Issue 4 Christmas Special

FILIPINOE XPAT LI V ING IN EUROPE Issue 4 - Dec 2013

FREE

COVER STORY

INSIDE Pasko back home

Your guide to a wonderful, white Christmas

Shop Get lost in Germany’s Weihnachtsmarkt Tips Cool gift items Delicious Noche Buena feast Travel Rediscovering Baguio Plus!

Philippines’ unspoiled beaches

Exclusive:

Robin Padilla visits Amsterdam

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The Filipino Expat Magazine

Contents

Expat Issues

8 Undocumented kababayans in Spain, the Netherlands and London reveal their struggles against stricter migrant policies in Europe.

Relationships

12 Perpie Poblador shares tips on how to have a romantic and fuss-free wedding in Denmark

Parenting

15 Get some insights on how to raise intercultural children

Health and Beauty

16 How to beat the winter blues 18 Indoor exercises for the cold weather

Shopping

22 Gift ideas for Christmas

Cover story

24 Five countries that you should visit this winter season

Features

28 Filipinos in Barcelona tell how to celebrate Christmas the Pinoy way 29 Poet Angelica van Doorn details different Christmas traditions that her family observes 31 Know how we celebrate Christmas in the Philippines

On the cover:

The winter season means snow, glühwein, skiing holidays and Christmas. The Filipino Expat hopes to bring you the unique Filipino warmth in this issue.

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Personalities

42 Filipino actor Robin Padilla brings joy to kababayans in Amsterdam

Expat interviews

44 Radio host Ana Lynn Bjørnstad shares the challenges she has to overcome as an expat in Norway

Mouth-watering recipes for the Holidays

Travel 26 Things to do in Germany’s popular Christmas markets 27 Tips on planning a European group tour 32 Experience the cold season in Baguio City 34 Undicovered Philippine beaches you should visit now

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Readers’ Corner

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A note from the editor

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Contributors’ page

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Events

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READERs' CORNER FILIPINO

E X PAT LIVING IN EUROPE

The Filipino Expat likes to hear from our readers. Keep on sending your thoughts and comments to editor@thefilipinoexpat.com.

Publisher

Dheza Marie Aguilar

Editor-in-Chief

Diana Uy editor@thefilipinoexpat.com

Managing Editor

Dheza Marie Aguilar

Creative Director Robin Kuijs

Congratulations! I hope to read more of your magazine. We were expats for eight years and I can truly understand and feel how your magazine will inspire the readers. We just moved to the USA this year, but not as expats. But again I truly like how your magazine attracts readers. Thank you.

- Marino Perez, USA

How to become a SMARTer Overseas Filipino Investor, published on Thefilipinoexpat.com I am a teacher in Tokyo, Japan. I have always dreamt of having my own school that offers quality education to young children in our country. I finished my degree in Queensland, Australia. I ended up in Japan because I feel in love with country particularly the safety and security that one can feel here. But my passion is still for Filipino kids. I was encouraged by your article [published online]. And I enjoyed your magazine too. It is very informative especially for us Filipinos abroad. It is very professional. There’s nothing like this in Japan. I wish to read more, and please keep me updated through email.

- Tess Poblador, Tokyo, Japan Social Benefit Convention between Spain and the Philippines The article is very informative. Thank you, Attorney Tenorio and The Filipino Expat for this substantial information.

-Maria Kristine Fleischhacker, online reader

Free legal advice – Partnership of TFE and Habeas Corporation Excellent article on Chona Abiertas Tenorio and her team Habeas Corporation. Very recommended!

-Donna AG, online reader

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Follow us on Twitter : @thefilipinoexpat

Editorial Assistant Lyssa Ericka Cabarles Contributing Writers: Ed Biado, Perpie Claes-Poblador, Maan Pamaran D’Asis, Ana Angelica Van Doorn, Rose Ann Esquibil, Lana Kristine Flores, Pieter van Overbeeke, Deepa Paul, Patrick Camara Ropeta, Rica Unico Santos, and Nats Sisma Villaluna Contributing Photographers: Pranz Kaeno Billones, Sonny Dimaculangan, Alex de Vera Dizon, Camilla Jørvad and Clifford T. Badongen Advertising Managers Dexter Matilla (Philippines) Rhea Topacio-Rogacion (Europe)

The Filipino Expat Magazine Published 6 times a year

By The Filipino Expat

The opinions expressed in The Filipino Expat magazine do not represent the views of The Filipino Expat company. While we have exhausted every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, neither The Filipino Expat nor its editors, contributors and staff will accept any responsibility for any omission, typographical or printing errors, inaccuracies or changes however caused. Our editorial and creative teams reserve the right to edit any material submitted at our discretion. All texts, photos and graphics have been used with the permission of the author or artists. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be duplicated or reproduced in a whole in any form or by any means without the publisher’s prior written permission.

Comments and complaints should be addressed to: The Publisher The Filipino Expat Magazine Lorentzlaan 74 3112KP Schiedam The Netherlands Telephone +31 (0) 624407692 Email publisher@thefilipinoexpat.com advertising@thefilipinoexpat.com Website www.thefilipinoexpat.com

EDITOR'S LETTER

The time for merrymaking, sharing of joy and gift-giving is finally here.

For Filipinos, the Yuletide season is the most anticipated and exciting part of the year. In fact, the Philippines is known to have the longest celebration of Christmas in the world, starting the preparations as early as September.

Why is that? Christmas to us is a flurry of activities that include decorating our homes with colorful lights and lanterns, prettifying the Christmas tree in the living room, planning reunions or get-togethers, making our Christmas checklist, shopping for presents, and best of all partaking of a feast surrounded by family and/or relatives particularly on Christmas Eve. Our penchant for celebrating Christmas in a big and festive way could be attributed to our diverse influences, largely from Spanish colonizers. We’ve been doing it since time immemorial and we’re still doing it with as much pomp and pizzazz today.

To our dear readers, however you are planning your Christmas and whichever traditions you follow, The Filipino Expat is here to guide you in making the most of the holidays. The idea is to give you more options on what to do whether you are staying in Europe or planning to spend Christmas in the Philippines.

We have features on the different ways people celebrate Christmas, travel stories from Europe and the Philippines, a list of Pinoy favorites during Noche Buena as well as gift suggestions. We even included tips on getting fit during the cold season.

And how could we forget our exclusive interview with famous Filipino actor Robin Padilla? Contributing writer Pieter van Overbeeke writes how Robin, the original “bad boy” of Philippine cinema, charmed Filipina fans during his recent visit in Amsterdam on page 42.

FilExpat writer and actor Pieter van Overbeeke with Robin Padilla and veteran actor Michael de Mesa hanging out at the set of of the upcoming movie ‘10,000 Hours’.

On another note, The Filipino Expat is greatly saddened by the latest tragedy that hit the Philippines. We join our kababayans worldwide in praying for the victims as well as the quick recovery and rehabilitation of devastated communities and provinces left behind by super typhoon Yolanda (international code name: Haiyan).

Those who want to help, turn to page 45 for the list of accredited agencies that accept donations and relief efforts. It might be a bleak time for the victims to celebrate Christmas this year, but we can at least put a smile on their faces this Season of Joy. All the best,

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contributors

Pieter van Overbeeke runs a private tour group based in Amsterdam. He is a popular figure in the Filipino community in the Netherlands because he speaks Tagalog fluently and is involved in many Deepa Paul is a freelance writer living in Filipino activities. He has also played in several Amsterdam with her Filipino husband, seven Filipino films. Overbeeke lives in Hoofdoorp with month-old daughter and Singaporean cat. She his Filipina wife and their daughter. blogs about everyday life, travel, motherhood and other passions at www.currystrumpet.com. She loves Christmas and would love to know what your favorite Christmas market is!

Patrick Camara Ropeta is a multimedia journalist, photographer, videographer and producer working in print, broadcasting and online media.

He is a trained media artist from Royal Holloway, University of London, and London College of Communication, University of the Arts London.

Based in London, he is interested in art, travel, literature, films, music, theatre, among others. His works appear regularly on ABS-CBN Europe.

Maan Pamaran D’Asis spent all her childhood summers in the Philippines’ City of Pines. She still considers it as one of her all-time favorite destinations and never fails to find another reason to fall in love with this mountain retreat. Even though she is busy beating deadlines and being a mom of four, she always jumps at the chance to visit her Baguio haunts. Scoring fab finds at the night ukay market has become an enjoyable addiction.

Lana Kristine Flores Jelenjev is an early years curriculum innovator, engaged parent and a passionate educator. One of her passions is Rica Unico Santos graduated Bachelor of Languages helping parents and teachers provide meaningful and Culture from the University of Utrecht in learning opportunities in daily interactions at the Netherlands and specializes in international home and in school. She writes about her activities relations, political history, development in the with her children at www.365daysofmotherhood. third world countries and refugee issues. She blogs blogspot.nl and shares her insights on engaging about her life and musings at www.ladyboymirror. activities for teachers, parents and children at com. www.visiblyengaged.com.

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Lyssa Ericka Cabarles is a marketing practioner who also dabbles in writing. She has a small pastry business and training to become a sous chef. She is a book and music lover and volunteers with different organizations trying to make a difference in the lives of other people.

Ed Biado is a Manila-based writer who dabbles in all things mass and social media. He writes a lifestyle column for the Manila Standard Today, edits ALTMNL.com and has been employed by one of the top advertising agencies in the world while freelancing here and there. Follow him on Twitter @EdBiado to read his snarky comments on current events and pop culture.

Rose Ann Esquibil is a fulltime nurse at Revalidation (Orthopedic) Institute. She works with cancer patients recovering from chemotherapy. She gives dance and work out lessons to kids and adults alike at the GM Bodywork at the Evenaar Community Centre in Amsterdam. She hopes to inspire people on living a healthy, active lifestyle.

events Photo Exhibit “A Nation Outside A Nation” – The Hague Opening 9 November 2013, 4pm - 6pm Exhibition until 22 December 2013 Liefhertje en de Grote Witte Reus Stationsweg 137 2515 BM The Hague The Netherlands A Nation Outside A Nation offers a remarkable insight into the labor migration of Filipinos and focuses on the relationships between migrants and their relatives back home. Triggered by a personal quest for the identity of Nadine Stijns’ Philippine in-laws, the exhibit tells tales about family love, inventiveness and traditional values. It also shows the hardships that come with poverty and the inevitable need to look for a brighter future elsewhere.

Nadine Stijns has been working in Asia on projects related to labor migration. Her first book about her work in China was launched last September at the Unseen Photo Fair.

A Nation Outside A Nation is made possible by the support of Enfid NL, a NGO that supports Filipino migrant workers in the Netherlands.

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EXPAT ISSUES

Paperless in Europe: Undocumented workers tell their story “Documento, por favor?”

“Andrea,” an undocumented migrant worker in Barcelona, rans into five police officers who are doing their random inspection inside a train bound to Puigcerda, Catalonia.

With her heart pounding hard in her chest, she calmly explains in broken Spanish that she left her passport as well as her Spanish identification card at a house where she was staying as a guest.

She is told to get off the next stop for further questioning. There, the police officers ask for her personal details and one of them even phones her “host” (a.k.a. employer) who tells them that the 25-year-old is indeed a guest in their home.

The police give Andrea the Orden de Expulsion, a document ordering illegal migrants to leave Spain, and let her go. The native of Batangas got back to the train and once inside, she cried.

Two years ago, Andrea arrived in Barcelona right after her contract as an au pair in a Scandinavian country ended. She was ready for an adventure, encouraged by friends who told her that it was easier for undocumented migrant workers to get legal status in Spain as compared to other European countries. But Andrea arrived at the most inopportune time. Spain was experiencing an economic crisis, one of the worst in Europe, that stricter migrant policies were imposed.

