ILLUSTRADO Magazine June-July 2008

The Magazine for the International Filipino

JUNE 12 - JULY 31 2008

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110ofyears Philippine

Independence MUCH A DO ABOUT PINOY WEDDINGS FASHION: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS PINOY ATTUTUDE RIDING THE METRO RAJO LAUREL’S BRIDES BRIAN TENORIO’S SHOES THE ANNIE B. CHRONICLES

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EDITOR’S NOTE

A time to liberate ourselves We share more than just the same native blood with our forefathers who stood defiantly to declare our nation’s independence 110 years ago in Kawit, Cavite. The same goes with our contemporaries who took to the streets of EDSA in 1986 and 2001 to oust a dictator and the corrupt political leadership in what has become known as People Power.

We may not be fighting against foreign rule or an authoritarian regime, but certainly from our own vantage point, we do have ‘oppressors’ which we struggle with constantly, curtailing, not necessarily our freedom in the traditional sense, but our right and privilege to break out and elevate ourselves from the bondage of negative circumstances that plague each Filipino.

Whether you are aware or not, and wherever in the world you are, you cannot escape the harsh realities of our homeland.

You might have more than your fair share of three square meals a day, living a comfortable life in a peaceful and systematic country like the emirates, but somewhere back home, there will always be kababayans who are living below the poverty line, people who are rallying on the streets, and on the other side, those who take advantage of the system. If you will be honest with yourself - it is a thought that haunts all of us.

On the outside, we all suffer from the tyranny of negative perception against our people – our fate, as citizens of a country that has been so negatively labeled in the past, would appear sealed by the preconceptions that precede us. This affects our lives, our opportunities and future, especially as OFWs striving to gain due respect for our own talents and merits.

Most difficult of all, a lot of us are still paralyzed by the despotic influence of hopelessness and our own “heritage of smallness” which takes comfort in timidity and accepts

mediocrity as a way of life, preventing us from aspiring for bigger, better things and demanding what we deserve out of life.

Still, looking back 110 years on from the day we asserted our sovereignty, inspite of our problems, it is comforting to know that our nation stills upholds the value of freedom. And it is even more exciting to see how our country and people are evolving, especially judging by the developments in the last few years. From the growing voice and clout of the OFWs, to the continued process of globalization in our country, and to what pundits call the impending ‘decoupling’ of our politics and economy – it would appear that power and our collective fate does not rest in the hands of an influential few anymore.

All of us now have a real chance in making an impact and shaping our destiny as a people.

Whether we do that by asserting our values as upright individuals, or as a group of OFWs, or participate in nation building as entrepreneurs, public servants or simply charitable and motivated kababayans – is not so important.

What we have to realize is that we have gone past the stage of taking up arms, or rallying in the streets, debating issues over coffee, and beautiful but empty words - because right now what really counts is how YOU would take it upon YOURSELF to put earnest effort in doing the right thing and have a real stake in the rebirth of our nation.

Tayo na ang tumulak para sa ating ikabubuti.

My dear Illustrados, it’s time to claim our real independence.

Taas Noo, Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send your letters to: editor@illustrado.net experienced, we should also look, talk and act professional. It’s a totally different ball game.

Pinoys, let’s rise up to the challenge!

Arnel Candaba Dubai ………………………………………

It’s great to read about the growing group of Pinoy professionals in the UAE! It’s good to know that despite the tough life here, and with all the competition between different nationalities, there is an improvement in our situation.

I have bought your May 15-June 15 2008 issue and was delighted to read your article about Andreas Pieri. AP, as we fondly call him was instrumental in a lot of Pinoy success stories in Dubai. He was my mentor at Smith & Nephew - we worked together for nine years and I consider him (and his family) as my second family in Dubai.

I came to Dubai over ten years ago and I’ve seen how even our qualified kabayans had to settle for lowly jobs. Even if some of us still settle for less, it’s still good to know that we have other options and that we’re not only boxed into a limited choice of jobs.

Aim high, kabayans!

Rodel Clavio Abu Dhabi ………………………………………

I also found your article on Buying Property in the Philippines - Part 2, very interesting. Is it possible for me to order the April 15-May15 2008 back issue? I am interested to read Part 1, as my fiancé and I are interested to buy a property in Boracay.

Thanks and regards.

Tess Niverba Dubai Dear Tess We’ll contact you by phone.

Happy to assist.

Best regards, Ed. ………………………………………

This refers to your Editor’s Note in Illustrado’s May issue.

I totally agree with your point that Pinoys have to step up to the challenges of today. I respect my kabayans for being patient and hardworking, as well as being good-natured even if their work is hard and demanding. BUT, it doesn’t mean that this is enough to survive these days and to get ahead at work.

Pinoys need to be more aggressive to go after what they deserve and to be very smart about the way the present themselves. Until now, you see kabayans behaving as if they’re still working or looking for work in the Philippines. We need to change this mentality. The competition here requires that we should not only be smarter, more

Reading all the articles in Illustrado, from the Editor’s Note, Kabuhayan, Famous Filipinos, Bakasyon Grande up to Annie B’s column, really makes me feel proud to be Pinoy. I especially love your fashion features. Each month is so exciting. What’s more, all of your featured fashion designers are Filipinos – showing how creative we can be!

When I was young, I had a lot of dreams and one of them was to go abroad and work. As I was growing up, I’ve heard more bad stories rather than good stories about being an OFW, and I hesitated to pursue that dream. But now that I am here in UAE, not only as an OFW, but a ‘Proud OFW’ I am very thankful and amazed that there are Filipinos who are doing such great things that make us proud – just like your team which helps uplift the Filipino community’s spirit.

TAAS NOO FILIPINO! Maria Umali Dubai …………………………………..

I discovered your magazine through the internet as I was looking for a Filipino magazine. It’s so inspiring to see a Filipino magazine of such quality on the WWW. Kudos!

LANI SAVELLANO Vancouver, Canada We always relate OFW’s to ‘brain drain’. So for a change, it was good to read about the totally opposite concept of ‘brain gain’ through Reverse

Migration. What an interesting article!

Perhaps our bagong bayani OFW’s are really the hope of the nation. We can really help our country if we set our mind to it.

Thank you Illustrado.

Melanie Flores Abu Dhabi ………………………………………

Mabuhay si Annie B! She’s a good example of a Filipino with a strong personality who can face any kind of people around her. Annie’s strong character must be adapted by most Filipinos. Kaya Annie, ituloy mo lang ang pakikibaka mo nasa likod mo kami!!!!!

Che Lizaso Dubai ………………………………………

I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I appreciate your service to the community and that I believe your format is effective, and that you are providing a good quality magazine for Filipinos.

As Filipinos, we sometimes hear negative remarks about us, but with your magazine, our negative feelings are uplifted. Your magazine’s outlook promotes a positive and hopeful attitude. For example, your Kabuhayan column gives us information and the hope that we can have our own business someday. It really motivates us to work hard and save money for the future.

Keep up your good intentions and your good work for the Filipinos.

Thank you very much.

Ronald Vicente Sharjah ………………………………………

I got a copy of your Beautiful Philippines issue from a friend. Speaking to my family in the Philippines used to be enough for me to overcome homesickness.

But when I saw your magazine, I really felt a longing for home.

Now I can’t wait to go on vacation because I have a lot of plans when I get there. I want to visit some of the places you have featured. I’ve learned from your magazine that the Philippines is really a beautiful country rich in natural beauty and resources.

Sometimes, when you are there, you miss the whole point and take things for granted. But now I now better.

So thanks Illustrado, at Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Nonie Silverio Dubai

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CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Ron Villejo Ron is a ‘shrink’ by training, having received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. But he parlayed that into a career in management consulting, with a specialty in leadership development, doing so for several years for major companies in the Middle East, US and Europe. Now, he’s the management trainer at Emirates National Oil Co. in Dubai, and is using his expertise to serve the Filipino community around job and career matters. His guiding principles: Dream big. Act small, step by step. No one reaches the top of the mountain in one fell swoop. Sustain effort, make it happen! This seasoned professional, who transforms into a Lance Armstrong wannabe during the weekends, joins us for a series of timely and useful career oriented articles in our Successful Pinoy section.

Jose Robert Reyes A Creative Writing graduate from the University of the Philippines, contributor Robert Reyes currently doubles as a teacher of English at the De La Salle Zobel School in Alabang and a part-time gym instructor at Fitness First Philippines. He claims to be the equilibrium of a virulent athlete and a drunken artist.

Jude Cartalaba Jude strongly believes that writing is both an innate talent and an acquired skill, and thus constantly seeks to push individuals and unleash them from the shackles of misconceptions.

His print and online freelance gigs are stirring testaments for those wanting to break into writing. Dubbed as PinoyWriters’ driving force infusing in the group fresh and enduring values – his tagline reflects his mission statement as a writer/facilitator: I refresh. I soothe. I blend.

Anna Loraine Balita Twenty-four year old freelance writer Anna is a part-time school publication adviser currently finishing her master’s degree in Applied Media Studies at the De La Salle University Manila.

Born and raised in Manila, she has enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city for as long as she can remember. When she puts down her glasses and backpacks, however, she can be found doing a variety of activities – from wall climbing, wushu, target shooting, wakeboarding or simply stuffing herself with chocolates and regretting it all the way to the gym.

JR Bustamante “Playing with copy” best describes the start of JR’s fascination with the written word. Her journey to becoming a serious feature writer for magazines and newspapers took her through practically everything – copywriting for TV, print and radio, to working on marketing communication collaterals and PR campaigns, to whipping up AVPs, newsletters and press releases and leading to a little bit of events management. She had no idea her early experience as a newspaper editor in college would lead to this. During her non-writing days, she fills her time with photography, watercolor painting and designing fashion, accessories and interiors.

Publisher & Editor-in Chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez

June08

Assistant Editor Mikkel Bolante Art Directors Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez Contributing Writers Philippines & Singapore Carlito Viriña David Llorito Bernadette Reyes Law Diche 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 Janet dela Fuente 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 2008.

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 Revisiting Philippine History 16 110 Years of Philippine Independence 18 Philippine Historic Sites 22 National Symbols 24 NoypInventions: Reinventing the World 44 Uniquely Filipino 48 Pinoy Attitude 50 Much Ado About Pinoy Weddings 66 Filipino Tribal Wedding Rituals 78

82

Columns Editor’s Note 5 Letters to the Editor 6 Contributors 10 Famous Filipinos 30 Kabuhayan: Salon Business 36 Successful Pinoy: Salary in the Crucible 40 Successful Pinoy: Tagumpay ko, Sweldo ko! 42 Fashion Round-Up 98 Community 26, 108 Hilig Pinoy: Kiteboarding 106 Onli in da Pilipins 110 The Annie B. Chronicles 112

Gorgeous Filipina models Chaps Yuson and Niña Naval smolder in this issue’s boudoir fashion piece – Behind Closed Doors.

18

Fashion and Design His shoes, His Purpose in Life 56 Art Wall: Eduardo Yap and the Red Bull Maniac 60 Rajo Laurel’s Brides 70 Behind Closed Doors 82 Edgar Sulit and Jimi Buenconsejo 96

Places Trippin’: The Balikbayan’s Guide to Riding the Metro 100 Trippin’: Biking in Sta. Rosa 104

Entertainment Yet Another Bite of Hotdog 114 Hot Releases 116

66

Photography Dr. Marlon Pecjo Fashion Styling by Janet dela Fuente Makeup by Bem Abeleda Hair by Marie Sorsona Models: Ana Sideco, Girlie Benitez and Mikee Carrion - all from the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP)

Photography Dr. Marlon Pecjo Fashion Styling by Janet dela Fuente Makeup by Bem Abeleda Hair by Marie Sorsona Models: Ana Sideco, Girlie Benitez and Mikee Carrion - all from the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP)

Lupang Hinirang Bayang magiliw Perlas ng Silanganan, Alab ng puso Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.

Lupang hinirang, Duyan ka ng magiting, Sa manlulupig, ‘Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok, Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw, May dilag ang tula at awit Sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y Tagumpay na nagniningning, Ang bituin at araw niya Kailan pa ma’y ‘di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta, Buhay ay langit sa piling mo; Aming ligaya, na ‘pag may mang-aapi Ang mamatay nang dahil sa ‘yo.

Panatang Makabayan Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan, ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi Ako’y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan Upang maging malakas, maligaya, at kapaki-pakinabang Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng isang mamamayang Makabayan at masunurin sa batas Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan Ng walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino Sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.

JUNE 12, 1898

Filipino freedom fighters declared the Philippine Islands independent from the 300-year colonial rule of Spain behind a decisive American victory in the Battle of Manila Bay amidst the Spanish-American War. The Philippine Declaration of Independence was a culmination of the revolutionary forces struggle against the tyranny of the colonizers.

At the residence of General Emilio Aguinaldo at Cavite el Viejo, now Kawit, Filipino patriots assembled to witness one of the most symbolic moments in our history. Prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, the Declaration of Independence was signed by ninety-eight people — including an American army officer — and renounced all allegiance to the Spanish crown.

The event marked the first time the Philippine flag — tirelessly sewn by Dona Marcela Marino de Agoncillo and her two helpers; daughter Lorenza and Jose Rizal’s niece Delfina Herbosa de Natividad — was unfurled. The silk flag featured a white triangle with and three stars and a sun with eight rays, and a red and blue field. The triangle signifies equality and fraternity; the blue for peace, truth and justice; and the red for patriotism and valor. Each ray of the sun represents one of the first eight provinces that were put under martial law by the colonizers. The stars represent the major regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The assembly was also the first time the national anthem was played. Known then only as the Marcha Nacional Filipina, the wordless anthem played by the San Francisco de Malabon band stirred the patriotic fervor of those present. It remained with just a melody until young soldier Jose Palma wrote the poem ‘Filipinas’ in August of 1899. The poem was adopted as the official lyric of the national anthem — and expressed the ardent patriotism and fighting spirit of the Filipino.

Ref. History of the Filipino People. Teodoro A. Agoncillo

18 FEATURE

110 Years of

INDEPENDENCE

AS WE CELEBRATE THE PHILIPPINES’ 110TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY, WE COMMEMORATE THE PROUD FILIPINO’S STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY OF WHICH THE EARLIEST RECORDED EVENT WAS LAPU-LAPU’S DEFEAT OF MAGELLAN IN THE BATTLE OF MACTAN ON APRIL 21, 1521 – WHERE OUR FOREFATHERS STOOD UP IN REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO FOREIGN OCCUPATION. THROUGHOUT THE LAST CENTURY, FILIPINOS CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THE VALUE OF INDEPENDENCE, WEATHERING COLONIZATION, INTERNAL POLITICAL STRIFE, AS WELL AS ECONOMIC ENSLAVEMENT AND CONTINUE TO HOLD THEIR HEAD UP HIGH AS A FREEDOM-LOVING NATION.

By Isabelo A. Samonte

The First Philippine Republic After the defeat of Spain by the Americans at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American war, Filipino revolutionaries led by General Emilio Aguinaldo, who eventually became the first President of the Republic of the Philippines, proclaimed sovereignty in a ceremony witnessed by patriots at his home in Kawit (formerly known as Cavite el Viejo), Cavite. It was the culmination of a people’s struggle against the tyranny of its colonial masters who ruled the archipelago for 400 years. The date was June 12, 1898.

Colonizers Spain and the US, however, did not recognize the declaration as our original colonizers ceded the country to the US under the Treaty of Paris which included the Sulu Archipelago, Palawan and Tawi-Tawi whose baselines were significant to the national territory, archipelagic or otherwise.

General Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence was ratified by the Malolos Congress on January 23, 1899. On the other hand, the Treaty of Paris was ratified by the US Congress and the Spanish Cortes. American rule eventually ended when US finally recognized the country’s sovereignty on July 4, 1946 – which was henceforth

observed as the day of independence. In 1964, however, a law signed by then President Diosdado Macapagal declared June 12 as Philippine Independence Day for reasons of nationalism and in commemoration of the heroic deeds of our patriots in Kawit, Cavite.

Honor and Destiny of the State The ideals of freedom were gallantly crafted and defended by our Filipino statesmen and heroes who paid dearly with blood to protect the rightful autonomy of our people. Although the sovereignty of the Philippines from foreign powers has remained intact, these basic principles on which the Filipino nation was built have been constantly challenged over the years by alternative social orders. Dictatorship and political maneuvers to change the charter served as wake up calls to maintain the principles enshrined in the Constitution. These were even viewed as endless battle over plots of erosions to change the form of government. The country experienced revolutions, internal wars, and bloodless coup or ‘People Power’. These were painful struggles against the challenges in democratic ideals, human rights and reforms.

FEATURE 19

While the shrines of Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo and other heroes remained leading symbols of the revolution against Spain, the war memorials in Bataan and Corregidor, and the 54-hectare Capas shrine to commemorate the 1940 Death March were among top legacies of Fil-American war against the Japanese. Meanwhile, today’s Filipinos knew how the country caught the eyes of the world to the “parliament of the street” dubbed as ‘People Power”.

In the past, political leaders tried to re-invent the presidential and parliamentary forms of government, but the people opted to restore the political system with reforms. In an unprecedented form of ‘People Power’ revolution in 1986, to be later known as EDSA I, the masses, through nonviolent street demonstrations and prayers, showed their might against the 20-year authoritarian rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos. Led by the late Manila Archbishop

Jaime Cardinal Sin, the Catholic Church played a vital role in the peaceful transition. 2001 saw another People Power event with the overthrow of then President Joseph Estrada due to acts of political corruption. Today the People’s Power Monument and The Shrine of Our Lady of EDSA, sites of EDSA I and II, remain witness to the ongoing Filipino struggle for freedom. While Kawit, Cavite saw our assertion against foreign subjugation, the Edsa sites are a reminder of our resistance against political oppression. And with this, it seems, that a new principle of people’s initiative has broadened the limitations of the organic charter.

Independence of another kind After over 110 years of independence, with its ongoing internal conflicts and volatile political landscape, the Philippines is, quite conceivably, experiencing a struggle for independence of a different kind.

Over the years, our country has experienced ongoing boom and bust cycles as the economy continues to be impacted by rambunctious politics which traditionally held the country’s economic fate at gunpoint. Recently, however, Philippine economy has been growing within a healthy 5-7 percent GDP growth band and posted an exceptional 7.3% growth in 2007, the highest since 1976. What makes this development interesting is the emergence of new growth drivers – most especially the globalized sector of the economy accounting for 60% of the country’s GDP, and which appears to have cushioned the effects of a continued rowdy political scene.

Whereas political strife and disturbances have put a damper on the country’s economic indicators in past years, the Philippines’ business sector appears to have created its own momentum, ‘decoupled’ from the government, persisting to thrive even during some of the most trying times in the last year, amid demonstrations, a failed coup d’etat and calls for the president’s ouster. This time, the Philippines’ credit ratings received positive appraisals from Moody’s in lieu of healthy macro economic fundamentals. Singled out were - the increased infrastructure spending, declining debt ratio, and improved external payments. Central Bank sources

20 FEATURE

amazing character of the political and economic system is the ability of their foundations to adjust, develop and cope with challenges. And judging from our past, the Philippine experience purports that the honor and destiny of the nation under democratic principles, does not cling ultimately onto the powers of politics and the military - but in the unity the people themselves.

