Pacquiao - Balikbayan Magazine

Transcription

balikbayanmagazine.com
OCTOBER
& NOVEMBER 2012
Volume III number 5
US$ 5.00•PHP 150.00
balikbayan October 2012 – November 2012
T
OCTOBER&NOVEMBER
In this
Issue
26
A Closer Look at
Sunny Mindanao - Part 1
Explore the Bukidnon highlands,
the rapids of Cagayan De Oro, the
forest of Initao and the breath-
taking waterfalls of Iligan.
30
Eid’l Ftr: The Many Hues
of Muslim Merrymaking
36
Be bedazzled by the vibrance
of this yearly end-of-Ramadan
Muslim celebration.
A Closer Look
at Sunny Mindanao - Part 2
Experience the island born of fire,
the tuna capital of the Philippines, and the origins
of the famous Maitum jars.
42 Finding Your True North
46 Reluctant Hero Pays It Forward
A closer look at one of the most beautiful resorts
in Northern Philippines
How Arnold Bagabaldo has become
the man behind Pinoy Health Plus
10
Manny Pacquiao: Full Circle
48 Foremost Fil-Am Custom Broker
The many faces of our
Pambansang Kamao
Thanking E. C. Ferrer for serving the Fil-Am
community for almost three decades
50 Pixie’s Sinugba, Incorporated
Discover a unique food outlet that offers
a variety of healthy Filipino dishes.
40
The Royal Flush of
Tropical Fruits
Take a bite off the luscious fruits
of Mindanao.
IN THIS ISSUE
Publisher & CEO
Roger Lagmay Oriel
President & Co-Publisher
Cora M. Oriel
Vice President for Business Development
Raphael John C. Oriel
Vice President for Advertising
Noel Godinez
Vice President for Sales
Sharon Ann Bathan-San Pedro
56
62
Vice President for Marketing and Special Events, Philippines
Vince Samson
Noel Cruz:
Dolled Up Masterpieces
Discover a rare talent, who uses
dolls as his canvas.
58 The Kiko Factor
One-on-one with Pinoy music icon Francis Reyes.
Old Colonial Churches:
Manila’s Historical Treasures
An architectural and historical perspective
of Manila’s oldest churches.
64 Rizal, Atbp
Get to know our Pambansang
Bayani’s value to modern-day
Filipino-Americans.
On the Cover
Underwater scenery at
Lemlunay Beach Resort.
This issue celebrates the beauty
and grandeur of Mindanao,
both it’s mountains, plateaus,
and rich marine biodiversity
that beckons tourists and
locals alike. We pay homage
to our Muslim brothers and
sisters, and to our Southern
roots.
No part of this publication maybe reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage
of retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the Publisher. Asian Journal
Publications, Inc. regrets that no responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited material,
which will be returned only if stamped, addressed envelope is enclosed.
Printed in the Philippines. Distributed in the Philippines for newly arrived balikbayans
at Duty Free Philippines, as well at select hotels, resorts, restaurants, and cafes, and
major bookstores and magazine distributors. Circulated at special events and through
subscription in the United States of America.
Editor-in-Chief Emeritus
Lito Ocampo Cruz
Editor-at-Large
Nickee de Leon-Huld
Managing Editor
Jane Francis S. Quinabo
Associate Editor
Stephen Norries A. Padilla
Contributing Editors
Ruben Nepales, Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe, Prosy dela Cruz,
Momar G. Visaya, Cynthia De Castro, Dennis Noel A. Balangue
Contributing Writers
Monico Letargo, Oliver Bayani , Christina M. Oriel, Maritess G. Reyes,
Kristine Bernadeth Manaog, Joseph Pimentel
Contributing Photographers
Joe Cobilla, Leandro Medrano, Czaldy Garrote, Dennis Noel A. Balangue, Andy Tecson,
Abe Olandres, Genesis Reonico, Engr. Sherwin Calalang, Niña Sandejas,
Pat Noel, Jing Velos, James Paul Dayap, Jun Aquino, Nicole Marie P. Alvaro
John Andrew Manzo, Resurreccion San Miguel, Cocoy Sexcion
Graphic Designers
Resurreccion San Miguel, John Andrew Manzo
Multimedia Developers
Nicole Marie P. Alvaro, Desiderata M. Pasion
Circulation Manager
Arthur Sibulangcao
Advertising Executive
Katherine D. Carreon
Accountants
Victoria Fabro, Gemma Fabro, Joseph Mark Camiring
Admin
Salve M. Tomines
BALIKBAYAN MAGAZINE is published by
Asian Journal Publications, Inc.
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KEEPING A JOURNAL
Mindanao, In a Different Light
The island of Mindanao has wellkept gems that remain pristine, amid the
continuing urbanization, progress and
development of many parts of the country.
For Filipinos who have not traveled
down south, Mindanao boasts of sprawling
mountains, where the earth kisses the
clouds during sunrise and sunset; of white
sand beaches and a rich marine biodiversity;
of breath-taking lakes, rivers and waterfalls,
where nature lovers find much-needed
retreat; of friendly people, who welcome
and nurture both locals and strangers.
This year, Balikbayan Magazine
witnessed the celebration of the Kadayawan
Festival in Davao City and the Tuna
Festival in General Santos City. We visited
the famous highlands of Bukidnon and
embarked on an adventure in Cagayan de
Oro’s mighty river. We marvelled at the
beauty of Initao’s rich flora and fauna and
were overwhelmed by the cascading waters
of Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City.
This issue brings to the forefront, the
countless, wonderful things about sunny
Mindanao that are still waiting to be
discovered. And best of all, it gives us a closer look
into one of Mindanao’s legendary gems-Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao
-- the country’s pride and joy, a fearsome
fighter in the ring and a well-rounded icon
to be emulated for. He is also a congressman
who has the best interest of his people at
heart; a relentless entertainer; a spiritual
advocate; a loving husband to his wife and
a doting father to four lovely children. With all his titles and accolades, Manny
Pacquiao’s most endearing quality is ours as
well--LOVE OF COUNTRY. u
Roger Lagmay Oriel
Publisher & CEO
You cannot love what you do not know.
Experience the Philippines wherever you go.
The fun. The beauty.
The hospitality. That selfless generosity.
LOS ANGELES
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CA 90017-1904
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MANILA
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Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines
Tel: (632) 813-8746 Fax: (632) 893-1720
FOREWORD
Message
The Department of Tourism (DOT) extends it warmest greetings
to the readers and followers of Balikbayan Magazine.
“It’s more fun in the Philippines” is the country’s tourism campaign
inviting the rest of the world to discover what the Philippines
truly is. Based on a simple insight and fundamental truth about
the country, it highlights our promise of a more heartfelt and
interesting experience because of Filipinos who complete every travel
experience and make one’s holiday unforgettable. Likewise, it aims
to create a phenomenon where every Filipino will participate and
take and active role in promoting the good things the Philippines
can offer.