“I am now scared of travelling around Spain. I feel like being inside a box. Being illegal is difficult,” Andrea tells The Filipino Expat.

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ccording to reports in 2012, there are about 400,000 to 700,000 illegal immigrants in Spain. Andrea is one of them.

In London, “Cherry” and “Shaylee” are facing the same challenges as Andrea. They are undocumented, constantly hiding from authorities for fear of being deported.

Cherry arrived in the United Kingdom from Qatar, where she worked for a year. Her former employers would abuse her by not giving her enough food as well as letting her work at unreasonable hours. When her employers had a trip to London, she ran away five days into the vacation. She never looked back.

“We only had dates or tamar for breakfast,” Cherry recalls. “Sometimes we could eat rice in the morning, but only if the family had leftovers.

There were times when there was nothing to eat at all, especially on Fridays when our employers would be out because it’s their day off,” shares Cherry.

Shaylee, on the other hand, fared worse than Cherry at the hands of her former employers.

She was working for the said family in Dubai for two years when they decided to move to the UK. For two years, she endured exploitation in the Middle East that continued when the family moved to London February this year. Her employers work for a diplomatic embassy in London.

She was given a salary of £200/month when her contract actually said £1,000/month with day off. Even worse, she was locked up at home especially when the whole family was out.

She was also prohibited to speak to anyone, especially fellow Filipinos.

Know your rights While there are not many EU laws protecting undocumented migrant workers, the latest Employer’s Sanction Directive 2009/52/EC allows certain kind of protection.

Some of these rights include allowing victims of labor abuses, even those without proper work documentation, to file a complaint against their employer. They are also entitled to back wages of up to six months as well as social benefits that should have been given to them during their employment period. In severe cases of abuse, the directive obliges member states to issue a temporary resident permit to undocumented migrant workers.

Meanwhile, a temporary residence permit might be issued to victims of gender-based violence especially in France and Spain.

In the Netherlands, France and Spain, undocumented migrant workers can go to special police departments to report labor abuses and crimes without being apprehended because of their residence status.

Right to health care services Despite experiencing difficulties in many countries when it comes to availing of basic health care services, undocumented migrant workers can still go to clinics and hospitals when they are sick or have emergency situations. In the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Spain and Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, United Kingdom and Norway, undocumented migrant workers have greater access to healthcare under specific conditions. While in other EU countries, undocumented migrant workers have access to emergency cases without being automatically reported to immigration authorities.

When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, she was not allowed to go home or speak to them. Her employers even volunteered to send her remittances home. Luckily, she found a free wi-fi connection and was finally able to get in touch with loved ones in the Philippines.

One day, Shaylee was left alone at home with the baby and the door was unlocked (the keys went suddenly missing). She did not waste any time escaping.

“I wanted to cry. I was so grateful. At last I was able to contact my family and get information online,” recalls Sherry.

“I packed quickly, took my passport which was held by my employers, and made sure the baby was safe. Then, I went out of the building and

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got on a taxi. I sent a SMS to the wife of my employer asking her to immediately return home because her baby was now alone.

That was it. I was so happy. I was free. I was no longer a prisoner,” says Sherry.

But Sherry is not exactly free. Like Cherry, she is playing a dangerous game of hideand-seek with the British immigration authorities. Both girls don’t have any right to remain in the UK because technically, they don’t have legitimate working visa.

Under UK law, their working visa was tied exclusively to the employers who brought them there.

“At first I thought life in the UK would be good. But it’s hard to find a job here because of the random checks by the police.

Many of us are afraid to go out,” Cherry narrates.

There is an estimated 600,000 undocumented migrants in the UK, according to a recent study by the London School of Economics. Migrant Watch, on the other hand, estimates it to nearly a million, including cases that go unreported.

Rights for undocumented workers Andrea, Cherry and Shaylee will continue to fear for their safety and security unless adequate laws for the protection of undocumented migrant workers will be put in place by their host countries. Otherwise, they will be continuously prone to abuses and exploitation wherever they are.

experienced extremely low salary as well as verbal abuse from her employers.

Michele Levoy, director of Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants, a nongovernmental organization that promotes the rights of undocumented migrants in Europe, reveals that there is an estimated four million undocumented immigrants in Europe, including thousands of Filipinos.

Majority is employed in domestic work as well as in industries like agriculture and tourism that include hotels and restaurants.

Many are in the sex industry as well. Experts say that among workers in the EU, those in the flesh trade are the ones who are most vulnerable to abuse.

“Oftentimes a minimum wage is not applied.

Worse, they [undocumented migrant worker] don’t get paid at all.”

“Oftentimes a minimum wage is not applied.

Worse, they don’t get paid at all. In some countries, there are other kinds of abuses: Physical, sexual [or] workplace accidents.

Many times they would not be able to get workers’ compensation. We even have cases where the employers denied any working relationship with the undocumented migrant especially in cases of severe injury,” says Levoy.

Stricter laws on undocumented migrants In recent years, some member states of the European Union have imposed stricter immigration laws. In 2008, EU member countries agreed to enforce the “Return Directive,” which is aimed at managing illegal migration in the region and obliging

Undocumented migrant workers of different nationalities hold a street protest against labor abuse and exploitation on the streets of Amsterdam.

According to Coring Castillo delos Reyes, president of the United Migrant Domestic Workers in the Netherlands, most of these paperless migrants are left with very little choice but to keep mum even if they are already experiencing the worst labor conditions.

“Domestic workers here are abused because they don’t know their rights. They don’t know how to defend themselves because they are afraid of losing their jobs,” Delos Reyes says at the sidelines of a recent street protest against labor abuse and exploitation of undocumented migrant workers held in Amsterdam.

The OFW champion came to the Netherlands in 2007 and has since worked as a domestic worker. Delos Reyes, herself, an undocumented migrant worker,

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Fighting to gain legal status is a continuing battle for paperless migrant workers.

member countries to return third-party nationals to their countries of origin or grant them legal status to avoid “legal limbo.”

This, however, only served as guidelines for some member states to toughen up their migration policies. In 2009, Italy passed a law criminalizing undocumented migrants with fines and detention. It also requires its citizens, including health care professionals, to report undocumented migrants, cutting access of UDM’s to major health care services.

In the Netherlands, lawmakers are developing certain measures aimed at criminalizing undocumented migrants while in the UK, the government is making proposals that require landlords and landladies to report those with no proper documentation.

In the UK, the government, led by the Conservative Party, had chosen to tighten the leash on everything, from budget cuts to stricter rules on immigration.

with banks, landlords and employers, as well as when applying for a UK driver’s license.

Patients could also be screened at NHS hospitals and may force ineligible migrants to pay for the services. Spot checks in public areas and transportations are also becoming more prevalent.

Undocumented migrants cost UK tax-payers an estimated £3.7billion on health and education services every year, according to a recent study by the Home Office. This is fueling new government proposals to curb illegal migration through the so-called Immigration Bill alongside fresh NHS reforms, in addition to the already tightened visa system.

Migrant organizations in Europe are calling on governments, especially in Europe, to recognize that domestic work as official work and ratify the ILO Convention C190 which came into force September of this year.

The ILO Convention aims to grant paperless migrant workers the same rights as regular employers including being given the right to work and stay legally in a country.

Under new proposals, the immigration status of applicants must be checked when dealing

What the expert has to say Lawyer Chona Abiertas Tenorio, an expert on migration policies in Europe, says that as a general rule, aliens enjoy the rights and freedom according to international treaties on human rights. However, this rule depends on the situation of the individual and the law of the host country. For those who come to Europe from third world countries, meaning those states that don’t have an agreement with the European Union for free entry, they are required to secure legal documentation including an entry visa. Once you are in the European territory, you must secure the extension visa or apply for residence permit depending on your situation.

Foreigners who went through the legal process to stay in Europe are entitled to move freely around the community and enjoy basic rights.

“Domestic workers here are abused because they don’t know their rights. They don’t know how to defend themselves because they are afraid of losing their jobs”

They will be treated equally as the Europeans, as well.

Here are some of the rights enjoyed by properly documented migrants: 1. Free access to public health services, emergencies, family doctors, operations, medicines, etc.

2. Access to aid and subsidies from the government.

3. Free schooling up to secondary education and scholarship grants in college.

4. Employment in different sectors that will fit your qualifications.

5. Those who have university studies accredited by the host country can apply for employment in the government as well as nongovernment companies.

6. You can apply for petition of descendents and ascendants.

7. You enjoy all the rights and freedom that

By Patrick Camera Ropeta, Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna and Dheza Marie Aguilar

European citizens have, except the right to vote.

There are many consequences of working/living in Europe without proper documentation. These include: 1. Without proper documentation you can’t open a bank account, rent an apartment, sign contracts, avail of credit cards, have telephone contracts, and so on 2. The possibility of being caught, detained and deported plus constantly feeling insecure and anxious.

3. Getting unstable and low paying jobs as well as greater exposure to risks of being laid off without any indemnity.

4. Limited medical assistance, except during emergency situations.

5. No social security affiliation.

6. High risk of not getting a job, at all.

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RELATIONSHIPS

Tying the Knot Easily in Aeroskobing Perpie Claes-Poblador shares how she and hubby got married in a foreign land almost fuss-free

by Perpie Claes-Poblador photos by Camilla Jørvad

our families and friends live in different continents.

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“How about we elope? Nobody will know, except our families, until we tell them,” we innocently joked to each other one night.

ike any other couples we also experienced the highs and lows of getting married –much more so because we are of different nationalities (a Belgian and a Filipina) and not to mention, we live in another country as expats.

Before we knew it, we were heading north and landed in these Scandinavian countries: Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. We found the Nordic region romantic, uncomplicated and free.

Pinning down the wedding place

A Danish “fairytale town” called Aeroskobing caught our attention.

Everything about it shouted “perfect wedding venue.” We fell in love with the place right away.

Finding the right country where you want to get married is the first and most important step. After all, it takes time and effort to take care of all legal requirements. Plus, there’s also the cost and effort you are willing to spend that you need to consider.

Switzerland would have been the most convenient choice for us. But securing all the required documents, translating all these in three official Swiss languages, waiting for our application to get approved on top of getting a wedding date and place were just too much for us to process. We didn’t have the luxury of time nor the patience to do all of that. We decided to look for other options. It didn’t hurt also that we both love traveling, which greatly helped us in making a decision.

Applying for a Danish wedding Depending on the municipality, the legal requirements were pretty simple and ‘Planning the perfect wedding requires patience, determination and plenty of romance’, says Poblador.

We checked on France. The waiting time was just a couple of days shorter than Switzerland. Still, we needed to reside there for a minimum of one month before applying for a marriage certificate. We then considered Belgium and the Philippines as other options.

I’ve heard stories about the tedious process that a Filipino and a foreigner who want to get married in the Philippines are usually subjected to. We did not want that.

In Belgium, the marriage can take place 10 days after the posting of the marriage banns, a public announcement of an upcoming marriage between two individuals. We also had to consider that

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The author and her husband found their perfect wedding venue in Aeroskobing, Denmark.

country of residence.

straightforward: Our passports and visas, birth certificates, documentation of marital status, and notice of marriage and booking form. Normally, the processing would only take a week or two, and the couple might be required to stay three days in the country. In Aeroskobing though, we were required to stay for a day only. But of course, we still decided to stay longer.

We could have breezed through the wedding. But there simply no avoiding a few hiccups along the way. For instance, it took some time for the consulate in Geneva to respond to my husband’s request for a certificate of no marriage. Later on, we found out that he had to submit his request to the consulate in Copenhagen.

