ILLUSTRADO Magazine Feb 2008

The Magazine for the International Filipino

12 FEBRUARY-12 MARCH 2008

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Romanza

The Presidential Visit to the UAE Romansang Pinoy Evolution ‘07 Phil. Economy Growth Pinoy Power Couples Fashion: ROMANZA Love Blahblahblah...

Meandering in the City of Lights The Annie B. Chronicles

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EDITOR’S NOTE

An unselfish selfish love …

It’s February once again. And no matter how clichéd or cheesy it may seem, all minds (especially if you are Pinoy!) wander to the same thought at this time of the year – good old LOVE. The presence or the lack of it, the traditional red or the more modern raspberry pink, the roses, velvet hearts, chocolates, Hallmark cards and all the fluff, and the exciting or unnerving possibility that this one occasion can either make or break your mood in the next six months – depending on which side of the fence you are on – taken or ‘happily’ single.

But let me diverge from all this talk of romance and from my usual monthly fare to tell you a story. Our neighbor’s nanny, a spirited young lady from Davao, an OFW of several years, came up to me a week ago thanking me for Illustrado. She says she’s been reading the magazine for months now, cover to cover, no less, citing how she has derived comfort from it and how much she has learned from the articles. Seeing beautiful Filipino style featured in our pages, has also inspired her to dream of setting up her own wedding planning business in her beloved hometown someday.

She then proceeded to recount how she loaned her collection of magazines to her friend’s employer, a foreigner, and how the latter is now considering a family trip to Boracay after seeing (albeit with initial disbelief), that such nice places existed in our country. Noting her enthusiasm for the magazine and the articles therewith, the employer asked her why, inspite of being a nanny, she is reading and trying to learn so much. To which our kababayan from Davao promptly replied, “I may be a domestic helper now, but I’m not going to be like this forever.” And quite rightly so, I am truly confident that this resilient and hopeful lady, who holds a midwifery diploma but works in the humblest of professions will indeed, one day, have her own place under the sun.

And that was not the end of it, with her humble means but enormous heart, she has also volunteered to contribute “kahit konti lang” she says, the next time we have a Gawad Kalinga project – having been touched by the stories of our less fortunate brothers back home.

Now let me ask you, what has this story got to do with love?

A lot, actually. We have to realize how we have to cultivate love for ourselves because doing so means taking pride in what we do. It is about nurturing our abilities and learning constantly. It means opening up ourselves to the world, thereby creating enough space within us to dream. Because loving ourselves will, eventually, help us rise above what we are today to become bigger and better people. And with this, we ultimately allow ourselves the capacity to share with others.

For a people with a built-in gene for self sacrifice, whose epic saga for the sake of family and loved ones is welldocumented the world over, it is important for us to understand that loving oneself is not as selfish as it seems.

And as for the occasion of PGMA’s landmark official visit to the UAE in January 2008, it is not anymore a matter of whether you ‘love’ this administration or not. The question here is - if that love for self will motivate you into taking the next positive step towards putting your personal contribution, politics aside, to help build your life, your family’s, and therefore the future of the country you call home.

Do you have enough love?

Taas Noo, Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

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Illustrado magazine is also available through Asia Pacific Cargo (Karama) and is being distributed as well in Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send your letters to: editor@illustrado.net To the Editor, I have been following your Kabuhayan section with great interest.

I am a longtime resident of the Gulf – 10 years in Saudi and now 7 years here in the Emirates, working in the petro industry.

I have always wondered what I should be doing when I go back home to the Philippines – to settle for good (I am giving myself another 5 years) because I cannot imagine that I have to start all over again.

Hi Ms. Editor, I’m very much impressed with your magazine.

Ang galing ng pagkakagawa. In every page, it’s very interesting.

Lately, I shared your magazine with my expat neighbor at nakakataba ng puso ang reaction niya! Illustrado is a truly international Pinoy magazine because it is made with true heart and passion.

Super bida itong girlfriend na itu! I really like reading about Annie’s escapades – nakakatawa, nakakaloka!

Giberto Cabuatan, Abu Dhabi ……………………………………………….

Dear Editor,

……………………………………………….

Taas Noo Pinoy! Now, I am really proud to be a Filipino, reading Illustrado really uplifts me.

Your magazine gives inspiration and motivates every Filipino to pursue their dreams - as if nothing is impossible as long as you are determined to reach your goals.

That’s why it’s so great to have a magazine like Illustrado which shows how good we Filipinos are, and how much more we can be. It gives us a confidence boost that we need so much and inspires us to do even better.

Taas noo, Illustrado..

Jenny Lobaton, Dubai

Hello Illustrado People! Your magazine is really GREAT as in the real meaning of GREAT! Your magazine is totally for international release! You make Filipinos proud by telling the whole world that we are not third world citizens. You promote how talented we can be.

So keep the informative stories coming, and – wish me luck.

Del Navales, Dubai

I have been working abroad for three years now actually, and I have experienced and seen how sometimes we Filipinos seem to lack confidence. Maybe it’s because we are simply too ‘soft’, or too afraid to show ourselves? We don’t want to be called ‘mayabang’, that’s why we are always humble and we don’t demand.

But who will promote our accomplishments if we are too shy to do it?

Dear Editor,

Thanks a million!

To the Illustrado team – job well done. Keep it up!

It’s a great pleasure to read your magazine month after month. The material is not only entertaining (it really relieves my homesickness because I don’t feel so far away from home), but most of all, it makes me feel proud to be a Filipino.

Rosemarie Clavio ……………………………………………….

Your Kabuhayan column has been very helpful because every issue gives me information on various businesses projects that even a person with a small capital can get into. I am merely an employee today, but with your success stories, I can imagine that I can also have my own small business when I return back to the Philippines.

Good luck to you, Gilberto! We wish you true success!

- Ed. ……………………………………………….

Dear Lalaine,

Please keep on featuring more inspiring articles.

Willie ‘Pogs’ Garcia Sharjah ……………………………………………….

I ‘heart’ Annie B.!

At first, I thought na puro kalokohan lang itong column na ito. Pero what I’ve realized more and more is that may lesson din pala itong si Annie.

Ano ito? Eh di – Filipino magpaka-totoo ka!

Well, as they say, you learn something new every day, and it’s actually very obvious. We should not be ashamed of being Filipino, no matter how successful or international we become - because we will always be Pinoy deep inside. So let’s be happy about that.

Tuloy-tuloy ang saya!

Odette Marasigan, Dubai

Continue inspiring us Illustrado!

……………………………………………….

Arlene Enerlan, Abu Dhabi

Hello!

……………………………………………….

Illustrado Magazine! Para saan? Noon yun.

Dear Editor,

“TAAS NOO, FILIPINO!” caught my attention. It really made me SMILE. Eto pa lang, ang lakas na ng dating sa atin ‘di ba? Madaling sabihin, pero dapat panindigan din natin sa gawa.

Hi! After reading your magazine which I got from my friend, I was inspired to write to you just to tell you how your magazine has changed my perceptions in life. From a ‘happy go lucky’ person, I have now become a person who plans for the future, setting goals for myself and planning how to achieve it.

Your Kabuhayan column (Insuring your Future), made me think about my future, and made me realize that I have to be smart so that I don’t waste what I have worked for here in Dubai.

Now I have set a clear plan for myself and I’m also trying to spend wisely, and save for the future. Thank you very much for that.

You should not let other people pull you down, be PROUD of who you are and where you hail from.

Itatak natin ito sa puso at isip natin.

To those kabayans na pinapahanga ang buong mundo sa kanilang angking talino at talento – salamat! Ang dami palang nating maipagmamalaki.

Mhaya Myrna S. Aquino, Dubai

CONTRIBUTORS

Gabbie dela Rama-Talan Illustrado contributor Gabbie dela Rama-Talan has got to be a little bit crazy. It’s impossible not to be after holding on to five separate editorial positions at the same time. After cutting down on jobs (she now only juggles two: she is the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor of In-Print and Homestyle magazines, respectively), Gabbie has rediscovered the concept of free time which she spends watching vintage anime, stuffing her face with brie, and adjusting to married life. This month, she contributes a story on former ‘Kulay’ band member Boom Dayupay.

Laurence Diche

Laurence ‘Law’ Diche started his career with the dream of writing the greatest screenplay in Philippine cinema history. In what he describes as a time that seems centuries ago, the former OFW kid in the 70s took up film studies at UP Diliman for this exact purpose. Alas, the road to greatness always has its share of potholes and detours. The mischievous contributor currently has a ‘gig’ as a Senior Copywriter in Singapore.

Law gladly takes some time off to study the evolution of Romansang Pinoy for Illustrado this month.

Al Manlangit Quintessential expat Al Manlangit may have lived half his life in the Gulf, working now as Chief Designer for a contracting firm in Kuwait, but who knows how much of that time he actually spent immersing himself in the local cultures of other countries such as the US, Spain, India, South Africa, Portugal, Germany and Sweden, among other places.

Al is a firm believer that traveling enriches a man’s experience. He shares with Illustrado exploits from his most recent trip – an excursion to Paris, France – that includes an exciting visit to the notorious Moulin Rouge.

Maripaz Febrero

Aby Yap

Maripaz has made a living out of her two passions – art and journalism – by combining them into the creative field of advertising. An advertising major from the UP College of Fine Arts, she spent years of writing copy for top agencies in Manila and more recently, Bahrain and Dubai. She has returned to her journalistic roots as a contributor for Illustrado. Aside from being the resident ‘starwatcher’ in her Famous Filipinos column, Maripaz writes this month’s pieces on Pinoy Power Couples and the rising sensation Charice Pempengco

Ex-Dubai resident Aby Yap has recently returned to Manila after a one-year stint abroad. Although her job as an editor of automotive-related copy for an online marketing company is the one that pays the bills, she persists that her real work consists of her weaving of stories for young and old alike. Sometimes hilarious and sometimes disturbing (depending on how you look at it), her stories about the “kakalokang” Pinoy culture have recently made their new home in the pages of Illustrado, in a cheeky column we like to call ‘Onli in da Pilipins.’

FROM OUR READERS

Rey Mendoza

Rey Mendoza is a Civil Engineer by profession, but deep down in his heart, he has always been the visual artist he was back in his school days. Aside from skills in illustration and painting, he discovered the joys of photography when he got himself a Nikon digital SLR camera. Now, he hopes to bring out his artistic abilities as he attempts to carve his niche in the field of hobby photography. Rey shares with us beautiful captured views taken during a cool Saturday spent joyriding around the emirates with his pals.

Boyet Damot

Photography enthusiast Boyet Damot proudly joined the ranks of Philippine expatriates when he landed in Dubai last April to do work in commercial management for a real estate group. He picked up photography as a hobby during his frequent business trips in his previous job. There, his travels taught him to appreciate the beauty of cultural diversity, which he hopes to capture in his work. A certified scuba diver and supporter of Greenpeace, natureloving Boyet showcases photos from his crosscountry drive with fellow hobbyist Rey Mendoza in the ‘UAE Road Trip Photo Safari’ article.

Publisher & Editor-in Chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez Assistant Editor Mikkel Bolante

february08

Art Directors Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez Contributing Writers Philippines & Singapore Carlito Viriña David Llorito Bernadette Reyes Law Diche Lisa Cruz Mike Martin Jan La’O David Poarch Aby Yap Ivan Henares Gabbie dela Rama-Talan Chayie Maligalig Apple Lopez Karen Galarpe Vic Lactaoen United Arab Emirates Maripaz Febrero Giselle Estrada Dawn Almario Sonny de Guzman Antonella Andrada Shar Matingka Jonie Jose Michael Vincent Serrano Contributing Photographers Philippines Marlon Pecjo Charles Lu United Arab Emirates Pot Ph Illuminado Ong Monina Uy Joel Guerrero Kris Lee Mariyah Gaspacho Contributing Stylist Zekundo Chu Pam Quinones Janet dela Fuente Advertising & Retail Sales Michael Maguigad Publisher Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2 P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Dubai Media City, U.A.E. Tel: + 9714 365 4547 Fax: + 9714 360 4771 email: admin@illustrado.net Website: illustrado.net Printers Delta Printing Press L.L.C. P.O. Box 37140 Dubai, U.A.E. Copyright Illustrado Communications 2007.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC

CONTENTS Features The Presidential Visit to the UAE 8 The Evolution of Romansang Pinoy 16 Proving Pessimists Wrong: 2007 Philippine Economy Growth 24

36

Columns Editor’s Note 1 Contributors 4 Letters to the Editor 6 Famous Filipinos: Pinoy Power Couples 20 Famous Filipinos: Charice Pempengco 22 Kabuhayan: Cupcakes by Sonja 26 Successful Pinoy: Love Your Way to Success 30 Kabayanihan: Illustrado’s GK Project 32 Almost Filipino: Gail Narramore 34 Market Round Up 52 Usapang Kanto 72 Face of the Month: Marnely Salvador 65 Onli in da Pilipins 66 The Annie B. Chronicles 68 Filipinisms 70 Community Events78

Filipino-European Manila-based models Jasmin Maierhofer and Marvin Keifer star in this month’s all out glam romantic fashion feature.

58

Fashion Romanza 36

People & Places Bakasyon Grande: A French Farm Experience in Abra 54 Pinoy Planet: Meandering Through the City of Lights 58 From our Readers: A UAE Road Trip 62 Pinoy About Town: Green Art Gallery 64

Entertainment Let the Good Vibes Roll: Boom Dayupay 74 Hot Releases 76

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8 SPECIAL REPORT

The Philippine President’s Visit to the UAE A high-profile Philippine business delegation, led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, visited the UAE on January 27 bearing with them much-awaited good news – the Philippines is weathering the global economic crisis and is ready to take in local and foreign investments.

Text by Althea Insel, Photos by Mariyah Gaspacho

In a meeting with members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), President Arroyo confidently enumerated the economic progress that the Southeast Asian state has been experiencing over the past seven years.

“Our efforts are raising investor confidence.

The Philippines has reached a new level of maturity and stability with some of the strongest macroeconomic fundamentals in a generation,” she said.

Aside from a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that has posted a landmark 7.3 percent growth rate in 2007, the Philippine peso has also been considered as the best performing currency in Asia last year. The peso steadily climbed by 18.8 per cent against the US dollar to close at PHP41.28=$1 as of end-2007.

The international credit rating firm, Moody’s, has upgraded the Philippine’s status to positive early in 2008 owing to its progress in stabilizing public sector finance and easing on government dependence on external financing.

And despite the global stock markets’ volatility due to the United States sub-prime

crisis, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) managed to post a 21.4 percent gain on the last day of trading on December 28, 2007.

More importantly, remittances by overseasbased Filipinos have contributed massively to fuel economic growth with end-year figures estimated to be around $15 billion.

“The strengthening peso has helped offset the impact of the rising cost of oil. It contributed to lowering the price of imports. Our efforts are paying off. Today, the Philippines is on the path to permanent growth and stability,” Macapagal-Arroyo said.

The president did not waste time in urging UAE businessmen to channel their money to diverse investment opportunities in the Philippines. “I thank you for your hospitality and your kindness to our Filipino workers. But today, I’m interested in getting investments [from the UAE] to the Philippines,” she said.

The Philippines’ plea did not go unheeded, however. Representatives of the Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) International have signed a $250 million deal with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for the development and regeneration of Subic Bay Freeport in Angeles, Pampanga. The

agreement will see the consolidation of the Technopark, Boton Wharf, Subic International Airport and Cubi area in order to create an industrial/logistics zone within the Freeport. The project, which is expected to be implemented within a three to five-year period, will also highlight the renewal and realignment of a residential and leisure area.

UAE investors are not new to the Philippine business scene. DP World subsidiary Dubai World has been operating the Port of Manila.

The conglomerate plans to develop an island resort in the Philippines in a bid to explore the country’s growing tourism industry, which have attracted international hotels such as Kempinski, Grand Hyatt, Marriott, Shangri-La, and Raffles. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce has strengthened the promotion of greater ties between Filipino and Dubaibased businessmen.

Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, DCCI Chairman, said there are over 70 Philippine companies that have set up their operations in Dubai, paving the way for non-oil foreign trade between Dubai and the Philippines to reach Dh788.3 million ($216 million) as of end 2006.

The two-fold visit of the Philippine delegation

FEATURE REPORT 9 also targeted overseas-based Filipinos as potential investors in the rallying local stock market. Francisco Lim, President and Chief Executive Officer of the PSE, said their road shows in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were part of a new Overseas Filipino Investors program, aimed at educating foreign-based Filipinos on how to properly invest their savings.

“This is a long-term program that seeks to raise awareness on possible investment opportunities that Filipinos residing overseas can look into to help them make the most of their hard-earned income. We’re encouraging Filipinos to invest in the stock market either through direct investing or equity-based mutual fund,” he said.

Lim admitted that the Filipino people’s natural aversion to taking risks can pose a challenge to the public awareness campaign but he remains committed to the principle that the time is now or never.

“We have to start somewhere. It is a matter of changing people’s mindset. What we’re trying to do is create awareness so that Filipinos can invest properly. By making our brothers and sisters aware of the macroeconomic fundamentals and economic developments of the Philippines, they will hopefully be encouraged to get into the nitty-gritty of

stock market investing,” Lim said.

Gerald Baldivia, Executive Director-Marketing of the Mutual Fund Company of the Philippines, said targeting Filipinos abroad as mutual fund and stock market investors in their own right was the next logical step after it was noticed that Filipino property developers were traveling to North America, Middle East and Europe to sell their projects.

“Over the past couple of decades, the collective consciousness of overseas-based Filipinos has continued to mature from the original objective of sending money home in order to support family consumption, to remitting money for the purpose of building capital. After piling into real estate, it was inevitable, in hindsight, that Filipinos should appropriately and prudently turn their focus towards insurance and financial investments,” said Baldivia.

He added that long-term investors have an unusual window to pick up good value for their investments considering the robust fundamentals of Philippine economy and competitive strengths of its leading corporations.

“We believe that at some point, especially if the US does enter into a recession, it would only be fair for emerging markets [such as the Philippines] to decouple from the US so

PGMA’s

Speech to the Filipino Community in Dubai Sunday, January 27, 2008 Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took the time to speak to the Filipino community in Dubai during her recent visit — recognizing their contributions to the motherland and addressing their concerns for the long term.

Mga mahal kong kababayan: Nakakagalak na makapanayam kayo ngayong hapon. Salamat sa pagdalo ninyo dito kahit bising-busy kayo sa trabaho. Alam nating Biyernes ang inyong day off, hindi Linggo. Kaya nag-absent pa kayo.

We are in Dubai to meet with many of you, our overseas workers, to make sure you are getting what you need from our government.

Nowhere is foreign policy more important than protecting and advancing the interests of our overseas workers.

as to reflect the underlying strength of their domestic economies,” he said.

In this age of worldwide connectivity via the Internet, Lim and Baldivia said Filipinos can place their investments in the Philippines even if they are residing thousands of miles away from home.

“We have a list of authorized online brokers in our website, http://www.pse.com.ph.

Overseas-based Filipinos can directly invest using the help of online brokers. They can also invest through mutual funds, wherein they can entrust their money to professional asset/fund managers. This is good for those residing overseas who may not have the time to look at each and every equity performance in the PSE,” Lim said.

Baldivia mentioned that 25 percent of their customers at MFMCP consist of overseasbased Filipinos or Filipinos who have changed citizenship but still retain strong ties with their homeland.

“Our best tool for assisting the global Filipino is our website, www.mutualfund.com.ph, which is full of advice and instructions on how to learn more about the nature, benefits, risks, and costs/fees of mutual funds; how to open an account with us and send us funds and documents; how our funds are performing; and what our fund manager’s current investment outlook is,” he added.

10 FEATURE REPORT Nothing is more important to me and to you and to your families than to protect the rights and working conditions of our overseas workers. And this is one reason why we make every effort to visit various mid East countries whenever possible.

There are now 400,000 Filipinos in the Emirates. The UAE today is the second most popular destination of Filipinos bound for the region.

Pero kayo rin ang paborito ng mga tagaEmirates sa lahat ng mga expatriate workers dito. All the Emiratis that we met in our trip have the highest regard. Sabi nila kayo ang pinakamagaling, pinakamabait, at pinakamalinis sa lahat. Congratulations.

I am pleased to note that some Filipino organizations here in the UAE are supporting community-oriented projects back home. You bring honor to our country and contribute to the strength of RP-UAE ties. Lahat kayo, hindi lang si Ambassador Cabactulan, ay embahador ng Pilipinas sa UAE. We are very proud of you.

Kasama na sa pumupuri sa inyo ang Ruler ng Dubai na kausap ko kaninang tanghali.

We thanked him for the fair treatment you receive in the UAE, which has one of the most progressive labor laws and regulations in the region.

Thanks to the labor agreement we concluded with the UAE last April, we now have a bilateral institutional mechanism – a joint committee – where we can tackle OFW concerns.

We honor and value the contribution of our overseas workers - your sacrifice and dedication to your work, your family and your nation. Salamat sa inyong tulong sa ating pagunlad sa pamamagitan ng mga remittances ninyo patungong Pilipinas. Remittances from UAE exceeded half a billion dollars last year.

But I am also proud to say that our ambitious economic reforms are helping to break the offshore cycle and supporting an economy that is growing at its fastest pace in 20 years.

The economic gains we are seeing now are paving the way to the day when Filipinos no longer need to go abroad for a job and the day when overseas work is just another career option and not the only choice you have to earn a living.

Our economy has reached a new level of maturity and stability with some of the strongest macroeconomic fundamentals in a generation. Seven years ago, no one thought we could get more revenues, cut down on tax cheats and smugglers, and move the stock market. And no one thought we could bring down our budget deficit, lower our national debt and raise employment, but we have.

Kaya tuloy lumakas ang piso.

We recognize that the strong peso has reduced the buying power of the remittances sent home by many of our Overseas Filipino Workers, our OFWs. But on the other hand, the peso has helped offset the impact of the rising cost of oil, so transportation fares have not gone up inspite of the high price of oil in the world market. It has reduced the amount of national debt we have to pay and therefore it has reduced interest rates, which helps your families buy homes or start businesses. It has contributed to lowering the price of imports and in the process, kept inflation down.

But to cushion the impact on the strength of the peso, our Administration is addressing the weak dollar very aggressively.

Just before our meeting we met with big Emirati companies employing Filipino workers. This was in line with our efforts to identify ways to mitigate the effects on the stronger peso on your take home pay.

products from the participants of our One Town One Product program such as Cornick or Boy Bawang from the North, Broas or some other delicacies or native products from the South, Sarangani Bay sardines from Mindanao, dried mangoes from Cebu. It doesn’t have to be just food. This shall be part of OWWA’s entrepreneurship training for reintegration when you go back home.

Clearly, there will be some impact on all countries of the possible U.S. slowdown because of the global significance of the U.S. economy. However, while it could dampen the growth of emerging markets, we are confident that the Philippines will withstand most of the adverse effects of such a development largely because of our improving economic fundamentals.

Moody’s upgraded the Philippines to positive this week for very good reasons: we have the fastest growth in a generation – 7% for 2007, faster than our neighbors in the region.

We met with them to solicit their support for the efforts of our Government to ease the effect of the “strong peso/weak dollar” on the inward remittances of our OFWs to your families. The employers affirmed their support for the “hedging” program of the DBP, specifically: one, a pre-agreed exchange rate if the peso further strengthens, but not if the peso weakens; or two, paying an “insurance fee” to DBP at approximately 1.14% of the amount to be remitted to cover the OFW at a pre-agreed exchange rate if the peso strengthens, and pay the prevailing market exchange rate if the peso weakens.

Today, the Philippines is on a path to permanent economic growth and stability.

Investments are pouring in and we have created 7,000,000 jobs in seven years. And we have a surge in foreign reserves, an alltime high of $34 billion. And the Middle East is taking notice: the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Dubai World, Dubai Holdings, Emaar, the Qatari Investment Authority, and Noor of Kuwait believe the Philippines offers one of the best values in Asia for foreign investors and have told us that they will invest in our country.

We are hereby officially launching this hedging facility today. We are also launching the OFW bond during this visit to Dubai. We are also working with the Central Bank and the Philippine Stock Exchange to promote financial literacy among OFWs and your families so that you can turn your hardearned money into working capital and become Overseas Filipino Investors.

Our aim is to make our reforms permanent so that our nation is on a sustained path of economic growth and stability. We have turned the economy and for the first time in a generation, we are investing heavily in human and physical infrastructure. Roads, bridges and airports as well as new schools and scholarships are the central building blocks that are necessary for the long term prospects of our citizens.

We are also launching the program to franchise Tindahang Pinoy so that OFWs can be encouraged to have an additional source of income. Tindahang Pinoy consolidates the

We are committed to building a country that you can come home to with pride. Mabuhay kayo at maraming salamat!

12 SPECIAL REPORT: PGMA’S UAE VISIT

Hon. Amanda M. Tentango Jr (Gov. Central Bank), Hon Margarito B. Teves (Finance Sec), Hon, Peter Favila (trade sec), and other members of the Philippine business delegation

Madam Fe Cabactulan with ladies from the community

Consul Adelio Cruz with the rest of the Philippine Business Delegation

Michael Maguigad of Illustrado with Sen Mariam Defensor

SPECIAL REPORT: PGMA’S UAE VISIT 13

PGMA flanked by Sec. Alberto G. Romulo, and Ambassador Libran Cabactulan

Michael Maguigad of Illustrado with Joey Leviste Jr.

Sen Mariam Defensor Santiago with Filipino community

Philippine Business Council

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16 FEATURE

The Evolution of

Romansang Pinoy

They met only once. ONCE. About a month or so later, girl receives a letter from the boy expressing his so-called undying love and affection. It must have been obsession, even fatal attraction if you ask me. Especially since the girl didn’t actually think much of that fateful first meeting. Moreso because the guy was just her ‘girlfriend’s boyfriend’s friend’ who just happened to tag along that day. But the girl got tickled pink, nevertheless and told herself, “why not?” That, in brief is my parent’s love story.

I

never got to ask my Mom what Dad said in that first letter and the subsequent letters, nor if she managed to keep them. She only expressed shock and disbelief that she received those letters.

But what is apparent, of course, is that those letters were lethal or pamatay like we would say. Oh, the lost art of the classic love letter!

Which brings me to the story of this piece how much has Romansang Pinoy evolved?

Ganito Kami Noon According to research (my cute, little backyard research and survey actually), it used to be

By Law Diche

that in Philippine culture, courtship is more subdued and indirect. Discretion is the norm, lest you want to be called presko, bastos or even mayabang.

That’s why everything would normally start with tuksuhan. It’s more like testing the waters really, since once it gets going, either couple could somehow get a feel whether or not the feeling is mutual or downright embarrassing.

Should the guy glean that there is a silver lining beyond the dark cloud, the courtship begins. And no, it just can’t be anywhere or anytime. If a guy wants to be seen as sincere, nay, serious about his intentions, he has to perform courtship at the lady’s house.

According to an ‘old-timer’ I interviewed, you just can’t go courting a lady on the street without getting the ire of the public in general and of course, be deemed disrespectful by the lady and her family. Refined, genteel, these provincial folks.

I love you, your family, the whole community A pasalubong is in order each time one visits the lady, the item not necessarily limited to the lady but to the family as well- you know, like that Family toothpaste TV commercial goes “Father, mother, brother, sister…” You can add lolo, lola, tiyo, tiya, or even yaya. Food for the Mom, a drink for the Dad, a toy for the little brother or sister and all.

FEATURE 17 And patience is, indeed, a virtue as the courtship can go on for months if not years.

Add to that raw and real hard work. Paninilbihan is a practice if not a tradition where the suitor has to perform tasks and chores for the family. Stuff like chopping firewood or fetching water, perhaps even help in slaughtering chickens during fiestas- or helping in the town decorations and preparation in lieu of the aforementioned feast.

Paano kayo ngayon?

One interviewee surmises that it’s really just the technology and therefore the modes of communication or media that has changed the way Pinoys go romancing.

Whereas before you may want to do a harana, now you can send an mp3 clip or a nice ringtone to the lady’s mobile phone. Love letters, let alone poetry have been replaced with texting- I Heart U, MIS U, HOW R U. LUV U, and all, plus a myriad of emoticons that I assume you wouldn’t really dare show in a face-to-face encounter (try the overflowing tears emoticon, I mean seriously try). Or you can go real time with chat, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, MSN, and so on. E-mail is a plus if you want to show you’re putting more effort to the chase.

Paninilbihan is somehow still there but instead of fetching water, and chopping firewood, you may need to fetch the girl’s mom at the supermarket, or bust your chops moving things and stuff around the house. If you’ve got skills, you can be an ‘import’, join the brother’s neighborhood liga basketball team.

Conversely, the game has changed as the lady does the courting as well. “Hoy, mare, sinagot ka na ba niya?” is a less than shocking statement I’ve been told. I’ve got my own tales to tell but that would be harboring HUGE trouble.

‘officially mag-un’. Like another interviewee says, “There is no us. Meron lang you and me.”

Love letters revisited

Of course, like everything else, romance has been overhauled by the Internet. Internet-originated marriages are no longer a novelty as it may seem even as recent as 10 years ago. While before, you may need a tulay to learn more about a lady’s like/dislikes, hobbies and what-have-you, Friendster, Facebook, Multiply, MySpace etc. will tell you the story of her life, get an almost blow-by-blow account, like how she’s feeling today- check out her shout out (OMG, Duh!, Huh?).

As a side note, there’s also the gray area of “Parang kayo, pero hindi”an MU or pseudo thing. It’s a relationship where two people treat each other more than friends and a little less than lovers. They date, they make out, but there is no ‘formal’ agreement that you are

Like most writer friends I know (the guys at least), most of us started our, ehem, profession, by writing love letters. In fact, back in high school, I attempted to write for the school paper, a “guide” to the proper way of writing a love letter (yes Virginia, there was such a thing in my mind) - e.g. using heavenly white paper, Oslo ideally, to signify purity of intention and strength of conviction (the Oslo is thicker and firmer vis-à-vis a bond paper, just in case you didn’t know) and all that stuff my relatively young, naïve mind churned out.

Unfortunately, my girlfriend got to read the manuscript and promptly threw it away ”patay!” , and just as promptly nipped in the bud, murdered in its youth like a lechon de leche, whatever chances I had of pursuing a ‘Dr. Love’ career.

Anyway, back to my Dad’s love letters, my Mom likewise revealed that even the wedding plans were done through them. They had no prior physical meet up from the point the letters started coming in.

She said yes through a note and they eventually became ‘mag-un’.

That was until he asked for her hand in marriage, and again, she said yes. It was only when the wedding date was near that they met each other again. Then she related how slick Daddy caught her off guard, locked her all for himself in her room while she shrieked that my grand dad’s outside and might get mad. “But we’re getting married already!” my Dad exclaimed.

And the rest, as they say folks, is romantic Pinoy history.

FEATURE 18

Illustrado asked Pinoys from different age groups to find out what they think of today’s style of courtship

“With today’s technology, it’s easier to court someone because communication is made easier. No more going to her house and worrying about the parents disapproving. You can do your bonding through text or IM. Like I said, communication is very easy.”

Janey Aniban, 18

“Ligaw actually means so much more in this hi-tech age than ever. Why? Because when, despite the conveniences technology has to offer, a guy makes the effort to visit at home and get to know the folks, craft love letters and cards by hand, and get his fingers calloused trying to learn to play the guitar for serenading, it makes the girl feel like a cut above the rest.

Instant million pogi points.”

time, we used telephones – not landlines. The word landline was yet to be invented. We would just call the girls at night. It was more personal. During my grandfather’s time, serenading was still the norm).”

Shai Lagarde, 21

“With today’s tech-supported ways of communicating, like email and video conferencing, courtship loses some value because it dilutes the personal experience of actually getting to know the person beside you, and getting to smell her perfume. Instead, you get to stare at pixels moving around, or worse, some crudely constructed text message (i lv u!). Some of today’s methods have lost the whole point of courtship — getting to know the other person fully. Good for those who still value the old ways!”

