ? How is his house ?

Chante-t-il des chansons ? Does he sing songs ?

Parlez-moi de lui Tell me about him

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

A-t-il des amis ? Does he have friends ?

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Vous dites que le soir You are saying that at night

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Il perd souvent l'espoir He often looses hope

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

S'il n'ose pas m'écrire ce qu'il en est If he does not dare write to me what’s wrong

C'est qu'il gâche sa vie et qu'il le sait It’s because he is wasting his life and he knows it

Vous a-t-il demandé de me parler ? Did he ask you to speak to me ?

A-t-il besoin de moi à ses côtés ? Does he need me at his side ?

Parlez-moi de lui Tell me about him

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Je n'aime que lui I love no one but him

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Il m'avait dit patience He had told me to be patient

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Depuis c'est le silence Since then it’s been silence

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Parlez-moi de lui Tell me about him

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Comment va sa vie How is his life ?

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Dans ce pays lointain In this far away country

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Est-il heureux enfin ? Is he happy at last ?

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Parlez-moi de lui Tell me about him

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Je n'aime que lui I love no one but him

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Il m'avait dit patience He had told me to be patient

{Il nous parle de toi} He tells us about you

Depuis c'est le silence Since then it’s been silence

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

Parlez-moi de lui Tell me about him

Dites-moi tout Tell me everything

{Il ne pense qu'à toi} He only thinks about you

La Musique des Nubians

2009-03-02T23:22:00.000-08:00

by Justine Labucay

photo credit: www.fileden.com

"Music gives me the sweetest taboo," goes a line from one of this musical duo's most popular songs, Tabou. It is a slow and sensual song with a beat that draws from R&B and hip-hop influences, and talks about their passion for music.

The sultry voices behind this euphonious number are Hélène and Célia Faussart. Together, they are the musical marvel that is Les Nubians (The Nubians).

photo credit: www.fileden.com

Born in France to a Cameroonian mother and a French father, Hélène and Célia, along with their parents, moved to the African coutnry of Chad after living a few years in Paris. They would return seven years later as teenagers and pursue a career in the music industry, starting out as an a cappella duo singing covers of popular R&B, African and Reggae songs.

Their big break would come in 1998 when they caught the eye of Virgin International records, which gave them a record deal. This allowed the sisters to finally record original music and release their first album, Princesses Nubiennes.

Despite the unenthused reception in the French-speaking countries of Switzerland, Belgium and France, their entry into the American music scene would give them nationwide popularity, catching the ears of many prominent artists they would later collaborate with, namely: top underground rapper Talib Kweli, world sensation The Black Eyed Peas, African jazz legend Manu Dibango, pianist Ray Lema, and classical musician Benjamin Biolay.

Tabou by Les Nubians

Les Nubians has been described as unconventional, novel and fresh because of their musical style, which can be characterized as having the qualities of "roots music". Being half Cameroonian, the sisters' deep-seated identification with the African culture is evident in their artistic image and musical creations. Fusing their music with their paternal roots, they deliver their songs in the French language with that classic and elegant French suaveness.

Multicultural sensibilities and appreciation is what the ladies behind Les Nubians aim for. "This is so important, especially in Afro-European music," said Hélène in an interview. "Many of the sounds of the two cultures have been separated for so long, but music can be a bridge that helps people meet."

This talented duo is a rare soulful musical treat. Listen to their sound and discover modern-day French flair.

Hervé Léger by Max Azria: A Fusion of Classic French Couture and Modern American Design

2009-02-19T03:23:00.000-08:00

By Therese San Diego

The French brand Hervé Léger, founded in 1985, highlighted the female figure with its signature "bandage dress". American designer Max Azria, who made his debut in the fashion industry in Paris and moved to the United States in the '80s, acquired the French fashion house in 1998.

Azria gave a new spin to Hervé Léger's classic designs together with his wife, Lubov, who described her role in "revamping [the] Hervé Léger label" by "keeping it true to its origins," while her husband attested to making it "more dynamic and more 2010."

Here are some pieces from the Hervé Léger by Max Azria Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection.

photo credit: www.style.com

The collection exuded a futuristic feel with metallic embellishments and intricate detailing on sleeves.

photo credit: www.style.com

Textured dresses in earthy shades also gave off the exotic vibe of an "urban tribe," as the designers put it.