Meanwhile, the folks from Aeroskobing advised us to get our papers translated in German, English or Danish language.

Luckily, the Belgian consulate was able to provide us a German version. On my part, I was anxiously waiting for the renewal of my work visa. It arrived on the day before we were to fly for Geneva.

We were able to immediately provide a copy of our marriage certificate, already translated into English, German, Spanish and French. The second copy was sent a week or two later, right after it received an apostille, a validation from the Danish Foreign Ministry which gives our marriage that seal of so-called international acceptability.

Keeping it light and easy

My partner, an EU national working in another European country (Switzerland), can apply for my residence permit as his non-EU spouse upon returning to our Poblador enters marital bliss.

Getting married in Denmark is fairly simple and easy. But we still chose to get our own marriage coordinator - based outside the country - to help us out. Through email correspondences, our wedding planner proved to be of great help in terms of taking care of some paperwork, finding the place to stay in as well as booking the photographer to capture our special day.

I wanted a wedding dress that was simple and classy. I found one online, it and was delivered to me two weeks later.

The wedding ceremony took around 15 minutes only. Truth be told, it felt longer than that. The whole time, my tummy was churning, my hands were cold, and my throat was dry. I was holding back tears as I recited each word of my wedding vows. In fact, when it was my turn to say the magic word that would seal our marriage, I ended up whispering it instead. I had to keep asking everyone if I really did say it. They assured me I did.

The bride chose a simple yet classy wedding gown.

My life will never be the same again. I am now officially a “Mrs.” and on a new journey to married life.

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ROBINKUIJS f o t o g r a f i e

Weddings / Loveshoots / Portraits

www.robinkuijs.nl

Book before January 2014 and get a €100 discount on wedding packages when you donate €50 to any charity organisation helping the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Philippines.

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family

Parenting multicultural kids

by Lana Jelenjec photo by Robin Kuijs

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arenting is a challenging and rewarding gift. But along with it involves a lot of compromises and a lot of redirection. After all, the life you dreamt for yourself as a single, free-spirited individual changes, as you now have your partner and children to account for. But parenting in a multicultural environment has the added challenges of re-assessing cultural norms, going beyond boundaries, and yes, finding the right balance in providing what everyone in the family needs.

So many nights you ask yourself, how can it be done? How do I parent in such a way that will meet my cultural expectations and still merge the philosophies of the Western world I am part of now? What language do I expose our children to? How about religion? How do I introduce certain traditions? How do I expose them to our cultural values?

We’ve gathered the following tips from parents who have faced and, yes overcome the various stages and difficulties of raising multicultural kids: 1. Values are understated. It needs to be in the forefront of parenting especially with multicultural families whose ideals and practices are different. In the Philippines, we are raised to have paninindigan (principles) and pagpapahalaga (value). These values are taught starting in grade school. It is highlighted in television commercials, soap operas, television shows, in our religion, our neighbourhood. It is deeply ingrained in us that we are making choices according to our principles and our values.

We are brought up with a “WE” mentality, making decisions depending on how it will affect us and especially those around us. We are bombarded with ideals of pakikitungo (level of civility), pakikisalamuha (level of mixing), pakikibagay (level of conforming), pakikisama (level of adjustment), and pakikilahok

“Parenting in a multicultural environment has the added challenges of re-assessing cultural norms, going beyond boundaries, and yes, finding the right balance in providing what everyone in the family needs.” (level of participating). Our Filipino upbringing tells us that with our partners and immediate families, including in-laws, we need to practise pakikipagpalagayang-loob (level of mutual rapport) and pakikiisa (level of oneness). We are faced with these values day in and out most of our lives. But now being in a new environment, new people and with new set of principles and priorities, you get to ask yourself, “What do I hold true for myself and for my family?”

2. Communication is a MUST. Laying down values and expectations and communicating them well are important. There is no room for blurred lines. Meaning the practices of pagtatampo and paglalambing will only be “lost in translation” especially to our multicultural kids.

3. It takes a village to raise a child. Know that it is ok to call your parents, in-laws or one of your friends to take the reins from you for an hour or two when you think the situation is getting out of hand. Parenting in a land so different, so unique and so foreign can be so challenging. But it can also be an exhilarating experience of learning your values and knowing your boundaries as well as accepting those of your partner and the world you are a part of.

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HEALTH

How to beat the winter blues

by Dheza Marie Aguilar photo by Robin Kuijs

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inter depression, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a mood disorder that affects many people during cold seasons.

It is prevalent to those living in the north of the equator (think the Nordic region or countries like Sweden and Finland) or where there is less consistency of sunlight and brightness.

Scientists believe that reduced exposure to sunlight also leads to reduced production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of well-being and happiness. Lack of serotonin results in feelings of depression and frequent mood changes.

For expatriates who came from tropical countries, winter depression or sometimes called winter blues is one of most difficult struggles to overcome. It affects our daily lives, our relationship with others as well as our work.

Symptoms of winter depression Somber, dark and rainy climes will often make you sad and irritable. When these feelings drag on particularly during autumn and winter, they can lead to depression.

So when you start feeling like not getting out of bed for days on end, consider that this could be winter depression.

Other symptoms of winter depression include increased feelings of laziness, sleepiness, fatigue as well as craving for carbo-rich food that can lead to weight gain. People suffering from winter depression are also less inclined to socialize, preferring to stay at home than meet with friends.

So when you start feeling like those mentioned above, it is very important to talk to your doctor for proper diagnosis and therapy. Remember that there are different levels of winter depression.

Beating the winter blues There are other practical ways to overcome winter depression without visiting a doctor.

Regular exercise and proper diet are particularly important during bouts of winter depression. Try to have some outdoor physical activities for a minimum of 30 minutes, three times a week. Walking after or during your lunch break will help brighten your mood especially during those gloomy days.

Eating a balanced diet with fruits and vegetable will help your body store more energy and might counteract your cravings for fattening and/or sweet food.

Since winter depression usually occurs around Christmas time, there will be no shortage of parties and activities that you can engage in. Even if it takes incredible effort, drag yourself out of bed, get out of the house and socialize. If partying is too much for you, go out for a cup of coffee or lunch date with your friends or go shopping with your girlfriends.

Light therapy For severe cases of winter depression, doctors may prescribe antidepressant medications or light therapy.

Light therapy is a process wherein a patient is exposed to extreme bright lights for a certain period of time everyday, indirectly shining it to the patient’s eyes. The brightness can be so extreme that patients are advised not to look directly into the light.

Light therapy is often expensive but it can be covered by your health insurance. A more affordable alternative would be to buy energy boosting lights that promises to help in reducing winter depression. The energy lights manufactured by Philips starts at about â‚Ź150. The brand claims that it has been clinically-tested to boost energy that can help those suffering from winter blues.

Winter blues can be hard to beat especially for Filipinos who are used to 365 days of sunlight. But as long as we are aware of our emotional reactions to the changing of seasons, we can surely beat this sometimes paralyzing feeling of depression. We just have to stay positive.

Somber, dark and rainy climes will often make you sad and irritable. When these feelings drag on particularly during autumn and winter, they can lead to depression. So when you start feeling like not getting out of bed for days on end, consider that this could be winter depression.

The Filipino Expat Magazine

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HEALTH

Indoor exercises

Seated Toe Touch Stretch

by Rose Ann Esquibil photos by Robin Kuijs

A

s the weather gets colder, it gets harder to get off the bed every morning to exercise or change into gym clothes after work. But more than ever, we need to exercise and flex our muscles during the colder months because not only does it make our body stronger, it also makes us warmer and gives us more energy that the lack of sunlight could be stripping away from us.

When we don’t have time to go to the gym or run outside, these easy exercises are ideal for our freezing muscles, even when inside the office.

The exercise is divided into three parts: Feet and Legs, Hands and Arms, and Torso.

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Legs and feet Seated Toe Touch Stretch. From an upright sitting position, stretch one leg and reach for your toes using your hand. Hold the position for 20 seconds and sit back straight again. Do the same for the other leg.

Seated Toe Raises. Lift your toes while keeping your sole firmly on the ground.

Make sure you are sitting with your back straight.

Seated Leg Extension. With one foot on the ground, raise your other foot until your leg is parallel to the ground. Hold the position as long as you’re comfortable.

Repeat using the other foot.

Seated Leg Extension

Elevated Push Up

Foot Drill. Rapidly tap your feet in place continuously for 30 seconds.

If you have heels on, take them off first.

High Knees and Chest Press. Using both hands, pull your legs towards your chest while bending your knees.

Assisted Side Legs Lift. Stand in front of your desk and lift your right leg to the side at a 45-degree angle, then bring the leg back down. Repeat 12 times and do the same with the other leg.

Thigh Tone. To tone inner thigh muscles, place a bottle of water between your thighs and squeeze, doing reps of 10.

Arms and hands Shoulder Up. Raise your shoulder to your ear. Hold for three seconds and then release. Repeat 10 times.

Hand Stretches

Seated Swimmers. Seated on your chair, move your arms as if you were swimming; first, do freestyle five times, followed by breaststroke and backstroke, also five times each.

Seated Side Bends. Raise your

Seated Russian Twist

right hand, suck your stomach in and bend to your left. The lower you bend, the tighter your left abdominal muscles will become.

Do this 10 times and the switch to the other side.

Elevated Push Up. Do push ups on desks and other pieces of furniture in reps of 10.

Hand Stretches. Tense and relax the muscles in your hands by making fists, and spreading and bending your fingers. Repeat five times.

Torso Seated Russian Twist. Sit straight up on your chair and place your right arm behind your right hip.

Twist your body to the right and hold. Alternate sides.

Abdominal Stretch. Sit on the edge of your chair and stretch your arms in front of you. While keeping your back straight, contract your abdominal muscles.

Relax and repeat.

Gluteal Squeezes. Tense up the muscle of your rear and hold while counting to 10. Repeat five times.

“We need to exercise and flex our muscles during cold periods because it does not only makes our body stronger against common cold diseases, it also makes us warmer and gives us more energy that the lack of sunlight maybe stripping away from us.�

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Experience a holistic, non-invasive way to beauty and wellness Jane Torres, Vietura provides comprehensive treatments and procedures, nutritional counseling, cosmetic dentistry and life coaching. All these are part of Vietura’s three-step philosophy: Measure, mentor and monitor.

“Every patient is carefully assessed as a unique individual by their personal consultant, who then devises a holistic regimen best suited for their particular issues and desires,” explains Torres, who is resolute advocate of noninvasive, non-surgical solutions.

The lounge area as well as the treatment rooms feature vertical gardens.

Non-invasive body sculpting programs like the ultra slim light are administered by certified experts.

Nutrional coach and wellness consultant Agnes Tumaneng adds, “We aim to bring out the best in our clients, allow them to enjoy the fullness of life through Vietura’s non-invasive aesthetic procedures combined with integrative medicine and nutritional and life coaching.”

Vietura is derived from vie, which means life, and tura, which comes from natura or nature.

It is the first health and wellness institute to be located in a luxury hotel, a stone’s throw away from the international airport.

Vietura offers skin vitality treatments to help clients get that smooth, silky, younger-looking skin.

C

oming home to the Philippines this Yuletide season should be a treat not only for your family but also for yourself.

Take advantage of the time spent in the country to finally have those long overdue beauty fixes, anti-aging treatments or weight loss management that you’ve been hesitating to do in Europe due to their relatively expensive clinics and procedures.

The Philippines, one of the biggest contenders in Southeast Asia in terms of medical tourism, boasts of beauty and wellness facilities and technologies that are not only at par with the world’s best but also safe and most importantly, effective.