Paul Ignacio, 23

“Walang kinalaman ang gizmos at advancements sa panliligaw. Sa ‘min noon, telepono lang — hindi ‘landline’. Wala pa yung salitang ‘landline noon. Tinatawagan lang namin sa gabi ang babae. Mas personal. Pero panahon ng lolo ko, harana pa talaga ang uso (Gizmos and advancements should have nothing to do with courtship. In my

Trygve Bolante, 53

“Ewan ko ba sa mga kabataan ngayon. Lahat na lang dinadaan sa hi-tech. If I were still young today, I don’t think mai-impress ako sa ‘text ligaw’. How do you actually let a lady feel that you value and respect her kung puro ‘I lv u’ at ‘c u l8ter’ ang ipapadala mo sa kanya? I still think that the traditional romantic way is still better – though of course, we need to be practical – wala nang harana-harana dahil baka ma-pulis ka, lalo na dito sa Dubai! Most especially if the guy would be decent enough para dumalaw so that my parents can meet him formally, that’s a great thing. That will make me feel really special – baka sagutin ko siya in that case.

Irma Enriquez, 42

“Wala nang human touch. Di mo na alam kung siya nga yung kausap mo o hindi dahil puro gadgets na lang. Mas masarap at challenging pa rin noon. At least, nakakausap mo siya ng harapan – mas exciting.”

Edgar Aggarao, 45

20 FAMOUS FILIPINOS

By

Maripaz Febrero

PINOY POWER COUPLES -Through the years, there have been pairings of men and women so powerful that they influenced aspects of the way we think and conduct our lives. The Philippines has its abundant share of persuasive personalities or what we now call ‘power couples.’

Infamous Power Ferdinand and Imelda Legend has it that we all came from a mythical power couple — Malakas and Maganda — our version of Adam and Eve. They emerged from a bamboo reed planted by Bathala underneath the ocean floor, later cracked open by Amihan or Sarimanok when she heard their voices from within. She then flew them onto one of the islands where they settled, built a house, and had millions of offspring that populated the Earth.

The legend of Malakas and Maganda was immortalised much later in oil paintings of another power couple — Ferdinand and Imelda of the world-renowned Marcos dynasty. The paintings showed a muscled and toned Makoy and a hauntingly lovely Ime emerging from the fabled bamboo reed. Too bad the fantasy didn’t last. However, they were the mother of all power couples throughout their 20-year reign.

Showbiz Power

Gary Valenciano and Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano

Creative Power

Dani and Marlyn Montano Holy Cow! Animation Inc. is the brainchild of husband and wife team, Dani and Marlyn Montano. Fascination over animation led this duo to embark into the highly competitive business of advertising. Holy Cow has produced many of TV’s popular animated commercials: Milo, Neozep, Chuckie, Nips, Globe Telecom, Mc Donalds, Lactum, Quaker Oatmeal, Bayantel and Nokia Phonethics.

Dani, who had previously worked with several advertising agencies for animation, is the company’s Group Creative Director, while his wife, Marlyn, manages the company and markets their services.

Joining the Montanos are some of the country’s most experienced animation directors, 2D/3D artists, and production coordinators who have extensively handled short and long-form animation productions.

Gary and Angeli became a couple in 1983 when Gary signed up with Classified Entertainment. She became Gary’s manager and he became the hottest new pop sensation. While his star continued its rise, Angeli developed a unique ability to detect talent and a knack for long-term thinking and planning, attracting more budding celebrities to join the talent management company they opened together.

Now on his 20th year in show business and despite his having Type 1 diabetes, Gary Valenciano is not showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, on the night of his last birthday, the singer-actor, known as Mr. Pure Energy, treated his family, friends and fans to a concert titled ‘Thankful’ at the Araneta Coliseum.

Luckily, what Gary does is something Angeli shares. When he travels abroad, he is always accompanied by his wife. Angeli used to sing as part of the popular band Music and Magic in the 80s. Angeli heads the management company Genesis, handling the career of Gary and other luminaries such as Donita Rose and Leo Martinez.

Although it has been more than 20 years that entertainment giants such as Warner Bros. and Walt Disney began outsourcing to the Philippines for their animation requirements, animation in Philippine advertising seems unpopular. However through Holy Cow’s creative take on its cartoons, it convinced big players in advertising to tap a new age medium. Holy Cow! also creates short and longform animation abroad.

Outsourcing their animation services, the company has produced TV ads and series in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the UK, and France.

FAMOUS FILIPINOS 21

Retail Fashion Power Ricco Ocampo and Tina Maristela-Ocampo

Those of us who know Sari-Sari, Blackshop, Anonymous and i2i would be only too familiar with the Ocampo name. All of these famous brands are, after all, the brainchildren of uber power couple Ricco and Tina Ocampo.

Ricco has always been known for his fresh business ideas. Tina Maristela came from the world of high fashion — a successful local and international model in the 1980’s. This perfect combination of entrepreneurial savvy and fashion retail sense continue to fuel the style couple’s shared passion for excellence.

Their latest proud achievement is the ‘Celestina’ line of handcrafted bags. The line is currently selling alongside big name brands like Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Balenciaga and Prada in New York. They sell for as much US$8,000. The December 2007 issue of top fashion magazine Vogue carried a half page feature on Tina and the bags.

Rising Political Power Francis Pangilinan and Sharon Cuneta

After over 10 years of marriage, Senator Francis Pangilinan and original megastar Sharon Cuneta have discovered the secret to lasting wedded bliss. The couple shared in a rare television interview that the trick lies in their appreciation and respect for one another.

For Sharon, she appreciates Kiko’s seriousness and being a handson father to their children — Frankie and Miel — and Sharon’s child with former actor Gabby Concepcion, KC. “I like his pagka-serious pagdating sa mga family matters. Seryoso siya. What you don’t see every single day e yung minsan super sungit,” Sharon says. On the other hand, Kiko attributes it to respect. “Importante yung may respeto sa isa’t isa. Yun ang first and foremost.”

While Kiko keeps busy with matters of the State, Sharon continues to have an active career in show business, including a weekly talk show and several upcoming film projects. She is also pursuing a degree at the University of the Philippines Open University.

Star Power

Edwin Aguirre & Imelda Joson-Aguirre

Edwin L. Aguirre and his wife Imelda Joson, are US-based Filipino astronomers.

They are back in the Philippines after 15 years of making their mark in the world, or in their own terms, this small part of the vast universe.

Joson now has her own company after working as photo editor of Sky Publishing in the United States for 11 years, while Aguirre is now associate editor of the 65-year-old Sky and Telescope magazine, one of the most respected international publications among astronomers.

They were the first Filipinos to author an astronomy book, the 335-page reference book on Halley’s Comet published by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) in 1985.

This book earned for them the Padre Faura Award from the PAS in 1986, commendations from the California State Assembly in Sacramento, and in 1995, the honor of being the first Filipinos after whom an asteroid was named.

Asteroid Edwelda is now among six asteroids named after noted Filipinos.

22 FAMOUS FILIPINOS

By

Maripaz Febrero

Charice Pempengco The Birth of a New International Pinoy Star Charice Pempengco is young at her 15 years of age but her phenomenal voice is fast turning her into the latest Filipino sensation. She recently amazed audiences at an episode of TV host Ellen DeGeneres’ show with a performance that has gotten her some interest from legendary music producer Clive Davis. Davis has played a part in the thriving careers of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake.

C

harice or Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco, was born on May 10, 1993 in Cabuyao, Laguna.

She had her first taste of the limelight when she joined the ‘Little Big Star’ singing competition at age 12. Though she was eliminated early, Charice was later picked as a wild card round to re-enter the competition. She worked her way to the finals, but fell short in the end, finishing third in the competition that was won by up-and-coming star Sam Concepcion.

They posted a video clip of the young lass singing Whintney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ on the popular video website YouTube.

Viewers who saw the clip could not believe their ears. Some were convinced that Charice was lip-synching to the songs because of the powerful vocals. She was quickly pitted against ‘America’s Got Talent’ winner Bianca Ryan in a cut-and-paste face off video.

The online videos garnered more attention from Ten Songs Productions, a record company in Sweden. Charice travelled to Stockholm in June 2007 and recorded seven songs — three covers (including Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’) and four originals. A few months later, another video of Charice hit the circuits. The latest was of her singing the ‘Dreamgirls’ anthem, ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.’ This earned her an invitation from the Seoul Broadcasting System, one of South Korea’s national television networks, to perform on a talent show called ‘Star King’ in October of 2007.

The Korean audience loved her rendition of ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,’ among other numbers. She also sang a duet with Cho Kyu Hyun of Super Junior. Many viewers reposted her ‘Star King’ performance on YouTube, which was then picked up by American television. TV network E!’s ‘The Daily Ten’ featured her performance with the headline, “A Star Is Born” on November 14, 2007. They then awarded her the title ‘Queen of the Week’ in their Hollywood Royalty segment, on November 16.

Charice’s performance in Korea was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on November 28 in an episode where Ellen showed web videos of people she would like to have as guests. After watching Charice, DeGeneres offered a standing ovation and personally invited the young singer to come to the US to perform on the show. On December 19, Charice sang her already popular ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’ in front of DeGeneres on her show.

Dressed in a black long-sleeved top, black mini skirt with tights and a G clef silver necklace, Charice was the consummate performer.

During her interview, Charice admitted that she was both nervous and excited to be in the US for the first time and to meet Ellen. It is reported that the host could not contain her excitement either. Ellen, who usually stayed in her dressing room during rehearsals, attended just to watch the young Filipino practice.

When DeGeneres learned that Charice lost her iPod during her 13hour trip to Los Angeles, she immediately gave her a new one which a teary-eyed Charice graciously accepted before covering her face in disbelief, jumping up and down and repeatedly hugging and kissing DeGeneres.

In LA, Charice also met with music producer David Foster and was scheduled to perform live at BET’s 106 & Park — the number one ranked television show on the network. She was invited back to ‘Star King’ in Korea where her performance was aired last December 29.

Charice is becoming a hot commodity, and it seems only a matter of time before she explodes into the US entertainment scene. Yes, one of our very own is infiltrating the ranks of Hollywood mainstream.

What we’ve followed these past months is a rare occurrence — we may have just witnessed the birth of a true star.

24 FEATURE

Proving Pessimists Wrong:

2007 Philippine Economy Growth The Philippine economy, once again, proved the doomsayers wrong by posting a 7.4% fourth-quarter surge in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), bringing the 2007 whole-year growth rate up to 7.3%, the highest since 1976.

By David Llorito

a

banks are having a field day. There is also lots s a measure of economic Everybody’s happy? of money going around from outsourcing, activity within a country, the GDP estimates the There are two ways of reading GDP statistics: mining and construction, factories, farms, value of goods and from the production or from the expenditure fishponds, and fish landing areas. services produced, traded side.

On the expenditure side, consumer spending and paid for within Philippine borders.

From production, the strong fourth-quarter grew by 6.3%, a significant improvement from Romulo A. Virola, Secretary-General of the finish was bolstered by the buoyant services 5.8% a year ago. “Food expenditure, which National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) sector — particularly wholesale, retail, accounted for 56.1% of personal consumption says that the economy’s fourth-quarter kick business services and finance — that grew expenditure (PCE), grew by 6.6% from 6.8% in was propelled by the strong performances in 9% as against 8.4% last year. The industry the previous year,” says Virola. “Miscellaneous trade sectors; agriculture and fisheries; private sector also performed well at 5.8% as against expenses accelerated to 7.8% from 5.7% last services; construction; and transportation, the previous 3.6% due to better results from year.” storage and communications. He adds:“On the mining and quarrying, construction, utilities, demand side, increased household spending and manufacturing. The farm and fisheries Other sectors that boosted personal and investment in construction were the sector accelerated to a 5.8% growth rate from consumption include household operations, beverages, utilities, and household main drivers, aided by accelerated growths only 1.7%. furnishings. in government consumption, export of nonfactor services, and investment in durable Translation: malls, wholesalers, retailers and equipment.”

FEATURE 25 What the figures mean is this: if one is an entrepreneur dabbling in the business of food and beverages, electricity, gas, water or hardware, among others, that person is making good money.

Reactions from the dismal science As expected, some practitioners of the ‘Dismal Science’ (as economics is sometimes called) were quick to downplay the numbers, saying the economic performance this year might not be sustainable given the continuing risks posed by rising crude prices and the looming economic recession in the US. The matter about economic recession is certainly a serious question. Unfortunately, even economists in the US are at a loss on several matters — whether or not there is indeed a recession, how serious it’s going to be, and its effect on the global economy.

“When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold,” says an old dictum. And it was true in the past because when Americans stop buying clothes, food, cars or just about anything, factories around the world stand still, rendering thousands, possibly millions, jobless.

That nugget of wisdom, however, might not be true today because the world is no longer the same place it was decades ago. Now, analysts worldwide talk of ‘decoupling,’ the capability of economies, including the emerging ones in China and India, for growth despite the weak American economy. These countries could take on the role of growth drivers in the same manner that China has been boosting the economies of Japan and Australia through rising imports of machines and raw materials. product will shrink by 1.764 percentage points.

China now is also a major destination for In terms of the economy, and that is huge.

Philippine exports, a market that has become almost as big as America.

But that’s assuming that America will do nothing to combat the recession and neither More importantly, while emerging will the Philippines attempt to boost local economies are riding on the wave of global economy to cushion its impact. US President trade expansion, many of them, including George Bush has the US$150 billion stimulus the Philippines, have been growing largely package, wherein government will mail on the strength of domestic demand. It’s checks to Americans for them to spend and true for China and India as much as it is for prop up the American economy. If we do our the Philippines. The recession will still have homework, the Philippine economy just might its effect, but it might not be so severe to get out of it in decent shape. cause serious complications.

One interesting thing about recessions is Impact of the US recession that statisticians, and later on – policy makers and the general public, know about it only Realistically, the number crunchers at the when it’s long underway. Blame it on time National Economic and Development lag in the collection of statistics. Before the Authority (NEDA) believe that a full-blown numbers show there’s a recession in the US, recession could still indeed affect us the Philippines should already start to feel it. significantly. Augusto Santos, acting DirectorGeneral of NEDA, says should America suffer The GDP figures show a 3.7% contraction in a one-percentage point contraction from exports; way down from a growth of 2.2% last its current growth rate, our gross national year. ‘Net factor income from abroad’ which

includes remittances of Filipino expatriates working away from home, has declined. Yet, the economy managed to surge to a 7.4% growth rate in the fourth quarter, on the strength of other sources (e.g., domestic demand, mining and construction, among others). There are even signs of recovery in investments from the private sector as shown by the rise in fixed capital formation — an indication that businesses are constructing buildings, buying machines for factories, and upgrading equipment.

The last word on this matter is that the external environment may become more difficult this year. But the local economy will not be totally helpless. “What is important is that we have seen how concerted efforts of all sectors of the economy contributed towards… a trajectory of accelerated growth,” says Neda’s Santos. “While uncertainties remain, increasing publicprivate sector partnerships will prove to be potent in attaining economic goals for this year.”

KABUHAYAN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Money, Assets and Investing

Cupcakes

by Sonja Twenty-nine-year-old Sonja Ocampo used to bake cupcakes within the confines of her humble kitchen at home to satisfy the sweet palates of family and friends. Soon, her one-of-a-kind recipe found its way to the market and she swore her kitchen has been operating 24/7 since she opened her store.

“We haven’t turned-off the oven since Good Friday.

That’s the only day it was closed,” Sonja said just as I nibbled down my first bite of the latest Mississippi mud pie flavor which made me understand what the hype is all about.

By Bernadette Reyes

S

onja started baking cupcakes two years ago after family and friends placed orders as Christmas presents. At one point the orders were getting bigger and her small kitchen just couldn’t keep up.

Coincidentally, new spaces have opened for lease at the Serendra Piazza in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig but the developer was on the lookout for out-of-the-box concepts, not so much like the established businesses.

