The Filipino Expat

Transcription

The Filipino Expat

FILIPINOE XPAT
FREE
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Issue 3 - Oct/Nov 2013
INSIDE
Jonathan Christopher:
Designing for success
Exclusive
Azkals’ Juan Luis Guirado
on being Filipino
Get to know !
Inspiring Pinoy entrepreneurs
Invest in real estate
in the Philippines
TRAVEL
An affordable guide
to El Nido, Palawan
Plus
5 weekend destinations
for autumn
The Filipino Expat Magazine
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Contents
Expat interviews
9 Copenhagen-based community leader tells us why Denmark
is a happy place to live in
Personalities
10 Azkals defender Juan Luis Guirado opens up
on his Pinoy side
12 A pilgrim relives his journey on the Camino de Santiago
Cover story
16 Up-and-coming Filipino-Dutch designer Jonathan
Christopher Hofwegen details how he made it on his own
Features
20 Get to know the Filipinos who defied the odds to start their
own business in Europe
30 Learn how to start a franchising business with a
small capital
32 Know why now is the right time to invest in the Philippines’
real estate industry
On the cover:
Jonathan Christopher Hofwegen
shows us his atelier. Photography by
Robin Kuijs.
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Fashion
36 Learn how to break bounderies in men’s fashion
How to make biko
Travel
41 Five weekend destinations for autumn
44 Discover the beautiful El Nido Palawan
48 Living in the lap of luxury at the exclusive Punta Fuego
seaside community
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Readers’ Corner
5
A note from the
editor
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Contributors’ page
8
Events
3
READERs' CORNER
The Filipino Expat likes to hear from our readers. Keep
on sending your thoughts and comments to editor@
thefilipinoexpat.com.
FILIPINO
E X PAT
LIVING IN EUROPE
The magazine looks great. The
varying layout makes me curious
on how the next page will look.
The writing makes me want to
keep on reading and the content is
interesting. You have set yourself
a high standard. I wish you a good
future with the magazine and the
website and thank you for letting
me be a part of the launch.
Publishers
Dheza Marie Aguilar
Chris Sta Brigida, MA
Editor in Chief
Diana Uy
[email protected]
Managing Editor
Dheza Marie Aguilar
- Atle Schotel, the Netherlands
Creative Director
Robin Kuijs
Congratulations! I like [The Filipino
Expat]! Very informative! Well
done! More power to Filipino
Expat! - Leonor Vintervoll,
Norway
Nowadays, good quality, creative
platform that particularly focuses
on Filipino expatriates is hard to
find. The Filipino Expat offers rich
information, articles and insights.
It’s web portal is enticing, userfriendly and intuitive. With the
best roster of talents committed
to this initiative despite their busy
lives, I feel confident that their
efforts will flourish.
I wish the Filipino Expat magazine
the best of luck and I look forward
to more issues to come. Mabuhay!
- Grace “Perpie” Poblador,
Switzerland
Editorial Assistant
Myra Colis
Reading this first edition of The
Filipino Expat Magazine I must
say, I find it to be interesting,
well written, colorful and neatly
designed. It has given me new
insights into the Filipinos living
here and the challenges they have
faced or are still facing.
- Wouter de Boer, the
Netherlands
Congratulations to the Filipino
Expat! Mabuhay and I wish you all
the best in your future endeavors
especially in providing informative
stories to all Filipinos whether
they are overseas or at home in
the Philippines. - Joshua Boell
Formentera, Denmark
Follow us on
Twitter :
@thefilipinoexpat
www.facebook.com/TheFilipinoExpatMagazine
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Advertising Managers
Dexter Matilla (Philippines)
Rhea Topacio-Rogacion (Europe)
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
Lorentzlaan 74
3112KP Schiedam
The Netherlands
Telephone +31 (0) 624407692
Email [email protected]
[email protected]
Website www.thefilipinoexpat.com
EDITOR'S LETTER
E
veryone dreams of achieving financial freedom.
It’s true that most Filipino expats are earning better wages compared to
their kababayans in the Philippines. However, that does not necessarily
mean that they are doing better or managing their finances well. In fact, there
have been many reports that a good percentage of Filipinos living abroad
have yet to imbibe the concept of saving and investing money. Even more
heartbreaking are the stories of Filipinos who have worked for many years
overseas and earning well but returning or retiring to the Philippines a poor
fellow, if not in the same situation as before. According to surveys, Filipinos
abroad tend to send a large portion of their income to their families back
home, which financial experts say, is a bad habit that we need to break.
For this third issue, The Filipino Expat has gathered its resources to give you
informative and inspiring stories that we hope will help you reach financial
freedom. We have filled our pages with features on our kababayans who
have found success in their business ventures in Europe despite the cultural
differences, lack of capital, limited expertise and connections and so on.
Our cover story chronicles the journey of fashion designer Jonathan Hofwegen,
from a young kid getting inspired by fashion to having his own clothing
company, dressing up some of Amsterdam’s popular celebrities and selling his
clothes in Hong Kong. We also have stories on passionate Filipinos who made
a business out of what they love to do such as hairdressing, pampering clients,
baking cupcakes or cooking.
Azkal defender Juan Luis Guirado with shoot
coordinators Windy dela Cruz and Neil dela
Cruz on a photoshoot break in Madrid.
We’ve even included a piece on investing in real estate in the Philippines.
Thanks to a boom in the country’s property and construction industries.
And granted we don’t have enough millions (in pesos or euros) yet to put up
our own fast food chain for example, we can opt to own an affordable but
reputable food kiosk franchise or two in the meantime. Tips can be found in
the article titled, “Winning the food business through franchising.”
How can we forget our readers’ craving to satisfy their wanderlust if not their
love for food? FilExpat’s publisher Dheza Kuijs and husband Robin traveled to
Punta Fuego, an exclusive seaside resort community in Batangas, Philippines,
for an unforgettable and relaxing staycation. Their escape to another paradise
island El Nido is also a must-read. Foodies who are missing the kakanin called
biko can follow the delicious recipe of Ken Subillaga.
Plus! We have an exclusive on Philippine Azkals player Juan Luis Guirado.
Contributor Nats Sisma Villaluna has all the juicy details in a feature titled,
“Close Encounter with an Azkal.”
Dheza Marie Aguilar interviews Jonathan
Christopher Hofwegen for the cover story.
Happy reading!
-Diana
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contributors
Winderlyn ‘Windy’ Dela Cruz is a graduate of
Bachelor of fine arts major in advertising at the
University of Santo Tomas, Manila. Her scope
of expertise includes photography, illustration,
painting and motion graphics. She formed the
band Sanka, now Strange Fall. She was the
guitarist of the band until she moved to Spain.
Now she produces and composes songs for them.
She lives in Madrid.
Ruelle Albert Castro is a career journalist,
learning the ropes of being the typical streetsmart guy. Part-cynic, part-optimist, story-telling
(or chronicling your story) is his business.
Myra Colis is a Filipino entrepreneur who
believes in the power of data in driving
businesses to success. She provides consumer
market research, communications/marketing,
and skills training support to micro, small, and
medium enterprises in Europe via her own
startup company, E3 Data Intelligence Services
(wwwe3dis.com). She lives in the Netherlands.
Kenneth Subillaga is finishing his PhD at the
University of Santiago de Compostela. He
teaches English as well as bakes personalized
cakes for his business Tartas de Disenos, www.
facebook.com/GourmetCakesByKen.
Nats Sisma Villaluna came to Spain to study
Masters in International Sectorial Economics at
the University of Santiago de Compostela in 2004.
From 2005 to 2008, he worked as a volunteer
for various Spanish NGOs in Madrid. In 2009, he
took up Masters in International Cooperation at
the University of Barcelona. Today, he is juggling
two jobs: teaching English and volunteering at
Centro Filipino in Barcelona. He is a member of
The Filipino Writers Association in Spain as well as
Grupo Concierto Filipino. Nats is a lover of books,
good food and art films. He travels a lot during his
free time.
Maria Kristine Fleischhacker also writes for The
Filipino Expat website. She served as a volunteer
in Latin America before moving to Switzerland.
She is completely fascinated by European
landscapes and architecture. She loves exploring
the cuisine, as well as the literature, of each
country she visits but her heart remains in the
Philippines. At present, her greatest challenge is
to speak German without faltering. She is married
to a loving Hungarian.
Ronald Pronk is a fashion photographer who
co-owns Jitty’s Hair and Make-up in Amsterdam.
He is passionate about photography and helping
people find their full potential. His works can be
seen at www.ronaldpronk-fotografie.nl
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EVENTS
Kulturang Pilipino 2013
October 12, 2013
FanaKulturhus,
Nesstun, Norway
Kulturang Pilipino 2013, organized by HawakKamay
Bergen, presents traditional Filipino folk dances as well
as a fashion show of the traditional terno with a modern
twist by Numer Exconde. Call or email Ma. Bernadette
Baylosis at +47 0 906 43 009 / [email protected].
org
Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Seminar
September 2013- March 2014
WereldHuisThe Hague
The Netherlands
The seminar aims to educate overseas Filipino workers
(OFWs) on financial literacy, thus empowering them on
making proper choices when it comes to their money.
Registration is until Oct. 3. Email Rhea Topacio at lse.
[email protected]
Filipino Fighting Arts Seminar
October 30, 2013
Bad Kreuznach, Germany
The seminar is open to anyone interested in gaining an
in-depth understanding and knowledge background of
Filipino martial arts. FFAA’s goal is to promote and share
the Filipino martial arts around the world at the highest
technical level. For more information, visit www.filipinofighting-arts.com
Dances of Paradise Islands
October 20, 2013
The Venue, MK
Milton Keynes, England
Premier Filipino dance group Lahing Kayumanggi performs
traditional songs and dances from the different islands of
the Philippines. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk or
www.lkdance.org.uk
Fibre Filippine
October 17-20, 2013
Rome, Italy
All roads lead to Rome as 13 exhibitors representing handembroidered products using traditional Philippine fibers made
of pina, abaca and banana present their pride to the Italian
audience.
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Happy in Denmark
EXPAT INTERVIEWS
By DM Kuijs
One of the picturesque views in Denmark.
T
he United Nations General
Assembly’s second “World
Happiness Report” has ranked
Denmark number one. Judy Jover,
a Filipina expat in Copenhagen,
Denmark, tells us why:
How long have you been living in
Denmark?
