InFlight Traveller December 2013 - January 2014 by Dornier Media

The Premier Trusted Travel Magazine

After 88 days, all I could think of was a hot bath B uzzy B udlong on his epic journey across the P hilippine seas plus! I say A lvarez finds comfort in her travels

Traveller The

passion issue

Insider â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide T op 1 5 R omantic G etaways

S ol a ir e f or A l l R e a s ons A H otel W orthy of L as V egas

sarsa k i t chen + b a r celebrity chef jayps anglo â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s newly opened restaurant

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36 Th e Data i

in L a ngk aw i,

Els club, teluk datai photo courtesy of the datai

M a l aysi a

In Pl aces

cov er story Stage actress Isay Alvarez reveals a personal crisis and finds comfort in her travels, while Buzzy Budlong recounts his epic journey across the Philippine seas

dec e m be r-j a n ua r y 2 014

insiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide Come away and be my love: Sweep your loved one off her feet by taking her to some of the most romantic getaways this side of the planet

I n F l ig h t. ph

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45 indulge

regul ars

17 m usic

45 hotel s &

06 Editor’s Note

FLASH PACK: Three luxe cars are predicted to hug the limelight in 2014

22 fa shion

Christmas beauty gifts: Managing editor Monica De Leon picks this season’s start-worthy products

50 be au t y &

w elln ess All girls’ holiday makeover 54 RESTAURANT &

BAR REVIEWS Lorenzo’s Way; SARSA Kitchen + Bar

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08 I n Focus

Cauayan Resort in El Nido; Ariaia Island in Calamianes

12 i n th e n e ws

The ‘IT’ app for Manila visitors; The Farm launches luxurious Lakan Villa; and more

The Premier TrusTed Travel magazine

Traveller

After 88 days, all I could think of was a hot bath BUZZY BUDLONG ON HIS EPIC JOUR NEY ACROSS TH E PHILIPPINE SEAS Plus! I S A Y A LVA R E Z FINDS COMFORT I N H E R T R AV E L S

qu ick gu i de All you need to know, from airport and arrival essentials to getting around Manila and neighbouring cities

issue

insider’s guide TOP 15 ROM A N T IC G ETAWAYS

sol a ir e f or a l l r e a s ons A HOTEL WORTH Y OF LAS V EGAS

sarsa k i T chen + b a r

On the cover Photo by Jeffrey Sonora Art direction by Jocas A. See

59 tr av eller’s

The

Passion

CELEBR ITY CHEF JAY PS A NGLO’S N E W LY OPE N E D R ESTAU R A NT

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20 au tomoti v e

R esorts Solaire Hotel; Seda Hotel

54 T H E PA S S I O N I S S U E : F E A T U R I N G B U Z Z Y B U D L O N G A N D I S A Y A LVA R E Z • T O P 15 R O M A N T I C G E T AWA Y S

trends The road to 19 East: Francis Brew tells us why this pub bar at Km19 in Sucat is the in place to be

Styling by Roxanne Roman Grooming by Wilma Esturco

Ang Tatlong ng responsableng amo!

rehistro ang kasambahay

pagbayad at

report ang PhilHealth contributions

Dahil nakasalalay sa inyo ang kalusugan ng inyong kasambahay at ng kanyang pamilya!

editor’s note www.inflight.ph www.facebook.com/inflight.ph twitter.com/nflight_travel www.youtube.com/user/inflightph

editor ial Executive Editor Nikos Gitsis Editor-In-Chief Giselle Javison Managing Editor Monica De Leon Art Director Jocas See Writer Cielo Eunice Flores Online Coordinator Ariza Rivera

What’s making your pulses race? Perhaps love’s first flash, be you 20 something or gorgeous 70. Or perhaps it is something else — like the first time you stood before an audience, singing your heart out, believing you are Edith Piaf. To our two favorite people, professional kayaker Buzzy Budlong, the dream fulfilled was to launch a 100-day kayaking expedition across the Philippines, braving typhoons, raging waters, and gun-toting men. He finished the journey 12 days ahead of target. To stage actress Isay Alvarez, she of the stage musical Miss Saigon and the Filipino musical Katy, it is the excitement of the stage, and travelling the world. Both tell their stories — in our expanded version of our regular Me & My Travels — on pages 26 to 35. And before moving on further, yes, this is our very first issue of our expanded InFlight Traveller. Distribution has likewise been expanded, with copies now distributed in newsstands with guaranteed distribution on board SEAIR International, Island Transvoyager, and Sky Pasada, and exclusive premier outlets. In line with the change, we’ve done a facelift — introducing new sections and improving our old regulars. Indulge has more to offer, with additional pages on cars, music reviews and venues, make-up and beauty, spa and wellness retreats. And next issue, InFlight Traveller will be bringing you features on new international destinations hot on the Filipino travellers’ list. Before you turn those pages, don’t forget page 64 for hot tips on preparing your Christmas dinner. And if you’re hankering for more Filipino food, check out our chefrecommended top 10 Filipino restaurants at www.inflight.ph/food-and-drinks/top-10filipino-restaurants. Have a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Contr ibuting photogr a phers Mon Corpuz, Ferdz Decena, Joel Garcia, Rhonson Ng, Oggie Ramos, Hermes Singson, Jeffrey Sonora, Daniel Soriano, Gutsy Tuason

Contributing writers Francis Brew, Freida Dario, Ferdz Decena, Kristine Fonacier, Catherine Kirchhoff, Jan Lao, Fran Ng, Oggie Ramos, Ces Rodriguez, Myra Santigao, Gutsy Tuason

A dv e r t i s i n g S a l e s a n d M a r k e t i n g Sales & Marketing Manager Lovenia Lim Senior Account Manager Efren Romero Account Manager Sarah Jane Gallano Ad Traffic & Circulation Asst. Manard Pama

Publishing Publisher Dornier Media International Publishing Director Nikos Gitsis Operations Manager André Palma

Boa r d of A dv iser s Chairman Iren Dornier Publishing Director Nikos Gitsis Editorial Director Giselle Javison Director Delza Apostol Legal Counsel Atty. Celina Cua

I nqu ir i es Editorial +632/ 553 7976 Email editors@inflight.ph Advertising +632/ 553 7978 Email adsales@inflight.ph Telefax +632/ 840 2802

giselle Javison

Dornier Media International

editor-in-chi ef

Penthouse, Lerose Building,

editors@inflight.ph

832 Edades Street corner Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, 1227 Philippines

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see the PhiliPPines through the eyes of locals. Visit us at

www.inflight.ph your insiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to the PhiliPPines

To keep you posted on the latest travel stories and travel offers at www.inflight.ph, dec e m be r-j a n ua r y 2 014 like www.facebook.com/Inflight.ph

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Cauayan Resort

Ultimate getaway If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re updating your wish list this festive season, then put this firmly on your top 10... Cauayan Resort in El Nido, Palawan. Cauayan is to open in 2014, offering 24 villas, designed like the typical Philippine bahay kubo or thatched hut with cogon roofing, but updated with wood cladding, wood-framed glass sliding doors, and wooden decks that lead you on to the fantastic white-sand beach. And since this is El Nido, you get the magical limestone cliffs and turquoise waters, great for snorkeling and diving. If money is no object, why not book a stay at the Cauayan Suite, a 185sqm hilltop villa with its own private infinity pool and a 360 degree view of the island? El Nido lies along Bacuit Bay, a marine reserve, located in northern Palawan, about 420km southwest of Manila. It has attracted international attention with its rich biodiversity, some 45 islands and islets, most of which are pristine, and its ancient limestone formations. Cauayan Resort is managed and operated by Fuego Hotels and Properties. Visit www.cauayanresort.com.

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Ar i a r a I s l a n d

Move over Amanpulo, Ariar a’s here You need not be Virgin Atlantic’s Richard Branson to have your own island. Ariara Island, 160 miles southwest of Manila, Philippines is available for you to book and call your own, all of its 125 acres of beach gorgeousness. The island’s website calls it “the ultimate off the beaten track destination”. There are four beach cottages on the island, offering 25,000 square feet of accommodation for up to 18 guests. Each of the cottages is designed with native thatched roofing, and sliding glass doors that open up to the outdoors and the beach view. The bedrooms, with vaulted ceiling and four-poster style bed, light white draperies, are quite romantic, each with walk-in wardrobe, marble bathroom, and an open air shower. The island is yours to book for US $595 (P24,990) per person per night for up to eight guests (less for a bigger group) and includes the exclusive use of the whole island, managed and serviced by the owners’ personal staff. The island also comes with KarenJoy, the 100ft tri-maran yacht with fully airconditioned cabins and expansive deck space, which you can use to explore deserted islands and local villages or go fishing; a personal trainer, yoga instructor and resident therapist; and private chef. From the UK, fly to Manila via Amsterdam (KLM), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific), the Middle East (Etihad or Emirates), Singapore (Singapore Airlines) or Bangkok (Thai Air), or non-stop via Philippine Airlines. All major Philippine carriers operate direct flights to Busuanga. At Busuanga Airport, an Ariara staff will arrange your transfer on board the resort’s private yacht on to your private island. Visit www.ariaraisland.com.

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in the news

t r av el | l ife s t y l e | Ho t el s & r e s or t s | a nd mor e

The ‘it’ app for Manila visitors

Monica De Leon says it is easy booking at Easy Taxi Tired of standing by the side of the road, battling it out to flag down a cab? Well, the Easy Taxi booking app may just save your day. All you have to do is download the free app www.easytaxi. com on your iOS, Android or Blackberry 10 device, sign in, confirm your location, book a cab and wait a few minutes for your ride. Easy Taxi opened its doors to Manila in August this year, operating mostly in Makati, The Fort in Taguig and Ortigas, Pasig City. According to Easy Taxi vice president for business development Paul Malicki, its partner taxis offer a safe ride, with each driver well screened, trained in proper etiquette and basic self-defense, and are monitored real time by a GPS system in their units. In exchange for the smooth service, you pay P70 on top of your metered fare. To date, Easy Taxi has already partnered with 3,000 Manila drivers, including those from established car company, the R&E Group. It has also started partnerships with Manila hotels, condominiums and restaurants, allowing a passenger to book at least five cab units at the same time. Easy Taxi also offers perks for both drivers and passengers alike through incentive programs for the former and promos like raffles for the latter. Easy Taxi, founded in Brazil in 2011, is now present in 17 countries worldwide and has offered over 2.5 million rides and 2 million downloads globally. Visit www.easytaxi.com to download the app.