Araw ng Kalayaan Celebrations

opined that the Philippines was in a better position for the economy to weather global challenges. Inspite of political noise, tax burdens, and the rising prices of commodity with food and energy prices now at critical level, the country has projected a stable economy and political system.

Many times, the economic and political sectors were seen as strategic forces influencing each other on policies, practices and governance. The country’s reorientation however was towards less regulated and more market-oriented economy where its citizen’s can participate in the growth. Now more than upcoming elections and a change of government leadership, it would seem that the fate of the Philippines really lies on how competitive it can get with the rest of the world with its increasingly globalized economy.

After a century and a decade of freedom, the Philippines continues its endeavor to preserve its independence.

Whether asserting sovereignty against foreign rule, fighting internal oppression or steering the country’s economic wellbeing regardless of the political milieu, the foundations of freedom remain a fundamental value to the country. The

The province of Cavite was this year’s center of celebration for Philippine Independence Day. The ‘Wagayway Festival’ (wagayway meaning to wave or to fly) started on May 24 in Imus, Cavite.

The flag-waving parade displayed the colorful evolution of the Philippine flag. The parade aims to commemorate and rekindle the fervor of Philippine revolutionaries fighting for freedom from our colonizers. Among the festivities’ highlights is the traditional sagala - a native Mayflower fest, this time featuring cultural fashions worn by numerous Filipino TV and movie celebrities, as well as beauty queens.

Adding to the festive momentum is the nationwide commemoration of Flag Day or ‘Araw ng Watawat’. Observed nationwide, ‘Araw ng Watawat’ is celebrated from May 28 to June 12.

In remembrance of our most significant historic moment, Philippine Independence Day or ‘Araw ng Kalayaan’ on the 12th of June this year is slated to be celebrated at General Aguinaldo’s home in Kawit, Cavite, the original site of the Declaration of Independence. The guest of honor is Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Guests will be witnessing a re-enactment of the Declaration of Independence as the event promises to be a moving documentation, just like an epic film flashback in full regalia commemorating the incident which happened 110 years ago. Kalayaan dioramas and tableaus will take visitors back in time to the era of legendary Filipino revolutionaries. Highlighted by a grand parade, the event will be full of shows, songs and dances.

22 FEATURE Luneta

Biak-na-Bato

Historic Spots Around the Philippines Luneta Park

Intramuros

Known in the late 1800s as Bagumbayan, this Manila site was where National Hero Jose Rizal was executed for his brilliant literary work that criticized the Spanish colonists – serving as inspiration for many revolutionaries to take up arms in the name of independence. This was also the place where the three martyred Gomburza priests implicated in the Cavite mutiny were executed, leading to Rizal’s penning of the nowfamous Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo novels.

The walled city of Intramuros was once the center of power in the country.

It was established by the Spanish as the hub of political and military operations, housing many of the central offices of the colonists, including the Governor’s Palace. Many of the prominent religious orders – and the major educational institutions they ran – were also located within Intramuros, like the Dominicans (the University of Santo Tomas and the Colegio de San Juan de Letran) and the Jesuits (Ateneo de Manila).

Today, Luneta Park stands as a tribute to Rizal on the site. The park is a favorite among family picnickers, and open air concerts are occasionally held there. The site also houses the main office of the Department of Tourism, the National Library, the Planetarium, various gardens, monuments and other attractions.

Intramuros retains much of its old charm, although there are many modern attractions there. The city has been restored to resemble the old stronghold although one can find the popular fast food and coffee chains within the Spanish-era surroundings. Parts of it had been converted into a golf course, but it remains to be a one of the most romantic places to visit today.

FEATURE 23 Coregidor

Aguinaldo Shrine In 1898, revolutionary Emilio Aguinaldo declared the independence of the Philippines from the window of his Kawit, Cavite home. This scene was made immortal on the back of the Php5 bills (until the Bangko Sentral stopped printing it in the 90s). Here they first unfurled the Philippine Flag, tirelessly made in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo; and first played the Marcha Filipina Magdalo of Julian Felipe – what was later to be renamed the Marcha Nacional Filipina, and known today as Lupang Hinirang (the lyrics were yet to be written during the declaration of independence.

Today, that estate is the home of the Aguinaldo Shrine, where the event is re-enacted every 12th of June by the country’s top officials. The land was donated to the government in 1962, but remains a monument to the country and to Aguinaldo, the very first President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Tirad Pass Located in Ilocos Sur, this small mountain pass was the site of one of the most heroic stands in Philippine history. With the battle for independence shifting from the Spanish to the Americans, freedom fighters continued pushing on in the name of the country. In an attempt to allow the General Aguinaldo to escape from pursuing Americans, his rear guard – led by the young Gregorio del Pilar – proceeded to defend the narrow Pasong Tirad against overwhelming odds. The small Filipino contingent made a Spartanlike stand where they had a total of 52 out of the 60 men either wounded or dead, while the 500-strong American troop suffered only minimal casualties. The Boy General did survive the battle, but completed his task as Aguinaldo was able to reach safety, living to fight another day.

Tirad Pass was declared a national park by President Manuel Quezon in 1938, and was proclaimed a national shrine President Ferdinand Marcos in 1968. There path to the shrine dedicated to the 24-year-old Del Pilar

is not an easy one – requiring a good uphill trek, more suited for nature enthusiasts than city-dwellers.

Biak-na-Bato The Bulacan caves – where revolutionaries sought refuge from the fighting – were where the first Philippine Republic was declared in 1897, and the first Philippine Constitution was drafted. The Biak-na-Bato government agreed to a truce with the Spanish Governor-General to put an end to the hostilities in exchange for amnesty and remuneration. The leaders of the group went into self-imposed exile in Hong Kong, but the Pact of Biak-naBato did not hold very long as many patriotic Filipinos continued fighting well after the agreement.

The national park of Biak-na-Bato is currently a tourist attraction, where the beautiful rock formations are admired by visitors as they wind through the caves in the guided tours sponsored by the DENR. Corregidor The Battle for Corregidor was one of the most important in the Japanese campaign to occupy the Philippines. With the small island being the key to controlling the strategic port of Manila Bay, joined Filipino and American forces mounted an unwavering defense against what were insurmountable odds before eventually falling to the sheer numbers of the Japanese fleet.

The tadpole-shaped island remains a historic site, with many of the structures, defenses and batteries still intact. There stands today the Pacific War Memorial, a monument dedicated to the brave forces that made the final defense of Corregidor, built by the US Government. The Malinta Tunnel, once a sanctuary for the participants of the war, is now home to a beautiful audio-visual presentation that recounts the event leading to the fall. There is an altar that is lit up by a Solar Equinox every 6th of May at 12nn – the exact time the island fell into Japanese control.

24 FEATURE

PhiliPPine National Symbols

Sampaguita The fragrant Sampaguita is the Philippine’s national flower. Delicate but sturdy the sweet smelling Sampaguita grows on a sturdy plant that can withstand sunshine, wind and rain. The pure white flower symbolizes love and respect. It is very popular woven into garlands and are a commonplace sight at churches, even on the streets, and during celebrations.

The narra Tree The Narra is a strong, tall and majestic tree which bear bunches of yellow flowers on its branches that look like clusters of gold. Hence, the tree has also been fondly nicknamed Hawaiian sunshine. To the Filipinos, the Narra, with its sturdy trunk and branches able to withstand extreme weather conditions and stand the test of time, has come to symbolize resilience in the face of adversity.

The nipa hut The humble hut made up of bamboo, nipa and cogon raised on bamboo posts or stilts has come to exemplify the idyllic simple life in the Philippine countryside. The nipa hut, a national symbol, might look frail, but it provides a cool and functional shelter for farmers and their families in the field. These days, architects have modified the traditional ‘bahay kubo’ into a sturdier, grander version translating it’s Filipino values into more hard-wearing and modern construction.

The Philippine eagle The Haribon or Philippine Eagle is one of the worlds biggest and highest flying birds. It is comparable to the Harpy Eagle and the American condor. This raptor, originally known as the ‘monkey-eating eagle’, has a large sharp curved beak and distinctive feathers which seem to bristle on its head. Although the Philippine Eagle is an able predator, it is now endangered specie due to the continued decline of pristine Philippine forests.

Mango A common summertime treat, the mangga or mango is the country’s national fruit. Sweet when ripe and yellow and tart and slightly sour when green and unripe, the mango is a regular fixture in Filipino cuisine, whether its eaten whole as a fruit, or used in desserts and even as accompaniments to a dish.

Carabao The hardworking Asian water buffalo, or carabao, is perhaps, the most important animal to Filipinos in the countryside who earn their living from the land. The farmer’s best help in tilling the soil and a means of transporting goods in old fashioned barrios, the carabao is the most celebrated farm animal in provinces around the country.

Barong Tagalog Giving our males a distinctively elegant native look is the Philippines’ national costume for men, the Barong Tagalog. Made from delicate fabrics like jusi, pina and even exotic materials such as banana fiber and etc., the barong is traditionally used as formal wear, an alternative to western suits, and is a

popular fashion option in special occasions like weddings, christenings or any official gatherings. With the Philippines’ crop of talented designers, the barong has also evolved to include a trendier version utilizing non-traditional colors as well as new forms of embellishment other than traditional embroidery.

Baro’t Saya The name of the Philippines’ national wear for women is literally translated as ‘blouse and skirt’. A remnant of our Spanish colonial past, the baro is a loose fitting collarless blouse with short sleeves, usually made of delicate fabric and paired with a modest undergarment for modesty. The saya is a simple loose fitting skirt. Variations of this national dress have become identified with popular personalities. Among the most popular are the Maria Clara which has a huge pañuelo or shawl draped over the shoulders, and the terno, a one piece elegant dress with distinctive butterfly sleeves as popularized by former first lady Imelda Marcos.

The Tinikling One of the oldest and best known dances in the archipelago was inspired by the movement of ‘tikling’s (herons) – the Tinikling. The dance, utilizing two bamboo poles, mimics the movement of the birds hopping over tree branches while dodging bamboo traps set by farmers. It is a fun boisterous and graceful dance that tests the agility and timing of dancers with their feet and legs moving skillfully over the shifting poles.

Dr. Jose Rizal The Philippines’ national hero was born in Calamba in June 19, 1861. Dr. Jose Rizal, a genius ahead of his time, stirred the consciousness of Filipinos through his masterpieces Noli Me Tangere in El Filibusterismo and his works in La Solidaridad, stoking the flames of the Philippine revolution and spearheading the reform movement. A threat to the Spanish colonizers, Rizal was arrested and later executed in Bagumbayan, Manila on December 30, 1896. Rizal’s execution served as the last straw for other Filipinos who finally called for a bloody revolution against Spain.

The Kalesa The preferred mode of transportation in the old days by nobles, the kalesa or karitela is a horse-drawn carriage that looks like an inclined cart. It has two wheels and two rows of seats that can accommodate up to four persons. The kalesa is rarely used in the Philippines these days, except in some rural areas and tourist spots.

Bakya Before rubber sandals, the most commonly used casual footwear in the country is the bakya or wooden clogs. These are made from local light wood like santol and laniti, cut to size and then shaved until smooth. They have straps made of plastic, rubber or leather fastened to the wood using clavitos (tiny nails).

Because of the thickness of the wood, the bakya has also become a medium of artistic expression for the makers accommodating painted, varnished or carved designs on the heels.

26 COMMUNITY

Bayanihan triumphs in Dubai and Nothern Emirates The Philippine Independence Day (PID) Celebration on June 13 at the Al Nasr Leisureland will be a triumph of the Bayanihan spirit.

Gawad Kalinga representative Art Los Banos, who was appointed chairman of the 110th PID organizing committee said: “We started preparing for the event only last April 28 and today we are prepared with the production, logistics, souvenir programme and, most important of all, funding. It was the Bayanihan way of working together that brought us where we are despite the short deadline.”

More than 30 Filipino organizations have contributed while additional funds were generated through sponsorships, ad placements and bookings of mini-bazaar booths or ‘tiangge’.

In addition, barter agreements with Zyng at Dubai Festival City and Chowking have also provided food and refreshments during the various committee meetings and general assemblies.

Orbit and Western Union will be bringing two TV personalities from the Philippines, while Giordano will sponsor a minifashion show with models from the Filipino community. There will be a ballroom dancing competition and a ‘Palarong Pilipino’.

The event also includes two novel attractions: Job Fair and ‘Free Tawag Pinas’ or free calls to the Philippines courtesy of du.

“We expect about 4,000 people to visit Al Nasr Leisureland. It will be a free public event,” Los Banos explained. The event starts at 11 am and ends after 12 hours of fun and festivities.

Abu Dhabi Celebrates PID with True Community Spirit Filipinos in Abu Dhabi will commemorate the Philippine’s 110th Independence anniversary with a series of projects and events in a span of two weeks, as coordinated by various Filipino organizations. The public is invited to join the following: 6th June, Friday -

Tree Planting (Alpha Phi Omega), Bowling Tournament, Khalifa Bowling Center (Abu Dhabi Filipino Bowling Club), Entrepreneurship Seminar, Philippine Embassy (Philippine Business Council)

12 June, Thursday -

Flag-Raising Ceremony, Philippine Embassy, Philippine Cultural Show with Philippine Celebrities, Khalidiya Mall

13th June, Friday -

Exhibition Basketball Tournament, Al Jazeera (Pinoy Expats Inter-Faith Basketball League)

19th June, Thursday -

Forum on Legal Procedures, Philippine Embassy

20th June, Friday -

Beach Clean –up (OFCEA), Thanksgiving Mass, St. Joseph Cathedral, Independence Day Raffle Draw and Seminar on Services for OFWs, Philippine Embassy (POLO)

For further information, please contact the Chairman of the 2008 Philippine Independence Day Committee - Alfredo Manangan at 050-414-5813, or the Philippine Embassy Cultural Officer - Fe Abina at 02-641-5922.

30 FAMOUS FILIPINOS

A Salute to Filipino Talent and Perseverance!

By Maripaz Febrero

Famous Filipinos in “American Idol” Reality-competition show American Idol, was launched in the US in June 2002, and since then has become one of the most popular shows, not only on American television, but around the world. Made famous not only for the talents and show format, but also because of the constantly arguing judges - record producer Randy Jackson, pop singer and choreographer Paula Abdul and the ultra-outspoken music producer Simon Cowell, AI has been the launching pad for some of America’s hottest young new singers like Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino and Kelly Clarkson among others.

Of course, wherever there’s singing, chances are you will find Pinoys! What with our fondness for belting out our favorite tunes and our natural talent for crooning. Unsurprisingly, American Idol had its fair share of Pinoy talents. Here they are -

FAMOUS FILIPINOS 31

Ramiele Malubay Semi-Finalist, Season VII The audition was in Miami, Florida and Ramiele sang Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” for the world-famous ‘American Idol’ judges – Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

At the end of her song, Ramiele smiled bravely as she listened to the following comments: Paula: “I think you are a fine singer and a fine performer…I think you’re phenomenal.”

Simon: “I think you’re a good singer. I don’t think you’re a contemporary singer. I think you’re more like a hotel singer.”

Randy: “I actually thought you were good. I was impressed. You definitely have a big voice for a very cute, smaller girl.”

The 2-out-of-3 vote reserved Ramiele’s place among the 160 bright-eyed hopefuls in what is probably the biggest and most-watched singing competition in the world today.

Ramiele is only 20 years old and a Filipina, following in the footsteps of other Filipinas like Jasmine Trias and Camile Velasco whose stints in ‘American Idol’ have made them household names across the globe.

Every Filipino’s hope for Ramiele to win was snuffed out, however, as ‘American Idol’ trimmed the contestants to just 8, and she was not one of them.

The “diminutive singer with the big voice” sang her heart out in a rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind”, but her performance lacked that certain something to take her all the way to the Finals.

Reynaldo Lapus

AJ Tabaldo

Season VII’s Unforgettable Highlight

Semi-Finalist, Season VI

He will be remembered as “the Filipino who made it big by not qualifying for American Idol”.

Reynaldo Lapus, wearing a flashy silver cape with white adornments topped by a big white furry hat embellished with the name “Simon”, entered the “American Idol” audition room in Dallas, Texas and sang his original song “We’re Brothers Forever”.

It was a riveting performance that got all three American Idol judges on their feet and grooving, with Simon declaring that Reynaldo’s song is sure to be a “hit record”. Sadly, though, Simon had to say “No” to Reynaldo’s bid to join the competition.

The performance, however, made the 44-year-old Filipino from Reno, Nevada a “star” on You Tube. His original lyrics captured the imagination of viewers across the globe, with many even uploading their own versions of Reynaldo’s song – by now translated in 16 languages and counting!

He playfully refers to himself as an “ethnic mutt”, having Filipino, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and French blood coursing through his veins.

AJ is only 22 years old, but he said he’s been singing since he was 5! Without any formal training, he sang all the way to an American Idol audition in Los Angeles. He came out of that audition room as one of the 24 competitors.

He only made it to the SemiFinals, yet AJ was grateful for the experience and insisted that all of the American Idol judges are his favourite people.

It would be safe to say that AJ will keep on singing, inspired by his “idols” – Justin Timberlake, Brian McKnight, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and American Idol Season 1 Winner Kelly Clarkson.

32 FAMOUS FILIPINOS

Jose Penala Semi-Finalist, Season V He’s known as “Sway” and he grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. To the American Idol Season 5 audiences, he was Jose Penala, yet another Fil-Am singer added to the many Pinoys who dreamt of stardom via the world-famous singing competition.

Sway started singing at age 7 and hasn’t stopped since.

He formed his first singing group called “Simply Smooth”, after which he also started writing lyrics and formed another group together with his friends and called it “DnH” (Drop n Harmony). Then in late 2001, he and his friends started another vocal group, “6th Day”.

When auditions started for American Idol Season 5, Sway tried out and sang all the way to the Semi-Finals.

Melinda Lira

Sharon Galvez Contestant, Season IV

Back home in the Philippines, Sharon Galvez will be remembered for her stint in the group “Smokey Mountain”. She came to the US to establish a solo career, but the dream is yet to come true. American Idol could have been her ticket, if she had made it to the Finals. Till her break comes, she’ll just keep on singing!

Semi-Finalist, Season IV Melinda Lira is of Filipino and Mexican descent, born and raised in California. She started singing at an early age and sure enough, even without formal singing lessons, Melinda was approached by one of the music industry’s biggest names, Motown Records.

She had a sensible head on her shoulders, however, so Melinda chose to finish her studies instead and graduated with honours from her High School.

Melinda kept on singing and won several competitions until an opportunity to audition for American Idol came along. It was a memorable experience for her, culminating in her being voted to the Semi-Finals, as one of the Top 12 female vocalists of Season 4.

Jasmine Soriano Trias is a Filipino-American singer who finished 3rd Place on Season 3 of American Idol. Her impressive performance was lapped up by Filipino fans all over the world, her triumph sealed by tremendous call-in support provided by kabayans in California, New York and her hometown state, Hawaii.