I have been living here in Denmark
for more than 15 years. Prior to that,
I’ve lived in Switzerland for two years,
France for two years and Germany
for two years.
What can you say about the
country’s quality of life?
Denmark has a very high standard
of living. It has something to do with
the very high tax we pay. However,
the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Good schools and good medical care
are some of the things we don’t have
to worry about. If you lose your job
and you are a member of a union,
you will actually get enough money
every month to be able to get by. The
Danish system is very well organized.
This “security net” protects Danish
citizen. I’m quite happy with my
life here in Denmark. I feel safe and
secured especially when you have
children. Their welfare system is
generous. I don’t mind paying almost
42 percent of my earnings as I can
see it’s put to good use.
How would you rate the kind of life
you have now?
I would go for 8 on a scale of 10,
being the highest. I am satisfied
with all the social benefits Denmark
has to offer to its citizens. But being
a foreigner in this country, it’s
something else. There are still some
gaps I have to fill in before I could go
for 100 percent satisfaction. Moving
to a new country means starting your
life all over again: New language,
new identity, new challenges. Fitting
in is another story. No matter how
long you have been here, the high
education you’ve achieved and the
vast experiences you have had, you
still settle for something less or work
harder to be at a certain level of
acceptance here.
The iconic Little Mermaid statue that attracts
thousands of tourists.
disabled. Thus everyone is feeling
happy and has nothing much to
complain about.
What are the top three things that
is being done for the citizens of
Denmark that you wish is also being
done by the Philippine government
to its people?
1. Health care service for all.
2. Green lifestyle – Respecting the
environment, recycling and using
renewable energies.
3. Innovative society – the concern
of the government is always on
working conditions, education and
community development.
Do you agree with the World’s
Happiness Report that the well
being of the citizens are being
prioritized by policy makers in
Denmark?
I very much agree with that.
Denmark has developed a system
which guarantees a strong minimal
standard of living to all -- including
the children, the elderly and the
Judy Jover
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PERSONALITIES
up close and personal
with an azkal
by Nathaniel Sisma Villaluna
photos by Windy dela Cruz
W
hen we visited Malaga, Spain a few months ago,
we never expected to share a beer or two with the
Spanish-Filipino Azkals player Juan Luis Guirado.
Standing 6 feet and 2 inches tall, the Malaga-born Guirado
gamely shared his story with us, narrating his journey
from Malaga to Manila to represent the Philippines in the
international football arena.
“I think I was already playing football when I was born. I started
playing when I was young in all corners of our neighborhood
in El Palo, Malaga. That was everyday. I began playing
professionally when I turned 18,” shares Guirado.
The 33-year-old defender/midfielder was playing for the Spanish
team, Racing Lermeño, until January 2012. He joined the Azkals
February of the same year. Those who have been following the
humble and down-to-earth Guirado always remember how
he helped the Philippines win over Palestine during a close
match back in March 2012. That was when he scored his first
international goal, giving the Philippines the much needed lead.
The game ended at 4-2 in favor of the Philippine team.
“It was through my cousin Rafa [Garcia] who made me consider
playing with Azkals. Seeing that the team was improving and
Azkals was looking for players around the world, he asked us if
we would like to play for the team,” recalls Guirado.
According to Guirado, there were many considerations before he
Azkals defenderJuan Luis Guirado at the Monumento de Rizal in
Madrid, Spain.
joined the Azkals. Among them included the economic situation
in Spain plus the fact that he just started working at Frito Lays
for Pepsi Company. But Guirado was determined to become an
Azkals player. And he never once regretted his decision.
“For me, it was and still is the most beautiful thing that has
happened to me, professionally. More than the pride on being
able to represent a lot of people and although I was not born in
the Philippines, I feel every bit a Filipino every day of my life,”
admits Guirado.
“Although
I was not
born in the
Philippines,
I feel every
bit a Filipino
every day of
my life”
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Guirado shows some moves.
He got game
Juan Luis Guirado is arguably one of Azkals’ most
prized players. It doesn’t hurt also that he is halfFilipino and so proud of it, making it so easy for fans to
connect with him.
Guirado tells us more about what it is like to be playing
for the Philippine team:
Guirado proudly wears the Philippine flag.
Guirado’s family was equally happy and supportive of him.
The Azkals player was born to a Filipina mother, a native of
Ilagan, Isabela. His mom, Angela, belongs to the famous
Aldeguer clan in the Philippines. She met her husband Juan
Luis senior, a true blue Malaguneo, during a visit to her cousin
in Spain. Guirado’s younger brother, Angel Guirado, is also a
midfielder at team Azkals.
“My siblings and I have always been exposed to the Philippine
culture thanks to my mother. My mom, who is always brimming
with happiness and optimism, cooks a lot of Filipino dishes. It´s
always fiesta at home,” enthuses Guirado.
According to Guirado, he was five years old when he first visited
the Philippines for the first time. He remembers the colors and
the rice fields. His second visit was eight years ago, enjoying
more his stay by spending more time with his relatives and going
to places like Ilagan and San Fernando. He loved pancit, crispy
pata and lechon.
“I am always amazed by the happiness and optimism of the
people in the Philippines. And the heat! You can’t forget that,”
reveals Guirado.
Guirado was recently tapped to do a project in Payatas. It was an
eye-opener, he says.
“I didn’t doubt for a second in saying yes. I wanted to see the
reality of life, and if I can help in any way I can, I will always be
there. They taught me a lot of things and I enjoyed more than I
expected. I hope to go back soon to learn more and enjoy more
than I expected,” admits Guirado.
Guirado says he has always been a Filipino at heart.
“Right now, I am trying to learn and improve my English and
Tagalog. I want to take this opportunity to learn more and more
things about the Philippines. I even show off my Philippine
passport every time I travel and I see Filipinos at the airport,”
shares Guirado.
Guirado says that in Spain, he can now actually point out a Pinoy
in the crowd. Once in Burgos, he stopped a Pinoy and called
out, “Kabayan! Pre, kamusta?”
What is the difference between playing in Spain and
in the Philippines?
As far as national leagues are concerned, Spain has
the best football league in the world and the second
divisions have a higher level too. In the Philippines,
there are still more things to improve on as far as the
structure, organization, and/or learning in general
are concerned. But lately, it has shown a lot of
improvements in all aspects.
Who are your favourite football players?
I don’t have favourite players. Each one has something
to offer like [Zinedine] Zidane has class; Ronaldo,
power; Cristiano [Ronaldo], his competitiveness and
speed; [Lionel] Messi, his decisiveness.
What have you learned during your first year with
Azkhals?
A lot of things! The language, the culture... each player,
everybody without exception has given me something.
Each of us comes from different places with different
cultures. I learned to be more humble, to see the
reality of life, respect others and to always feel lucky
and grateful for everything that I have.
I am seeing the world, different places that I would
have never gone to. I have discovered that every
Filipino from different parts of the world accepts and
meets us in a very special way. I feel privileged.
I get to play with the best players in every international
match that we participate in.
Until when are you going to play football?
I will play until my body permits me to. I work hard
and I take care of myself really well for this dream
to last a longer, possible time. But no, I will never
abandon football, age doesn’t matter to me.
-Nats Sisma Villaluna
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A pilgrim’s
tale
Nats Sisma Villaluna
By Dheza Marie Aguilar
How are your divas (feet, shoulders and back)?
The divas are fine now. My shoulders and
back had already stopped aching on the day I
arrived in Santiago. Though my feet still have
some traces of the previous blisters, they no
longer complain when I walk.
In one of your blog entries, you mentioned
that you were not really sure of the reason
why you were doing the Camino for the third
time. Have you found your answers?
F
or almost a month, Nathaniel Sisma
Villaluna has amazed and entertained
us with his blog entries on The
Filipino Expat website, chronicling his
journey on the famous Camino de Santiago.
His inspiring stories definitely made us
laugh, squirm, reflect, wonder and even feel
encouraged to try the pilgrimage ourselves.
Nats, as friends fondly call him, is now back
in Barcelona, settling back to the life he
temporarily left behind. But we know that this
pilgrim’s tale is not yet over. He will make many
more journeys on the Camino and delight us
once again with his funny anecdotes, insights,
and musings.
FilExpat has recently flown to Barcelona to
check on our celebrity of the hour.
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This is a very difficult question, actually. Days
before I left for Roncevalles to start my Camino
I had been asking myself every day, “Why am
I doing this? Why am I subjecting myself to
a month of torture and suffering?”. I just felt
that I had to do it. I wanted to prove to myself
that I could. I had always wanted to do the
whole French route. Alone. These past few
months, I was restless and I felt the need to
be with myself to think things over. I thought
walking the Camino was the best way to do
it. It just came at the right time. There were
many reasons as a matter of fact. But after
several days of walking, everything just fell into
place. Deep inside me, I knew and felt the real
reason why. It´s difficult to explain to tell you
the truth. But at the end of the day, it is not the
“Why I did the Camino?” that really matters, it
is the, “I am so glad I did it,” that counts.
What would you consider your fondest
memory from the 26-day journey?
A lot. It is one of the best decisions I have
ever made in my entire life. Looking at the
hundreds of photos I have taken, everything
was like a dream. Funny, because I can still
remember even the smell of the air, the heat,
the sound of my walking stick hitting the rocky
paths, the “Buen Camino” greetings from
fellow peregrinos or the locales. I remember
the food, the conversations that I had with
complete strangers.
Antonio, another pilgrim whom Nats calls
‘The Historian of Aragon.’
Every time I started my walk in the morning, the
feeling of adventure, recklessness and fatigue.
And every time I reached my destination at the
end of the day, the feeling of elation, excitement
and relief and yes, fatigue. Everything. Even the
pain in my feet, back and shoulders. Believe
it or not, I can still remember the pain with
fondness. These small details made up the
whole amazing journey.
Nats made friend with Canadian couple, Mark and Isabel.
at the camera, very happy. Below the photo,
there was a note that read, “Por ti lo haría mil
Which do you think was the most challenging veces Kevin, hijo mío.” (For you, I would do this
part?
a thousand times Kevin, my son).