The Farm launches luxurious Lakan VILLA

by F r a n c i s B r e w

Health and wellness retreat center The Farm in Batangas is launching its “ultimate villa” called the Lakan, a two bedroom, en-suite accommodation with kitchen and bar and spacious living area. The villa, which targets to open in December 2013, is all of 372 square meters with its own living area, walled in gardens with koi ponds, kitchen and bar area, maid’s quarters, and a dedicated butler. And to top it all, the villa has a private 61sqm heated swimming pool and 78sqm pool deck area. The Lakan is ideal for couples, families and friends who want a 100% European-inspired holistic wellness and cleansing holiday.

Manila. The Lakan introductory rate, valid until March 31, 2014, is at P58,500.00++ (about US $1,360++) per night. Visit www.thefarm.

The Farm is in Lipa, Batangas, located about 80km south of

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com.ph or call +632/ 884 8074.

in the news

Hot deals at Huma Island Enjoy a promotional rate of up to 20% off at Huma Island luxury resort in Busuanga, Palawan for bookings in December. The 32-hectare property with beautiful Maldivian-inspired villas opened in November this year. Each of its villas has a private jacuzzi and view deck, and before it, the beautiful waters of Palawan. The hotel has a spa built over water and a private seaplane that delivers guests right on the resort’s doorstep. Packages offered at Huma Island range from two-night stays to six-night stays, including roundtrip airport transfers, breakfast, tour around the island, spa and laundry discounts,

and complimentary late check-out. For a romantic stay, Huma Island’s Honeymoon Package offers couples a three-night stay including a personalized wedding cake and a 90-minute spa for two. Huma Island is about an hour-and-a-half travel from Manila via the resort’s seaplane. It is managed by the international Swiss hotel chain Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts. Price starts at P51,999 (US $1,209) for a two-night stay for two. Call +632/ 553 0119 or visit www.humaisland.com.

Marco Polo Ortigas to open in 2014 Marco Polo Ortigas, a P3-billion five-star hotel project, is set to open in the first quarter of 2014 at the Ortigas central business district. The hotel, Marco Polo’s third property in the Philippines, will have 316 rooms and suites, a signature Continental Club floor, an indoor swimming pool, health club and a spa. The property is just a 10-minute walk to the city’s main shopping centers. Marco Polo hotel group is based in Hong Kong, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Wharf Holdings Ltd. Other Marco Polo Hotels in the country are situated in Davao and Cebu. Marco Polo Ortigas is a 45-minute drive from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Visit www.marcopolohotels.com.

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R a i mu nd M a r asiga n of Pedica b per for ming at 19 E ast

Music

photo by Francis Brew

The road to 19 E ast

Francis Brew tells us why this pub bar at Km 19 in Sucat is the in place to be by F r a n c i s B r e w

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Mor e of 19 E a s t ’s live per for mer s Clock w ise from top left: Indi e musici a n Ja ps Sergio; Pat Sa r a bi a of Peryodiko a nd T w in Lobster; a nd Peso Mov em ent

he pub bar 19 East calls itself “Manila’s finest music club” and it is no idle claim — it’s celebrating its 10th year and has gained the reputation among musicians and music fans as the best sounding pub. It helps that pub bar owner Wowee Posadas is himself a professional keyboardist. 19 East has always meant to give customers options between its excellently-equipped Music Hall or its picturesque garden. November saw it hosting performances from a diverse roster of the country’s premier artists, from pop staples Side A and MYMP to Motown-influenced Flippin’ Soul Stompers to modern rock superstars Kamikazee, Parokya Ni Edgar, Chicosci, and indie darlings Up Dharma Down, Peso Movement, and Peryodiko. All genres are welcome here… this is truly THE place for any music fan from any genre. Musicians love to play here for its

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excellent sound reinforcement and supreme acoustics (the latter is an issue that very few bars seem to even consider seriously). Most of the artists the place attracts have considerable original material; in other words, no phoned-in showband performances with cliched dance medleys to irritate you. The spacious dining area in the music hall is packed with booked tables, so on busy nights you may want to have your meal and drinks around the garden or the area overlooking Laguna Bay. The ambience is relaxed and calming. The local food choices are reasonably priced, from chicken tinola to grilled seafood to good ol’ liempo. I’m particularly fond of the beef salpicao with its worcestershire sauce tang and the service is quick. As for drinks, they offer everything — beer, rum, brandy, tequila, cocktails… unless you prefer a nice pot of tea instead or brewed coffee. Do be prepared to wear a jacket as evenings may tend to be on the

nippy side. Yes, you can have a romantic date instead if you choose to: 19 East offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can even book the place for parties. There is space enough for kids to run around. Overall, the entire area feels open and airy even on busy nights. 19 East does not impose itself on you: you get to choose between quiet or decently loud. Side A performs on December 20 and 26; MYPM on December 11 and 27; and UpDharmaDown on December 14.

E s sen t i a l s Km. 19, East Service Road, Sucat, Muntinlupa City URL: www.19East.com www.facebook.com/19east Tel: +632/ 837 6903

japs sergio photo by andrea floresca; the rest by Francis Brew

trends

Automotive

FLASH PACK

Three luxe cars are predicted to hug the limelight in 2014 2014 R ange Rover Sport

The Range Rover Sport targets to be out in the Philippine market by March. The Range Rover Sport 2014 is lightweight, more agile and responsive compared to its predecessor model, has improved fuel-efficient diesel petrol engine, and 13% lower carbon emissions compared to its diesel-only equivalent. The SUV’s exterior’s framework uses lightweight aluminum material. The interior is luxury defined — seats for seven, soft and premium leather, metal finishers, digital cameras allowing for an almost 360-degree view of the car’s periphery, 23 Meridian speakers, four zone climate control system, navigation system, eight or 10.2-inch screens for onboard entertainment.

Jaguar F-T ype Drive to impress with the Jaguar F-Type, a two-seater, soft-top convertible sports car launched in October. The car features a 12-second folding convertible top, driver-focused interior with advanced controls, and instantly responds to steering. Its body is made of lightweight aluminum for greater agility. There are four models to choose from — F-TYPE, F-TYPE S, F-TYPE V8 S and F-TYPE R — each with its own character but all equipped with highly advanced engine, eight speed Quickshift automatic transmission, Sportshift gear selector and steering wheel-mounted paddles for full manual control. Call +632/ 856 2277 or visit www.jaguar. com for inquiries.

Maser ati Gr anTurismo

Maserati’s GranTurismo, out in Manila in 2014, is being hailed in Europe as Maserati’s best car for a decade. It sprints at 100km/h in 4.7 seconds reaching up to 300km/h, and carries the brand’s all-alloy, and 4.7-liter engine, boasting of 338kW (460Cv) power. Available with both six-speed automatic and the electro-actuated transmissions, making it speed faster than the outgoing GranTurismo S. It’s also set up with a new generation of dual-cast breaking system for maximum stopping strength. Inside, it seats four, even if one is a giant. Special leather that looks better as you wear it out, LED daytime running lights. The GranTurismo line first launched in 2007.

Call +632/ 856 2277 or visit www.landrover.com.

Call +632/ 856 2277 or visit www.maserati. com to keep posted on the launch date.

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trends

Fashion

Christmas Be aut y Gif ts

Managing editor Monica De Leon picks out this season’s star-worthy products

Flirt y scents Salvatore Ferragamo’s latest scent, Signorina, has a floral fruity fragrance affecting a flirty appeal to it. The eau de toilette line starts at P2,998 for the 30ml; and for the eau de parfum line at

Benefit primer: Banish the pores Take note, all ye Benefit fans, the brand is brandishing its magic wand to banish pores and shine — the POREfessional agent zero shine, available in January 2014, is a powder that instantly minimizes shine and helps smoothen the look of pores. P1,600 (US $37). Available in January at Benefit Cosmetics, Greenbelt 5, Ayala

P3,098, also for the 30ml bottle. Available at The Landmark, Makati City.

BVlgari has launched in mid-November its Bulgari Omnia Crystalline eau de parfum and it’s selling like pancakes. Its balance of notes is strong at first but it grows in you. The fragrance is heightened by the lotus flower and mandarin at the top note; a heart of orris concrete and heliotrope, and a dry down formed by white sandalwood, benzoin from Siam and musks.

Giorio Armani’s latest Si, launched in November, has the actress Cate Blanchett as model, making you think this is restrained elegance. However the Italian voluptuousness comes through – Sicilian bergamot, Mandarin oil, Liquer de Cassis, supported by Rose de Mai absolute, Neroli absolute, and Egyptian Jasmine absolute. Undertones of patchouli oil, amber, orcano. Finished with vanilla. Available in 100ml for P6,500; and 50ml for P5,000 at The Landmark, Makati City.

Davidoff Cool Water Sea Rose is the fresh, light and more feminine take on the established Cool Water line. The danger in the rosey hint is it can sometimes be pungent, but Cool Water’s done it just right.

Center, Makati City.

What a girl wants Enriched with shea butter, mango butter and vitamin E, the hydra-smooth lip color, launched by Benefit in October in the Philippines, is a sure gift any girl would love to have and hold this Christmas. Available in 10 shades from sheer to medium full, with packaging so pretty it’s like a lipwear customized for princesses. P1,000. Available at Benefit Cosmetics, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

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Sells at P3,950 for the 40ml; and P5,080 for

Available in 30ml bottle for P2,498; 50ml

the 65ml. Available at The Landmark,

bottle for P3,300; and 100ml bottle for

Makati City.

P4,698 at The Landmark, Makati City.

