Mabuhay Magazine by Eastgate Publishing

TRAVEL+LIFESTYLE June 2009

>> www.philippineairlines.com

1 M A B U H AY

January 2008

Laid-back Mindoro

Mt. Kinabalu • Retro Vegas • In the Land of Tuna • Weddings Across Cultures

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES’ INFLIGHT TRAVEL+LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL Charles C. Chante Simeon S. Ventura Jr. KARA MIRANDA FRANCINE M. MARQUEZ IRA H. INQUIMBOY PAULINE F. CAJIUAT KIM G. VENTURA MANNA Z. MARQUEZ MIGUEL M. YSIP ARIEL E. DALISAY

Vol. 31 No. 6 June 2009

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Art Director Copy Editor Editorial Coordinator Editorial Assistants Researcher Graphic Artist Creative Consultant

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES Lucio Tan Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Henry So Uy Deputy Chief Executive Officer and EVP-Commercial Group Jaime J. Bautista President and Chief Operating Officer

EASTGATE PUBLISHING CORPORATION Charles C. Chante Chairman of the Board Luis B. Quisumbing Vice-Chairman Simeon S. Ventura Jr. President sammy l. chan Vice-President, Operations jeimIE quijano Louie Gamboa Thunder Ilustre Len Hogan Nerie Silvestre-Correa KHRISTINE DIZON SIAN S. MAYNARD Lorie M. Fernandez Efren C. Carag

Account Managers Traffic/Production Coordinator Accounting Officer Project Coordinator Project Coordinator Business Services Consultant Legal Counsel Manila, Phils.

Website: www.philippineairlines.com Wapsite: wap.com.ph/pal/

www.vegasexperience.com

Mabuhay Magazine is published monthly for Philippine Airlines by Eastgate Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2009 by Philippine Airlines. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed by Philippine Airlines or Eastgate Publishing Corporation. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject advertising and editorial material. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Address all correspondence to: Mabuhay Magazine, Eastgate Publishing Corp., Rm. 704 Prestige Tower Condominium, F. Ortigas Jr. Road., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. 1605 Tel: (632) 635-7348, 635-9067, 633-4004 to 09, Fax (632) 635-9221. E - mail: <info@ eastgatepublishing.com, jventura@eastgatepublishing.com>. Mabuhay is authorized in the Philippines under PCFM Cr No. 388. Color separated and printed in the Philippines by Velprint

Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas

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JAPAN ADVERTISING COMMUNICATION, INC. Akiyoshi Kojima Three Star Bldg., 3-10-3 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051 Tel: (813) 3261 4591 Fax: (813) 3261 6126 E-mail: kojima@media-jac.co.jp

KOREA JES MEDIA, INC. Young-Seoh Chinn 2nd Floor ANA Building 257-1 Myungil-Dong, Kangdong-Gu, Seoul 134-070, Korea Tel: (822) 481 3411/3 Fax: (822) 481 3414 E-mail: jesmedia@unitel.co.kr

FRANCE N.M. HELLIN Monique Hellin 6 Bis Rue de la Belle Feuille, F-92100 Boulogne, Paris, France Tel: (331) 460 52577 Fax:(331) 460 33321

AUSTRALIA Free Sports Press Peter Anderson 37 Richard Avenue Earlwood, NSW 2206 Australia Tel: (612) 9789 5003 Fax: (612) 9789 5004 E-mail: panderson3@optusnet.com.au

SWITZERLAND IMM INFLIGHT MEDIA MARKETING Marcel Wernli Gellertstrasse 18 CH-4052 Basel Switzerland Tel: (+41) 061-319 9090 Fax: (+41) 061-319 9095 Website: www.inflight-media.ch E-mail: inflight-media@swissonline.ch UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LEE & STEEL INC. Michael Lee P. O. Box 2007 Darien, CT 06820, USA Tel: (203) 445 8900 Fax: (203) 445 1885 E-mail: medialee@aol.com

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Destiny Media Aleem Aziz Destiny Media/ Media One P.O. Box 72247 Suite #602, Bu Haleeba Plaza Al Muraqqabat St., Deira Dubai, UAE Tel: (9714) 297 6978 Fax: (9714) 297 6988 E-mail: mediaone@emirates.net.ae UNITED KINGDOM MAJOR MEDIA David Hammond Hamilton House 1 Wythes Close Bromley Kent BR1 2BA Tel: + 44 020 8467 8884 Fax: + 44 020 8467 5558 E-mail: majormedi@btopenworld.com

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Mindoro By Air

ow you can spend more time enjoying Mindoro rather than traveling long hours to get there. The good news is, PAL now has daily, direct flights (only 55 minutes) to San Jose, Mindoro, drastically cutting the travel time of the old route (at least three hours) that required a land trip to Batangas and from there, a ferry ride. Just to entice you to avail of this travel convenience, we have Mindoro on our cover and our main feature—appropriately titled “Secrets of Mindoro” (page 46)—by our contributor, Ferdz Decena, reveals the many, relatively unknown attractions of this island. So if you have only been to Mindoro’s most popular attraction, Puerto Galera, read through Ferdz’s well-written feature where he provides a list of interesting places and useful contact details. The venue of Manny Pacquiao’s latest victory—Las Vegas—is our featured foreign destination. Our writer, Gary Singh, reports Occidental in his piece, “Retro Vegas” (page 26), that a formerly sleazy area in Vegas has been magically Mindoro’s undiscovered transformed into the retro-themed Fremont East District. Only in Las Vegas are investors like beaches gamblers who put huge amounts on this entertainment capital’s future. By the way, now is also (Ferdz Decena) a good time during this financial crisis to scout for bargains in Vegas (surf its website: www. visitlasvegas.com). Now, back to our country’s hero Manny Pacquiao. His fight was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and all 14,000 seats were sold out, grossing US$9 million bucks. In the casinos, seats went for as much as US$50 for close circuit TV. Pacquiao has reached international celebrity status. Imagine, he has made it in Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” sharing the limelight with the likes of U.S. President Obama, French President Sarkozy, and Tiger Woods. In Time magazine’s write up, his influence is described as similar to Nelson Mandela’s, and the writer Lennox Lewis (a former world heavyweight champion) went as far as predicting that he “can surely see Manny becoming the Philippine president one day.” His victory motorcade in the streets of Metro Manila was not only mentioned by CNN but was even covered by a CNN crew who rode with him in the motorcade. A new staffer who recently joined us is last year’s Miss Cebu, Sian Maynard. Sian’s father, David, is a British furniture designer based in Cebu, who, of course, watched the fight between Filipino Manny Pacquiao and British Ricky Hatton. Guess who David Maynard rooted for? Our Simeon S. Ventura, Jr. very own Manny Pacquiao. Editor-in-chief

For comments and suggestions, you can email me at jventura@eastgatepublishing.com 4 M A B U H AY

June 2009

Sections

Photo by Rhonson Ng

04 10 12 60 66 88

Tuna Festival, GeneralSantos City (see page 34)

Contents Vol. 31 No. 6 June 2009

22 SUNRISE ON MT. KINABALU

Good morning, Borneo! JOHN OATES sends us the cool greeting from the peak of Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain where exotic organisms surprised him along the hike.

26 RETRO VEGAS

This side of Las Vegas has already said bye-bye to illegal drugs and embraced a major overhaul. GARY SINGH reports the newest hangouts in the vamped up Fremont East District.

34 IN THE LAND OF TUNA

Its strategic location on the map makes General Santos the country’s top exporter of sashimi-grade tuna. Besides this fishy business, JOJIE ALCANTARA tells us why it’s a good idea to visit this city.

Editor’s Note What’s Up Travel Log The Lighter Side PAL Pages Last Frame

We, at Philippine Airlines, are happy to have you on board. Please sit back and relax, and allow us to make your flight enjoyable. For your own safety and convenience, please observe the regulations listed at the back pages. “Mabuhay” is a Filipino verb in the form of a command: “live!” It is also a wish: “may you live!” Whoever says it wishes you the great gift of a long and full life. It is both a blessing and a lusty cheer. “Mabuhay” (ma-boo-high) is such a large word that it lends itself to a wide number of secondary uses: welcome, congratulations, thanks, godspeed, hello, good luck, cheers, posit, sante, viva, kambei, aloha, and many other expressions of goodwill. All these are a part of life; but it is the gift of life that makes them possible. “Mabuhay,” in other words, is an invocation and a celebration of life itself. ON THE COVER Ambulong Beach is located on the Southwest coast of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Only 300m from Ambulong’s shores, you can already catch seafood. Photo by Jerome Bonto

38 IN FOCUS: WEDDINGS ACROSS CULTURES

Fall in love in four different ways as GARY SINGH talks about the diverse traditions behind the photos of US-based Filipino wedding photographers Marc and Phoebe Aviles.

46 SECRETS OF MINDORO

Searching for a fresh secluded haven? FERDZ DECENA reveals the southern part of Occidental Mindoro and the different ways to explore it.

52 GOLFERS’ PARADISE FOUND AGAIN... AND AGAIN Although YASMIN ARQUIZA is not a golfer, she discovers that Fairways and Bluewater is a paradise for golfers and non-golfers alike.

54 CEBU BY THE NUMBERS Find out from JUDE BACALSO why Cebu is hot this month among businessmen and plain sun-worshippers.

Erratum: On page 24 of the April 2009 issue, Singapore’s GDP in 2007 should have been US$166,949.8 million, according to www.singstat.gov.sg.

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CONTRIBUTORS Vol. 31 No. 6 June 2009

✍µ

Returning from a rain-soaked hike up Borneo’s popular Mount Kinabalu, British photojournalist JOHN OATES felt a burning need to tell people about the experience on page 22. He also felt a burning pain in his thighs every time he went up or downstairs, but that did fade eventually and he is now willing to concede that the views from the top might have been worth the effort. Only “might,” though—he won’t go further than that.

✍ GARY SINGH is a staff writer at Metro, Silicon Valley’s weekly newspaper. On page 26, he does a round-up of Las Vegas’ Fremont East District, while on page 38, he chats with Filipino wedding photographers Marc and Phoebe Aviles. As a freelancer, he regularly contributes to a number of trade and consumer magazines and has written on a wide variety of subjects including artificial life, skateboarding, vampires, neurofeedback, Big Bird, Chuck Palahniuk, thrash metal, the funeral industry, ADHD and much more. He walks a lot.

✍µ

Long time newspaper columnist and photographer JOJIE ALCANTARA from Davao never travels without her camera gear, asthma inhaler, and dental floss. Her latest feature on General Santos (just a smooth half-hour road trip from her city) on page 34 may touch on boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and the tuna boom, but the place is also haven for ukay-ukay (vintage finds), exotic fresh seafood, and a great coastal gateway to neighboring white sand beaches. You can view Jojie’s travel features and images in www.witerary.com.

✍µ

An intrepid backpacker, freelance photographer and writer FERDINAND DECENA loves to go to offthe-beaten paths. At the same time, he is equally comfortable finding himself in familiar tourist traps. When not on the road, he shares his passion for travel and photography in his blog ironwulf.net. For this issue, he explored the southern part of Occidental Mindoro on page 46. “I love the rustic charms of San Jose and the laid-back way of life there. Aside from its natural and cultural treasures, it’s the people that really made me feel like it’s my second home and that I’m a part of their family.”

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Las Vegas The Great West Truck Show June 25 to 27 This show is the largest of its kind in the western U.S. The event includes exhibits and seminars on everything related to trucks. www.greatwesttruckshow.com

Fair deals Bring out your dancing shoes for the merriest street fairs and festivals

Philippines

Tokyo

Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival June 29 The streets of Tacloban City come alive as body-painted dancers resembling ancient tattooed warriors pervade the streets to culminate this month-long celebration. www.tacloban.gov.ph

Sanno Matsuri (Sanno Festival) June 9 to 16

Lanao del Sur Golden Anniversary June 28 to July 4 This month is the Golden Anniversary of Lanao del Sur. Known for its elaborate metal crafts and woodcrafts, artworks, handwoven fabrics, and the home of the Sleeping Beauty peak. These usual narratives of the historical Lanao del Sur are now marked by touches of modernism that will be highlighted on June 28 in its 50th Founding Anniversary celebration.

Singapore Street Festival Until June 14 Celebrate popular youth culture with live bands, graffiti making, belly dancers, and a yoyo competition. This year’s annual Singapore Street Festival promises to be a lot of fun. www.singaporestreetfestival.com Singapore Dragon Boat Festival June 27 to 28 Head over to the Bedok Reservoir in Singapore to witness the annual Singapore Dragon Boat Festival. Watch teams from different parts of the globe compete against each other. www.sdba.org.sg

Los Angeles Long Beach Bayou Festival June 27 to 28 Celebrate the Louisiana culture through food, blues and jazz music, and a Mardi Gras parade. www.longbeachfestival.homestead.com

San Francisco

The Sanno Festival is one of the largest festivals of the nation, and the largest of the three major Edo festivals. Don’t miss this very historic event. www.whatsonwhen.com www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp

Hi, how are we doing? I’d be happy to hear your comments, suggestions and concerns on how we can continuously improve our service. Send me a note at jjb@pal.com.ph Jaime J. Bautista President and Chief Operating Officer Philippine Airlines

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Singapore

North Beach Festival June 13 to 14 Celebrated annually since 1944, the San Francisco North Beach Festival is one of the oldest and most popular street festivals in the U.S. Also known as the Little Italy of San Francisco, North Beach showcases the Italian heritage of the state in this festival. www.sfnorthbeach.org

Travel log JUNE 2009

Only in Vegas The Bank is the joint. A sexy, elegant, and stunning 8,000 square-foot space of what Las Vegas is all about—luxury, vivid lights, high-energy atmosphere—you name it. Be greeted by a grandiose foyer stacked with floor-to-ceiling Cristal bottles on each wall and a champagne glass ceiling fixture reflecting light and colors top off the spot. Work your way into the glass-encased dance floor as the DJ spins the coolest beats—go crazy and laugh your way to The Bank. You know what they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

The Bank, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109; tel. 888 987 6667; www.bellagio.com 12 M A B U H A Y

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The Crowd Favorite Old Vine Grille will surely whet your appetite with its lip-smacking dishes that are both unique and delicious. The Curried Lamb Spare Ribs with Vegetable Risotto (Php395/US$8.30) is so tender and luscious it literally falls off the bone, with a perfect fusion of eastern and western style of cooking. The Chef’s Quarter Steak (Php395 - Php495/US$8.30 - US$10.30) is aromatic, robust in flavor, and definitely a crowd favorite. For lovers of sweet treats, a must try is the Ube Brûlée, a dessert that showcases local ingredients blended with mouthwatering cream that can be described as a fusion revolution. A playground for culinary creativity, Old Vine Grille’s exquisite menu is innovative and will ignite your passion for food.