Beside Kevin´s photo was a photo
I can think of three gruesome
“It was the of a middle-aged woman hugging a
days as the most challenging
tiger on her lap, healthy and happy.
ones. First was walking to hottest day of And then below the photo, a note
Pamplona, which was the second the year and I read, “Our Dear Trudy 1942-2011”.
day, I had blisters all over my
was soaking, Suddenly, I felt uncomfortable.
feet. My shoulders were bruised
It was like something hit me. I
panting and couldn’t explain it. As I looked
and my back was aching big time
because of my heavy backpack.
around, I was all alone in a vast
burning in
Second, was walking to Logroño.
of green and the road ahead
the Spanish space
It was the hottest day of the year
seemed unfamiliar and endless.
and I was soaking, panting and summer heat. In front of me were two healthy
burning in the Spanish summer
I ran out of and happy looking individuals,
heat. I ran out of water and
both already gone. I suddenly
water and remembered my father, friends
my nose was bleeding. Third,
walking to O Cebreiro. It was my nose was who had passed away. Images of
a strenuous 30-km walk with
Kevin´s old mom or dad walking
bleeding.”
eight kilometers of steep trails.
the Camino for him went flashing
I almost gave up. At the end of
in my head. No matter how hard
the day, when I finally reached
I tried, I couldn’t stop crying. I was
O Cebreiro, I treated myself to a
crying and crying while walking. I only stopped
really, really heavy and sumptuous dinner.
when I saw a farmer from a distant. I told
myself, “So it´s true. I had just my “breakdown
How and when was your so-called breakdown moment.” But it felt good afterwards.
moment?
Do you believe that miracles happen in the
That´s true. I was a bit skeptical at first, but at Camino?
the same time, I was looking forward to having
this moment –my own “breakdown” moment. I am a believer of miracles. And yes, miracles
On my 17th day, on my way to Foncébadon, I happen on the Camino. Small things actually.
was all alone walking in the middle of a wheat Pure coincidence, maybe. But then, sometimes,
field when I saw a big cross. Beneath it was a it is hard to explain. One of the reasons why I
photo of a very young man, healthy and smiling did the Camino was my mother.
13
Signs guide pilgrims
during their long journey
on Camino de Santiago.
anyone to talk to. I talked to God. I knew that he was
walking with me, listening and watching. I always felt
His presence every time I got lost and was about to
throw the towel. And it felt good. Really.
How would you advise those who want to walk the
Camino as well?
My advice is to be psychologically and physically
prepared. Take care of your feet. Our feet can dictate
us
if we can continue or not. The first few days will be
very, very difficult. Don’t be afraid of doing it alone
because along the way, you will meet a lot of interesting
people.
“ I came to know
what I am capable
of doing as well as
my limits.”
What have you learned from this journey?
I didn´t mention this in my blog because it was
something that I was not ready to talk about back
then. My mother was diagnosed with cancer and had
to undergo an operation back in August. Everyday,
during my walk, I offered my prayers for her safe
operation, her full recovery and for the cancer to
disappear. I finished my Camino. August came and she
had the operation. The operation went fine and there
was no need for chemo. Her cancer was gone. It was
like, “God, you answered my prayers!”
How did your religion influence or help you in this
journey?
I can say that I have a beautiful relationship with God
in my own way. And yes, it played a very important
part in
my journey. I was alone most of the time. I didn’t have
I learned a lot from this journey. I came to know what
I am capable of doing as well as my limits. I learned to
go with the flow as what Antonio from Aragon told me.
That life is like doing the Camino. There are different
routes and paths, but there is only one destination.
We have burdens to carry but it´s up to us whether to
give up or go on. It´s a decision to make. What paths to
take –whether by the highway, in the middle of wheat
fields or on rocky roads. Life is not easy. Because if it
were, it would be boring. After my Camino, I came up
with this line that can best describe how I felt while
walking: Stubbornness of the mind, recklessness of
the spirit and humility of the heart.
If given a chance, would you do it again?
I think I would. But this time, it would be a different
route. Maybe, I would take the North route, by the
coast. They say it’s very beautiful and very difficult
but let´s see. Why would I do it again? I don´t know
yet. But at the moment, I would like to hold on to the
memories of my recent Camino that are still fresh in
my mind.
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15
Cover Story
Designing his
way to success
Photos by Robin Kuijs
16
A
s we climb the narrow stairs up to
his atelier, I tell fashion designer
Jonathan Christopher Hofwegen,
“With stairs like these, you shouldn’t be
coming home drunk.”
Hofwegen laughs, reading my mind about
the wild and glamorous parties that
someone like him is regularly invited to.
“Oh, it’s manageable,” he chirps.
“’Socializing is part of the job.”
We reach the second floor of the house he
shares with his partner Bart in Rotterdam.
Here, he has a small reception area
furnished by a worn out couch as well as
a kitchen counter where he makes coffee
for his guests. Then we notice the two
open rooms –one full with samples and
fabrics while the other, with patterns,
mannequins and sewing machines. We
enter his work station. On the wall above
his computer are different photos and
other images which Hofwegen says inspire
him. Alongside the little works of “art” are
self-help quotes touching on working hard
and being original.
Destined for fashion
Hofwegen was born to a Filipina mother
and American father. When his mother
re-married his Dutch stepfather adopted
him and took the whole family to The
Netherlands.
His exposure to fashion started at a young
age, when he would see his mom dress
up in stylish clothes and shoes. Growing
up, his mom would always tell him to try
to look his best even if his pockets were
empty just so he would feel good about
himself.
He never forgot his mom’s wise words
–fashion can make anyone not only look
good but also make them feel rich as well.
So when it was time for Hofwegen to
pursue a course in university, it didn’t
come as a surprise that he would choose
something that had to do with fashion.
Hofwegen finished his bachelor’s degree in
fashion and apparel design at the Willem
de Kooning Academy. He then pursued his
master’s degree at the prestigious Dutch
fashion school ArteZ Institute for the Arts
and became part of the Generation 12
class.
17
Even then, Hofwegen would be
nominated for several fashion
competitions in The Netherlands. He
was most proud when he was chosen
by no less than renowned fashion
designer Marc Jacobs as the only
non-German finalist for the Design
for Tomorrow Berlin competition
in 2011. Although he did not bring
home the coveted 1st prize, he won
the Henri Winkelman young creative
entrepreneur award two years later in
his home country.
clothes should be wearable. So much
so, that even their creators will want
to put them on.
“I only want to create clothes that I
will wear myself. I don’t get it how
some designers can make things that
they won’t wear themselves. I find
it a waste of money and materials,”
observes Hofwegen.
Hofwegen’s designs can be described
as androgynous. He mixes and
matches contrasting fabrics, uses
solid colors and highlights fluidity
“I don’t have to be a celebrity
designer but I consider my designs as in his sillouettes. He goes as far as
experimenting
couture. I only
with different
make one piece
materials
for each of
“I only want to create
like wood to
my collections
and they’re all
clothes that I will wear incorporate
with his fabrics.
handmade. I
myself. I don’t get it how His inspirations
use high quality
can be as
materials,”
they
can
make
things
Hofwegen considers his designs as couture.
diverse as
notes
the anatomy
Hofwegen.
that they won’t wear
of insects to
potential in the fashion industry
themselves. I find it
create pieces,
At 26,
especially in Europe. If only they are
which
can
Hofwegen has
developed and promoted more here,”
a waste of money and
transform
his own label
laments Hofwegen.
materials”
into different
aptly named
looks when
Jonathan
Entering the fashion world
exposed to
Christopher
light. Jonathan also uses traditional
Homme. The clothes under this line
Hofwegen admits that it is not easy
Philippine fabrics made of pina and
are already being retailed at the K11
being a young fashion designer in
banana fibers.
mall in Hongkong. Dutch celebrities
The Netherlands. To gain experience,
including Jandino Asporaat have
he worked for the Dutch fashion
“Philippine fabrics, especially those
sported his designs.
designer Franciso van Benthum
made of banana fibers, are very good for almost a year before taking his
raw materials. They have great
Hofwegen believes that designer
master’s degree. He also worked for
fashion store Sophie#1234567+ as
both production managemer and
assistant. In some of his designing
gigs, he was not even paid for his
work.
Having his own label, says Hofwegen,
is not all it’s cracked up to be.
“Sometimes, I do not earn much
with my pieces because I buy my
fabrics which are of very high quality,”
confesses Hofwegen.
To augment his income, he designs
clothes for other fashion houses.
Hofwegen and his partner converted their second floor into the designer’s atelier.
18
“Sometimes you just have to do what
everything himself –from looking for
sponsors to marketing and managing
his finances.
He was able to start his business
thanks to his savings plus a
government grant that especially
offers financial assistance to artists
like Hofwegen.
Hofwegen’s multicultural
background, he says, has helped
him to become more creative and
entrepreneurial. He is quick to add
that growing up in a Dutch household
has influenced him to become
businessminded as well.
Hofwegen makes sure his financial figures
are correct.
you have to do,” says Hofwegen.
While he understands that
networking is a crucial part of his job,
Hofwegen sometimes finds it difficult
to combine partying all night and
working on his designs the next day.
“If I were younger, I wouldn’t mind.
But now I feel tired easily after
doing an all-nighter,” the designer
laughingly shares.
Hofwegen advises aspiring
entrepreneurs to read a lot,
especially when it comes to subjects
on finance. It is best, he says, to be
surrounded by people who know
how to handle their money well. Ask
for advice on how to make your hardearned cash grow. Networking is also
key to having success in business. You
just have to be willing to spend time
and money.
“Having a
business is a lot
of work and a lot
of investment.
Sometimes you
have to work
20 hours a day
and it can get
really difficult.
You have to
have passion
otherwise you
will not survive”
“Having a business is a lot of work
and a lot of investment. Sometimes
you have to work 20 hours a day and
it can get really difficult. You have to
have passion otherwise you will not
survive,” ends Hofwegen.
Having good business sense
Recently, Hofwegen has partnered
with a friend to launch a ready-towear collection for women. These
clothes will be sold in over 120 shops
in The Netherlands.
“I have become more businessminded since the first show in Berlin.
At one point, you will realize that
you have to have income,” says
Hofwegen.
As an entrepreneur, Jonathan is
very hands-on. He prefers meeting
with clients than conversing with
them through electronic mail. He is
practically a one-man show, doing
The designer puts some finishing touches on a suit.
19
FEATURES
A ‘Unique’
beauty portal in Zürich
By Maria Kristine Fleischhacker
20
Ildeme Mahinay Koch
personally attends to her
clients, above; Unique also
offers beauty products, right.