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in places inf l igh t t r av el l er | de cember- j a nu a r y 2 0 14

Th e Data i in L a ngk aw i,

Els club, teluk datai photo courtesy of the datai

M a l aysi a

Sweep your loved one off her feet by taking her to some of the most romantic getaways this side of the planet

cover story

Insiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide

Stage actress Isay Alvarez reveals a personal crisis and finds comfort in her travels, while Buzzy Budlong recounts his epic journey across the Philippine seas

Sweep your loved one off her feet by taking her to some of the most romantic getaways this side of the planet

dec e m be r-j a n ua r y 2 014

I n F l ig h t. ph

cover story

Me & My Travels

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cover story

Stage actress Isay Alvarez reveals a personal crisis and finds comfort in her travels, while Buzzy Budlong recounts his epic journey across the Philippine seas profile photos by j e f f r e y s o n o r a

de c e m be r-j a n ua r y 2 014 | I n F l ig h t. ph |

cover story

The Show Must Go On Diagnosed with leukemia, Wes t Endâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Miss Saigon s tar Isay Alvarez finds comfor t on stage and in her travels by C e s R o d r i g u e z

profile photo by j e f f r e y s o n o r a

Styling by Roxanne Roman. Hair and make-up by Wilma Esturco Gown by Dave Ocampo; top hat by Jetro Vin Rafael

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cover story

ometime in 2012, during rehearsals for the Philippine stage musical Katy, actress Isay Alvarez had a gastric attack, felt dizzy and keeled over. Before the incident, she had an inkling something was wrong — when she pressed her hand against her stomach she could feel her spleen. The purple, fist-shaped organ, which ordinarily measures around four inches long, should sit behind the ribcage, not jutting out of turn. Isay also had mouth sores that wouldn’t heal and all manner of antibiotics didn’t help. She skipped seeing a doctor and went straight for an ultrasound, which confirmed her suspicions. She had leukemia. Before the tests, she told her husband of 21 years, fellow singer Robert Seña, that if the diagnosis was not good, if it was stage 4, then she was not going to undergo any medical treatment. “We’ll just go to Europe, go round the world, spend all our money, and enjoy life,” she said. Though Isay initially refused conventional medical treatment in favor of what she called “wellness” or alternative medicine, her friend who was the head of oncology at St. Luke’s hospital, did not stop until Isay agreed to a full cycle of chemotherapy. The treatment took place while she was rehearsing for Katy and scheduling a trip with Robert to Japan. She refused to cancel rehearsals and latched on to the excitement of traveling. In some

Is ay ’s Life in Tr avel Clock w ise from top left: In Beijing, China w ith fa mily; in Kor e a; a nd in Lega zpi, Philippines

sense, it was good to have something to latch on to to take the worries away. “Travel is food for my soul,” she said. Isay spent every free time refining their Japan travel itinerary. “Santambak na research. Wala na akong ginawa kundi mag-surf. Sabi ni Robert, ‘Yan na naman, nagre-research ka na naman!’” (I was constantly surfing the net, looking for travel information. Robert would look at me each time I sat at the computer and say, ‘here she goes again.’) She likes checking Trip Advisor and reading travel blogs. When she returns from her trips, she posts reviews and has become one of the travel site’s top contributors. She’s even toyed with the idea of starting her own travel blog. When I interviewed Isay in November, she was juggling appearances in the GMA Network teleserye Adarna, rehearsals for Rak of Aegis, and planning for corporate shows in December, “the busiest time for us, as performers.” Christmas this December will be in Israel, where she and Robert, with two kids in tow, are booked to attend the Manger Park International Music Fest. It’s two birds in one, a gig and a holiday. Next year, it’s Eastern Europe. She is lucky that she is able to indulge her passion for travel because her acting job and stage musicals take her to exciting places. It was on London’s West End stage as the vivacious bargirl Gigi de c e m be r-j a n ua r y 2 014 | I n F l ig h t. ph |

cover story

in Miss Saigon some 25 years ago that she first met and fell in love with husband Robert. Alvarez now has a daughter and two sons. And she does not look a day older than when she first thrust that toned belly forward, planted those long legs and owned the West End stage “I’ve done so many things since Saigon. And I would love to do more original Filipino works onstage,” she said. She has started a production company called Spotlight with Robert and three other partners, producing and starring in the remake of the musical Katy, the life story of legendary Filipino jazz chanteuse Katy dela Cruz. Early in 2014, she and Robert are appearing in Rak of Aegis, a stage musical featuring the bombastic songs of the local rock band Aegis. Alvarez’s only frustration nowadays is the shortage of original Filipino stage musicals, plays, and performances. Local shows such as successful Katy have to compete with the wholesale importation of international musicals, such as Wicked and Phantom of the Opera. When Alvarez played guide to the foreign cast of Miss Saigon when it played in Manila in 2000, she wished she could have capped her city tour with dinner and a Filipino show. “You go to any Asian country and then you ask where you could go to get a glimpse of their culture. You’d have the boat show, the puppet show, the water puppet show — they have that. In Manila, where do you take them? To the mall? What’s Filipino? It’s our dream to have a long-running show for tourists. We’re very good performers, so it’s something that we can offer.” Isay Alvarez’s leukemia is now in remission. She has gained back much of the weight she lost. She extends her hand to show that it’s no longer drained of color. While this year’s travels are not done, she has next year’s penciled in: a trip to Eastern Europe. Because in sickness or in health, that’s just what Isay does.

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Me and my travels: Isay Alvarez My most memorable holiday was in Sagada. I had a great time there. It’s like a spur of the moment vacation but was made memorable because of the people, the culture, nature and the food. We went with a friend and stayed at Residential Lodge (www.sagadaresidentiallodge.blogspot.com).

R ak of Aegis Rock comedy musical Rak of Aegis opens, starring Isay Alvarez, in January 2014 at the PETA Theater Center. The show is directed by Maribel Legarda, written by awardwinning playwright Liza Magtoto, and produced by PETA. Rak of Aegis is inspired by the 90s novelty rock group, the Aegis, presenting select tracks from the band’s seven albums. The musical, set in a flooded village, revolves around the story of woman named Aileen. The characters are based on members of the Aegis band. Call +632/ 725 6244.

When in Sagada we usually eat at Yoghurt House (www. facebook.com/yoghurt.house), Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant (+63918/ 341 6164), Log Cabin (www. logcabinsagada.moonfruit.com), owned by a French chef, and Bana’s Café. My favorite resort is Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa (www.shangri-la.com/cebu/mactanresort) because it’s like being transported into another place — an island paradise. I like the marine sanctuary there. I also like Discovery Shores (www.discoveryshoresboracay.com) in Boracay. In Cebu, we stay at Eden Resort (www.eden.ph) in Liloan, the town next to Oslob. I shop at markets in Dumaguete (www.dumagueteinfo. com) for food like rice cakes, Baguio (www.baguio.gov.ph) for organic blueberries, and Farmers Market in Cubao for seafood and vegetables. I stayed in London for four years while performing for Miss Saigon. The places that I frequented were the parks — Hyde Park and the Belsize Park — castles and museums. My favorite restaurant is Lorenzo’s Way (www. ljcrestaurants.com.ph/lorenzos-way) either at Greenbelt or The Fort for their squid tactics and desserts. I also like Stella and Rocketroom (www.facebook.com/stella.rocketroom) at the Bonifacio High Street for their mushroom pizza, Ba Noi’s Vietnamese Restaurant (+632/ 893 7359) in Makati for spring rolls; and Green Pastures (www.facebook.com/ greenpasturesresto) at Edsa Shangri-La for all the food because I’m into organic dishes.

Visit www.facebook. com/PETATHEATER.

Mor e of Is ay ’s tr avel s Cou nter clock w ise from top left, this spr e a d: In Ja pa n; mom ents w ith hubby Robert — zipline r ide in Sa r a ngga ni

I read autobiographies. I’ve recently read Steve Jobs, and inspirational books such as Amy Chua’s The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother and Mark Atteberry’s The Samson Syndrome. I have also read Khaled Hosseini’s latest novel, And the Mountains Echoed. I watch and support local stage performances by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP, www. culturalcenter.gov.ph), PETA (www.petatheater.com) and the University of the Philippines Theater (UP, www. uptheater.org). Broadway in New York City also thrills me. I always follow the Asosasyon ng Musikang Pilipino (AMP) Big Band (www.facebook.com/pages/AMP-Big-Band) wherever they perform.

a nd in a Lega zpi be ach; wack y in Pa ete; a nd w ith

Films I like are Ora Plata Mata for local; Out of Africa and Mama Mia for international films.

Saga da nati v es. Center i m age: Isay don ning

My favorite music artists are Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and Amy Winehouse.

h er K at y role

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cover story

Across the Philippine Seas in 88 Days Buzzy Budlong picks up a paddle and ventures out into open seas, from southern Mindanao to Ilocos Norte. He recounts his epic journey to Ces Rodriguez profile photo by j e f f r e y s o n o r a

S t y l i n g b y R o x a n n e R o m a n . GROO M I N g b y W i l m a E s t u r c o Paddle by Island Buzz Phillippines

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cover story

rwin Glenn “Buzzy” Budlong, Jr., 41, is known in the kayaking circuit as the other half of a pair who made their way across 50 provinces in the Philippines, paddling 3,025 kilometers in 88 days. He and Singaporean Khoo Swee Chiow set out on a kayak in 2009, moving from the coastline of Saranggani province in southern Philippines to the windswept shores of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. The journey was a challenging one — battling typhoons and raging waters, but both Buzzy and his kayaking partner rode out the waters successfully, 12 days earlier than their 100-day target. While partner Swee Chiow went on to publish a book called “Across the Philippines in a Kayak” (www.primergrp.com), Buzzy has never quite told his end of the story. It’s been a few years since the epic kayak journey, but to Buzzy it is all so fresh that his retelling catapulted me back with him out in the open seas. “The expedition was from the Southern tip of mainland Mindanao, which is Glan, Sarangani. We experienced a lot of breaking Pacific waves and swells especially in Surigao del Sur to Northern Surigao. We had lots of stops, covering at least 40km a day and sometimes more with the current pushing us. The sights were beautiful — high sea cliffs, coves, bays, lagoons and uninhabited coastlines,” Buzzy recalled.