She may not have won the coveted 1st Place, yet the recognition she has been receiving continues to confirm her remarkable talent. These include having a “Jasmine Trias Day” declared by then acting Governor of Hawaii, James Aiona; and two albums released in the United States and the Philippines.

In addition to her busy schedule of recordings and the fame brought by songs topping the charts, Jasmine has also appeared in TV commercials for McDonald’s, Smart Communications, Hapee Toothpaste and Bench in the Philippines. She was also featured as the “sister” of Apl.d.ap in the Black Eyed Peas music video, and in a variety of local TV shows in the Philippines.

Jasmine is currently wowing audiences regularly at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, USA.

Jasmine Trias Third Place, Season III

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34 FAMOUS FILIPINOS

Camile Velasco Finalist, Season III Ciara Camile Roque Velasco shared the limelight, plus the untiring encouragement of Filipinos in the US and the Philippines, with Jasmine Trias all throughout the 3rd Season of American Idol.

The second contestant from Hawaii sang her heart out alongside her kabayan all the way to the Finals, where she unfortunately had to bow out and Jasmine was voted to stay on.

Before American Idol, Camile was a songwriter/ composer while helping out at her parents’ IHOP Restaurant in Kahului. And after her singing talent has been exposed to TV audiences across the globe, she has had a single released by Universal/ Motown and launched many events for her fans in California, Hawaii and the Philippines.

Camile is currently working with Loudmouth/ Uhype and is busy completing an album with various producers in California.

Jordan Segundo Semi-Finalist, Season II In 2003, Jordan Segundo became the first singer from Hawaii to end up as a Finalist in Season 2 of American Idol. He’s also the first Asian contestant in American Idol history.

His experience on the show gave him national recognition and opportunities to showcase his talent poured in from everywhere.

Jordan performed for President Bush on his visit to Hawaii, with Kenny Loggins in the LA Lakers games, with the Honolulu Symphony, and many more.

Is He or isn’t He…Pinoy?

Danny Noriega It’s rumored that this American Idol hopeful had Filipino roots. His name is Danny Noriega.

Thousands of speculative blogs later, it’s still not clear if he is, indeed Filipino. There were even some rumours hinting that Danny Noriega is actually the “lovechild” of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.

Oooops!

FAMOUS FILIPINOS 35

And now… please welcome from the UK…

two Filipinos in “Britain’s Got Talent”!

Charlie Green

He’s only 10 years old, but he has already impressed the very rigid American Idol judge, Simon Cowell, who also acts as a judge in the show.

He had nothing but praises for the little performer, the second Filipino to make waves in the talent search “Britain’s Got Talent”.

Charlie Green’s mom is a Filipina, Cecilia Sumargo from Cebu, and his dad is British. It was during the show’s second week of Live auditions in Birmingham that Charlie gave a spirited rendition of Frank Sinatra’s hit record “Summer Wind”.

He was cool and composed throughout his entire performance, even doing some old-fashioned jazz scatting and finger snapping. After he sang, the audience gave Charlie a standing ovation and chanted his name for a few seconds.

The judges, journalist Piers Morgan who called Charlie “Old Charlie” was entertained by his singing and dancing, and actress Amanda Holden was quick to give a bold forecast, “I predict you could win in this show”. While Simon was impressed enough to declare, “Charlie, I think you’re a little star! I really, really like you!”

In the end, Charlie got three “YES” votes from the judges, and is now set to move on to the next round of the competition.

Madonna Decena Madonna is a 32-year old single mom and club singer who accomplished a “first” for Filipinos in the UK. She was the very first Filipino to compete in the talent show “Britain’s Got Talent”.

She auditioned in Manchester and wowed the British judges with her powerful rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”. There was not a dry tear in the house especially after everyone heard her story of leaving her two children behind with their grandparents, until she can raise enough money to send for them.

Madonna’s voice cracked as she told her story and Amanda Holden, one of the judges, cried in sympathy throughout her performance. Then the obviously moved audience gave her a standing ovation.

She has since moved on to the semi-finals, and if she wins the search, Madonna will have the rare opportunity to perform before the British Royal Family. Her triumph will be the triumph of millions of Filipinos working overseas, who are separated from their families so that they could ensure a better future for them.

36 KABUHAYAN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Money, Assets and Investing

Salon Business

By Bernadette Reyes

MARY PAULINE DANGA, THE PERSON IN COMMAND OF THE CHAIN OF SALONS THAT BEARS HER NAME, IS A TESTIMONY THAT WHAT STARTED OUT AS A PASTIME CAN EVENTUALLY BE THE START OF SOMETHING BIG. TODAY MARY PAULINE SALON HAS 12 BRANCHES AROUND METRO MANILA AND THE PROUD OWNER IS KEEN ON INCREASING THE NUMBER TO 20 BEFORE YEAR-END.

“I really don’t like the usual eight to five job so I decided to go into business,” Mary Pauline says. A self-confessed salon addict, she enjoys going to the salon to have her hair done. What better way to satisfy her favorite indulgence by putting up her own, while cashing in on her pastime.

While the food business is still the most popular business in the Philippines among budding entrepreneurs, according to the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), going into a service type of business such as salon has its advantages over food. The inventory of goods such as shampoos and hair treatment products have longer shelf-life which can go on for years as long as they are not placed

under direct sunlight or any environment that can compromise their quality.

The beauty industry is also at its prime, posting an estimated annual growth rate of 20 to 25% according to A.S. Watson Group, one of the largest health and beauty retailers in the world. In another study by the Makati Business Club, local industry sales was estimated at PHP90 billion per annum which translates to approximately PHP2,250 in annual expenditure per person. With the industry’s strong growth, expenditure on beauty products and services is likely to increase among clientele that spans varying age groups.

The capital you need to earmark to open a salon largely depends on the size and location of the salon and the quality and choice of equipment and furniture and fixtures that you intend to use. For beginners, you would need to have mirrors, hydraulic chairs, several pairs of scissors, blowers, steamers, irons and trolleys to carry miscellaneous salon items such as rollers and clips which will cost approximately PHP100,000, the cost of construction and materials included.

Franchise salons on the other hand like Mary Pauline Salon offers low-end to high-end franchise packages to interested investors. A low-end package starts at PHP200,000, and this includes the use of the name and training of personnel. A high end package amounting to up to PHP500,000, includes the use of the name, training of personnel, basic equipment and initial inventory of basic salon products.

A realtor is assigned to the franchisee to assist in choosing a good location for the salon.

High-end salons which covers the use of name, training of personnel abroad, top-ofthe-line equipment and salon products sum up to PHP1 million. These types of salons are usually found in mall areas where there is higher foot traffic.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

KABUHAYAN 37

Money, Assets and Investing

Whether you choose to put up your own salon from scratch or go for a franchise business, the return of investment (ROI) usually takes two to three years depending on sales.

Paperwork necessary to put up a salon may be minimal but these few steps may require a lot of legwork. All you have to do is register the business name with the DTI and secure a business permit from the municipal office where you intend to put up the business but these could take a while to process. Usually franchisors take care of these, relieving business owners from a lot of headache that goes with the legwork. “They don’t have to trouble themselves with the construction, documents and salon management. I have an affiliated contractor who works around the client’s budget, an affiliated accountant who handles the business permits and licenses and they get the support of the management because the client or his appointed representative train with us,” Mary Pauline explains.

However, since a franchise business allows for the use of its trademark and business system, you will have to pay management or royalties to the franchisor. Usually royalties are equivalent to a percentage of the sales.

These days however, most franchise salons charge fixed rates of around PHP25,000 to PHP40,000 a month for royalty fees. But Mary Pauline charges only three percent of the total gross sales as royalty and they do not charge the franchisee for publicity.

“If you gross PHP100,000 we only get

PHP3,000 unlike in other salons they get up to 40 percent. What if the business doesn’t do good? Another good thing about our program is that we don’t get royalty for the first six months. We only get it after the sixth month because that’s the time when the salon is already stable,” Mary Pauline explains.

However, royalty fees should be a small price to pay for the franchisee since franchise business work on a system that has been proven to be effective which means business owners are exposed to lesser risks and business mistakes are minimized. In the case of salons, incidents of backjob are less likely to be experienced by a franchisee than a greenhorn starting up a new salon. For the Mary Pauline chain of salon, haircutters and stylists undergo various screenings to make sure only the best people are hired and even when they get the job, they still have to undergo intensive training in the Philippines and abroad before they will be allowed to service clients. “You tell yourself not to avail of a franchise to cutback on costs but in the long run it might cost you more because the margin of error is greater than when you affiliate with a franchise,” Mary Pauline explains.

The absence of a good business system could lead to further failure of the business. In worst cases, some salons are forced to close shop either due to lack of advertising, poor salon management or simply unsatisfactory services.

Today, salons are going beyond offering only the usual services such as hair cutting, styling, hair coloring and other hair treatments to include dermatological treatments and spa services as auxiliary businesses to maximize space but more importantly increase sales.

Mary Pauline started the business when she was only 26 years old. Four years since, the business has experienced rapid growth and expansion to include branches in SM Mall of Asia and Cristina Marie Condominium in Pasay, SM North in Quezon City, Shangri-la Mall in Mandaluyong, Amorsolo Street and Forbes in Makati, Dapitan, Better Living Village in Bicutan, Sta. Mesa, Greenhills.

Provincial expansion has also begun with a new branch recently opened in Baguio.

Mary Pauline takes pride in the business’ exemplary growth but she attributes her success to a lot of hard work and to the people who made it happen. She believes she was able to hire the right people to take the job and they complemented her work ethics.

Like her, Mary Pauline believes young entrepreneurs can succeed in the salon business just as people who would like to retire soon could find this type of business a worthwhile endeavor. “Young entrepreneurs and retirees shouldn’t be scared to enter the salon business because it’s really lucrative and I don’t see the salon business going down anytime soon. They just have to have the proper training, patience and the passion,” she says.

Photography Dr. Marlon Pecjo Fashion Styling by Janet dela Fuente Makeup by Bem Abeleda Hair by Marie Sorsona Models: Ana Sideco, Girlie Benitez and Mikee Carrion - all from the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP)

Photography Dr. Marlon Pecjo Fashion Styling by Janet dela Fuente Makeup by Bem Abeleda Hair by Marie Sorsona Models: Ana Sideco, Girlie Benitez and Mikee Carrion - all from the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP)

40

SUCCESSFUL PINOY

Career Upliftment

Salary in the Crucible REMEMBER CHEMISTRY CLASS? WE PUT A SOLUTION IN A CRUCIBLE TO FIND OUT WHAT SOLIDS ARE DISSOLVED IN IT. THEN WE HEAT THAT CRUCIBLE TO A SLOW BOIL, OVER A BUNSEN BURNER. WHAT’S LEFT, WHEN THE LIQUID IS EVAPORATED, IS THE ‘STUFF’ THAT THAT SOLUTION IS MADE OF. SIMILARLY, TAKE SOME OF THE ‘BURNING’ ISSUES FOR FILIPINOS OVERSEAS, LIKE TAKING CARE OF FAMILY, DEALING WITH COSTS OF LIVING, AND FINDING A GOOD JOB. MOST PROBABLY, WHAT WILL BE LEFT IN THAT PROVERBIAL CRUCIBLE IS SALARY.

By Ron Villejo Ph.D.

Good news, bad news Salary surveys in the Middle East don’t paint a rosy picture for us. Filipinos and Asians in general are much lower than Western and Arab nationals on the totem pole. That’s among the findings from a handful of surveys, such as those by Arabian Business and Gulf Business.

The good news? The salary gap is narrowing, as noted by Gulf Talent and bayt.com.

As economies from the East outpace those of the West, skilled Asian employees find better job opportunities at home and thus are in a stronger bargaining position with employers abroad.

To this point, in a report last year, Gulf Talent anticipated that the following three nationalities will have the highest pay raises, for the second year running: Indian (14%), Filipino

(9%), and Chinese (8%). The caveat is that cost of living, driven up in part by inflation, softens these rising numbers.

Brief Primer on Surveys Read ‘behind’ the results. It is crucial to check the methods by which the survey was conducted, such as how participants were sampled – i.e. the more people surveyed, the better, and the more randomly they’re surveyed, the better. These improve the power of the statistical analysis and the ability of researchers to generalize their results to a broader group of people.

In an Arabian Business salary survey earlier this year, for example, we know that the number of participants were large. That’s good.

But we don’t know how broadly or randomly the participants were sampled, so we need to interpret the results cautiously. Some segments of people may have been left out.

Bakit naman – why are Filipino salaries lower?

Many Filipinos seem too willing to settle for salaries that are lower than what they’re worth and even what they want. Why? For one thing, it’s a personal matter. Some may be in such desperate straits to earn a living that any salary will do. Still, others who aren’t necessarily in dire situation may not have enough information, confidence, discipline or skills to command a proper salary.

The Philippine Business Council in Dubai has begun conducting workshops for the Filipino community on jobs and career. In one workshop, participants bemoaned the negative aspects of our culture – specifically, that we’re not taught to be assertive. So it’s not always easy to speak to our boss about a salary issue or a pay rise.

SUCCESSFUL PINOY

Career Upliftment I’m afraid, too, that some employers may (or do) take advantage of Filipinos for these very reasons. They know we’re magaling, mabait, masipag – and may be willing to come in cheap!

What to do?

Regardless of the reasons, it’s definitely time for us to stand tall… taas noo! Stand against those who take advantage of us, and we need to do so professionally and effectively. We aren’t going to lift our position on that salary totem pole, if we don’t raise ourselves first.

Let’s keep in mind, however, that salary is only one part of our career considerations. How challenging a job is, the growth and experience we will gain, and the environment within the company are things we ought to consider.

Also, salary is affected by market and economic forces that determine, in part, what an employer within a certain region, country or industry pays its employees. We have minimal or no influence over the latter.

That said, I offer the following recommendations – essentially, the building blocks for lifting our salary:

Reflect on your worth – personal and spiritual. Suppose your family were to lose you. Can you be replaced as a son or daughter, father or mother? Can someone pay enough to bring you back? Of course not. Your worth is priceless!

Draw on your pricelessness. No, an employer isn’t going to give you a million dollars, just because you’re special.

(Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if the world were to work this way!) But realizing this should give you a boost. Your confidence and motivation put you on stronger ground to get all that you deserve from your employer.

Do your homework. Google salary surveys in your region, country or industry. Study these surveys. Track the business and the work and career sections of your local newspapers. Find out what the average salary is for your field or position. Ask friends or colleagues. Now, don’t ask, “Magkano ang sweldo mo?”

Instead, ask the question more generally - e.g.

“What’s the salary range for a supervisor position in your company?”

Determine your financial worth. This isn’t easy for us to do. But I’ll tell you,

your employer has already made that determination: that is, with the figure that represents your total compensation and benefits package. So, is your package commensurate with what you’re worth?

Determine what else you can contribute to your employer going forward – maybe taking on a tougher assignment, instituting a work process improvement, or saving the company money on supplies.

An Answer to the Question of Worth

Again, it’s not easy to put a figure to your accomplishments, talents and contributions.

But because you’ve done your homework, you should now have a better idea of where you stand against benchmarks in the market for your position. Perhaps your salary should be higher on the average range. If your worth is higher than the range itself, then perhaps you have qualifications for a higher level job!

Here’s how you can reasonably determine your worth vis-à-vis your salary: Take stock of your key accomplishments and the results you’ve produced. At minimum, you must do what you’re expected to do.

But if your job performance is even better, then you’re in a stronger your position in the salary negotiation.

Review your talents – your knowledge, skills and experiences. Obviously, you can raise your worth by actively learning and developing yourself. Remember, your education doesn’t stop, just because you’ve graduated from college.

Why not pursue a better job opportunity di ba?

Next Issue: Negotiating your Salary Effectively

41

42

SUCCESSFUL PINOY

Success Principles

Tagumpay ko...Suweldo ko!

By Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos

THE COUNTRY HAS SUNK SO LOW THAT THE ONLY DIRECTION LEFT IS TO GO UP. THAT’S MY OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR 2003. THE PRESENT LEADERSHIP IS BANKRUPT, BUT I LIKE TO THINK THAT SOMEWHERE IN THE REST OF THE NATION ARE UPRIGHT AND DEDICATED CITIZENS WHO ARE READY TO SERVE AND ONLY WAIT TO BE CALLED. FIRED ONLY BY THE COMMON GOOD, THEY WILL DELIVER US FROM IMPENDING DOOM AND LEAD US TO THE PROMISED LAND.” Isagani A. Cruz - Law Professor, Justice of the Supreme Court Tagumpay mo..Tagumpay ko!

Hello again, sis and bro!

Today, let us talk about how to be successful in that part of your career — your salary. First, I want you to read the title, with conviction: Tagumpay ko! Suweldo ko! (again) Tagumpay ko! Sweldo ko.. (again) Tagumpay ko! sweldo ko.. Wait! Bakit ‘di mo ma-pronounce ng maigi at pahina na ng pahina?

To you who can say this with all honesty and with a loud voice, you are indeed successful in this aspect of your career. But to those of you who almost whispered sabay ngiti or worse, those who are frowning — huwag magalala. There is a way to get ‘successful compensation’.

It all started when …

This article came about when my friends Lalaine, Mon, Ron and I where discussing a survey saying that Filipinos ranked as the second lowest paid nationality in the region. Ha?! That was our reaction. What was their basis?

Well, there are so many well-paid Pinoys around the world, even in the emirates. And I say that with conviction. But, it is not enough for a few to receive good compensation — it should be given to all; especially to those deserving kababayans.

In fact, alam mo ba na noon, ang mga nagtatrabaho sa Dubai ay malalaki ang suweldo? Ang mga accommodation villa and ang benefits, paldo! (But Jeff noon naman di pa developed ang UAE!). Exactly, mas tumaas ang gastos ngayon bakit ‘di ka makahingi ng mataas na suweldo?

It really started when some Filipinos (let’s limit ourselves within our community) accepted compensation below the standard. In my 10 years in HR — interviewing hundreds of applicants — I have noted one reason as to why our salary in general is low. Unfortunately, sis and bro, only an average of three out of 10 kabayan applicants would ask about a proper compensation package. The rest would say things like – “Sir, ok na

SUCCESSFUL PINOY

Success Principles po ba yung tatlong libo?” or “It’s up to you sir, how much. Ahhh, ehhh, basta po may maitatabing kaunti, ok na.” In fact, there are some who even lower their expectations just to get the position!

That’s why when you finish the interview and have made them an offer, gulat na gulat sila sa pwede pala nilang matanggap, even if they know that they deserve it.

Kumpara sa ibang mga nag-a-apply. Even if they do not have the qualifications, they will ask salaries way beyond the stars (as though they are asking for a managerial position right away)! Well, at least they have the confidence that some of our kababayans obviously lack.

Just ask, and you shall receive When you are asked for your expected salary, just smile and say, ‘I know what your company needs and I know I can deliver that’ (But make sure you really know. That is the reason why you need to research the company, the job description and match your skills, first and foremost).

But if you were cornered, just ask the amount at least twice the salary you are guessing they will give – “Well, not less than ten thousand dirhams.” Assess the salary based on market information. Check the newspapers and inquire with colleagues having the same or comparable positions. Then, after the interview, go and wait for the call.