As the DOT endeavors to elicit renewed enthusiasm and boost the country’s tourism, we recognize
the potential of Filipinos based overseas to become tourism ambassadors in their respective host
countries and help create the FUN image we are selling to the world. In light of the government’s
Pinoy Homecoming program, we hope to see our airports busy welcoming not only foreign visitors,
but also returning Filipinos.
May this magazine continue to serve as a positive welcome to balikbayans, providing information on
what is happening in the Philippines and how they can best enjoy their return to the country.
I invite all balikbayans across the globe to come, see, taste, feel, and show why it is truly more fun n
the Philippines. Let the fun begin. And let it begin with you.
Here’s to more FUN years in the service of the country, Mabuhay!
FEATURE
10
Manny
Pacquiao
Artwork by Jun Aquino
11
FEATURE
Pacquiao
Bio
By Joseph Pimentel
Artwork by Jun Aquino
A
champion is defined as “a
person who has defeated
all others in a competition.”
Another
meaning
is
“an ardent defender or
supporter of a cause or a person.”
Filipino Manny Pacquiao embodies
both of these qualities and much more.
We look at Pacquiao now, and we see
a man who has accomplished more
than anyone could have ever imagined.
He is an eight-division world-boxing
champion, has been heralded as “fighter
of the decade,” and for years ranked No.
1 pound-for-pound in boxing.
Through all of his accolades inside
the boxing ring, Pacquiao has done much
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more outside of it. He is a national icon,
who serves as a Congressman for Sarangani,
fighting against human trafficking. He’s a
businessman who uses his prize money to
create businesses and jobs in the povertystricken areas where he grew up. And as a
devout Catholic, he spreads God’s message
to his fans. Mostly, he has spotlighted and uplifted
a whole nation into the mainstream
consciousness. No one has done more to
unite Filipinos worldwide. His fights are
almost national holidays or fiestas in the
Philippines where Filipinos stop everything
they are doing to watch his performance.
The fourth of six siblings, Pacquiao grew
up mostly in a single-family household.
Living most of his young life like many of
his countrymen under crushing poverty
in General Santos, Pacquiao dropped out
of school at an early age, to sell pandasal
in the streets to provide for whatever he
could for the family. There were times he
only ate once a day, sometimes not at all.
Under such duress, he could have
wavered and chosen a different path.
But like many young men and women
in the Philippines, he fought for survival.
It was only a matter of time before he
found his calling inside a boxing ring.
We celebrate Pacquiao because he is
a Filipino, a fighter inside and outside
of the ring. In short, he is a champion in
every sense of the word.
Pacquiao:
Man. Hero. Legend.
In the Philippines, he is considered
a demigod. To the world, he is a
champion. Manny Pacquiao is a
man of many hats: He is a boxer, an
entertainer, a politician, a spiritual
advocate, a father, a husband and a
son. He started out as a boxing king,
but that was just a prelude to things
that are unequivocally enormous as
his sports legacy.
His boxing career may have suffered
a little blow with his loss to Timothy
Bradley and his controversial win over
Juan Manuel Marquez. But there is
no stopping Pacquiao in proving that
he is truly boxing’s pound-for-pound
king. Forget about Floyd Mayweather,
Jr. If he is so keen on being crowned as
the real king, he should put his money
where his mouth is.
But let’s take a breather for now and
look back to see Manny Pacquiao for
who he really is.
Photo by Joe Cobilla
13
FEATURE
Photo by James Paul Dayap
The Fighting
Congressman
Like his indomitable spirit as a boxer,
Pacquiao did not give up his political
dream when he failed to represent the
first district of South Cotabato by losing
to Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio
in 2007. He ran again as congressman
three years after, but this time in the lone
district of Sarangani. He won a landslide
victory over the Chiongbian clan who
had been in power for more than 30
years.
His record as a representative is quite
impressive for someone new to politics.
Pacquiao has co-authored 38 House
Bills and has sponsored nine. Some of
these are HB02381 or An Act Providing
for the Establishment of Breast Care
Centers, HB02380 or An Act to Prohibit
Cellphone Networks from Sending
Unsolicited Materials, and HB02379
or An Act Establishing a Provincial
Hospital in Sarangani.
“I want to erase the image of the
corrupt politician. I want my name to
be synonymous with excellent public
service and clean and good government,”
Pacquiao said.
“I want to erase the image of the corrupt
politician. I want my name to be synonymous
with excellent public service and clean and
good government.”
Philippine Army Reservist
Lt. Col. Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao
14
CongPac on groundbreaking of
Sarangani Medical Center
Photo by Jun Aquino
A Man of Faith
Photo by Jun Aquino
Manny Pacquiao can be likened to a multifaceted diamond. But what stands out is his
being a man of faith; he is seen praying with
his head bowed before and after every fight. He
always sponsors a Holy Mass everywhere he
goes. Just recently, he went to the Holy Land
to undergo a spiritual transformation that will
further develop spirituality as a person.
His mother, Dionisia, is his biggest spiritual
influence. The whole world is witness to how
the Pacquiao matriarch prays for her son’s
safety in front of numerous religious statues
in their humble abode. Manny Pacquiao is his
mother’s son.
Photo by Jun Aquino
15
FEATURE
A Celebrated
Endorser
At age 33, Manny Pacquiao is
considered to be one of the highest
paid endorsers by Forbes Magazine.
He has endorsed the following:
Motolite
CafePuro
LBC
Philippine Airlines
NIKE
Motorstar
Hennessy
Magnolia
DatuPuti
Sting
Alaxan
Vitwater
Hewlett-Packard
McDonald’s
San Miguel Beer
16
The Entertainer
He was voted as the Person of the Year
in 2003, and has five films to his name:
Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin (2000), Mahal
Kita, Kahit Sino Ka Pa (2001), Basagan
ng Mukha (2001), Lisensyadong Kamao
(2005), and Anak ng Kumander (2008).
His television shows, like Show Me Da
Manny (with actress Marian Rivera) and
his very popular game show, Manny Many
Prizes have gained a cult following.
His songs have topped the charts and
have been played numerous times in the
Philippine airwaves.
Indeed, Manny Pacquiao is a one-ofa-kind entertainer.
17
FEATURE
Pacman and Jinkee in Washington DC
Family Guy
Pacquiao Family
18
When his father, Rosalio, left them
while still young, Pacquiao stepped up as
the man of the household. He would sell
bread around the neighborhood to help
his mother, Dionisia, with the family’s
expenses. He is the fourth
among six siblings, namely Liza
Silvestre-Onding,
Domingo
Silvestre, Isidra Paglinawan,
Rogelio Pacquiao, and boxer
Alberto “Bobby” Pacquiao.
Now that he has a family of his
own, Pacquiao vows never to let
his children experience what he
had gone through when he was
still young. Together with his
wife, Jinkee Jamora, Pacquiao
tries his best to give what is best
for their kids, Emmanuel Jr.