I
n a country famously known for top
quality brands like Rolex, Lindt, and
Victorinox, an enterprising Pinay braved
the odds by opening U’nique Personal
Grooming by Demee right in the middle
of Switzerland’s financial hub. Ildeme
“Demee” Mahinay Koch, or “The Goddess”
as many clients call her, says “grooming
people” is her passion.
21
Unique highlights personalized grooming services to clients.
From Dubai to Switzerland
started her grooming business.
Koch was already enjoying success
dealing with luxury beauty products at a
consultancy company in Dubai when she
decided to move to Switzerland to be
with her then future husband in 2007.
“I saw that there is a gap in the market
here in Switzerland. Grooming services
here are not yet that complete and
sophisticated. In the Philippines,
customers are warmly welcomed. Here
you are just a number. I felt there is a job
for me to do,” enthuses Koch.
“It was hard to leave a good career
and to move from a people-friendly
environment to an almost aloof one. I
also got used to being around modern
and forward-thinkers in Dubai when it
comes to fashion and beauty. I really felt
the culture clash,” reveals Koch.
Upon arriving in Switzerland, she
immediately enrolled herself at the
Swiss Business School to get an MBA.
After graduation, she applied for a senior
management position at a company
only to be advised that she can only be a
management trainee for the time being.
During this time, she was already
married to her Swiss fiancé. Koch felt all
the more driven to succeed. She decided
to go back to that one thing she loved
doing –making people look good –and
22
Koch opened U`nique, her first personal
“The real hard part of the
business is finding the right
people. I learned that I must
not be too Filipino, not to be
too lenient.”
grooming concept in May 2010 in Zürich.
She would later realize that there is no
short cut to success in any business.
The road to success
Although she had the full support of
her husband, Koch would experience
loneliness and discrimination. She says
that at first it was not easy but later on
she made many friends, some of whom
helped her out in her business.
Eventually she became pregnant with
her son Oliver.
“He is one of the main reasons why
it has been easy for me to overcome
my loneliness. He makes me more
determined in the business,” shares
Koch.
Thanks to Koch’s vision combined
with her amazing energy and charm,
U`nique is now a talk of the town.
Koch describes U`nique as a “grooming
lounge,” prettifying and pampering
clients from head to toe. U`nique offers
services like hands and feet grooming,
waxing, facial massage, eyelash
extension, to name a few. It is the first
in Zürich to offer nail grooming services
to kids.
The place has been praised for being the
first one to have sinks attached to the
floor for feet grooming purposes.
Women are treated like a queen at Unique
U`nique has been featured in a few
magazines and has been a beauty hub
from young to adult professionals, models
and pageant winners and contestants.
Women who come to the salon are
treated like queens. They are served
champagne and some appetizers with live
music in the background.
“My clients stay longer in the salon
because I like to connect with people. In
fact, some of my clients have done their
business transactions here,” says Koch
adding that the place is also a good venue
for parties and business.
According to Koch, it took them almost
a year to start the grooming service. She
and her husband found the place through
a friend. They had to do some upgrade
and renovations that included adding
personal touches to the interiors –from
the chic wall colour down to the cozy
upholstered chairs. Koch is thankful that
business and government transactions in
Switzerland are very systematic. She had
no trouble at all registering her business.
Koch hopes to offer more services and
open more branches.
“The real hard part of the business is
finding the right people. I learned that
I must not be too Filipino, not to be too
lenient. Be a little bit tough or you will be
abused. Adjust to your environment but
never lose yourself,” says Koch.
Koch adds that having a realistic dream as
well as knowing your limits are among the
keys to success.
“Every business starts with an idea. Be
reasonable to your family and relatives
especially when helping them. Never
forget yourself,” finishes Koch.
U’nique Personal Grooming by Demee is
located at Langstrasse 187, 8005 Zürich,
Switzerland. Call +41 44 5588 252 or email
[email protected]
ADVERTISEMENTS
ROBINKUIJS
www.facebook.com/LOLLifestyleenFashion
f o t o g r a f i e
Corporate and portrait photography
www.robinkuijs.com
23
FEATURES
A ‘cut’ above the rest
By Myra Colis
Photos by Ronald Pronk
Jitty Dela Cruz has gone a long way from his humble beginnings
in the Philippines. This native of Malabon is now living a dream in
Amsterdam, owning an 11-year-old salon named after him.
Jitty’s Hair and Make-up salon is the go-to place for fellow Filipino
expats whenever they want to have their beauty fix. The salon
has carved a niche in the market by offering unique hairstyles and
colors to customers in that side of The Netherlands.
Dela Cruz’s journey to being a Filipino expat in Europe and an
entrepreneur at that is truly inspiring. His parents couldn’t afford
to send all their children to school that the young Dela Cruz
opted to drop out of college back in the Philippines. His mom
would eventually introduce him to famous Filipino hairstylist
Jun Encarnacion, who taught him everything he needed to learn
about the trade.
Later, Dela Cruz would fall in love with a Dutch expat named Jack,
a senior executive at an insurance company in Manila. In 1984,
Dela Cruz left the Philippines to finally join Jack and his family in
Amsterdam. Dela Cruz wasted no time advancing his career and
expertise by taking short courses on hairdressing in London and
Paris. But Jack would die of poor health in 1993, before Dela Cruz
could even realize his dream of owning a salon.
A year after Jack’s death, Dela Cruz would meet his life and
business partner, Ronald Pronk. The two decided to put up their
own business banking on Dela Cruz’s experience and know-how
on beauty salons.
They were fortunate that they did not have to spend too much,
investing only in shampoo bowls, second-hand chairs and hiring
two part-time hairdressers to start the business. Through the
years, Dela Cruz and Pronk have grown their small venture,
employing seven people today. Pronk acts as salon manager.
According to Dela Cruz, Jitty’s Hair and Make-up salon has had its
share of ups and downs.
“The first three years of operations were the most challenging
times mainly because we were offering the same services as our
competitors. We needed to stand out,” recalls Dela Cruz.
The couple decided to enroll themselves in business management
courses and other related workshops. They would later learn to
Jitty dela Cruz fixes the hairstyle of a model during a show.
focus on Dela Cruz’s innovative way of cutting and coloring hair to
promote the business.
They also invested in honing the skills of their staff by partnering
with companies like L’Oreal Professional. The latter provided
not only advanced training to Dela Cruz’s beauty team but also
allowed them to be sent abroad to expose them to outside
trends.
The partners’ foresight proved more than profitable.
“Putting up a business requires you to have a have a feel of the
market. Do research, study what you have to offer, make a sound
business plan, and be realistic. However, what’s most important
is you have to believe in yourself, take those bold steps to reach
your dream,” advises Dela Cruz.
Jitty’s Hair and Make-up salon showcases sleek interiors.
24
Dela Cruz takes pride in creating innovative hairstyles.
25
FEATURES
Aiming high and doing it right
Chona Abiertos Tenoria
C
hona Abiertas Tenoria is the
type who only dreams big.
“When you dream big, even if
you don’t realize that dream,
that’s an achievement already
especially when you have done
all you can to get it,” explains
Tenoria.
A woman of many talents,
Tenoria considers finishing
law school at the age of 50
as well as starting her own
law firm in Barcelona as her
biggest accomplishments to
date. She was given the Dr. Jose
Rizal award for “most outstanding
Filipino entrepreneur” by the nongovernment organization Centro
Filipino Tuluyan sa San Benito in
Barcelona in 2012.
Humble beginnings
Tenoria had initially wanted to
26
“When I started
law school, it was so
hard. The medium
of instruction was
Catalan. I could
understand Catalan
but not speak it.”
For five years, she fought to get her
residence permit. She worked as a
babysitter while pursuing several
studies that included information
technology, nursing, and business
administration.
“When I was working as a
babysitter, I was often crying,
thinking of my one-year-old
daughter in the Philippines,”
Tenoria narrates, adding she also
supported her brothers and sisters
in the Philippines.
migrate to the US. In fact, her
entry to Spain was simply her
way of getting a Spanish visa that
she thought would help her go
to America without a hitch. That
was the plan. Fate would have it
differently.
Tenoria’s luck changed when she
landed a job as a housekeeper for a
prominent businessman; something
she did during weekends. Realizing
she was capable of doing more than
household chores, Tenoria’s boss
hired her as his personal secretary.
In 1987, Tenoria arrived in
Barcelona, Spain.
Her employer’s old age and
declining health made her think of
Habeas Corporation works on cases
like immigration, criminal, tributary,
fiscal, taxation among others.
“I know that many Filipinos who
come here are professionals and they
are very smart. My advice to them,
especially to those who have come
here without going through the right
process, is to be legally recognized.
There are so many ways. For example,
I am encouraging them to look for
scholarships or government grants.
And if you want to have a business
here in Europe, it must be registered,”
finishes Tenoria.
Tenorio with partner Sonia Rosales Gallegos and
associate Marcos Nicolau Ramon.
her future. This Filipino expat, at 45,
decided to study law.
“I barely made it on the last day of
the qualifying exam for the College
of Law at the University of Barcelona
but I still ended up having one of
the highest scores,” proudly recalls
Tenoria.
According to Tenoria, studying law,
especially for someone like her who
could not speak Catalan then, had
been difficult.
“When I started law school, it was so
hard. The medium of instruction was
Catalan. I could understand Catalan
but not speak it. I had to translate
the words in three languages in my
head and that was very tiring,” shares
Tenoria.
Tenoria specialized in labor law,
finishing law school in five years while
juggling a fulltime job.
“I did not have much social life,
spending countless nights in front
of piles and piles of law books,” says
Tenoria.
Starting her own business
Tenoria could have worked for
other law firms but she preferred
to have her own company, Habeas
Corporation, to be able to help her
kababayans more.
“That’s one of the reasons why I
chose to specialize in labor and
employment as well as in social and
security. These are the areas that
concern most Filipinos in Europe,”
confesses Tenoria.
Tenoria partnered with her Mexican
schoolmate Sonia Rosales to start
Habeas Corporation.
“During my first year of living here
[Barcelona], I saw many injustices
that our kababayans regularly
experience. And it is still happening
up to this day. I want to help,” points
out Tenoria.
Tenoria and Rosales constantly
organize free seminars and special
conferences for Filipinos to help them
be informed about their rights as well
as obligations in their host countries.
“I know that
many Filipinos
who come here
are professionals
and they are
very smart.