If they called and are interested to give you the AED 10,000, just ask them to give you 24 hours to think it over (kahit na gustong-gusto mo nang pumirma ng offer letter! ) because you have another offer for AED 12,000. After a courteous goodbye, put down the phone and wait for the following day. If they call you again, bingo! If they offered you more, Lotto!

But what if they don’t call the following day and wala ka naman talagang ibang offer? Call them and ask them as to when can you start. If they ask you, why you changed you mind, say to them, “I was checking last night the other company’s profile, yours is far better than them.”

Kaya sa pag a-apply mo, hilingin ang magandang suweldo…Successful Pinoy tayo!

BUTI NA LANG, nalaman mo na ngayon ang puwedeng gawin sa pakikipagusap tungkol sa suweldo. For sure, you will look for other opportunities commensurate to what you deserve.

BUTI NA LANG may libro katulad ng ‘I Know What To Do!’ na para sa OFWs na magtuturo ng katagumpayan sa suweldo at sa lahat ng aspeto ng buhay natin, mga sis and bro.

BUTI NA LANG may mga Successful Pinoys na handang tumulong sa pagbago ng pagiisip ng mga kababayan. Nandito ang Illustrado, ang Philippine Business Council at siyempre ang SuccessfulPinoyAko

Truly, there are still many indios and a few Illustrados, but I believe that the thinking Filipinos are answering the call to help shed light to others so that prosperity and progress will continue to enter each and everyone else’s lives.

Buti na lang, walang sayang!

If you know what to do and you believe that you are receiving a low salary, do not fret. There is a more powerful phrase than SAYANG. There is BUTI NA LANG.

BUTI NA LANG, God is in control. We are in the right time while in the wrong situation; to ask for the right things; to do the right acts and say the right words.

Kaya sa pag a-apply mo, hilingin ang magandang suweldo. Successful Pinoy tayo!

43

44 FEATURE

NoyPinventions: Reinventing the World

By Aby Yap

WE WERE HATED (AND GLORIFIED BY HACKERS) BECAUSE OF THE LOVE BUG, A VIRUS STARTED BY YOUNG FILIPINO STUDENTS IN 2000, DAMAGING SUPPOSEDLY HI-TECH SYSTEMS OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES AROUND THE WORLD AND COSTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE PROCESS. TOO MANY TIMES, WE’VE BEEN DUBBED AS TRICKSTERS BY OUR OWN KABABAYANS — FOR ‘MANUFACTURED’ DIPLOMAS IN RECTO, GIMMICKS TO FATTEN DRESSED CHICKEN, AND VARIOUS OTHER MONEY-MAKING MODUS OPERANDI. BRILLIANCE GONE TO THE BIN, YOU SAY? BUT IN REALITY, THESE ARE MERELY BAD EXAMPLES OF PINOY INGENUITY. BECAUSE WHEN THE FILIPINO PUTS HIS CREATIVE MIND TO GOOD USE, WHAT FOLLOWS IS AN ENDLESS ROSTER OF AMAZING INVENTIONS. PRACTICAL, AMUSING, OR OUTRAGEOUS, THESE PINOY INNOVATIONS HAVE MADE THEIR IMPACT ON THE WORLD. Shedding Light You must have heard about Agapito Flores’ fluorescent lamp and Eduardo San Juan’s Moon Buggy or Lunar Rover — and the controversies surrounding their ‘discoveries.’ While Filipino scientists discredit talk about General Electric Company buying the patent rights of Flores’ lamp, American scientific journals don’t acknowledge San Juan as the creator of the vehicle used by Neil Armstrong when he first set foot on the moon.

But don’t be disheartened; we still have our fair share of contributions to light and space.

The New World Technology, a lighting fixture company, devised the Nutec system to repair broken fluorescent lamps and extend their services up to seven years. Eduardo Sta. Ines also came up with a 22-watt reflectorized circular lamp for intense and extensive illumination.

Like San Juan, Edward Caro was also a NASA engineer. He was part of the Explorer, a mission launching an artificial satellite.

Riding Clean Pinoys rule the land and the air, too. Eddie Urcia holds the patent for the world’s fastest bike, which has 48-gear combinations. With our resourcefulness and creativity, we managed to transform the military jeep Americans left in the 1940s into longer and friendlier incomegenerating public transport. Hailed as the country’s modern pambansang sasakyan, the jeepney is a mobile canvas showcasing our colorful culture with vivid landscapes and portraits enlivening the exterior, as well as religious and personal ornaments adorning the interior. Latest jeepney innovations feature the air-conditioned Jumbo Jeepney developed by Orlando Marquez and the electricity-powered E-jeepney, a joint project of some Filipino groups.

Environmentally-conscious drivers can now enjoy Gerry Caroro’s G Cars, which run either on battery alone, battery and hybrid gas, or battery

FEATURE 45 and solar energy. The Department of Energy also boasts of a vehicle that works on natural gas sourced beneath the Philippine seabed.

But if you prefer floating on air, then Jose Guardo Jr.’s internationally patented Maglev vehicle, which uses magnetic levitation to move on an electromagnetic road, is the one for you.

To address oil price hike and pollution issues, we have Rudy Lantano’s Alco-diesel, Lan-gas, and Superbunker Formula L, each one comprising different fuel mixtures, and Roberto Celis’ Hydrogasifier that uses water.

Pablo Planas’ brainchild, the Khaos Super Turbo Charger, feeds the correct air-fuel ratio into the engine for better combustion at minimized pollution. For passenger safety, Pinay Margie Talaugon pioneered the car seat pillow for kids.

MYcrophone - wePhone If you think Filipino inventors are pretty serious, you must have forgotten Roberto del Rosario. He’s the one you should thank for the one-man-band that became the SingAlong-System, which then gave birth to the Karaoke and Videoke. His other inventions include the voice color code and tape, piano tuner’s guide, and piano keyboard stressing device. Also remember Carlos Casas for Voca CDX 1001 Superamp, a stand-alone amplifier, and Marc Loinaz for the one-chip video camera. Alexander Graham Bell seems to reside in the Pinoy bloodline, too. Camilo Tabalba created the telephone electronic, which paved the way for the modern touchtone phone. Gregorio Zara conceived the Videophone as early as 1955.

Here’s some more ‘good-to-know’ trivia.

Parker pens owe the Quink pen ink they use to Francisco Quisumbing. But what may be of interest to James Bond is Rodolfo Arambulo’s Multishock, a bullet that intensifies a gun’s power as it produces multiple hits in a single shot. Bill Gates has a Pinoy counterpart in Diosdado Banatao, who owns a semiconductor company in Silicon Valley. This guy is the brain behind a lot of computer advancements mostly used

by Intel: the first graphical user interface accelerator that enables your PC to operate faster, the Ethernet controller chip that led to the advent of the Internet, local bus concept for PCs, and initial Windows accelerator chip. For building a house protected from termites, typhoons, and earthquakes using prefabricated posts and panels in a month’s time, try Edgardo Vasquez’s modular housing system known as Vazbuilt. And before you grab the iPhone, check out the wePhone or World’s Exceptional Phone first. Made by

46 FEATURE

Talpulano Talpulani aka T2, it’s set to do all what Apple’s phone offers — and more.

It’s an iPod, digicam, voice recorder, fax machine, instant verbal translator, and solar electricity generator that can be used for battery recharging.

Nurture Nature Bet you didn’t know that it was a Filipina — the first Asian student at the Harvard University’s School of Medicine — who inspired the creation of the incubator. Fe del Mundo is widely acknowledged for her rural services, which prompted her to improvise an incubator utilizing available materials: woven laundry baskets and water bottles. Behind the ultrasonic surgical knife that never burns a patient’s flesh, called the harmonic scalpel, is Wilmo Orejola. For the speedy two-week recovery brought by the minimally-invasive cardiac surgery that employs smaller cuts into the body, the credit goes to Francis Duhaylongsod. The author of ‘Fracture Classification Manual,’’ Ramon Gustilo, has a number of patented artificial bone replacement systems used worldwide. Other noteworthy Filipinomade devices are Ned Teves’ endotracheal tube cardiac monitor, Jose Navato’s digital fever detector, and Jacinto Ledesma’s rocking dental chair (yes, there’s one!).

Who else would have thought of concocting cures for various diseases out of nature’s abundance other than our kababayans? E. V. Macalalag Jr.’s bukolysis, which uses young coconut juice, quickly dissolves urinary stones. Maria Carlita Rex-Doran’s ampalaya wonder is the solution for diabetes mellitus and HIV infections. Painless and scar-less removal of warts and moles is possible because of Rolando dela Cruz’s ointment, a cashew nut extraction. For cancer, Americanpatented Taxol was formulated by Filipinos through the Philippine yew. Same case for Erythromycin, an antibiotic that came from Aspergillus fungi discovered by Abelardo Aguilar, though this was registered under an American pharmaceutical firm’s ownership.

DST’s Tubig Talino promises to remedy goiter, mental and physical retardation, and birth defects with its iodine-loaded drinking water. Virgilio Malang is recognized for

Lolli Gundi, made up of lagundi herbs to treat cough and colds, and a feminine hygiene product called Psidium Guajava effervescent gynecological insert.

Commonplace Creativity Malang has a variety of unforgettable inventions under his name: the patient side-turning hospital bed, light refracting earpick, nose and ear aspirator, broom’s way of hanging, LPG tank-indicator cart, an ‘earlier’ warning device — an early warning device innovation, and the K-9 chastity and incontinence belt for dogs. His latest is Vitamin Beer, the tambay’s favorite drink enriched with Vitamin B. Of course, your authentic Pinoy cuisine experience is never complete without these ladies’ gastronomic

genius: Aling Tentay or Ruperta David’s patis, which originated from her family’s daing biz; Maria Ylagan Orosa’s banana catsup and pineapple vinegar; Doran’s banana vinegar; Emerita de Guzman’s test tube-makapuno, and Teodula Africa’s nata de coco.

From street vendors’ customized umbrellahats to Ernie Baron’s pyramid brain booster, to drivers’ jingle (peeing) bags to Antonio Andes Sr.’s reusable multimedia coffin, to the grand Ifugao irrigation system at the Banaue Rice Terraces and Dean Roel John Judilla’s smart bomb disposal robot — there are a lot of proofs that no matter what the world thinks, regardless of time and place, there’s always a Filipino ready to reinvent the world.

48 FEATURE

Uniquely Filipino

By Mikkel Bolante

The PhiliPPines is undoubTedly a melTing PoT of culTures – a resulT of our many incarnaTions as a colony occuPied by several suPerPowers. afTer being under sPanish conTrol for over 400 years, our PeoPle were subjecTed To almosT half a cenTury more of foreign rule under The americans and jaPanese. while we have long been able To earn our indePendence as a naTion, much of our original culTure has been rePlaced by an amalgamaTion of alien influences – leaving us wiTh an inTeresTingly unique hybrid culTure we Proudly call our own.

Beyond the difficult complexities of colonial occupation and the sentiments of our forefather’s uprising against past colonizers, it is undeniable that Filipino culture today is richer owing to our colorful past. Not surprisingly, our longtime rulers have imparted in us a great deal. Our long history under several colonizers, have differentiated us from our Asian brothers and sisters. We have become considered as the Hispanics of Asia – sharing more in common with the latinos whose countries were also conquered

by Spain, and having a more modern value system akin to that of the US. More than just cuisine, our time under the Spanish has given us our ‘soul’ as a people. The most lasting thing our original conquerors introduced to us is religion. Much like they did with their other territories, the Spanish have inculcated in us very strong religious roots. The Church was once a very powerful institution in the country, and though it no longer holds official functions today, it still has considerable influence – as can be seen in its strong role in politics like in the twin People Power Revolutions sparked by the prominent Archbishop, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. Religion also figures a great deal in our national pastime, fiestas – the celebratory gatherings that combine our old tribal rituals with the Spanish traditions of the Church, as well as in our traditions, value systems and beliefs.

And what else could be as basic as our belief systems, but Spain’s impact on the evolution of the Filipino language. Decades ago, Spanish as a language course was still considered mandatory in Philippine universities. Although that rule has been made obsolete, we cannot erase Spain’s influence on our lingua franca.

We still use words like eskwela and estudyante instead of paaralan and mag-aaral. People are more familiar with the colors berde and asul, and when asked, most people wouldn’t even know the Tagalog terms called luntian and bughaw. And of course, our most common greeting kamusta (how are you?), is still based on the Spanish pharase como esta.

Siestas, too, were introduced by the Spanish; an afternoon ritual that would frustrate our capitalist foreign counterparts to no end.

If there’s one thing we like as much as food, it has to be sleep.

Whether you mean to take a siesta or not, one can easily notice that everybody slows down after having a good lunch.

Too bad we weren’t able to keep their passion for their number one sport – football. Spain loves its football, with many of the world’s biggest names making a stop in the top league there.

Here, there are only select places, like in Negros, where the sport is big. Instead, the Pinoys are basketball crazy – despite the constant criticism of Filipinos being too short for the sport. That’s something we picked up from our second batch of conquerors, the United States of America.

FEATURE 49

if there’s one nation that has influenced us the most, it has to be the uSA. everywhere you look, there’s something that will remind you of America. we eat their food, we wear their clothes, we listen to their music, and we read their books. we pattern our lives after what we see in their television shows and their movies. in fact, we pattern our television and movies after theirs.

Our kids are exposed to American culture from a very young age.

They grow up on Gi Joes, Barbie dolls and Sesame Street. They watch American cartoons, learn American nursery rhymes and grow up trying to be like their American idols — whether it’s in sports, music or entertainment.

More than that, though, the uS has reached our young ones through the educational system. The establishment of that system is one of the more important contributions of the uS occupation. with our foreign rulers confounded by the sheer number of languages and dialects we have in the country, they imposed english as the primary language of instruction in schools — something that has benefited us several decades into the future. we have long been known around Asia as the best in english fluency, and in fact, we are still considered a top destination for learning the language.

There has been a recent rise in visitors from our fellow Asian countries, particularly from korea, with the purpose of studying english.

Our skills in the language are still held in very high regard, evidenced by the high number of call centers that exist here. we are not only used to speaking the tongue, but more importantly, mimicking the accents — making us sound more American than other call center competition.

But that’s not to say we’re more American than we are Asian. Our technology and electronics are mostly dominated by the Japanese — we play on our Sonys and Nintendos, rely on the Panasonics and (again) Sonys for entertainment, take pictures with our Canons and Nikons and travel on our Toyotas, Mitsubishis and Hondas.

Of course, the Japanese have been the driving force behind many of the recent fads kids have gone crazy over. Based on their favorite Japanese animated shows, hobbies such as mini-four wheel drive racing (or Tamiya), popularized by the cartoon Let’s & Go, and Beyblade — a high-tech version of what is essentially a trumpo, made popular by the program of the same. The anime industry has been so big, that there are regular events that feature cosplay — costumed roleplay — all around the country. This is where participants dress up as their favorite anime characters, in full apparel, hairstyle and accessories. That means parties full of samurai, robots, wizards, schoolboys and schoolgirls.

PHiLiPPiNe CuLTure, Of COurSe, iS GreATer THAN THe SuM Of iTS PArTS. ALL Of THe THiNGS iMPArTed TO uS HAve BeeN iNTeGrAL iN SHAPiNG iT, BuT AT THe eNd Of iT ALL, Our CuLTure CANNOT Be defiNed SiMPLy By Our PAST. iT iS NOT JuST A quirky Mix Of ALL Of Our COLONiAL iNfLueNCeS - iT iS Our iNTriNSiC NATure wiTH ALL THeSe BiTS ANd PieCeS wHiCH HAve evOLved iNTO A HyBrid wAy Of Life uNique TO Our PeOPLe. wHiLe Our COLONizerS ALL LefT A LiTTLe SOMeTHiNG BeHiNd, iT iS SAfe TO SAy THAT we HAve A CuLTure ALL TO Our OwN – ONe we CAN PrOudLy SAy THAT iS TruLy OurS — STrANGe, uNique ANd SOMeTHiNG THAT CAN Be fOuNd ONLy iN THe PHiLiPPiNeS.

Pinoy Attitude

IT’S NOT ONLY ABOUT THE CLOTHES THEY WEAR, THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY SPEAK, THE WAY THEY CARRY THEMSELVES OR HOW THEY VIEW THE WORLD THAT GETS CERTAIN PEOPLE LABELED FOR ‘ATTITUDE’. IT’S A STRONG WORD WITH VARIED MEANINGS AND DIFFERENT SHADES, INCITING MIXED REACTIONS. BUT WHAT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO IS THAT THESE PERSONALITIES KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE, AND WHO THEY ARE. MAKE NO MISTAKE.

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez • Photography by Pot Ph

Daryl and Dan Villanueva Art Directors A distinctive American twang and most of their lives spent in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, and the US, makes the question of Dan and Daryl’s national identity somehow a bit complicated – well, to some people, that is. But although insular kababayans might look at these third culture Pinoys with a bit of suspicion, sometimes disbelief (getting them, ever so often, into ‘interesting’ situations), when it comes to these brothers, it can’t be more than crystal clear – the Philippines is in their blood.

Nestor Ong Painter, Sculptor, Poet, Creative Director Whether it’s Jim Morrison’s tats or the fear inspiring mythical image of the reptile symbolizing death and resurrection which accounts for this artist’s affinity for lizards, is debatable. What’s certain is that there is nothing half-baked about Nestor Ong – not his full on obsession with his arts, his humongous eclectic collection of CD’s, or his strong assertive attitude that could be disconcerting to the timid. And regardless if you like it or not, this creative guy sticks to his guns and stands for his own, saying “I don’t care if you think they’re ___ people. They’re my ___ people!”

Dawn Almario Art Director Who cares if you’re black, white or rainbow? Exactly the sentiments of androgynous Dawn Almario, a Clio awarded artist who makes no excuses for her eclectic lifestyle and art, not to mention her eye-popping choice of footwear. “Life is just too short not to enjoy yourself”, she says. “You can love me or leave me – it’s that simple.”

Second Chu Illustrado Stylist and Visual Merchandiser His love for edgy native fashion and accessories are as much fodder for conversations as his ever changing hairstyles. Illustrado stylist and enfant terrible Zekundo values scrap metal and surplus rubber from vulcanizing shops in the Metro, tribal emblems from Baguio, beads from Bora and the treasures of Quiapo, and knows exactly their place in today’s fashion scene. With Zekundo’s defiant attitude, it’s suddenly cool to brandish a bayong amid the shallow monogrammed designer luxuries that so many aspire for. “It’s about who you are.” Now, do you have a problem with that?

Agnes Aquino Briggs Interior designer and real estate broker Agnes Briggs belongs to a biracial family, but retains her distinct Filipino flair combined with western sophistication. The interior designer and real estate broker mother of three boisterous boys sets a good example of east-meets-west personal style that is quite elegant and distinctive. But it’s not only the lady’s clothes that speak loudly, but her strong character as well. The antithesis of the timid Pinay of old, Agnes knows what she wants and does not hesitate to go after it.