Vietura, an aesthetic lifestyle institute located in Sofitel Philippine Plaza, takes pride in being one of the first in the Philippines to offer 100 percent non-invasive treatment programs that are tailor-made to their clients’ specific needs.

Conceived by its chief practitioner Dr. Mary

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Vietura offers a range of treatments and services that promote holistic balance. Having problems concealing the signs of aging?

Vietura’s natural facelift and contour program employs the use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and power cell lift treatments to stimulate the body’s own healing process and smoothen out lines and deep wrinkles.

Vietura’s body sculpting with weight management program is also available for individuals who wish to attain their dream figures without the need for surgery. It combines technology with a healthy lifestyle by providing a diet program as well as an inhouse personal trainer to deliver more lasting results. This package also includes Resonax, the latest non-surgical face and body sculpting technology from Europe.

When stress and worries take over one’s body emotionally and physically, Vietura recommends a detox program, which includes colonics hydrotherapy, massage treatments and a relaxing stay at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza for a little rest and recreation.

“Weʼre not in the business of selling the quick fix,” says Torres. “This is why we spend so

much time talking to each customer about manageable diet and exercise regimens. We listen and ask relevant questions to help them take charge of the changes they wish to see and feel.”

Vietura also features effective treatments for conditions affecting oneʼs complexion or digestion. More so, the center has state-ofthe-art aesthetic technology and equipment for stem cell and chelation therapy.

To ensure the comfort of their clients, Vietura has tapped renowned interior designer Gruppo Espazio, to create a space that is sleek yet natural. The results include warm lighting and a live, vertical garden feature in each treatment room. The latter is meant to provide fresh oxygen into every room as well as lend an ambience of being in a hidden rainforest of sort, a world away from the stresses and toxins of the city.

Under Torresʼ meticulous supervision, the internationally-trained team consists of 12 registered nurses, a dietician, dentist and lifestyle coach.

For more information about Vietura, please call +632 551 5555 local 5000 or email at info@vietura.com or visit www.vietura.com.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

A taste of home in the Netherlands There’s no denying that wherever we are in the world, we will always crave for the unique taste of Filipino cuisine.

But because Pinoy food is not yet popular in Europe, it can be difficult for us to find a place where we can enjoy such delicious indulgence except at home.

Located in The Hague, the Netherlands, Manong Alex Sizzling Restaurant brings together all the goodness of Filipino food in one unique setting, reminding kababayans what they’ve been missing abroad.

The restaurant’s cozy interiors boast of a jeepney counter and a terrace overlooking a small podium. On Fridays and weekends, diners can enjoy live music performed by Filipino bands or sing their hearts out through a karaoke session. The nipa hut that was set up outside and imported all the way from the Philippines, makes Manong Alex stand out among the restaurants in the area. It is a favorite among clients who want to dine al fresco.

But what makes Manong Alex popular not only to Filipinos but also to other nationalities is the wide selection of Filipino staples including the regular favorites like sizzling sisig, tokwa’t baboy, lumpiang sariwa and many more. They also offer buffet dining at an affordable price of €15.99 every Sunday.

Pinoy food favorites run the show at Manong Alex.

“ Unlike other restaurants that try to adjust to the European taste, at Manong Alex, we strive to cook our dishes as close as possible to original Filipino recipes” -Alex Aragon, Owner

Owner Alex Aragon personally goes to the market every morning to select the best and freshest ingredients for his dishes. He puts a very high value on serving his customers only the best and healthiest choices in his menu.

“We do not use preservatives in our dishes and we make sure that they are healthy, well-prepared and will satisfy our clients’ palate,” says Aragon, a graduate of culinary arts from the Ramon Magsaysay University in the Philippines.

Aragon’s love for cooking, combined with his more than 15 years of experience as a caterer and businessman, allows him to provide clients an unforgettable dining experience at Manong Alex.

Manong Alex Sizzling Filipino Restaurant opens Sundays to Thursdays from 12noon - 10pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 12noon to 2am. It is located at Rabbijn Maarsenplein 19, 2512HJ, The Hague, The Netherlands. For reservations call 0702137140 A replica of the famous Filipino jeepney is one of the attractions in the restaurant.

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SHOPPING

All I want for Christmas

by Rica Santos Unico Christmas is in the air. Bright and colourful lights decorate streets. Depending on which city you are in, temperature drops to all time low forcing you to stay indoors or brave the cold outside wrapped in layers of thick clothing. The chilly winter breeze makes you grab a tissue once in a while for your runny nose. Yes, the most celebrated event of the year is here. And it’s time to find the perfect present for our loved ones. Here are some gift ideas:

iPad Air Logging on to social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram becomes so much easier with the latest iPad Air. You can also listen to music and watch movies more with its 16 GB memory. Plus, it is 28 percent lighter and 20 percent thinner than its predecessor. Price starts at €479.

Philips radio with iPhone dock This vintage looking radio made by Philips with dock for your iPhone or iPod will be perfect for your son or nephew who loves music. Heck, your husband might even like one too.

Nikon digital camera Capture those happy moments with friends and family as we celebrate Christmas through the Nikon digital camera D 3100 at €329 a pop.

Aryty Send free load to loved ones in the Philippines through Aryty. The loading service allows you to send/buy load from Globe, Smart and Sun without charging you any service fee. It doesn’t have any hidden charges as well. Using an app on your smartphone, it is very easy to send load to the Philippines. Try Aryty’s free trial. For more information, go to www. aryty.com

Magic Sing Channel your inner Regine Velasquez with Magic Sing ET23KH Spanish Edition. At $ 399, you are sure to be the life of the party at your next karaoke session.

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Philips energy light Many expats especially those who came from tropical countries suffer different degrees of winter depression. Lamps that have been clinicallyproven to help boost energy can aid in the reduction of the secretion of melatonin in our body, the hormone that produces drowsiness. Give your loved ones a gift of “happiness” with these energy lamps. Price starts at €59

Aryty, a leading mobile top-up portal, allows you to load any Globe, Smart or Sun Cellular mobile phone in the Philippines. Whether you want to buy a load for your own roaming phone or send load to a loved one, Aryty makes it quick and easy.

Best of all, you only pay for what you send – there are no service charges and no hidden fees.

Visit www.aryty.com and start today!

Send a load in 3 easy steps!

ADVERTISEMENT www.facebook.com/LOLLifestyleenFashion

1. Enter your loved one’s mobile number (from your computer or mobile phone) 2. Select an amount to send • No service charges • No hidden fees 3. Your gift is received. Your loved one will get the load instantly.

Try mo! Libre! Try it for FREE! If you’re visiting Aryty for the first time, you can send a FREE load to any phone in the Philippines. Give it a try! There is no cost, no obligation, no credit card required – and the load arrives instantly. Visit Aryty.com to see how easy it is to give a gift of load to your loved one – for FREE. Aryty apps for Apple and Android devices If you prefer to arrange top-ups with an app instead of a browser, Aryty apps are available for FREE Download at the Apple and Android stores.

With an Aryty app you can: Start Free Trial Send Now Schedule Sending Refer a Friend (earn additional free credit) View Transaction History And More…

Great Uses for Aryty • Stay connected with family and friends • Send a gift of load • Support your family at home Send a FREE Load at www.aryty.com today - your family and friends will thank you.

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TRAVEL

Experience fun winter destinations Text and photos by Dheza Marie Aguilar

T

he last of the autumn leaves have started to fall.

Daylight has become shorter. Moreover, temperatures have dropped to levels so low, we simply need to bundle up each time we venture outside our homes. The smell of pine trees and glühwein somehow makes things a bit better.

Winter is almost here. There’s still plenty of time to plan for the holidays – whether you are looking at doing some winter sports, indulging in a leisure holiday in the mountains or experiencing a vacation in a sub-zero environment.

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famous fjords that are best seen during summer. Come winter, the mountains offer a charm that beckons. At this time of the year, the colorful wooden houses up in the mountains of Geilo, for instance, would be covered in layers of powdery snow.

A wide range of winter activities can be had in Norway. Choices include cross-country and alpine skiing, dog sledding and even riding with the Saami reindeers during their winter migration.

The Filipino Expat has listed down some of our favorite spots and activities all over Europe so all you have to do is enjoy:

Not to be missed is the world famous Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis, a winter phenomenon showcasing a spectacular display of colorful lights in the sky.

Norway

Germany

Norway is probably one of the most picturesque countries in Europe thanks to its unique natural landscapes. There are its

Have you ever wondered what’s it like to live in a castle on top of a snow-covered mountain overlooking a small village

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The view from a mountain cottage in Norway. with pretty houses spouting a regular trail of smoke from their chimneys? If you grew up with Disney movies and have lived in a tropical country almost all your life like myself, then I’m pretty sure you would know what I’m talking about.

Germany has plenty of these picturesque scenes.

During winter, the Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian region of Germany transforms into your very image of fairy tales particularly Sleeping Beauty. Similarly, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), is a favorite setting in many fairy tales. The place is a playground for cross-country skiers. Warm up in the many thermal baths for example, in famous Baden-baden.

Warm the soul with a cup of glühwein.

Winter is the most ideal season to experience Russia. A number of classic novels, like Anna Karenina, have been set during the country’s harsh winters. Plus, you need not worry about bumping into too many tourists especially if you are visiting cities like Saint Petersburg.

Don’t miss Germany’s Christmas markets, considered among the biggest in Europe. Stock up on yummy sausages, and hams.

Buy a souvenir like the famous German cuckoo clock or simply drink the night away with jugs of glühwein.

Iceland Up for a more extreme adventure? Try swimming in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik amid a subzero temperature. Located 40 minutes away from the airport, the lagoon is a geothermal pool where you can enjoy a warm, relaxing and even healing dip despite being surrounded by snow and ice.

If you are a fan of the popular American series Game of Thrones, then you will enjoy Iceland as some scenes in the series are actually shot here. There are a number of travel companies who are experts in arranging these kinds of tours.

Russia Winter is the most ideal season to experience Russia. A number of classic novels, like Anna Karenina, have been set during the country’s harsh winters. Plus, you need not worry about bumping into too many tourists especially if you are visiting cities like Saint Petersburg.

Russia offers tourists unique cultural experiences. You can choose to watch either classical or contemporary performing arts or both. Museums like the Hermitage, which can take up your whole day, boasts of rare paintings, statues, jewelry and other incredible treasures that the Russian Czar families have accumulated during their heydays.

Russia also did a good job in preserving the memories of their great literary minds including Fyodor Dostoevsky, Alexander Pushkin, Vladimir Nabokov and many others. All throughout

the big cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg, you can find apartments or house-museums where the original belongings and some manuscripts of the authors are being displayed.

Austria When it comes to winter sports, Austria is on top of the list of many Europeans. And why not? Two-thirds of the country is on the Alps mountain range. That means plenty of slopes and pistes for endless skiing adventures, day and night. And it doesn’t matter whether you are new in the sport or already an experienced skier, you’d have fun either way.

The Christmas markets and villages in Austria’s big cities like Vienna and Innsbruck are also worth checking out. You can buy unique handicrafts from Christmas decorations to artsy trinkets made by the villagers.

Christmas markets are usually located in front of famous landmarks like medieval buildings or gothic churches.

Surely, there will be no shortage of wonderful things to see, eat, or warm the heart with during these gray and cold months.

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TRAVEL

10 things to do in Germany’s Christmas Markets Text and photos by Deepa Plazo

I

t is usually on the last week of November that I begin putting up Christmas decorations while humming Pasko Na Sinta Ko and getting into the Christmas spirit. By Pinoy standards, this is embarrassingly late.