Buzz y ’s favor ite k ayak des tinations Top a nd r ight: Ticao Isl a nd in M asbate; bottom left, w ith Dondon Dinpus in M acta n Isl a nd, Cebu

“At one point, about 3km to Placer in Masbate, we experienced two huge squalls in less than an hour and we experienced a total dead reckoning. My body was in total pain but my mind luckily was alert. “It was a strong squall. You cannot see the shoreline, you cannot even see like 100 meters away. So basically it’s a dead reckoning and you just have to rely on your compass and your GPS. Dead reckoning is when you cannot see anything anymore. Usually a squall lasts one hour but we were battling winds the whole day and we were talking to the wind, yelling ‘When are you going to stop?!’” When the squall died down, the two found themselves close to the shoreline of Placer, nearing their 5pm ETA. “We were smiling like, ‘Hoo, finally!’ after a whole day of struggle. So we were very close, maybe on to our last four or five kilometers, when suddenly the mountains beyond the coastline were covered with thick clouds and the first wind struck right in front of us and we were in another squall, then got rained on, a fog engulfing us 360 degrees.” Buzzy recalled that they were whipped in separate directions, thrashing against the bluster as they plunged paddles into hissing waters and grunted their way to an invisible shoreline. It took him and his partner two hours to cross the five-kilometer distance. Another challenging episode out at sea involved an encounter with armalite-toting men, somewhere in Mindanao. A storm had tossed them off course and they drifted to a coastline that wasn’t de c e m be r-j a n ua r y 2 014 | I n F l ig h t. ph |

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Buzzy’s Top 5 Kayaking Spots

01 02

Bucas Grande, Surigao del Sur for its clean waters and lush forest

Ticao Island on the west side of Masbate for its steep rocky islands and gardens, water falls, sea, and the chance to camp out on the uninhabited Puro Bankasi Island.

part of their scheduled stop. “There was a community there. We asked permission to see the barangay captain (village head). They pointed to a place close to the river,” Buzzy said. “We were having a dip in the water, bathing, when a guy came out of nowhere from the bushes carrying a baby armalite. ‘Hey, what are you doing here, my friend?’ he asked. But he was pumped, you could see it on his face.” Buzzy froze in the midst of pouring a bucket of water over his head. “I told myself, no sudden moves. We had to be relaxed. I tried to introduce my colleagues, my paddling buddies. Then from my peripheral vision, I saw another group of men behind us with guns. So I told myself, ‘Oh, Lord, it’s up to you now.’” After explaining their situation, they were led up the hill to see the barangay captain. “We crossed the river and Swee Chiow still had soap on his body. ‘Buzz, what’s next?’ he asked. I said, ‘just cross the river.’” When they met with the barangay captain, Buzzy and Swee Chiow convinced them that they weren’t treasure hunters but paddlers. It turned out that there were tribal issues in the community and the armed guards were around to make sure the area was kept free of interlopers. Days out at sea were not always as stressful. There were joyful episodes when the waters were like glass, the sun hot, and the paddling lulls you into a dreamlike state, broken only by the appearance of dolphins swimming alongside the kayaks. When the Friendship for Kayak expedition ended 12 days ahead of their 100-day target, Buzzy was left feeling victorious, but also bereft. The dream was over, he thought. He felt like he wanted it to go on forever. Buzzy is now thinking of paddling the whole length of Cebu, about 260 kilometers at 40 km a day on a stand-up paddle board, one wish among many.

The Surigao del Sur coastline, part of the Pacific terrain coastline, carved by wind and waves, is a natural beauty. You get off shore gigantic waves, reef and beach breaks, mangrove forests, abundance of sea creatures, and on land, warm welcoming locals.

The islands on the western side of Bohol is paddlers’ paradise. Here, you’ll find an island at almost every 2km. We usually start paddling from Mactan Island or we load our kayaks on a pumpboat and pack freshly cooked food and cold drinks and park at one point, and then go on by kayak to explore off the beaten tracks.

Palompon Leyte’s Tabuk Island is home to thousands of fruit bats and it’s a nice experience to catch them in flight at dusk.

For kayaking tours, contact Island Buzz Philippines Kayak and SUP Adventures at +63916/ 772 0906 or email islandbuzzphilippines@ gmail.com. Island Buzz Philippines also organizes Firefly Tours along Bohol’s Abatan River.

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Surigao del Sur photo by Jay Alonzo

What’s Nex t on Buzzy’s K ayak Wish List

01 02

The whole length of Palawan by sea

kayak

The whole length of Cebu, spanning some 260km. Buzzy plans to cover 40km a day using stand up paddle (SUP) board

The Agusan River, from the marshland of Bunawan to the delta, by dugout canoe and SUP

04 05

The Batanes group of islands by sea

kayak

The entire eastern side of the Philippines, from Luzon to Samar, through Central Visayas, to the west side of Mindano to its southern tip

The reverse of the Friendship Kayak: from Northern Philippines to the south.

Buzzy’s 88-day ex pedition saw hi m cutting across th e water s to Sur igao in Minda nao (top), his sta rting point; M asbate in th e Bicol R egion (bottom); a nd Pagudpu d in Noth er n Luzon (bottom r ight), his l a nding point. Top left, Buzzy’s h a ndy m a p w h er e h e ch a rts pa ddling paths

Ticao island photo by Estan Cabigas; saud beach, pagudpud photo by oggie ramos

About The Buzz Buzzy started kayaking 15 years ago and owns and runs Paddles and Ladles Kayak Adventures (www. facebook.com/buzzy.budlong), giving paddling lessons and leading kayaking tours. His other company, Island Buzz Philippines (www.islandbuzzphilippines.com) sells kayaks he builds himself and his Alcione-branded stand-up paddleboards (named after his nine-year-old daughter). He is also the founder of the firefly tours of Bohol (contact Island Buzz to book). A mountaineer for four years, Buzzy chucked the peaks for the seas because “unlike the mountains, the sea is always moving” offering unpredictable challenges and more opportunities to conquer them.

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Insider’s Guide

Come Away & Be My Love Sweep your loved one off her feet by taking her to some of the most romantic getaways this side of the planet re por t b y C i e l o F l o r e s

Our insider’s Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Edree Estaura; El Nido Tourism Officer Arvin Acosta; Blue Horizons Travel and Tours’ Nico Estrella, Melissa dela Cruz and Gigi Jamiro; Eats a Date and When in Manila writer, also guest expert to Howie Severino’s and Vicky Morales’ GMA NewsTV shows Mae Ilagan; and travel researcher Bea Rodriguez; Sharina Abdul Salam for Langkawi; and Vietnam Tourism’s Anh Le Phuong for Vietnam

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Insider’s Guide

Th e Data i’s pool v ill a

Rough it out, luxe st yle, in L angk awi M a l aysi a

Nestled ON THE CORNER of the island group in the northwest of Langkawi, Malaysia is The Datai, a five-star resort with white sand beach, one of the island’s best, facing the Andaman Sea. Choose between its contemporary and roomy rainforests or seafront villas and enjoy its first class amenities such as outdoor pool, spa, gym, and dine in any of their five restaurants. The Datai is also within the vicinity of Langkawi’s Seven Wells or Telaga Tujuh where after a steady climb you can plunge in a series of freshwater

rock pools situated at the top of waterfall from Pantai Kok. For adrenalin junkies, you can slide down on smooth rut between pools. www.thedatai-langkawi.com. Deluxe room price is about RM 2,263 (P29,419) for two per night inclusive of buffet breakfast. For car hire, visit www.novacarhire.com/malaysia. From Manila, Air Asia Philippines (www.airasia.com/ph) flies to Malaysia.

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Insider’s Guide

The sk y’s the limit M t. P i n at u b o a n d B a n au e R ic e T e rr ac e s

If you have to sweep her off her feet, then do it with style by booking an aerial tour of some of the country’s most maginificent natural wonders — Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga and the Banaue Rice Terraces. Your flying pumpkin ride for Cinderella will be a three-seater, single engine turbine helicopter. Fly over the city of Pampanga for an outstanding view of the Mt. Pinatubo volcano, then proceed to Bagabag airstrip for a quick refueling, and then go off to fly over the Banaue Rice Terraces (read more about the Banaue Rice Terraces on www.inflight.ph) in the Cordilleras, carved by hand by our Philippine ancestors 2,000 years ago to cultivate rice and establish a natural irrigation system. It is now deemed the Eighth Wonder of the World. Cap the tour with a picnic lunch by Banga-an’s viewpoint, near Banaue Hotel, before going back to the hangar. www.bluehorizons.travel. Blue Horizon Travel and Tours can arrange for an aerial tour in Mt. Pinatubo and Banaue Rice Terraces. Prices depend upon request. Manila Peninsula (www.peninsula.com) offers “Spirit of Corregidor” package worth P265,000 for two inclusive of helicopter ride to and from Corregidor Island, lunch at Antonio’s

From lef t, this spr e ad: Sum aguing Cav es in Saga da; Hong Kong’s L a m m a Isl a nd

Tagaytay, and tour of the island.

Adventures in Kr abi Thailand

Explore as a couple and see the sights of the quirky little town of Krabi in southern Thailand. Krabi is blessed with cliffs and caves of archaeological significance. Conquer the grueling 1,237 steep staircase leading to a 600m karst peak in Wat Tham Seua or Tiger Cave Temple, which has limestone caves, fantastic view of the sea, and collections of Buddhist icons such as a hidden statue of Buddha and altars. Avoid wearing shorts, slippers and obscene clothes before entering the Wat. World Expeditions offers Camp and Kayak, letting you set up camp on site for one night and have a guided kayak tour of the famous Phang Nga Bay, which has a nice white sand beach, stunning cliffs and caves, and relative peace and quiet. www.worldexpeditions.com. The US $990 (P42,570) package includes airport transfers, one-day kayak tour at Phang Nga Bay, two nights’ stay at the Old Phuket Hotel, and one night camping at Koh Panak beach campsite. Kayak and camp facilities, three breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner, and private land transfers are included in the package. For car hire, book at www.avisthailand.com. Thai Airways (www.thaiairways.com.ph) flies from Manila to Bangkok, Thailand.

Mountain love in Sagada S ag a da , m ou n ta i n prov i n c e

pick some oranges at the orchard. Sumaguing is in Sagada, a spiritual and tranquil mountain hideaway in the Cordilleras, a small town in the Mountain Province. It is roughly a 12-hour land travel from Manila, but well worth it. +63929/ 457 7188. www.rockfarmsagada.com. Rock Farm Inn

Go spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, famous for its exotic rock formations, and plunge into its freshwater pool to cool off or indulge in skinny dipping. The cave exploration itself is 90 minutes of challenging trails. Then stay at Rock Farm Inn where you can while away the night talking by the bonfire, and in the morning,

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arranges a tour guide for two to four persons in Sumaguing Cave for P500, and offers shuttle service for their guests from the town proper of Sagada. If you’re up for a long drive, take North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and take McArthur Highway going to Baguio.

Sumaguing Cave photo owned by Mae Ilagan and Frank Ruaya

Insider’s Guide

of A Symphony of Lights, dubbed as the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. The tour caps with shopping, if you must. +852/ 254 45656. Able and Promotion Tours (www.able-tours.com) arranges Lamma Island cruise, which costs about HK $720 (P3,600) per person and airport transfers service. Tiger Airways (www. tigerair.com) flies directly from Manila to Hong Kong.