DANCE AND LEISURE WEAR

First Floor Palm Strip Mall Jumeirah Beach Road PO Box 75658 Dubai UAE

04 345 4563 MeetingLoveSports@gmail.com

56 DESIGN

His Shoes, His Purpose in Life

By Jude Cartalaba

MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE READ PAOLO COELHO’S BOOK, ‘THE ALCHEMIST’ MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH MAKING ONE’S ‘PERSONAL LEGEND’ AND THIS IS PERHAPS WHAT THIS THIRTY YEAR OLD ENTREPRENEUR, BRIAN TENORIO HAS BEEN DOING WHEN HE SET HIS HANDS IN PURSUING A VENTURE IN SHOEMAKING.

Turning Point Tenorio, a Tehran-born Filipino-American, is a former graphic designer with clients such as Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Sonia Ner, Lita Puyat, Instituto Cervantes, ABS-CBN, Globe Telecom, CEMEX Corporation and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He shifted to shoemaking, a business he considered seriously when he topped the Filipino-Harvard-alumni-sponsored Battle of the Business Plan competition in Manila and competed as semifinalist in the Harvard Business School 2005 Entrepreneurial Idol in Boston, USA. “I’ve always been concerned in making people look thinner. I know everything about shadow, photography and color. Also, I’ve always been fascinated with shoes and shoes are the end point of one’s body. It modifies the contour of one’s body.”

“In fact, I started designing and making shoes as a hobby and never expect this would turn out to be a potential business. I designed a pair and people seem to love it. Then the awards came, and that affirmed the profitability of getting into such a venture.”

Together with business partners, Brian put up Tenorium

Incorporated, which was poised to be a leading multiinterdisciplinary design house and production facility in the region with expertise in designer shoes, bags and jewelry.

Brian who was raised in Marikina, the shoe capital of the Philippines, however, admits that he had difficulties when he started his shoe business. Despite that, he considers all the obstacles as a fun learning process and has no regrets of doing what he really wanted in life. “I have no background in shoemaking or shoemanufacturing, which was a challenge,” says Tenorio. “I can say I am still learning a lot. I am still getting the hang of it until now.”

Today, the Philippines’ youngest designer shoe company is also the country’s most widely publicized Philippine shoe label in the region. And with two years in his company, and four years in shoe designing, Tenorio stays true to his motto: “Only superlatives.”

A design stand-out In 1980s through to the 1990s, the shoe capital of the country, Marikina went through a very challenging phase, as more and more importers from around the world preferred to purchase from China, and most affluent Filipinos patronized Italian-made

DESIGN 57

and imported pairs. The issue back then was that the latter could not find well-made shoes in the country.

Philippine-made shoes were not considered competitive versus the cheap imports from China. Thus, the young Tenorio, decided to take up the challenge by launching his first collection of Marikinamade shoes in late 2004, via the wide reach of the Internet. He promoted his designs to clients here and abroad and managed to create a good following.

When asked what makes Filipino shoe designs stand out against foreign brands, Tenorio emphatically declares, “We are not the Marikina version of Prada and we are certainly not the cheaper version of Ferragamo.”

His collection of designs serves as proofs to this strong statement.

For example, his ‘Tilapia’ (Filipino fish species) pairs and ‘Sabungero’ (Tagalog for ‘cock-fighters’) slippers, are uniquely Filipino in style, but most definitively project a global look and feel altogether. This is because the designer capitalizes more on imagination and inspiration to produce ‘top-of-mind’ shoe designs.

58 DESIGN

Achievements, Awards • 2007 JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award • 2007 Dutch Business in Development Challenge, Philippines www.bidchallenge.org • 2005 Finalist, Harvard Business School Entrepreneurial Idol (business plan competition in Harvard Business School in Boston featuring thirty competing business plans from around the world) Unsurprisingly, Tenorio’s pairs do not come not cheap. However, they are not as pricey as some designer shoes which rocket up to PHP99,500 - his average shoes costs around PHP8,000.

Firmly rooted Brian Tenorio is a shoe designer but he is not ‘Imeldific’ when it comes to his own personal collection. He remains humble and only keeps five pairs. He has three pairs of boots and two pairs of sneakers in his possession.

The designer also occupies himself with nobler pursuits. He finished teaching art to ten-year olds in Ateneo de Manila grade school’s art club for school year 2005-2006. Also in 2000, he was the youngest faculty member that taught design at the communications department of his alma mater, Ateneo de Manila University.

When asked what could have been his career if he did not end up in shoemaking, he remarked without any hesitation, “I would be doing charity, doing social work. I hope to teach at the vocational level in Marikina. Go into mainstream or more ‘masa.’ I would want to develop high school and college students to understand more about shoemaking.”

As a designer and shoemaker, he has this to say in taking care of one’s shoes, “Alternate the pairs. Do not wear one pair everyday.

Put wax to clean and don’t soak with water. Do not let it stay under the sun. Lastly, if your pair wears out, buy a new one. Shoes are not a substitute to one’s happiness.”

• 2005 First Place Gen-P Battle of the Business Plan (business plan competition sponsored by Filipino alumni of Harvard Business School—GENPhilippines) • 2005 ANVIL (graphic design of Jaime Zobel’s calendar) • 2004 ANVIL (graphic design of Jaime Zobel’s calendar) • 2003 ANVIL (graphic design of Jaime Zobel’s calendar)

60 ARTWALL

Eduardo Yap

and the Red Bull Maniac

By Shar Matingka

On a cOld Saturday evening, i waS taking a StrOll in Bank Street undecided with all the chOiceS Of reStaurantS and cOffee placeS that wOuld Be mOSt cOnvenient tO Sit dOwn and chat with red Bull creativity cOnteSt 2006 3rd place winner, eduardO yap.

I stumbled upon his winning surreal piece of art on the web months ago but shamefully ignored the artist name.

Lesson learned: acknowledge the name embedded or attached to the artwork.

Finally, I settled myself down in a Chinese restaurant near my place not far from Satwa where Eduardo Yap lives.

His friends call him Edward and sometimes Yap. Growing up in Malabon, as a young boy, Edward was inspired by his cousin to draw. Humble beginnings start with inspiration – a fact known to anyone who strives to make a name. For Edward, his early years as an artist revolved around expectations or what others want to see in his art. He participated in several national competitions in the Philippines but never won. His earlier works were watercolor paintings usually done on-the-spot during unsuccessful times in national competition. Although he won 2nd place at the Philippines 50th UE Foundation Day, gaining recognition in national scale was nearly impossible with the little politics going around here and there.

During his college years at the University of the East as a Fine Arts student majoring in advertising, Edward thought he was the typical rugged character in class who was hardly ever prompt and attentive, and always called out for his tardiness and unkempt hair. But he wasn’t always the ‘lousy’ student. He once had a professor who encouraged him on an out-of-class experience by inviting him over to his place and share some philosophies in life and techniques to improve his art. Remembering those days he said, “His grandchildren weren’t interested in arts. So I guess this is why he chose me to trade some ‘art’ secrets with.”

ARTWALL 61

Life in Dubai and the unexpected winning Edward’s first chapter in Dubai was a venture with a well-known marketing solutions company that specialized in 3D models. He later realized he would rather work independently with a little help from his friends. He went back to the Philippines and after six months, returned to Dubai with tight finances. We all hit rock bottom sometimes especially when we risk for our goals in life. The same is true for Edward in a city where rent is like a snob in stiletto heels stepping on people’s hard-earned pay. Despite hard times, he made sure he went through the ordeals without having to depend on other people. Asked how he survived that long, Edward said, “It only takes hardwork, patience and cutting down on expenses.” Everyday is spent wisely on searching for prospective clients, events and projects that require some artworks. He dreams one day to have an art café in Dubai that would be haven to artists from different places and fields so they can meet up informally and comfortably share their experience.

Gradually, news of his paintings with a unique trademark spread in both the Filipino art community and among other nationalities with the same interests.

Edward successfully entered the limelight in popular exhibits in Dubai such as The Art of Can in 2006 at the Mall of the Emirates, Breast Cancer 2006 and Art & Fashion 2007 at Burjuman.

The Red Bull Maniac Every painting has a story. Edward got out of the expectations zone and painted from the heart. One would not expect that the multipanel acrylic paintings of a face - distorted in different odd angles maniacally gnawing a red bull can - is all about his love for a certain

62 ARTWALL girl who couldn’t return the same feeling. He pursued her in vain but still hopes one day, when all is better in his creative career, to show how sincere his feelings are for her. “Everything in the painting is all about her,” he shyly quoted. The green background represents her favorite color while the rest tells about those sleepless nights which are appropriately channeled through the Red Bull cans.

He handed me a few pictures of his other works which are noticeably minimalist with a hint of surrealism. In one of his exits to Kish, he was inspired to paint irate and distorted faces of people chewing on their passports and visas. He is also looking into his artistic interpretation with the same style on how the modern world is so infested with addictive gadgets like the latest mobile phones and game consoles.

What’s with the distorted face maniacally chewing on objects? Well, the answer is simple. Every artist has a trademark. Edward has an exceptional talent to retain familiarity and at the same time combine randomness and immediately distinctive variations.

We ended the night with some of his street magic tricks. What’s interesting about emerging artists like Eduardo Yap is their unpredictability, both in their art and life in general, without compromising their trademark.

What’s in a name but only everything? People have two choices to do with their names: either you make it or forget about it. Meeting artists like Edward, we may tend to question ourselves, how will our names be remembered?

MICHAEL CINCO DUBAI

66 FEATURE

Much Ado About PINOY WEDDINGS

HERE COMES THE BRIDE, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE . . . THE BRIDE MARCHES DOWN THE AISLE WITH HER FATHER, ALL EYES UPON HER AS SHE WALKS IN SLOW MOTION, TAKING FOREVER TO REACH THE ALTAR. TEARS OF JOY WELL UP IN HER EYES, THREATENING TO RUIN THE 3-HOUR MAKE UP PACKAGE, AS SHE PASSES THE ADMIRING GLANCES OF HER GUESTS WITH HER INTRICATE CUSTOM-DESIGNED IVORY GOWN, WITH FIVE FEET OF LACE TRAILING BEHIND. WHEN THEY FINALLY GET TO THE ALTAR, THE GROOM MEETS THEM, THEN ALL THREE TURN TO FACE THE PRIEST. “WHO GIVES THE BRIDE AWAY?” ASKS THE PRIEST, TO WHOM THE BRIDE’S FATHER ANSWERS, “I DO” WHILE GIVING HER DAUGHTER’S HAND TO THE GROOM. By Jr Bustamante Okay, now wake up. That’s already the middle of the story because long before this dream sequence occurs, three months to two years of painstaking preparation had taken place right after the marriage proposal.

So briefly . . . boy meets girl, girl likes boy, they date, fall in-love, fight, make-up, fight some more, and make up after each time.

Then, one day — after the girl’s waiting and incessant prayers — the guy suddenly pops the question, much to his own surprise. After accepting his fate and realizing that it is too late to pull back, the guy offers minimal resistance as he is swept along with her dream wedding plans. And so the ritual begins.

Kasalan This is the Filipino word for wedding. Most wedding traditions in the Philippines originate from the Spanish colonial period when the Roman Catholic religion was introduced to the islands. Spanish friars passed on wedding rites, similar to that of Mexico’s — where Spain ruled the Philippines from. Thus, the Manila-Acapulco trade route used by the merchant galleons unified the three cultures in more ways than one.

Ligawan and other Pre-Wedding Rituals While Pinoy courtship rituals are fast disintegrating into just text in Philippine history books, the engagements and pre-wedding rituals are still alive; but updated to blend with the modern way of life.

The essence remains unchanged, such as respect for elders, sincere intentions and religious devotion.

Pikot (or shotgun marriage), kasunduan (arranged marriage) and harana (serenade) are reduced to historical terms. Love letters are now in text or e-mail format.

Eons ago, a young man courting was expected to ask the question then patiently wait for the girl to say “yes” so he would know if she liked him. Nowadays, men just can’t face rejection so they don’t bother asking anymore, leaving the poor girls to do the guessing.

Pagtatapat Popping the question is a western concept that scares the pants off Pinoys as rejection is equivalent to humiliation that will haunt them forever. So instead of asking the question which is “Pakakasalan mo ba ako?” he says “Pakasal na tayo!” (Let’s get married!) making the proposal very casual and less intimidating.

FEATURE 67

Paghingi ng Kamay

Dulog

A Pinoy fiancé asks for the lady’s hand in marriage by presenting a ring to symbolize his true intentions. Some Filipino families insist their son give his love a treasured family heirloom to symbolize his family’s approval and acceptance of the bride-to-be.

Dulog, which literally means “approach” is a church requirement where the parish priest discusses with the couple their duties and responsibilities as husband and wife. The interview also serves to determine the couple’s readiness to wed and their knowledge about the doctrines of a Catholic marriage as well as finding any possible impediments to their union.

Pamanhikan The pamanhikan, or the meeting of the two families, is a lunch or dinner affair often hosted by the bride’s family as the groom and his family visits them to formally ask their daughter’s hand in marriage. The initial wedding plans are discussed by the families which includes guest list, budget, among other issues.

Paninilbihan Paninilbihan is a long-forgotten tradition where a daunting chore is done by the suitor for the bride’s family to show his worth with tasks like pagsibak ng kahoy or pag-igib ng tubig. Unbeknownst to many, this ritual is subconsciously still practiced in modern times but to a much simpler scale like accompanying your mother-in-law to do the groceries.

Pa-alam Pa-alam is a gesture of respect to Filipino elders. The practice is simply a round of casual visits or ‘courtesy calls’ to relatives or family friends of the couple. During this period, the soon-to-wed couples visit their ninongs or ninangs — the principal sponsors — for the wedding and bring a little something for them like a basket of fruits.

Despedida de Soltera The despedida de soltera is a send-off party held close to the wedding date in honor of the bride-to-be and hosted by her family.

The groom and his family, the wedding entourage, close friends and relatives from both sides are invited to meet and get to know one another before the big day.

Alay-Itlog kay Sta. Clara Many couples prefer a bright and sunny wedding day. Since rain is unpredictable and unavoidable, the desperate couple prays and offer eggs to Sta. Clara — the patron saint of good weather — to seek help in keeping their wedding day rain-free. They can visit the monastery of Sta. Clara in Katipunan Avenue.

The Pinoy Traditional Wedding So who foots the bill? Unlike in the US where the wedding bill is paid by the bride’s family, in the Philippines, the groom’s family spends for everything except for the bridal and female entourage gowns. He takes care of the expenses for the reception, church, limousine, flowers, invitations etc. while the bride takes charge of her bridesmaids and her own gown, along with the flower girls and the ring bearers.

68 FEATURE

Most of the time, the bride’s white or ecru gown is specially designed, months in advance. The groom wears a ‘barong,’ a traditional transparent hand-embroidered formal shirt made from jusi or piña cloth, a native material made from pineapple fiber.

Cord Ceremony: A figure of eight cord is placed over the heads of the bride and groom. This cord symbolizes a pledge to love each other forever.

The wedding invitations include details of the ceremony, reception, and all the names and roles of those in the bridal party. In the Philippines, the most popular months for a wedding are June and December.

Candle Ceremony: Two small candles are lit by candle sponsors, an act that symbolizes the unification of the spirits of the bride and groom. The couple will take a candle each and light a third candle — the larger candle in the middle. This is the unity candle to be taken home by the couple later on and lit on the day of their anniversary.

The Wedding Ceremony

The Wedding Reception

The bride and groom arrive separately for the ceremony. The groom arrives earlier, up to an hour before the ceremony to receive guests, while the bride arrives just in time for her bridal march.

The throwing of the bridal bouquet and garter, slicing of the cake, and champagne toast are western practices that are also part of the Filipino wedding reception. The one thing that will differentiate a Pinoy reception from the western style is the bell-shaped basket that hangs in the middle of the room. The newly weds will proceed to the bell after the toast, and pull the strings of the bell to open a trap door at the bottom. Out will fly two love birds which will be set free afterwards. When the two birds, which are usually white doves, fly up towards the heavens, it means good luck and a successful life together for the couple.

The bride marches to the altar with her father where he gives his daughter’s hand to the waiting groom. The following order of sequence occurs:

Exchange of Vows Ring Ceremony: The couple will make an exchange of rings after these are blessed by the priest with holy water.

Arrhae or Coin Ceremony: The priest drops arras — coins — into the groom’s hands, who passes these onto his bride’s. She then puts her hand above the groom’s then returns them to him. The coins are then dropped onto a plate. The sound of the coins signifies abundance, and serves as a reminder of the groom’s promise care for his wife financially.

Veil Ceremony: A symbol of the groom pledging protection to his bride.

The Sayaw sa Batya (dancing inside the batya — while guests throw money inside) and Sayaw ng Pera (a dance wherein cash is pinned on the couple’s clothes as relatives dance the waltz with them) are two traditions that practiced in some localities in the Philippines. In both dances, the couple are handed money which they can use as seed money to start their life together.

Lastly, a wedding tip to brides, according to Pinoy superstition, you should “accidentally” step on the groom’s foot while walking towards the altar so he will always agree with your every whim. Best wishes to all the brides and grooms out there!

There is very little question as to who is the most in-demand designer in the Philippines today. Rajo Laurel, hands down, is the top choice for most of the famous personalities in the country - from beautiful celebrities to powerful politicians. Rajo’s creations are all over the media - gracing television shows, magazine pages, event stages and the Metro’s most stylish ramps. And if there’s one thing that is most coveted in this designer’s portfolio – it has got to be his supremely stylish bridal creations.

Rajo Laurel’s Photography by Toto Labrador, Courtesy of the House of Laurel

Rajo realized his calling from an early age, falling in love with fashion at age 11. He pursued studies in art at some of the most prestigious institutions like the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the Central St. Martin’s in London.

Upon launching his career, he plucked award after award as one of the top young designers of his time — gaining recognition both in the Philippines and around Asia. He staged several galas that pushed the limits of local fashion, like his daring avant-garde show Optical Illusions in 2001 and his 2004 show Habi that flaunted the best of Philippine textile. His collections have been showcased in exhibitions like the Philippine Centennial Show in Sydney and the Saks Fifth Avenue Bridal Exhibition in New York.

His work has also been featured in the projects of several clients like the Young President’s Organization, the Professional Models

Association of the Philippines, Ayala, Coke, Alliance Française, The Net One Group and BMW. An veritable ambassador of Philippine fashion, Rajo has also participated in Fashion Weeks in other countries, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Bali, Indonesia. In 2007, he was lauded as the Ernst and Young Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year.

Rajo’s creations, which are available prêt-a-porter at the House of Laurel boutique or as exclusively bespoke haute couture, are widely considered as Manila’s finest. His popular designs are a seamless marriage of classic style and daring imagination, making it no wonder why, in the Philippines, when one wants high fashion — it can only be a Rajo.

Brides

78 FEATURE

Filipino Tribal Wedding

Rituals Although CAtholiC wedding trAditionS Are the moSt well-known And prACtiCed Around the Country, there Are other unique Age old CuStomS Around the iSlAndS inherent to SpeCifiC filipino tribeS. here Are Some of them.