After all, SM malls (a popular mall chain in the Philippines) has already started playing Christmas carols on the first day of September.

In Europe, especially in Amsterdam where I live, this is unspeakably early. Here, Christmas is verboten until Sinterklaas is celebrated on the 5th of December. Only then can Christmas trees be discreetly rolled out for sale and Christmas mentioned with a kind of cautious cheer.

Luckily for me, the Weihnachtsmarkt of Germany is just a few hours away by train or car. Germany’s Christmas markets are famous for their picturesque scenes reminiscent of Christmas wonderlands. Seeing them, one can’t help but think that the Germans must have bottled up their Christmas spirit all year long just to have this incredibly beautiful release of the holiday cheer of sort –something that I can’t fully indulge in Holland.

Whether you’re a wide-eyed first-timer or a longtime veteran, there are a few things you shouldn’t miss at a German Christmas market.

Here’s a list of my top 10 things to do to make your experience here even more special.

1. Get caught up in the scale and spectacle of a big city market. For its sheer size, nothing beats the wow factor of a Christmas market in one of Germany’s major cities. At my first Christkindlmarkt in Köln, I’ll never forget the sight of the Kölner Dom (with 515-foot high towers and the largest façade of any Church in the world) looming over me from behind a veil of twinkling Christmas lights. Whether it’s a giant gingerbread man or a Christmas tree over 100 feet tall, German cities know how to go big… or go home.

2. Marvel at the fairytale feel of a small town market. Away from the big city crowds, a Christkindlmarkt becomes intimate, cozy, and magical, with wintry scenes right out of a storybook. I discovered this when, while visiting the city of Aachen, our German host suggested a side trip to the small town of Monschau nearby. Decorated by a winding

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Crowds of shoppers fill Germany’s Christmas markets. river and picturesque half-timbered houses, Monschau turned out to be a snow-covered gem tucked into the hills, and an unforgettable Christkindlmarkt experience.

3. Choose a handcrafted ornament to add to your Christmas tree. Traditional handicrafts may be a dying art, but in Germany, they come alive at Christmastime. From blown glass to hand-carved wood and more, German Christmas markets have a wonderful variety of ornaments to choose from. My husband and I always have a hard time picking out just one! A perfectly matching set of store-bought ornaments can’t equal the unique sentimental value of a collection built up slowly over time.

“Germany’s Christmas markets are famous for their picturesque scenes reminiscent of Christmas wonderlands.”

7. Stay warm with a mug of glühwein.

Glühwein, or hot spiced wine, is the best way to stay warm at a Christmas market. A few Euros’ deposit is part of the price of each drink, in case you wish to take home the mug, which typically shows the year and name of the market, as a souvenir. Prost!

8. Take pictures in the snow. After three years of living in Europe, I still turn into a little kid when it starts to snow. A snow shower during a Christmas market makes for a truly pictureperfect winter wonderland. Folks back home love to see these pictures, too!

9. Go market hopping. Visit more than one market in a day. Major cities typically have one main market in the center of town, with smaller, different-themed markets within easy walking or commuting distance. Or, make a weekend of it and visit the smaller towns surrounding the big cities to get the best of both worlds.

4. Add a new piece to your family’s belen.

If your family has a belen, German Christmas markets are the best place to find unique, realistic furnishings handcrafted in the tiniest, most adorable proportions. Whether you’re looking for a sweet figure of the newborn baby Jesus or a miniature clay jug of water for your shepherds, this is the place to deck your belen halls in style.

5. Find out what the town’s Christmas specialty is… and eat it. Every town has its signature treat that only makes a very special appearance at Christmas time. For example, Aachen’s Christmas markets are filled with the spiced cookies called Aachener printen. Make sure to try it… it might be another year till you get your next chance.

6. Fill up on grilled meats and wurst.

Germans love their pork as much as Pinoys do. Sizzling hot and fresh off the grill, various types of wursten (sausages) and grilled meats make inexpensive dinners that are easy to eat while strolling around the market. My carnivorous husband especially loves the Aachen market for the stands that sell one meter of meat on a stick.

Children enjoy some of the fun rides.

10. Experience the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a child. They say Christmas is for children. True, but to that I add: there’s a child in every one of us. Don’t be a Scrooge! Let the festive spirit take hold and let a Christmas market be the playground for the child in you. Eat too much lebkuchen, have some extra whipped cream on your gluhwein, splurge on something beautiful for your family’s Christmas tree. After all, Christmas and the Christkindlmarkt only come once a year.

Making the most of European group tours

by Dheza Marie Aguilar

G

oing on a group tour is a fun and economical way of visiting European cities. Discovering a new place together with your friends is often unforgettable and can enrich or sometimes break friendship. It’s also a nice way of meeting other people and make new acquaintances.

There are many tour companies arranging group tours but most of the time, you will end up in a very big group of tourists that can decrease the experience of fun and discovery. Operators tend to cram so many activities in a strict schedule which can limit the excitement of exploring a new place.

Independent tour operator Pieter van Overbeeke had been arranging group tours for tourists for several years now. Since being married to a Filipina entails a regular flow of Filipino visitors, Overbeeke has been accompanying their guests to different tourist sights in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. What started as a way of entertaining friends and relatives now becomes a regular gig for him. Majority of his clients are Filipinos but he also does tours for other foreign clients in partnership with several bed and breakfast accommodations in Amsterdam. He speaks fluent Dutch, Tagalog, English, French and German, making it easier for him to communicate with his guests as well as the locals.

Overbeeke suggests three tips on how to get the maximum out of your group tours: 1. The more, the merrier. Arranging a tour for a group of four will save you a lot of money of money especially on accommodations and transportations but a group of six would be ideal. Overbeeke hires a mini-van for transportation, especially going to other countries like Belgium and Germany to save on travel time and ticket prices. A group of six can comfortably fill up a mini-van and the costs of renting it would be much cheaper.

When it comes to overnight accommodations, the price of a double or a triple room and a single room does not differ significantly so the more people that can share in the accommodation can reduce the cost of travelling.

Overbeeke estimates that for a group of four people coming from Amsterdam, doing a day trip in Brussels or Bruges, Belgium, a budget of â‚Ź80 per person, including the transportation and the tour guide.

Tour guide Pieter van Overbeeke poses with a group of tourists in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

2. Know your schedule and book well in advance. Airfare, train tickets and even hotels charges less when you book in advance, eight weeks before your travel date in particular. Also be on the lookout for early bird promos of airline companies or hotels. You can do this by subscribing in a newsletter or websites that regularly send sale alerts.

Knowing your schedule will also help you in planning for activities which may be free of charge or discounted in the place that you are visiting, for example entrance fees in museums or parks. Museums sometimes offer free entrances on the first or last friday of the month or particular days when there is a festivity going on.

Visiting a place during a festival also offers a lot of perks like free tasting and free drinks during food and wine festivals. Do your research and reduce your costs by planning in advance.

3. Hire a local guide. Hiring a local tour guide will make your visit more efficient and memorable. By having someone with a local knowledge, you will be able to know more about a certain place and will make you appreciate your travel more.

It also helps to hire a guide who speaks multiple languages.

Although many Europeans speak English, you get a warmer reception when you have a guide who speaks the language of the country you are visiting.

Pieter van Overbeeke or more popularly known as Pedro Pinduko in the Filipino community may be reached via email agentpedro44@ gmail.com or mobile number +31610716363.

Overbeeke speaks multiple laguages including Filipino.

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features

Just like Home

by Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna

T

he start of Daylight Saving Time, the cool breeze of autumn and the long chilly nights signal the arrival of the merriest season of all.

Ask a Pinoy which month of the year is the happiest and you will get only one answer: December. Christmas time.

The Philippines has the longest Christmas worldwide. The arrival of the first day of September marks the unofficial start of the Yuletide season as local radio DJs race among themselves who play the first Christmas song of the year. As the popular saying goes, “Iba pa rin ang pasko sa atin.”

“I can barely wait! I will be home in three weeks. Christmas with my family is all I want this Christmas,” says Andrew, 29, as he proudly brandishes his newly bought two-way ticket to the Philippines from a Pinoy-owned travel agency in Barcelona.

For most of our kabayans abroad though, Christmas is not always the jolliest, especially to those who can´t go home and be with their families due to work, financial concerns or legal conditions.

It has been 16 years since the last time Tess celebrated Christmas with her family in Cebu. Always being tagged along to out-of-town trips by her employers DURING Christmas, her last Noche Buena with her kids was in 1997.

“I can still remember my last Christmas with them, our Noche Buena, the Simbang gabi. Although, I get to see them every two years, still, it´s different going home on Christmas. Thanks to Skype, I can see and hear them even if we are far from each other,” says Angela.

euros. To Spanish kids, the most-awaited Yuletide celebration is the arrival of The Three Wise Men. Santa Clause or Papa Noel is not that popular in this part of the world.

“My employer starts putting up their Christmas tree two days before Christmas Eve. I told them that in the Philippines, my family had already set up the Christmas tree right after All Saint´s Day. They looked at me as if I was crazy,” says Angela.

Glenda, 36, is lucky to finally have her two small sons with her this Christmas. They arrived last summer and to her, this will be one of the best Christmases in her life.

“It was sad, of course, spending three Christmases without my children. I was crying all the time. It was hard. Good thing I had my friends to cheer me up.

We cooked Filipino dishes, dressed up and attended the simbang gabi [evening Mass]. We even exchanged gifts on Christmas eve. We tried to make ourselves happy even if our hearts were longing to be with our families on this special day,” says Glenda.

Some opt to attend every Christmas party they’ve been invited to and sing Christmas carols with friends to forget their loneliness during Christmas.

“We end up gaining a lot of weight because each Filipino family prepares ‘meryenda’ for us. Imagine five houses per

“Here, Christmas is a lot different. Ours is noisier, happier, more festive and colorful.

You can really feel Christmas in the air.

Once I have solved my legal situation here, I will see to it that I go home every December!” night!,” says Olive, who has been caroling for three years now.

The countdown towards Christmas Eve in Spain starts on the 16th. But instead of attending Mass at dawn, Filipinos in Barcelona brave the cool winter evening breeze just to complete the nine-day night masses in the hope that prayers and wishes are answered.

Outside the San Agustin church, under the giant twinkling parol, a handful Pinoy food vendors along with their rich, mouthwatering native kakanins are swarmed by hungry mass attendees wishing they were puto bombongs and hot bibingkas.

Just like home, in the Philippines.

Angela, 25, can´t go home because of her illegal status. This is her third year away from home.

“Here, Christmas is a lot different. Ours is noisier, happier, more festive and colorful.

You can really feel Christmas is in the air. Once I have solved my legal situation here, I will see to it that I go home every December.”

In Spain, Christmas “officially” gets into full swing on December 22 with one of the world´s biggest lottery draw popularly known El Gordo (The Fat One) with the grand prize amounting to over 2.1 billion

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The Filipino Expat Magazine

The streets of Barcelona come to life with kiosks selling Christmas items.

A Salad of Christmas Traditions

features

by Ana Angelica Abaya van Doorn Like in the Philippines, we would start hanging Christmas decors at home even before December came. We would have the traditional parol (Christmas lantern in Filipino), little ceramic angels, and advent wreath with lighted candles on Sundays. We even had a small Christmas tree with the nativity scene, also called “presepio” in Italian or “belen” in Filipino. Daily Christmas music filled our home.

Moving to the Netherlands, we celebrate Sinterklaasavond on Dec. 5.

On St. Nicholas eve, we give chocolates engraved with the first letter of our names as well as the letter “S” that stands for Sinterklaas.