Watch the video clip of New York Magazine's interview with Max and Lubov Azria from last season and learn more about the evolution of Hervé Léger--and how it is pronounced, too.

France's First Lady on Film

2009-02-18T03:03:00.000-08:00

By Pamela Grace Lim

photo credit: http://friller.com

The French supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni is the first lady of France. And what better way to tell the world about her life, career and marriage than through an 80-minute documentary film? The result: "Somebody Told Me About... Carla Bruni" (2009), which was shown on French television early this year--right on New Year's Day.

Filmmaker George Scott started out with a proposal to make a music film about the model-turned-signer. At first, Bruni, 41, doubted if her life was interesting enough, saying, "you don't have much to work on with me," but agreed to do the film anyway.

A month later, she became one of the most talked-about women in the world. The reason? Her public affair with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

After this revelation, Scott thought Bruni would no longer pursue the film--but she did. Scott was given a pass to follow Bruni around the presidential Elysée Palace, as well as her Paris and Riviera homes, for a first glimpse of the life of the first lady, now famously known as Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. The couple formally tied the knot in February 2008.

photo credit: http://layoder.files.wordpress.com

The documentary film covered interviews, recordings and revelations about the romance and marriage of Bruni-Sarkozy. She openly shared how she told Sarkozy that she will not give up her music career just because she is going to be the wife of a president. One of the highlights of the film was when Sarkozy made a surprise visit while she was set to record her new album. The cameras caught Sarkozy shaking hands with the whole French crew, kissing his wife, and smiling so broadly as he watched her sing. Scott observed that the president was obviously very much in love.

Bruni-Sarkozy also gave Scott access to her family and friends, providing a deeper look into her background and personality.

Carla Gilberta Bruni Tedeschi was born in Turin, Italy on December 23, 1967 to mother Marisa Borini, a concert pianist, and stepfather Alberto Bruni Tedeschi, a composer and owner of a tire manufacturing company, CEAT. In the 1970s, her family moved to France due to kidnap threats from terrorists. Bruni began her modeling career in her teenage years, and by the '90s, became one of the world's highest paid models. She modeled for French brands Chanel and Christian Dior, and made it to the cover of about 250 magazines. On top of that, she can speak Italian, French and English fluently.

photo credit: http://elobservador.rctv.net

In the late '90s, the then-29-year-old Bruni decided to leave the fashion world, and entered a new career as a singer-songwriter. Her first album, titled "Quelqu'un m'a dit (Someone Told Me)" was released in 2002. It was followed by her second album, "No Promises," in January 2007.

Bruni-Sarkozy also said that she was timid when she was young, the opposite of what she has become. “Perhaps you unconsciously seek out what is most difficult, or perhaps contradiction is really important in a human being,” she said.

Scott also got another exclusive look at the presidential couple's vacation when he visited Bruni-Sarkozy's family mansion in August at Cap Nègre. The film also features the state visit to London where Bruni-Sarkozy paid a warm tribute to the Royal family. It also tackled the controversies she got involved in, including the publication in British newspapers of a nude photograph taken during her modeling days. She confidently stated that she is not ashamed of anything she has done: "Other models posed nude but none of them married a president."

As the first lady, Bruni-Sarkozy says she wants to send the message that she is serious about her responsibilities, and as a singer, she wishes to continue writing new songs for other people and continue to perform live, even when her husband is no longer president.

Bonne Nouvelle! (Good News!)

2009-02-15T00:33:00.000-08:00

We will no longer be limiting Tour de France updates to Fridays! Watch for more articles throughout the week for your daily dose of French culture, news, and French Club announcements.

Merci! (Thank you!)

Bon Appétit at MC

2009-02-13T23:23:00.000-08:00

By Therese San Diego

Yesterday, the Miriam College French Club held a cooking demo where Monsieur Fanciz taught members how to make salads with a special French dressing, and French kaldereta with pasta. Too bad for those who missed it--the food was truly divine! Perhaps it was mainly because of the freshness of the ingredients, which Monsieur Fanciz said is always crucial in any dish.

Here are a few photos that will surely make your mouth water.

photo credit: Therese San Diego

It was the battle of the salads! The ingredients? Various types of lettuce, watercress, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, beets, carrots, violet cabbage, hard-boiled egg, onions, garlic, celery kinchay, wansoy, spring onions, and basil. Smoked tanigue, pastrami and farmer's ham were also added.