Manobo There are several pre-wedding rituals but on the date itself, the groom takes his party to the house of the bride, where they will be announced by a spokesperson of the bride before they are asked to enter the house. Inside, the groom’s party will be fed, followed by the bride’s.

There will next be negotiations for the bride’s wealth, similar to a dowry, although this will not be paid in full by the groom – ensuring that he assists the bride and her family in case they need any help in the future.

The bride and her family then receive headcloths from the groom’s family. A ritual exchange of food will follow between the immediate family members and spokespersons of both groups. The couple will then be led to their sleeping area where the elders will share with them their counsel. The groom’s parents are expected to stay at the bride’s house for the next three days, where they offer sacrifices for the purification of the couple. bontoc Igorot weddings are very tedious – as the ceremonies manage to last a couple of days. Food plays a very important part in the rituals. From the very beginning, where the bride brings the groom black beans to signify her intentions of marriage, to the several customary exchanges of food from one party to another — from salted pork to glutinous rice to invitations for breakfast for parents of the happy couple.

After all that, the bride — accompanied by a girlfriend or a kaulog — gets to visit the house of the groom. They will be asked to leave right away, but will be invited for breakfast for the next morning.

Kalinga Kalinga is home to one of the strangest marriage rituals in the country.

The one who administers the rites makes use of water in a very unusual way. He gargles some in his mouth before proceeding to spit it out — right into the bride and groom’s faces. Kalinga belief dictates that the couple would want their lives to be free flowing like water. tagbanwa The Tagbanwa tribe of Palawan marks their marriage ceremonies with interesting pageantry. In the ritual called alabarka, their celebrations tell a story that commemorates their history as sea-faring pirates — when marriages where forced as invading troops from surrounding islands take their best women to make them their brides. The resulting pageantry is thus a very unique mix of storytelling and romance. ifugao The Ifugao tribe from the province of the same name is a firm believer that weddings are there for the sole purpose of procreation. As such, part of the wedding tradition in the province is a trial union sort of arrangement, where a man and a woman can live together as husband and wife, for a certain amount of time.

After that breakfast, that evening will be when the ceremony itself actually begins, in what is called the karang. The ritual itself ends the morning after when the immediate families of the couples are invited back, yet again, for another breakfast. This morning meal is known as the putut.

The wedding is confirmed when the couple manages to get pregnant.

If not, the groom is then free to find a different mate that can fulfill the tribe’s reproductive requirements.

Although they are officially declared as husband and wife, it takes two more days before the couple can move in and another five more after that before they can sleep together. The long ceremonies finally end with the bride’s parents declaring that the groom can finally sleep with the bride. At this point, some Igorot couples celebrate with — what else — a marriage feast.

Talk about sealing things with a kiss. The dwellers of the Mt. Pinatubo area have their own unique way of doing things. Part of their wedding celebrations have the couple feeding each other with rice that was blessed, after which the priest would knock the bride and groom’s heads together.

aetas

A quiet place to chill north of Manila

LA TERRAZZO celebrations & relaxation

Contact: +63 44 675 0241• Calumpang, Calumpit, Bulacan (near CEU University)

Parties and conferences, weddings and anniversaries, birthdays and christenings For special occasions or just weekend relaxation Amenities: two adult pools and one kiddie pool, pavilion for parties, kid’s play area and gift shop, 5 bedroom guest house for daily rental or longer term stay.

EZRA DUBAI

TEL: +971-4-395-5385 • Villa 746, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 3, Dubai, U.A.E.

Behind Closed Door Drown in the sensuous embrace of intimate silhouettes, the smoldering caress of wispy drapes and the hypnotic allure of flirtatious trimmings the ultimate in heady indulgence.

Photography : Illuminado Ong Stylist : Zekundo Chu Hair & Make-Up : Basil Yunting Models : Chaps Yuson and Niña Naval Model Coordinator : Andy Penano Couture by : Jimmy Buenconsejo of La Donna and Edgar Sulit of Sarabeel

FASHION 83 On Niña: Harmony yellow dress with gold leather and thread details. Couture by Jimi Buenconsejo. On Chaps: Gray tulle dress with silver and gold antique lace accented with vintage embellishments. Couture by Edgar Sulit

Gray tulle dress with silver and gold antique lace accented with vintage embellishments. Couture by Edgar Sulit

FASHION 85

FASHION 87 On Chaps: Olive green pleated dress with detachable skeleton corset in snakeskin leather.

Couture by Jimi Buenconsejo On Niña: Grecian goddess dress in apple green chiffon draped on one side with a very delicate touch of cabochon stone. Couture by Edgar Sulit

FASHION 89 Harmony yellow dress with gold leather and thread details. Couture by Jimi Buenconsejo

Empire cut zebra print dress with a romantic organza ruffled details on the neck with black velvet and red lace trimmings Couture by Jimi Buenconsejo

FASHION 91 On Niña: Black draped tulle dress with gun metal lace trimmings and jet black crystal. Couture by Jimi Buenconsejo On Chaps: Black Romanesque dress with drapes on the bodice and beadwork of blue sapphire Lalique stones and south sea pearls. Couture by Edgar Sulit

FASHION 93 On Chaps: Black and pearl white abstract print dress with velvet trimmings and lace appliqué, accentuated with black and white frosted crystals. Couture by Jimi Buenconsejo On Niña: Empire cut zebra print dress with a romantic organza ruffled details on the neck with black velvet and red lace trimmings Couture by Jimi Buenconsejo

African inspired black bustier made of nylon straw embellished with galvanized stone.

Couture by Jimi Buenconsejo

FASHION 95

96 FASHION

Edgar Sulit Edgar Sulit of Dubai atelier Sarabeel started out in the fashion business dressing Imelda Marcos’ well-heeled coterie of ‘blue ladies’ including fashionistas Tingting Cojuanco and the late Chona Kasten, as assistant designer to Danny dela Cuesta. After his first Middle East stint in Saudi Arabia, Edgar found himself joining the ranks of prestigious Filipino designers in the emirates with his own brand of elegant indulgence.

The designer’s approach to style is very clear-cut – form occupies the highest priority in his designing principles. “I like to play with fabrics to come up with body conscious form-fitting creations. It’s really about the cutting and how I can use the material that excites me.”

Looking beyond trends and excessive embellishments, Edgar approaches fashion from the point-of-view of the wearer, and not the mode of the season. He treats the subject’s personality as the canvas on which to paint his design – “Personality is first and foremost - I don’t follow trends. The beauty of a dress really depends on how a woman will carry it.”

His relaxed approach to designing is balanced by a meticulous nature when it comes to creating the piece. Unlike most designers these days, Edgar makes it a point to do his own cutting and fitting, as he says, he can be obsessive when it comes to perfection “If there’s one thing I don’t like, it’s getting my dress damaged – everything has to be perfect.”

This temperamental designer also likes to be moved by the mood of the moment and professes a love for traveling in Asia. “I get a lot of inspiration there.

Especially when I see such simple materials, that nobody else is using, that I can turn into something fabulous.” His offbeat view is apparent in some unexpected creations, just like a gown he made out of simple denim material.

Perhaps his elegant self-confident gowns are the best embodiment of the designer’s guiding principles in life. While most in his field are in a bid to outdo the next best couture creation, Edgar lives by a more relaxed and self-determined pace – “I don’t want to be in competition with others. I only want to please myself with what I do. I’m happy just as I am.”

Jimi Buenconsejo Designer Jimi Buenconsejo from fashion house La Donna returns to Illustrado this year with his unashamedly feminine creations. Always partial towards the womanly silhouette, Jimi’s designs this year feature elegant lines that are soft and flirty, inspired from his obsession du jour of red carpet dresses from American designers particularly Marquessa.

This time around, it’s all about plain silks and chiffon fabrics, punctuated by Jimi’s skillful combination of embroidery, mixed crystals, leathers and other swatches. “The lines are quite simple, it’s not ‘costumey’ and there’s no overthe-top detailing.” The designer attributes his continued move towards simplicity to the natural process of his emergence as a seasoned style createur - “When you become matured you feel more confident - you are sure of yourself. Unlike when you were very young and uncertain and you still need to experiment to find the right balance.” True enough, Jimi’s creations are effortless but deliberate, soft but well-poised, with just the right amount of ‘oomph’ to make a woman feel especially sexy.

Realizing the fashion fantasies of women is something Jimi revels in, although he still gets challenged when he gets requests to transform his clients’ dreams (literally!) into a single dress. Jimi good-naturedly recounts an incident when he was asked to create a gown that looked like “a waterfall surrounded by flowers” - just another one of those things for an artist who is sought after to invent style from a broad palette of the imagination.

For this artist who started out so humbly designing shirts for a cooperative in Manila’s Far Eastern University (FEU) and prêt-a-porter for department store Isetann during his early days, there’s no other better compliment than to gain the admiration and respect of his patrons – “The best thing about what I do, is when my clients immediately recognize a Jimi Buenconsejo dress when they see one.”

ILLUSTRADO MODEL SEARCH

ARE YOU THE NEXT FACE OF ILLUSTRADO MAGAZINE?

Illustrado is looking for models, both males and females of all ages.

Are you a photogenic Pinoy with a sparkling personality that shines through? Do you love being in front of the camera?

Send your close-up and full body picture, as well as your contact details to info@illustrado.net You just might have what it takes to be part of our next issue.

98 FASHION ROUND UP

Develop a shoe fetish with pretty fit If you’re a shoe lover, but always seem to have problems finding the right ones check out Pretty Fit for fashion-forward shoes at exceptional value.

The philosophy at Pretty Fit is simple yet strong: create funky, upbeat footwear that marries uncompromised quality with comfort and exceptional value. And so, the store attracts a style-savvy crowd with the liking for trendy footwear at prices that won’t break the bank.

With quick turnaround time between design concept and the finished styles appearing on the store’s minimalist shelves, fashion forward girls can be absolutely sure that they get to wear the hottest trends immediately. A limited production run on each style helps ensure that feet also get a relatively exclusive deal.

Pretty Fit is also a very affordable range with particular focus on flats featuring extreme wedges and peep-toes heels and flats in fanciful, jelly bean colors this summer season. Check out their shops at the Deira City Centre, Mercato Mall and Mall of the Emirates.

sex anD the City – the Ultimate Kraze!

New concept shop Kraze, a multi designer fashion lifestyle store, promises to present SATC fashion addicts a chance to emulate New Yorkers Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda with their eclectic collection of glamorous clothes and accessories from a host of up-coming designers from all over the globe, as well as in-house labels.

HBO produced movie Sex and the City, is the perfect example of fashion emulation which is right at the heart of the Kraze store. Housing flamboyant, expressive designs from a mix of local and international talent, Kraze covers the whole style gamut from pretty, to feminine, to sassy, to classic and minimal. Brands include Est 1981, Klistaire, South Beach, Crème de la Crème, Deepika Gehani, Maheka Mirpuri, Pink Pappaya, Taxxi, Half Full and Vitamin K, to name a few.

Kraze features street fashion from across Europe and the United states to couture designers from the East. A platform for new designers, Kraze, is located at the Dubai Outlet Mall.

Colorful summer themes at splash Bright and breezy, simple and easy, this summer, fashion brand Splash echoes the season’s sentiments with the refreshingly bright line-up from its summer collection. The wide collection in Splash has been crafted to stylish perfection, reflecting international themes to create a striking summer look.

The women’s line features– ‘Tribute to Art & Beauty’ incorporating multi colored embroidery and beaded embellishments, wax and tie die prints on maxi dresses; ‘Rose Garden’ with its plethora of floral prints and voluminous silhouettes; ‘Official Donna’ a new formal wear line for the more mature customer; ‘Bohos in Paradise’ with hippie inspired military and safari themed dresses, and ‘Daily luxury’ elegant casuals for the daily living.

For the men, the summer collection is all about comfort and charisma. The lines explore the nexus between the formal and the informal; striking the perfect balance between style that is trendy and not conspicuously dressed-up or dresseddown. Themes include the nautical ‘Aquanut’, a beach inspired collection, a beach inspired line in ‘Soak up the Sun’, and ‘Heartthrob’ which promises to get women’s heart all a flutter.

FASHION ROUND UP 99

Meet Suzy SMith at Lifestyle Lifestyle is slated to introduce Suzy Smith, a leading brand in fashion handbags from London, at the end of June 2008. Suzie Smith is popular in the UK and other European markets for its design rich collections of handbags, purses, wallets and evening bags.

Suzy Smith’s Spring & Summer collection features small across body bags as well as large oversized designs. ‘Must haves’ in the new synthetic ranges include the famous Suzy Smith see through Perspex collection. A patent trim and an animal print, a luxurious lurex and zebra print bag and hold-all. Other fabric trends are faux-skin prints, domed stud, chunky oversized turn locks and the essential Suzy ‘bling’ to create that special Suzy Smith magic that customers adore. Baskets trimmed with metallics and patents are the mainstay of the season’s collection and are a crucial part of everyone’s summer 2008 wardrobe. Suzy Smith’s Spring/Summer 2008 collection oozes style, freshness and above all, top notch fashion. Lifestyle, the exclusive distributor of Suzy Smith brand in the Middle East, will introduce across its stores in the region an additional range of evening bags and wallets in the beginning of August 2008.

Dress to Chill this Season with Max! Max offers fashion addicts with a range of fun stylish pieces with this season’s exciting color palettes and designs made for fun.

Max ladies wear plays homage to the splendor of summer colors with a ‘resort look’ utilizing summer florals in bold and upbeat combinations, as well as surfer chic in casual styling. Must haves include boho tops and skirts, summer dresses, updated tees in prints and stripes, plaid blouses and a wide range of denims in skinny and flared versions. Menswear is all about surf, rock ‘n roll and relaxation with a line of shorts, drawstring pants, lightweight linen fibers, surfers, fine-gauge knits in clean silhouettes and comfortable cuts. The collection echoes tranquility and brilliance, high spirits and enthusiasm. For the little ones, Max exhibits a decidedly playful mood with its ‘Candy Girl’ style for pretty misses and a cool nautical style for cute little boys.

Max teams its fashion offerings with the trendiest line of bangles, bracelets, necklaces, bags, belts, watches and other accessories.

TRIPPIN’ 101 and finally the North Ave. station in Quezon City.

LRT 1 meets LRT 2 at the Recto Station; LRT 1 meets the MRT 3 at the Taft Avenue station in Pasay. Both connections have walkways which passengers can use to transfer from one line to another. The MRT 3, on the other hand, meets LRT 2 at the Cubao station, these two lines are only a five-minute walk apart, through the Gateway Mall.

Plastic Magnetic Tickets are now used and have long replaced the tokens. Passengers can either buy a single-journey ticket valid only on the date of purchase, an LRT1/LRT2 stored value ticket valid for six months from the date of first use or an MRT3 stored value ticket that can be used at any time up to three months after purchase. Prices of trips may vary according to the distance and tickets used.

Passengers of LRT 1 using single journey tickets are charged PHP12.00 for the first four stations and PHP15.00 for the rest of the route while stored value ticket holders are charged PHP12.00 for the first four stations, PHP13.00 for five to eight stations, PHP14.00 for nine to twelve stations and PHP15.00 for thirteen to fifteen stations.

A distance related fare structure is currently being used for LRT Line 2. Passengers are charged PHP12.00 for the first three stations, PHP 13.00 for four to six stations, PHP14.00 for seven to nine stations and PHP15.00 for ten stations.

The MRT 3 on the other hand only uses one fare structure for both single-journey and

stored-value ticket holders. Passengers who ride the MRT are charged PHP10 for the first three stations, PHP11 for 4-5 stations, PHP12 for 6-8 stations, PHP14 for 9-11 stations and PHP15 for 12 stations or the entire line.

All Aboard Your cultural journey back to your heritage starts here. Yes, you can do a fair amount of shopping and eating as MRT and LRT stations are lined with food stalls and establishments selling a cornucopia of products from buko juice to slippers and jeans. Why not stop for an order of siomai (at about PHP20 for 4 pieces) with soy sauce and calamansi paired off with an ice cold glass of sago’t gulaman?

The number of stalls and establishments varies by station though some might have more than the others so if you can’t find what you’re looking for try getting off at the Ayala, EDSA or Shaw Boulevard Station.

We’ve listed a few tips and things to remember that might prove useful as you go on your trip• It is advisable to avoid the rush hours on weekdays. The hordes of commuters during peak hours could be too much to handle. But if you’ve missed your kababayans that much and you don’t mind getting ‘too close for comfort’ then go ahead and join the crowd. I hope you don’t mind standing throughout.

During regular hours however, stations aren’t packed and there are better chances of getting a comfortable seat. So if time isn’t an issue, better steer clear of the morning and afternoon rush hours.

• Keep your cool. Lines in ticket booths could prove to be a test of how genuinely Filipino you still are. There are people who might try to cut in front of you, or you could spend more than a few minutes waiting. But being patient

104 TRIPPIN’

Illustrado contributor Jose Robert Reyes takes time off from Metro living, to check out the sights, sounds and joys of the countryside, while riding his trusty bike through picturesque fields, all the while catching a glimpse of the simple Filipino life.

Trippin’ - Biking in Sta. Rosa

By Jose Robert Reyes

THE PASEO MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL DID NOT HAVE ANY BEGINNINGS. IT IS A PATH THAT ACTUALLY CUTS ACROSS THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED, HIGH-END SUBDIVISIONS OF LAGUNA AND PUNCTURES THROUGH THE SINEWS AND LABYRINTHS OF SILANG, CAVITE DOTTED WITH LONG STRETCHES OF COCONUT AND PINEAPPLE FIELDS. Our start-off point is the Paseo mall in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Bikers from all over Luzon convene in Sabak, a well-known bicycle shop offering both high and low end bikes and parts. We then roll-off to the concrete fringes of the almost finished, pristine South Forbes Golf City. The road then ascends to a heart-stopping 45° angle climb. At the summit, one is faced with a breathtaking view of the golf course and bustling subdivision below and the bluest crystal clear sky above. The road then switches from concrete to off road, aisled with cogon grass and wild shrubs. And just when you feel the need to recharge with drinks the next distinguishable stop is the Buko Stop owned by a certain Mang Tancio which generously stocks buko and Gatorade - unsurprising since bikers from all over the metro flock to his humble makeshift store. The likes of celebrities like Gary Valenciano and Dominique Ochoa are said to frequent his place.

Moving along, the road then sweeps further to barren land which can challenge both the strong and weak at heart. The endeavor of the trek is actually negated by the long stretches of coconut groves

- untouched by civilization. From time to time one may come into contact with the locals of the place who never forget to say “good morning” with their own American accent version. Peddlers of the very famous refreshment ‘scramble’ and puto also can be found along that particular the stretch of road.

The trek then transits to the heart of Baranggay Tibig in Silang, Cavite. Time seems to stand still in this place as women idly gossip, while the men have their morning Ginebra ritual. One gets a feeling of being transported to an almost forgotten Filipino reality, seeing the elementary public school, the barangay hall, the competing carenderias, and the bungalow houses with their uniquely incomprehensible architecture. The numerous alleys then leads to sinews of immense pineapple plantations, where one cannot pass without having small scratches on the skin owing to the crops – all part of the challenge of riding along such pristine path.