By Ernest Reynoso-Gala/Photo by Jorem Catilo G/F Eastwood Mall Veranda, Eastwood City Cyberpark, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C-5), Libis, Quezon City; tels. +632 706 5573 to 74

Sitio Remedios’ Charm. It’s like traveling back in time when you’re in this

period movie set-like resort; this quaint little village may look old but there’s nothing boring about it. At night, the place transforms into something whimsical—starshaped lanterns glow from the tree branches, candles light up the path way, and relaxing music along with the sound of the waves fill the warm air. Enjoy the delicious smell of the homemade peppermint soaps or lounge on the beautiful antique furniture adorning the whole place. Don’t forget to drop by the pasalubong (souvenir) cottage if you want to bring home a piece of this lovely haven. Sitio Remedios Heritage Village by

the South China Sea, Barangay Victoria, Currimao, Ilocos Norte; mobile no. +63917 332 0217; www.sitioremedios.com

Relive the days when women wore embroidered baro’t saya (blouse and skirt) in piña (pineapple) or jusi (banana) fiber and the men donned the Barong Tagalog (Tagalog long-sleeved shirt) with these adorable coloring books. (Php80/US$1.70) Talinong Museum Shop. Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. tel. +632 521 1517; http://metmuseum.ph 14 M A B U H A Y

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Best Pampering Service In Boracay I have always wondered why people would stay in Discover y Shores Resort with its sleek, modern design that seems out of place for a tropical island like Boracay until I tried it by staying a few nights. I must admit that the all-white theme was a refreshing change from the usual native resorts. White also made everything look so clean and elegant. A few minutes after I entered my room, an attendant rendered a soothing footbath that induced me to take a nap. When I woke up, I walked to the resort’s beachfront where anything that guests needed were all set up. There were native mats with beanbags and I plopped into one. I thought of ordering food but complimentary snacks were passed around with unlimited servings of iced tea. I took a swim and right after, an attendant handed me a thick beach towel. The sunglasses that I left with dust and sand, were wiped clean. Ah, the little and nice service touches that can get you to really remember (and crave) for a place. Time, of course, in such a nice chill out setting passed quickly and the sun begun to set. Tall, cone-shaped tables made of resin with glass tops softly glowed with the evening vibes of the beach. Now I know why my friends and others have fallen for Discovery Shores. Kudos to its General Manager, Jun Parreno and his whole staf f. Check out their website for packages and promos. – J. Ventura.

Senior Dermatologist, Bernadette Sayoc-Ugalde

Station 1, Boracay Island: +6336 288 4550; email: dsbrsvn@ discovery.com.ph; www. discoveryshoresboracay.com

Dot-free Skin You may not know it but having warts, or those small dots on your skin that you usually mistake for moles, is one of the most common skin conditions caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), skin contact with people who have warts, or other contact through things (such as towels) and wounds. According to Senior Dermatologist Bernadette Sayoc-Ugalde of Let’s Face It, the best way to prevent warts from spreading is to have them completely eliminated through cautery. Cauterization is a burning technique that removes the wart starting from the very root. It may sound complicated but it’s as painless and quick as can be. Just visit any Let’s Face It branch and make your skin wart-free!

For more information, contact any of the Let’s Face It branches: Alabang Town Center (tel. +632 807 5411); SM Bacoor (tel. 046 970 6322); Festival Mall (tel. +632 771 0448); SM Southmall (tel. +632 800 3291)

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Surf Turf. If you want to learn how to surf, but don’t have the time to drive up to La Union, hit up Philippine Surfing Academy at Club Manila East, a water park located just 30 minutes away from Ortigas Center. Surfing packages include surf lessons, surfboard rental, two hours of surfing, and a whole-day use of the water park’s facilities—all for only Php1,500 (US$32). So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and go! For more information, call tels. +632 357 5452/+632 631 2805, or check out the website: www. philippinesurfingacademy.com

Looking for beauty products that are both good for you and the environment? Then try out the newest trend in make-up: minerals! These products are hypo-allergenic, free of preservatives, dyes, fragrances, and other harmful chemicals that can ruin your skin, and most importantly, not tested on animals! Elegant Minerals have everything, from foundations, to bronzers and eye shadows. Available at Posh & Glam, 109 JAJAJ Bldg., Panay Ave., Quezon City

Photo by Noel Salazar

Slim Easy If you want a slimmer body achieved in no time, try the Thermoshape treatment (RF) offered at Bioessence. Thermoshape is a treatment that tightens the tissue, stimulates collagen formation, and reduces pores and wrinkles. Dr. Emma B. Guerrero, founder and president of Bioessence explains that the center uses the real machine that penetrates into the dermis layer of the skin—“our difference is that we have a real RF machine. The other RF machines only reach the upper layer of the skin.” Apart from tightening tissue and stimulating collagen formation, Thermoshape also reduces pore size and wrinkles, and detoxifies. It really helps you slim down as it increases metabolism and burns calories for inch loss, this for only Php3,500 (US$73) per treatment. For more information on Bioessence, contact

its hotline 8-BEAUTY (232889) or visit www.bioessence.ph 16 M A B U H A Y

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June 26, 1945 The United Nations Charter was signed in San Francisco by 50 nations. The Charter was ratified on October 24, 1945.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS June 10

Judy Garland (1922-1969) was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota (as Frances Gumm). She is best remembered for her portrayal of Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939) and other films including Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) and Easter Parade (1948). She became one of the most popular concert performers of the ‘50s and ‘60s. She was found dead from an overdose of sleeping pills in London on June 22, 1969.

Hero worship

June 7 French painter Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) was born in Paris. He left Paris and moved to Tahiti where he developed an interest in primitive art. Among his best known paintings; Vision After the Sermon (1888), When Shall We Be Married? (1892), Holiday (1896), and Two Tahitian Women (1899). His style using broad, flat tones and bold colors, inspired artists such as Edvard Munch, Henri Matisse, and the young Pablo Picasso.

Philippine Independence Day, Hong Kong says bye to British rule, the late great Judy Garland is born, and more glory days this month

Philippine History June 12, 1898 The Philippines declares its independence from Spain. Once freed from Spain, the islands were then invaded and occupied by U.S. forces. They became an American colony and remained so until after World War II. June 22, 1997 President Fidel Ramos signs into law Proclamation No. 1030 declaring the Tarsier, which is particularly found in Bohol, as a specially protected fauna.

WORLD HISTORY June 9, 1898 The British signed a 99-year lease for Hong Kong, located on the southeastern

coast of China. Hong Kong, consisting of an area measuring 400 square miles, was administered as a British Crown Colony until July 1, 1997, when its sovereignty reverted from British to Chinese rule. the People’s Republic of China. June 14, 1951 Univac 1, the world’s first commercial electronic computer was unveiled in Philadelphia. It was installed at the Census Bureau and utilized a magnetic tape unit as a buffer memory. June 15, 1215 King John set his seal to Magna Carta, the first charter of English liberties, guaranteeing basic rights that have since become the foundation of modern democracies around the world. June 16, 1963 Valentina Tereshkova, 26, became the first woman in space when her Soviet spacecraft, Vostok 6, took off from the Tyuratam launch site. She manually controlled the spacecraft, completing 48 orbits in 71 hours before landing safely.

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June 13 Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet and dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was born in Dublin, Ireland. Among his plays are The Countess Cathleen (1892) and Cathleen in Houlihan (1902). In 1923, he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature and was the first Irishman so honored. Yeats is generally considered one of the few writers whose greatest works were completed after being awarded the Nobel Prize; such works include The Tower (1928) and The Winding Stair and Other Poems (1929).

ostentatious and welcoming. You will notice that mansions whose residents have wealthy aspirations have double doors for their homes. If your double doors don’t have the same size, use the bigger door more frequently.  DON’T LET Your main entrance face directly your neighbor’s house. This indicates quarrelsome chi between the two of you. A classic cure for this is to place a bagua above your main entrance. This will bounce off any negative chi coming from your neighbor. Choose a bagua with a concave mirror as this absorbs the negative chi instead of deflecting it towards another house.  Check for other structures facing your main entrance. Is it on a corner of the street? Is it directly facing a corner of another building? Corners are bearers of negative chi or “poison arrows.” Should this be your situation, relocate your main entrance immediately.

Welcoming the Chi End the long wait for good luck to knock on your door—bring some good chi into your home now by using these feng shui tips from expert CRISTINA ESTAMPADOR. Illustrations by APOL STA. MARIA

good businessmen never take their front liners for granted. In feng shui, the frontline is your entrance and this is the first thing that must be done right. Your main door provides your household protection from strangers, from breach of privacy and, in feng shui, it receives the chi, or energy.  The front doors SHOULD always have a protective roof above it to slow down the harsh entry of chi, which has to flow gently and nicely. The structures inside the Forbidden City in Beijing, for example, bear this defensive element. Modern design has substituted this component with canopies.  It is best to have your main doors made of solid wood with metallic trimmings. The stronger your door, the better. Metal doors are good substitutes; glass doors offer little protection and privacy.  Ideally, have two main doors of equal size than having a single door because they are more

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 CHECK IF your main entrance is against a T-formation. If your main entrance (or even your whole house) is directly at the end of street, your chi can be overwhelming for you. This arrangement is one of the biggest no-no’s in feng shui. Most households that have this arrangement use up their good luck very, very fast. One horrific practice I see in Manila is that residents close the main door and use the side doors next to the garage as their main entrance. If I hear another one of this, I would pull out my hair like a brat and say, “Enough!”  LET the chi Linger in your house. Imagine yourself as a guest in your house and you are at the front door. Does the furniture or structural arrangements welcome you into the living room or into the kitchen towards the back door? Clients always make the mistake of having straight hallways. Some main doors lead you directly up the stairs towards the bedrooms. Ingenious placement of furniture and décor can help solve this problem. Other remedies to slow down the chi would be plants, auspicious artwork and mirrors placed strategically all over the main floor. Chi is really neither good nor bad, but knowledge of how to receive it will determine how opportunities come to you.

1. Towards the end of the first day’s hike, the tree cover finally thins. (John Oates) 2. Mt. Kinabalu is made of granite rocks that were forced up to the earth’s surface. (Ferdz Decena)

I wouldn’t begin to deny that the view from the top of Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu at sunrise is impressive. What I would say is that scrabbling up there in the cold and wet pre-dawn darkness is not my idea of fun. Mount Kinabalu is among the best known attractions in Borneo. Reaching 4,095m above sea level, it is one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia, and is popular partly for the speed with which the summit can be reached. Walkers set off in the morning from the park headquarters at 1,563m, spend the night at a guest house at 3,300m, then get up early to reach the summit by dawn. Reasonably fit walkers can make it back down for lunch. The first day had me questioning whether I could be considered “reasonably fit.” It proved to be a rainy and relentless five-hour grind uphill, mostly through jungle with little in the way of views and often on steps made from wood or carved into the rock. Thankfully, there were shelters along the well-marked trail for those who needed a rest. With four distinct climatic zones, this is one of the most diverse natural environments in the world, boasting 1,200 species of orchid as well as large carnivorous pitcher plants. There are also 326 species of birds and 100 species of mammals. Unfortunately, walkers scare away most of the animals from the Summit Trail, with the quieter and longer Mesilau Route to the top considered better for nature lovers. The nearest I got to a wildlife sighting was a couple of squirrels and a rat. My compulsory local guide pointed out a few flowers but little else, and I would highly recommend the Sabah Tourism Board leaflet, “The Kinabalu Park,” if you want to understand the changes in vegetation along the route. Finally, the scenery turned up at its best an hour before we reached the rest houses at Laban Rata; the views down the valley buoyed my spirits. Accommodation proved to be pretty basic considering that it 22 M A B U H A Y

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Sunrise on Mt. Kinabalu JOHN OATES climbs one of Southeast Asia’s highest peaks and tells us what it’s like to catch the first rays of the sun on a mountaintop

Markers give regular updates on progress along the way. (John Oates)

was expensive and had no hot water left for showers by the time I arrived. In retrospect I should have stayed the night close to the headquarters and made an earlier start. The next day we were up at 3 a.m. for the three- to four-hour climb to the summit by torchlight. It had started to rain the night before and had not stopped since. The result was a long trudge up slippery rocks, with the help of fixed ropes. I found it best not to think about the steep drops that waited in the darkness. The final section, across an open expanse of granite, seemed never to end, and I came close to giving up within sight of the summit. It was freezing cold at the top but at least the rain stopped just in time for dawn. And tired as I was, I had to admit that it was impressive: the horizon took on a brilliant orange hue while the walkers on the vast slopes below looked tiny and insignificant. I took photographs, felt a brief flush of accomplishment, and then made my way down. It would be a tiring two-hour descent before breakfast, then another four hours to the headquarters. Back in Kota Kinabalu, I winced every time I stepped up a kerb for the next few days. It was sobering to recall that competitors in the annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon can get up and down the mountain in as little as two and a half hours. They probably complain far less than me, too.

Insight The People of Kinabalu Most people living around Mount Kinabalu are Kadazandusun, members of Sabah’s largest ethnic community. They consider the mountain to be the resting place of their ancestors’ spirits, appeasing them with annual sacrifices of chicken and other foodstuffs close to Laban Rata.