“I presented my concept and the very next day I was given this spot and I just couldn’t say no,” Sonja said. Since the business opened in September 2006, Cupcakes by Sonja has won over a steady clientele and continues to attract new customers validated by the long queue in the store.

The quality and the look of the cupcakes have been likened to the cupcakes sold at

the Magnolia Bakery in New York. But unlike its New York inspiration, Cupcakes by Sonja take various forms. Apart from the usual cupcakes, the store offers its own version of pies and cakes in cupcake form such as the Crème Brulee cupcake tart and the Melt-inyour-mouth flourless chocolate cake.

Inspite of all the positive feedback which Cupcakes earned in just a little over a year of operation marked by upbeat sales and a solid clientele, running the business is not a walk in the park for Sonja who was one of the pioneers of stand-alone dessert stores in the Philippines. Her successful operation relies heavily on thorough research of the products

and market trends and understanding the Filipino market. She studied at the Wilton School of Cake Decorating in Illinois, USA, and took up Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts at Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School now known as the Institute of Culinary Education.

She then got employed in the four-star restaurant Bouley and had the chance to work for awhile at the Magnolia Bakery to gain professional experience. She also traveled to several countries such as Australia, Canada and the US to have a better understanding of the market and constantly seek the opinion of customers to keep up-to-date with their tastes and preferences.

KABUHAYAN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Money, Assets and Investing

Every month, the store offers new flavors depending on the occasion and suggestions from customers. Starting with only six flavors including vanilla sunrise, chocolate surprise, flourless chocolate cake, berries & cream, PB&Js and lemon drops, the menu has expanded to accommodate two dozen flavors and other recipes such as brownies, loaves, cookies and ice cream shakes.

With the publicity that Cupcakes has gained other stand-alone dessert shops have included cupcakes as staples in their carte du jour but Sonja takes their move as a welcome surprise rather than stark competition. She responds with an undaunted smile as she believes she has already established a strong following in the market. “I don’t see them as competition.

They have their own market and since I’m the first [cupcake store in the country] I have already established my clientele. Also, their presence keeps me on my toes,” Sonja said.

Besides, with the rising demand of Filipinos for food, businesses such as bakeshop are sure to have a steady market for their bread and other pastry products. According to the Family Income and Expenditure Survey in 2006, the average Filipino household spends more than half of their total annual income on food. Expenditures for dining out, excluding corporate representation registered an average growth rate of 15 percent to 20 percent per annum in the last 10 years making the food industry a lucrative business even for

first-time entrepreneurs.

The Technology Resource Center (TRC) in the Philippines offers hand-on livelihood training in the food business. A two-day seminar in specialty cakes and pastries at TRC will cost approximately PHP3,400. According to Dr. Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana of TRC, factors such as relatively low capital requirement, quick business cycle and immediate access to customer feedback make the food business ideal. Lacsamana explained entrepreneurs can always choose the food business that will suit their available capital. If you are keen on starting a small bakery, a PHP50,000 should be able to allow you to purchase an oven and other equipment including your first batch of inventory. For those who would be working on a tighter budget, you may start with a bake-to-order service to friends and relatives and open your own shop once you have saved enough money. Business cycle for this type of business could last in as fast as eight hours up to a month. This unique advantage, Lacsamana said, would enable the entrepreneur to bankroll his investment within a short period and grow it fast. The food business also entitles business owners to immediate customer feedback allowing them to correct blunders, offer extra service, adjust the prices and menu and incorporate other improvement almost immediately.

Of late however, the food industry particularly the bakeshop businesses have been struggling

as prices of confectionary ingredients have gone up particularly flour and sugar which are main components of bread and other products. In spite of the rising cost, business owners like Sonja try not to pass on the burden to their customers.

Most of the ingredients used by Sonja in her cupcakes are imported and with the increasing costs, she has been experiencing the crunch for a while now but refused to accept any substitutes. The price of berries which she uses has gone up by more than 40% but she maintains her goal is more than just increasing sales for profit. “I’m not yet ready to increase the prices. It affects me but I don’t want it to affect so much the customers,” Sonja promised. In fact, Sonja offers free baking classes to children never mind the additional cost just to carry out this charitable goal.

Looking back, Cupcakes was a gamble much like other specialty stores but the business has survived. Sonja definitely had the jitters when she was just starting the business but nevertheless advised entrepreneurs with fresh concepts to dabble in the business. “If you have an idea, go for it. Don’t be afraid of what other people say. Just make sure you do your homework by studying all the aspect of the business including the customers, market and competition,” she advised.

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• No better place to invest than investing in the Philippines!

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Please call or send an email for further details

SUCCESSFUL PINOY Did you know that the way you ‘love’ has a bearing on your success? Trust locally-based motivational guru Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos to give you yet another one of life’s important lessons, packaged in his trademark down-to-earth Pinoy sense of humor. Read on …

Love Your way to

Success!

By Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos

February 14. It’s that time of year when the phrase, “I Love You” is said and heard the most number of times. Ikaw? Are you also planning to say that to a special someone? Or a special ‘some-two’? At yung iba pa nga - ‘some-pu’!

Do you think you will succeed in life if you ‘intimately love’ others apart from THE one you are supposed to faithfully love?

Yes, sis and bro, believe it or not, love is a powerful tool towards true success. It is part of the eight aspects of success that we have discussed before. The right amount of love leads you to the right direction. Too much or too less, including the ‘uncontrolled’ kind, keeps you moving round and round. Sabi nga ni Balagtas, “pag-ibig, kapag pumasok sa puso ‘nino man, hahamakin lahat masunod ka lamang.”

Love Yourself

Carl is a friend of mine whose dedication to work is incomparable. She has given herself completely to her work. But now, she has decided to review her priorities in life. She has adjusted gradually and now gives time to herself, in the process rediscovering her first love – cooking. She is now even writing a book on it. She said, “Real change has to start from within. It is time to think of myself this time.”

“October 2006 is my eleventh anniversary at work as Manager of a fast food chain. I have worked 10-12 hours daily all those years and did not have Chirstmas holiday and New Year.

I forgot that I loved cooking, having pets, and that I have a talent for the arts. I now realize that I am not getting any younger… - Carl

It’s not wrong to love yourself. Because it is only when you love yourself that you can love others. This is based on the same premise that you can only give what you have. Ergo, if you do not have love, you cannot give love.

And if you cannot give love, wala kang K na matawag na successful.

Yes, You! Ikaw nga! You have to love yourself this time.

Simple lang di ba? Ang sabi pa nga sa isang matagumpay na libro, “love your neighbor as

you love yourself.” Kaya kung konti lang ang pagmamahal mo sa iyong sarili, konti lang or kulang pa ang maibibigay mo sa iyong kapwa.

Finding Mr and Ms Right “Choose your wife by ear rather than by eye.”

- Anonymous – Sige na nga, pag usapan naman natin ang matagumpay na paraan ng paghahanap ng iyong partner, tutal buwan naman ng puso ngayon. Paano nga ba? Let use our senses para medyo exciting: ‘Touch’ the texture and feeling of respect “Mala-sutlang kamay, matipunong braso…

Parang nangungusap ang kanyang mga galaw, napaka-gentleman naman, feel ko in love na ako”. Hala!

SUCCESSFUL PINOY

Sometimes, when you hold the hand of a person, you feel a certain sense of security. This can be a sign that you both can hit it off. But the true test is, may feeling of respect ka ba sa kanya at siya sa iyo? He or she should respect your values and dreams. Kung hindi, nothing good will come out of this relationship.

The lesson is here is to touch and feel each others respect.

‘Listen’ for clues about his integrity Importanteng malaman mo na kung sino siya, ano siya, ang kanyang pinagmulan; ang kanyang kahinaan at kalakasan. Para walang sisihan pagdating ng araw.

What is important here is disclosure – it does not matter if he comes from a dysfunctional family; or a poor family. It might be the very reason why you should be together and why he is potentially “marriage material” - because he might know how to handle money and nurture a relationship more than you do.

The lesson is to listen from people who know the person well.

will look like. Tall, dark and handsome ba?

Matangos ba ang ilong? Guwapo ba? Flawless ang kutis? Mahaba ba ang buhok?

However, sometimes, looking for that special someone is just like playing ‘hide and seek – habang hinahanap mo ang future love mo lalong nagtatago; pag give up ka na, saka naman lalabas. Pero kagaya rin ng larong taguan, you just have to find out where he or she is hiding. Kasi ang iba, papikit-pikit, naghihintay na lang na may magturo sa kanila kung saan nagtatago ang kanilang pag-ibig – nandaraya.

Ikaw ang dapat makakita at mag judge kung ‘taya’ na ba siya o hindi. Kung may ipakilala man sa iyo, buksan ang mata at huwag papadala sa impluwensiya ng ibang tao. “Uy, guwapo siya”.

Pero para sa sarili mong taste hindi naman pala. Kaya yung iba nagkaka boyfriend dahil sa tuksuhan lang ng barkada!

So, the next lesson is - use your own eyes and do not stop looking. ’Smell’ that heavenly connection

‘See’ the person with your own eyes I think you will agree with me that this is one of the first things that interest you. You want to know how your prospective sweetheart

According to a documentary shown in the Discovery Channel, people secrete a physiological odor that determines one’s compatibility with the opposite sex.

Apparently, ang babae daw sa kanyang paghahanap ng makakasama ay naglalabas ng natural smell na nakakaakit sa lalaking kapwa naghahanap din ng amoy na iyon. It seems na kapag-nagkapalitan daw ang magkatugma na scents, malalaman daw ng babae at lalaki na sila ay para sa isa’t isa.

Hindi ba amazing ang science? Couples are potentially drawn to each other just by mere biological cues. Just imagine, kung mapapatunayan nga ito, there will be an invisible connection sa inyong dalawa. So, learn how to use your sense of smell. At siempre pa, diyan na rin importante na magpractice ka ng good hygiene, dahil kailangang lagi kang mabango.

Fourth lesson, sniff yourself first before sniffing others!

‘Taste’ that is totally matched with hers The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, while the best way to a woman’s heart is with a diamond ring”.

We all have our own weaknesses. May tumitingin sa kabaitan, sa pagiging maalalahanin, sa pagiging matulungin, mapagbigay ng mamahalin at ang iba naman ay sa pagiging magaling magluto sa sa kusina.

Ito yung mga katangian na kaaya-aya sa iyong taste kapag mayroon ang iyong ginigiliw. Yun mga katangiang hinahanap at hinahangaan mo.

You will definitely know if you have matching tastes: gusto mo ng music, magaling siyang kumanta; mahilig kang magpatawa, gusto naman niyang tumawa.

Kapag mayroon siya ng katangiang hanap ng taste mo, nagiging magaan ang iyong pakiramdam at nakakaramdam ka ng saya at kaligayahan at ganoon rin ang kanyang nararamdaman.

So, look for compatible tastes and qualities.

Now that you know what to do, start saying, “I love myself and I love you.”

‘I know what to do!’ is now available in the UAE through Illustrado. Please call 04-365 4543 to reserve your copy or e-mail info@illustrado.net

32 KABAYANIHAN

Giving Back

By Mikkel Bolante

In commemoration of the magazine’s first anniversary, Illustrado brought together friends from the community in an effort to ‘give back’. While the thrust of Illustrado has generally been directed towards the uplifment of the local Filipino expats, the need for aid within our motherland has always been an important concern. Widespread poverty has rendered many of our countrymen with little hope that their lives will get better. In our modest way, we have addressed this issue with the project conducted in conjunction with the Gawad Kalinga (GK) organization in September 2006.

Towerville is an area in Bulacan, composed of the barangays of Minuyan and Sto Cristo in the city of San Jose Belmonte.

Residents of the area are mostly victims of relocation projects — impoverished families who lived, or squatted, in public or government land from all over the National Capital Region (NCR).

There are people from Manila, Quezon City, Pasay, Pasig, Marikina, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

Before

DUMALAG, GENARO Before

After

After

from the PSID, the Aggarao family and a group of friends headed by Sheila and Caloy Lopez. The efforts of the parties helped raise enough money for a number of houses — each for a family that certainly needs it badly.

For the Illustrado team and the rest of the GK project contributors, the endeavor, though a modest one, was a chance to ‘give back’, while showing Filipinos in the local community that they do not need big amounts of money to be able to help - that even small contributions can have a significant impact in improving the lives of our less fortunate brothers back home.

Tomas Gervacio, Teodulo Gervacio and Genaro Dumalag are all residents of the Towerville site, relocated from Malabon. “Yung mga iba nakatira lang dati sa tabi ng GERVACIO, TEODULO estero (Some of the residents lived The families that benefited have felt by the creek),” they recount. “Yung Before After a complete turnaround in their lives. ilan sa ilalim ng tulay (A number From a point where things seemed of the others used to live under hopeless, come blessings abound. bridges).” Many had no education, The Gervacios and Dumalags are and likewise, no employment. among the group of people directly Some lived in improvised shanties helped by the Illustrado project. in the NCR, but since they did not They say that the families are all own the land they lived on, they filled with joy and gratitude for all were kicked out of their homes, the people involved. and watched as the government GERVACIO, TOMAS demolished their structures. They Today, Towerville is a thriving little were forced into relocation in community, and although GK representative Pol Bulacan, left with little material and financial thereby cultivating positive attitudes in the Casiño notes that “maliit pa lang ang nagagawa hearts of our underprivileged countrymen. support. (we have finished only a small part),” he admits the effect on the residents has been significant.

The story of Towerville in those days was a GK has built over 700 houses in 22 villages in the The relocation site is no longer a place to be sad one. It was a place where people were area. They have also set educational facilities for feared by anybody. In fact, the frightened exunderstandably angry and hurt. There was no the residents, including a school and a public Governor happily pays visits to the relocation sense of community, as each group had come library. For the residents of the relocation site, site and has even helped finance a village with from a different place. There was mistrust in the this sincere interest in their lives has sparked a 59 houses. government, in each other and in themselves. thirst for something better. It created what most The former Governor of Bulacan, Josie de la of our poor brothers in the slums lack — a sense Casiño credits the many generous groups Cruz, was even said to have been afraid to visit of hope. and parties that have contributed to the area.

Gawad Kalinga’s projects, including Illustrado’s effort from Dubai consisted of Illustrado. “Nangyari ang lahat ng ito dahil But all these changed when Gawad Kalinga organizing interested parties to chip in small sa kabayanihan at pakikiisa ng mga katulad set up camp. GK is the organization known amounts to help the GK project in Towerville. ninyo (This is all possible because of the for successfully creating beautiful relocation Groups that participated include employees from kabayanihan and the unity of people like villages, where they invest their efforts into Union National Bank, prominent Filipinos from you).” Certainly, the efforts are all worth it in building a peaceful and productive community, Dubai’s creative community, interior designers the end.

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34 ALMOST FILIPINO

Gail

Narramore

Entrusted to Make a Brighter Tomorrow for Filipinos

On TV, the cute, red-headed Annie was singing to an orphaned dog about the sun coming out tomorrow. Lying in her bed and watching the popular movie was eight-year-old Gail Narramore. Absorbed in her thoughts, the South African girl dreamt of taking over Annie’s orphanage and turning it into a “beautiful, loving home.” Now 29, Gail works hard to pursue her childhood fantasy. After eight years of shuttling between the United Kingdom and the Philippines for charity work, she has finally settled home. “The Philippines is where my heart is,” Gail says. “It’s my special happy place.”

t

hrough Tiwala Kids & Communities, a nongovernment organization (NGO) which she founded in January 2007, Gail hopes to create a beautiful and loving home for abused Filipino children on a farm in Bicol. Tiwala is also currently focusing on building daycare centers and providing transport services for children (some of whom walk three hours a day just to attend school). For parents, livelihood projects and basic financial management lessons are in planning.

Sowing the Seed Growing up under the apartheid rule in South Africa, Gail was a witness to her parents’ compassion for the deprived sectors of society. She shares how, as a child, she accompanied her father to camps, providing food and clothing to poor African families.