Legend has it that Sinterklaas came from Spain, who spends most of the year recording the behavior of children in a big red book. His assistant, Black Pete, helps him in delivering gifts to kids.

L

ike a bowl of salad, we celebrate a unique, happy mix of Christmas traditions: Swiss-Italian, Filipino and Dutch. When we were living in the Swiss Italian canton, my six- and fiveyear-old daughters did not believe in Babbo Natale (Italian for Father Christmas or Santa Claus) because their Swiss dad said he is not real and giving gifts is a symbol of consumerism.

But after watching The Polar Express film in 2004, my daughters started to believe in Santa Claus. They wrote letters to the following addresses: Babbo Natale via dal gelo -40 Polo Nord

Every year, we attend Filipino-Christmas parties complete with parlor games and all-time favorite Pinoy dishes. At home, we do the manitomanita, a traditional Filipino way of exchanging gifts. Aside from presents, we also give each other funny drawings and chocolates.

We cook up a feast that include lasagna, pandoro, leche flan, fresh mangoes, kutsinta and homemade cake. We attend midnight mass on Christmas eve and we have a family dinner. Then we play and sing carols by the piano, share stories near the fireplace, Skype call with our relatives in the Philippines and if we’re lucky, watch a snow fall.

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Santa Claus Freezing Point Road -40 North Pole Babbo Natale is from the North Pole. He has dwarves for assistants and rides a sleigh driven by reindeers. Come Christmas Eve, he hops on his swanky, incredibly fast mode of transportation to bring gifts to children who have been good the whole year round. Those who have been bad will receive charcoal.

My sweet daughters will also send prayers to San Nicolao (or St. Nicholas), known as the gift giver. He was born to a rich family in Turkey but decided to use his inheritance to serve the poor and the needy. He eventually became a bishop who was known for his generosity and love for children.

“Ciao San Nicolao, please give me a St. Bernard dog to embrace.

I’m in grade 1. I hope you’ll be able to pass in our small chimney,” one of my girls would pray.

So as not to disappoint my daughters, I would usually stage the “arrival” of Babbo Natale when I knew they were fast asleep. I would leave the presents where they can immediately see them when they wake up. The next morning, I let them think Babbo Natale came over bearing gifts by pointing to them the “shoeprint” that he supposedly left on the carpet on his way out. Afterward, we would head to the plaza for the Mercatino di Natale, a Christmas fair that sells handicrafts, staying a bit longer to admire the gigantic real pine tree adorned with Christmas lights, balls and bells.

The Feast of St. Nicholas falls on Dec. 6. I remember the family sailing in Lake Lugano, with cups of hot chocolate and panetone being passed around. While San Nicolao, with white, thick beard, dressed in red mantel and holding a golden arched cane and a donkey, told tales to children. San Nicolao would also visit schools to hand out peanuts, oranges and chocolates to kids.

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features

Christmas in the Philippines

by Lyssa Ericka Cabarles Photo by Michael Carlo Caparas

The Nativity Scene is a prominent feature in most homes and some buildings during Christmas.

Photo shows an interpretation of the Belen at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati.

C

hristmas is the most celebrated and most festive holiday for Filipinos. As early as September, you can already see some people starting to decorate their homes with colourful lights and decors while the radio begin to play Yuletide ditties. The celebration here actually ends on the first week of January.

Suffice to say, Christmas in the Philippines is known to be the world’s longest. Part of the reason is that Filipino Christmas is a blend of cultures and traditions greatly influenced by the Spanish colonizers.

The celebrations begin with Misa de Gallo, popularly known to the Filipinos as Simbang Gabi. It is a series of dawn masses starting on the early morning of Dec. 16 and ending on the midnight of Dec. 24.

After each mass, families gather outside the church to enjoy native delicacies sold by vendors most especially during the Christmas season. These include bibingka, a yellow rice cake made of rice flour and coconut milk wrapped in banana leaves and cooked using coals on top and under it, and the puto bumbong, a purple rice cake named after the bamboo tube in which it is steamed and is usually served with coconut shavings and brown sugar.

One of the most distinctive Filipino Christmas traditions is the hanging of parol, derived from the Spanish word “farol” or lantern. It is usually a star shaped ornament made of coloured paper, bamboo sticks and light bulbs, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Kings to the manger.

When you start hearing groups of children singing Christmas carols out in the streets, then you’ll know Christmas has really begun. These kids go around the neighbourhood to serenade each household using makeshift musical instruments like drums made of cans, and a tambourine made of flattened soda crowns joined by a thin metal wire. At the end of their set, they will receive money or food from the homeowners.

More than the merriment and long preparations, Filipinos celebrate Christmas for its spirit of giving. At this time of the year, companies and even groups of individuals organize fund-raising events and outreach programs to give gifts and

Streets are brightened up by colorful Christmas lights sold by vendors. joy to the less fortunate. Schools and offices all hold Christmas parties complete with exchanging of gifts, otherwise known as Monito-Monita or Kris Kringle which is the Filipino version of “Secret Santa.”

On Christmas day, Children would visit their ninongs and ninangs (godparents) and would receive money as gifts called aguinaldo.

Family is the heart of a traditional Filipino Christmas. It is the time when friends and relatives come together for a reunion.

On Christmas Eve, families would gather to enjoy a sumptuous feast known as the Noche Buena, the Filipino version of Thanksgiving. The highlight of the festivities, no Filipino Noche Buena is complete without hamon and keso de bola among other favourites like paella, mechado, lechon and fruit cake.

Hanging of a colorful parol is a Pinoy tradition.

All things considered, Filipino Christmas is not only about the family gatherings, the food and merry making. It is also about love, sharing and givingExpat joy to each other.

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TRAVEL

Baguio Beckons The cool climes of the City of Pines are perfect for unwinding with the family.

by Maan D’Asis Pamaran Photos by Alex de Vera Dizon

T

he holidays are upon us, and a popular way to enjoy “sweater” season is to hie off to the highlands for a quick retreat from the pressures of living in the Metro. Baguio is a great destination not only during the summer, but any time of the year, as it never ceases to amaze with all the old and new hotspots that offer something for every member of the family. Here are some hotspots that make for delightful discoveries at your next Baguio journey.

What to Visit: The Bencab Museum. The beauty of Baguio certainly inspires, this is one of the reasons why National Artist Ben Cabrera established an art gallery showcasing Filipino talent ranging from young and upcoming artists all the way to the Masters. The exhibits include artifacts from hinterland tribes, showcasing what our ancestors used for their rituals and daily routines.

Tam-awan Village. The aim of this amazing place is to preserve the Cordillera’s cultural heritage, and at the same time nurture emerging local talent. It regularly holds exhibits and workshops for budding artists, and a yearly festival that displays tribal traditions kept alive for the younger generation.

It offers affordable lodging at the Cordillera huts, each unique and named for the region that it represents – to give an experience of living the tribal life. Picnics and bonfires are also offered, along with eco-tours and demonstrations on crafts such as printmaking, wood carving, solar drawing, and painting to awaken that artist in you. It is located at 366-C Pinsao Proper, call (074) 446i8990-2949.

Ukay-Ukay Night Market. Shopaholics will definitely enjoy bargain-hunting at this vintage repository that appears nightly starting 7:30 p.m. along the stretch of Harrison Road. Here,

one can grab a designer dress for as low as P50, or a pair of leather boots for P300. Part of the fun is in the haggling, so don’t forget to ask the seller for the “best price” before reaching for your wallet.

Baguio City Public Market. Baguio is famed for its fresh produce, and the best place to find healthy treats to bring home is at the Public Market. It is also a place to find all the pasalubong goodies and souvenir items-- from peanut brittle, ube jam, and inuyam all the way to t-shirts, wooden back scratchers, and yes, that classic guy in the barrel that packs a big surprise.

Easter Weaving. The tradition of items woven at the loom has faded into the background with the advent of industrial machines.

However, Easter Weaving seeks to keep the craft alive by setting up and selling items that are made by hand from start to finish. They

Not to be missed, too, is a room where minors are not allowed, as the Erotica gallery features exactly what the name suggests. The artist’s own works figure prominently as well and the museum guides will be able to share vignettes on the connection between artist and muse, leaving one with the lasting impression that beauty and inspiration can lie hidden even under layers of dirt and grime. If one is lucky enough, the artist himself may be in residence, and may be cajoled for a photo opportunity or two.

Behind the museum is a colorful restaurant called Café Sabel, named after the aforementioned muse, with a view to a lovely garden, that, in turn spills out towards an ecotrail leading to a natural waterfall. It is located at Km 6, Asin Road, Tadiangan, open on Tuesdays to Sundays; general admission is at P100/head.

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The Bencab Museum exhibits artifacts showcasing what Filipino ancestors used for their rituals.

The Filipino Expat Magazine

Choco-Late de Batirol serves cups of hot chocolate done old-school.

Easter weaving keeps alive the traditions of items woven at the loom. are the suppliers for the UP Sablay, by the way, and while the design for the Maroons is exclusive to them, there are other patterns to choose from, and these come in the form of table linen, bags, and even indigenous costumes. The workshop and showroom is located at Easter Road, Guisad 2. Visit www. easterweaving.com

Where to Dine: Balajadia Restaurant. The Slaughterhouse is Baguio’s meat district. It is where livestock is brought and butchered. Restaurants such as Balajadia have sprung up in its periphery, and these offer meat at their freshest and most flavorful. The specialties at this eatery include Ilocano-style igado, sisig, and bulalo. A musttry is the inihaw, which one dips not in suka or toyo but in dugo, which is coagulated blood.

The owner’s answer to Manila’s Soup Number 5 is his Bat and Balls, a saucy dish that is said

to have aphrodisiac effects.

Choco-late de Batirol. A good way to feel warm and toasty in the cool mountain climes is to have a cup or two of hot chocolate done old-school down at Camp John Hay. Instant imports are no match for this rich cocoa bean

“A good way to feel warm and toasty in the cool mountain climes is to have a cup or two of hot chocolate done old-school down at Camp John Hay.”

brew whisked by hand, meant to be enjoyed in this quiet piece of paradise. The café also offers hot meals, and native faves such as crunchy turon, puto bumbong, and bibingka.

Baguio Deli. Aside from the strip malls that offer outlet shops that sell designer gear at discounted prices, Camp John Hay is also home to dining places such as Baguio Deli, which offers an all-day breakfast menu, to be paired with hot and cold drinks. Pasalubong fare is also available, headlined by northern delicacies longanisa and bagnet.

Where to Stay: Azalea Residences. This hotel offers a taste of the Suite life in Baguio, as all its 99 rooms come equipped with a kitchen, dining set, and living room area. The structure, which resembles a ski-resort, comes with modern amenities akin to a serviced apartment. The location is a secluded hill, not too far from Baguio’s hotspots, but remote enough to be insulated from the city noise, to give a feeling of tranquil mountainside living. Its Tradisyon Restaurant offers an extensive breakfast buffet, along with a popular weekend Mongolian buffet every weekend.

For more information, visit www.azalea.com. ph Le Monet. This upscale hotel veers away from the usual log cabin look and presents itself as a sparkling gem among the pine trees of Camp John Hay. The lobby simply sparkles with a crystal chandelier, and the outdoor fountains light up at night accompanied by a sound show. It has 65 deluxe and 5 suite rooms, a gym, an indoor heated pool, complimentary shuttle service to select locations, and F&B outlets under the supervision of the famed Chef Robby Goco. For room rates and reservation, visit www.lemonethotel.ph

The Azalea Residences highlights tranquil mountainside living.