My advice to
them, especially
to those who
have come here
without going
through the right
process, is to be
legally recognized”
Habeas Corporation is
partnering with The Filipino
Expat Magazine to give
free legal advice to our
kababayans in Europe,
especially those living in Spain.
Send in your questions to
[email protected]
with the subject line Legal
Advice.
27
FEATURES
Savoring Pinoy cuisine in Germany
I
“Cooking
was just a
hobby. The
idea to open
a Filipino
restaurant
came about
because I
saw that
there was no
one doing it
in my area.
I saw an
opportunity.”
n the city of Mönchengladbach, near the
Dutch border, proudly stands this little diner
called Sisterz, the only Filipino restaurant in
North Rhine-Westphalia.
The first thing that you will notice upon
entering is the dining area decorated with
thatched roofs supported by bamboo poles.
Then your eyes move to the candle holders
which are also made of bamboo. Mounted on
the walls are photos of Philippine attractions.
The unique interiors as well as the delicious
food is what makes Sisterz a favorite among
Filipino, Belgian, Dutch and German diners.
Established in 2004, Sisterz has survived
the economic crisis that is crippling most
businesses in Europe, thanks to its loyal and
happy customers. These diners come to the
restaurant in droves to sample bestsellers
like pork and chicken barbecue, pinakbet and
other dishes swimming in coconut milk.
Their special menus that include lechon baboy
and mussels served Filipino-style, are a hit as
well.
28
Pork barbeque is among the restaurant’s bestsellers.
Marijean Godel and her family.
Sisterz features thatched roofs supported by bamboo poles as part of the restaurant’s ambiance.
“Starting your own restaurant is never easy. It is
important to have enough capital or savings to start
one. However, it is more important to love what you
do for you to achieve success”
Leche flan is among the favorite desserts.
From passion to business
Owner Marijean Godel, a native
of Nueva Ecija, has been living in
Germany since 1984.
Her love for food and cooking led her
to start a catering business in 2003. A
year later, Sisterz was born.
“Cooking was just a hobby. The idea
to open a Filipino restaurant came
about because I saw that there was
no one doing it in my area. I saw an
opportunity. After all, those who risk
nothing, gain nothing,” says Godel.
Godel did not have enough capital
when she started Sisterz. She had
only that burning desire to turn her
idea into a reality. So she borrowed
money from her family and even
sought the help of her now exhusband to help her finance the
business.
Chicken barbeque, inasal-style is a mainstay in
the menu.
“At first it was really difficult. Apart
from not having enough capital, I had
to face the fact that Filipino food is
not very popular especially among
Germans. But through God, we
survived all difficulties,” shares Godel.
Godel does most of the cooking while
her sisters and her mother help in
serving their customers. As in-charge
of the kitchen, she regularly updates
her recipes to make sure that her
European diners will continue to
enjoy and appreciate Filipino cuisine.
According to Godel, she owes her
success to her passion for food.
“Starting your own restaurant is
never easy. It is important to have
enough capital or savings to start
one. However, it is more important to
love what you do for you to achieve
success,” notes Godel.
Sisterz Restaurant
Postgasse 24, 41061
Monchengladbach, North RhineWestphalia, Germany
29
FEATURES
Franchising : The road to
winning the food business
By Ruelle Albert D. Castro
Photo by Dexter Matilla
T
he next time you think of starting your
first business venture, we have two
words for you: Food and franchise.
Experts say, you can even do that while you
are living abroad, including Europe, so long
as you’ve done your research and hired the
right people.
According to the Philippine Franchise
Association (PFA), the franchising model
provides “high success rate” mainly because
it allows a franchisee to benefit from the
experience and wisdom gained by the
concept originator.
Abby Alcaide, consultant at Filtrepeneur
Franchise, Inc, agrees, “This [franchising] is
already a proven formula which has already
earned the business some confidence.”
But why food? Alcaide says that food,
being a basic necessity, quickly finds a ready
market.
“You don’t even need to sales talk people
into buying your products. You can simply
stand on the side waiting for a buyer to
come to you,” says Alcaide.
Sound advice
Alcaide adds that there are various brands to
choose from depending on your budget and
interest.
For example, the Philippines’ number one
burger chain Jollibee would cost a potential
franchisee from P15 to 30 million inclusive of
the costs in putting up a branch.
Meanwhile, smaller brands like fresh fruit
shake marketer Big Chill charges franchise
fee starting at P750,000, depending on the
size and type of store.
“The franchise package includes location
feasibility study, site inspection with market
analysis, landlord negotiation and tenancy
agreement oversight, shop financial planning
and budgets, in house training of initial crew,
and shop opening assistance among others,”
says Phil Oakden, head of Big Chill.
30
Food cart franchising is a tried-and-tested business venture.
“(In food cart franchising) You don’t even need
to sales talk people into buying your products.
You can simply stand on the side waiting for a
buyer to come to you”
Those with
limited
budget can
choose from a slew of options.
Filtrepeneur Franchise, Inc., (www.
franchisefoodcarts.com) has at least 15 food
franchising brands catering to those with
small capital.
Alcaide says that about 70 percent of the
company’s franchisees are returning Filipino
expats from the Middle-east and Asian
countries. They’ve had inquiries from the US,
especially those who are working as nurses
or physical therapists.
Franchising on a budget
A food cart franchise can cost as low as
P25,000 already including the typical
equipment to run the business as well as
staff training.
“Franchisees are given training on managing
their businesses which includes bookkeeping
and taxing matters, which is also covered
during the consultation phase, ahead of the
actual training,”
says Alcaide.
The training has
to be attended by the franchisee and its staff,
usually one or two, before they are allowed
to operate the business.
“We make sure that the business owner
and their staff are well-informed about
what to expect in their franchise business
before they are given the business package
which include the food cart, signage and
equipment,” explains Alcaide.
As an added security to the business
operation, Filtrepreneur makes sure that the
location of the franchise doesn’t compete
with the company’s other brands.
“We also have locators that can suggest
viable locations for a franchise applicant if
they still don’t have an idea where to put
their business,” says Alcaide.
On top of the franchise fee, a franchisee
have to spend for utilities as well as staff
salaries and rent which will be part of the
business’ monthly operational cost. If the business is good, a franchise,
according to Alcaide, can produce return on investment in two months on
the average.
Alcaide says that a typical franchise needs to generate sales of at least
P2,500 a day in order to recoup expenses, assuming rent is P10,000 a
month.
“Of course business profitability depends on location. When the business is
ideally located, return on investments can also be achieved as early as one
month,” notes Alcaide.
PFA shares the following guidelines for those interested in venturing into
the business:
1. Ask yourself why you want to own a franchise;
2. Look for opportunities that are in harmony with you and that greatly
interests you;
3. Do your own research to have a complete understanding of the business,
track record of the franchisor, and your personal resources, among others;
4. Look into the product or service and what makes it stand out among
other businesses; and
5. Make sure that to get a good site selection. Ask a franchisor about the
territory rights.
PFA also conducts seminar on wise franchise investment in partnership
with Philippine embassies/consulates abroad.
Send your love from Europe to
the Philippines through Pinoy Balikbayan Box
The lowdown on
entrepreneurial success
Do you have what it takes to build your own thriving business?
There are indeed many factors to consider before you quit
your 9-5 job or dive straight to registering a company, from
self- assessment and preparation to regulatory factors like
taxation. This short article will not cover them all, but it
summarizes key ingredients for entrepreneurial success:
Let passion drive you, guided by your intellect
Know what brings out the best in you and develop a business
idea around it. Inevitably, majority of people, including your
loved ones, will tell you that starting your own business is
a risky move, an unstable career path, a stupid decision, or
simply a waste of time. They could be right, but using your
intellect as you prepare yourself and your sound business plan
could also prove them wrong.
Find a need and fill it
Almost all success stories of small and medium enterprises
begun with the founder’s urge to identify any need and find
solutions to fill that need, no matter what it takes. In the
Philippines, you can find a potential market in every corner.
Simply look around you, watch people, and listen to them.
What unmet needs can you find that you can possibly help
with? As soon as you start generating business ideas from
these problems, have a clear long-term vision and go for it!
Fear not, failure is an ally
Having a sound business plan does not guarantee success.
Trial and error is fundamental when it comes to solving
problems. Needless to say, every successful venture has failed
more than once. Failures exist to redirect you to the right
business strategy, right product or service specifications, right
market, and even the right goals.
Be innovative and keep learning
Keep abreast of current events, customer preferences, and
other new and emerging trends. Embracing change and
constantly einventing yourself will pave the way for more
personal and business growth.
Invest right when the time is ripe
Usually, it takes three to five years or even more for a startup
company to be profitable. When that happens, make use of
your profits well. Hire the right people for your company and
empower them with new sets of skills. Invest in improving
your products and/or services.
Pinoy-Box
Mobile: +31 (0) 613183722
[email protected]
www.pinoy-box.com
pinoy.balikbayanbox
- Myra Colis
31
Property developers are on a mad rush
to build condominiums in Metro Manila
due to high demand. Photo shows Tribeca
Residences in Sucat, Paranaque.
Why invest in real estate
in PHL? Why not?
by Ruelle Albert D. Castro
T
he Philippine economy continues to post sterling
performance, recording 7.6 percent growth for the
first six months this year according to government
figures. Safe to say that under the country’s present
economic setting, real estate opportunities are turning
into an attractive avenue to park some of the hard-earned
cash especially for Filipinos abroad.
Danilo Ignacio, property consultant at Social Security
System (SSS) and former president at Eton Properties
Philippines, Inc., says that investing in the Philippine
property market today will give higher yields than
alternative investment options such as bank deposit rates,
bonds, and mutual funds.
“Property owners enjoy stable capital appreciation of real
estate properties,” enthuses Ignacio, who also worked as
head of property development at Robinsons Land Corp.
With property investments, a buyer gets to benefit not
only from the value appreciation of the land but also
from the potential cashflow it can generate in the leasing
market.
David Leechiu, country head for another property
consultancy firm Jones Lang Lasalle, says the property
market is assured of a six-year run.
“This year is going to be better than last year, and it will
be much better next year,” observes Leechiu.
32
Condominium Living
In the residential segment, the estimated four million
housing unit backlog (a recent study conducted by the
Subdivision and Housing Developers Association of the
Philippines) makes investment in condominiums very
palatable.