She fondly recalls how smiling children would run after them in their car to greet them with

By Aby Yap

love. “Although we weren’t wealthy, my father gave what he could to the poor,” Gail says. “He didn’t allow anything, even political issues, to restrict him from reaching out to the needy.”

Her father also visited hospitals and prisons, offering treats and prayers to the sick and the inmates.

led me to a point where I lost touch with who I was,” confesses Gail.

An incident in a nightclub altered the direction of Gail’s life. While she was sitting on the blaring speakers watching people dance, the parable of the Prodigal Son came to her as a revelation. “I was startled that God Gail could not help but be amazed at the would come to me in such a state, I felt an love her parents have for mankind. Her incredible presence of His love for me,” she parents continue to help underprivileged says. “I had complete assurance that He was communities in South Africa, where the couple offering forgiveness and would walk with me currently resides. “They have a wonderful way on the road back to Him.” She was never the of making people feel loved and accepted,” same again. she says. “They remain my greatest source of At 19, Gail followed elder sister Jude to the UK inspiration and encouragement.” where she hoped to find her purpose. After a year in London, Gail was introduced to a Like an Arrow person who had established an orphanage in They may have inspired their daughter, but San Fernando, La Union. Little did Gail know not without challenge. Like most youngsters, that this was the beginning of what she calls Gail went through a rebellious phase. In her her “love story with the Philippines.” desire to express her independence, she fell into a five-year misadventure of sneaking out Gail shares that her father had only one past curfew to hit nightclubs, skipping school, prayer for his children—that God shoot them and taking drugs and alcohol. “This lifestyle out like arrows into the world to fulfill His

ALMOST FILIPINO 35 so — after some consultation with her dictionaries — she decided on the word tiwala (meaning ‘trust’) which also sounded almost African to her ears.

Children were always dear to Gail’s heart. In Tiwala, she researched various needs of the youth in Bicol. She found that the rate of abuse was extremely high. Gail now believes that this is where divine intervention led her.

“I’ve given myself to this cause for as long as He wants me to be here. I’d love to live here forever, but I could never cast my plans in stone.”

If her path someday takes her somewhere else, she promises to still be involved in the country. Wherever we may find her in the coming days, one thing is certain: it’s a sure bet for your bottom dollar that Gail is making tomorrow as bright as it can be.

great mission. In answer to this fervent wish, all five Narramore children are scattered in different parts of the globe today. Gail has two siblings in the UK, another sister in the United States and one in South Africa.

Tiwala sa Pinoy Twenty one and alone, Gail traveled to the Philippines for the first time. The poverty did not shock her as she had seen worse in Africa. Though often depicted as crime-infested, Gail insists she felt welcome and safe the moment she set foot in the country. She never had the same feeling about her own birthplace. “I just felt such peace and didn’t feel at all vulnerable.

There was a sense of brotherhood that made me feel secure.” She couldn’t speak the language, but she found herself able to communicate. “People seemed more than willing to make the effort to understand and guide me along,” she says. “This is very unique to the Philippines.”

Gail stayed at an orphanage in La Union. Surrounded by children who were “poor yet happy, full of love and were always singing,” she realized then that her dream had come true. “I found what I’ve been looking for and I was deeply touched. Nowhere else I’d traveled had given me this kind of fulfillment, peace, and freedom.”

In Gail We Trust Gail learned a little Ilokano and has begun to study Tagalog now that she is in Bicol. Gail is determined to master them though, including nuances as she constantly used the word ‘po.’ But it was in choosing the name of her organization that challenged her knack for languages. She wanted a Filipino name,

WORD COUNT -- 980

On Jasmine: Plum tulle long sleeved top, brown taffeta long skirt, and teal waist band by Joel Escober. Top cuffs and waistband are embellished with Murano stones. Accessories - pink cubic zirconia square studs and ring with Swarovski stone by D! Luxe. On Marvin: Trench coat with fur trim, matching pants, vest and turtle neck top by Raoul Ramirez.

FASHION 37

You are drawn inevitably. Your pulse races erratically as your temperature soars to a disturbing level.

You feel it on your skin, in your mouth and inside your faint head.

It’s an obsession, an unshakeable fixation that consumes you completely.

It’s unmistakeable… the madness of it all.

Illustrado presents heart stopping styles from the Philippines’ brilliant young designers - romantic clothes sumptuously detailed and paired with virtual objects of desire, fit for the silver screen and worn by two of Manila’s hottest models.

Fall head over heels…

Romanza Text: Lalaine Chu-Benitez Photography and Art Direction: Dr. Marlon Pecjo Styling: Janet dela Fuente Make-Up: Mickey See of Shu Uemura Hair: Nante Alingasa of Kiehl’s Models: Jasmin Maierhofer of Mercator Model Management, Manila and Marvin Keifer of Raven Models, Manila

Champagne gown with pleated satin bodice and lace skirt by Joel Escober. Accessories - gold omega necklace, bangle and ring by D! Luxe, pearl and crystal studded gold clutch by Felicity.

FASHION 39

FASHION 41 On Jasmine: Red taffeta tube dress by Debbie Co. Fur wrap by Raoul Ramirez. Accessories - hat with tulle detail by Hat Momma, Swarovski crystal earrings by D! Luxe, gold bangle by Peppered Cherry, gold chain loop necklace, and ring by Cru. On Marvin: Leather trench coat and pants by Raoul Ramirez.

On Jasmine: Magenta tube dress by Debbie Co. and tweed jacket by Raoul Ramirez. Accessories – hat with veil hat by Hat Momma, Swarovski crystal earrings by D! Luxe and flower brooch and bangles by Cru. On Marvin: Wool trench coat with heavy cotton collar and white scarf by Raoul Ramirez, inner shirt – stylists own.

FASHION 43 Long black gown with multilayered shredded skirt by Veejay Floresca. Accessories - black topper with red rose detail by Hat Momma, Swarovski flower earrings and studded watch by D! Luxe, silver purse by Felicity.

FASHION 44

On Jasmine: Chiffon turquoise dress with stone accent by Joel Escober. Accessories - Swarovski earrings by D! Luxe, cocktail ring by Cru. On Marvin: Brown jacket by JC Buendia, inner shirt – stylist’s own, hat by Felicity.

FASHION 45

26

On Jasmine: Gray gown accented by frills by Chris Diaz. Light gray hat with veil by Hat Momma.

On Marvin: Wool trench coat with matching pants, and scarf by Raoul Ramirez, inner shirt – stylist’s own

FASHION 47

48 FASHION On Jasmine: Empire cut aqua long gown with ribbon and feather detail by Joel Escober. Accessories - necklace by Peppered Cherry, Swarovski earrings and studded watch by D! Luxe, silver purse by Felicity. On Marvin: Brown jacket

by JC Buendia, inner shirt – stylist’s own.

FASHION 49 Wool trench coat and matching pants, and scarf by Raoul Ramirez Inner shirt – stylist’s own

50 FASHION

Empire cut aqua long gown with ribbon and feather detail by Joel Escober. Accessories - fur wrap by Raoul Ramirez, necklace by Peppered Cherry, satin peep toe sandals by Rue de CMG, Swarovski earrings and studded watch by D! Luxe, silver purse by Felicity.

37 FASHION

Designer and Shop Guide: Joel Escober +63 918 920 8680 Chris Diaz +63 917 740 1097 Debbie Co +63 917 833 4476 Veejay Floresca +63 917 501 3535 Raoul Ramirez +63 917 999 6714 JC Buendia +63 2 438 5449; +63 917 793 1378 D! Luxe 2nd Floor Doña Consolacion Bldg., 122 Jupiter St. Bel Air Makati +63 2 890 0037; 0917 838 3211 Peppered Cherry 2nd Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Cru Archaeology Section, Power Plant, Rockwell Center, Makati Rue de CMG Trinoma Mall, Quezon City Felicity Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City Hat Momma +63 2 840 5511; +63 917 813 1884 Hat_momma@yahoo.com.ph

52 VALENTINE TREATS

Love You, Hate You – A Valentines Musical

The Filipino Achievers in the Middle East (FAME) have produced a world-class musical entitled ‘Love You Hate You’, starring renowned Broadway actors Robert Seña and Issay Alvarez of Miss Saigon Fame. The operetta which features show tunes that speak of love, friendship and marriage will be staged at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Deira, Dubai on the 21st and 22nd – a must-see for couples and music enthusiasts this romantic month of February.

Romantic Aromatherapy for the Home

By Al P. Manlangit

Lifestyle, the regional retailer in décor fragrances and lifestyle accessories, helps you add a touch of aromatherapy to your living space with an entire range of fragrance diffusers from the international leaders Apsley and Company. Suffused with the invigorating aroma of natural and delicious scents, the Apsley and Company Scented Space Fragrance Diffuser lends to the ambience of your living space so that you open your door to the clean, fresh and fragrant comfort of your home after a long day at work. Whether you are looking for strong, woody or light tangy notes, even heady aromas for that extra romantic ambiance, Apsley and Company will have something that fits your personal style and your living space among its plethora of scents ranging from roasted vanillas and crabapples to sandalwood.

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54 FEATURE

A French Farm Experience in

ABRA Text By Vic Lactaoen Photos by Teodoro Pelaez

Often glossed over in tourist brochures and guides on the Northern Philippines, the province of Abra holds a storehouse of simple pleasures for the traveler who wants to imbibe nature and culture in refreshing doses. I have never read even quite a few write ups about this underrated province up north except for the corny soft drink commercial on television where four traveling teens passed through a dark eerie looking tunnel. The tunnel used in that ad is called the Tangadan Tunnel, one of the official landmarks of Abra Province.

i

t has also caught my interest, Venture that has been operating since the year I found my trip to this farm guesthouse when I came across a brochure

2000 raising free range chickens. The farm’s interesting since I realized that one need not

promoting

that

operation is fully integrated - from raising, go to Provence or the French countryside to

Garreta, a town 15 minutes by

growing, and dressing to packaging these free have a taste of French hospitality. For me, it

public transportation from the

range chickens, ready for distribution. In Metro was a great discovery in my many trips around

provincial

agritourism,

capital

Bangued, Manila one can find these chickens being sold the country this year. Staying at the farm’s

boasts of a farm resort called

in specialty shops like Santi’s delicatessen, guesthouses may be limited but one gets

Pamora Farms that raises French native

Terry’s Selections, and Market-Market at the feeling of French-Filipino complimentary

chicken of the Sasso breed. This variety can

the Fort. The farm also produces free-range fusion in terms of cuisine and hospitality. As of

grow to as big as thanksgiving turkey.

chicken products like chicken liver paté, this writing, Pamora Farm has been recognized chicken gizzard paté and free range chicken by the Department of Tourism as an Eco-agri

It turns out that Pamora Farm, a new agri-eco tourist establishment is a Filipino-French Joint

eggs.

tourism destination.

FEATURE 55

Turning off from the Manila North Road at Paul P. dela Girroniere in his book ‘Twenty Don Quintin Paredes. In the town of Tayum, the junction of Narvacan in Ilocos Sur, one Years in the Philippines.’ The urge to see the the well preserved house of Gabriela Silang is enters Abra through the Tangadan tunnel Tingguians in their native mountain habitats worth a visit. It was here were the flag of the and is welcomed by the provincial marker, goaded him to journey to the mountain revolution of 1763 against Spanish domination “Ti Kabalyo”(the horse). Abra for centuries has hinterland in what is now Abra. In about the was organized. Gabriela who had Tingguian been isolated from the rest of the world by same time, two German travelers Semper and blood carried on the revolt when her husband towering mountain ranges of the Cordilleras. Schanderberg, who were anthropologists also Diego Silang was shot in neighboring Vigan.

The natives called Tinguians boasts of rich visited Abra and wrote about the vast natural The couple fought the Spaniards to the cultural heritage which colorfully blends with resources and the culture of the natives in the last breath of their lives together with the thousands of their followers.

Ilocano customs and traditions. The scenic place. spots all over the province are tailored for the eyes to behold for indeed theses vistas are During the Spanish time, Abra was part of Also worth a side trip is the residence of better seen, as words fail to describe them Ilocos Sur, until it became a politico-military Ambassador Rosario Carino, the former adequately.

province in October 1846. In 1917, an executive Philippine Ambassador to Sri Lanka, which act by American Governor Franics Burton displays his vast art, Chinese porcelain and rare

Abra according to popular theory has been Harrison was made into law and established book collection. In nearby Mary Barbero Park, derived from the Spanish word “abrir” which Abra as an independent province. Of late, the centuries old acacia trees, natural springs and means to open, Spanish expeditionary forces province has rejected joining the Cordillera man made waterfalls await weary travelers. found it difficult to penetrate Abra, the only Autonomous Region (CAR) pointing out that way to the interior being sail in skiffs - a the area belongs to Ilocandia historically, In Bangued, the capital town, one cannot help small sailboat with outriggers on the deep, geographically, ethnologically and politically. but notice the impressive façade of the San swift flowing Abra River. The culture, customs

Lorenzo Ruiz Church which was built in 1722.

and traditions of the Tingguians which have The province is home to several illustrious The town has a few dining establishments transcended and survived the centuries were heroes including Gabriela Silang and offering authentic Ilocano dishes with distinct first recorded by French writer and traveler statesman and former speaker of the house Abrenian

provincial

taste

like

pinakbet,

56 FEATURE

dinengdeng, dinaldalem and bagnet. One can also order igat, a fresh water eel, caught in the Abra river, cooked as paksiw or adobo. It is also sometimes dried and served with fresh slices of tomatoes with bagoong(shrimp paste).

Other exotic local fare include pacpacu, a local vegetable boiled and also served with tomatoes and bagoong, alingo, meat of wild boar or deer, boiled in lots of tomatoes, onions and ginger mixed with vegetables upo and patola. This meat has been scarce lately because of the ban in hunting these wild animals in the forests. There is also lodong, a fresh water fish caught in the Abra River especially this time of the year, and cooked The hand-woven cloth produced in this sitio Station in Cubao. Buses leave every hour but deep fried or sarciado (rich stew of tomatoes, uses organic dyes to color their textiles. For it is best to take the late night trip which gets garlic, ginger and onion).Of late locals and the ladies, take home with you their native you to Bangued in the early morning the visitors have been trooping to Pamora Farm handcrafted jewelries and ethnic furniture following day. One way fare is PHP890 with for a taste of their free range chicken Pamora made of wood from the province’s virgin stops in Vigan or La Union. cooked as adobo, apritada, relleno (stuffed forests. A visit to Abra province gives pride to chicken) or simply as tinola or sinampalukan its beautiful rustic settings combined with its and served with steaming upland rice.

relaxed lifestyle.

Accommodations: Pamora Farms Km. 396 Garreta, Pidigan Abra – 0917 537 email:mstina@

For souvenirs, get yourself the native weaves How to get there: Take the Partas Bus either pacific.net.ph or gpap@info.com.ph Website: of Barrangay Namarabar in Penarubia town. at their EDSA Pasay station or Aurora Blvd, www.pamorafarm.com

58 PINOY PLANET

Meandering Through the City of Lights

By Al P. Manlangit

Of all the cities I’ve been to, none matches the allure of Paris. It may be known as the City of Lights but it is also the city where one can indulge in so many passions: history, culture, architecture, gastronomic delights and that most pleasurable pastime for women: shopping. It has everything you could ask for. No wonder that I always want to come back to this place again and again and again.

W

e flew into Charles de Gaulle airport without a fixed itinerary except to meander around places that remained unexplored on previous visits.

We had done the Louvre, climbed the Eiffel, attended Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral, strolled along Champs Elysees, admired the views atop the Arc de Triomphe, crisscrossed the Tuileries Garden, shopped in Haussmann Blvd, and wandered around the Left Bank.

So what else was there to do? Lots more, it seems.

on a hill, which you can reach either by taking the funicular or a leisurely walk. We did the latter, stopping every now and then to admire the view and watch several wedding pictorials going on in the grassy incline. Reaching the top, one gets a great bird’s eye view of the city stretching from north to south. Built in 1875, the church is one of France’s most important Roman Catholic places of worship. Its stained glass gallery below an ovoid dome plus mosaic tiled ceiling is enough to give anyone a stiff neck, because you just can’t help but gaze irresistibly upwards.