“Jimuel,” Michael, Princess, and Queen
Elizabeth “Queenie.”
He originally resides in his hometown,
General Santos City, South Cotabato.
But because of his post as a congressman,
he officially stays in Kiamba, Sarangani,
which is the hometown of his wife.
Manny’s Family
Photo by Jun Aquino
Taking you home
when you’re miles away.
21 years of commitment.
FEATURE
Pacman Trivia:
What You Don’t Know
About Manny Pacquiao
Here are some interesting facts about
Manny Pacquiao. Just like other celebrities,
there are still a lot of things that will
surprise us about our idols.
Because of his numerous titles, Manny
20
Pacquiao is considered to be a ruthless
opponent. In his fight with Joshua Clottey,
he threw an estimated 1,231 punches.
But what people do not know is that
Pacquiao is a very compassionate boxer.
During his fight with Antonio Margarito,
the Pacman chose not to throw any more
fatal punches to his opponent’s already
swollen right eye.
According to him, “Boxing is not for
killing each other, you know.”
Pacman owns a basketball team called
MP Warriors of GenSan.
The fighting congressman from Sarangani
Province is the first Filipino athlete to have
his face on a postage stamp.
He is featured in Fight Night Parts 2, 3,
and 4, a popular boxing video game series in
the United States.
Artwork provided by Jun Aquino
Mexican
Destroyer
Pacquiao neither wants to be called this, nor
as the “Mexicutioner,” because of his love for
all his Mexican fans and his great respect and
admiration for these Mexican fighters. But we
cannot deny the fact that most of Pacquiao’s
memorable (and controversial) fights are against
formidable Mexicans.
Here is a list of all the Mexican boxers he
fought with in his entire boxing career:
Gabriel Mira (1999)
Emmanuel Lucero (2003)
Marco Antonio Barrera (2003, 2007)
Juan Manuel Marquez (2004, 2008, 2011)
Erik Morales (2005, twice in 2006)
Hector Velazquez (2005)
Oscar Larios (2006)
Jorge Solis (2007)
Antonio Margarito (2010)
Artwork provided by Jun Aquino
21
FEATURE
How I Became
a Pacquiao Fan
By Steno A. Padilla
I know Manny Pacquiao very much. I mean, who doesn’t? A pound-forpound king, a people’s champ, a celebrity, a politician and a spiritual
adviser -- there’s just so much about the man that not knowing him
would be a crime.
Although the Internet and the media
provide loads of information about Pacquiao’s boxing achievements, showbiz
and political careers, and personal life, I
still couldn’t convince myself that he was
a man worthy to be
considered my idol.
I admit that I’m
not a huge fan of
boxing, but I always
watch Pacquiao’s
fights because I
know he’s representing the Philippines. And yet
every time he won,
I would always be
among millions of
spectators
jumping off their seats,
screaming at the top
of their lungs, and
celebrating another
moment of pride as
a Filipino.
Still, I didn’t consider myself as a
fan of Pacquiao. That changed when I
worked in GMA.
I was a researcher at the Public Affairs Department of GMA for the show
Tonight with Arnold Clavio, a local spin
of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The
job was tough, but it allowed me to rub
elbows with famous and not-so-famous
celebrities, sports champions and broadcast personalities. I talked to them,
shared some hi’s and hello’s, and asked
for information about their lives that
could not be googled, which was my primary duty as a researcher.
One day, the producer asked me to
research about Pacquiao, since he would
22
be the guest for our show that week. I
got a little excited, knowing that I would
finally be able to see the man that destroyed many formidable boxers and who
had been the talk of the town for weeks
on end. I also realized that not too many
people my age got to meet him in the
flesh, so it was really exhilarating to be
given the task.
It was not easy getting information
about Pacquiao that hadn’t been made
public yet. It became doubly harder
since I couldn’t pre-interview the boxing
champ.
But that didn’t stop me from getting
what I wanted from our show’s guest.
I had to exhaust my connections to get
through to those people who knew Pacquiao inside out. I couldn’t remember
how I did it, but I was able to get the
numbers of Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, and
mother, Dionisia.
I first tried calling Jinkee. After a
couple of rings without getting any response, I gave up. So I turned to Mommy Dionisia. She answered on the first
ring, and what was supposed to be an interview about Pacquiao turned out to be
a storytelling session about herself. She
was hilarious and I didn’t have the heart
to refrain her from talking about her life,
because she seemed to be enjoying every
minute of our conversation.
In the end, I had to segue to talking
about her son, which I succeeded in doing. I finally got what I needed.
On the day of our taping, our producer asked me to fetch Pacquiao from studio 6, located in the annex building, to
studio 3, the one we were using for the
show which was in the main building.
I waited for the people’s champ outside studio 6. He was still doing some
rounds of scenes for his sitcom, Show
Me Da Manny. I
was itching to get
close to him and
introduce myself,
so in one of his
idle moments, I
timidly
walked
towards Pacquiao
and made myself
noticeable
Surprisingly for
someone who does
not consider himself a fan, I was
starstruck. But I
tried my best not
to show it--I was
a
“professional”
Photo by Jun Aquino
researcher
after
all. So when I was
already standing in front of Pacquiao, I
finally got to say what was secretly playing in my mind....
“Pwede po bang magpa-picture?”
He gave a shy smile and motioned
for me to come closer. I moved to his
right side, gave my camera to a friend,
and posed with my right hand doing the
money sign while Pacquiao raised his famous left fist to his chest. Click. Flash.
In the end, I got what I truly wanted: a
souvenir photo with Pacquiao.
That one moment inside a GMA studio in 2010 sealed the deal for me. With
so many achievements in his life, it was
that simple showing of humility to a
stranger that endeared Pacquiao to me.
Pacquiao in
Time Magazine
Time Magazine’s Asian Edition put
Pacquiao on its cover in 2009. He is
the seventh Filipino to be given such an
honor. The other Filipinos who graced the
cover of Time Magazine were Presidents
Manuel Quezon, Manuel Roxas, Ramon
Magsaysay, Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon
Aquino, Benigno S. Aquino III, and
environmentalist Chin Chin Gutierrez.
The last boxer to be accorded the honor
was former heavyweight champion Mike
Tyson in 1988. What sets Pacquiao apart
from other athletes, who were featured
in Time Magazine, are his genuine
qualities of humility, generosity and faith.
“What is happening to me now is the
most humbling experience of my life. It
is a great honor for me to be the face of
my people and to let everyone know we
are a small but mighty country. I have
great pride for all of the Filipinos living
throughout the world and it is these people
that I fight for each and every time I step
into the ring,” Time Magazine quoted
Pacquiao as saying in an interview.