Of course, a salad would not be complete without dressing. Monsieur Fanciz made a special dressing out of balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, French mayonnaise, French mustard, iodized salt and white pepper, which had us all coming back for more!

photo credit: Therese San Diego

The mere scent of the herbs and spices emanating from the kaldereta made us want to try it right away, but we had to wait until the beef, pork and chicken were cooked before we could sample the dish! It was light but very flavorful. Monsieur Fanciz used tomato-based sauce with fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, leeks, ginger, onions, garlic, the same herbs used in the salad, and special spices including Herbes de Provence, rustic herbs, four colour corn pepper, cajun seasoning, and dry basil. The meats were first sautéed with the herbs and olive oil. Carrots, radish and mushrooms were added later.

photo credit: Therese San Diego

The kaldereta went well with the pasta wheels, which tasted great even with only butter and cheese. Other types of Italian pasta prepared were farfalle, tagliatelle and spirali tricolore. The butter was French and so was the Emmenthal cheese.

I bet you're already looking forward to the next cooking demo! Drop by Tour de France daily and you might just stumble upon the recipes for these delectable entrées.

In the Spotlight: Nicolas Sarkozy

2009-02-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

By Justine Lourdes Labucay

photo credit: www.liberation.fr

Meet France's number one man: Nicolas Sarkozy. Since assuming presidency in May 2007, he has captured the world's full attention with his bold political positions on immigration and foreign policy, and his very public love life. Once described as "a human dynamo who left his opponents trailing and exhausted in his wake," Mr. Sarkozy is a Frenchman on top of his game.

Sarkozy was born in Paris in 1955 to a French mother and a Hungarian immigrant father and was raised in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine, where he would later become town councilor and mayor.

Nicolas Sarkozy is a president of France set apart from his predecessors by the people themselves. In a recent article in The New York Times, Parisian psychiatrist Serge Hefez asserted that the French are inflicted with what he calls "Obsessive Sarkosis," an "unhealthy fascination with Nicolas Sarkozy." It seems that the French have developed a feeling of attachment to their president, and even identify with him through his exhibitions of typical human attributes, one of which is his having been divorced twice. While this comes across as an "upside," it also appears to be working the other way around.

This "self-identification" many maintain with Sarkozy could be the same reason others are repulsed by him. And with such polarization in the political backdrop, Sarkozy has been labeled a divisive figure for France. His approach is plainspoken and direct when carrying out policies -- often a cause for controversy and riot among demonstrators -- but he still gets your attention and gets things done.

He was recently included in Time Magazine's runners-up for Person of the Year 2008, where Tony Blair characterized him as having "the hallmark of any true leader: a capacity to take decisions and implement them." Sarkozy implemented strict measures to control illegal immigration in France and backed programs aiming to integrate skilled migrants into French society. He has also endorsed "positive discrimination" with the end goal of reducing unemployment among the youth.

Nicolas Sarkozy is a man you won't soon forget.

La Bonne Musique

2009-02-13T02:00:00.000-08:00

We at Tour de France absolutely love music! Listen to some of our favorite artists--including French singers and bands, of course--by clicking on the player on the upper right corner of this page. Enjoy tracks from Hervé Vilard, Adamo, Françoise Hardy and more.

Feel free to comment on this post to request for your faves!

The Ultimate Dining Experience at La Maison

2009-02-06T08:40:00.001-08:00

By Maryjo Arugay and Sharmaine Malvecino

photo credit: Maryjo Arugay and Sharmaine Malvecino

La Maison or "the house" in French is named such because home-style hearty fare is its forte. La Maison started in Cebu in 2006 and spread its branches in Metro Manila, with restaurants in TriNoMa, Greenbelt 5, and The Podium. It is owned by a corporation led by Nick Torres and co-owned by Frenchman Robert Lilja, who is also the chef of La Maison. According to the team leader, Anna Jatoc, the concept of La Maison was inspired by Lilja, a good friend of Torres.

photo credit: Maryjo Arugay and Sharmaine Malvecino

It's no wonder that the restaurant has become a favorite among families and friends. Every item on the menu is rich and encourages the spirit of sharing, from its specialized steak dishes, Chef's Duck Liver Pate and Dover Sole Fish Fillet, to the bestselling Barkada Ribs. Pasta dishes as well as desserts such as scrumptious crepes are also a must-try!

photo credit: Maryjo Arugay and Sharmaine Malvecino

The ambience is designed to make the guests feel instantly at home, and the highly personalized service from wait staff only adds to the comfort. Aside from the great food, La Maison prides itself in going that extra mile to guarantee customer satisfaction, so much so that if a dish does not meet customer expectations, La Maison will not charge for it.

photo credit: Maryjo Arugay and Sharmaine Malvecino

Go have a visit, there's nothing to lose. More likely, you and your barkada will be fighting over that last rib.