• Numerous tour operators arrange trips to the mountain, although it is cheaper to make arrangements yourself; book accommodations well in advance with Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (+60 88 303 917; www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my). Depending on group size, expect to pay around RM550 (US$160) per person including permits, guide, food and a bed in a heated dormitory. • Kinabalu Park is also a popular day trip destination, with accommodation near the headquarters, numerous shorter trails, and the chance to relax at Poring Hot Springs. PAL flies between Cebu and Kota Kinabalu twice weekly on flights operated by Malaysia Airlines under a codeshare agreement. For more information, call PAL reservations office (+632 855 8888 and +632 855 7777) or log on to www.philippineairlines.com.

“And tired as I was, I had to admit that it was impressive: the horizon took on a brilliant orange hue and the walkers on the vast slopes below looked tiny and insignificant.”

1. This slope of granite at the Summit Plateau leads to the mountain’s highest summit. (Ferdz Decena) 2. Hikers pause before tackling another set of steps. (John Oates) 24 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

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RETRO VEGAS What used to be a notorious area is now being revamped into a flashy district that’s distinctly Vegas. GARY SINGH takes us to the Fremont East District where fun has a 50’s flavor

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enerally known as the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas attracts almost 40 million visitors each year, with the majority of tourists flocking either to the main strip or downtown’s Fremont Street Experience, a four-block-long pedestrian mall with computergenerated sound and light shows on the overhead canopy. However, throughout the last 18 months, the city of Las Vegas has slowly but surely been trying to create a new entertainment stretch called the Fremont East District, complete with streetscape improvements, retro neon signage, valet parking and historic markers on the sidewalks. Intended as a revamped lane primarily for bars, live music and non-gaming hangouts, the area sits on Fremont Street just east of Las Vegas Boulevard and functions as a three-block extension of the Fremont Street Experience. What used to be a forgotten stretch where ne’er-do-wells wandered in from nearby drug-addled wastelands is now being reinvented as a burgeoning district geared for those who want to experience 1950’s Las Vegas as an alternative to the sensory-overload feel of Fremont Street. Fittingly, perhaps nothing could be more a propos of historic Vegas than the iconic El Cortez Hotel and Casino, which anchors the newly updated district. One of Vegas’ legendary old school haunts, the El Cortez first opened in 1941. It is the oldest continuously running property in the city. Notorious gangster Bugsy Siegel once ran the joint, but the history everyone yaks about the most begins in 1963 when slots impresario Jackie Gaughan took over the place. Under Gaughan’s tenure—which ended last year when he sold off his interest at age 87—the El Cortez has functioned as a time-honored haven where locals can escape the garish touristy hysteria of the Strip. The venue has more than 1,100 slot machines plus some of the

friendliest Keno games in town. Despite recently finishing a US$20 million renovation including a remodeled porte cochere (carriage porch) and valet entrance directly linked to Las Vegas Boulevard, the El Cortez absolutely retains its antiquated charm. Out in the middle of the street, a huge new neon signage—with a blue martini glass; a spinning ruby slipper; and Lady Luck herself—takes one back to classic Las Vegas, almost what the street originally looked like 50 years ago. Although still in its infancy as a revamped district, Fremont Street East has potential, both for bringing the original Vegas feel back to the area and providing a more native vibe for the locals. The city is even offering incentives for live music bars, lounges, art galleries, and non-gaming venues to move on in, while the initial establishments have already begun the revitalization. For example, Don’t Tell Mama (517 Fremont St #A; tel. +1-702-598-1965) is a brand new piano bar that opened last March. Named after a tune from the famous Broadway show, Cabaret, the bar never has a cover. On seven nights a week you can waltz and find the customers, as well as the bartenders, waltzing themselves around while the pianist in the corner belts out show tunes. The employees all appear to be professionally-trained singers. Patrons can even jump on stage and join in, as if singing karaoke, but with a live piano player instead. Right next door sits Beauty Bar (517 Fremont Street #150; tel. no. +1-702-598-1965; www.beautybar.com/ lv/home.html), a retro-themed hipster bar overflowing with vintage décor and fashioned after a 1950’s hair salon, complete with the hairdryers and all. A wide variety of younger counterculture folks imbibe at the place and the one common denominator is that everyone just wants to go where they can escape gambling culture. Live bands and DJs perform on the stage outside and the cover varies. For a moodier, more gothic-looking dungeonlike place to drink, The Griffin (511 Fremont Street; tel. no. +1-702-382-0577; www.thegriffinlounge.com) awaits nearby. All you see from the sidewalk is the slick vertical

During the much-anticipated Pacquiao-Hatton boxing match last May 3 in Las Vegas, Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao stayed in a suite at the Mandalay Bay. Suites here reportedly cost around US$600 a night. Over at the MGM Grand Garden Arena where the fight was held, all 14,000 seats were sold out.

J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 27

neon sign and the darkened entrance, but upon crossing the velvet curtain to get inside, one is placed into a mix of the ghoulish, the fashionable, and the creative. Artists, entertainers, counterculture luminaries, hipsters and local employees from the service industries hang at Griffin. Large concrete arches stretch across the roof and there’s even a fireplace in the middle of the floor. Morose oil paintings and custom ornamentation highlight the walls and as with much of the Fremont East District, the place caters primarily to anyone who wants to avoid the tourists. Around the corner one finds the all-brick façade of the Downtown Cocktail Room (111 Las Vegas Blvd.; tel. no. +1-702-880-3696; www.downtownlv.net) a more upscale and chic lounge where folks and mingle and listen to resident DJ’s, including a few from New York. Further down Fremont, Mamacita’s Restaurant (611 E. Fremont Street; tel. no. +1-702-474-7033) is a colorful Mexican and Cuban eatery that serves gargantuan portions while consistently blasting Salsa videos from the 54” plasma screen. If you stay at the El Cortez, you must eat across the street at Mamacita’s at one point or another. Perhaps the best aspect of the newly burgeoning Fremont East District, is the genuine bona fide feel that something somehow is about to start growing in this neighborhood again—something to add a more creative and authentic element to this stretch of road. Of course, some of the seediness from farther down the street still lingers, but when you’re inside each one of these establishments you feel like the gaudy commercial Las Vegas has simply left the building.

1. At night, the iconic martini glass marks the arch in the Fremont East District. 2. The cabaret-themed Don’t Tell Mama is one of the establishments that opened in the area. 3. Unmistakable landmarks in Fremont also include the spinning ruby slipper and Lady Luck. 4. Don’t mistake Beauty Bar for your average salon. In Fact, it’s not a salon at all. It’s a salon-themed bar!

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Sober Season

Las Vegas is known for being immune to national recessions, but not anymore. This time, the economic downturn has hit the city hard and Vegas is perhaps looking at its biggest lull since the Great Depression. Housing permits are way down, as are construction jobs. The state of Nevada’s budget cuts are nearing US$1 billion and the downtown will continue at least through the rest of the year. Overall tourism has visibly declined and those who do visit aren’t spending as much. In general, tourists are migrating to cheaper hotels and deciding to only have one glass of wine with dinner instead of three. Even taxi drivers aren’t getting tipped as much. However, the legendary Steve Wynn refuses to even blink an eye, except to maybe slash room rates. The new Wynn Encore, a gargantuan US$2 billion, 2,034room project that opened last January, has yet to really attract the high rollers, so even though prices are slashed, the service is not. All the city can do is just wait for the tides to turn.

> Go Getting to the Fremont East District is easy, as it sits right on the other side of Las Vegas Blvd. from the Fremont Street Experience. If you’re driving, make your way to the 15 Freeway and then follow the signs for downtown Las Vegas. The gateway arch will welcome you to the area and if you arrive at nighttime, the neon signage just shouts out loud from the center median.

l Stay The El Cortez Cabana Suites (www.elcortezcabanasuites. com) is a chic new complement to the El Cortez. Its 64 rooms feature ultra-modern designs and custom furnishings. If the El Cortez itself is old school Vegas, then the suites are newschool Miami.

Click • www.visitlasvegas.com • www.lasvegasnevada.gov

PAL flies between Manila and Las Vegas via Vancouver five times a week. Swingaround tour packages are available. For more information, call PAL reservations office (+632 855 8888 and +632 855 7777) or log on to www.philippineairlines.com. J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 29

Celebrating A Majestic Heritage ISABEL L. TEMPLO immerses herself in the rich traditions of Cotabato City. Images by JETRO B. RAFAEL

A local demonstrates the intricate art of weaving inaul (above). Ornate Muslim architecture (left) such as this is found all over the city.

One of the most striking things about Cotabato City is its cultural diversity. It is a small city, with a population of 260,000 and a land area of less than 18,000 hectares. It is home to a mix of indigenous Maguinadanaoans and Iranuns, as well as Chinese, Cebuanos, Ilonggos, Chavacanos, and even Bicolanos, Tagalogs, and Ilocanos from Luzon. Here, residents proudly say they live in peace and harmony, and perhaps owing to the mixed population, Filipino is the lingua franca. It boasts many business establishments, including hotels and beach resorts in the Timako Hill area. It has a variety of eating places as well, such as Aling Precy’s, Circuit Resto, and Tantawan Garden, where one can enjoy fresh durian while listening to Moro music. The city lies some 1,300 kilometers south of Manila, outside the Philippines’ typhoon belt. This means clearer, bluer skies, and sunnier days than in other parts of the country. One can get a shot of the imposing Palasyo ng Masa (People’s Palace), the new city hall, or capture a stunning sunset against one of the mosques. Besides being camera-friendly, the surrounding rivers—particularly the Rio Grande de Mindanao—remain very much a part of city life, and are still used for trade and transportation. Visitors can take a leisurely banca ride around the city and watch out for other bancas selling products from other towns. Beyond typical tourist delights, however, Cotabato City’s appeal lies in its rich heritage. This is where Shariff 30 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

Kabunsuan arrived nearly 500 years ago, propagating Islam in the Philippines and establishing the Maguindanao Sultanate. This event is now the focus of a colorful festival held annually on December 19. Indigenous arts and crafts continue to thrive, too. The City Tourism Council, headed by Bai Sandra Sema, has been pushing to preserve these traditions. The art of weaving inaul—a cloth used for special occasions—is still practiced, as is the ancient “lost wax” process of brass making. Traditional music and dance are kept alive by school-based cultural troupes. It is this heritage that Cotabato City celebrates at the annual Araw ng Cotabato (Cotabato Day). This year, from June 18 to 20, the city marks its 50th anniversary with a float competition, trade exhibits, street dancing, and an inaul fashion show. Fifty years after its establishment, Cotabato City continues to be a hub of trade and industry in the region, and a major tourist destination in Mindanao. But underneath its façade is the wealth and warmth of a place that feels so old, yet is still waiting to be discovered—a place where its culture is as palpable as the vibrant rhythms of the kulintang and the steady flow of the Rio Grande.

PAL flies between Manila and Cotabato once a day. For more information, call PAL reservations office (+632 855 8888 and +632 855 7777) or log on to www.philippineairlines.com.

f o l k t a l e s

Why the Cicada Cries as the Sun Sets A Legend from Cotabato

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June 2008

Illustration by Apol Sta Maria

THE MYTHS: Philippine Folk Literature by Damiana L. Eugenio Published by The Univeristy of the Philippines Press, 2001. www.press.up.edu.ph

his story happened a long, long time ago. In those days, the Sun and the Moon traveled the sky together. They would rise in the morning and then would set in the afternoon, following the same direction. They were a happy couple. The Sun was very handsome and his wife, the Moon, was very beautiful. They had a little boy. He was their firstborn. They loved him very much. Their life in their celestial home seemed to be blessed with unending bliss. Alas, one day this happy couple had a quarrel. The quarrel started with a mild argument. Then it became so intense that they were now at the point of exchanging blows. Enraged, the Moon got a broom and whacked it right on the face of her husband, the Sun. She left him as he was screaming with pain. Moon was giving her son a bath when Sun came, bringing with him a steaming hot potful of water. Without any warning, he doused his wife with this hot water. How his wife screamed! Her beautiful face was terribly scalded. Unintentionally, she dropped her son down to Earth and her son fell headlong. He is now the Cicada that we often hear crying when the Sun starts to set on the western horizon. He longs for his parents who are up there but now are divorced. The moon comes out at night while the Sun appears at daytime. Have you noticed the black spots on the Moonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face and also the broomlike rays of the Sun?

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long term stays. They include business or leisure travelers, relocating expatriates, project consultants, or local residents between homes. In Ortigas, Oakwood apartment features include Internet connectivity, a modern home entertainment system, state-of-the-art bath and shower, fullyequipped kitchen, and laundry facilities. Guests also enjoy exclusive use of the Residents’ Lounge with a restaurant and bar, room service, swimming pool and jacuzzi, fitness center and helipad. Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila is the only serviced apartment in Manila that has ballrooms for banquets and conferences. These are divisible into smaller meeting venues and together with two other boardrooms, provide multi-purpose event areas supported by meeting services from the Genesis Business Center. Oakwood Worldwide provides

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J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 33

In the Land of Tuna

General Santos City may be all about tuna, but JOJIE ALCANTARA proves that there’s nothing fishy in the city’s growth. Images by RHONSON NG

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But GenSan leads the production of sashimi-grade tuna, landing 8,548 metric tons of this high-grade fish. It exports a large volume of chilled and frozen sashimi tuna to Japan and other countries. In 2003, the Philippines ranked fourth in the world, after China, Japan, and Indonesia, in the production of tuna and tuna-like species. Class A tuna for export is caught by small-scale fishermen in coastal areas, humble handliners (using hook and line gear and milkfish fingerlings for tuna bait) with their small pumpboats fitted with wooden hulls and outriggers. They are known to fish outside the Philippine fishing grounds as far as Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. An estimated 4,000 small boats engage in tuna fishing, but because ordinary fisher folks cannot afford registration fees, most boats are not registered. Increase in catch and production followed in the expansion of its General Santos City Fish Port Complex (GSCFPC). Of the 12 canneries in the Philippines exporting to other parts of Asia, Europe, USA and the Middle East, seven canneries are found near GenSan’s fishport.