Photo by Jun Aquino
23
FEATURE
Atty. Gacal:
A Chief of Staff
Like No Other
By Jane Francis S. Quinabo
Manny Pacquiao is known for being one of the best
fighters of the century, and one of the most influential
people in the world.
Yet, even with his celebrity status,
he still gives credit to those who have
always stayed behind him through thick
and thin, including his wife, Jinkee and
his mother, Dionisia.
Unknown to most, there are also
those who work with Manny, behindthe-scenes. They play a crucial role in
Manny’s day-to-day decision-making
process.
One of them is Atty. Franklin Mabini
Gacal, Manny Pacquiao’s Chief of
Staff, and one of the guiding forces in
the Fighting Congressman’s everyday
life. He is a graduate of the Philippines’
ivy leagues, taking Political Science at
De La Salle University and Law at the
Ateneo de Manila University School
of Law. Atty. Gacal is no newbie in
politics, having been an undefeated city
councillor for four terms in the city of
General Santos.
Although he officially joined Team
Pacquiao in 2005, Atty. Jeng’s friendship
with Manny Pacquiao began more than
a decade ago, stemming from a common
interest for cockfighting.
Later on, he started handling legal
matters for Manny, and after a few years,
became an integral part of Pacquiao’s
staff.
It’s my first time to interview one of the
members of Team Pacquiao, and to say
I was nervous was an understatement. I
was imagining meeting a tough-looking
man who never smiles, and who is always
in a rush.
On the contrary, Atty. Jeng, was very
accommodating; though as I expected,
he was in a bit of a hurry. However, he
took his time in answering my questions,
24
patiently waiting for me
to finish them before
answering.
Contrary
to what I have grown
used to, surprisingly, his
responses were candid.
He gave me a glimpse
of what kind of people
Pacquiao trusts.
Atty Jeng with Pacquiao during the press tour
of Dela Hoya vs Pacquiao “ the dream match”
If he does have tough moments, it’s
because he is always looking after Manny’s
welfare. Cutting through all the worldly
pretenses, Atty. Jeng has maintained his
down-to-earth personality amid all the
glitz and glamour that surround him
24/7.
He is one of the rare people that
Manny Pacquiao is proud to have.. u
Atty. Jeng
Atty Jeng delivering a speech during the
Pacquiao-Bradley press tour in New York
Eric Pineda
The Man of
the Business
By Steno A. Padilla
He is one of the lesser-known figures behind Manny
Pacquiao’s success. Why? Well, Pineda is just the business
manager of the pound-for-pound king. Simply imagine
the workload of someone who works for a world
champion and multimillionaire. And that’s just the tip
of the iceberg since, as we all know by now, Pacquiao is
a jack-of-all-trades.
Eric Pineda with this boss, Manny Pacquiao,
at the Beijing Olympics 2008.
a falling out a few years back. That was
when Pineda stepped forward to handle
Pacquiao’s countless business endeavors.
A little trivia about this man. You probably know more about the son than the
father himself. Pineda is the proud dad
of Starstruck survivor Enzo Pineda of the
GMA Artist Center.
Eric Pineda with his family--sons Paolo (left) and Enzo (right),
and wife Macy--at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
It was in 2004 when Pineda, a veteran
publicist, political and marketing consultant, first encountered Pacquiao face to
face. Right then and there, he saw a massive potential in the young boxer’s career
in and out of the ring, like a diamond
trapped inside a pile of dirt, waiting to
be polished.
Pineda was hired by Rod Nazario, the
former business manager of Pacquiao.
But Nazario and the boxing champ had
Eric Pineda and wife Macy Pineda
at the Great Wall of China.
25
TRAVEL DESTINATION
A Closer Look at
By Jane Francis S. Quinabo | Photo by Leandro Medrano
One of the most understated beauties in the Philippine
archipelago is Mindanao. Its reputation is often slanted in the
news; that is why it still has many paradise--like sites that remain
undiscovered. Fortunately, I was able to see these wonderful
places with my very own eyes.
Bukidnon
From the minute I set foot on Bukidnon, it never ceased to amaze me. With 20
municipalities and two cities, the highland
paradise in the heart of Mindanao boasts of
a sprawling farming area.
Tribe Immersion
Balikbayan Magazine was invited to one
of the communities of the Talaandig tribe,
which is located at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad
--the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines. The Talaandig is one of the seven indigenous groups in Bukidnon.
A marker at the entrance of the community says: “Be Culture Conscious,” reminding visitors that they are now in a territory
with a different culture.
Before entering, we offered three live
chickens and rice. Since the tribe leaders
were strict about what kind of people they
share the community with, we were asked
not to take pictures and do interviews until
the “spirits” allow us passage into the community. We waited patiently for their go signal.
Like the Na’vis in James Cameron’s Avatar, the Talaandigs treat animals as sacred
beings. Before killing chickens, they whisper
to them to ask for forgiveness. The Talaandigs believe in the presence of the spirits of
nature. Their actions and decisions are guided by rituals. So important are these rituals
that they built the School of Living Traditions (a project of Datu Migketay Victorino Saway), where their children learn
the Talaandig traditions and practices.
Tribe immersion is a recent addition to
the activities that Bukidnon offers. So why
did the tribes suddenly decide to accept tourists and visitors to their communities?
“Iisa lang naman tayo, e. Magkakapatid tayo. Kung kayo, handang magpakilala sa
amin, pinupuntahan niyo kami rito, dapat han-
26
da rin kaming magpakilala sa inyo,” said Datu
Makapukaw.
The Talaandigs are also known for their
soil paintings. These are done by gathering
various colors and types of soils and using
white glue as a paint binder. Waway Saway,
a soil artist and the man responsible for reviving this ancient form of art, introduced
soil painting back in 1995. Since then, artists under his tutelage have won regional and
national art competitions.
Monastery of Transfiguration
The Monastery of Transfiguration is
set atop a small hill in Malaybalay City.
The pyramid-shaped chapel stands over
lush greenery, overlooking the small
coffee plantation where the famous Monk’s Blend coffee beans
are grown.
The compound also has
a museum that houses
liturgical vestments,
used throughout
Philippine history. Colorful priest
garbs
made of abaca, piña and
banana fibers, sewn with
cotton, satin and silk, are
on display. The walls of the
museum are also adorned
with the monks’ paintings,
showing a simple life.
Despite
being
known in Bukidnon,
the Monastery of
Transfiguration has
maintained a solemn
and peaceful envi-
Sunny Mindanao
The twenty municipalities are Baungon, Cabanglasan, Damulog, Dangcagan, Don
Carlos, Impasug-ong, Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Kibawe, Kitaotao, Lantapan, Libona,
Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Maramag, Pangantucan, Quezon, San Fernando,
Sumilao, and Talakag. The two cities are Malaybalay City and Valencia City.
ronment. Just like the monastic life, people are reminded
that one can survive, even if they
are stripped off of material possessions.