The Filipino Expat Magazine

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TRAVEL

5 Fantastic Beaches in the Philippines That Very Few Have Been

by Ed Biado photos by Robin Kuijs, Pranz Kaeno Billones and Clifford Badongen

F

oreign tourists, domestic tourists and balikbayans alike flock to the famous beaches of Boracay, Puerto Galera, Batangas and a few other familiar locations when vacationing in the Philippines. And why not? These are some of the best beaches in the world. But being a tropical country made up of over 7,000 islands, the country is blessed with countless beach destinations from the expensive, such as Amanpulo, to the affordable, like Subic.

So why go to the places where everyone has been? Instead, try these places that are unspoilt, semi-undiscovered and mostly untouched by commercialization (and pollution).

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Banana Island Coron, Palawan Beachfront nipa huts and pretty much nothing else exist on this little slice of paradise in between the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and the Sulu Sea. Coron has been getting quite commercial these past few years and high-end resorts are popping up all over the islands. Banana Island, on the other hand, retains its rustic peacefulness away from it all.

If you’re lucky enough to not share the beach with other tourists - that can happen, depending on the season and if you’re actually

that lucky - take Banana Island for all it’s worth, as if it’s your very own private island: the pinkish white sand beach, the schools of fish swimming very close to the shore, where even the most neophyte swimmer can snorkel to their heart’s delight, dozing off and waking up to the sound of waves crashing, and your hosts’ good old home-cooked meals. Big fat danggit for breakfast, anyone?

Getting there: From Coron town, charter a boat to take you to the island. Coron is less than hour away from Busuanga Airport by van.

Laswitan Lagoon Cortes, Surigao Del Sur Ever heard of seawater waterfalls? That’s exactly what you’re gonna get at Laswitan Lagoon hidden away in the town of Cortes in Surigao Del Sur. The “falls” are not a true waterfall. Bummer?

Not quite. They are intense Pacific Ocean waves so high that, when they crash onto the rock formations, they spill over to the opposite side, creating an effect similar to how waterfalls, well, fall. The water is collected in a basin that people can swim in protected from the harsh waves. And that is more awesome than real waterfalls.

However, this wonder of nature can only be experienced when the amihan is strong enough, particularly between the months of October and March.

Getting there: From Cortes town, take a habal-habal to Barangay Madrelino, where the lagoon is. Cortes is four hours away from Surigao City by bus.

Palaui Island (Punta Verde) Santa Ana, Cagayan

Palaui Island

A sliver of white is what the beach looks like from afar, separating the clear waters from the green hilly landscape. It’s raw and,

Tinaga Island is home to Mahabang Buhangin, a beach escape with a dedicated cult following of backpackers.

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“A sliver of white is what the beach looks like from afar, separating the clear waters from the green hilly landscape. It’s raw and, until recently, it was a secret.”

Charming bucolic scenes can be captured in some hidden Philippine beaches.

until recently, it was a secret. That was before the world got acquainted with its pristine isolation via the American TV show Survivor. It was the perfect location for the challenging reality competition because conditions there can be harsh. In fact, simply getting there is a feat on its own - you need a trusted guide to get you through the mangrove forest that conceals the cove.

But it’s an adventure well worth it. Make sure you have your camping gear in tow. There are no resorts on the beach and you’ll want to spend the night after the long trek. And bring a friend or two - there’s no one there at all most of the time.

Getting there: Charter a boat and a guide at the San Vicente port in Santa Ana town to take you to Punta Verde. Santa Ana is a three-hour van ride from Tuguegarao, which you can reach by bus or plane.

Tinaga Island (Mahabang Buhangin) Calaguas, Vinzons, Camarines Norte Camarines Norte is not getting as much attention as Camarines Sur (or CamSur, as their local government markets the province).

This is why Caramoan in CamSur comes to mind when talking about Camarines instead of the Calaguas group of islands. This is why the latter is less commercialized and more serene, which makes it more beautiful.

Diniwid Beach Boracay Island, Aklan If the other options in this list are too obscure for your taste, there’s Diniwid Beach found on the island of Boracay. Unlike the beach party capital of the Philippines, White Beach, this is the alternative side of Boracay that not many people go to. Most of us go to the island to party, after all. But just like on White Beach, Diniwid sand is white (albeit not as fine) and the water is crystal clear and calm. The only thing that’s missing? The noisy rowd.

The best thing about this beach is that it’s only a few minutes away from the main beach, where you would probably be staying if you’re on the island. So there’s always the opportunity to experience both the serenity and privacy of this tiny hideaway and the comforts and the social scene that Boracay is known for.

Without needing to sleep in a tent and braving tedious treks.

Getting there: Take a tricycle from anywhere in Boracay to go to Diniwid Beach. Boracay is a 15-minute boat ride from Caticlan Airport.

The biggest island in the Calaguas archipelago, Tinaga, is home to Mahabang Buhangin, a beach escape with a dedicated cult following of backpackers. Tents are mandatory here because of the lack of accommodation options. It is recommended to visit the place as soon as possible because it is now touted as an emerging tourist destination and, before long, resorts may start lining the incredible strip of white sand beach.

Getting there: Charter a boat to take you to the island from the fish port of Vinzons town. Be prepared, though, because the journey will take more than two hours. Vinzons is a short jeep ride from Daet, which is eight hours away from Manila by bus.

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IN THE NEXT ISSUE: New Beginnings The Filipino Expat will put the spotlight on multicultural kids and how they keep up with the different traditions and cultures of their parents.

There will be a feature on the latest trends in fashion and accessories. Plus, a travelogue on one of the hottest luxury destinations in the Philippines.

Don’t believe in luck? FilExpat will interview a feng shui expert for tips and guides on making luck and opportunities work for you this 2014.

Dutch-Filipina beauty queen Sheryl Lynn Baas tells us about how her mother influenced her to give back to the Philippines, inspiring her to start a charity foundation helping children get quality education.

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RECIPES

Noche buena feasting The Pinoy celebration of Christmas culminates on Christmas Eve when families gather around the dinner table to partake of the Noche Buena, Filipinos’ version of Thanksgiving. At this time, food is the centerpiece. Some serve the same dishes as the previous year while others put a little twist on age-old recipes.

San Miguel Pure Foods company culinary center suggests a few heartwarming Christmas fares:

Crown Roast of Pork with Saffron Chorizo Rice and Roasted Bell Pepper Coulis Ingredients: 1 whole crown roast of pork (16 ribs) 1 tbsp salt ½ tbsp ground black pepper 1 tbsp garlic powder 2 tbsp olive oil For the rice: 1-210g can Purefoods chorizo de bilbao, thinly sliced ½ cup Magnolia Gold Butter, unsalted 2 cup uncooked jasmine rice, washed 2 strand saffron thread 2 cup chicken broth, hot 2 tbsp Magnolia Gold Butter, unsalted For the coulis: 3 pc large red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp shallots, chopped ¼ cup chicken broth 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar salt to taste ground white pepper to taste

Procedure: Preheat the oven to 200F. Trim off any excess fat in the center of the crown as the rice stuffing will be placed here. In a bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oil. Rub the marinade all over the pork. Let the pork rest for 1 hour minimum inside the ref. Roast the pork in the oven for around 1½-2 hours or until the pork juices are clear and not pinkish. Wrap pork with aluminum foil to keep warm. Set aside.

In a medium pan, melt butter and sauté chorizo slices. Set chorizo aside. Using the same butter use for sautéing the chorizo,

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sauté rice until well coated with the oil.

Set aside. Using a mortar and pestle, grind saffron threads and combine with the hot broth. Transfer sauteed rice and saffron broth in a rice cooker and cook until done.

Add in the chorizo slices together with the rice and finish off with 2 tbsp butter. Mix well. Set aside, covered with aluminum foil.

Heat a medium sauté pan over moderate heat. Add in the oil and sauté shallots until translucent, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the bell peppers. Cover and

sweat for about 15 minutes or until tender.

Add a couple tablespoons of broth and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and puree mixture in a blender. Add the balsamic vinegar and more broth until desired thickness is achieved. The coulis should be slightly thick in consistency.

Season the sauce with salt and pepper.

To assemble, place the crown roast in a large serving platter. Place the saffron rice in the center of the crown roast and also around the sides of the meat. Serve the coulis on the side.

ROAST CHICKEN WITH SHITAKE RICE STUFFING

Ingredients:

Procedure:

1 pc Magnolia jumbo chicken

Soften butter and blend in the herbs and garlic salt. Loosen skin of chicken and rub butter well in between the skin. Marinate chicken in soy sauce mixture for at least 1 hour in refrigerator. In a wok, melt butter and sauté chopped onions. Add chorizo and mushrooms. Cook for another 3 minutes. Add washed rice and cook for 5 minutes while constantly stirring. Season with pepper. Transfer rice mixture into a rice cooker. Ass prepared chicken broth and cook until done. Stuff chicken with prepared rice stuffing with prepared rice stuffing. Do not overstuff. Extra stuffing can be served on the side. Bake chicken in a turbo broiler at 300 degrees F for about an hour and 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. brush with marinade halfway through cooking time.

For the Herbed Butter: 1/3 cup Magnolia Gold butter unsalted, softened 1 tsp dried rosemary ¼ tsp thyme leaves 1/8 tsp sage ¼ tsp garlic salt For the marinade: 3 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp lemon juice 1/8 tsp ground black pepper For the rice stuffing: 1/3 cup Magnolia Gold butter unsalted 1/3 cup white onions, chopped 2 pc Purefoods chorizo de bilbao ½ cup shitake mushrooms, sliced 2 cup glutinous rice (malagkit), washed ¼ tsp ground black pepper 2 pc chicken bouillon cubes dissolved in, 5 cup water

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EDAM AND MIXED DRIED FRUIT SPREAD Ingredients: 2 cups Magnolia Gold Edam cheese, grated ¾ cup Magnolia Gold butter, softened 2 tbsp dried mangoes, chopped 2 tbsp dried cranberries, chopped 2 tbsp dried pineapples, chopped 2 tbsp dried apricots, chopped 2 tbsp raisins, chopped 1 tbsp honey 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 1/8 tsp ground all-spice

Procedure: Combine grated Edam cheese, softened butter, dried mangoes, dried cranberries, dried pineapples, dried apricots and raisins in a food processor.

Add honey, nutmeg and all-spice.

Continue mixing until all ingredients blend together. Transfer cheese and dried fruit mixture into a serving dish and serve together with crackers, crostinni and/or toasted bread.

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM TRIFLE Ingredients: 2 cups Magnolia all purpose cream, chilled ½ cup powdered sugar 2 cup peanut brittle, crushed 500 gm fresh strawberries, quartered and stem and leaves removed ½ cup almonds, toasted and chopped

Procedure:

Whip cream with powdered sugar until forms stiff peaks. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Divide crushed brittle in 5 serving containers or put in 1 trifle bowl. Divide strawberries and top over brittle in container/s then spoon in whipped cream over strawberries then sprinkle top with almonds. Chill until ready to serve.

Note: If strawberries are not very sweet according to your liking, you can cook it with ½ cup of water and ½ cup of sugar just until strawberries starts to soften, then use as directed.

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personalities

The ‘bad boy’ charms Pinoys in Amsterdam

by Pieter van Overbeeke photos by Sonny Dimaculangan

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“As you know I am a Muslim, but Christmas is a very important time in our country. It’s something that needs to be celebrated for all involved. It keeps family-ties strong”

The Filipino Expat Magazine

Robin, together with director Joyce Bernal and friends, relaxes at a restaurant.

F

amous Filipino movie actor Robin Padilla was recently in Amsterdam to shoot his latest film titled “10,000 Hours.”