‡ Tuna is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, potassium, selenium, Vitamin B12, niacin, and phosphorus.

Inset photos by Jojie Alcantara

ong before this progressive city in the South propelled to fame as our world boxing champ’s hometown, General Santos City (“GenSan” to locals) had already established itself in the global map as a major player in the Philippine tuna industry. In the mid-70’s, the tuna boom was encouraged by the arrival of Japanese traders hunting for sashimigrade yellow fin tuna. Tuna catch in GenSan rose with the growing base of organized tuna producers, resulting in the establishment of canneries, processing plants, as well as ice plants as post-harvest facilities in a booming commerce. Because of its strategic location and proximity to the Mindanao Sea, Southern Sulu Sea, Moro Gulf and Celebes Sea, which are major fishing grounds rich with tuna, General Santos City accounts for the second largest total daily fish landings in the country, an estimate of about 300 metric tons of fish daily (second only to Navotas in terms of total fish volume, 500 m.t.).

Here, you can witness colorful ethnic rituals and ceremonies re-enacted, as well as traditional sports, music, and dance competition.

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June 2009

The Fishport Complex boasts of a 750-meter quay, 300-meter wharf for 2,000 GT reefer carriers, refrigeration and cold storage facilities, 60 tons/day ice plant, brine, air blast, contact freezers, market halls, weigh bridge station, fish conveyor, freshwater pumphouse and drainage sewerage system. Today, it hauls the most number of yellowfin tuna in the country, establishing the city as a major tuna hub. These days, however, GenSan offers more to visitors in terms of sights and sounds. Its nightlife has evolved, with the establishment of new malls underway, coffee shops, and restaurants offering exotic food. Must-try bestsellers are tuna cooked in several ways, like dayana, and sutukil (sugbatinolang sabaw-kinilaw). Apart from getting the best and freshest of seafood from your local food outlets, GenSan is also a gateway to neighboring tourist destinations, like Sarangani, Polomolok and Lake Sebu. Strategically located within the trading and economic center of SOCSKSARGEN Growth Area (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos), GenSan is a gateway to foreign markets and fishery-related investors. Festivals are a must see in GenSan, too. Kalilangan Festival is celebrated every February, a social gathering and merrymaking tradition among tribal leaders and elders, and the generations who nurture its rich cultural heritage. Here you can witness colorful ethnic rituals and ceremonies re-enacted, as well as traditional sports, music and dance competition. Every September is a charter celebration observed in colorful formâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Tuna Festival is a tribute to its major industry. Highlights of this weeklong event are the Tuna Float Parade, which produces spectacular giant replicas of sea creatures in a prestigious contest, and the culinary competition, which boasts of unending tuna treats and delights. Picture a streetlong table of tuna cuisine and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be flying there for the unique experience in no time.

Dine

Grab a Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101 – Laurel East Avenue; Tel. +6383 553 4878 or email gac_cc101@yahoo.com Fagioli Coffee Bar – Petron Gasoline Station, Jose Catolico Ave., Lagao Coffee Dreams – Ground Floor and Second Level of KCC Mall, J. Catolico Road, Lagao; Tel. +6383 301 8263 BluGre GenSan (Manny and Jinky Pacquiao are the new franchisees to Davao’s famous BluGre Café) – JMP Building, Osmeña St.; Tel. +6383 552 1111 Six Blings Ostrich Bar and Restaurant – NCCC Compound, National Highway; Tel. +6383 553 8808 and +6383 302 1961

Tuna Tidbits

Tuna, or “thunnos” to ancient Greeks, has been a culinary favorite for centuries, pursued by fishermen hundreds of years before the time of Christ. Folks considered this elusive fish a great delicacy and admired it for its large size as well as its fierce fight when caught. The ancient hook-and-line fishing method was mastered by the fisher folks of General Santos City using traditional fishery handed through generations of expertise. Using small but durable boats, they travel through distance in search of the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) that can grow to as long as 180 centimeters and weigh over 100 kilograms. They are fast growing, mature at about two years of age, and are highly bountiful. It has become a gold mine in General Santos City. A member of the very large mackerel family, the yellowfin tuna is one of the world’s most important food fish, beautifully colored and prized worldwide for its full flavor and firm, lean meat. Its torpedo shape gets its name from its bright yellow dorsal and anal fins. It is built for speed with a rounded body, sharply pointed nose, tapering tail and crescent-shaped fins, all contributing to its reputation as a rapid swimmer. It is a versatile fish which is consumed raw, cooked, smoked and canned. The tuna is widely used in raw fish dishes and is a prized species for the sashimi market. Nowadays in GenSan, a bar of unsliced sashimi costs Php 377 (US$8) per kilo, while an order of sashimi is Php180 (US$4) per serving.

Illustration by Martyn Schippers (martynschippers.com)

PAL flies between Manila and General Santos once a day. For more information, call PAL reservations office (+632 855 8888 and +632 855 7777) or log on to www. philippineairlines.com.

On the photos are scenes from the 2007 Tuna Festival.

J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 37

Weddings Across Cultures

Diversity distinguishes this talented couple’s gorgeous sampler of wedding shots, which they share with GARY SINGH Marc and Phoebe Aviles are a Filipino husbandand-wife team based in San Jose, California. Specializing in weddings and portraits, Marc’s passion for landscapes, seascapes and architecture, together with Phoebe’s penchant for edgy, unusual angles make for a unique combination. For them, ethnic weddings provide a perfect mixture of every scenario that photography is supposed to be about: glamour; well-dressed people in their preferred element; exotic locales; and the challenge that comes along with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Aviles came to San Jose two years ago because Phoebe found work as a programmer, a job she still holds to this day. Marc works fulltime in their studio while Phoebe shows up after work. They have won many awards, including Popular Photography Magazine’s 2007 Photographer of the Year Award and the National Geographic Channel’s Best Story Telling Award.

A Lebanese couple in their preferred matrimonial element 38 M A B U H A Y

Visit Marc and Phoebe's site at www.thisisitphotography.com June 2009

The couple drinks Korean rice wine with each family member who congratulates them.

The Western wedding rites take place first before the traditional ceremony.

he photo on the left shows the bride and groom bowing down to their parents, a common custom in traditional Korean weddings. During the wedding, it is also customary for the crowd to throw and at the bride. The cloth wrapped around her arm is used to catch the nuts, with the number of nuts and dates signifying how many the couple is supposed to have.

chestnuts dates

children

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June 2009

H symbolism

indu weddings are rich in and steeped in ritual. Here, the couple exchanges garlands as a gesture of acceptance, submission, and faithfulness. For the Menhdi (Henna Ceremony), the bride’s hands, arms, wrists, and feet are painted with henna the night before the wedding. It usually takes a few hours to dry on the skin. The crust is then wiped off and the deep red color is temporarily ingrained on the skin for weeks.

Ganesha

success

The Hindu lord , a symbol of , is painted on the bride’s right hand. The bride’s and groom’s names are to be hidden somewhere in the design and the

wedding night can’t start until the groom finds them.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 41

n traditional Chinese weddings, the bride and groom offer to the parents and other relatives in exchange for and The opening of the umbrella signifies that the couple will have children and as the bride’s brother escorts her from the parents’ house (left), the symbolizes from evil.

jewelry.

tea

money

umbrella protection

The bride also plays certain

“door games,"

in which she makes it difficult for the groom to find his way in.

sleeves

The of the bride’s gown only go three-quarters of the way down the arm to make room for the she receives from relatives

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June 2009

Compassion Unlimited Amid the mountains of waste in Tondo, one lady moved to raise hope for the families who live there. SUNSHINE DE LEON talks about how Jane Walker’s school is changing the lives of Tondo’s slum kids

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For the last 50 years, the children who lived in Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila, had no choice but spend their days collecting trash. Twelve years ago, a visiting British tourist, Jane Walker, was in a taxi that happened to drive by one of these dumpsites. The impact of the horrifying realities she saw led her to take unprecedented action to change these children’s lives. Although she had never done charity work before, she returned to London to raise money. In 2003, she came back to Manila to open a school for these children. She says, “Stuck in generations of poverty, they saw no way out. The best thing I could do is offer these communities a future which would empower them to change the way they lived.” The PCF (Philippine Christian Foundation) School, located

in Tondo, educates 450 children annually and offers adult learning to 50 out-of-school youth. Students aged four to 17-years-old follow a regular curriculum, and are grouped into classes by ability, and not by age. Although the school is run with Christian values, children from all religious beliefs are welcome. Jane’s approach to her programs is comprehensive and visionary. She shares a story of how after the school opened, she noticed that attendance was slipping. When she asked the children what was wrong, they said they loved going to school but felt guilty that they were getting fed two meals a day when their families were left hungry. To combat their guilt, Jane offered an effective solution: perfect weekly attendance would be rewarded with a sack of rice and canned foods to take home to their families. In addition, the free family medical services, livelihood training and income generating projects offered for older children and parents are only available as long their child is attending school full time. Always one to think ahead, Jane’s latest project is geared to meet the communities’ ever growing needs—she is constructing a new school, located on the old Smokey Mountain site itself! Due to open in October 2009, the school will be the world’s first school made from recycled shipping containers and will be large enough to educate 1,000 children. During the last 10 years, Jane has raised Php68 million and has helped over 100,000 Filipino children and their families. That someone who had never been to the Philippines has decided to devote all her energy to helping the future of its poorest children shows us that not only is anything possible when you put your heart into it, but that true compassion, like love, knows no boundaries.

Help Now There are many ways to get involved, including volunteering, corporate sponsorship, gifts in kind, services, fundraising, donating old computers, or making an online donation. For more information, go to www.pcf.ph, call tel. +632 635 6913 or email jane@pcf.ph.

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In between stepping on ruggedly beautiful beaches and encountering rare wildlife, FERDZ DECENA finds out why this part of Occidental Mindoro is so appealing that visitors have called it their home 46 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

he mere mention of Mindoro conjures images of Puerto Galera and Apo Reef in most people’s minds. But, is there anything beyond these popular places that is worth discovering? After spending three days in and around San Jose, the gateway to Occidental Mindoro, the answers came to me. Think of discovering unspoiled beaches, serene island retreats, beautiful nature walks, indigenous cultural encounters, sumptuous food, and even a wild encounter with a rare animal found only in Mindoro. Named after Saint Joseph, its patron saint, San Jose is the most populous municipality in Mindoro. The inhabitants are a mix of Ilocanos, Batanguenos, Visayans and Mindanaoans. A portion of the population also includes the indigent Mangyans and foreign immigrants. This got me real curious—why did these people who were once just visitors to San Jose decide to settle here for good? With that question hanging, I set off to explore Mindoro in the company of local tourism officer Mar Raro, along with the De Lemos family of Villa Paulina Beach Resort and Spa (mobile no. +63928 524 7394; villapaulina. multiply.com; rates starts at Php2,500/US$53). Here are what I’ve discovered: You’ll get close to nature. Nature lovers will enjoy the scenic pathways leading to the Cansubong Caves in Iling Island. With narrow cemented trails jutting out from the sides of the limestones battered by the waves, the path snakes through a forest leading to a higher ground. Up there, a panorama of the sea and a ruggedly beautiful shoreline unfolds. The trail continues downward leading to caves with huge chambers gleaming with stalactites and stalagmites. Hand-built by former San Jose Mayor, Atty. Ernesto Javarata, Cansubong Cave Resort (mobile no. +63928 455 8296) is a labor of love that he’s happy to share. Cottages and resort facilities picturesquely perched above the limestone cliffs are available for picnics or overnight stays. You’ll enjoy soaking up the sun. Visible even from the distant shores of San Jose, Manadi Island, commonly known as White Island, beckons like a siren to explore its waters teeming with life. The beach is very easy to explore as it stretches for only a mile. You’ll indulge in peaceful retreats. South of Ambulong, at the center of a cove hugged by dramatic limestone walls stands a small island. It has a beautiful coastline shaped by the elements on one side

1. Iling Island, like the rest of Occidental Mindoro, features a rugged topography. 2. These gentle-eyed girls come from the Buhid Mangyan tribe, which is known for their pottery. J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 47

Be careful when you’re walking on the shores of White Island (also known as Manadi Island) because its shores are nesting grounds of turtles. At Grace Island Resort in Ambulong Island, get a chance to see a tortoise (inset) up close!

and fringed by floating bamboo cottages on the other side. This is Grace Island Resort (mobile no. +63928 346 8841 or +63918 600 8426). With waters teeming with species, one can even meet the resident tortoise enclosed in its sanctuary. Guests can try the bamboo beds inside the floating cottages, then feel the waves rocking them to sleep. You’ll want to take a dip in its crystal clear waters. Boasting of fine and powdery white sands, clear turquoise waters, and splendid coconut trees, Inasakan Beach is a piece of paradise on Iling Island. Limestones shelter each side of the beach, while the seabed slopes gradually, making it a perfect swimming area for kids. You’ll go off on exciting adventures. Driving on rough and dusty roads, we headed to Barangay Monte Claro, northeast of San Jose City to get up close to the rare tamaraws. This endangered species of buffalos, scientifically known as Anoa mindorensi, can only be found in the Philippines and is endemic to Mindoro Island. I joined our motley group in crossing a cable 48 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

wire bridge which the locals use to cross to the other side when the water runs high. On the other side is the Tamaraw Gene Pool Farm center, home to the Tamaraw Conservation Program (mobile no. +63918 511 1323). Here, we met two captive tamaraws, the young and energetic Kali, and his pensive mother Mimi. Tamaraws are extremely territorial creatures. In fact, the two are contained in their own enclosures, large enough for them to roam around. Tamaraws are characterized by their unique V-shaped horns. I was expecting to see humongous creatures but found them quite small, about 60-70% the size of a full-grown carabao. Sadly, their numbers have dwindled to an alarming 265 from over a thousand 10 years ago. TCP head coordinator Danilo Roca explained that the large decrease in numbers was caused by a spread of disease from imported cattle, deforestation, and poaching. The TCP and the local government are closely monitoring the tamaraws by doing regular counts and studying their breeding patterns in an effort to increase their numbers. You’ll discover the rich Mangyan culture. They are the original settlers of the island, and there are seven Mangyan tribes spread across Mindoro. The one in San Jose is the Buhid Mangyans who create colorful beadworks and intricate weaving. The Mangyans may no longer be sporting their traditional garbs, but most of them are still living the way they lived since the ancient times. A visit to the village is like going back in time as most of the houses are still made out of tree barks with cogon grass roofs.