Kaamulan Village
The Kaamulan Festival is
an annual ethnic festival in
Malaybalay City. It is held
to celebrate the culture
and traditions of the seven
ethnic groups that originally inhabited Bukidnon:
Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo,
Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon.
Representatives from the seven indigenous groups gather with the local dwellers,
dressed in their intricately woven attires and
adorned with trinkets, anklets, necklaces,
earrings, amulets and other accessories. The
participants sing, dance and perform rituals.
They would also compete in different indigenous sports.
Located a few meters away from Malaybalay City, Kaamulan Village has a convention center, an open area for campfires
and cottages that look like ancestral houses.
These structures are equipped with basic
sleeping facilities and modern amenities.
Anicycle
Kampo Juan is an adventure
park. Here, one can literally enjoy life on the edge.
Our first stop was the
anicycle--a bicycle with
its wheels connected
to a steel rope. The
ride requires
one to bike
from one
mounta in
to the next, with only a harness as a guide.
The first time I saw such a spectacle was in a
circus, when I was a child. With my fear of
heights and unreliable sense of balance, I had
no idea how to finish the ride. One wrong
tilt of the handlebars and you would fall off.
Even a harness that can hold up to three
tons had a hard time convincing me to try it.
Eventually, I did.
What we didn’t know was that our fear of
heights would be amplified as we faced the
next challenge: crossing the hanging bridge
from the second mountain to the third. It
looked easy, but the moment we set foot on
the rickety bridge, fear set in. The kilometerlong bridge rocked back and forth, as we
crossed. Nonetheless, the team reached the
third mountain, but not without a lot of
silent prayers.
From the third mountain to the fourth,
the final adventure was the 570-meter long
zipline. Almost a minute of being suspended
on air and swinging on nothing else but
harness and metal rope gave us the ultimate
sense of freedom. That natural high, although
short-lived, was an achievement in itself.
The Bukidnon trip was a cultural,
historical and adventurous mix. Most
people only have pineapples in mind when
they hear ‘Bukidnon,’ but Balikbayan
Magazine experienced some of the things
that only the City of Golden Harvest can
offer.
From the word “amul” meaning
“to gather,” the Kaamulan Festival is
held from the second half of February
up to the 10th day of March, the
foundation day of Bukidnon as a
province.
27
TRAVEL DESTINATION
Macahambus Adventure Park
Another tourist attraction of CDO is the
Macahambus Adventure Park, housing perhaps the only gorge in Mindanao. The park
offers guests an opportunity to walk along
the hanging bridge that passes through the
forest and through a quicker route back to
the entrance via zipline.
For those who are not into extreme adventure, the place also offers a visit to the
cave and gorge, where people get to enjoy
the unique flora and fauna that can only be
found in Macahambus. The park also offers
white-water rafting activities.
White water Rafting
Photo by Leandro Medrano
Cagayan de Oro
Cagayan de Oro City, or CDO, is the
provincial capital of Misamis Oriental. But
its reputation earned it several nicknames.
Considered to be the melting pot of Mindanao, CDO is also known as the “Gateway
to Northern Mindanao” because of its close
proximity and accessibility to other commercial zones in the region, thanks to the improved transportation system.
Outdoor enthusiasts call it the “Rafting
Capital of the Country” because adventure
seekers anywhere can enjoy white-water rafting all throughout the year, unlike in other
places where the river dries up during the
summer. But the most popular title of all is
the “City of Golden Friendships,” for CDO
prides itself of having very hospitable people.
Its name, however, literally means “City of
the River of Gold.” Back in the day when the
Spaniards first colonized the country, there
were a lot of gold mining activities along the
banks of the Cagayan River.
White-water Rafting
For the typical adventure seeker, whitewater rafting is a must. Several companies offer white-water rafting packages. One of them
is the First Rafting Adventure, which offers
affordable packages and has friendly river
guides. For those who are afraid of falling off
the rubber boat, fear not, for the guides are all
trained swimmers and river navigators.
Divisoria and St. Augustine
Hanging Bridge at
Macahambus Adventure Park
The beginner’s course is a 12.32-kilometer cruise along the river with 14 major
rapids that range from class 1 to class 2. This
means that the rapids are safe and friendly
enough to maneuver. In between the rapids,
one can enjoy a dip in the river while enjoying the scenery
Downstream, the Cagayan River is bordered by Bukidnon on the left and CDO
on the right. Other courses include the
advanced course, where adventurers get to
cruise 20 kilometers of the river with 21 major rapids that range from class 2 to class 4;
and the extreme course, where boaters experience 22 kilometers of class 4 to class 5
rapids. Guests who want to take this course
need to hike two kilometers to reach the
starting point.
CDO also has its version of the Manilafamous Divisoria. The city’s version is a night
market, an entertainment district that captures the vibrant and energetic nightlife that
is purely Cagayanon. Even a solitary wanderer cannot resist the party scene and people
that CDO’s Divisoria offers.
For a quiet moment, visitors can visit St.
Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, home of
the black St. Augustine image. The craftsman, upon hearing that St. Augustine is
from Africa, thought that the patron saint is
black, hence the color of the statue.
The best part about being in CDO is
that, anywhere you go, people are more than
willing to assist you, with a smile. Regardless
of what time of the day you decide to wander
around, Cagayanons will help you in any way
they can. Truly, a city of golden friendships!
The many names of
Cagayan de Oro City
City of Golden Friendships
Gateway to Northern Mindanao
Rafting Capital of the Country
Melting Pot of Mindanao
City of the River of Gold
Sunrise at Midway Beach Resort
28
Tinago Falls
Photo by Pat Noel
Initao and Iligan City
Initao is part of Misamis
Oriental that has an area
protected by the Department
of Environment and Natural
Resources.
The Initao National Park, a
57-hectare natural forest with a
large variety of flora and fauna,
is one of the highlights of my
visit to this wonderful area
in the province. Spelunking,
boulder fishing (fishing while
sitting on top of a boulder),
snorkeling and scuba diving
are some of the activities at the
Initao National Park.
Lasang
A different kind of thrill
kicks in once you visit the
Lasang Secret Adventure Park.
The road towards the adventure
park is lined with a canopy of
rainforest trees.
The very first thing I did was
to pass through the boardwalk-a pathway dotted by planks that
slowly rose from the ground. The
purpose of this is to protect the
ground and other plant species
that breed on the land. After
about a minute of slowly walking
upward, I ended up at the foot of
the spiral staircase.
It took me atop the canopy
of trees, straight into a series of
hanging bridges that crossed
one huge tree to another. As
I doggedly walked, I noticed
how the sunlight touched the
leaves and turned them into a
cornucopia of rare colors that only
nature could provide. In no time,
while momentarily being one
with nature, I forgot that I was up
there being supported only by a
narrow, steel bridge.