A sign of the confidence in the market include the
mushrooming of residential towers all over Metro Manila.
Developers, according to property consultancy firm CB
Richard Ellis (CBRE), are taking advantage of the low cost
financing of a housing unit, taking note of people’s need
to live near their work and places of leisure as opposed to
owning house and lots outside the city.
“The liquidity in the market enables developers to provide
more affordable payment terms to buyers. Low cost of
borrowing are likewise spurring development expansions
in the residential/ housing industry,” explains Santos.
In Jones Lang Lasalle’s most recent report, it noted that
much of the condominium developments in the country
that will rise until 2018 are located in Metro Manila.
Of the 149,920 condominium units set for construction
in the next five years, majority of them or 144,330 units,
cater to the middle-income segment of the market.
Quezon City holds the bulk of the supply, followed by the
Makati central business district (CBD), Ortigas CBD (Pasig and
Mandaluyong), and Bonifacio Global City (BGC)/Taguig.
Jones Lang Lasalle noted that in this segment of the condo
market, units are priced at a range of P1.5 million to P10
million, with unit sizes measuring up to 150 square meters
(price per square meter is between P50,000 to P110,000).
The property consultancy firm’s study also showed that of
the upcoming supply, more than half of them are priced
under P3 million, while 32 percent of the supply is priced at
a range of P3 to P6 million. The rest caters to a market that
can shoulder a unit costing over P10 million.
High rental rates
Colliers Philippines, another property consultancy firm, has
noted that there is a supply mismatch in five of Manila’s
known CBDs --- Makati CBD, BGC, Rockwell, Ortigas CBD, and
Eastwood in Libis.
Particularly in Makati and BGC, “the majority of the
upcoming supply is not seen to fulfill the requirements
of the end-users and expatriates, as only a quarter of the
total inventory is allocated to multi-bedroom units,” notes
Colliers.
This results for premier three bedroom rental rates in the
Makati CBD to be priced at P790 per square meter per
month on average.
“This translates to a monthly rate of P197,500 for a 150-sqm
unit,” says Colliers.
In BGC, rents stand at P780 per sqm per month.
“Rents in both CBDs will improve by 7 to 8 percent in the
next 12 months as the demand and supply gap remains
narrow,” says Colliers.
Increasing property values
Both Jones Lang Lasalle and Colliers say that property
values have gone up since 2010. The former says that prime
commercial properties in Makati have gone up to P130,000/
sqm from just a little over P90,000/sqm in 2010.
Colliers meanwhile say they expect land values in Makati,
and BGC to grow between 8 to 9 percent between now and
the second quarter of next year; Ortigas properties are seen
to grow by 6.4 percent.
Between 2009 and the first half of the year, the inflationadjusted prices of luxury condomiminium units in the
Philippines have grown by a compounded annual rate of
8 percent, while the values of existing high-mid/luxury
residential condominium developments have grown by 3
percent within Metro Manila.
Plaza Azalea
As in the case of Plaza Azalea project by developer Landco
Pacific Corporation, the value of its lots has almost doubled
to P7,000 to 20,000 per square meter.
“We are pleased with the sales velocity and market
appreciation of our projects. This is because whether it’s a
leisure community, resort-inspired condominium or luxury
home community, Landco consistently delivers its brand
promise of ‘Life at Your Lesiure’ to our customers,” said
Maritess de Ocampo, AVP for corporate communications,
Landco Pacific Corp.
Playa Azalea is Landco’s premier luxury island resort
community on Samal Island, Davao. It boasts of a 400-meter
stretch of white sand beach and world-class leisure and
resort amenities such as the Aqua Park, which features a
river pool with infinity edge, kiddie pool, cabanas and snack
bar. There is also the newly completed Hilltop Pavilion, which
gives magnificent views of Davao City and Mount Apo.
A few real estate companies are offering retirement havens outside of the city.
“The
liquidity in
the market
enables
developers
to provide
more
affordable
payment
terms to
buyers.“
33
Property developers are also offering leisure living.
Robinsons Residences advocates city living.
“Never think of investing
if you are not really ready
financially. “
Meanwhile, Landco’s Terrazas de Punta Fuego has lots
that are now selling 60 to 75 percent higher in a per
square meter basis, at a range of P10,000 to P14,000,
since it was launched in 2002.
In Landco’s condominium project Tribeca Private
Residences in Sucat meanwhile, units for the first of 15
towers already saw a price inflation of 72 percent, at
P95,000 per square meter, since its 2007 launch.
Caveat emptor
As much as outlook is rosy for the property market,
broker Edwardo Miguel Roldan says buyers still need to
be discerning of what, where, and when to buy.
Financing
“First and foremost, think of your finances. Never think
of investing if you are not really ready financially. Just
because the payment terms are attractive, you’ll grab
the product immediately,” cautions Roldan.
If there’s one thing investors can be thankful for the low
interest rate environment, it’s the fact that they have
democratized acquisition of properties more for buyers.
Second, in buying a property, make sure the developer
has a good track record; though that is not to say that
buyers should ignore small players, adds Roldan.
Bobby Dy, Ayala Land senior vice president, observes
how property amortization as a result of the low interest
rate has become more accommodating.
Roldan said that if one is buying a property for cashflow
considerations, buyers should make sure it is located in
areas where there will be an ample demand for the unit.
“Just a decade ago, a borrower has to pay a 12 percent
interest for a 10 year loan,” says Dy.
“In choosing a real estate development you should also
make sure you like the building, and you are comfortable
with the unit density per floor as well as the amenities.
Make sure you are comfortable on the people density in
your building because sooner or later it will also become
your home,” recommends Roldan.
De Ocampo expressed optimism that Tribeca’s
development plan will interest Filipinos living in Europe.
Today, one can apply for a property loan payable within
20 to 25 years with an interest rate at 10 percent,
according to Dy.
34
“This means that previous loans that had to be
amortized at P17,000 a month is now amortized at
P7,000 a month,” explains Dy.
35
FASHION
“Fashion designer Jonathan Hofwegen designs clothes that
are edgy yet wearable. He likes to mix and match contrasting
fabrics, juxtapose bold with neutral colors, experiment with
different materials like wood, and highlight silhouettes that hug
the body in the right places. He takes inspirations from nature,
graphic art, and most especially his Filipino roots.”
36
Handcrocheted sweater
made of wool and cashmere,
with cut out and crochetted
skull print. glow in the dark
embroidered pants
37
Pina drape coat with white
seams
38
Flip over tank top sweater
39
PERFECT
location
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GREAT
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combining traditional Dutch culture with modern comfort.
40
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Fax: + 31 (0)8 4874 8722
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.TulipofAmsterdam.nl
Plan your way to
a fun weekend break
W
eekends are sacred. It’s the only time that you
can forget about work for a while and simply
think about enjoying yourselves. And one way
of doing that is planning a quick getaway to nearby cities.
Whether you are on a mission to shop until your pockets
are empty, embark on a cultural immersion, or drink a
glass of wine or two at a nice restaurant, Europe will
never disappoint. We’ve listed down five of our favorite
weekend destinations this fall:
Venice, Italy
One of Europe’s most romantic cities, Venice’s uniqueness
lies in its narrow alleys and canals, singing gondoliers, and
centuries-old buildings.
Autumn is the most ideal time to visit Venice especially in
the months of September and October. That’s when the
hot Italian summer gives way to cool breeze and longer
days, the sun setting much later. Enjoy the time spent
here with a glass of fine local wine at one of the al fresco
restaurants located along the canals. Coming here at this
time of the year also means bumping into less tourists,
allowing you to enjoy the beautiful views and museums
without having to wait in line.
Venice is a very expensive city. If you are on a tight
TRAVEL
The Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.
budget, skip the gondola rides. You can still enjoy the
Italian city’s famous canals by simply walking around.
When dining out, choose a restaurant that does not have
loud gawkers outside their doors. You might want to
forget shopping for a while. But if you do have money to
spare, do indulge yourself with a leather product or two
as Italy is well-known for that.
Book your hotel outside the city proper because they
tend to be more affordable. You might have to forego
rooms with a view for the meantime. But if you can afford
it, book a room with a terrace overlooking the Grand
Canal.
Venetians take the vaporetto (water buses) to get around
the city for good reason. It is an inexpensive way to get
around Venice. Follow their lead and enjoy a sightseeing
of old buildings lining the Grand Canal without spending
too much. Take the vaporetto to visit islets like Murano,
famous for its glass-making industry and Lido Island, the
summer haven of locales.
If you go during the tail-end of winter, usually on the last
week of February or first week of March, you might find
yourself right smack in the middle of the grand Venetian
carnival. So make sure to pack your masks, capes, hats
and what have you.
41
The Atomium in Brussels.
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is easily reachable by car or train from France, The
Netherlands, Germany or Luxembourg. It is also a short
plane ride away from other European countries. With two
international airports serving this city, plane tickets are very
affordable especially if you book well in advance.
The capital of the European Union is home to unique
architecture as well as a vibrant cultural scene.
Like the rest of Northern Europe, Brussels can be a bit chilly
during autumn so bring your trench coat and a pair of good
walking boots to blend in with the fashionable Belgian crowd.
Although, you will probably be spending a lot of time indoors
checking out museums and palaces.
Start your day early by hunting for some antique treasures at
the popular Sablon Antiques Market at the Palace du Grand
Sablon. Sellers from all over Belgium and sometimes from
neighbouring countries come here to sell family heirlooms like
Chinaware, all sorts of jewelry, silverware, pre-loved mink and
fur coats and other designer bags and shoes.
For art enthusiasts, head over to Royal Museums of Fine
Arts. Meanwhile, those who are interested in the European
Union political landscape can go to the Parlamentarium (The
European Parliament’s Visitor’s Center).
No one leaves Brussels without visiting its famous Atomium,
an iconic building originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels
World’s Fair, located outside the city proper. Near the Atomium
is a big park where you can relax after a long day’s sightseeing.
To reach Atomium, take the metro via Heizel station.
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels.
Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva is another very expensive city. But if you want to
sample some of the world’s best chocolates, check out luxury
watches, and experience one of Europe’s great shopping hubs,
this is the place to be.
There are lots of things to do in the city that are for free. It only
involves a lot of walking as well as dropping by Lac Leman, the
lake that stretches from Geneva to its neighbouring country
France. The boardwalk along the lake is a good place for
running or walking in the morning or even at noon.