Weekend in the enigmatic isl and of Siquijor S iqu i j o r

romantic sunset cruise Ho n g Ko n g

Hop on a catamaran for a romantic sunset cruise to Lamma Island and experience a different impression of Hong Kong. The tour will take you to the Fisherfolk’s Village where you’ll be exposed to Hong Kong’s marine fish culture and industry, and enjoy a seafood dinner feast at the waterfront restaurant. On the way back to the Victoria Harbour, there’s further treat with the view

Siquijor has powdery white-sand beaches, and clear turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and pilgrimage sites, all untainted so far by tourism. Life in this province is still simple, with most people off the streets by 8pm. “Clubbing” is only on Fridays in a bar called Ceasar’s Place. Siquijor is idyllic, with the only perceived downside — although most people see this as a lure — is the fact that this is also the heart of the Philippines’ witch country, where spells and magic are practiced by local folks. Stay at Coco Grove Resort, which has 42 rooms, a large pool, game room and bar. +63927/ 362 8731; +6335/ 225 5490. www.cocogrovebeachresort. com. About P2,700 per night for two persons inclusive of ala carte breakfast and use of the resort’s facilities. From Manila, Cebu Pacific airline (www.cebupacificair.com) flies directly to Dumaguete. Take a 45-minute ferry ride from Dumaguete pier to Siquijor pier. Ferry rates range from P100 to P200.

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Insider’s Guide

Gl amping in Tagay tay

Luxurious Cruise in Halong Bay

Nurture Spa Village in Tagaytay, a two-hour drive from Manila, has glamping (glamorous camping) facilities, inclusive of use of tent furnished with elevated twin size bed, toiletries, amenities, barbecue platter and use of bonfire. Added attractions are Tagaytay’s clean cool air and scenic views. Tagaytay has increasingly been a favorite second home to Metro Manila’s wealthy residents.

Tale HAS IT that the more than 2000 islands above the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin in northern Vietnam were created by a great dragon in the mountains. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site by cruising along the floating villages, seeing fascinating caves and stunning rock formations, onboard a luxurious vessel fitted with lavish cabins, hotel amenities and a sundeck.

+632/ 710 9786. www.nurture.com.ph. About P2,500 per person a

+8446/ 256 1919. www.paradisecruises.vn. Paradise Luxury Cruises

night. Private vehicles can take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)

offers Five-Star Duo for a one night stay at L’Opera Hotel in Hanoi

route, then Sta. Rosa Exit going to Tagaytay.

with breakfast, and a night stay at the floating luxury hotel inclusive

V ietna m

Bubog Isl a nd

of meals and roundtrip private chauffer from L’Opera. Costs about

in Siba lta n

US $786 (P33,024) for two. For car hire, visit www.avis.com.vn. Cebu

located e ast of El Nido in Pa l awa n. R ight, H a long Bay in V i etna m

K ayak and Snorkel in an islet

Pacific flies directly from Manila to Vietnam.

B u b o g I s l a n d , S i b a lt a n

Embark on a leisurely 30-minute kayaking from Sibaltan shore to the quaint Bubog Island in Sibaltan, located in the east coast of El Nido, Palawan. Bubog is a private island with a beautiful pristine beach and rock formations. Never leave the island without seeing the Sibaltan Marine Sanctuary, a great place to snorkel, and home to beautiful corals, undisturbed colorful fish, and some jellyfish. Be cautious though of the walo-walo or blue-banded coral reef snake; you don’t see them often at day, but they show up at night. +63917/ 841 7771, El Nido Tourism Officer Arvin Acosta. www. elnidotourism.com. Rent a kayak from the tourism office in the town proper for P500/day. Island Transvoyager (www.itiair.com) has daily

Nostalgic escape

Sit io R em edios, I locos Nort e

Book a Spanish colonial-designed house at Sitio Remedios, a quaint 18,000sqm village resort in Barangay Victoria, Currimao, Ilocos Norte. Balay Radrillo is a two-storey house built with red bricks produced from Ilocos clay. It has two air-conditioned bedrooms, adorned with locally-woven inabel beddings and curtains for that traditional Ilocano look. The house is furnished using local antique furniture, butaca plantation chairs with elongated armrests, locally-made home accessories and crystal chandeliers. At night, couples can have a candlelit dinner by the secluded beach.

direct flights from Manila to El Nido. From the main town of El Nido, rent a van to Sibaltan from where you can rent a boat ( P200/person)

+63917/ 332 0217. www.sitioremedios.ph. A night stay costs P5,000

going to Bubog Island or paddle all the way from Sibaltan shore.

for two persons inclusive of breakfast and use of amenities. It takes 7-10 hours by land to reach Laoag City.

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B u b o g Is l a n d p h o t o b y F e r d z D e c e n a , H a l o n g B a y p h o t o b y O g g i e R a m o s

T a g a y t a y, c av i t e

Insiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide

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Insider’s Guide

Go up North Bata n e s

Batanes, located at the northernmost part of the Philippines, offers photography experts and enthusiasts stunning landscape sceneries. Join a photo safari and capture unforgettable moments with your partner and spend the night at the Ivuhus Island, a serene, unspoilt island west of Batanes, fringed with a white-sand beach. Pack a tent and camp out. The island is also home to the Stone Boat Shape Burial Site made way back in the 1500s, before the Spanish colonization. Enjoy the sight of cows grazing in the hills. Contact tour guide Joaquin Cantor (+63915/ 555 2747). From Manila, Skyjet Airlines (www.skyjetair.com) flies directly to Basco, Batanes. From Basco, take a van or jeepney to Radiwan port, a boat from Radiwan port to Sabtang Island, then ride a van from Sabtang port to Barangay Nakanmuan port. Hire a fishing boat from Nakanmuan port to get to Ivuhus Island. For more articles about Batanes, visit www. inflight.ph.

Dinner in a secluded beach

Marvel in Mulu

Leave all your electronic devices, planned itineraries and worries before heading to the uninhabited island of Ipil Beach 2, tucked between Commando Beach and Ipil Beach 1 in El Nido, Palawan. The charming unspoilt beach features a spectacular sunset view, perfect for romantic dinners that can be arranged by the tourism office. Couples may play like castaways and can stay until 10 in the evening. The beach is also blessed with white sand and blue water. It is exceptionally private and quiet compared to its neighboring islands.

Gunung Mulu National Park, situated in the north of Malaysia, is a small land which features remarkable caves, 40- to 50-meter pinnacles or peculiar karstic rock formations and tropical rainforests. Stay in one of the air-conditioned rooms of Royal Mulu Resort, and have a night cruise along Tutoh or Melinau rivers, body surf, hike to the pinnacles or do cave tours.

E l N i d o , Pa l awa n

M a l aysi a

www.royalmuluresort.com. Royal Mulu offers a three-day/two-night package including four meals and four cave tours (Deer, Lang, Wind and Clearwater), and free shuttle service for about RM1,370 (P17,810)

+63917/ 841 7771, El Nido Tourism Officer Arvin Acosta. www.

per couple. Visit www.europcar.com.my for airport transfers. Air Asia

elnidotourism.com. Hire a boat for P2,400 to take you from El Nido

Philippines (www.airasia.com/ph) flies from Manila to Malaysia.

town proper to Ipil Beach 2. Island Transvoyager (www.itiair.com) has

at Sta nley

daily direct flights from Manila to El Nido.

M a r k et in Hong

Guilt free getaway The south side of Hong Kong turtle bay photo by mon corpuz

T u r t l e B a y, P u e r t o P r i n c e s a

Stanley is a picturesque fishing village in the Southern District of Hong Kong with its local market popular for shopping (sells designer brands, jewelry, arts and souvenirs). After shopping, pamper your love’s tummy and senses by taking her to the 160-year old three-storey Murray House, a Victorian architecture with Doric and Ionic columns located behind the end of Stanley Main Street.

It may be a long way down to get to Turtle Bay but it it’s all worth it with what lies ahead of your holiday. Book a stay at Secret Paradise Resort, a 70-hectare nature reserve and marine sanctuary surrounded by four stunning white sand beaches and a three kilometer stretch coastline. There’s an endless chance of finding a secluded spot sheathed by nature at its best. If you’re lucky, you and your partner may chance upon a sea turtle as you take a dip, or see dolphins sheltering by the cove, or witness baby turtle hatchlings come to life.

www.discoverhongkong.com. Prices range from HK $150 (P750)

www.secretparadiseresort.com. Secret Paradise offers an overnight

to HK $260 (P1,300) for two persons. A cab anywhere in Hong

stay with breakfast for two for P4,950. Secret Paradise arranges

Kong is the easiest way around. Or hire a car from the airport (www.

travel from Puerto Princesa to Turtle Bay for P6,200 for two. Fly

hongkonglimousineservice.com). Tiger Airways (www.tigerair.com)

Tiger Air Philippines from Manila to Puerto Princesa City. Visit www.

flies directly from Manila to Hong Kong.

inflight.ph for more on Turtle Bay.

Hong Kong

Shopping

Kong. Left, TURTLE BAY, Pa l awa n

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indulge Ho t el s & r e s or t s | R e s ta ur a n t & b a r r e v ie w s

solaire hotel

Sol aire for All Reasons Giselle Javison finds a hotel worthy of the grandeur of Las Vegas, from oversized marble bathrooms to 24-hour in-room spa

Sol a ir eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay Suite bathroom

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indulge

/hotel & resorts

with white sheets that feel like at least 400 thread count. Strong WiFi. Usual flatscreen and an iPod dock. O t he r R o om s . They say if you need to work out how good a hotel is, then check their underbelly. (www.solaireresort.com/ deluxe-rooms) The website works and it gives you a virtual tour of the standard room. If money’s no object, why not book a P350,000 (about US $8,100) Chairman villa room for a night? F o od. Like everything in this hotel, the restaurants are big — high ceiling and luxurious seating. We ate at the Strip, the house of steak. I ordered rib eye, a Cabassi & Rea Australian Wagyu at 350 grams with thyme honey glazed baby carrots and corn (P6,950), good for two. I ordered a red Malbec (P650 a glass). Full bodied. The steak was served on an iron slab, with bone marrow on the side, and three types of sauce. It was tender and tasty. Not bad. Overall, a fine meal in comfy, curved sofa chairs that cocoon you so you feel like you are in your own world, away from other diners. The bil l . About P10,000 for two.

room 612

ir s t imp r e s s io n. I stepped out of my taxi cab to catch the sight of a long queue right outside the hotel lobby glass doors — locals and Asian Chinese, dressed in t-shirts and jeans, mostly women. It looked like a gathering of 18-year-olds. Big black cars were ahead of us, like a train of M15s, your British secret service. Two red carpets were laid out, manned by two sets of scanners. A big black labrador was doing its police rounds. Soon as I walk in the door, I felt like I landed in Stanley Ho’s Macau Island. Gambling city greets me. About 80 meters from the entrance were gaming machines and card tables, occupied by a mix of locals and mostly Chinese clientele. In fact, the whole of the ground floor is occupied by this humongous train of a casino and its various offerings. Majority of casino guests are all very casual with people walking in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops. Lots of selfies and picture snapping too by the floral arrangement at the reception. Perhaps the VIP room would be more James Bond?