Since our hotel was in Montmartre, we first visited the Sacre Coeur basilica located up

Coming out, we chanced upon a train carriage that ferried passengers around the

arrondissement (district) for 2 Euros. We got onboard and were soon passing through the quaint neighborhood with its quintessential Parisian life: outdoor cafés, fruit markets, choc-a-bloc apartments with mansard roofs, artist exhibiting their works in Place du Tertre, a couple of small museums and even a vineyard – the only surviving one in the city.

The next day, after watching the morning Summer Collection fashion show in Galleries Lafayette, we went on a leisurely stroll from the grandiose Opera Garnier down to Rue dela Paix with its uber expensive designer shops which ended in Place Vendome, a vast square surrounded with splendid buildings that have large arcades on the ground floor and roofs crowned with dormer windows so typical of Paris. Here at No.15 was the Hotel Ritz (where Diana and Dodi rendezvoused before that fatal car crash) and at No. 12 the house where Chopin died. In the middle stood a tall column with the statue of Napoleon in military garb. Continuing to Rue du Fabourge and St. Honore, I warned the wife that we should only window-shop and nothing more because on these streets stood some of the most famous (and expensive!) names in the fashion industry: LV, YSL, Hermes, Pierre Cardin, and Lanvin to name a few. Well, a small Gucci bag, nonetheless, was wrangled from my Visa.

We had a quick lunch at an outdoor café fronting La Madeleine, a church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene whose form and structure resembled that of a classical Greek temple,

FEATURE 59

before heading out to Place dela Concorde.

The name is quite ironic when you think that thousands of heads rolled off the guillotine erected in this square during the late 17th century “Reign of Terror”. Now it has beautiful cobblestone paving and the only danger to an individual is getting run-over by huge tour buses disgorging hordes of tourists.

Taking a breather in the Espace Pierre Cardin we sat on a bench eating our French Bistro sandwiches with rich gruyere cheese. How such a simple baguette could taste so good, I don’t know – leave it to the French to add that bit of je ne sais quoi.

Parisians love their parks which dot the city. They are not only sanctuaries for the tired and weary but they are also filled with kids running around, adults in thoughtful conversation and lovers pledging undying love for each other. The resident birds have a field day, too, pecking food offered by tourists like us.

Crossing the Champs Elysees could be dangerous if you’re not quick enough to dodge over speeding Peugeots, Renaults or Citroens whizzing by without a care in the world. We made it safely across, reaching the esplanade running parallel to the Seine. Here,

we hopped onboard one of the bateauxmouches that go from Pont de Grenelle, where you have the replica of the Statue of Liberty, to Pont de Sully at the tip of Ile dela Cite passing thru almost 20 bridges. The numerous sites en route is definitely worth the modest sum of 10Euros. We drifted through the Seine passing the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, followed by the National Assembly, Musee d’Orsay, the brooding Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was incarcerated), and finally, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Under the glorious blue sky, the scenery was just magnifique!

Another engaging part of the city is La Defence. Located in the western outskirts of Paris, this business district boasts of sleek, avant garde, steel-and-glass highrises housing the headquarters of various multinational companies. The piece de resistance is the Grand Arche, a towering 110 meter-high hollow concrete cube clad in glass and carrara marble completed in 1990 after a design competition won by a Danish architect. We sat on its steps eating ice cream while gazing at the two other tall buildings in the city in the far distance which form the end of the axis running through Champs Elysees – Tour Eiffel and Tour Montparnasse.

60 FEATURE

On our last night, we went on a combined package tour from City Rama (85/-Euros each) that took in a night cruise on the Seine and a Moulin Rouge show. A bus picked up our group near the Louvre and brought us to the quay by the Eiffel where we boarded a boat that cruised down the same route we passed a few days ago. This time, however, the focus was on the beautifully-illuminated buildings and bridges which took on a different character at night. We were later brought to the Moulin Rouge - all dressed in formal attire - where we were going to watch the “Feerie” (fairy) show with a bottle of complimentary champagne included in the ticket.

The most famous cabaret in the world since 1889, gained its notorious reputation then thanks to its French Cancan. It was further immortalized in Henri Tolouse-Lautrec’s paintings which showed scenes of wild abandon and general debauchery during its sumptuous shows. Over the years, it staged great revues and hosted international celebrities from Edith Piaf to Frank Sinatra and Liza Minelli thereby gaining a legendary following that continues to this day. And so we sat around our raised table on the back row sipping our champagne, waiting for the lights to go down and the curtains to go up.

The show consisted of a hundred artists including 60 or so stunning Doriss Girls who were the main dancers. They did dance scene after dance scene, at times backed by an orchestra, in their fabulous revealing costumes covered with feathers, rhinestones and sequins. There were colorful circus acts, eastern dramas, pirate adventures, great parades, Hollywood boogie music a la ‘Grease’ and, of course, the Cancan where the throbbing rhythm blended perfectly with the young dancers’ frills and flowing skirts which they lifted to reveal their petticoats and long legs. The evening’s highlight was an act where a girl dove into a tank filled with water to frolic suggestively with an enormous python. With all the color and excitement, not to mention the beautiful faces and lissome bodies, it was not a bad way at all to cap our last evening in the city of lights - the city of sights!

And so we flew out of the French capital with indelible images to treasure, gastronomic delights to cherish and countless adventures to relive. Perhaps another trip would be good to contemplate for, after all, there will always be something new to explore. J’adore Paris!

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62 FROM OUR READERS

A UAE Road Trip

What’s one of the best things to do during the cool winter weekends? See and capture the best sights around the emirates – what else? Avid Illustrado readers Boyet Damot and Reynante Mendoza accompanied by a disciplined road navigator, and armed with their trusty cameras and lots of wide-eyed enthusiasm, show you how.

Text by William ‘Boyet’ Damot Photography by Reynante Mendoza and Boyet Damot

“Pre, road trip tayo! Photo-safari!”

On a pleasantly cool Saturday morning with the outdoor beckoning, it was very hard to resist my buddy Rey’s impromptu invitation. We are budding amateur photographers - so what better way to see more of the UAE and practice photography fundamentals at the same time than by hopping on to a good car with your DSLR primed and ready.

The winter air was crisp and invigorating. After filling up at an Emarat station in Oud Metha our navigator Mark Reyes sped towards the Dubai-Al Ain road.

hat served as good vantage points; perhaps the RTA engineers realized that motorists would be hard put not to stop and take photos when passing here at this time of day.

one is treated to a breathtaking panoramic vista of the expansive desert floor which stretches out to the horizon. You can see parts of Oman as well, as Jebel Hafeet lies in the outskirts of Al Ain near the Oman border.

We reached our first destination, Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, sometime after 10 am. According to some sites on the WWW, Jebel Hafeet, which rises 1,200 meters from the desert floor, is the highest peak in the UAE. Edmunds.com calls the Hafeet Mountain Road the “World’s Greatest Driving Road - with a surface so smooth it would flatter a racetrack.”

It was a little over 7 am when the first photo-op literally ‘dawned’ upon us. We were cruising at 120kilometers per hour when the rising sun caught The road to the summit is a steep 15-kilometer our attention. Good thing, this particular area of the highway carved from the rocky mountain face, Dubai-Al Ain Road had several safe parking sports dotted with several ‘observation points’ where Mercure Hotel The road to Jebel Hafeet

Observation Deck at the top of Hafeet Mountain

FROM OUR READERS 63 A Mosque In Al-Ain

Road Signs in Al Ain

Emiratis in Al Ain

Near the top of the mountain, is the luxurious It was past 6pm when we decided to head home Mercure Hotel as well as a magnificent structure, for Dubai via the Sheikh Zayed Road. The SZR is another testament to the UAEs excellent road perhaps the palace of one of the UAE’s Sheikhs. networks. The well-paved, well-lit freeway is a The UAE government built a viewing podium at the speed driver’s paradise. peak which can accommodate 70-100 cars easily.

At this point you get an almost 360 degree view. It’s There were numerous road signs saying “Warning: a bit chilly at that elevation and on that particular Road Monitored by Radar”, but several sports cars and SUVs roared past us on speeds that I reckon clear day, visibility was ‘A-OK’ for photography. to be 160-180kph. It’s very tempting to over Al Ain is the fourth largest city in the UAE and has speed. An SUV or a good sedan packed with all the distinction of being the birthplace of Sheikh those horsepower, combined with this world-class Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of freeway, results to a ride so smooth you would the United Arab Emirates. Dubbed the “Garden hardly notice passing the 120kph speed limit.

City”, Al Ain has many parks (the best known is Good thing we had a disciplined guy in the driver’s the Green Mubazzarah) and avenues generously seat. lined with greenery. We had our lunch at one of the public parks before proceeding to Abu Dhabi, We reached Jumeirah Beach past 7pm and our about 150 kilometers – about an hour and a half last subject for the day was the Burj Al Arab. The Burj stands grand with its high-tech structure and drive away. amazing external lighting, which gives the world’s only 7-star hotel an architectural “complexion that seems to blush” from a serene midnight blue to crimson red.

Emirates Palace Hotel

Some points of interest in Abu Dhabi include the Marina Mall and the Emirates Palace Hotel. If you’ve seen The Kingdom, the action movie top billed

by Jamie Foxx, you’d recall that the magnificent structure that was alluded to as the presidential palace of the Saudis is the palace hotel.

I had a passing thought of trying out the hotel’s rooftop café/restaurant for a cup of java, when I remembered that this place serves, perhaps, the world’s most expensive coffee at DHS250 a cup!

So - DHS500 for two cups with a great view or a good second zoom lens? That was an easy choice!

I’d go for the second camera lens, and take my instant Nescafe 3-in-1 back at the flat. Seriously, though, we should go back to take photos inside the Burj Al Arab, and probably of the Dubai skyline from the helipad.

Our last shot of the day was nothing short of exhilarating. With the calming sound of the waves kissing the beach and the cool breeze

Big Dome inside the Emirates Palace Hotel

blowing inland, not to mention our cameras securely packed with sights from around the emirates, it was a great close to a truly interesting day.

So next time, Fujairah and Hatta – here we come!

Burj Al Arab

64 PINOY ABOUT TOWN

Into the Green

The art gallery is where we might often find highprofile individuals, fine arts students and dilettantes.

A place like Green Art Gallery in Jumeirah, however, is incomparably welcoming to everybody, regardless of status and lifestyle. By Shar Matingka I accidentally discovered this charming venue. The petite and compact façade exudes ‘cuteness’ the same effect anything tiny and fluffy has on certain people. As I opened the little iron-gate, I felt like curious little Alice on her way to Wonderland. The front yard is carpeted with a lush, dark-green lawn; flowers in huge clay pots rest on both sides of the stone path in place of pillars in most galleries. They turned what used to be an ordinary residence into a place of imagination and serenity.The size of the interior is not overwhelmingly spacious.

Lighting is just right, neither blaring nor too dim. Spotlights have been set sufficiently in ideal corners. During daytime, the gallery utilizes natural light, turning brightness and shades into mimics of life.

The Green Art Gallery is a contemporary art space featuring original art, limited edition prints and hand crafted items from artists all over the world, particularly from those influenced and inspired by the heritage, culture and environment of the Arab world and its people.

Apart from the interesting pieces on show, to me, being private but not snobbishly exclusive is what makes the gallery so inviting that it can spark anyone’s curiosity and appetite for aesthetics. During my visit, I had the entire showcase to myself. The next thing I knew, I was momentarily trapped in the surreal world of Tunisian artist, Rym Karoui.

Appropriately entitled ‘Universe: Life’, the theme of the exhibit, as I understood, basically represents undying hope and the enduring human spirit versus human frailty. All of Karoui’s sculptures and paintings in mixed media have an unusual vitality caught in a dream-like state. It’s like trying to grasp the memory of a pleasant dream before it disappears.

These days, the gallery has an ongoing exhibition of the works of artists Jaber Alwan, Paul Guiragossian, Ismail Fattah, Fateh Moudarres, Hrair and Omar Hamdi Malva, to name a few.

Farther down the corridor is where one would find the small admin office. Who runs the gallery? Europeans? Locals? I was quite impressed to know that two Filipinas run the gallery. Our brief exchange of “hi-hello” came as natural as if we were friends who haven’t seen each other for a long time. They reminded me to sign the guestbook and leave my contact details.

I’m not going to give everything away. I would recommend everybody to discover the rest about Green Art Gallery. The best way to experience this art space and its engaging showcases is by “keeping it real”. Feel what you want to feel. Explore beyond sight. Perhaps it isn’t everybody’s interest. But it’s worth taking the detour from typical afternoons at the mall.

Walk in. Be yourself.

CELEBRATING PINOY CHARM FACE OF THE MONTH

Simple Pleasures MarnelySalvador

By Mikkel Bolante Photography by Mariyah Gaspacho

27-year-old Marnely Salvador is a picture of simplicity.

Growing up in a small town in Pampanga, Illustrado’s Face of the Month admits to having the humblest of beginnings — she used to spend time climbing trees and frequenting the mountains. “I was the nerdy girl who sits at the back of the class and eats her hair!” Time has a funny way of changing most things.

Today, she is a glamorous flight attendant enjoying the perks of traveling. “Filipino crew members are admired… passengers know that they’ll

have a worry-free flight.” who they really are. She still She is never afraid to try goes to Sunday mass (at St. new things. She loves travel Mary’s Church) like she used because it allows her to to, and lives for home cooking “stumble on to fresh things.” that takes her back to simpler On free days, she goes times. “I always look forward shopping, watches films and to going back and relaxing attends concerts. with my hometown friends at our bahay kubo,” says Amidst all the change, she Marnely. “I take advantage believes that Filipinas, herself of the precious quiet time included, never compromise before I go back to Dubai and rock the airspace.”

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66 FILIPINISMS

Onli In Da Pilipins - 1. n. a phrase used to define anything or anyone that only exists anywhere in the 7,107 islands of the Philippines || 2. adj. a phrase used to describe a Pinas episode or a Pinoy persona so rare one would never find anywhere else in the WWW (whole, wide world). It merits a documentation of some sort.

By Aby Yap

LOVE BlahBlahBlah

ry once again — Uyyy… it’s Februa for lovers in love! the special month yans have already I bet most kababa to restaurants, made reservations t-have-you’s as hotels and wha to celebrate, not early as January y, but the whole only Valentines Da ce. Trust in the month of roman espesyal bone. It Pinoy’s romansa ply overtakes the never fails! It sim stem at this time entire cerebral sy g us baliw in the of the year, makin ddenly become name of love. We su literary spirits of possessed by the ura, proclaiming Florante and La avens that we’d to the highest he the sake of our risk anything for e just been bitten beloved. Oh no, I’v by the love bug!

This Funny Valentines Day Bye-bye, Christmas trees and Dragon fireworks! Hello flaming red, heart-shaped balloons! Don’t forget the fake roses, chocolate bars, and giant stuffed toys and all those framed mushy love quotes and poems.

Valentines Day is yet another reason to spend your hard-earned money; otherwise, you’d be eternally branded as the kuripot, heartless one. Either your partner leaves you in haste (to find another who’d be willing to literally pay the costly price of love) or you get blacklisted from the books of prospective lovers.

Now, what’s a typical Pinoy Valentines Day? On the eve of the 14th, you’d most likely receive some text messages with a bear or some other similarly endearing animal saying “Let me be the first to greet you a Happy Valentine’s Day.” Isn’t that sweet of your family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances — that they’d actually miss a few hours of sleep just to beat the rest of

FILIPINISMS 67 those who want to send you love wishes?

With the first ray of sunshine, the string of surprises from your ‘baby’ starts. There’d be a phone or video call, mostly an exchange of sweet nothings like how each other’s world would collapse in case one decides to call it quits. The moment you enter the office or classroom (that is, if you’re not on leave or absent), a dozen fresh roses or a bouquet of Holland tulips and a Hallmark card await you at your desk. If you’re lucky, you’d even find some Hershey’s hidden somewhere in your pile of pending documents. Everyone would stop working or studying just to brag about each other’s seemingly perfect partner.