All roads then lead to Amadeo, Cavite and if one wishes to go further, the next frontier is Tagaytay. Obtaining directions is never

TRIPPIN’ 105

a problem as the townspeople are very helpful and cordial.

The road back is one of the fondest pursuits as the fresh sceneries replay on the eyes of the accomplished biker.

The bike ride may consume a total of two to three hours.

And if one gets famished with the whole experience, the Paseo Mall has all your usual food places like Jollibee, Gerry’s, Starbucks, Café Breton and more.

Professionals young and old, the health-conscious, adventurous men and strong-willed women throng the place during weekends. And if one does not have a mountain bike to begin with, Sabak, has an array of bikes which can be rented at very affordable prices.

Truly, the Paseo mountain bike trail is a must-go place as one is offered the matchless privilege of exercise, having a glimpse of pristine nature and being reminded about the simple Filipino life, while escaping from the daily grind of modern living.

I ended my journey absolutely refreshed, having had the chance of allowing my modern consciousness to meander at leisure and collide with the forces of nature and its rich tapestry of beautiful lands and abundant riches

106 HILIG PINOY

A Different Way to Fly

By Excel V. Dyquiangco

THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE SEEN THE EMERGENCE OF DIFFERENT WAYS ON HOW TO MAKE KITES FLY – FROM THE USUAL HANDMAID AND COLORFUL KITES CHILDREN PLAYED WITH IN THE PAST, TO THE GRANDIOSE KITE DISPLAYS HELD IN PAMPANGA ANNUALLY. FROM LAND TO AIR AND NOW INTO THE WATERS – THE ADVENTURE IS JUST HEATING UP. AND THIS TIME, IT IS NOT ONLY THE KITES THAT FLY BUT THE PERSON FLYING THE KITES AS WELL. Yes, folks. Kites have taken on a whole different meaning, and this time, they have conquered the rough and edgy world of the deep.

Known as kiteboarding, extreme sports enthusiasts have trekked to a most favorite spot that is home to this oneof-a kind adventure – the island of Boracay. And this is how kiteboarder Jay Ortiz first got a glimpse of how this increasingly popular sport is fast gaining momentum.

Kiteboarding was first introduced to him by a windsurfing friend, who brought him to the shores of Boracay to watch the Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Annual Funboard Cup – an event that showcases the best in the field – three years ago. From then on, he couldn’t get enough of the sport. Jay goes kiteboarding during the weekends with an average of four hours a day per session.

“I love the adrenalin rush and the freedom of doing it,” he says. “I consider this as my hobby and at the same time, I want to learn more.”

Jay describes kiteboarding as the fastest growing extreme sport today. He explains, “It is a mix of wakeboarding and windsurfing with the sail up in the air.”

In wakeboarding, it is motorboat powered. “Kiteboarding is more pure in a sense because you harness the power of nature, which is the wind,” he says. “It is pure adrenalin. Besides, there are kiteboard tricks that cannot be performed in wakeboarding. All wakeboard tricks can be used in kiteboarding.”

Kiteboarding, he adds, is not as physically demanding as windsurfing since the harness takes the pressure out from the arms, unlike windsurfing. And since kiteboarding takes him up in the air, there are, of course, problems that he encounters every now and then. “We actually call these kitemares,” he says. “All kiteboarders have experienced a certain degree of this. You learn and eventually become a safe and responsible kiteboarder.”

A member of the largest certifying organization, the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) and an IKO water kite instructor, Jay has joined competitions in Boracay. Last January, he joined the Bora International Funboard Cup, but he wasn’t so lucky that time because of the wind. He only placed 8th in the speed course. But

HILIG PINOY 107

this didn’t deter him from moving on forward. In fact, he is already preparing for a competition next year and he hopes to be in the top three.

Jay advises that for someone who wants to try out kiteboarding, there is not much preparation involved except that one must learn how to swim and that he or she must have no spine problem, such as osteoporosis. As for the equipment, he says that this is all provided in the lesson. The fee for the lesson is PHP16,000 while the gear, which is optional, amounts to PPP50,000, which includes the kite, board and the harness.

For the lessons, it best to contact a professional such as Jay. “It is safer to have an instructor than learn it yourself,” he says. “You would not go to an airport and fly a plane yourself, would you?”

BEGINNER’s CHECK: Here are the things that you need to prepare for before getting into that harness and flying off into the sky:

Physical Requirements The learner must know how to swim, and he must not have any back or spine problems.

Equipment Kite, board, harness, helmet.

All of these can be bought online or in Boracay.

Traning IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) has training programs for beginners. They offer an array of kiteboard courses. You can look up their website at www. ikorg.com. Or you can just look up some professional kiteboarders like Jay Ortiz.

Cost Lesson – PHP 16,000 Gear (including kite, board and harness) – PHP 50,000

108 COMMUNITY

Filipino Awarded in Ideas Arabia 2008

Samareño civil engineer Manuel ‘Mike’ Perito, a Risk Engineer at Oman Insurance Company and an active member of the Philippine Society of Safety Professionals (PSSP) in the emirates was recently hailed as one of the winners of Ideas Arabia 2008 a prestigious award organized annually by the Dubai Quality Group, given for the brightest ideas suggested by employees from establishments around the UAE. Mike Perito won the distinction for ‘Super Oman’ – an innovative ‘komiks’-style project designed to disseminate information and create awareness on loss control and risk management targeted to individuals and establishments that are insured with Oman Insurance. Through interesting illustrations, the company was able to promote and foster a safety-oriented culture with its partners, and in true creative Pinoystyle, Mike, who used to dabble into writing and illustration, was able to successfully fuse his creativity into his technical line of work creating a useful and exemplary project his kababayans can be proud of.

Dubai’s Filipino community premier badminton association, the Wow Pinoy Badminton Club has recently held their 3rd Pioneers Cup at the Al Safa Boys Secondary Gym. The event, sponsored by Western Union is a charity project with the proceeds going to the Bantay Bata 163 Foundation. The tournament received 48 entries and was attended by over 100 WPBC members and guests from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman. Tournament champions: Men’s Doubles ‘A’ - Francis Magdasoc and Deniel Metrillo, Men’s Doubles ‘B’ - Junjun Mendoza and Dario Moreno, Women’s Doubles Open - Maricel Carlos and Rachel Villareal and Mixed Doubles Open - Leo Alcantara and Evelyn Navarra.

For inquiries on the WPBC contact Edwin B. Lasquite, WPBC Founder/President At 050-6871265.

Playing for a Cause

The view from your regular Juan dela Cruz 109

How can you inculcate Filipino values to your children living abroad?

No matter where we are in the world, if our parents instil good values within the four corners of our home, we will always have that rooted deep in us. Having lived in Dubai for over 20 years, some people I meet are often pleasantly surprised to know that I still have it in me to speak very fluently in Tagalog and my own dialect - Cebuano.

From the beginning, my parents have taught us to be respectful, to appreciate every little thing we receive and to know how to say the magic words...please, thank you and I’m sorry. I am grateful to my folks because it is these values of love, camaraderie, humility, hospitality and honesty, amongst many others, that have brought meaning to my life and have made me the successful, confident and strong woman that I am now. I am humbled by all Filipinos working abroad and I respect them because like my own folks, they started out small and came out as giants...all thanks to the values in our homes. I am now a mother myself and I intend to pass on to my son all the values I have learned from my own family. The simple way to go about it really is just love and respect. Love the people you see around you, and respect them. Most importantly, I will teach my son and future kids to love and respect themselves first, and then only can they give that back to their families and communities. HAZEL GILBUENA

Inculcating Filipino values to children is a difficult task when one is raising children back home, and even more so when living outside the country. With all the elements that children are exposed to these days, how can we as parents compete? Then again, we go back to the basics, and that is - values are not just learned, they are acquired. With that in mind, we should still observe the values we had growing up back home, like being particularly respectful to elders. We should live by the traditional Filipino way of being hospitable, considerate, and resourceful, with a generally happy outlook in life. We hope our son Paolo will learn these from us and be the God-fearing global Filipino we hope him to be. JOANNE SANTIAGO

Simple, we observe Filipino values, ourselves, at home. My husband and I, and even my parents, talk to our kids in Tagalog, not forgetting to say ‘po’ or ‘opo’. We also practice pagmamano when meeting elder members of the family, and this is also followed by my children. Plus, we have Filipino TV, where my children could see and learn things about our country and culture.

MELANIE ESER

As parents we can inculcate Filipino values to our children by setting good examples. We have shown them how to respect elders, as well as other people, even if we have different cultures and beliefs. As people well known for hospitality, we have also taught our children to be friendly and welcome everybody. Most importantly, we have taught them to have faith in God, above all.

Spending time with each other and maintaining good communications with our children really helps in inculcating values. As parents we should not forget our Filipino values because we are our children’s role models.

RICKY DE CASTRO

Usapang Kanto Compiled by Jonie Jose

As parents, we raise our children to be resilient and kindhearted. We teach them the Filipino values, for example, of how to be polite and to be respectful especially to the elderly by saying ‘po’ or ‘opo’. We instil in our children a sense of love, compassion and courage. Taas noo kami for our children who turned out to be good Filipino citizens! DARWIN AND MAUREEN REYES

How can I inculcate Filipino values to my kids? I always emphasize that just because they live in a foreign country, have Swedish citizenship and their friends are mostly Europeans, they should never forget where they have come from. If and when a situation arises, I make sure to sit them down and explain about the values I learned growing up which is, most importantly, about respect for elders. Unfortunately children nowadays are more vocal and argumentative and don’t think twice about speaking to their elders as their equal. Showing that you practice these values is important, as well, as teachings by example. Keeping promises (palabra de honor), being honest, helping with the household chores, among others, are some of the values I deem important for my kids to practice.

BERNADETTE LINDSTROM Being an overseas Filipino worker and a mother, is a tough job. Here in Dubai, the culture, beliefs and traditions are quite different from ours. It is a challenge for mothers like me to spend all my spare time with my daughter and exert effort to show her the right values we are known for and at the same time expose her to the group of people who can influence her to acquire moral values and courtesy. MARIA BARRO

110 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

Of “I Dos” and “Adieus” Have you ever been to a wedding wHere out of tHe blue an old grey-Haired lady — someone you’ve never met before — suddenly asks you, “so, wHen would you be next?” tHere are several possible reactions to tHis. if you’re witH someone you’ve been dating Half of your life, you could jokingly (or seriously) pass tHe question to your partner. but if you’re a certified grumpy ssb (single since birtH) member or if you simply despise tHe invasion of your privacy, you could just walk away or you could wait for tHe perfect time to exact vengeance – a funeral wHere you migHt see tHe same nosey lady and get tHe cHance to ask Her tHe very same question - “so, wHen would you be next?”

That line comes from an old joke, take note! I wasn’t mean enough to come up with it. I don’t even know where it originated. But do you realize how weddings and funerals in the Philippines are so much alike, though they seem to be at the opposite ends of a pole? Aside from being the ideal settings for reunions, both occasions are a smorgasbord of everything featured at the Metro Manila Film Fest — drama, comedy, suspense, action, even fantasy. And this one’s no joke.

Here Come tHe Bride, tHe Groom, and tHe Clans If you’ve seen May Minamahal and Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Pamamanhikan, wherein the guy’s entire family comes to the lady’s house to formally ask her hand in marriage, is usually the beginning of an unforgettable wedding saga. Both families draw their never-ending guest lists; which include primary sponsors, entourage members, and known couturiers; and pick the grandest church and reception venue. That leaves the soon-to-weds with only one-fourth of 300 slots for their own invitees, as they need to invite all the apo sa tuhod and alak-alakan of their parents’ grandparents’ fifth-degree cousins, lest they offend family sensibilities.

They’re also obligated to introduce themselves to Mayor, Attorney, Doktora, and more VIPs to complete their dozen sets of ninongs and ninangs. Of course, an ever-growing expense list awaits our lovers — what with Manila Cathedral, Plaza Ibarra, and a Filipiniana motif imprinted in specially handcrafted invitations — not to mention the services of Pitoy Moreno and Ricky Reyes.

Come wedding day, the excitement continues. The groom sweats profusely as guests wonder if the bride will still marry him. The bride finally arrives after nearly an hour to the groom’s audible sigh of relief. Her bridal calesa had been stuck in traffic due to rain, which spells prosperity, so say the oldies. Funny, these were the

FILIPINISMS 111 same people who advised the couple to offer eggs to Santa Clara for a no-rain event. Bride’s mom weeps and sneezes as the wedding march to the music of Ikaw commences. Flower girls and ring/coin bearers run wildly along the red-carpeted aisle, everyone running after them as dropping the rings or coins signals bad luck. Elders disapprovingly stare at the bride’s pearl earrings for these oyster’s tears can cause her lifetime misery.

Then they noisily whisper among themselves that she should just step on her man’s foot or march to the altar ahead of him to make sure he becomes ander-de-saya.

After the non-stop pictorials with both clans and strangers present, tension and tears subside as everyone gets ready to eat (and, if possible, take home some pabalot). The number of guests seems to have doubled, too. As in every Filipino feast, the highlight is — care to guess? Lechon! The newlyweds kiss at each kalansingan the guests make with their glasses and utensils. Aside from the romantic cake-cutting and winedrinking, they anticipate the money dance for a chance to recover part of what they spent. Guests try to figure how many arinolas were given as wedding presents, as it supposedly brings good luck to both givers and recipients. Kids patiently wait for the release of the doves, so they can carry home new pets.

Onto the parties’ singles - while Pinoy bachelors play it cool when the garter toss portion is announced, single Pinays all vanish in time for the throwing of the bouquet. The remaining ones (who missed the chance to escape) are coerced, and try to avoid catching the bouquet like the flu. And the elders? They’re busy warning the married couple’s siblings not to tie the knot that same year as this is absolute bad luck, unless they’re brave enough to share Kris Aquino’s fate in Sukob.

Leaving La vida FiLipina If you think Filipino funerals are exclusively melodramatic, think again. Don’t forget that famous movie scene when Dolphy pushes the one wailing “Bakit mo ‘ko iniwan? Isama mo na ‘ko!” into the grave of the departed. This isn’t to say, of course, that we don’t give our dead the respect they deserve. Though funeral customs depend on which province you belong, Filipinos generally hold an almost week-long celebration of the deceased’s life.

The moment news spreads that someone dies, everyone flocks to the house, bringing coffee, biscuits, kutkutin, etc. as refreshments to be served during the lamay, a 24/7 prayer vigil to keep the dead company. Gamblers join the party, too, as they hold pusoy rounds to help fatten the abuloy through the collected tong. Expect to see the closest and most distant of kins, neighbors around the baranggay extending to nearby areas, friends since kindergarten, current and former colleagues, acquaintances merely by face, and people connected to the deceased’s family members. It’s like your entire virtual Friendster network in real life! You’ll hear a lot of untold stories about the departed — from being such a cute and whiny infant to an often grumpy but generous grandparent.

Also get ready for some hair-raising tales. A housemate may attest to a premonition experienced by the deceased — his late wife coming for him in a dream, saying that they’d be together soon. Still another may share about dreaming of falling teeth and seeing a black butterfly flutter across the room, sure signs that a relative would die.

At the climax of any Filipino funeral, the burial day induces mixed, intense emotions among the attendees. After spending some days and nights with the whole community, the time has come to finally separate the dead from the living. A hearse, also called ‘Limo’ in jest, transports the coffin to the church for the priest’s final blessings, then to the cemetery or crematorium.

Parading to the song Hindi Kita Malilimutan, people wearing black or white (and dark sunglasses) pay their last respects by accompanying the departed to his final resting place. Someone collapsing due to grief isn’t unusual. Releasing white balloons and tossing flowers on the casket before it’s completely sealed are practiced to make it easy for the deceased to leave the world peacefully. A small salo-salo at the house of the family awaits attendees, to thank them for their support and to show them videos and photos taken during the entire mourning period.

Don’t be shocked if you see everyone smiling in japorms poses despite the painful loss, or if you see a close-up picture of the departed. As joviality forms a major part of every living Pinoy’s disposition, it’s no longer much of a surprise if it follows us even in the afterlife.

112 FILIPINISMS

The Annie B (Batobalani) Chronicles

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

Proud To Be Pinay Sa okasyon ng ating Philippine Independence Day o Araw ng Kalayaan, aking isasalaysay ang aking artikulo gamit ang ating pambansang wika, ang salitang kinamulatan, kinagisnan, kinalakhan at kinareer natin ng ilang taon sa paaralan - ang wikang Tagalog. Bow! Ako po si Athena Dafodil Catacutan Batobalani, kilala rin sa pangalang Annie B - tubong Baranggay Bagumbayan, Bayan ng Orion - lalawigan ng mga matatapang at di uurong sa anumang digmaan at sayawan - Bataan.

Sa ngayon ay ipinagmamalaki po naming mga Bataanenyo na hindi pa kami nagpapapigil sa temptasyon na magpatayo ng SM Mall sa aming lalawigan - kung hanggang kailan, ewan namin. Malaya kami mula sa malahiganteng komersyalismo at kapitalismo pwera lang sa Jollibee, McDonalds at KFC. Utang na loob naman, sino ba namang lugar ang papayag na hindi makatikim ng Chicken Joy, Big Mac at KFC Gravy - masyado naman yata kaming kawawa kung wala kaming ganoon di ba?

Oo, wala pa ring Starbacks sa amin - mangilan-ngilan lang naman kasi ang mga coño sa amin eh, palibhasa mahirap pa rin pag-aralan ang menu nila - Decapitated, Magkyato, Prakutsino... anu na nga?!!! Di ba’t ang kape ay kape rin miski ano pa ang ihalo mo? Kung lalagyan mo ng tsokolate at whiff cream eh di sorbetes na yun? Kung hahaluan mo ng prutas at sweets eh di halu-halo na yon? So bakit pa mag-ii-Starbacks kung pwede naman mag-Nescafe? Ipambibili ko na lang ng Greenwich yun di ba? So para pa-igsiin ang kahabaan ng sinusulat ko, ang Bataan ay malaya mula sa komersyalismo. Well, slight. Ay Ingles na yon. Patawad.

Anu nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng Independent? Sabi ni Mrs. Gascon - ang titser ko sa Araling Panlipunan noong Grade 3 ako, ipinagdiriwang daw

nating mga Pilipino ang Araw ng Kalayaan - dahil sa wakas ay hindi na tayo nasasakupan ng mga Kastila, Amerikano at Hapon. Maganda bang balita ito? Aminin mo, tumaas ang kaliwang kilay mo!!!

Para sa mga tulad ko na napakahilig sa mga AFAM (A Foreigner Around Manila), bad trip ito. Ay!!! Isipin mo na lang, kung nasa ilalim pa rin tayo ng mga Kano, eh di ang saya-saya siguro ano? At hindi lang sa Clark at Subic laging may gimik - mula Appari hanggang Jolo, imbes na Eat Bulaga eh Oprah ang pinanonood nating mga utaw di ba? Mas babaha ng mga guwapo at mapuputi at matatangkad kung nandito pa rin ang mga kano.