2 1

1. The historical ruins of Mangarin 2. Pilot’s Lounge in San Jose 3. Fire Mountain 4. Heaven’s Place in Ambulong Island

3 4

You’ll marvel at historical ruins. Entangled with the roots of an old tree, the ruins of Mangarin reminded me of a portion of the Ta Prohm Temple in Angkor, Cambodia. The remains of a watchtower, it has a significant role in the province’s past. Historical records show that during the 14th century, Chinese traders regularly drop anchor in Mangarin, making it the oldest settlement in Occidental Mindoro. You’ll celebrate beautiful sunsets and perfect days. After each day’s exploration, I’ve always found myself staring at the beautiful sunset from the dining area of Villa Paulina. The resort has all the perks to make anyone feel relaxed—the homey atmosphere, the exquisite food, and not to forget, the rejuvenating steam bath and Swedish massage to cap off a perfect day. My stay in San Jose led me to discover the splendor of the province that I wasn’t expecting to find in this part of Mindoro. It leads me back to my question: so why did most visitors decide to settle here for good years ago? Was it the pristine beaches, the food, the backdrop of verdant forest or the friendly people? I have a hunch that maybe the answers are all of the above. One thing I’m certain about is that my brief stay in San Jose also made me feel like I’m at home. PALExpress flies between Manila and San Jose daily. For more information, call PAL reservations office (+632 855 8888 and +632 855 7777) or log on to www.philippineairlines.com. J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 49

民都洛岛（Mindoro）的秘密 FERDZ DECENA 终于了解为何这片充满西方文化的民都洛土地有如此的新引力，令到一些游客把它当成自己的家园。圣何塞（San Jose）的居民是伊罗戈人（Ilocanos）、巴坦加斯人（Batangueños）、维萨亚斯人（Visayans）以及棉兰岛人（Mindanaoans）的混合种族。有一部分的人口是贫困的芒杨原住民（Mangyans）和外国移民。我真的感到好奇，为什么这些人只到圣何塞游览一次就决定在这里落户？为了解答我的疑问，我动身前往民都洛岛。在当地旅游官员Mar Raro以及Villa Paulina 海滨度假村（手机号码：+63928 524 7394；网址：villapaulina.multiply.com；房价是从2500菲律宾比索 / 53美元起）的De Lemos家人陪同下，我发掘了其迷人之处：通往Iling岛Cansubong洞穴的小径景色秀丽，您可获得亲近大自然的享受。Cansubong洞穴度假村是由前圣何塞市长手工建造（手机号码：+63928 455 8296）。他乐于分享其喜爱的劳作。您可在白岛（White Island）上享受沉浸在那温暖的阳光之中。这地方很容易探索，就在一英里处。您将会受不住Inasakan海滩清澈水质的诱惑，想要把整个身体浸泡在海水里。灰岩遮蔽着海滩的每个边上，海床的坡度很小，非常适合小孩在那儿游泳。您将会迷上Grace Island度假村的宁静休息寓所（手机号码：+63928 346 8841或者+63918 600 8426)。那里拥有美丽的海岸线，浮竹小屋则设在另一边。您可以与当地野生且濒临绝种的Tamaraw（民都洛岛的矮水牛）亲密接触。Tamaraw保护计划（手机号码：+63918 511 1323)就是负责保育它们。您将可发掘丰富的芒杨原住民文化。圣何塞的芒杨原住民操说布希德语，他们擅长创制出华美的珠饰品及精致的编织品。那里的历史遗迹将令您惊叹。Mangarin的废墟与一颗老树的生根纠缠住，这让我想起柬埔寨吴哥的塔普伦寺。您将会为美丽的夕阳和美好的旅程而欢呼。每天探索圣何塞完毕后，我都会从Paulina别墅的餐饮区望去，欣赏那美丽的夕阳景色。度假村让客人拥有宾至如归的感觉，他们提供富有家庭气氛的住宿环境、精美的食物，而且别忘了享受活力蒸气浴及瑞典式按摩，它能为您启动美好的一天。

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May 2009

Fairways and Bluewater offers the best of both worlds: a glorious beach with dramatic views and an 18-hole championship golf course that’s likened to Pebble Beach, California.

Golfer’s Paradise Found Again… and Again Always on the hot list of golf destinations, Fairways and Bluewater swings in its latest plush developments. YASMIN D. ARQUIZA heads off to this golfer’s haven and finds out what’s making the grass greener there

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It’s not often that you wake up in Boracay to the sound of chirping birds. But whether you’re a party crawler greeting the noonday sun or an early riser, those feathered creatures are sure to be there when you step on the balcony of your room at Fairways and Bluewater, the only golf course in the tropical island located off the northwest corner of the island of Panay. “We offer a more laidback atmosphere—the serenity of an island setting,” says Ike Guanio, the resort’s chief operating officer. If the silence gets too much, guests can hop on the resort shuttle, which goes to bustling D’Mall every 30 minutes. Originally envisioned as an exclusive retreat for golfers when it started in the 1990s, Fairways and Bluewater has opened its doors to a more diverse clientele. Last year, the resort and country club began full-scale hotel operations, making the leisure enclave accessible to non-golfers. To do this, the company repackaged the 126property as a condotel site. This means buyers can own units, condominium-style, but these are centrally managed as hotels. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority has designated the golf resort as a tourism estate, allowing foreigners to own titles to the units. Most of the 220 units have been sold, and Guanio expects to have up to 500 rooms in the property by the year’s end. One of these investment opportunities is Balaihara Villatel, a cluster of nine buildings offering airy views of the greens. A massive tree welcomes guests at the entrance to the compound, and lush foliage are spread out beneath the balconies. All the modern conveniences

are found in the spacious rooms, but what tickled my creative instincts were the imprints of shells, starfish and other marine creatures on the floor outside. Along the road to the clubhouse, a series of villas with classic names offer first-class comfort to owners and guests. Collectively known as Villas on the 9th—Maria, Margarita, Sofia, and Ysabel—the buildings all face, what else, but the 9th hole of the golf course. There are studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units complete with living and dining areas. Locally handcrafted furniture provide an ethnic yet classy touch to the interiors, and owners can also put their own knickknacks in their units. In the distance, the blue sea beckons, but these rooms with a view would make you reluctant to leave their confines. Of course, the main draw for visitors is still the 18-hole golf course, which gives players an expansive view of wooded landscapes and rugged seascapes. Share holders have exclusive use of seven members’ villas, and can also take part in the holiday exchange program of Interval International to five-star destinations all over the world. “We minimized clearing and preserved the old ficus trees,” Guanio says, adding that the golf course was designed to skirt the fig trees. The resort spruced up the place with 10,000 more endemic trees and ornamental plants, making it a major source of flowers for spa owners. A private 14-km pipeline from mainland Caticlan supplies water to the golf resort, which also has its own sewage treatment plant.

With its three coves, the resort is envisioned to become the perfect venue for all sail-related sports. L-R: the visionary founder of Fairways and Bluewater Toti Carino, Department of Tourism Sports and Wellness division’s beautiful and energetic Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion, and the dynamic president of Fil-Estate Urban Development Peng Perez de Tagle

A Windy Success at Fairways and Bluewater

Fairways & Bluewater is located at Barangay Balabag, Malay, Aklan. For more information, visit www.fairwaysandbluewater.com. (Photo by Eddie Boy Santos)

The Philippine Hobie Challenge, an annual sailing event, has been dubbed the country’s “premier extreme sailing event.” This year, from February 9-14, the Hobies sailed a total of 200 nautical miles in five days. It started off in Laiya, Batangas, and ended in the captivating shores of Boracay. Organized by the Philippine Hobie Challenge Foundation, it was only fitting that this year’s title sponsor was Fairways and Bluewater. The Foundation’s vision to promote the Philippines as a sailing destination and to encourage environmental awareness matched the principles and plans of Fairways and Bluewater to become a sailing hub and be a leader in eco-tourism in the island. With its three coves, the resort is envisioned to become the perfect venue for all sail-related sports. The Hobie sailing event ended with a three-day party from February 13 to 15. The Award’s Night party was held at the mystical Paradise Cove of Fairways and Bluewater. As the individual race results were tallied, the the Australian team of Bob Engwirda and Bradley Wilson triumphed once again in convincing fashion. Bruce Tardrew and Sarah Turnbull captured runner-up honors while Andrew Locke and Stewart Brown settled for third, to make it a sweep for Australia. The Philippines did have a minor victory when the father-and-son team of Monchu and Diego Garcia finished third in the Romblon-Boracay leg. Fairways and Bluewater Chairman Toti Carino and Fil-Estate Urban Development President Peng Perez de Tagle awarded the winners. Obviously pleased with the event, they announced that the partnership with the Philippine Hobie Challenge will continue for the next five years, with each year getting better than the last. J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 53

Every January during the Sinulog Festival, the Basilica del Sto. Niño overflows with Cebuano devotees. It’s no wonder that even in business, Cebuanos put so much passion in their work – and their efforts pay off! (Jerome Albrando)

Cebu by the NumbEr5 As the Queen City of the South prepares for the 15th annual Cebu Business Month, JUDE A. BACALSO spills the digits that have turned it into a business giant

The committee for the Cebu Business Month 2009 are some of the movers and shakers of Cebu.

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When paint-by-number kits debuted in 1951, the box promised to make everyone a Rembrandt. The concept was simple, borrowed from da Vinci’s practice with his assistants: break down a painting into numbered sections and fill in with the assigned color. If we broke down the mystique of Cebu as the home of global business geniuses and revealed the numbers, can we make everyone a mogul, too? The 90-year-old Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) believes it can. Since 1991, it has rallied together Cebu’s business sector in an annual month-long business festival set in June. Cebu Business Month marries business opportunities, becoming the speed-

dating circuit of the business world in this year’s Conferences and Exhibits for Business and Information and Communications Technology (CEBU ICT), as well as the annual Tourism Congress, bringing together at the Cebu International Convention Center all major players in Cebu’s tourism and ICT industries. Thus far, what do the numbers say? In tourism, Cebu was seven in 2007: Condé Nast Traveler Magazine named the island the seventh best island destination in the Indian Ocean-Asia region in 2007. The island also outranked competition by landing the Number One spot among Tholons Global Services’ 50 top Emerging Outsourcing Cities of the World in October 2008.

Cebu is known to be the hometown of the big names in the furniture industry like Kenneth Cobonpue.

teems with business to this day, and is the heart of the “downtown” shopping district of the city. This month, as Cebu throws an island-wide sale, experience 21st century shopping in the oldest street in the country, at the Colon Night Market, where local flavor and wares are on display. A large section of the street is closed at night for bargain-hunters. With business moving inland to the “uptown” area, there is a market big enough to spread itself across at least 10 shopping malls on an island that is a mere 140 miles from tip to tip. These retail outlets go on sale up to 40% and restaurants offer discounts at specific times in celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit upheld by the CCCI’s 15th annual Cebu Business Month. Farmer’s markets sprout at posh uptown addresses where local products are transported uptown straight from the source.

5,677*

The newly-developed Ayala Terraces (Jeffroger Kho)

But what of its actual sea and mountain sceneries? The unique narrow geography of Cebu brings together both natural surroundings within minutes of the central business district. After all, this is where business could be mixed with leisure. This month, indulge in the business of leisure, and the leisure of doing business as only Cebu can. Start counting.

439

In people years, that’s how old the province is. In fact, it is home to many firsts in the entire Philippines: now 444 years-old, Calle Colon still

As of September 2008, 31 new businessmen were born in Cebu in a day, a total of 200 businesses more than the same period of the previous year. To further flame the entrepreneurial spirit, a hundred inspirational business stories will be set on display in two of the largest malls in the city this month. They feature a wide range of tales: from the Wong-Castillo family remedies that are now the cornerstone of International Pharmaceuticals Inc., makers of the 50-year-old Efficascent Oil; to Gil Zaire Carungay’s Avatar, and how he turned the family furniture business into a global accessories name; to the dream of one man to someday make cars for the Filipino, which has now become the Quisumbing’s Norkis Group of Companies. “Get Inspired!”—this year’s theme—drives the first 100 Trails of Success, curated by restaurateur Kate DychangcoAnzani. *New business establishments registered with Department of Trade and Industry from January to June 2008, sourced from DTI-7

attracts the traveler to Cebu? Its culture of tourism, a work in progress, and the number 167, no doubt. That’s the number of islands surrounding the mainland, which can be had for a day, at least. Recognizing the potential of exploring Cebu beyond the beaches, the Tourism Congress chaired by industry stalwart Dr. Mila Espina, brings to the fore undiscovered gems from local government’s efforts and brings to light new travel destinations. Fancy taking a southern trail to discover how egg whites were used to construct its historic churches and to diving into a three-tiered waterfall? The locals will lead the way. **Visitor arrivals from January to June 2008, sourced from Department of Tourism-7

WHY GO TO CEBU THIS MONTH? • Business Opportunities. Two big events gather key players in both the Tourism and ICT sectors under one roof this month: the Tourism Congress and the CEBU ICT both happen at the Cebu International Convention Center from June 19 and June 25-27, respectively. • Inspirations. 100 success stories are on display at the two largest malls on the island from June 12-21. They chronicle the Cebu-born businesses’ rise in “A Hundred Trails of Success.” A separate forum: “People Enhancing Opportunities Propelling Leadership (PEOPLE)” allows a rare one-on-one interaction with a true business icon on June 17 and 18.