At the Jardin Anglais (English Garden), located at the back
of the Flower Clock, you can have your lunch while enjoying
the view of one of the largest fountains in Europe, Jet d’Eau.
This after window shopping along Rue du Rhone and Marche,
Geneva’s famous shopping streets.
Through a short bus ride, you can go to another park,
Conservatoire and the Botanical Gardens. Here, you indulge in
a leisurely, quiet afternoon with only the birds singing and the
flowers blooming as company. You can even take a nap in the
middle of a rather busy city.
At Lac Leman, you can book a boat ride around the lake.
Watch enthusiasts can learn more about the long history of
watch making in Switzerland by visiting the Patek Philippe
Museum on Rue de Vieux-Grenadiers. The three-story complex
chronicles the turbulent beginnings of the early watchmakers,
the Huguenots, who escaped persecution in France and ended
up in Calvinist, Switzerland.
To save money, you may want to skip wining and dining at
expensive restaurants. Instead, look for affordable Asian
restaurants like Kwai restaurant located along Place de
Cornavin.
42
The famous Flower Clock
in Geneva.
Budapest, Hungary
Among the cities in this list, Budapest is my favorite. It rivals
France and Italy when it comes to beautiful architecture. It
also competes with Germany when it comes to fantastic river
views and thermal baths. You can experience all these without
having to break the bank.
You can choose from a variety of activities: Go on tours of old
castles, museums and historical buildings; take a river cruise
along the Danube, shop at the Central Market, walk along the
Chain Bridge or have a picnic on Margaret Island.
But for a truly Budapest experience, don’t miss experiencing
the city’s famous thermal baths which you can opt to do
indoors or outdoors. It is one of the favorite pastimes of the
locals especially during winter.
Join a pub crawl, an activity that takes tourists to different bars
located in abandoned buildings. Just make sure you won’t drink
too much palinka or the local equivalent of vodka.
Not many tourists know of Budapest’s “underground”
attractions. This is for those who want to know more about
the history of the city. Tourists are led to cellars, underground
caves, museums, and hospitals, among others.
Prague, Czech Republic
Visiting Prague during autumn lets you have that feeling that
you’ve just entered the land of fairytales. I remember standing
at the Charles Bridge on a misty afternoon and seeing Prague’s
gothic cathedral looming in the distance. The sight was
enchanting and eerie at the same time.
To experience local flavor, try Prague’s world-famous pilsner
and kozel beers paired with some utopence (pickled sausage) or
knedliky (dumplings). They won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
The Danube river in Budapest.
Watch a ballet or an opera at the grandiose State Opera House.
But book in advance. Come in your best cocktail attire to blend
in with the locales.
If you are not into cultural shows, maybe a puppet show at
the National Marionette Theatre will interest you. Prague is
the unofficial capital of puppetry in Europe and the puppet
masters here offer one of the funniest versions of Mozart’s
opera Don Giovanni. The ticket can be a bit expensive though.
For souvenirs, head to the Old Town where you can find shops
selling typical Czech puppets.
Czech puppets being sold in souvenir shops in Prague.
43
TRAVEL
El Nido:
Unforgettable paradise
by DM Kuijs
I
t has been five years since I visited
El Nido for the first time. Until now,
I can still remember its quiet beauty
and calming athmosphere. So much so, I
always recommend this amazing paradise
to friends and acquaintances who ask
about places to visit in the Philippines.
This place reminds me of three things:
One, it’s like a mini-Philippines thanks to
its cluster of islets, 45 in total, populated
by warm and friendly people; two, this
is where I fell in love with my Dutch
husband (the photographer of this story);
three, our love story, in retrospect,
started my journey to Europe.
El Nido lies at the northeast of Puerto
Princesa, Palawan’s capital. In recent
years, it has been cited as one of the most
beautiful beaches by international media
outfits including CNN and the publishing
company Conde Nast.
The island’s powdery, white sand;
44
turquoise blue waters and secret coves
draw many beach goers especially
Koreans and Japanese to its shores. On a
good day, you can have the beach all to
yourself or your loved ones. The beach
can be a bit crowded sometimes. But
you are still promised a relaxing sojourn
by the beach, away from all the stresses
of everyday life including your mobile
phones and laptops.
We will never forget the beautiful sunset
at Corong-corong beach, a secluded
area not usually visited by tourists. That
was where we spent the day exchanging
opinions on life’s profound questions and
drinking vodka to muster the courage
to propose (at least for my husband). Or
the next day when we went swimming
with the sharks while I was still numb and
drunk from the vodka of the night before.
These were the days when we didn’t have
smart phones and our main source of joy
was nature and the tranquility she brings.
Writing this article might not be able to
give justice to the beauty of El Nido but I
hope this will show you even a glimpse of
what could be enjoyed and experienced
there.
For starters, El Nido is a typical, rural
town that thrives mainly on fishing.
Everyone here speaks English, or at least
try to. The locales always have a ready
smile especially when they’re talking
with foreigners. And contrary to popular
belief, El Nido is not that expensive
a destination. In fact, apart from the
highly commercialized resorts in the
area, there are a number of affordable
accommodations to choose from.
Things to Do
El Nido offers several activities to last you
up to two weeks without getting bored.
Because we only stayed for five days, we
only managed to do the usual tours. But if
you have more time to spend, we suggest
that you make the most out of your trip.
“El Nido is not
that expensive a
destination. In fact,
apart from the highly
commercialized
resorts in the area,
there are a number
of affordable
accommodations to
choose from.”
One of the many
coves in El Nido.
There are three basic island hopping tours
around Bacuit Bay called Tour A, B and C
which go around the islets of Small and
Big Lagoons, 7 Commando
Beach, Secret and Hidden Beach and
Helicopter Island. A tour can cost from
€34 to €120 per person if you are renting
a boat for two people. For groups of four
to six, it will be more economical to hire
a boat that can take you around Bacuit
Archipelago for one whole day. Doing the
latter allows you to have a say of where
you want to go.
Powdery white sands and turquoise blue waters define this paradise.
Don’t book at the first restaurant you find
offering you tour packages. Chances are
they are more expensive and time limited.
Walk around a bit and do your own survey
of other tour operators. Be sure to bargain
for as low as you can. You might need to
reserve snorkeling gears like fins, masks
and goggles a day before your tour. Each
cost approximately €1,50 each.
We were lucky to have found Mang Edgar,
our boatman who offered swimming with
45
French restaurant Squidos is a
favorite among foreign tourists.
Sunset at Corong-Corong beach.
the sharks, an activity which is not
usually included in tour packages.
Those who are interested in kayaking
around the islets can avail of kayak
rentals that roughly cost €12 for the
whole day. You can also opt to rent
kayaks for half a day at half the price.
Fishing and windsurfing gears are
available starting at €120 per person.
El Nido Boutique and Art Cafe can
arrange the said activities plus rock
climbing among others. You can reach
them at (+63 2) 920 446 9135 or email
them at
[email protected].
Dining in El Nido
As mentioned, El Nido offers good food
and drinks at pocket-friendly prices.
46
Our favourite French restaurant is
called Squidos, a modest-looking hut
made of bamboo with a thatched roof
located on the main street. Tourists
can have their fill of a small selection
of typical French staples. The owner/
manager/waitress is a Filipina married
to a French guy who is also the chef.
We loved their chocolate crepe,a twopiece crepe topped with a generous
serving of chocolate syrup, for less
than €1.
Beside the office of the Boat
Association is Aplaya, a budget-friendly
Filipino restaurant offering fresh
seafood and a nice view of the sea.
We had a whole tuna, good for three
persons, for €3. Since it is located right
on the beachfront, you sometimes
have to move your table farther up
during high tide if you don’t want
your feet to get soaked. If you need
assistance, the friendly staff at the
restaurant is always ready to help.
For those who can’t start a day without
their caffeine fix, The Coffee Shop
serves the best espresso on the island
for roughly half a euro. Sit by the table
outside the cafe and watch the town
wake up while you enjoy your coffee
and the cool breeze from the ocean.
Accommodations
Since we didn’t have much time to
spare, we decided to stay at the first
hotel suggested by our English friend
Maz Murphy, the Four Seasons Hotel.
The name sounds expensive but we
only paid a little less than €40 for an
air-conditioned room with a double bed,
a balcony with the view of the sea, free
wi-fi and breakfast of your choice to
boot.
There are other accommodations with
beachfront views that are available for
almost the same price. It is best to scout
the place first to get a better bargain.
When we were there five years ago,
a Korean company was building what
is now known as El Nido Beach Hotel.
Room rates there start from €52.
Getting there
There are regular bus trips going to El
Nido from San Jose Terminal, near the
New Public Market off the National
Highway, in Puerto Princesa. Remember
to wake up very early in the morning
because the first bus leaves at 6am
while the last bus leaves at 7:30am. It’s
better to reserve your seat a day or two
so you are assured of good seats. Bus
fare is about €4 per person. There are
also air-conditioned vans that charges
€10/person. The trip is eight hours long
so be prepared for a long, bumpy, rocky
and adventurous ride.
Those coming from other parts of
Palawan like Taytay, Sabang or Port
Barton, there are boats you can hire to
go to El Nido for €35 per person. But
we don’t recommend this for three
reasons: First, you are sure to get wet
Art Cafe restaurant is one
of the main business points
in the island where you
can book tours, use the
internet, buy souvenirs and
eat.
during the boat ride; second,
you will miss the great sights
along the way; and third, there’s
nothing like the adventure of
going through rough roads to
reach El Nido. Believe me, you
wouldn’t regret taking the bus.
If you prefer flying, there are
private planes that can take you
directly to the island. SEAIR has
regular flights from Manila.
47
TRAVEL
A quick escape from
the chaos of city life
by DM Kuijs
M
anila can be overwhelming for some Europeans
who are not used to long traffic jams and the
mall culture. For example, a recent trip in August
made me realize that most of the activities that you can do
in Manila are confined in big malls. And if you happen to
have a meeting there, anticipate the possibility of getting
stuck in traffic for one or two hours, making you late to
your appointment.
48
So after staying in Manila for a week, jumping from one
meeting to another and mostly being held hostage by
congested roads, we were aching to spend a weekend by
the beach surrounded by palm trees and peace and quiet.
After all, that’s what we came here for.