Mas dadami ang breed ng Tarsiers, hindi na natin kailangan magpakahirap magpa-puti tutal ang hanap naman ng mga kano eh iyung mga morena o exotic - eh di laking menos natin sa kabibili ng kosmetiks at mga pampaputi di ba? Wala nang mag-aagawan ng Likas Papaya, Sabon na Belo at Magic Cream sa Mercury, Watsons at Hortaleza. Hindi na rin tayo magkakandarapa mamakyaw ng mga pang-tina at kulay ng buhok kasi okey na okey na ang itim na buhok - babalik tayo sa paggamit ng Gugo at titigilan na natin ang kaka-L’Oreal, RDL at Pagoda Cold Wave Lotion. Ang laking tipid nun, ah!

At hindi na tatawaging imported ang mga tsokolate, damit, pabango at kung anik anik pa na kinababaliwan natin mula sa mga PX goods na tindahan.

Mawawala na ang mga Duty Free Shops at balik tayong lahat sa Kadiwa at sari-sari store, di ba? Iwas gastos na naman! Mas dadami ang mestiso at mestisa kung saan saan, intonses mas magiging competitive ang mga gustong mag-artista sa pelikula at telebisyon - hindi lang panglabas na anyo at height ang paglalabanan kundi ang tunay na likas na talento - mas maganda di ba?

FILIPINISMS 113

Hindi na tayo kailangan pang mag-apply ng US Visa kung nais nating pumasyal sa Disneyland, mag-Casino sa Las Vegas at manood ng ‘Miss Saigon’ sa Broadway - para ka lang nagpunta sa HongKong - pasaporte lang at ticket ang bitbit mo pagdating sa NAIA. Hindi mo na kailangan pang gumising ng maaga at mag-novena sa lahat ng Santo para lang magapply at ma-aprubahan ang saksakan ng hirap na US Visa. Bawas ngarag sa balat at sa katawan di ba? Mababawasan ang pagdami ng wrinkles natin.

At ang pinakamaganda pa niyan, hindi na natin kailangan pang lumipad sa Isteyts at manirahan ng pagkatagal-tagal o mag-TNT para magka-Green Card - eh di ba nga nasa ilalim tayo ng mga Kano? Mga Kano na rin tayo syempre. Ibig sabihin, miski anong oras ay pwede tayong mag-audition sa American Idol na hindi na namroroblema sa nationalidad natin. Teka, ibig sabihin pwede rin i-claim ni April ‘Bhoy’ Regino na siya ang original na American Idol since sya ang dati pang tinatawag na “Idol” ng mga kajologang masa sa atin at pwede na rin syang maging American? Ang pangit yata.

Ngunit, subalit, datapwa’t handa ka na ba tayong isuko ang iyong pagkaPilipino?

Isipin mo, kapag naging Kana ka, kailangan pag-aralan mo ang lyrics ng ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ - yan kasi ang pambansang awit nila - ibaon mo na sa limot ang ‘Lupang Hinirang’ na nakalakihan mo. Sa iskwela, kakalimutan mo na rin si Magellan kase si Christopher Columbus ang mas bigtime pagdating sa pag-diskubre sa kanila. Naku, bukod sa mga kaarawan, Araw ng mga Puso, Pasko at Bagong Taon eh dadagdag pa ang Araw ng Pasasalamat (Thanksgiving Day) nila - mas magastos!

Tapos imbes na lechon ang bida sa handaan eh dapat matuto tayong lumafang ng turkey. Di ba walang lasa yun? Pwede bang sarsahan ng Mang Tomas yun? Naku, talagang madaming kailangan ipagbago kung gusto nating maging mga Kano. Bukod pa dito, kailangan din nating isaulo sa iskwelahan ang lahat ng iba pang isteyts ng Amerika, mula Alabama hanggang Wayoming - talagang kakalimutan mo na ang Aparri hanggang Jolo. Pati pangalan ng lahat ng naging presidente nila panigurado ituturo din sa iskwela - eh ang dami kaya noon?!!! Nakakaloka pala!

Parang ayaw ko na yata maging Kana.

Babalik na lang ako sa pagiging Pilipina. Maganda, mahinhin, maalaga, maasikaso, matalino, mabango, magaling kumanta at sumayaw, mabenta sa iba pang porenjer - mataas ang kita kapag nag-nars o caregiver.

Mas mamatamisin ko maging independent o malaya mula sa ibang lahi dahil ang pagiging Pilipina ay walang kapantay at katulad. Oo, madaming dapat ipagbago ang karakter ng dalagang Pilipina mula sa nakagawian at nakagisnan natin. Ang makabagong Pilipina ngayon ay hindi dapat umasa sa sinuman kung hindi sa kanyang sarili - hindi sa asawa o boypren - hindi sa pamilya niya o sa mga kamag-anak. Kaya nga kung mapapansin mo ay di hamak na mas madaming mga Pilipina na OFW - dahil ang makabagong Pinay ngayon ay marunong tumayo sa sarili nyang mga paa at hindi umaasa ka ibang tao - kaya niyang mabuhay mag-isa nang marangal at buo ang prinsipyo.

Yan, ako yan - si Annie B. - Proud To Be Pinay! Bow.

114 ENTERTAINMENT Hotdog in 1998

Yet another bite of

HOTDOG

By Gabrielle de la Rama-Talan

STANDING IN HIS MAKATI STUDIO, FOUNDRY SOUND DESIGN, CO-FOUNDER AND FORMER BASSIST TURNED P.R. MANAGER DENNIS GARCIA, THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR WRITING ALL THE SONGS FOR THE PHENOMENAL PINOY POP ROCK ACT OF THE 70S AND 80S, HOTDOG, MOTIONS ME TOWARDS A DOOR SLIGHTLY LEFT AJAR AND SAYS, “WE’LL BE WITH YOU IN A MINUTE.” I ENTER THE ROOM AND SEAT MYSELF IN AN OVERSTUFFED BLACK LEATHER CHAIR AND TRY TO CALM MY NERVES. AFTER ALL, I WAS ABOUT TO CONDUCT AN INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF AN ICONIC BAND. As I sit and wait, my brain rifling through the set of questions I prepared, my train of thought is interrupted by the strains of one of their more famous songs, ‘Manila.’ Funny, as the song wasn’t blaring from the studio’s speakers but playing inside my head. And to think I was a year away from being born when this song was recorded in 1977. For a moment, I am dumbfounded and then am steamrolled by the realization that, lofty it may sound, Hotdog remains one of the few whose musical legacy will continue bridging generation after generation.

“We chose the name ‘Hotdog’ because of its universal appeal,” says Dennis. I sit there refusing to believe the words slowly sinking

into my brain. Despite my fear that he may think me an idiot I squeak out, “So, you mean sir… there is no hidden, no perverse meaning behind the name?” He sits there, looks at me sternly for a moment, and then breaks out into laughter — obviously accustomed to being asked this — “I hate to disappoint you, but no there isn’t.”

Besides a dirty mind, I think what may have prompted me to think there could have been one was the fact that Hotdog’s unique sound possesses that oh-so teasing quality so prevalent in the OPM (Original Pinoy Music) of the 70s. In fact, you could say that Hotdog pioneered this style, loosely termed as Manila Sound (think Soul Juggler’s ‘Hanggang Magdamag’ or Hagibis’s ‘Katawan’). This,

I am convinced, was the secret of their success with the opposite sex. The combination of their showmanship, catchy, predominantly Taglish lyrics, and most importantly, their facility with love songs proved fatal for kolehiyalas everywhere. “Girls are more sentimental,” says Rene, Hotdog guitarist and brother to Dennis. “Where the girls are, the boys will follow.” Such a simple yet effective way of making your mark, which is comparable to the success of current bands like Spongecola and Callalily. So potent was Hotdog’s schoolgirl appeal that it was during a school fair that Dennis met Assumptionista Pamela Flores whom he is happily married to with three children.

ENTERTAINMENT 115

In fact, later, Hotdog admitted two of these kolehiyalas into their ranks, who would later go on to form solid and lasting solo careers: one of them is Ella del Rosario of ‘Pers Lab’ fame and the other, Zsa Zsa Padilla.

The Garcia Brothers were in their late teens when they began their musical career with their first band Red Fox, which covered songs from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple. It may have been the Jimmy Page-esque ‘dos, the impossibly snug flares, or chalk it up to natural talent (back then, musicians were playing four to five sets a gig.

A far cry from the standard one to three — if you’re lucky — sets of today), but in June 1973, Red Fox found themselves on a plane Hawaii-bound where they performed for a year — just as popular with the Hawaiian and American girls, it seems.

This overseas victory served as the springboard for their foray into original compositions, and their evolution into Hotdog. Soon, Rene and Dennis, joined by the original lineup (though later one which would be constantly shifting) of Louie Nepomuceno, Mon Torralba, Lorrie Illustre, Tito del Rosario, and Roy Diaz de Rivera, spawned hit after hit — like ‘Annie Batumbakal,’ ‘Bitin Sa’yo,’ and ‘Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko’ — dominating the airwaves. This aided greatly in the whole OPM movement. Pinoys, or at least most of them, were no longer turning up their noses and plugging their ears to the local sound. Finally, OPM ceased to be gauche, and listening to it could conceivably be considered cool.

Fast forward to the present and Dennis, who left the band in the 80s to pursue a successful career in advertising, is retired, reverting back to his musical roots, producing and writing for the likes of Agot Isidro, Ella del Rosario, and Tito Mina, among others. “To this day, we still get calls from ad agencies to use our songs,” says Rene. Hotdog’s music has endured also because it is still in existence, though they disbanded briefly in 1984. Rene Garcia has never stopped playing. Though the only original member, it is through him that Hotdog’s trademark groove is sustained.

Their latest project, the YEBA Combo Festival, which took place just this May 2, was a fitting tribute to Pinoy rock’s pioneers:

Hotdog during their Kuala Lumpur tour in 1978

Electromaniacs, RJ and the Riots, and The Ramrods, among others. “I was hospitalized a few months back,” says Dennis, “and it was in there that I realized how hard it must be for older musicians to face up to something like disease. Medical care costs,” he says shaking his head. “We wanted to do something to help. Many of these guys were people we looked up to when we were just starting,” Rene chimes in.

It isn’t so much their compassion that strikes me (it doesn’t go unnoticed though) but the fact that these guys have managed to leave an indelible mark on a fickle music scene — notorious for placing you on a pedestal one day and booting you off the next.

Light, happy, amusing, and entertaining were what music fans of yesteryears called them.

Today, it is the same, but tempered by a maturity, and respectability, but above all and without a doubt the universal and enduring appeal of the band called Hotdog.

Hotdog in 1977

116 MANILA’S HOT RELEASES Life Before X and Other Stories

by Angelo Rodriguez Lacuesta “What these stories have in common is the questions which they raise and do not answer, and the aloneness of their protagonists. Loneliness, lovelessness, impermanence, death, lie in their heart,” is what much-lauded writer, Christina Pantoja Hidalgo writes in her introduction to this collection of short stories by the award-winning Angelo ‘Sarge’ Rodriguez Lacuesta. That pretty much sums up this motley compilation of well-crafted tales. I say ‘motley’ because from the onset, it seems there is no particular theme, much less an obvious connection between any and all of the stories in the book. It comes as quite a shock that after putting the book down, you are road railed by the sudden realization that though the author may not have contrived to do so, he has indeed spun tales that ring with Pantoja Hidalgo’s very apt description.

Read how one of the daughter’s of the wind defies her destiny as a typhoon only to discover that her true destiny is one that holds even more power in ‘The Daughter of the Wind’; how two medical students, in the process of dissecting a cadaver, discover things in two separate routes: one the technical, clinically impersonal path of medicine and the other more intimate: pondering the life and loves of the cadaver as each layer of skin is peeled open (this particular story is indicative of Lacuesta’s past as a Biology graduate) in ‘Tattoo’, and many others.

It is in this bleak landscape that the reader, more often than not, stumbles upon the ‘ray of light’ at the end of the tunnel. It can be argued that this ‘ray of light’ does not necessarily answer any questions or solve any problems but merely effects some sort of realization: bad or good. I suppose that this is the effect that populating a story with such lonely characters has: all the better to discover what lays at the very end, which is even more powerful when the end is liberating in the happy sense such as in the finale of ‘The Daughter of the Wind’.

Lacuesta is a genius and this book proves it.

Ermita: A Filipino Novel

by F. Sionil Jose

F. Sionil Jose is one of the Philippines’ most popular writers, his work having been translated into 22 languages. He is best known for stories that resound with the Philippines’ colonial past and protagonists who struggle against poverty and social discrimination.

I read Ermita for the first time—and without my parents’ knowledge—when I was 12 years old. At the time, all I could really focus on was the fact that story’s heroine, Ermi Rojo, was far from the pure, helpless ones I read about in other books. To put it bluntly, she was a whore—a beautiful, half-breed one at that.

As I got older, I found myself reading the book over and over, each time gaining a new insight—like a light bulb popping inside my head after being plugged into an outlet with the wrong voltage. I would grimace as each one would sink in: the sordid, painful climate of our war-torn country during and after the Japanese and American occupation; the brutal rape of a woman who had to bear the child of a foreign invader and how that innocent child had to pay the price for her unwanted conception; a close-up of the contrasting—glamorous and seedy all in one breath—world of the high class prostitute, and what struck me most of all, a woman’s need for revenge against her own family.

This is Sionil Jose’s Ermita. A story so painfully beautiful that it will leave you reeling for quite some time after you turn the final page. It is also an important book in that it gives a very marked, very human, and very social glimpse at various periods of Philippine history, as well as an agonizingly real portrayal of a Filipina in anguish. Ermi Rojo, despite the decades that have gone by, still walks alongside the modern Filipina. In fact, she walks alongside all women the world over.

Behind the Walls: Life of Convent Girls Edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Marily Ysip Orosa The one mantle that many Filipinas, young and old, can claim to wear—for it is one that they will wear for the rest of their days—is that of a colegiala. The term loosely applies to Filipinas who are schooled inside an institution that very much mimics but not quite equals that of a nunnery—where a young girl’s educational and moral foundations are erected. The result? Behind the Walls: Life of Convent Girls is all about just that.

This compilation of stories covers almost every aspect of colegiala life from writers of all ages who themselves were colegialas. Many of these little anecdotes will shed light on the multitude of female personas that hold positions of power: high offices in the government, CEO’s of multimillion peso conglomerations, successful advertising executives, head’s of NGO’s, influential activists, artists, movie stars, musicians, down to the most basic and intimate seat of power—the position of ‘mother’.

In ‘It Was 1979’ Julie Ann Buencamino-Sarte speaks of her childhood brush with sexual harassment in the form of their elderly, lone, male professor. Elenita Belgica speaks of how an early academic disappointment blossomed into a realization of how profoundly school had permeated her life long after she finished in ‘Somewhere Between Rhymes and Riddles’. So many stories, so many emotions and experiences, all from one point of a view—that of Filipino school girl.

Interesting, funny, and heartfelt, these stories are not works of fiction they are tales of very true lives. Many Filipinas will laugh, cry, and nod their heads in assent and recognition as they read these stories. I daresay even men will get a kick out of reading this book—to try and understand the one thing that has eluded them: understanding the women of their lives.

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.

Available in the UAE through Illustrado.

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

All books and CDs are available at Fully Booked, Philippines.

Visit www.fullybookedonline.com for more information.

By Gabrielle de la Rama-Talan

MANILA’S HOT RELEASES 117

Cool

by Rachel Anne Wolfe If counting the Philippines’ Queen of Jazz, the esteemed Annie Brazil and singer cum actor Richard Merk—known by most as the Prince of Jazz—as family is anything by which to bet a musical career on, then you’ve already won. Such is the case for stunner Rachel Anne Wolfe, who despite being a real looker, has decided to focus on her one, true passion, which happens to be her familial legacy—to sing. This is not to say that she hasn’t achieved recognition for her charms, being a beauty queen, model, who also dabbled in acting and hosting.

Whereas her mother and brother represent the more traditional aspect of jazz, Wolfe has infused her work—best described as Pop, hip hop, and R & B soldered together by a touch of jazz—with her youth and passionate character, as well as a love for story, which she refers to as “juice.” And true enough, each track of her 12-song album tells a lyrical tale: whether about her love for her husband (‘There’s Love’) or her mother (‘Part of Everything’), to something more politically relevant (‘Be Yourself’), Wolfe’s passion really comes through.

The album emits an overall airy feel, which is captured perfectly by the title track ‘Cool’. Light, entertaining, and easy, especially for music fans that tend to stray from anything too intense or serious. Another must-listen is the sexy, playful ‘Sweet Smiles’, which features the work of Fil-Am artist, Andrew Romulo.

Blue Monsoon

by Sound

Over a decade ago six college kids put together a band called Third Stone, which was originally supposed to be a “reggae act.” Much to the Marley brood’s disappointment, their Rastafarian emulation was to evolve into something completely different. Later, a couple of line-up changes here and there, the band was to emerge from their chrysalis into something Pinoys had never heard before, discarding their Hendrix-inspired name for something more universal: Sound.

Elegant, chill, groovy, and, intelligent are some of the descriptions that have been thrown around about Sound. Treading the fine line between bossa nova (when Pinoy’s didn’t know, much less care about the term), electronica, and soul, Sound is a genuinely gifted bunch—especially impressive is the steady yet inventive technique of bassist Chad Rialp and the electro-wizardry of keyboardist, Malek Lopez—and their talent is crystal clear in this album.

Though I must genuinely concede that most songs in this album are more than satisfactory (coming from someone who has never in the least bit felt the desire to get dragged along by the whole bossa nova hype), those that really stand out are ‘War Elephant’ and ‘Idlip’. An interesting realization: though they shed their reggae aspirations, each track is still laced with that beachy, heady feel, so characteristic of the genre—thankfully.

An added bonus for design devotees are the desktop wallpapers that come with the CD, designed by some of this generation’s hippest and most prolific graphic designers like Electrolychee, Inksurge, Team Manila, and Sound’s own, drummer Paolo Lim. This is the last reason you should own this awesome album. Pop with brains.

The 2 in 1 Series

by Yano

The younger generation is fortunate that Dong Abay has decided to come out of his purported fiveyear-long, self-imposed imprisonment in the bowels of his room battling clinical depression, to gig again. But they are not that fortunate to have been born a little earlier as to be fully cognizant of the patriotically kick ass ’90s band that was Yano. Though word is out that there is a revival (sans all the original members with the exception of Eric Gancio).

This double CD is a boon to all Pinoy punks—you may trudge to work wearing your suit or barong daily, but you’re still one deep inside—everywhere as disc one is their self-titled debut while disc two is their third release Tara. With hits such as ‘Tsinelas’, ‘Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo’, ‘Esem’, ‘Mercy’, and of course, the EDSA evolution anthem, ‘Kamusta Na?’ ringing in your ears, you can’t help but be reminded of times when people were less inclined to play deaf, dumb, and blind to the plight of their own country; all the more relevant in this day and age where graft and corruption is delivered in increasingly lethal doses.

Relevance aside this CD will not disappoint in giving every music listener what they want: catchy lyrics, musicality, and recall. ‘Panks not dead!’ and let’s hope the same goes for patriotism.

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