812,233**

These are the pairs of feet that set foot on the island as tourist, combined for both foreign and domestic arrivals, in a mere sixmonth period. These are 208,372 pairs more from the previous year. What

PAL flies between Manila and Cebu daily. PALakbayan tour packages are available. For more information, call PAL reservations office (+632 855 8888 and +632 855 7777) or log on to www.philippineairlines.com. J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 55

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Eastwood Mall: A Whole Day Affair Step right inside this new stylish shopping mall at Eastwood City and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never ask for more: high-profile stores, chef-driven restaurants, innovative service centers, and the ultimate movie house this side of town By Stef Juan â&#x20AC;˘ Images by Jorem Catilo 56 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

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Are we there yet?

“Eastwood Mall is the completion of the Eastwood City story,” notes Kevin Tan, head of Megaworld’s commercial division. It’s been a little over eight years since this project of real estate giant Megaworld Corporation, Eastwood City cut its niche in the then grassy fields of Libis, Quezon City. With the opening of Eastwood Mall, it gave Eastwood City the opportunity to streamline and refine its roster of establishments for a shopping experience this mall-centric metropolis never had before. It is the most upscale of all shopping centers in Eastwood City. “We went out of the conventional way of building malls,” Tan says. With a lot of open spaces, wide corridors and high ceilings, each boutique is given the luxury of space when malls nowadays are more efficient. The veranda, with the fine dining restaurant row and big stores, looks out to the open park, with its lagoon and fountain where shoppers can take a break from the air conditioning indoors. Eastwood Mall is considered more as a destination mall, since, if you’re not one of the 4,000 families living in the condominiums in Eastwood City, or the 35,000 employees from the 60 corporations holding office in there, the commute to this shopping center had better be worth it. And it is.

What to do? Eastwood Mall has all the other features of any fair-sized mall, dialed up a couple of notches higher. On the top floor are their Gold Cinemas 5, 6 and Ultra Cinema 7. The first four are located in City Walk 2. The seventh movie theater is called the Ultra Cinema 7 for a good reason. It features the country’s first twin-seater couches. This cinema theater accommodates 60 people and is turning out to be one of the metro’s preferred date places since even the ticket prices encourage people to bring a date (Php 350 a ticket if two or more, and Php 400 if just solo). The price of the ticket includes a full service with unlimited drinks and popcorns to be served by a personal butler. On the same floor as the theaters are Timezone and Red Box Karaoke for the more interactive activities. During school days, toddlers can get a head start on preschool at Gymboree, while moms can go shopping or take classes of their own at the Culinary Center of Asia. Tutorial centers are set to open on this level, which is also dedicated to teens and pre-teens. Expect only the top brands from both local and international fashion scenes gathered together here. For the most discriminating of shoppers, there are the stores of Lacoste, Kenneth Cole, and brands such as Kate Spade, Gucci, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Zegna, Enzo Angiolini, and Tod’s located at the 158 Designers’ Blvd. on the first floor. Second floor is a good mix of local and international brands such as Maldita, Bench, Folded and Hung, Kashieca, Penshoppe, Bayo, Celine, Charles and Keith, Giordano, Nautica, and Hush Puppies. Eastwood Mall’s best offering for the best mall experience, though, is their concierge’s personal butler service. These men and women are trained to give the shopper everything and anything that they would need. While this includes carrying your shopping bags, the personal butler can call in dinner reservations at a restaurant, arrange for transportation, buy your movie tickets, and even your coffee! This personal service even goes as far as requesting them to arrange the itinerary of the day, so you’ll never run out of things to do.

1. Local and international brands flank the second floor. 2. Springtime accents give an airy ambience to the mall. 3. The Ultra Cinema 7 exudes a cozy feel. 4. An efficient concierge staff is ready to provide the mallers’ needs. Opposite page: A dazzling play of lights surrounds the fountain area of the Eastwood Mall. J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 57

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Where do we eat? While there are a lot of casual dining restaurants

all over the City Walk 1, the Eastwood Mall’s veranda features a row of fine dining restaurants that boasts of various cuisines and concepts. Most of them can only be found in this Mall.

 crisostomo This is something that you don’t see everyday—turn-of-the-century Filipino cuisine. Chef Florabel Co’s version of Filipino favorites are hearty and flavorful, with unexpected twists. Have you ever had laing tempura with grilled prawns in coconut cream sauce and crab fat dip? Crispy beef tapa that’s like bacon on top of crisp greens with kesong puti? Have you ever thought of eating suman with chocolate fondue? You’ll never look at Filipino cuisine the same way again. 1



mr. kurosawa From the masterminds behind Sumosam and John and Yoko, is this trendy EuroJapanese restaurant. East meets West in both the menu and its interior, reflecting the hyper trendiness of Tokyo but tempered with Old World charm.

 thousand cranes 3

4 1. Thousand Cranes’ Philadelphia Maki 2. Crisostomo’s suman with chocolate fondue 3. Crisostomo’s laing tempura 4. Mr. Kurosawa’s urbane interiors 5. Dining at Stone Grill

Shabu-shabu is a dining experience that’s refined through time. It’s beyond just throwing everything into the hot pot. It’s not for everyone, and that’s why Thousand Cranes offers a non-shabu–shabu menu that has rice toppings, and sashimi and rice rolls such as the Korean maki— with Korean beef and sesame seed, and Philadelphia Maki with salmon, cream cheese, and mango.



Flying Pig/Blu Fish This whimsical double restaurant dishes out rustic comfort food in hearty servings that make you feel full just by looking at them. The menu is refreshed every two to three months to keep up with the inspired new dishes from Chef Peter Ayson. Try out the rich comfort of Gunny’s Fried Curry Wurst, or go healthy with the refreshing Moroccan Sea Bass.



Stone grill by HOUSE OF WAGYU Cooking on stones is back! This upscale steak house sets a new trend in the country’s dining circuit by cooking and serving their bestseller—the Wagyu beef steak— on a stone grill. The rectangular stone

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

made from special volcanic rocks, is one of the key reasons for the steak’s extraordinary flavor and tenderness that you will taste right on the first bite.

orange martini goes down quite well, and the cherry amaretto is a nice refreshing treat.

 buenisimo

 circa

Chef Gino and Jenina Gonzalez’s first foray outside of Café Ysabel is this Spanish-Italian beauty of a restaurant. For your first trip to this small restaurant, it is recommended that you try any of the dishes with “buenisimo” attached to it, such as the buenisimo pizza with organic mozzarella and Parma ham, puttanesca alla buenisimo— longanisa Lucban with gourmet tuyo, olives, basil, and Parmesan cheese.

Circa is a new hip night spot in City Walk 1 that gives a different experience to its other counterparts. With its fantastic laser light shows on the dance floor are matching drinks that you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re in an adventurous mood, try Oliver’s Twist, a cute layered drink that’s a lot like candy. But if you want something refreshing yet familiar, the Tequila Sunrise is always a sure bet.

 my thai

The Eastwood Mall is located in Eastwood City, E. Rodriguez, Jr. Avenue (C5), Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City. Phone number is +632 709 1893.

There is only so much you can do with Thai food after all, and this restaurant offers a no-nonsense Thai menu, tweaked just a little to the Filipino palette (i.e. less chili). Order anything, you can’t go wrong. Try out the combination of catfish salad eaten with the bagoong rice, it’s comfort food heaven. And order a tall glass of Thai iced tea, it goes with anything.

 the manor While the Manor at City Walk 1 is more for dancing, the bar offers a wide range of concoctions to grease the wheels of shouted conversations over the loud music, provide liquid confidence for dancing, or simply quench one’s thirst. The chocolate 2

3 1. Circa’s hip, candy-colored interiors 2. My Thai’s sumptuous bagoong rice 3. Buenisimo’s buenisimo pizza 4. The Manor’s cool and modern lounge area

4 J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 59

P e o p l e . v i s ua l a r t s . t r e n d s . G a d g e t s . w o r t hy c au s e s . . . a n d e v e r y t h i n g e l s e

The Lighter Side

“TIDE” chandelier

Rubbish No More “My work is about giving banal and overlooked objects a new significance. The finished piece of work takes various forms such as chandeliers, installations, functional and sculptural objects.” - Stuart Haygarth One man’s trash is, indeed, another man’s treasure for freelance designer Stuart Haygarth. Born in Whalley, Lancashire, United Kingdom in 1966, Haygarth attended Preston Polytechnic, Lancashire and took up an Art and Design Foundation course from 1984 to 1985; he then proceeded to Exeter College of Art and Design, Devon, for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design/Photography. From then on, he became a photographic assistant, traveled the world, worked as freelance photographic illustrator, and is now turning rubbish into something beautiful, functional, and unique. www.stuarthaygarth.com 60 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

Nestlé Application Group by Rojkind Arquitectos

Read.

Cool, white, and exceptionally designed, this 700 square meter facility in Querétaro, Mexico was designed by Rojkind Arquitectos and is home to Nestlé laboratories, offices, auditorium, and tasting area. The center of Querétaro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the architects managed to work around by creating the intersecting spheres and arches that give the building an open and playful feel. www.archdaily.com

Three Filipino Women by F. Sionil Jose Solidaridad Publishing House

They say a pair of shoes makes all the dif ference in any outfit. Well, this interesting collection of vintage shoes is so exquisite that it deserves its own exhibit. 1957 Chanel, Repetto, Paco Rabane, and Lacroix are just a few of the 62 pairs you’ll find in this exhibit curated by Yves Sabourin. Madame Imelda Marcos will surely love this one! “Portraits of shoes—Stories of feet” is from the Romans International Museum Collection and renowned French Fashion Houses Collections. This exhibit by Alliance Française de Manille will run until June 20 at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati City; tel. +632 889 1234; www.alliance.ph 62 M A B U H A Y

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Narita, Ermi and Malu are three distinct characters, but in this collection of novellas by F. Sionil Jose, they band together to portray today’s Filipina women—lovely, headstrong, and not without their tragedies. From an ambitious waif from the provinces, to a student activist, to a high-class prostitute, Jose’s women are not typical feminist mouthpieces but, rather, are clear-cut mirrors of contemporary Filipino society. By Marguerite de Leon

Mother Nature’s Herbal By Judith Griffin Php1,359/ US$28.40

Life of Pi By Yann Martel Php699/ US$15

Mr. Thundermug By Cornelius Medvei Php675/ US$14.10 All books available at Powerbooks outlets nationwide.

California Academy of Sciences by Renzo Piano

Italian architect Renzo Piano has done an amazing job with the new California Academy of Sciences. The planetarium and the bubble that contains the rain forest habitat are the two big spheres that shape the green roof. The roof becomes a landscape for native California species, which doesn’t require extra maintenance or water. Did you know? At least 90% of regularly occupied spaces in this structure will have access to daylight and outside views, reducing energy use and heat gain from electric lighting. This green building is so efficient that it consumes 30-35% less energy than required by the San Francisco Department of Environment. www.archdaily.com

what’s inside?

Listen. BORACAY By Moise To get a better sense of Moïse’s music, know his inspiration: Boracay, which the Moroccan singer found so enchanting that it prompted a move to the Philippines. His infatuation is evident in the titular track, a mellow island tune celebrating Boracay’s beguiling atmosphere. The album is a mix of Latin, Bossa Nova, Samba and Reggae, including covers of songs like “La Vie en Rose” and “Strangers in the Night.” The album might lack cohesion, but other listeners will welcome its variety. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or dancing the night away, Boracay has a track to suit the occasion. Released by Universal Music

Green Sea Turtle Locally called Pawikan, the Green Sea Turtle is found throughout the world’s tropical and semi-tropical oceans. In the Philippines, this can be found throughout the country, most notably in the Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi Province. Found in all tropical and sub-tropical seas, and coastal areas, this is considered the most common sea turtle species in the country. With blunt, wide heads, they grow up to 1.5 meters and usually weigh between 180 and 210 kilograms. Ungainly on land, Green Sea Turtles are active and graceful in the water and can travel as fast as 32 kilometers in an hour. This species is at risk of becoming extinct because of unabated hunting. The Philippine government has launched the Pawikan Conservation Project (PCP) whose task is to secure the protection of all Philippine Sea Turtles. To help secure the existence of these gentle creatures, coordinate with the Pawikan Conservation Project of PAWB-DENR. www.haribon.org.ph

Share. If you come across innovative products, worthy causes, and new trends, do share them with us. E-mail them at info@ eastgatepublishing. com or jventura@ eastgatepublishing. com. J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 63

FUNNY

SIGNAG

Some th ings ju st get l in tran ost slation =)

This elevator promises an exciting ride! Taken in Boracay Island, Philippines by Noelle de Guzman

Talk about kindness! Taken in NSW, Australia by Stephen Briones

ergenc in cases of em sy o o h c e b ’t n You ca es heos?l,”Philippin o B in re “t n n e a k e a T um Yo es tiDaanvaIrol ,TPahnilippin s ri h C in y n b e k a T tamante by Dana Bus

We hope that the tre e was cut down to pr event excessive use. Taken in Negros Is land by Ruth Kim Restau , Philippines ro

Funny Signages – Take and send us photos of amusing signages, menus, etc., such as the ones above and indicate where you took them. If your image is published, we will send you Php1,000. Travel Tales – Write in not more than 100 words anything funny or unusual – a joke or an experience. If your entry is published, we will send you Php500.