And this is completely understandable, as Valentines Day is an unofficial holiday in the Philippines. Maybe it’s time our President officiated it, or some political aspirant lobbied for it. That would equal sure votes from V-day fanaticos.

The day wraps up with lovers excitedly meeting up for the ultimate date. This could come in many forms. The adventurous and patriotic could participate in the Lovapalooza to maintain the Philippines’ place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most number of couples kissing simultaneously. The young ones could watch a kilig movie starring Bea and John Lloyd or Richard and Angel. Or they could spend the longest possible time in a fine dining restaurant to compensate for the huge bill. The more mature, however, could opt to simply hang out at Luneta Park with

the romantic setting of stars and the moon.

Or they could ‘turn left’ to lovers’ lane in Pasig to fulfill that Matrix, X-Men, Wowowee, or Deal or No Deal fantasy, among others.

Cynics and ‘Valentine scrooges’ might call it corny, commercialized, overrated, or any other nega adjective. But, the fact is, the Filipino has been born too romantic. And it’s cute and forgivable, especially in February.

Will You Marry Him? Now, this is the question commonly thrown to a Pinay by her friends after the story of the boyfriend’s long-awaited marriage proposal is revealed. And you know how girls are — we couldn’t help but burst out kolehiyala giggles when a guy attempts to stage his own dramatic moment. The kind of scene straight out of a Hollywood film: he kneels down on one knee, gazes teary-eyed at you, and pops the million dollar question with a matching 24-carat gold flawless diamond engagement ring.

Such is the significance of a marriage proposal.

How it went on would be unsurprisingly passed from one mouth to another. The tsikadoras and tsismosas could either go epileptic with envy or mock your fiancé’s kamaisan, which could very well reflect your own cheesiness. Of course, you wouldn’t want the latter.

Since Filipino men could be very quixotic when they want (or need) to be, their creative juices flow lavishly. Although, the days of fetching water and chopping wood for the fiancée’s family are long gone, the modern Pinoy can still go all out to impress the girl of his dreams, eventually taking her hand in marriage. For how could the equally hopeless romantic Pinays say “no” to these real-life marriage proposals?

• Three Pinoys proposed to their girlfriends while actually flying in a Cebu Pacific airplane.

And they did this on the most fitting day of the year. You guessed it right, February 14, in 1999, 2005, and 2007.

• A Filipino fan sought the help of his idol, famous graphic novelist Neil Gaiman, to propose to his lady in last year’s Philippine Advertising Congress. In the book-signing event, Gaiman wrote on the first page of his new book for the girl to read: Will you marry Jason?

• Wanting to surprise his girlfriend, an avid reader of Cosmopolitan magazine Philippine Edition, requested the editors to publish his marriage proposal. He then took his girl for a date, and asked her to read the magazine in front of him.

If you’d ask me, any of these stands a chance of beating TomKat’s Eiffel Tower marriage proposal show. Haay, definitely cheesily romantic - Pinoy-style!

68 FILIPINISMS

The Annie B (Batobalani) Chronicles

FORBEEEEDEN LOVE

The adventures and misadventures of a ‘not so average’ Pinay trying to make it in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai.

Photography by Mariyah Gaspacho

Dear Ate Lalaine, Hello po! Itago mo na lamang ako sa pangalang Annie B. Isang makabagong OFW na naninirahan dito sa cosmopolitang lungsod ng Dubai. Simple lang, slightly may kalakihang bulas, ‘di man likas na kagandahan ngunit may powers pang makatanso ng boylet sa pamamagitan ng lipgloss, concealer at Benetton Hot Body Mist (my new secret weapon - murang mura lang sa Karama). Liberal ang pananaw sa buhay, may kakayahang typing skills na 45 words per minute, wannabe fashionista, average videoke singer pero disco queen sa dance floor.

Hopeless romantic (ika nga ni Ric Segreto), ngunit sa paniniwala ko ay may sapat pang asim para umasa na balang araw ay magkakajowa pa rin – by hook or by crook (go, Azenith Briones!). Bukod dito, ako ay may taglay na ginintuang puso at madaling magtiwala sa kapwa tao (lalo na kung cute sya). I give kasi everyone the benefit of the daw – kaya verinable at gollyble daw ako. Ewan ko ba…..sabi nga ng iba,“it’s better to have loved and loosed than not to have been loved and be a loser at all…” tama ba? Dedma. Basta kapag ako nagmahal, sky’s the langit.

No ifs, no bats.

Matapos ang linggo-linggo, araw-araw at minu-minutong kaka-update ko ng aking mga Friendster, Facebook at Multiply accounts, di na ako umaasa pa sa kasabihan ng matatanda na, ”Don’t wait for him to come, he will come falling down from the sky soon…” Eh naka naman, ilang beses na akong with arms wide open pero wala pa ring dumarating. Ang bago kong motto ngayon ay, “Carpet Diem!” (size the day sa Ingles). Yes, nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang kawanggawa. Bakit pa ako aasa sa iba eh baka ahasin pa di ba? Sariling sikap na ako, day!

Kaya naman isang malamig na gabi, nang maimbitahan ako sa isang birthday party ng isa sa mga ka-carlift ko, um-effort to death ang lola mo. Syempre, first impression is last – kaya kesehodang 12 degrees ang panahon at tumatayo lahat ng balahibo sa katawan ko, um-outfit ako ng pang-Marimar (Awww!). Alam ko kasing sikat na sikat at mainit ngayon sa kalalakihan si Marian Rivera kaya may-I inspired ako sa image nya. Kaya naman sa dinami-dami ng mga bisitang naka sweater at jogging pants doon sa party ay namukod-tangi talaga ako sa backless at mini-skirt kong outfits. Tiniis ko ang pangangatog at banta ng rayuma. All eyes were on me noong gabing yon. Nang isinalang sa videoke ang usual repertwar kong “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?”, doon ko sya unang namataan. Si Joey Boy – Pinoy,

kayumanggi, matipuno ang pangangatawan – pang Viva Hot Men ang dating. Kaboses ni Ogie Alcasid….kaya nagmistulang Pops Fernandez ako habang nagdyuduet kami. Buong gabing panay ang kwentuhan namin – anything but the sun.

Wala syang ibang kinausap ng babae noon kundi ako lang. Mabuti na lang at madaming supply ng bullfrog noon. Matapos ang party, inihatid nya ako sa flat ko.

Nakakahiya nga eh, kaya sinagot ko na lang ang DHS150 na pang-taxi nya pauwi.

Ang saya saya ko noon, Ate Lalaine! Ganoon pala ang feeling ng love at first site – nakaka-kilig, nakakalula, nakakabangag…mainit…maligamgam. Hindi ako makatulog, hindi ako makakakain. Miski kinakalyo na ang daliri ko, text-kitty-text all day long ang drama namin. Hindi ako mapakali…panay ang mis kol nya, hindi ko naman matiis - kaya everyday ay pina-pasa load ko sya ng dalawang DHS40 worth of Etisalat Wasel Cards. Miski sweet nothings lang ang messages nya, feeling ko nasa langit na ako. “Gud NyT! mzta na U?”…“WRU na?”… “jan na me”…“2log n b U? “…“Sleep na me”…”Ingatz…” Haaayyy!!! Sabeeeeeel, this must be looove!!!

(Carmi Martin sa pelikulang Working Girls) Agad agad kong in-update ang status sa Friendster ko: IN A RELATIONSHIP. Dizzzizzit!!!

Mula noon, panay na ang labas namin. Gabi-gabi laging may date. Mas matindi kapag weekends. Thursday nights sa Chika Grill…Friday afternoons sa Zabeel Park…Saturdays naman simba sa St. Mary’s. Miski two weeks pa lang kami magkakilala, feeling ko lifechance ko na syang ka-close. Sa wakas nakakita na ako ng aking solemate. Oo Ate Lalaine, pareho kaming mahilig sa sapatos. Kaya miski malapit nang mag-max out ang credit card ko eh ibinili ko pa rin sya ng latest model ng Nike Air Max. Sa loob ng maikli naming pagsasama, nailahad nya sa akin ang lahat ng personal na bagay sa buhay nya. Napag-alaman kong hindi kumpleto ang spaghetti nya kung walang halong Banana Ketchup, na na-kick out sya sa Torres High School dahil nangopya sya sa NCEE exam nila, at Engineering talaga ang gusto nyang kurso pero sa STI sya napunta noong college. Kaagad na nahulog ang loob ko sa kanya dahil sa ipinamalas nyang kabaitan sa akin. Di lumaon,“Papa” at “Mama” na ang tawagan namin sa isa’t isa. Ang sweet noh?

Magtri-three weeksarry na kami noon nang bigla kong maramdaman ang pagbabago sa kanya, Ate Lalaine. Unti-unti, naging matipid ang text nya sa akin.

Hindi na rin sya madalas mag mis kol, miski pa dinagdagan ko ng isa pang DHS40 ang pasa load ko sa kanya. Nagtaka ako, may ginawa ba ako o nasabi na mali?

Miski ang matagal na naming plano na mag-date sa Global Village ay parati na

FILIPINISMS 69

lang napo-postpone. Nagbulag-bulagan ako, Ate Lalaine. Sabi ko, lilipas din ito, baka may problema lang sya noon. Pero nakita ko na lang sa Friendster account nya ang mga pictures nya kasama ang barkada nya na kuha sa harap ng Philippine Pavillion ng Global Village. Doon ako labis na nabahala – something was definitely going fishing. Bakit sya nagpunta doon na hindi ako kasama samantalang kay tagal na naming plano ang sabay mamasyal doon?

So isang mabuhanging hapon noon sa ilalim ng Date Tree sa kalagitnaan ng Mamzar Park, nag-usap kami ng masinsinan. Sabi ko sa kanya ay magtiwala sya sa akin na maiintindihan ko anu man ang dinadala nyang problema, maging open lang sya sa akin. Noong una ay hesitate sya. Walang kibo at malayo ang tingin. Ngunit maya maya ay nagsalita na rin. “Annie B, it’s not you, it’s meeeh…” sambit nya. Namlumo ako. Biglang gumuho ang mundo ko. “Joey Boy, tell me where it hurts. Stop pushing around the buzhes! Ano ba talaga, kuya?” Ang mga sumunod na salita na nagmula sa bibig nya ay tila ang pinakamalupit na mga katagang narinig ko sa buong buhay ko. Hindi ko lubos akalain na mangyayari ito sa akin. Iba ang hapdi at kirot ng mga sugat na dulot ng sikretong inamin nya.“Itigil na natin ito, Annie. MAY ASAWA’T MGA ANAK NA AKO – nasa Pilipinas.

Bago pa may masaktan nang lubusan.”

“Huwaaaaaaattt?!!! Your married?!!! Eh bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi sa akeeen?!!!”, sabay tulo ng luha sa kaliwang mata ko.

“Pasensya ka na, hindi ko napigilan. Nalungkot ako, nangulila sa kalinga… hanggang sa nakilala kita. Inasikaso mo ako, inaruga at inalagaan. Masarap kang magluto at mahilig kang gumimik…Akala ko okay lang…bahala na. Pero hindi ko matiis hindi maisip ang misis ko tuwing magkasama tayo. Mahal ko ang pamilya ko. Ayokong sirain ang tiwala at pagmamahal sa akin ng mga anak ko.

Ayokong matulad sa mga flatmates ko. Hindi ko kayaaaa…“ sabay talikod nya sa akin.

“Paalam, Annie B. Sana balang araw ay mapatawad mo rin ako….” ang mga last words nya habang naglalakad papuntang exit gate ng Mamzar Park. Simula noon ay hindi ko na sya muling nakita. Tumigil na ang pagti-text nya, pati na rin ang mga mis kol. Wala na sigurong load. Wala na rin akong balita tungkol sa kanya mula sa mga carlift friends ko. Minarapat talaga nyang lumayo at umiwas matapos ang araw na yon. Ilang araw din akong tulala at nawindang sa mga pangyayari. Pilit kong sinasariwa ang matamis naming mga alaala ngunit anuman ang gawin ko, wala sya sa tabi ko tuwing hahanapin ko sya.

Ipinasa-Diyos ko na lamang ang lahat. Kahit papano ay maswerte din ako dahil nirespeto naman nya ako. Lagi ko iyong ibabaon saan man ako pumunta - na miski almost three weeks lang – nagka-jowa pa rin ako!

At diyan nagwawakas ang malupit at mapait kong nakaraan, Ate Lalaine.

Masakit man ngunit pilit kong nire-rewind ang mga pangyayari, hindi ko rin naman kayang sikmurain na maging masaya habang may mga ibang

nasasaktan. Mabuti na rin siguro na bago pa sya maka-third base sa akin ay sinabi nya na sa akin ang katotohanan. Mabuti na rin sa kanya nanggaling ang masamang balita kesa sa iba ko pa narinig. Tsismis na yon. Sayang, balak ko pa naming regaluhan sya ng iPhone sa first monthsarry namin. Akin na lang noh?

Kaya heto, update ulit ng status sa Friendster ko: SINGLE. Teka, di ba dapat, IT’S COMPLICATED?!!!

Hanggang ditto na lamang po at salamat sa pagtangkilik nyo sa akin. Sana’y maraming makabasa ng liham ko at nawa’y may matutunan silang aral sa aking mapait na karanasan. Sana rin may mga mag-email sa akin: anniebdxb@yahoo. com Add nyo rin ako sa Friendster.

Nagmamahal, Annie B. P.S. Joey Boy, nasaan ka man, sana ay huwag mong kalimutan ang pinagsamahan natin. Isoli mo rin sana sa akin ang DVD ko ng “Sukob” – original yun eh. Sayang akala ko pa naman, YOUR THE ONE na. Here’s a song I dedicate to you. Take care b’coz I care.

KUNG ALAM KO LANG

By Toni Daya Bakit nilihim mo sa akin ang iyong nakaraan Naniwala naman sa ‘yo,ako’y nagtiwala Hindi mo ba nararamdaman ang paghihirap ng puso ko Noon pa ma’y umiibig na sa ‘yo CHORUS: Kung alam ko lang na may iba ka palang minamahal Di na sana ako naghintay sa ‘yo nang ganon katagal Umasa ako,ang buong akala’y akin ang iyong mundo Buti na lang at aking natuklasan Ikaw pala ay isang salawahan…

70 FILIPINISMS

Pinoy Romantic Acronyms Buwan na naman ng mga puso, kaibigan! Baka nakalimutan mo na ang ating mga matatamis pa sa bukayo na romantikong acronyms. Ang Pinoy nga naman – ibang klaseng umibig. Sige, hinay-hinay lang at baka langgamin ka!

H.O.L.L.A.N.D Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies.

I.T.A.L.Y. I Trust And Love You. L.I.B.Y.A. Love Is Beautiful; You Also.

F.R.A.N.C.E. Friendships Remain and Never Can End. C.H.I.N.A. Come Here. I Need Affection.

B.U.R.M.A. Between Us, Remember Me Always.

I.N.D.I.A. I Nearly Died In Adoration.

C.A.N.A.D.A. Cute And Naughty Action that Developed into Attraction K.O.R.E.A. Keep Optimistic Regardless of Every Adversity.

E.G.Y.P.T. Everything’s Great, You Pretty Thing!

R.U.S.S.I.A. Romance Under the Sky and Stars is Intimate Always.

M.A.N.I.L.A. May All Nights Inspire Love Always.

B.A.L.I.W.A.G. Beauty And Love I Will Always Give.

M.A.L.A.B.O.N. May A Lasting Affair Be Ours Now. I.M.U.S. I Miss U, Sweetheart.

P.A.S.I.G. Please Always Say I’m Gorgeous.

C.E.B.U. Change Everything... But Us. P.A.R.A.N.A.Q.U.E. Please Always Remain Adorable, Nice And Quiet Under Ecstacy.

T.O.N.D.O. Tonight’s Our Night, Dearest One. P.A.S.A.Y. Pretty And Sexy Are You. Y.E.M.E.N. ‘Yugyugan Every Morning Every Night.