Of course, all roads lead
to a zipline adventure. Lasang
Secret Adventure Park did not
disappoint. What’s unique about
the zipline here was that its pace
can be controlled. If you want to
further enjoy the ride, all you have
to do is instruct the guides before
jumping off to stop the line once
you reach your desired area. You
can take pictures or just revel at
being suspended on air. You
may choose to relax while in
mid-air, albeit shortly.
Maria Cristina
Then I headed to Iligan
City, also known as the City
of Majestic Waterfalls and the
Industrial Center of the South.
It boasts of 23 waterfalls, among
which is the most famous Maria
Cristina Falls. This towering
body of water helps power
Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant
that provides electricity to the
surrounding areas.
A perfect place for any
traveler, Iligan City is a site
where one can relax close to
nature without leaving the
comforts of an urban setting.
Promoting a laidback lifestyle
amidst a built-up location, the
city of Iligan surely is a mustvisit. u
Dodiongan Falls
Photo by Pat Noel
The 23 waterfalls of Iligan
City are
Maria Cristina, Tinago,
Limunsudan, Guimbalolan,
Kamadahan, Pindarangahan,
Gata, Kibalang, Rogongon,
Mimbalut, Dalipuga,
Dodiongan, Kalubihon,
Langilanon, Hindang,
Pampam, Languyon, Linanot,
Malinao, Bridal Veil, Abaga,
Maligang, and Malapacan.
29
EVENTS
Eid’l Fitr:
The many hues of
Muslim merrymaking
By Steno A. Padilla | Photos by Resurreccion San Miguel
It was a night full of colors and unique sounds. For a country
surrounded by millions of non-Muslims and influenced by so much
Western pop culture, it was definitely a breath of fresh air for me to
become part of the grand celebration of the Eid’l Fitr.
A
lso known as the Festival
of the Breaking of the
Fast, Eid’l Fitr marks the
end of the holy month of
Ramadan. This falls on the
first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the
Islamic calendar. Muslims all over the world
take this occasion to strengthen ties with
family and friends, as well as to give thanks,
forgive and celebrate.
The annual national celebration of the
Eid’l Fitr festival, held this year at The
Block, SM City North EDSA, was first
staged in 1993 by the Kasannangan Foundation, Inc., headed by former senator Santanina Rasul.
Being there to witness the event was an
eye-opener, to say the least. I thought that it
was also a triumph for our Muslim brothers
and sisters--finally putting their culture and
beliefs in the mainstream again.
This was not easy, considering the bigotry and abuse the Muslims suffered due
30
Pangalay Dance
in part to the negative political climate after 9/11. For almost a decade since then, the
annual staging of Eid’l Fitr festivals in the
country was put on hold. To get a clearer
picture of this scenario, imagine Christmas
being banned nationwide.
Thanks to the peace and development
efforts of President Benigno S. Aquino III,
the Eid’l Fitr festival was resumed last year
by the Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc.,
and the Philippine Center for Islam and
Democracy.
It was such a delight then to see the booths
of places like Basilan, Sulu and Maguindanao
showcasing their local delicacies, handicrafts
and native attires. The sight and smell of
the venue reminded me of the colorful
vintas lining the seas of Mindanao. And the
intricate designs of the weavings gave me an
insight on the mathematical genius of our
indigenous peoples.
But what really fascinated me during the
event were the dances and the music. As a
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
dancer myself, I believe there’s no better way
to express one’s feelings, culture and identity
than through non-verbal messages, gracefully
performed by the body.
My eyes were glued to the AlunAlun Dance
Circle as they performed the “fingernail” dance
called Pangalay. Even without the announcer
giving information about the dance, I was able
to posit that it was about imitating nature, such
as the innocent movement of the leaves, the
soft caress of the wind, and the back-and-forth
motion of the waves in the ocean.
As a bonus, it gave me a glimpse of the
lifestyle of the people in the Sulu archipelago,
where the sea is both home and a source of
livelihood.
I was also fortunate to check out traditional
Philippine Muslim clothings, to view the works
of National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari
Imao, and to appreciate the photo-essay exhibit
on how Islam came to the Philippines, which
even antedates the arrival of Christianity in the
country.
FAST FACTS:
AlunAlun Dance Circle
With such a rich and vibrant culture, it
is surprising that the media gives little or no
attention at all to these important details. I
suppose that at that precise moment when
we learn to accommodate a more pluralistic society and to embrace diversity as a way of life, rather
than a divisive line, is the time that we can all be
proud to be called Filipinos. u
Eid Mubarak – A traditional
Muslim greeting used on the festivals
of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha. It literally
means “blessed festival.”
Republic Act No. 9177 – The
law that declares Eid’l Fitr a national
holiday.
Pangalay – The traditional dance
of the Tausug people in Sulu and
Sabah, which is characterized by
gentle movements of the hands
and fingers. It literally means “gift
offering.”
Assalamu Alaikum – A common
greeting among Muslims, which
means “Peace be with you.” The
response to this is “Wa alaikum
assalaam,” which means “And upon
you be peace.”
Ramadan – The ninth month of
the Islamic lunar calendar. This holy
month is observed by fasting or by
abstaining from food, drink and
other physical needs during the
daylight hours.
balikbayan is a valentine to everything we love about the
Philippines. The People, the places, the faces, the food,
the music, the history, the culture, the adventure, the
lifestyle, the moments, and the memories. Simply said,
love of country is back in style.
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EVENTS
K ADAYAWAN
FESTIVAL
Photos by Leandro Medrano
32
33
EVENTS
T UNA
FESTIVAL
Photos by Jing Velos
34
INDUSTRY
A Pioneer in No Frills, Limited
Service Hotel in the Philippines
Microtel by Wyndham envision a network of Microtels all over the
Philippines being a pioneer in no-frills hotel concept. Travelers, on
business or leisure, will be able to go anywhere at all and enjoy
the certainty that they can have a good night’s sleep in a clean,
comfortable, safe and secure accommodations in a nearby Microtel.
Microtel Gen. Santos
National Highway, General
Santos City, Philippines
Microtel Gen. Santos’ three-level
building joins the vibrant business activity
of General Santos City. The leading hotel
chain with its warmly efficient service unmatched anywhere in the Philippines, will
offer 66 well-appointed guest rooms surrounded by trees nearby and some lush
greeneries and landscaping.
Aside from the standard facilities and
amenities found in any Microtel hotels, the
Gen San property will have conference facilities situated on the 2nd floor for meetings, conventions, seminars, special events
and other social occasions that can accommodate up to 150 persons.
The Microtel Gen. Santos’ location is
just 30 minutes away from the airport and
sits snugly within walking distance of, not
only its own commercial complex, but also
nearby malls familiar to all. It’s a 5-minute
walk from the business area where banks
and other establishments are within reach. Microtel Acropolis Quezon City, Philippines
Microtel Acropolis bolsters the leading
hotel brand’s much-admired reputation for
fine accommodations offered at reasonable
rates. Standing four floors and containing
84 well-appointed guest rooms, it is conveniently located near Eastwood Mall where
different establishments and restaurants
are within reach. It is insulated against
both heat and noise, and equipped with
the latest flat-screen TV’s and digital cable
connections. It also includes a basement
for easy parking, a trendy breakfast coffee
shop, several meeting rooms plus a level
of service and hospitality that is the result
of an appealing blend of the international
hotel chain’s prize-winning efficiency and
Filipino warmth and hospitality.