One Saturday afternoon, we headed south of Metro
Manila to enjoy a staycation in Punta Fuego, an exclusive
Clockwise from
left:The Member’s
Lounge and the
reception area
overlook the double
infinity pool; A
late-night massage
before dinner time;
Chef Cefri Avinante
entertained us
with good food and
conversation.
seaside community by Landco Pacific Corporation in Nasugbu,
Batangas.
Upon arriving, Landco’s Trixie Velasquez immediately gave
us a tour of Terrazas de Punta Fuego, another Landco luxury
property perched on a hill offering breathtaking views of
Batangas. I could imagine a lot of Europeans, including me and
my husband, wanting to settle down here when they reach
retirement age. On the opposite side of the property is De
La Cresta, also a residential development surrounded by old
trees, facing the West Philippine Sea.
We then took a stroll around the Spanish-Mediterraneaninspired cottages that are enjoyed by members of Club Punta
Fuego, the country’s premier seaside membership club.
49
Left:Fried shrimps coated in cuttlefish’s ink on a bed of
crispy noodles.
Right: One of the directional signs to the casitas
We capped our day lounging by the beach and watching
Member’s Lounge, ordered my double whiskey and watched
the beautiful sunset. We took our sweet time enjoying the
a group of Koreans having fun at the double infinity pool.
cool breeze from the sea kissing our cheeks and the calming
silence of the place punctuated by the sound of night insects
Since I still had time to kill before dinner time, I went for a 45raring to play in the approaching darkness. We could even
minute spa treatment. The hour was rather late already that
make out the insistent crashing of
I ended up being the facility’s only
waves to rocks from a distance.
customer at that time. It was pure
“We capped our day
Manila’s hustle and bustle seemed
bliss when the masseuse started
too far away. We knew we will have
kneading my back.
lounging by the beach
the quiet and relaxing weekend we’ve
and watching the
been longing for.
We made reservations at the San
Diego restaurant for dinner. We were
beautiful sunset. We
All unit and lot owners at Terrazas
served with plates of delicious fare
took our sweet time
and De La Cresta have access to the
that Chef Cefri Avinante says were
main club, situated about 15 minutes
made from the freshest ingredients,
enjoying the cool breeze
away from both properties. The club
sourced from local farmers in
from the sea kissing our
has several amenities that include
Batangas.
33 casitas and 15 seaside suites,
cheeks and the calming
swimming pools and infinity pools,
Our appetizer was shrimp coated
silence of the place
several restaurants, sports facilities
with ink from cuttlefish followed by a
including jet ski and diving, spa and a
delicious pumpkin soup. Afterwards,
punctuated by the sound
nine-hole executive golf course.
we enjoyed a plate of fruits and
of night insects raring to
nuts salad with vinaigrette which
We finally decided to check into our
according to Chef Avinante is usually
play in the approaching
very own casita, which to our delight
served to break the savory taste of
darkness.”
had a gorgeous view of the sunset
the first two dishes as well as refresh
and the beach. A bowl of fresh fruits
and prepare the palate for another
and a bottle of wine were waiting for
set of dishes.
us soon as we entered the room.The sweetest mangoes we’ve
Our main course was grilled tenderloin and prawns in
had so far were the first to go.
peppercorn sauce with buttered vegetables which we paired
We still had a few energy left so went out and took a few
with a bottle of red Spanish wine. We finished the meal with
more walks around the different areas of the main club.
a generous plate of tropical fruits which included my favorite
As my husband took photos of the sunset, I went to the
rambutan.
50
Guests enjoying the sunset and
the double infinity pool at the
club house.
More than the delicious food, we enjoyed the company
of chef Avinante who personally delivered some of the
dishes to our table. He would talk to us now and then,
sharing with us his work experiences as a chef at top
restaurants in Kuwait wherein he served sheiks among
others.
We retired to our room with stomachs full and spirits
lifted. Not feeling like sleeping yet, we decided to sit by
the balcony of our room and enjoy a bottle of beer. As
we looked at the flickering lights of the houses in the
distance and listened to the crashing of the waves, now
more violently because of the coming storm, it seemed
like nothing else mattered in the world.
We would have wanted to stay a couple more nights if
only we didn’t have to fly back to The Netherlands in
the next two days. We couldn’t afford to get caught in
a coming storm and thus, miss our flight. Looking back
now, that wouldn’t have been such a bad idea.
Maritess de Ocampo, assistant vice president for
corporate communications of Landco Pacific Corporation,
says that lot owners in Punta Fuego have the option to
activate their club share at Club Punta Fuego. Those who
prefer being a member only, meaning they don’t want to
buy a lot and build a home in the property, they simply
need to purchase a club share.
For more details on Club Punta Fuego, call (+63 2) 7514027 or visit www.clubpuntafuego.com.ph. The club is
also available for functions and weddings. Call Fuego
Hotels and Properties at (+63 2)553-8888 or visit its
website at www.fuegohotels.com.
A sidetrip to Aquaria
Calatagan, Batangas, the playground of the country’s old
rich, is also home to a Landco Pacific Corporation property
called Playa Calatagan’s Leisure Tourism Estate, a resort
community that offers seaside condominium units with
access to the beach and the Aquaria resort. The tourism
estate is still on its early stages of development but the
Aquaria beach resort is already open to the public.
The property highlights 48 kilometers of white sand beach
and a slew of activities to choose from. There’s a threestory high water slide, several cove pools, kiddie pools,
wooden cabanas which can be rented out for a day and
even a sunken bar. Those who want to stay for the night
can rent a tent and sleep under a canopy of stars at the
camping area of the resort. The staff can even prepare the
bonfire and marshmallows for you.
For more information, call (+63 2) 836-5000, email
[email protected] or visitwww.landco.ph
51
RECIPES
52
Biko for dessert
Text and photo by Ken Subillaga
T
he Philippines is not only famous for its
beautiful islands and beaches but also
for its delicious and mouth-watering
desserts called kakanin, derived from the
word kanin, which is a Filipino word for rice.
Nobody knows how these kakanins actually
started but legend has it that during precolonial times, Filipino ancestors used to offer
them to gods and visiting friends or relative.
They have generally used rice as a base for
most staple sweet products of any type. They
were cooked in bamboo shoots or banana
leaves. Cooking technique, recipes and tastes
have been practically preserved up to the
present times. Now, these staple desserts
have practically evolved into either simpler
or more complicated with lots of variations
depending on where one is coming from.
Biko is one of the kakanins that I adore since
I was a little boy. This delicacy reminds me
of my childhood days when my mom would
prepare this in the morning while we were
out on the woods and when we were back
home, the sweet smell of burnt coconut milk
combined with the aroma of caramelized
muscovado just filled the whole living room.
The good thing about this delicacy is the
simplicity of its preparation. So let´s start!
Ingredients:
To cook rice:
1 ½ cups malagkit rice (glutinous rice)
1 ½ cups coconut milk
1 cup water
lemon leaves
To prepare the biko:
2 cups coconut milk
1 cup dark brown sugar or muscovado
To prepare the topping:
¾ cup condensed milk
½ cup coconut milk
Procedures:
1. Cook rice. Rice should not be overcooked so they don´t get mashed up
later. Set aside.
2. Put pan on medium heat, bring
coconut milk to a boil. When the
boiling slows down a bit, add the
brown or muscovado sugar. Stir
constantly but slowly.
3. When the coconut milk-sugar
mixture has started to caramelize,
add the cooked malagkit rice. Slowly
but mixing constantly to avoid
burning the rice at the bottom.
4. Transfer the rice mixture to the
baking pan. Level the top up with a
spoon or a spatula.
5. Pour the coconut-condensed milk
mixture on top and bake at 170
ºC for 15 minutes or until the top
portion caramelizes.
Yield: 16 slices in a 10 square-inch baking
pan.
Tips for better tasting biko:
1. Cook malagkit rice with lemon
leaves. This gives off a tangy flavor
and mild aroma which is just perfect
for this kind of delicacy.
2. Don´t over-cook the malagkit rice
as it will be cooked again with the
coconut milk-sugar mixture.
3. Don´t refrigerate the cooked biko
to prevent the rice from hardening
from the inside. Just keep them in a
cool and dry place.
4. Line the baking pan with baking
paper to easily remove them later
when slicing.
5. Rice doesn´t need to get rinsed
like what we normally do in the
Philippines. If you intend to rinse
your rice, take away 1 cup of water
from your recipe when cooking rice.
6. In the Visayan region, people add
half a teaspoon of powdered ginger
to the cooked mixture for a different
taste.
53
ADVERTISING FEATURE
For the love
of cupcakes
Text and photos by Rhea Topacio
I
t all started when I baked my daughter’s first birthday cake.
The design was too much and the taste, just fine. I was very
disappointed with myself.
Like any other parent, I want the best for my children. I did not
want to make the same mistake again. So my husband, a baker, and
I, a part-time graphic designer, went on a quest for the best recipes
and designs for cakes and cupcakes.
On August 2012, we began giving samples to our friends for some
taste test. Our cupcakes were a hit and before we knew it, we were
already taking orders. During that time, I did not have a regular job
as I could not speak Dutch. It was then decided that we venture
into a business that we can easily do at home. Taartini Designer
Cupcakes was born. We could not forget that day when we realized
we actually delivered 16,000 mini-cupcakes in six months.
All things considered, Taartini Designer Cupcakes is all about
making cupcakes that are special for every customer and occasion.
Our flavors maybe simple, but our designs are unique. We never
thought we will reach this far. But we did. Now, our goal is to
bring smile and joy in every Taartini cupcake box by creating more
beautiful designs and flavors for our clients.
Taartini Designer Cupcakes
Alburgplein 91, 2134 DM
Hoofddorp, Netherlands
Email [email protected]
Love what you do
Mompreneur Rhea Topacio shares her recipe on starting your own
home-business:
1
Make sure you love what you are doing. In this kind of business,
your emotions can affect the results of your baked goodies as
well as the design.
2
Think outside the box. Do not confine yourself to what is
conventional and comfortable. If you do, you will be just like
anybody else in the industry/market.
3
Aside from earning, aim to bring happiness and satisfaction
to your customers. Happy customers talk more about your
products and most importantly, they come back.
4
5
Remember that competition maybe healthy, working together
is healthier.
Always have that unique selling point. Think of what will make
your products different from the rest. That attitude will separate
you from the crowd.
54
55
56

The Filipino Expat

Transcription

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