Apparently, some doctors do more harm to your health. Taken in Aiea, Hawaii by Iñaki Martinez

*All materials must be original and Eastgate Publishing Corporation does not guarantee its publication and is not responsible for returning materials that have been sent. Please email materials to info@eastgatepublishing.com or jventura@eastgatepublishing.com J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 65

“Private Iris encourages children to read and save money. The children are always excited about it.” —Joanne Parsons, CJ’s mom and Kids Ahoy founder

“spark” the habit of saving among children, and it also comes with insurance benefits. Once a child has a registered SPARX account, he/she can keep adding to it to get higher interest rates and insurance values. It’s all explained easily at the back page of each issue. Exciting mysteries, cool science trivia, an easy way for kids to start saving—it’s no wonder Private Iris has become a favorite of kids and even kids-at-heart.

Raves About Private Iris :

The World of Private Iris

Philippine-made, world-class, and hard to put down. What could this be? It’s Private Iris, a comic book written by the award-winning duo of writer Jamie Bautista and artist Arnold Arre Private Iris’ first issue hit the bookstores in mid 2008, and it has just released its sixth issue. Each Private Iris story is top billed by two main characters forming an unlikely tandem: Danton, a popular sweet boy at MacGuffin Elementary, and Iris, a smart but surly girl who likes to keep to herself, thus the nickname “Private Iris.” When mysterious situations arise, Danton eagerly takes up the role of problem solver. But because he knows no one can solve mysteries better than Iris, he uses his charm to get Iris to join him in his quests. Iris and Danton use their instincts and their knowledge of science to get to the bottom of 66 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

things, and end up helping people along the way. What makes Private Iris so likeable are not just the mysteries but the many things you can learn along the way. Iris shares interesting trivia and valuable lessons that come in a non-preachy package resonating well with both kids and parents. Private Iris also shares lessons about handling money wisely through saving tips included in the dialogues and plots. For kids to actually start saving, each comic book comes with a Php100 savings credited to the child’s SPARX account. SPARX is the brainchild of Pioneer Life, one of the leaders in the industry. It was created to

“I like Private Iris because the adventures and mysteries are exciting. I read one whole issue in just one sitting!” - CJ Parsons, 8 years old “I like Private Iris because the stories are full of adventures and there are a lot of mystery plots. Iris has a lot of cool gadgets and Danton is funny.” Felicia Munarriz, 7 years old “The comic is wholesome for kids. It deals with adventures that are not too violent for children. The Financial Wellness slant that it espouses also makes it attractive for parents like me.” - Mari Munarriz, Felicia’s dad “The illustration is sharp and the style is edgy. The story line doesn’t talk down to kids. I think we all have a little bit of Private Iris in us—minus the angst.” - Angie Esguerra, 30something, museum-lover “Most comics nowadays talk about magic. Private Iris has a unique concept because it focuses on real life and has investigative yet playful stories.” - Nico Reyes, twentysomething, a self-confessed nerd back in school I like Iris because she’s smart and has gadgets that help her solve mysteries. – Mariana Gutierrez, 10 years old

Private Iris is available in all major Metro Manila book stores

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS PAL Foundation recognizes and honors its partnerships worldwide that have helped us reach out and make others realize that where PAL goes, good things do follow.

As the Philippines’ flag carrier, PAL has practiced the art of making our valued customers and kababayans feel at home for almost 70 years. The service ethic is found throughout the entire Lucio Tan Group of Companies [LTGOC] and goes beyond business shareholders to the marginalized sectors of Filipino society. The value we place on home extends to empowering the poorest Filipinos to attain the basic human need for shelter. In 1999, the LTGOC through the TAN YAN KEE FOUNDATION was a “Kingdom Builder” during the Jimmy Carter Work Camp in Maragondon, Cavite by HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, the non-profit Christian Ministry that for over 20 years, has sought to eliminate poverty housing throughout the world, by helping slum dwellers to become responsible home partners. Ten years and hundreds of homes later, Philippine Airlines continues to support Habitat for Humanity, particularly in Greater Metro-Manila which has the largest concentration of squatters. PAL Foundation is a trustee of this largest and oldest Habitat for Humanity Philippines Affiliate whose coin banks are found at PAL Ticket Office Counters in Metro-Manila. PAL employees have volunteered on their own at Habitat work sites. - Menchu Aquino Sarmiento 68 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

Job No: 47688

>> PAL PAGE >> ASIA’S FIRST AIRLINE

Philippine Airlines – Asia’s first airline – is the flag carrier of the Republic of the Philippines and the pioneer domestic airline of the country, with a 67-year history that is steeped in tradition and modernity. PAL first took to the skies on March 15, 1941 with a small twin-engine Beech Model 18 airplane, flying 212 kilometers from Manila to Baguio City, with a full load of five passengers. Upon the outbreak of World War II in December 1941, its airplanes were commandeered by the military and destroyed in combat. Post-war operations resumed February 14, 1946 with five ex-military Douglas DC-3s. In July 1946, PAL chartered DC-4s to carry American servicemen home to Oakland, California, making PAL the first Asian airline to cross the Pacific. In May 1947, PAL also became the first Asian carrier to fly to Europe by opening regular service to Madrid. This was followed by rapid expansion of services to Asia and the Middle East in the next two decades. By the 1970s, PAL international route network covered two-thirds of the world. PAL keeps in step with advancements in aircraft technology, acquiring the latest type suited to market demands and local aviation conditions. From the DC-3s that served as the workhorse in the 1940s and 1950s, Vicker Viscount turboprops and Fokker F-27s were added to the fleet in the 1960s. After the BAC111 jets were introduced in the 1970s, the McDonnel Douglas DC-10, PAL’s first wide-body aircraft, went into service on the transpacific route in 1974. The Boeing 747-200Bs jumbo jet replaced the DC-10s in 1979 on long-haul routes, while the Airbus A300B4s replaced the DC-8s on regional services. Today, the fleet consists of Boeing 747-400s, Airbus A340-300s, A330-300s, A320s, A319s and Bombardier Q300 & Q400 turbo-propeller aircraft. They carry an average of 12,000 passengers and 180 tons of cargo daily on domestic routes, and 10,000 passengers and 170 tons of cargo daily on international sectors. In May 2008, the PAL Express – the low-fares brand of Philippine Airlines – was launched out of Manila and Cebu, using a fleet of three Bombardier Q300 and six Q400 that fly to 20 inter-island routes. PAL’s six-decade tradition of warm Filipino hospitality has always been coupled with a strong commitment to continuous improvement of services and operations. Despite the many challenges, PAL remains focused on its vision of becoming a world-class Filipino airline.

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>> OUR FLEET Since its first flight on 15 March 1941, Philippine Airlines has flown almost 30 types of aircraft to fulfill various roles in its mission of providing the Philippines with an efficient and reliable air transportation as the flag carrier. Now with a fleet of 47 aircraft, PAL operates one of the youngest and best-maintained fleet in the region.

B747-400

No. of Aircraft: 5 Mabuhay Class: 50 passengers Fiesta Class: 383 passengers

A340-300

No. of Aircraft: 4 Mabuhay Class: 44 passengers Fiesta Class: 220 passengers

A330-300

No. of Aircraft: 8 Mabuhay Class: 42 passengers Fiesta Class: 260 passengers

A320-200

Q400

A319-100

Q300

No. of Aircraft: 18 Mabuhay Class: 12 passengers Fiesta Class: 144 passengers

No. of Aircraft: 4 Mabuhay Class: 8 passengers Fiesta Class: 126 passengers

No. of Aircraft: 5 76 passengers

No. of Aircraft: 3 50 passengers

June 2009

M A B U H A Y 77

>> WELCOME ABOARD HAND LUGGAGE / You may carry without charge, one hand luggage small enough to be placed in the overhead rack or under the passenger seat of the aircraft cabin. The hand luggage must not exceed a total linear dimension of 115 cm or 45 in, and should weigh not more than 7 kg or 15 lbs. If hand luggage fails to comply with the required applicable dimensions and weight, hand luggage will be checked in and charged with the corresponding excess baggage charges (if applicable). In addition to the free hand luggage allowance, you are allowed to carry the following items onboard: a laptop with case; a small handbag; a coat, wrap or blanket; a walking stick or a pair of crutches; a small camera or a pair of binoculars; a reasonable amount of reading material; and infant’s food and carrying basket. SECURITY ITEMS / The following items are prohibited from being loaded in the hand luggage or inside the aircraft cabin on all Philippine Airlines flights: liquids and gels; sharp items and blunt instruments; explosives, munitions and fireworks; weapons (including replicas), accessories and martial arts devices; large and heavy tools; and other dangerous items contained in, but not limited to, Section I.D. 8 of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Model Security Program. All passengers travelling from/to the United States (including Guam) will be prohibited from carrying any type of lighter in their carry-on luggage and into security checkpoints. Please contact any Philippine Airlines Reservations or Ticket Office for the complete list of prohibited items. Prohibited items discovered during the security search will be immediately referred to law enforcement officers or appropriate authorities at the airport for disposition. Security Removed Items (SRI) shall be loaded in the aircraft cargo / baggage compartment subject to security clearance procedures by airport authorities. When traveling in the U.S.A., please give enough lead time for the stricter screening of both checked and hand luggage at all commercial airports. All bags will be subject to search; bags that set off alarms or otherwise raise security concerns will have to be opened for inspection. TAKE-OFF/LANDING / During take-off and landing, please ensure that your seat back is in the upright position and your tray table folded or secured properly. Hand luggage should be stowed in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. SEAT BELTS / It is Philippine Airlines’ safety requirement that passengers must fasten their seatbelts for the entire duration of the flight even when the seat belt sign is off. While you are sleeping, please fasten your seat belt over your blanket for the easy inspection by the cabin crew. This is to assure you of your uninterrupted rest during the flight even during moments of turbulence. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT / In the interest of flight safety, any transportable electronic equipment are not to be operated during take-off, climb out, descent, final approach and landing, except for personal electronic life support systems. Electronic devices which intentionally transmit radio signals should never be used for the whole duration of the flight. These include, but are not limited to: radio transceivers, CB radios, cellular phones, and electronic remote control transmitters. Transportable electronic equipment which are non-transmitters and without any accessories that would transmit/receive radio signals, such as laptop computers without Wi-Fi and wireless peripheral devices, video cameras / players, tape recorders / players, CD/ DVD/MP3 players, calculators, electronic entertainment devices and electronic shavers may be used after the safe use of these has been announced. Some flight conditions may require the discontinuance of the use of electronic devices and will be announced by the crew. Personal electronic life support systems such as hearing aids, electronic nerve stimulators, respirators may be used throughout the flight. NO SMOKING / In compliance with the Administrative Order 121 of the Air Transportation Office, smoking is strictly prohibited on all PAL flights, including when the aircraft is on the ground prior to take-off and/or after landing. EMERGENCY OXYGEN SUPPLY AND LIFE VESTS / In the event of a sudden drop in cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop automatically in front of you. An inflatable life vest is located beneath your seat or in/under your armrest. Please watch the live or film demonstration of safety procedures, which will be given or screened prior to take-off. ALCHOHOL BEVERAGE / All drinks served onboard are complimentary; alcoholic drinks are served only to passengers aged 18 years or over. Government regulation prohibits passengers from opening and drinking

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Welcome to Philippine Airlines! Here are a few reminders to ensure your safety and comfort on board. Have a pleasant trip!

alcoholic beverage other than what is served inflight. For the safety and comfort of all concerned, the cabin crew may decline to serve alcohol to passengers who appear to be intoxicated. Alcoholic drinks are not available on domestic flights and Vancouver - Las Vegas -Vancouver flights. FIESTA BOUTIQUE / A selection of duty-free liquor, cigarettes, perfumes and other highquality gift items can be purchased during the flight from our Fiesta Boutique. We accept major currencies. From time to time, our Festa Boutique offers special giveaways and discounts. Please refer to our Fiesta Boutique brochures or inquire from our cabin crew. INFLIGHT BUSINESS CENTER / Individual onboard telephones are available on our Mabuhay Class in all A340s and selected B747-400s. These are found at the back of the Passenger Control Units (PCUs). Wall-mounted onboard telephones are available for Fiesta Class passengers. Our Inflight Business Center on all A340 aircraft is equipped with inflight phones and fax machine. Charge to passengers for both onboard telephone and fax transmission to anywhere in the world is US$8.80 per minute (or any fraction thereof, for phone) and per page (for fax) of airtime used. Stationery sets are available upon request. For assistance, please don’t hesitate to call the attention of our cabin crew. inflight amenities / On long-haul flights, passengers receive an overnight kit that contains grooming items and other travel essentials to make their flight as comfortable as possible. Mabuhay Class passengers are treated to additional amenities in their kit, such as branded toiletry products and handy travel accessories. Our cabin lavatories are also stocked with other toiletry products to help passengers freshen up for their arrival at their destination. For a more comfortable rest especially during long-haul flights, pillows and blankets are available upon request or can be found on your seat. You can generally recline your seat except those that remain fixed for safety or other physical reasons. We also suggest you tune in to the Tranquil Traveler channel of our Flights of Fancy inflight radio program to keep you relaxed during the flight. Fun and treats are in store for PAL Junior Jetsetter passengers ages 2-11 when they hop in for flight. They will be treated to special kiddie meals on all our international flights. For long-haul flights between Manila and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Melbourne, and Sydney, kids could play with Tom and Jerry, as the wacky cat-and-mouse tandem continue their endless chase onboard our flights, through the Junior Jetsetter activity kits, exclusively made for PAL. The Junior Jetsetter Activity Kits contain activity books, coloring materials, puzzles, stickers, writing materials and other collectibles, which provide children with hours of fun, while educating them on the different travel destinations. Two different activity sets, packed in easy-to-carry tote bags, are available for flights originating from Manila and for flights bound for Manila. BEFORE YOU LEAVE / Please check that you have all your belongings with you before you disembark. If you do find that you have forgotten something, check with our ground staff or write to Philippine Airlines, P.O. Box 1955, Manila, Philippines, Zip Code 1059. YOUR FEEDBACK WILL BE APPRECIATED / We encourage any comments or suggestions on how we can further improve our products and services. Please call our Customer Relations Office at telephone numbers 556-2588, 556-2152, 556-2589 or 556-2590, fax number 556-2157 or email

wecare@pal.com.ph.