Microtel Acropolis was the first to
qualify for Green Building permit granted
by the Quezon City government which is
scheduled to open this 2012. It has complied with and in some cases even exceeded
the rigorous standards for a truly “green”
building.
Microtel hotels has been in the cuttingedge of a “green” building with its sewage
treatment plants, solar water heaters and
a plethora of environmentally sensitive
equipment and strategies that have been in
use for many years. u
35
TRAVEL DESTINATION
Camiguin:
The Island
Born of Fire
By Jane Francis S. Quinabo | Photo by Nicole Marie Alvaro
Mindanao is also home to the country’s most unique islands; Camiguin
is one of them. Having seven volcanoes and quite a number of nearby
islands that guests can easily visit on a good weather, the “island born
of fire” is simply an irresistible place where one can fully maximize his
vacation.
Balikbayan Magazine arrived late in the
afternoon, and after freshening up at the
hotel, the first place that the team went to
is Katibawasan Falls. It is a 250-feet cascade in Mambajao, located at the foot of
Mt. Timpoong, the largest mountain on
the island of Camiguin. Since it recently
rained hard, the waterfall was majestic and
powerful, a far cry from its usual calm.
Then we went to the first of the three
springs that are major tourist attractions
in Camiguin: the Esperanza Ardent Hot
Spring. The mineral pool has 40 degrees
Celsius of water that are not only relaxing,
but are also very therapeutic. The hot spring
is located a few kilometres northwest of
Catarman. The best time to go to this place
is at night for the hot swim complements
the cool night air that surrounds the island
in the evening.
The next morning, we headed out early
to sea to visit the sandbar called White Island, which is seven minutes away from the
mainland. The powdered white sand is simply divine, and the view of the whole island
of Camiguin as a backdrop is breathtaking.
Despite the fact that the island does not
36
sport accommodations or even cottages,
it is still a preferred picnic area for tourists
who bring their own umbrellas, blankets,
and food.
Then we proceeded to the second
spring which is the Bura Soda Water
Swimming Pool. It is the only swimming
pool of soda water in the country which is
brought about by active volcanoes on the
island. The cold water is refreshing and
relaxing at the same time.
The third is Sto. Niño Cold Spring,
which is located about four kilometers
from Catarman. Upon entering the resort, one would notice the number of coconuts swimming in the water. According to the restaurant owners in the area,
the low temperature of the water keeps
the coconuts chilled without the expense
of electricity and the need for a refrigerator. When we went inside, we saw hundreds of small fishes in the bigger pool.
These fishes are just like those that you
find in fish spas. We immediately dipped
our feet in the water and waited for the
fishes to come. It was one ticklish and fun
moment.
Next, we visited the Church Ruins in
Bonbon, where the remnants of the church
destroyed in 1871 during the eruption
of Vulcan Daan can be seen. These ruins
proved that the Spaniards were able to penetrate and influence a part of Mindanao,
contrary to what most people are aware of.
After lunch, we headed to Walkway
Via Crosses in the Old Volcano, where
there are life-sized statues for every station
of the cross. A gentle climb is required,
but the beauty of the surroundings and the
great view of the sea as you slowly ascend
make the experience worth it.
It was almost sunset when we reached
the Sunken Cemetery. It was believed
that due to a massive explosion of one of
Camiguin’s volcanoes in the past, the part
where the cemetery used to be located
shifted and peeled away from the island,
sinking below sea level.
Camiguin also offers diving as part of
its attractions. The marine biodiversity on
the island is colorful and one of a kind.
There are a lot of underwater lava and coral
formations that can only be seen in a volcano island such as Camiguin. u
Have Fun in Gen San
By Jane Francis S. Quinabo | Photo by Resurreccion San Miguel
General Santos City (or simply Gen San) captured the world’s attention
because of the rise to popularity of Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division
world boxing champion who proved that, with dedication and hard work,
everything is possible. But the Tuna Capital of the Philippines has its own grand reputation to
uphold, and Balikbayan Magazine stood
witness to what it has to offer.
Dubbed as the southernmost port
city in the Philippines, Gen San took
the name of General Paulino Santos,
who led the transfer and relocation of
62 Christian settlers from Luzon to the
shores of Sarangani Bay.
Since the island is gifted with rich
volcanic soil, well-distributed rainfall
throughout the year, and zero-typhoon
climate, the crops produced here are of
high value, among which are coconut,
corn, asparagus, pineapple, rice, and banana. With good soil also comes betterthan-good livestock, such as hogs, poultry, and cattle among others. The other
top economic activity of Gen San is fisheries. Next to Navotas Fish Port, Gen San
holds the second largest total catch of fish
daily.
When Balikbayan Magazine arrived in
Gen San, we were at awe. We expected a
rustic place, but we were wrong. Gen San
is bursting with urban life. The vibrant
city is home to some of the country’s best
seafood restaurants, and we spent our first
night sampling almost everything that it
has to offer. Nothing really beats the taste
of freshly caught seafood.
The next day, our first stop was to check
out the world-class fish port. After changing to our rubber boots, the team started
for the harvest area. It was great timing
because a dozen boats just docked and the
fishermen were hauling their catch, one by
one.
According to our guide, each boat
spends 21 days at sea, to catch yellow fin
tuna. Once they return, they have about
200 plus tuna fishes in their boats waiting to be weighed, auctioned, and sold.
We were lucky to board one of the ships
to see first-hand where it all happens.
We headed to Fifth Mountain after
the fish port, where we tried the most
popular adventure activity in the country: zipline, for the nth time . But before
we reached the starting point, I had to
conquer my fear of motorcycles. Since
the van we brought was not a 4x4, we
needed to ride the local habal-habal, a
motorcycle, so to speak.
The hardest part about going up to the
mountain is the road. It was not made of
concrete, but of limestones. Legend has
it that Gen San used to be submerged in
water, but due to the movements of the
plates millennia ago, it emerged from the
water and has become a part of mainland
Mindanao. After almost 10 agonizing
minutes of bumping around while clinging for dear life, we finally reached the
peak.
The zipline adventure was fun but terrifying. Then again, with the great view,
you would forget that you are suspended
on air for almost 45 seconds, with nothing but rope and harness to hold you.