J.A.P.A.N Just Always Pray at Night.

P.E.R.U. Porget Everyone...

Remember Us.

SAUCE IT SPREAD IT LOVE IT

Ang Rich na Lasang Pinoy Available in all suking tindahan all over the U.A.E.

72 The view from your regular Juan dela Cruz

What Pick-Up Line Works for You?

Usapang Kanto Compiled by Jonie Jose

My call

Hi, you look very nice! Can I have your mobile number?

Webster Vicente

Mysterious Success Tips

I really don’t know what’s going to work for me.

It’s for you to find out!

Aiza P. Grospe

You complete me “I always dream of having a happy family life. My life has been very quiet. Then, you came along ... I thank God for you mahal ko, you really have completed me.” These words make me feel like the most valuable woman among the rest.

Catherine Martinez

Charmed

I was easily impressed when a guy told me: “I’ve never seen a lady as friendly and as charming as you.” It’s so nice to hear that guys find me friendly and charming - it makes me feel respected as a woman.

Jhen Santiago

Start with a smile

“Hi miss ... you have a good smile, nakakain-love.” I find these words effective because I always get the girl’s attention whenever I say this.

Ronald

Deja Vu Compliment

The classic pick up lines like, “can I buy you a drink?” or “have we met before?” always work for me. However, there are times that you will need extraordinary pick up lines such as, “apart from being sexy, what do you do for a living?” or “girl, you’ve got to be tired because you’ve been running through my mind all day”.

Doyle Mijares

I find this line very effective: “Excuse me miss, I think we’ve met before, but I just can’t remember when or where”. This line gives me no reason to ignore a man but rather I’m forced to give my attention kasi magiging bastos naman ang dating ko pag di ko pinansin.

Roselet Julian

Sheer Confidence

I first had this tag during my college years back home. My friends and I made a bet on how we can invite a group of highly sophisticated women in a bar. It was my turn, but I was caught off guard, intimidated. The girls were really gorgeous! I said, “My friends and I want to share drinks with you.” I was rudely answered, “I’m waiting for someone.” With full confidence, I just said, “Ok lang, ‘di naman ako seloso eh.” (That’s ok, I’m not the jealous type anyway.)

Believe me, it turned out great!

Aldwin Rowald Abada

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74 ENTERTAINMENT

Let the

Good Vibes

Roll

It’s 2:30 am, and I am sitting beside Lino ‘Boom’ Dayupay on the soft, dilapidated, dark blue couch of Wombworks recording studio. He’s here to wrap up recording his most recent project — a new band called Malaya, whose music specializes in making you want to hop on a plane homebound towards the Philippines, even if you’re already home. Together, we talk about the good old days, back in the 90s, when I was a teenage horror in combat boots, and he was at the height of his success as a hip-hop artist.

Any moment now, I’m afraid he’s going to keel over from exhaustion, having just arrived from Camarines Sur, where he completed a video for the governor. Believe it or not, Boom’s favorite band of all time is Led Zeppelin, a bit strange for the Godfather of Flip-hop. And this is where his story starts…

Gabby de la Rama-Talan Photos courtesy of Boom Dayupay

FREE YOUR MIND: Boom’s latest music venture, Malaya. (Fom left) Boom on vocals, Buddeths on percussion, Randy on guitar, and Louie on bass.

You could have been a neo-hippy, obsessed with rock bands your parents dug: known then as a plaid-wearing ‘grunge’ kid, the sentimental fan whining along to Peter Cetera or Brian Adams, or one of them hiphop kids dressed in baggy pants low enough to show off your dad’s oversized, imported

underpants, scalp shaved in dizzying zigzag patterns (Francis Magalona had a “Yo!” on his) or sporting a fountain of dyed hair, and the trademark dark lipstick, but you had to know the music group Kulay, a combination of funk, old school rap, R&B, and eventually, hip-hop.

Who didn’t? With a burgeoning hip-hop scene dominated by just a handful of artists: Mastaplann, Andrew E, and Francis M, to name a few, Kulay was undoubtedly, one of them.

For one, they were the first Pinoy act signed by an international label—Dance Pool under

ENTERTAINMENT 75 Since then, Boom has been flying back and forth from Canada to Manila, for a variety of projects but this time wearing different hats: director and photographer, busy with projects, some that involved the likes of Sharon Cuneta, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera. Boom prefers “travel-type” projects like his stint for WOW Philippines over fashion-related ones because, as he puts it, “I love capturing things for what they are, especially a native smile. I’m more into the celebratory aspect of it (photography).” He also dabbles in film, and is planning on a documentary set for release next year, called ‘Third World.’ He has a channel called Mangovibe TV, which is airing in Canada (although it is currently on hiatus due to his departure) and soon, in the US and Philippines.

FATHER FIGURE: Boom with his little girl Keziah Blue.

Boom is a busy man who has been through rough times, but has never lost his desire to create. “He is one of the most hardworking people I know. He works like an ox,” says his band mate in Malaya. And this, with his steady vibe and the things he learned the hard way, is probably the secret to his hard-earned success. “I realized you have to live life steady because whether you like it or not, life is going to keep changing.”

Sony Europe. Second, Kulay’s members were all extraordinarily strong characters, neither eclipsing the other: Rada Cuadrado, a classic example of impeccable Pinay beauty, and quintessential blonde knockout Jeannie Oakman (Canadian by blood). What could be considered a point in their favor today, and more like a requirement back then was both could actually sing. To balance out the inordinate amount of estrogen, was the FilCanadian Boom who acted as “the brains of the group,” composing, arranging and producing most of Kulay’s material. “Rada was the soul of the group and Jeannie… Jeannie was the heart,” he adds quietly.

Soon, Boom and Rada, though still grieving, gave in to the label’s prodding to audition a replacement. Boom spotted Angel Jones, a Filipina of Mexican ancestry, dancing to R&B at then hot nightspot, Club Mars. After a heavy month of what Boom refers to as “boot camp,” Angel, hair dyed blonde accordingly, was Amen to that. ready to tour Europe with Kulay.

The countless hits they churned out like ‘Summertime,’ ‘Delicious,’ and ‘Burn,’ had success overseas: third place on the European dance charts (including Ibiza, land of the eternal party of a picky though inebriated mob), remixes by DJs Fatboy Slim and Judge Jules, and a video that was nominated for the 1998 MTV Viewer’s Choice Awards. Sadly, it was during this time that the group suffered their greatest loss. Jeannie — co-founder of Kulay with fiancé Boom — died of an epileptic seizure in September 1997. “We were on the 16-hour flight back to Canada and she was in the luggage compartment (not beside me where she was supposed to be). And that just wasn’t the way I pictured it to be,” he says falteringly. “I nearly collapsed when I saw her parents at the airport. It was just… too much.

I felt so lost.”

According to hip-hop stalwart, DJ and producer Paolo Garcia aka DJ Pasta Groove, “Kulay was definitely one of the pioneers in promoting soul, R&B, and hip-hop,” he says.

“And Rada, one of the unsung heroines and the most underrated diva ever.” Garcia, who was in his teens at the time, clearly remembers that Boom gave him the opportunity for his first recording project. “I remember singing on one of the compilations for Boom’s label Vibestation Records. It was my first time,” he says. Among Vibestation’s talents was the group Legit Misfits of ‘Jabongga’ fame.

After a few albums, Rada left and Kulay became a thing of the past. “Angel stepped up the best way she could, but it was just tough with that hanging over us,” says Boom. A sad event for the scene, as Kulay was and still is an icon of Pinoy hip-hop.

After Kulay disbanded, Boom moved to Canada with Angel, whom he married. With Anthony, Angel’s son, and their baby girl Keziah Blue, they decided to settle down and enjoy family life.

SECOND TIME AROUND: Round two for Kulay. (From left) Rada Cuadrado, Boom Dayupay (seated), and Angel Jones

76 MANILA’S HOT RELEASES

Graphic novels and CDs are available at Fully Booked Philippines.

Visit the website at www.fullybookedonline.com

By Gabrielle de la Rama-Talan

‘The Ultimate OPM Collection: The Story of Francis M’ by Francis M This is a compilation album by the artist Francis M (for Magalona), widely referred to as The King of Pinoy Rap - a title even the most supercilious of hip hop critics, could not contest. After all, Francis M released the very first mainstream rap album in Pinoy music history: ‘Yo!’ in 1990.

The album includes 16 tracks of Pinoy rap favorites. Among them is the seminal ‘Mga Kababayan,’ which signaled the birth of Pinoy nationalism in lyrical verse, another thing The Man from Manila should be given a welldeserved pat on the back for. Other cool tracks: the popular, yet if truth be told, slightly saccharine ‘Cold Summer Nights,’ the narc anthem ‘Mga Praning,’ and the brilliantly heavy ‘Ayoko Sa Dilim,’ which is a classic example of Francis M’s rare ability to pull off a decent crossover — in this case, bridging the gap between rap and heavy metal at a time there was a defined schism between the two genres, with messages (real or planted) like “Humanda kayo mga hip-hop ng Bulacan! Galing sa tropang metal ng Taytay, Rizal” being fired off on air by irate DJs. There is, also the plain and simple fact that Francis M possesses true talent, one that unearthed Pinoy rap from the underground and ostensibly fueled its evolution.

‘Lani Misalucha (Platinum edition) ’ by Lani Misalucha Of all the (would-be) divas that have cropped up in recent years, Lani Misalucha remains one of the few who deserve the label in the truest sense.

She bears a patina reminiscent of more established singers such as the timeless Kuh Ledesma, the Philippines’ Queen of Soul Jaya, and the divine Zsazsa Padilla.

Known for her ability to sing while reclining, and with a voice inherited from opera singer parents, it’s no surprise that she has succeeded where many of her fellow Pinoys have not: onstage in Las Vegas no less, where anything less than exceptional never even gets past auditions. Her performance as singer of the predominantly Hawaiian group Society of Seven has received rave reviews. “Fillipina singer Lani Misalucha… brings a stunningly powerful voice to the act,” says reviewjournal.com’s Mike Weatherford.

Misalucha soars with her repackaged self-titled album lending her throaty soprano to such favorites as Gino Vanelli’s ‘I Just Wanna Stop’ and Heart’s ‘These Dreams,’ among others. But, it is her rendition of Gary V’s ‘Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?’ that resounds in the consciousness of listeners. Naysayers may attribute this to the track’s strong recall as it is the theme song of a popular television series of the same name but given Misalucha’s singing and commanding presence, reserve judgment after giving this album a listen. Or better yet, catch her live.

‘Bagong Liwanag’

by Rivermaya It has been quite a journey career for ‘Ang Banda ng Bayan,’ who have been the subject of much controversy after having gone through countless lineup changes and an alleged feud with ex-members. It was brave of the band to push forward despite the abrupt departure of former frontman Rico Blanco, as many believe him to be the heart and soul of the group.

The great thing about the ‘Bagong Liwanag’ EP is that it gave other members a chance to step up to the plate. Bassist Japs Sergio and drummer Mark Escueta, for instance, set their instruments aside to take on the mantle of vocalists. The song ‘Sayang,’ a track written and sung by Sergio as more or less a way of reaching out to fans regarding the shake-up of the seemingly solid version of Rivermaya, creeps up on you with the somberness of its message and the almost bare quality of its composition. The latter serves to emphasize further the song’s pure emotion.

Escueta, on the other hand, aimed for a less subtle means of airing their grievance with ‘Sumigaw,’ which was chosen as a theme song for Studio 23. The track shouts out the band’s determination to go on despite the card fate had dealt with Blanco’s departure.

‘Olats’ is a humorous attempt to make light of the situation, an irreverent paean to the band’s fate without Blanco at the helm. All through this, the reticent Mike Elgar’s consistent guitar playing can be heard loud and clear — his own way of being heard.

‘Bagong Liwanag’ is a must-have album not for its songs, but more so for the message it imparts, and as a symbol of the band’s search for clarity. It seems that message has been realized and the search over because—with new singer, Bicolano Jayson Fernandez—they released their new, full-length album ‘Buhay’ last month.

MANILA’S HOT RELEASES 77

Masterstroke: Pinoy Graphic Novels Siglo: Passion (A Grafiction Anthology) Edited by Dean Francis Alfar and Vincent Simbulan Siglo: Passion is the second book in the Siglo series, and though its predecessor Siglo: Freedom was credited for upping the ante for Pinoy graphic novels, it blew the roof off by winning the Best Comic of the Year in the 2006 National Book Awards.

Bringing together geniuses from various creative fields, the book is a rare compilation of visual tales (written in English) ranging from the fantastic to the mundane. With works written by the likes of Gerry Alanguilan, Luis Katigbak, Leinil Francis Yu, and Quark Henares, among others, the (graphic) novel is a page-turner from beginning to end. Of note are Henares’s unsettling ‘Malacanang’ and Paolo Manalo’s gory ‘Batangas 1935’. Pushing the envelope in terms of art, are Jonas Diego for for the edgy ‘Manila 2019’ and Carlo Vergara for his scarlet sketches for ‘Palawan 1944’, which he also penned.

Though composed of many wonderfully crafted yarns, they all fit in seamlessly with each other, tying in to create one, stupendous, fullcolored account of human emotion hence the title ‘Passion’.

Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat

By Arnold Arre A veteran in the Pinoy graphic scene, Arnold Arre has gone the way of the modern romantic in ‘After Eden’ and explored the whole fantasy shebang with ‘Mythology Class’, but scores a real coup with his latest work ‘Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat’.

Written in Tagalog, a departure from his two previous novels, the story revolves around an agimat-possessing anti-hero reminiscent of many a Pinoy action star (think Lito Lapid and a young Rudy Fernandez) composed of 50% true grit, 40% belligerence, and 10% alcohol. Andong, as he is called, is a reluctant police asset, who makes use of his talents (which have earned him the top spot in just about every cop’s hit list) to rid his crime-infested city of supernatural gangsters.

I know What To Do Pinoy Success Handbook

by Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos

So you want to be successful – but do you know what to do? Author Jeffrey Ximo Ramos unlocks the secrets to achievement in his substantial motivational tome ‘I Know What To Do’. Lifted from his personal learnings from the challenges and triumphs of living in the United Arad Emirates, the book is packed with useful tips and fundamental truths that can help you accomplish your dreams. It is divided into three main sections – How to be successful, how to maintain success and how not to get corrupted by success. With its words of wisdom, not to mention the writers’ interestingly casual style and wit, the book promises to be a veritable ‘success handbook’ one would eagerly be reaching for, from time to time.

Now available in the UAE through Illustrado.

Please call 04-365 4543 to reserve your copy or e-mail info@illustrado.net

78 COMMUNITY EVENTS

FDC Graduation Glitz The Filipino Dance Club (FDC) held its 44th Graduation Ceremony in a glittering event at the Radisson Hotel on the 18th January 2008. The highlight of the event was the dance competition between the club’s top ten student pairs for the title of Champions in the Basic as well as Advanced classes. One of the oldest, biggest and most popular community organisations in the UAE, the FDC which holds regular dance clinics, was founded in 1996 and has grown since from their original 30 members to its organization of 1,600, including 2,700 students today.

Pinoy Megabrand Chowking Annual Party Local franchisee Chowking Orient Restaurant of Filipino megabrand ‘Chowking’ recently held its annual staff party at the Renaissance Hotel in Dubai. The staff was in an ebullient mood as company management lead

by Managing Director Ahmed Husain Lafir and General Manager Bunny Malik stressed on the importance of their contribution to the operation’s succes, while presenting corporate milestones made possible through everybody’s hardwork.

MR. AHMED LAFIR, MANAGING DIRECTOR

BUNNY MALIK, GENERAL MANAGER

CHOWKING MANAGEMENT

CHOWKING CREW PERFORMING A DANCE NUMBER

Let your child experience the joy of learning The joy of learning is often a nightmare for a lot of normal, bright, intelligent children – just because no one has recognized the difference in the way they learn.

Understand their frustration – and acknowledge their special learning needs.

We at De La Salle Montessori recognize the difference.

The DLSM SPED (Special Education) Program Call us at 04-398 6218