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C he c k in. Fast and efficient. C onc ie r ge . Efficient and chatty. “Do you get a lot of Chinese?” I ask. “Yes, mostly Chinese, from Hong Kong, China, all over”. “So how long do they stay on average?” “Sometimes three days, one week, sometimes one month. When they lose in the millions, like 5 million a night we sometimes give them complimentary rooms.” R o om. I am booked in a deluxe room by the bay, Solaire’s standard room category. I agree with the pr talk, there’s nothing standard about Solaire’s standard. It’s all spanking new, comfortable, and spacious. Lots of storage space and no scarcity of hangers. Love the oversized marble bathroom, with space for a separate bath and shower, proper lighting, and ample shelves for clothes and toiletries, and Kohler fittings. I just get the feeling that amenities are geared at a male clientele — Imperial leather soap, big safe deposit box, more than the usual liquor offering in the mini bar. Bed is comfortable enough,

The S pa . If massage is your thing, then don’t leave without having one. I had an in-room service Swiss signature massage for an hour. I rank it 9 out of 10. There are about 23 masseuse at any one time in this hotel, available 24/7. V e r dic t. A good hotel, with quality restaurants. Everything’s new and clean, and you get the feeling that no expense has been spared. The public area toilets have brabantia bins, hygiene covers for the toilet seat, and luxe feel.

E s sen t i a l s Solaire is adjacent to Mall of Asia’s new Entertainment City. The best rate can be as low as P12,200 NET for an overnight stay for two (breakfast excluded) for the deluxe room with city view. URL: www.solaireresort.com Tel: +632/ 888 8888

photos courtesy of solaire hotel

Sol a ir e’s

R e s ta ur a n t S e r v ic e . Friendly and efficient. Our waiter knew what to recommend and what wine to pair with our food.

/hotel & resorts

SE D A H o t e l

A silken stay

From prompt bell service to modern restful rooms, this new hotel at the Fort does what it says Cl ock wise from lef t K ing room; pool; Str a ight Up Roofdeck Ba r

some of my local Filipino favorites, but the international/continental side had most everything a business traveller would want. O t he r a me ni t ie s . There’s Misto restaurant, a gym, rooftop bar, and pool, and function room up to 265 people, a club floor. The up s ide . I’ve slept very well in this hotel so I give it thumbs up. The hotel is walking distance to hundreds of stores and retail outlets of Bonifacio High Street, a better area than crowded Makati because of the air quality.

ir s t imp r e s s io n. The taxi driver didn’t know where Seda was so we had to give directions. The almost trafficless streets of “The Fort” — what locals call the posh Bonifacio Global City urban development — was easy to navigate and we quickly found the hotel along 11th Avenue. Concierge was ready to help with the bags. Always a good sign. The hotel is all concrete and glass, modern, business like, crisp and clean. A tall giraffe wire mesh sculpture stands by the entrance. It’s by artist Amy Pamintuan. Some furnishings by Kenneth Cobonque and art by Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

R o om. The deluxe double room reminded me of a more upmarket Novotel in Europe, chic, fresh, and has everything you’d need. What was striking however was the view of the Fort from my huge glass window. At night, there’s the city lights from afar and in the morning, sunlight streaming in to wake you up, a great cure for jetlag. Blackout curtains do a good job so not to worry. Comfy bed, nice crisp white sheets, synthetic fiber pillows. Bathroom was pretty standard. W iF i a nd g a d ge t s . Strong WiFi signal, a media panel with universal adaptor, flatscreen TV, mini fridge, kettle, and an e-lounge.

E s sen t i a l s

C he c k in. Paperless, tablet registration, no fuss.

F o od & Dr ink . Excellent and prompt room service. Good food. The menu did not have

Tel: +632/ 945 8888

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The d o w n s ide . Engineering should take care of the buzzing exhaust in the bathroom. It’s something easily sorted. V e r dic t. Recommended.

Rates start at P7,155 (US $166) for a deluxe room with breakfast for two. URL: www.sedahotels.com

photos courtesy of seda hotel

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/beauty & wellness

beauty and wellness

All Girls’ Holiday Makeover

Take time off from everyday life with an all girls’ hotel staycation, complete with a makeover in time for the New Year, says Giselle Javison H a ir st y list Philippe Tor djm a n w ith favor ite cli ent, for m er US Fir st L a dy a nd now US chi ef of sta ff Hill a ry Clinton. R ight, M y thic oil tr e atm ent

t’s the start of another holiday countdown, frantically ticking off gift lists and planning that Christmas dinner. And then it’s eat and drink yourself stupid. And just before the New Year it’s panic time — eyebags from too many late nights and too much alcohol, frizzy hair, tired, stressed, sallow skin, feeling bloated. We can’t do much to battle the years, but we can slow down the partying and take care of ourselves. This year, I’ve started the physical spruce up early, dragging cousin and bff Leny with me for an all-girls’ weekend hotel staycation.

and pools, a gathering of palm fronds. So, yes, this will be our urban oasis for the weekend. We are booked at the Sofitel Suite which has a private wrap-around balcony with views of the garden and pools, and the Manila Bay. At 84sqm, there is ample room for sleep, work, and lounging around. Having booked at about 3pm, sadly there was no room for lounging. Our schedule included hair salon, Le Spa, and Vietura skin treatments. So the indulgence begins.

Vortex of bliss

Celebrity hair stylist Philippe Tordjman, he of the Philippe Tordjman Le Salon, looks at me with serious, piercing eyes, asking lifestyle questions. After a brief minute or so, he asked, “Would you like your hair straight?” Then he explained to me that he was thinking of a more expensive treatment than I had in mind, a L’Oreal steam bond that would smooth out hair without it looking like the straight stiff hair of the rebonding era. “I promise you you won’t regret it. Yor hair will come out nice and shiny,” he said. Who am I to argue? He styles hair of the likes of US chief of state Hillary Clinton, Antonio Banderas, Meg Ryan, and Melanie Griffith. L’Oreal steam bonding uses a high pressure steam system with Keratin that smooths your hair while caring for it. It would mean anywhere from three to four hours in the hair salon chair, but with my

Our heaven for the weekend is the 609-room Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, an iconic hotel that has housed royalties and celebrities since the 70s. Its architect, national artist for architecture Leandro Locsin, created a sprawling hotel built along Manila’s famous Manila Bay. Another national artist, Ildefonso Santos, designed the hotel’s tropical gardens and pools with unrivalled bay area views. This is one hotel where you will not be in any doubt that you are in tropical Philippines — from receptionists clad in the mestiza dress national costume who greet you as you walk in the front doors, the bamboo and tropical plants in the lobby lounge, capiz shell chandeliers, and through the glass windows looking out at the gardens

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Hair love

Philip Tordjman salon, Le Sofitel

cousin Leny sitting in the next chair — she is having her hair colored — dishing out all the juicy gossip I’ve missed about people we know, the hours went by pretty quickly. What is also great about having your hair done in a hotel salon is that you could order “room service”. I ordered spring rolls, less messy to eat while people buzz around you. There are two areas in the salon and my chair faces a glass wall that looks out to the hotel garden, pool, and the Manila Bay sky. Jessica, Philippe’s right hand senior stylist, was tasked with the steam bond job. She was chatty in the right kind of way and made me feel at ease. And so I handed myself over to her and Philippe’s skilled hands. The process was pretty much like any hair treatment — shampoo, application of steam bond ingredients patch by patch, high pressure steam bond, and just lots of waiting, and then the final wash and dry. The result was naturally straight, shiny hair. No hair wash and shampoo for three days. “I will send the fashion police to check up on you,” said Philippe jokingly. A week after the steam bond, you could do your usual color or highlight. Highlights are far kinder to your hair than an overall color. To maintain the steam bond, result, use L’Oreal Mythic hair shampoo and conditioner and Mythic oil. After a month, my hair is still nicely straight and shiny, requiring only a quick blow dry. I am a convert and will happily spend to have a steam bond retouch after a year.

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/beauty & wellness

If you suffer from dry, frizzy hair, and devil-may-care attitude to hair care then this could be your savior. Say goodbye to frantic blow drys, straightening irons, and straightening creams. V e r dic t: Will highly recommend to a friend. P r i c e : P8,000 (about US $186), depending on the length of your hair. Philippe Tordjman Le Salon is at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. Book at +63917/ 854 6954 or +632/ 832 6954. Visit www. philippetordjmanlesalon.com.

Weekend de-stress L e Spa , L e S o f i t e l

From a day of hair styling, it was straight to Le Spa at 9am the following morning for an hour of signature body massage with Leny. We were booked in a double room, with two separate massage beds. The treatment started with a foot bath and scrub, then on to the massage bed for a combination massage. It was totally relaxing and I came out with my skin nicely moisturized. The salon uses Themae products — a choice between almond oil or balm. If you have a bit more time, go for a top-totoe pampering, starting with a steam bath, a 60-minute facial, 60-minute hotstone rolling, 90-minute manicure and pedicure and a blow dry at Philippe Tordjman Le Salon which is just next door. Or start your New Year detox with a colonics hydrotherapy and a relaxing signature massage at Le Spa. www.sofitelmanila.com/en/le-spa.

De-stress, detox, non-surgical faclift V i et u r a , L e Sofit el

You can’t do anything about aging, but you can plump up that skin for a day or two or even a year, just before the big festive day and if you are up to it, sign on for Vietura’s non-surgical facelift. The latest offering at Vietura to plump up and tighten saggy skin is Resonax. It will take 15 to 30 minutes of treatment for three to four weeks for the results to show. It starts with application of Resonax

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patches, high frequency energy emitters, on areas needing treatment, claimed to promote collagen and elastin. I had a 15-minute try with the patches, with the nurse showing the difference to my old skin. Since the process was not complete, it was hard to tell if it works. However, the skin stimulation, and prior facial treatment, gave my face a glow. Another non-surgical treatment that Vietura says is quite hot these days is platelet rich plasma. It sounds a little bit more radical — your own processed blood will be injected to depressed areas such as your eyebags, crow’s feet, nasolabial fold, marionette lines, neck, hands, and even balding areas. This promises to smoothen even the deepest wrinkles and results can be seen after one treatment. S k inc a r e t ip : This is a good place to buy your skincare cleansers, moisturizers, and facial creams.

Find out more at www.vietura.com. Vietura is currently offering a Sofitel-Vietura Detox weekend de-stress package including colonics hydrotherapy. It comes with a three-day, two-night stay with breakfast for two.