TOUCHDOWN MANILA

Get acquainted with the Philippines even before you arrive. These tips will guarantee a carefree and informed stay. PHILIPPINES AT A GLANCE / Stretching 1,839 kms. north-to-south off the southeast coast of Asia, the Republic of the Philippines has a total land area of 300,000 sq. kms. Its 7,107 islands comprise one of the largest island groups in the world. About 77 million Filipinos make up the population, 55% of whom occupy the largest island of Luzon. Filipinos comprise 111 cultural and linguistic groups of Malayo-Polynesian origin, with varying degrees of Chinese, Spanish and American influences. Majority are Roman Catholics, though a significant number are Protestants and Moslems. The Philippines is the world’s third largest English-speaking country after the United States and the United Kingdom. Filipino is the national language; English is used for commercial and legal transactions. Literacy rate is a high 94%. CLIMATE / The Philippines is a tropical country with an average temperature of 32oC (89.6oF). March to June are hot and dry (36oC); rains and typhoons abound from July to October; November to February are pleasantly cool (around 23oC) and dry. In mountainous regions, temperatures dip to about 15oC. Light casual clothing is recommended for daily wear and Barong Tagalog or coat-and-tie for business and formal functions. CURRENCY / The monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas supervises authorized foreign exchange dealers (at airports, hotels, major commercial establishments and all bank branches), and posts official exchange rates for most international currencies. TRANSPORTATION / Philippine Airlines flies between Manila and 19 cities and towns throughout the country. In Metro Manila, taxis, buses, jeepneys and a two-line Mass Transit System (LRT and Metrorail) provide public transport. In certain areas like Binondo (Manila’s Chinatown) and the old walled city of Intramuros, horse-drawn carriages or calesas ply short routes. International and local car rental companies provide chauffeured or self-driven limousine service. Large groups may hire medium-sized passenger vans or tourist coaches. SHOPPING / The Philippines is fast becoming a shopping haven, yielding great bargains if you know what to look for and where.

The secret to a satisfying shopping expedition is to go where the locals go, whether it be to world-class malls, bargain-rich flea markets or “tiangges”, ubiquitous sidewalk stalls, or tiny “holes-in-the-walls.” Handicraft stores can be found all over the country, selling export-quality products like native baskets and hand-woven fabrics, exquisite shellcraft and fine jewelry, or oneof-a-kind home accessories. Antique shops are a rich source of Philippine antiquities such as carved wooden furniture, old religious images, unique tribal artifacts, or vintage collectible pieces. The country’s upscale malls carry international brands with prices comparable to those in Hong Kong or Singapore. Don’t forget to check out the kiosks scattered throughout these sprawling spaces. They sell interesting items you may want to bring back home – from household bric-a-brac to curio items, native delicacies, or even the must-buy souvenir T-shirt. NIGHTLIFE / Metropolitan Manila is considered a pleasure-seeker’s paradise, with an array of nighttime activities, from the soothing to the sinful. No wonder it has been consistently voted as Asia’s number one destination for entertainment and relaxation by expatriates. You can listen to whatever music you fancy from the country’s popular bands and singers, take advantage of “happy hour” drink promos at bars and pubs, dance up a storm at clubs and street parties, or cap an exhilarating night with a calming cappuccino at the corner café. Hotspots not to be missed are bohemian Malate in Manila, cosmopolitan Fort in Taguig, upscale Ayala and Rockwell Centers in Makati, and the trendy Libis and Timog D istricts in Quezon City. FOOD / Filipino food may puzzle the first-time eater. Philippine history is largely responsible for this complex cuisine: on a matrix of native dishes akin to those in the rest of Southeast Asia, Chinese traders input their culinary culture, Spanish colonizers added touches of Castillan and Mexican cooking, and U.S. colonization brought in convenience and fast-food meals. Eating in the Philippines can therefore be an outstanding experience at all budget levels. In recent years, a profusion of restaurants has emerged, many catering to continental European or exotic Asian tastes. There are some good Japanese restaurants, too, plus a smattering of Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and other cuisines.

>> AIRLINE PARTNERS In order to serve you better, Philippine Airlines has linked up with its Airline Partners to offer you more destinations worldwide through its Codeshare Agreements. This allows PAL and its Airline Partners to jointly sell a flight sector, even if only one airline operates on this route. In Manila, Codeshare Flights operated by PAL and Air Philippines arrive/depart at the NAIA Centennial Terminal 2, while Codeshare Flights operated by PAL’s other Airline Partners arrive/depart at the NAIA 1. For details on Codeshare Flights, please refer to the PAL Flight Facts and Flight Schedule on pages 81-82. When traveling on any of PAL’s Codeshare Flights, Mabuhay Miles members enjoy certain privileges. For specific Mabuhay Miles privileges per Airline Partner, please contact the Mabuhay Miles Service Center at (632) 817 8000. Mabuhay Miles members can redeem travel awards on PAL operated sectors only. The privileges listed in the table shown are applicable provided ticket sales and reservations are under PAL’s seat allocation (ticket should reflect “PR” in carrier designator box).

❃

LOUNGE FOR MABUHAY MILES ELITE & PREMIER ELITE MEMBERS

★

TRANSFER SERVICE BETWEEN NAIA TERMAINAL 1 AND 2 vv

❃ ❃ ❊

❂

MABUHAY MILES MILEAGE ACCRUAL

❊

MABUHAY MILES ELITE & PREMIER ELITE EXCESS BAGGAGE BENIFITS

SECTOR

P R I V I L EG ES

CEBU-HONGKONG vv

❂

❃

MANILA - ABU DHABI vv

❃

❂

❃

★

MANILA - BAHRAIN vv

❃

❂

❃

★

MANILA - BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN vv

❃

❂

❃

★

MANILA - DOHA vv

❃

❂

❃

★

MANILA - DUBAI vv

❂

❃

★

MANILA - KUALA LUMPUR vv

❂

❃

★

CEBU - KOTA KINABALU vv

❂

❃

CEBU - KUALA LUMPUR vv

❂

❃

A I R L I N E PA RT NE R S

MABUHAY MILES MILLION MILER & PREMIER ELITE ONLY MILLION MILERS ARE ALLOWED TO BRING ONE (1) TRAV ELING COMPANION TO THE LOUNGE CALL THE MABUHAY MILES SEVICE CENTER FOR EXACT FREE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE NOTE: PRESENTATION OF MILLION MILER’S MEMBER SHIP CARD IS REQUIRED TO AVAIL OF ETIHAD PRIVILEGES

J u n e 2 0 0 9 M A B U H A Y 79

>> SERVICE GUIDE SPECIAL MEALS / Special meals may be requested on all Philippine Airlines international flights to cater to the various dietary requirements of passengers, for reasons of age, health or religion. These include: baby meal, child’s meal, western vegetarian meal, low-fat meal, diabetic meal, fruit meal, gluten restricted meal, moslem meal, asian vegetarian meal, seafood meal, hindu vegetarian meal, kosher meal and low-sodium meal. Please call PAL Reservations at least 24 hours before date of departure to ensure availability.

PAL passengers can now compare fares across a seven-day period. Our online booking features a fully automated facility called “Calendar Pricing” that displays the lowest fare available over a seven-day range-three days before and three days after the planned travel date thus allowing travelers to decide quickly when it is most convenient and cheapest to fly. Experience the difference. Book online!For more information, please visit us at www.philippineairlines.com. Philippine-based Globe mobile phone subscribers may now download the exact arrival and departure times of Philippine Airlines’ international and domestic flights anytime, anywhere in the Philippines. For more information on search formats, log on to www.philippineairlines.com or text PAL HELP to 2333 (Globe).

Philippine Airlines is pleased to offer you the following services to make your travel experience not only convenient but delightful as well.

NEED TO RECONFIRM / Reconfirmation is not required for all Philippine Airlines flights. However we recommend that when making your reservations, you advise us of your telephone numbers at every stopover along your itinerary. This will allow us to call and advise you of any changes to your flight. AIRPORT CHECK-IN / For your convenience, Philippine Airlines offers the “Early Bird” advance check-in service in select airports, to help you avoid the rush during peak check-in hours. Checkin counters generally close 45 minutes before flight departure. If you check in after the counter closure cut-off time, you may not be accepted for the flight even if you are holding a confirmed booking. Always have your travel documents on hand. As with other airlines, Philippine Airlines may refuse carriage to passengers who lack the necessary travel papers. EXPRESS CHECK-IN COUNTERS / Senior Citizens traveling with up to two (2) traveling companions and passengers with NO CHECK-IN BAGGAGE on PAL flights departing from Manila or Mactan may avail of the express check-in service at designated counters. For more information on restrictions and check-in procedure, log on to www.philippineairlines.com.

AIRPORT LOUNGES / Philippine Airlines has Mabuhay Lounges in Manila (Domestic and International), Cebu (Domestic and International), Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, General Santos City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Mabuhay Class passengers, as well as Mabuhay Miles Elite and Premier Elite members, can unwind, dine and freshen up in these lounges before boarding their flight. In other International Stations, PAL has contracted the services of airport lounge operators to offer the same amenities to said passengers. AIRPORT TRANSFER SERVICE IN MANILA / For passengers connecting from a Philippine Airlines flight at the NAIA Centennial Terminal 2, to a code share flight operated by any of its Airline Partners at NAIA Terminal 1 (and vice versa), a complimentary transfer service is available. A shuttle service is also provided to passengers from NAIA Centennial Terminal 2 to NAIA Terminal 3 (and vice versa) for PAL Express flights and code share flight on Air Philippines. This service is subject to certain conditions and qualifications. For more information, please inquire with any of our Transfer service staff at the arrival area.

Philippine Airlines introduces the RHUSH (Rapid Handling of Urgent Shipments) airport-to-airport service, the fastest way to ship cargo domestically or overseas. Enjoy the following advantages with RHUSH: highest priority in cargo, guaranteed space, fast and quick acceptance and release time, and money-back guarantee (conditions apply). But what makes RHUSH the hands-down choice is its guarantee that your cargo is released on the day you expect it. For particulars, please call PAL Cargo Sales and Reservations in Manila at (632) 831 3061 / 853 3062 / 853 3059 / 851 3063 / 879 5879 / 834 0362, or any PAL Office in your area.

>> FLIGHT TRANSFERS IN MANILA STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR FLIGHT TRANSFERS Philippine Airlines offers worry-free transit procedures for passengers coming from an international flight with an immediate connection to a PAL domestic flight. Upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Centennial Terminal 2 in Manila, all you have to do is clear with Immigration, claim your baggage from the carousel, and proceed to the Special Customs Examination Counter for baggage clearance. You must then return your baggage to the carousel to ensure its loading on your domestic flight. If you’re a passenger onboard a PAL flight from the U.S.A., Canada or Narita and are connecting to Cebu or Davao, you can proceed directly to the PAL Domestic Terminal at NAIA 2 after clearing Immigration. You no longer need to have your baggage cleared in Manila, as the appointed Customs personnel in Cebu or Davao will take care of your baggage clearance. If you still don’t have your boarding pass for your domestic flight, you may proceed to the PAL Transfer Desk at the Arrival Area for assistance. You can then take the escalator or elevator located at the Arrival Lobby to go to the PAL Domestic Terminal. Airport Terminal Fees: Php550 for international departure and Php200 for local departure (paid in Philippine pesos only). Note that a Php200 Security Fee will also be collected by Manila International Airport Authority for international departures. Departing passengers for international destinations are advised to check with airport or tourist information counters (Tel. Nos. 524-1703; 832-2964) for the departure fees which may change without notice.

80 M A B U H A Y

June 2009

PAL Passengers from USA, Canada or Narita with connecting flight to Cebu, Davao or Laoag (for check through passengers only): 1. Disembark from plane and go through Immigration check. 2. Proceed to PAL Domestic Terminal (via escalator or elevator at Arrival Lobby). 3. Pay terminal fee of Php200.00 at the Domestic Terminal. 4. Proceed to the assigned gate for your connecting flight. Passengers from any of PAL’s International Flights bound for any PAL domestic station: 1. Disembark from plane and proceed to the 6. Return baggage to the PAL staff at the Transfer Desk to check in for your baggage area for reloading. connecting flight. 7. Proceed to PAL Domestic Terminal (via 2. Go through Immigration check. escalator or elevator at the Arrival Lobby). 3. Proceed to Baggage Claim Area. 8. Pay terminal fee of Php200.00 at the 4. Proceed to the Special Customs Domestic Terminal. Examination Counter for clearance. 9. Proceed to the assigned gate for your connecting flight.

FLIGHT FACTS

Below are useful facts and figures about our flights and schedules.

DISTANCES AND FLIGHT TIME

Distances and flight times may vary due to weather conditions, flight path changes and the type of aircraft utilized. FLIGHT TIME refers to the time from when the aircraft engines start up before take-off, until the aircraft comes to a halt after landing. MM MILES refers to flight miles earned when travelling on Fiesta (Economy) Class, as adopted from the IATA standards.

INTERNATIONAL

DOMESTIC

ROUTES AND SECTORS

ROUTES AND SECTORS MM MILES FLIGHT TIME RESERVATIONS

Manila - Abu Dhabi - Bahrain - Bandar Seri Begawan - Bangkok

4,352 4,580 781

2:05

00971 2 6351700 00973-17225650 extension 212 (603) 2141-3899

1,368

3:15

(662) 633-5713/14

MM MILES FLIGHT TIME RESERVATIONS

Manila - Bacolod

298

- Basuanga

1:10

(034) 4341595/1596

1:05

(0919) 5112797

- Butuan

489

1:30

(085) 341-5156/5257 226-4777 LOC. 6328

- Cagayan De Oro

486

1:30

(088) 857-2294

1:15

(055) 209-2885 (055) 533-8885 (055) 209-9228

- Busan

1,515

3:45

(8251) 466-0333

- Calbayog

- Beijing

1,797