Frenchman Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio Proclaimed 2008 Nobel Laureate in Literature

2009-02-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

By Therese San Diego

photo credit: www.usatoday.com

France must be very proud to have another French Nobel Laureate in Literature who did not refuse to accept the award. Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio brings the 2008 Nobel Prize for Literature to his country after Jean-Paul Sartre in 1964, Claude Simon in 1985, and Chinese-born Gao Xingjian in 2000, though the first refused to accept the award because he believed that “a writer must refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution.”

Le Clézio, on the other hand, does not seem to mind being given this honor. In an interview with Nobelprize.org’s Editor-in-Chief, Adam Smith, he enthusiastically talked about his life and his works.

The French author was born in Nice on April 13, 1940. He started writing at a young age, writing in French though he also spoke in English. Le Clézio completed his undergraduate degree at the Institut d’Etudes Littéraires in 1963, his master’s degree at the University of Aix-en-Provence in 1964, and his doctoral thesis for the University of Perpignan in 1983. He also taught at universities in Bangkok, Boston, and Mexico City, among other places.

Having lived in different countries all over the world, Le Clézio says there is one place he considers home—Mauritius, the former French colony, which he calls “the place of [his] ancestors.” That was, however, not the place where he began his writing career.

At only eight years old, Le Clézio wrote his first two books, “Un Long Voyage” and “Oradi Noir,” in the course of a month-long trip to Nigeria where his father was relocated as a doctor during World War II. Though he started writing as a child, it was not until 1963, at the age of 23, that he released his debut novel, “Le Procès-Verbal,” which was also published in English (“Interrogation”) the following year. This book won him the Theophraste Renaudot prize.

Le Clézio earned more awards in the following years, including the Prix Larbaud in 1972, the Grand Prix Paul Morand de l'Académie Française in 1980, the Grand Prix Jean Giono in 1997, the Prix Prince de Monaco in 1998, and the Stig Dagermanpriset in 2008.

The multi-award winning author’s works, comprised of about thirty novels, short story collections and essays, are said to be “mystical,” “ecological” and “philosophical,” but the author says that it is difficult for him to describe them. In an interview with the magazine Label France, Le Clézio said, “If I had to assess my books I would say that they are what are most like me. In other words, for me it’s less a matter of expressing ideas than expressing what I am and what I believe in. When I write I am primarily trying to translate my relationship to the everyday, to events.”

Le Clézio’s works reveal his ideals, inspiring readers to ponder on the things happening around them, as well. He added, “We live in a troubled era in which we are bombarded by a chaos of ideas and images. The role of literature today is perhaps to echo this chaos.”

The writer recalls the works of Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and François Mauriac, remembering their “committed essays which showed the way” as opposed to contemporary works, which he refers to as “a literature of despair.” He says, “We no longer have the presumptuousness to believe, as they did in Sartre’s day, that a novel can change the world. Today, writers can only record their political impotence.”

It is evident, though, that the world believes in Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio. Through his works that mirror the issues of the present and reflect his views, perhaps this year’s Nobel Laureate in Literature can be a powerful force that can influence people to move towards finding solutions to the troubles of our time.

French Fridays Start Today!

2009-02-06T05:32:00.000-08:00

Salut! (Hello!)

Welcome to Tour de France, the online newsletter of the Miriam College French Club!

Our fun little place in cyberspace is open to everybody. Drop by for tons of great weekly features that'll fill you in on French culture and introduce you to some common French terms and phrases--with pronunciation keys in a click.

Tour de France will put the spotlight on the latest trends in French fashion, and will get you raving about French music and movies with sneak previews and reviews. Get the lowdown on the best restos in the metro that serve French cuisine, and get free access to French recipes and healthy cooking tips!

This newsletter isn’t all about lifestyle, though! Tour de France will also clue you in on French politics and sports.

Make Tour de France your weekly net stopover!

Bon surf! (Happy surfing!)