Be merry

Sp i r a l , L e S o f i t e l

After all that body and face indulgence, it was time for some girl time and long chats at Spiral restaurant, Sofitel’s hugely successful food and drink outlet. If you’re a Manilan, you would have heard all about it. Spiral has 21 dining ateliers, offering different ranges of cuisine from Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Italian, and what have you. There is even a separate room of just cheeses and delicatessen. If this isn’t food heaven, I don’t know what is. Since this is a “beautification stay,” I’ve

set the rules — stick as much as possible to fish and vegetables. And so during our stay we had our fair share of Japanese sushi, sashimi, miso soup, and salads. The only stumbling block to this diet is what seemed like a dedicated waiter assigned to our table. Instead of walking over to the buffet tables, the waiter kept on serving us small plates of “bestseller/recommended dishes” to try. He was so kind, we had to say yes to Peking Duck, and some Chinese dimsum. To give due credit to the chefs and people behind Spiral, the place is almost fully booked. During our meal, assistant food and beverage chef Matthieu Chapuis came over to introduce himself and invite us for a drink at Le Bar and wine tasting after dinner. Seeing as we are both tired, we arranged to meet the following day instead at lunch. www.sofitelmanila.com/en/spiral.

L aughter and Drink at Wine Tasting l e ba r , L e Sofit el

Okay, so wine isn’t part of the makeover stay, but we hear laughter and a glass of Piñot Noir is the best for you. So we bow to the medics. Sofitel occasionally launches Spiral promos that include wine tasting in a small private area made open to diners. While we promised to just drop by for a drink or two with Matthieu, we ended up staying for an impromptu party. The good news is I’ve discovered a Piñot Noir that was quite pleasant — a Gevrey Chambertin 2007. According to good old Google, “Gevrey-Chambertin is the largest wine-producing village in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or, with its vineyards spilling over into the next door commune of Brochon. The classic Gevrey Chambertin is typically deeper

in colour, firmer in body and more tannic in structure than most red Burgundy. The best can develop into the richest, most complete and long-lived Pinot Noir in the world.” Matthieu is from Burgundy and he says this Gevrey Chambertin from Maison Bouchard pere et fils is his favourite and “the taste of my hometown and my family cellar full of great Burgundy”. Matthieu’s best red wine: Chateau Léoville Poyferré, from Bordeaux, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, and cabernet franc (main varietals for red wine in Bordeaux). Full bodied, very complex and powerful wine with a great freshness and purity in the black fruit aromas. So go on, make a quick getaway for a weekend escape!

Cl ock wise from lef t, this spr e ad: V i etur a Ultr a Sli m Tight; Le Spa’s Th em a e tr e atm ent; Spir a l’s ch eese collection; a nd Le Ba r

www.sofitelmanila.com/en/le-bar.

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/Restaurant & bars

Restaur ant

Lorenzo’s Way

Monica De Leon finds her old Filipino favorites at a modern Filipino restaurant at Bonifacio High Street Lor enzo’s Way Bonifacio High Str eet br a nch R ight, costillas de ter ner a guisa do or br a ised beef short r ibs cook ed in r ed w ine sauce, v egeta bles a nd oli v es

photos b y d a n i e l s o r i a n o

e t t in g . Lorenzo’s Way is designed in contemporary Filipino. There’s al fresco seating, with rattan woven chairs and tables overlooking BHS’ expansive pavilion. Inside, it’s all warm and elegant, made so by the all-wood interior against subdued lighting, and hardwood tables and leather upholstered chairs in different earthen tones. A large divider displays the restaurant’s wine collections and espresso machine. At the far end of the main dining is an attractive bar. Paintings of native women, accent terracotta walls, and glass pendant lamps punctuate the interior. F o od. On the menu are Filipino and Spanish dishes, a collection of the Larry J

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Cruz (LJC) group of restaurants’ bestsellers and Lorenzo’s Way’s signature dishes. Try the sabaw ng halaan at buko, a clam soup that uses fresh buko juice instead of the usual seasoned water, combined with slices of young coconut meat, ginger and chili leaves; the squid sautéed in pancit sotanghon, the tasty squid melding well with the flavors of garlic, chopped sour kamias, pork cracklings and parsley; the costillas de ternera guisado or braised beef short ribs, slow cooked in red wine sauce, vegetables and olives, my favorite. The meat is tender it falls off the bone. Another dish to try is kare-kare klab, oxtail, tripe and vegetables in rich peanut gravy and served with homemade shrimp paste. For dessert, try gigil tart, a concoction

made of fresh coconut milk, and homemade custard topped with syrup. For something Filipino, go for the espesyal na turon, deep fried banana, yam and jackfruit wrapped in lumpia wrapper. For drinks, try the mojito for cocktails, or the traditional cup of warm chocolate — order “chocolate eh” if you want it thick, or “chocolate ah” if not so thick. s e r v ic e . Warm and professional, and clued on. P r ic e s . A full course meal for two with drinks is from P1,100 to P1,400 (US $26$33). V e r dic t. Can’t wait to try other items on the menu.

E s sen t i a l s Upper Ground Level, C2, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue cor 29th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. URL: www.ljcrestaurants.com.ph/ lorenzos-way Tel: +632/ 621 3163

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Helicon TecHnology, corp. Unit 306, La O' Center Building, 1000 Arnaiz Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, Philippines 1223 Tel. No. : (+632) 849 0280

Fax: (+632) 849 2804

www.helicontechnology.com

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/Restaurant & bars

Restaur ant

SARSA Kitchen+Bar

Celebrity chef Jayps Anglo’s newly opened restaurant is talk of the town lately. Monica De Leon tells us why photos b y d a n i e l s o r i a n o SAR SA K itch en+Ba r’s moder n Filipino inter ior . R ight, lechon pa nca k es

e t t in g . The restaurant’s façade is nothing fancy but the modern Filipino interior sets a vibrant dining ambience. The use of natural wood is prominent. Rattan woven lamps are hung from the ceiling, stretching from the entrance to the partially-opened kitchen. Both sides of the dining are flanked by two-toned couches, adding a pop of color to the otherwise monotone interior. The flooring is a fun mix of cement, hardwood and random vintage tiles. The restaurant can accommodate about 50-60 people at a time.

F o od . Bacolod food is the inspiration behind the menu of SARSA Kitchen+Bar, which dishes owner/chef and Bacolodborn JP “Jayps” Anglo loves. Sarsa (sauce

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in Filipino) uses select ingredients, condiments and signature sauces to compliment the dishes. The lechon pancakes, Chef Jayps’ take on the duck pancakes, are to die for. The lechon kawali wrapped with garnishes is crisp, and goes well with the hoisin sauce. The wrapper used is freshly made, with a hint of saltiness, taking inspiration from the piayaya, another Bacolod delicacy. Another item to try is Chef Jayps’ healthy take on the tortang talong or eggplant omelet. Instead of ground meat, Chef Jayps uses sardines, tops it with kesong puti (white cheese) and grilled tomatoes, and serves it with two sauces — pinakurat vinegar, a highly spiced local vinegar, and banana ketchup with chili. The chicken inasal or chicken grilled the Ilongo way tastes good,

served with soy or chicken oil or sinamak vinegar — also a highly spiced local vinegar — as dipping sauce. The kansi, beef shank cooked for several hours with spices and batuan — a souring agent — is good, with the beef and tendons falling off the bone. However the soup’s a little too salty for my palate. s e r v ic e . Friendly, prompt, with the chef/ owner himself attending to tables when it’s full house. In spite of its recent opening only last October, the place now can get very busy and to avoid long queues, call ahead for reservations. P r ic e s . A full course meal excluding drinks costs about P700 (about US $19) per person. V e r dic t. Good food at a reasonable price.

E s sen t i a l s 7th Avenue corner Federation Drive, South Forum BGC, Taguig City URL: www.facebook.com/ sarsakitchen Tel: +63927/ 706 0773

Travellers' Quick Guide

inside: p60 Airport | p61 airlines | p61 Travel agents & tour operators

Jet airplane landing at sunset photo by Stephen Strathdee/ iStockphoto

p61 transportation | plus important Contacts, manila tours, post and communications

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T r av e l l e r ’ s q u i c k g u i d e

Getting There Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City is the entry point for most international flights coming into the Philippines. It has four passenger terminals.

operated by Cebu Pacific airline, Air Asia Philippines' budget airline, Air Asia Zest and Philippine Airlines’ low cost carrier, PAL Express and ANA. Terminal 3 is located at Andrews Avenue in Pasay, about a kilometer away from entertainment hub, Resorts World Manila.

NA I A Ter mina l 4's a r r i va l

Airport Terminal 1. Situated at the Ninoy Aquino Avenue serving mostly long-haul international operations. The terminal handles about 1,800 departing international flights a month, and has spacious Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) lounge and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Labor Assistance Center (LAC).

NA I A Ter mina l 2

Terminal 4. Situated on the Domestic Road in Pasay is the oldest landing field of the NAIA complex. It accommodates both domestic operations of airlines Tiger Airways and Air Asia Zest. Terminal 4 recently renovated and expanded its interior structures, adding more Bureau of Customs stations and check-in counters. In a month, it handles about 1,200 departing domestic operations.

Terminal 2. A 75,000sqm terminal located at the Old MIA Road in Pasay City. Originally built as a domestic hub, it now serves Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) international and domestic flights. The terminal has two levels, with the North wing handling international flights, and the South wing, domestic flights. It accommodates almost 1,100 departing international flights a month. Terminal 2 is more spacious and modern than the old Terminal 1. PAL recently renovated its Mabuhay Lounge in the terminal for its VIP passengers.

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA). Run by Clark International Airport Corporation is a one-terminal modern aviation complex with two parallel runways that can easily be extended to four kilometers to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft. DMIA handles flights by low cost carriers such as Cebu Pacific, Tiger Airways, PAL Express and Air Asia Zest, among others. It handles about a million domestic and international arrivals yearly. VISAS. Australians, Europeans, Canadians and Americans visiting for 21 days or less are not required to obtain a Philippine visa.