Directed by Joyce Bernal, the movie is based on a true story of Philippine Senator Ping Lacson who was accused of crimes in the 90’s and went into hiding for about 14 months including outside the Philippines.

The movie is set to be one of the entries in the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) slated this December. Other cast members are Michael de Mesa, Pen Medina, Bella Padilla and Carla Humphries.

Robin was charming as ever. Die-hard Filipina fans couldn’t help but follow him around wherever he went. And needless to say, their phone cameras were ever ready to take an “obligatory” photo with the popular and good-looking “Bad Boy” of Philippine cinema. Robin even treated some of them to lunch and gave them money.

He went as far as making a video of his fans and posting it on his Facebook and Instagram accounts.

“As you know I am a Muslim, but Christmas is a very important time in our country. It’s something that needs to be celebrated for all involved. It keeps family-ties strong,” says Padilla.

He adds, “We all celebrate it with my daughters and relatives. It’s a bit hectic at this time because of the film-premiere, but I surely will make time for it. It is our tradition.”

Robin praised the OFWs he met while shooting here.

“They [OFWs] are fundamental to our economy because it is them who bring home to the Philippines billions of foreign currencies while working hard abroad, many times in difficult and simple surroundings,” says Robin.

A fan gets cozy with her idol.

Robin’s wife Mariel Rodriguez also flew in from the Philippines for a short European trip. Ever the loving husband, Robin took some time off from work to tour his wife around the Anne Frank Museum as well as the famous canals. Both husband and wife are very much into organic food. So they visited organic restaurants and shops. They checked out an organic farm located south of Holland as well.

Unbeknown to many, Robin has a soft spot for overseas Filipino workers. In fact, whenever he travels abroad, he likes engaging fans to a conversation.

When Robin was asked what Christmas meant for him?

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expat interviews

Nordic Living

by Dheza Kuijs

A

nna Lyn Bjørnstad, 44, has been living in Oslo, Norway for the past 13 years. She lives with her husband, two daughters and a dog named Max. She works at Scandinavian Airline and hosts a weekly radio show called Ugnayon at Pinoy Radio Nordic.

and fish were thrown into the trash bin just because they were not cooked the way they should. We invited ourselves for dinner at my parents-in-law´s place a lot. I remember calling my mother after a few weeks of craving for rice. She walked me through the process of cooking rice and I can now proudly say that I can do it without a rice cooker. I am still probably the worse homemaker there is but I am getting better.

Apart from personal or family challenges, frustration with the system is one of the things I had to struggle with in Norway.

Why did you move to Norway?

There are just a few things I dislike about living here and one of them includes the long winters. It may almost be immaculate when the snow comes but the work that comes with it is heavy -literally. There´s not much light during the day. It can be slippery at times. We have to put on layers of clothes. I guess, I am not the only person who has a long list of why I prefer spring.

What are your biggest challenges? How did you overcome them?

My first year in Norway was the most challenging. My husband is very sociable.

We get visitors almost all the time. And when two or three Norwegians come together, you don´t expect them to speak English. So there was me, sitting with them and understanding nothing.

My husband tried to translate a few conversations but it was impossible to keep up.

There was also my lack of skills in homemaking. I could not cook, clean the house properly, and wash clothes. You can just imagine how many kilos of meat

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The Filipino Expat Magazine

What do you like most about living in Norway?

You would probably find it strange that the best things I like about living in Norway are simple things. I can drink water from the tap, you can walk in the forest even in big cities and not to mention, it is a safe country to raise a family. Plus, it is generally a clean country.

The waste management here, especially in my area, is fascinating.

Thirteen years ago, together with my Norwegian partner, my daughter and I flew to Norway intending to have a one-month vacation. We planned to go back to Manila before the school year started. Our plans changed because my partner and I got married that summer.

We decided to stay and technically, I am still on holiday.

I had to find things out on my own: How to enroll a child in school, how to get listed in a Norwegian class, how the public transportation works and believe it or not, as simple as finding out where to buy rice. My husband and his family helped me, of course. But they know very little about how to help immigrants adjust to life in Europe. Good thing, I am the type who is not afraid to ask for help.

I asked his friends and even strangers.

Along the way, I gained friends.

“There are just a few things I dislike about living here and one of them includes the long winters. It may almost be immaculate when the snow comes but the work that comes with it is heavy -literally.

There´s not much light during the day. It can be slippery at times. We have to put on layers of clothes.”

What are the three important things Filipinos should remember when moving to Norway?

Bjørnstad.

While I am thankful that we do not pay anything when we get hospitalized, the waiting time and process to get the treatment you need is extremely long. It is not easy to get sick in this country. You might want to have a person who can support you. The money from the social system does not come automatically.

You should know that you have filled out all the necessary papers. I am hoping that with the new government, there would be a little improvement on the effectiveness of the system.

Learn the language as soon as you can.

The faster you learn the language, the better your chances of being satisfied wherever you are.

Learn the culture. The more you understand Norwegians, the sooner you would be able to integrate yourself in the society. Remember that people will not adjust to your culture.

Listen to the locals. They are your greatest allies on your first year. They’ll let you know what to do and what not to do.

Norwegians may seem overbearing but they will try to help you in any way they can.

Sending help to the Philippines

A destroyed house on the outskirts of Tacloban on Leyte island. This region was the worst affected by the typhoon, causing widespread damage and loss of life. (Photo courtesy of Eoghan Rice - Trócaire / Caritas)

by Lyssa Ericka Cabarles

T

he Philippines recently made international headlines when it was hit by one of the world’s super typhoons called Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan). As of this writing, the report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said that an estimated 4,000 have been found dead, some 12,000 suffered injuries and more than a thousand are still missing. Earlier reports said that death toll could reach up to 10,000. Yolanda made its first landfall on the early morning of Nov. 8, in Guiuan, Eastern Samar before continuing on its destructive path to ravage neighbouring cities like Tacloban, Capiz, and some parts of Cebu, Iloilo and Palawan.

While relief efforts from both the local and international communities are pouring into the destroyed areas, thousands remain in desperate need of food, water, medicines, clothing and shelter.

The nightmare is far from over. The affected provinces and its people need full rehabilitation of their homes, community and livelihood. The Filipino Expat has listed down the following agencies where you can send help: Habitat for Humanity- Philippines The Habitat for Humanity Philippines is raising funds to provide Cleaning Kit to 50,000 families, Shelter Repair Kit to 30,000 families and 10,000 Core Houses - all to the affected areas of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

For Peso Donations, deposit your contributions to BPI current account 2421-0014-24 For Dollar donations, deposit your contributions to BPI US Dollar account 2424-0111045

Visit their website for more information: http://www. give2habitat.org/philippines/ReBuildPhilippines Gawad Kalinga GawadKalinga (GK) is a Philippine-based organization known for building homes and communities across the country, has launched Operation WalangIwanan: Typhoon Yolanda. Aside from the immediate relief they are providing for the victims, they are also planning to build new housing units to relocate the displaced poor families and rehabilitate damaged homes.

For details on how to donate, you could visit their website http:// gk1world.com/typhoon-yolanda UNICEF UNICEF is appealing for $34 million to help 4 million Filipino children who survived Typhoon Yolanda.

UNICEF Philippines is accepting donations through the following methods: Online donation site: http://donate.unicef.ph Cash/Cheque deposit (account name: UNICEF) • Metrobank: C/A 066-706631209-3 • BDO: S/A 002-08016364-3 • Land Bank: C/A 0052-1393-17 • BPI: S/A 001-50100335-9 • PNB: S/A 531-10730001-3 • RCBC: C/A 500000-1882 PayPal: Log in to PayPal, choose ‘Send Money’ option, key in UNICEF email address (psfrmanila@unicef.org) and select ‘I’m paying for goods or services’ option.

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news

PAL flies to London Philippine Airlines launched its inaugural flight to London last Nov. 4, fulfilling the flag carrier’s promise to return to Europe four months after the lifting of the European Union ban.

“We’re very happy that London is PAL’s first Europe destination since flights to that continent were discontinued in 1998,” said Ramon Ang, PAL president and COO. PAL flies five times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), departing Manila in the morning and arriving at Terminal 4 of Heathrow airport in London, the premier gateway to the United Kingdom and the world’s busiest international airport.

“That we have been given permission to fly to Heathrow makes our return much more meaningful ... We take this as a strong vote of confidence by UK authorities in PAL’s ability to bring in the passenger traffic volume worthy of the world’s top airlines,” added Ang. PAL operates direct, non-stop flights, providing the fastest travel to London (average 13 hours) as well as convenient connections from the UK capital to top Philippine tourist spots and other destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

British business travelers can also make Manila a gateway to PAL’s extensive international network.

Ramon Ang, PAL’s president and COO. “With the new direct air links, our country is looking at a potential windfall in tourism, trade and investment from Europe,” said PAL’s chief operating officer.

In 2012, one third of the estimated 349,000 European visitors to the Philippines came from Britain. In the first

half of 2013, arrivals from UK reached 60,234. “With PAL’s new non-stop flights, we are sure these numbers will rise even further,” said Ang. PAL aims at providing the more than 664,000 Filipinos in Europe with the most convenient travel to return home.

100 Lucky Juans treated to a joyful homecoming

in December),” said Joanna Baluyut, who has been working in the Middle East for two years. “’Yung ticket ko na panalo, sobrang laking tulong na po sa’min na OFW. ‘Yung pera ng pambili mo ng ticket, pampasalubong na sa ‘Pinas (Winning the ticket to fly home is a big help for OFWs like us. The money we could’ve spent on the ticket, we can now give to our families),” added John John Cabrillos, who has been based in the Middle East for a year.

A total of 100 winners were named in the promo’s 14week run from June 3 to September 2, 2013. To join, the contestants simply had to “like” the official Cebu Pacific Facebook page, click on the 100 Lucky Juans application, and answer the question: “How will I make my homecoming in the Philippines fun?”

Lance Gokongwei (right), Cebu Pacific President and CEO, with Alex Reyes, Cebu Pacific GM for the long-haul division. no’ng pagtapak ko sa UAE, ngayon lang nagkaroon ng A total of 100 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were reunited with ganitong promo kaya nagpapapasalamat ako sa kanila. their loved ones in the Philippines through Cebu Pacific Gusto ko na umuwi kasi nami-miss ko na aking pamilya and GMA Pinoy TV’s 100 Lucky Juans promo. Families (Since I set foot in the UAE, this is the first time that and friends of the winning OFWs surprised their loved they had a promo like this, so I’m really thankful. I ones in a touching reunion celebration at Resorts really wanted to go home because I miss my family),” World Manila. he said.

The 100 Lucky Juans flew back home last Oct. 7 aboard the Dubai-Manila maiden flight of the country’s leading low-cost carrier. These include Michael Cerillo, who has been working in the UAE for 23 years. “Mula

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“Nami-miss ko na ang aking bulinggit. Sobrang saya kasi napaaga ‘yung bakasyon ko instead of December (I really miss my little one. I’m so happy because I got to go home earlier for a vacation instead of going

Answers were submitted as a photo collage, twominute video or essay with 200 words or less. These were judged based on creativity, adherence to the theme and the number of “likes” they garnered on the social networking site. The contestant’s length of stay in the UAE was also a factor in the results.

“Cebu Pacific is very proud to be reuniting 100 of our hardworking kababayans with their families in the Philippines. This has made our maiden Dubai-Manila flight a truly meaningful milestone,” said Cebu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei. “We look forward to be of service to even more Filipinos, as we continue to offer our trademark low fares to even more long haul destinations in the future. ” The first and only Philippine carrier with direct flights to Dubai, Cebu Pacific now offers daily flights from Manila.

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