NA I A Ter mina l

classified ads

Place your ad here Terminal 3. A 65-hectare passenger terminal, handling almost 2 million passengers yearly. It’s the newest and the biggest terminal of the four terminals, handling domestic and international flights to most South East Asian destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand

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airport terminal photos by mark aiven antang

3's a r r i va l a r e a

T r av e l l e r ’ s q u i c k g u i d e

The airlines

Travel agents and tour operators

SEAIR International (SEAIR I) is relaunching as a premium leisure carrier in December 2013, initially relaunching direct flights to Caticlan using the Dornier 328, a state-of-the-art aircraft able to do short take offs and landings. Call +632/ 849 0100 Book online at www.flyseair.com

Baron Travel Call +632/ 817 4926 Email: baron_main@barontravel.com.ph Url: www.barontravel.ph

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the national flag carrier and Asia’s first airline, having been founded in March 1941. PAL operates domestic and international flights, covering Asia, the Middle East, Europe and America. 24-hour reservations hotline in Manila: +632/ 855 8888 For Mabuhay (Business) Class, Mabuhay Miles Elite and Premier Elite Members: +632/ 855 8888 Book online at www1.philippineairlines.com Tigerair, a low cost carrier established in 2004, has under its wing four airlines, including Tigerair Philippines. The four airline groups altogether operate in over 50 destinations across 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region. Call +632/ 798 4488 (Philippines) Book online at www.tigerair.com Air Asia Zest Philippines is the Philippine affiliate of Air Asia Group Berhad based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is also one of the newest airlines in the country, positioned in the market to offers low costs flights for both regional and domestic. Call +632/ 742 2742 Book online at www.airasia.com/ph Cebu Pacific is a leader in low cost local and international flights. It was established in March 1996, initially operating domestically. On November 2011, it opened its doors to the Asian market by offering flights to key Asian destinations. Later on, it started operating long haul flights to Dubai in the UAE. Call +632/ 702 0888 Book online at www.cebupacificair.com Delta Airlines, an American Airline, is one of the world’s largest operating carriers. It operates to some parts of Asia like Japan and Korea, and to Europe, North and South American regions including Hawaii, from Manila. Call +632/ 841 9800 Book online at www.delta.com Thai Airways International, founded in 1960, is the national carrier of Thailand. It caters domestically in Thailand and serves international destinations such as Manila to Europe, America, Australia and Asian regions and vice versa. Call +632/ 580 8424 Book online at www.thaiairways.com.ph

Blue Horizons Travel and Tours Call +632/ 988 5088 Email: info@bluehorizons.travel Url: www.bluehorizons.travel Pan Pacific Travel Call +632/ 243 6666 Email: panpacmakati@gmail.com Url: www.panpacifictravel.com.ph Raja Travel Call +632/ 894 0886 Email: webinquiry@rajahtravel.com Url: www.rajahtravel.com Rakso Travel Call +632/ 812 9667 Email: support@raksotravel.com Url: www.raksotravel.com Triple Star Travel and Tours Call +632/ 843 7308 Email: packages@triplestartravel.ph URL: www.murannglipad.com

Getting Around Arrivals and transfers There are designated stands for metered airport taxis — also known as the yellow taxis — (P70 first flag down rate instead of the standard P40 first flag down rate) right outside each terminal. There’s an influx of arrivals during the holiday month of December so a long queue should not come as a surprise. For ease of travel and if you don’t mind the extra cost, rent a car (about P1,500 pick-up, drop off arrangement). Most hotels have a pick-up service. For hotel recommendations, log on to www.inflight.ph.

transportations Philippine Chauffeur Limousine Services is a licensed private transportation company. It provides top of the line luxury chauffeured limousines for airport transfers, business/executive travel, and transport for corporate events. Other services it offers are airline ticketing, leisure packaged tours, and travel arrangements for weddings. Call at +6345/ 499 3119 Url: www.philippinelimo.com/en

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T r av e l l e r ’ s q u i c k g u i d e

R33 Limo Service offers luxury limousine rentals for any occasions and services such as airport to hotel, weddings, and bar hoppings. Call at +632/ 434 8819 Url: www.r33limo.com

Manila is a medical tourism hotspot, hosting some of the hospitals that have advanced facilities and excellent services. Some of Manila's top-notch hospitals are: Makati Medical Center (www.makatimed.net.ph) located at 2 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City

Realship Corporation is a yacht chartering company that provides yacht rentals for transportation or event venue. It has 5-star onboard amenities that can host a romantic dinner for two, luxurious family outings, or posh evening parties. Call at +632/ 832 5424 Url: www.realshipcorp.com

Asian Hospital Medical Center (www.asianhospital. com) on Civic Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Carfield Tourist Transport is one of the most established car and van hire companies, with new and well maintained fleet, and reliable friendly drivers. The company specializes in tours also. Call at +632/ 853 5331 Url: www.carfieldtransportinc.com

Manila Tours

St. Lukes Medical Center Global City (www. stlukesmedicalcenter.com.ph) on Rizal Drive corner, Bonifacio Global City, 32nd St. Taguig, it also has a branch in Quezon City.

Wa lk This Way

Important Contacts Department of Tourism (Manila Office) T.F. Valencia Circle, T.M. Kalaw St., Rizal Park, Manila Trunkline: +632/ 523 8411 Email: webmaster@tourism.gov.ph Url: www.tourism.gov.ph Department of Tourism (Makati Office) 351 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Email: ncr@tourism.gov.ph; tourist_info@tourism.gov.ph Url: itsmorefuninthephilippines.com NAIA Airport Andrews Avenue, Pasay City Call at +632/ 832 2964; 551 0698 Url: www.miaa.gov.ph NAIA Lobby Call at +632/ 952 2191; 852 1165

Medical Services

Old Manila Walks is operated by a bunch of passionate street walkers who will take you for a tour at Manila’s Chinatown and of the Malacanang Palace Museum, and a cruise at the Manila Bay. Call +632/ 711 3823 Url: www.oldmanilawalks.com Walk This Way is founded by performance artist Carlos Celdran. He’ll take you to an unusual way of seeing the beauty of the walled city, Intramuros; and other historical sites in Manila. Call +632/ 484 4945 Url: www.celdrantours.blogspot.com Sun Cruises will serenade you with an acoustic band while eating your dinner and cruising along the Manila Bay. Url: www.correigidorphilippines.com

M edica l Center Globa l Cit y

Cost, Money and Communication Money. Philippine peso is the currency used in the Philippines, and money exchange services are widely available in shopping malls, airport terminals, and commercial areas of key cities. The currencies in the Philippines are centavo and peso (P). 100 centavo = P1. Coin dominations are 5, 10 and 25 centavos, P1, P5 and P10. Bill dominations are 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. Currency exchange, traveller’s cheques. Exchange money or encash traveller’s cheques at any branch of Banco de Oro (BDO, www.bdo.com.ph), Metrobank (www.metrobank. com.ph) and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI; www.bpi.com.

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walk this way tour photo by jocas a. see

St. Luk es

T r av e l l e r ’ s q u i c k g u i d e

S e e t h e P h i l i pp i n e s through the eyes of locals. ph). Most malls such as the Ayala Malls (www.ayalamalls.com. ph), SM Supermalls (www.smsupermalls.com) and Robinson’s malls (www.robinsonsmalls.com) have money changer outlets. ATM machines are available anywhere and most are located at banks’ facades and inside the shopping malls.

Post and communications Manila Central Post Office is the country’s main mail office. Philippine Coastal Corporation, Liwasan Bonifacio Plaza, Lawton, Manila Call +632/ 527 2751

Visit us at

www.inflight.ph y o u r i n s i d e r ’ s g u i d e t o t h e P h i l i pp i n e s

Muntinlupa Post Office 2/F Alabang Public Market, National Road, Alabang, Muntinlupa City Call +632/ 775 0680 Quezon City Hall Post Office Quezon City Hall, Circumferential Road, Quezon City Call +632/ 922 8142

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special feature

What’s on your Christmas table? “Being a vegetarian, I have had to alter my traditional English Christmas dinners slightly to accommodate my lifestyle. I have a tofu roast, with roast potatoes and parsnips, and cauliflower au gratin as a special treat. Christmas has always been steeped in British tradition as my Dad is English. I can usually get everything I need from SANTIS DELICATESSEN (www.santis-deli. com) and Healthy Options (www. healthyoptions.com.ph).”

Amanda Griffin-Jacob Founder/CEO of Glam-O-Mamas www.glamomamas.com

“Every 24th I’m always busy serving about 500 guests in my restaurant. After that I go to mass with my family and head to our father’s house. For our Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner), we always have pandesal from the Manila Peninsula (www.peninsula. com/Manila), Majestic ham (www. majestic-ham.com) and queso de bola (edam cheese), macaroni salad and hot chocolate prepared by our yaya Chu who’s been with us for almost 40 years, and duman (young glutinuous rice from Pampanga), which we pair with the hot chocolate made with cocoa powder, milk and peanut butter for thick texture — Guagua style.”

Chef Jay Gamboa Executive Chef Cirkulo and Milky Way Restaurants www.cafe.milkywayrestaurant.com

From yummy lechon to traditional local cheese, celebrities tell us where they get their festive food by C i e l o F l o r e s

“I always have lamb roast with mint jelly. I’m an Australian, and my Mom makes it every Christmas, so this dish reminds me of home. Instead of having turkey, I make lamb roast because I choose to be reminded of home in Australia since I’m not there for Christmas. I have a lot of dishes for Christmas Eve but I will always have lamb roast. I buy the meat at Brera Delicatessen (www.facebook.com/ BreraDelicatessenAcacia) in Acacia Estates.”

Ma r c N e l s o n

Alano always prepares refrigerator cake (a pastry made using Graham crackers, allpurpose cream and sweetener) with Nips (local chocolate candies) particularly for me. It really has a sentimental value because I’ve always loved Nips since I was a kid. My relatives also prepare traditional Filipino dishes such as afritada (pork or chicken cooked in tomato sauce), lechon (roast pig) — ingredients bought from the public market in Batangas — ham and queso de bola (edam cheese), which are usually given to us.”

K at Alano Singer/Songwriter www.facebook.com/kat.alano.1

www.facebook.com/marcsawnelson

“After the whole family attends mass, we head to my house for the Noche Buena. We always get a supply of Fiesta Ham from CDO (www.cdo. com.ph), and we buy lechon at Zemy’s Lechon in Marilao, Bulacan. We also always have spaghetti, queso de bola and hot chocolate — I buy the chocolate tablea from Shopwise, Libis (www.shopwise. com.ph).”

C e l y Sa r a b i a www.hotelceleste.ph

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Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion (www.livestream.com/ basilicabatangascity). My cousin, Elaine

TV Host

Hotel Celeste owner

“I always go home to Batangas City to celebrate Christmas with my family. We always have bibingka and puto bungbong and buy it at the

“I always celebrate Christmas with my family in Bacolod. Basically, we’ll have lechon (roast pig). It’s my favorite Filipino dish. I get it from Enting’s Special of Sagay (Enting Lobaton, +6334/ 432 2192). I like my lechon salty, very Cebu style, and for me, Enting does the best lechon. He makes bespoke lechon.”

Chef Jayps Anglo Owner, SARSA Kitchen+Bar www.facebook.com/sarsakitchen