But once you reach the other side of the
mountain, there is a sense of accomplishment, for not only was I able to do yet
another zipline ride, but also because I
realized that there are still places in the
country that remain untouched, despite
technological advancements. u
37
TRAVEL DESTINATION
The Serenity of
Sarangani Province
By Jane Francis S. Quinabo
Balikbayan Magazine decided to pay a
visit to Gen San’s geographical sister: the
beautiful province of Sarangani. This province used to be one of Mindanao’s best-kept
secrets, but it is slowly making a name for
itself as one of Mindanao’s tourist spots.
Thanks to the assistance of Go Sarangani Travel and Lemlunay Resort, Balikbayan Magazine was able to visit some of
the must-see places in Sarangani.
Our first stop: the Sarangani Cultural
Museum. The structure houses both replicas and artifacts from the original site
where the Maitum jars were found. The
Maitum jars are anthropomorphic or human-shaped. Unlike regular jars that are
mostly circular, these jars are patterned after the human body. In the olden days, they
were used for burial or storage purposes.
38
After knowing a bit of Sarangani’s history through the museum visit, we went to the
Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary. The man behind
the sanctuary, Danilo C. Dequiña, got inspired when one day, he discovered clusters of
turtle eggs not far from his seaside residence.
Mang Dan (as he is fondly called) immediately gathered the eggs, placed them
in a makeshift hatchery, and covered them
with sand. After 45-70 days, the eggs started
hatching one by one. He placed them in a
basin, collecting all the baby turtles that had
hatched, and put them in a small pool ,where
they could practice swimming before they
were released to the sea.
The next day, we visited Fort Sarangani,
home of the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines. They are
believed to be the “Soldiers of Love” and the
“Army of Peace.” The place does not exude
the coldness of a military camp, on the
contrary, it was conducive to relaxation and
solitude. The idea is to have a venue where
soldiers can unwind in peace.
Then, Balikbayan Magazine headed out
to sea for some diving and sailing. We were
lucky because Lemlunay Resort (where we
stayed), had sea walls right in front of it. All
you have to do is suit up and jump into the
water. We were bedazzled by schools of
clown, parrot, and angel fish, as we swam
from coral to coral.
Sarangani Bay is also famous for the
Gumasa beaches, Mindanao’s very own
version of Boracay. The sand here is so
white and pure, one would think it’s made
of iodized salt. It offers serenity that is hard
to find in other commercial resorts. u
Photo by Lemlunay Beach Resort
39
TASTE BUDS
The royal flush
of tropical fruits
By Steno A. Padilla | Photos by Czaldy Garrote
A lot of nutritionists say that the ideal time to eat fruits is before
every meal. The science behind this is that fruits easily digest-that eating them last will give you a bloated feeing as they
stay on top of all the other food in your stomach and start to
ferment.
I
n the Philippines, people eat
fruits at any given time. Filipinos
eat them either as an appetizer or
as a dessert in all of the three major
meals... and as a snack in between.
Believe it or not, some even consider certain
fruits, like bananas, as a viand to complement
a plate of hot, steamy rice.
Needless to say, for those of you who
happen to step into the fertile soil of
Mindanao down south, there are a lot more
fruit choices that you can have any time of
the year--so much that you can call this
part of the country as the “fruit bowl of the
Philippines.”
Here are some tropical fruits that you
should get accustomed with.
Durian
This fruit is a
paradox. Admittedly, it is
fou l-smel ling, but a lot
of culinary
experts
and
foodies will testify to its superb
taste, with some considering it as the most delicious fruit in the
world. While a lot of people who are used
to durian’s smell will say that its odor is tolerable (even fragrant), especially when put
outdoors, newcomers to this fruit cannot be
blamed for being judgmental.
But here is a piece of advice to those unfamiliar souls who happen to be in Southern Mindanao where durian abounds: Do
not judge a fruit by its odor.
Don’t judge it by the skin either. It’s
spiky, it’s thorny, it’s prickly, but with the
right knife and strong arms, you are sure
to enjoy durian’s creamy flesh. For starters,
pinching your nose while masticating this
delicacy is forgivable.
40
Mangosteen
If durian
is considered
as the “king
of tropical
fruits,” then
mangosteen
is its queen.
This fruit with
a deep purple
husk is not very popular among Filipinos, but a lot of people
who have tasted it consider mangosteen as
one of their favorites.
Its inside skin is a deep red in color,
while the edible part of the fruit is white.
It normally has six or seven individual sections inside each shell. The taste? It’s a combination of sweet and sour goodness.
This fruit is also believed to have antibacterial properties.
Here’s a little secret about this fruit.
Look at the bottom of the mangosteen.
You will see a part there that looks like a
flower. The number of petals that you see
corresponds to the number of fruit pieces
found inside the mangosteen.
By the way, it’s not related to the mango
fruit.
Pomelo
Locally
known as
suha or lukban,
this
crisp, citrus
fruit
tastes like a
sweet, mild
grapefruit. It is
much larger in size,
though, than a grapefruit. Its color is pale
green to yellow when ripe.
You will know that the pomelo you are
eating is grown in the Philippines if its in-
side is pinkish red. It also contains more
juice than other varieties, which makes it
ideal for mountaineers or hikers. Its sweet
taste makes it ideal for dessert. Pomelo
juice and candies are also common in the
country.
To truly appreciate the taste of the pomelo, or any other tropical fruit in the Philippines, sprinkle with salt before eating.
Lanzones
This
fruit
is much celebrated
on
the island of
Camiguin
in Northern
Mindanao,
where it has its
own festival. Lanzones is a seasonal fruit
and is usually harvested in October, but
it also has a season during the summer
months.
Although its growth resembles that of
grapes, its color and taste greatly differ. The
lanzones has a yellowish skin, while the edible part is white in color. The fruit is sometimes sour and sometimes sweet, depending on the ripeness. It is also juicy.
But beware of its seeds. Each edible
section normally has one to three seeds that
are really bitter. The lanzones also leaves
your fingers quite sticky after eating.
Marang
Ind igenous
to
Mindanao,
the
marang fruit
looks like a
jackfruit or a
breadfruit, but
locals
mostly
associate it with
the durian. Sharing
the same strong odor as the king of tropical fruits, this fruit cannot thrive in regions
where the temperature falls below 32 degrees Celsius.
Once you rip open a marang, you have
to consume it immediately since it’s highly
perishable. It easily oxidizes and loses its
flavor.
Apart from being sweet, soft and aromatic, this fruit is also rich in nutrients,
such as vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein, carbohydrates and fat among
others. The seeds can also be eaten. You can
roast it, boil it or process it into flour. u
41
TRAVEL DESTINATION
Finding Your
True North
Text and Photos by Dennis Noel A. Balangue
Get on the right course; proceed in the right direction, and you’ll eventually
end up in one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.
The Thunderbird dome during twilight
Thunderbird Poro Point:
A Place of Bliss.
Located six hours away from
the hustle and bustle of Metro
Manila, this remote paradise
seems an out-of-reach, out-of- The Villa’s loft as seen from the living room
the-list, and out-of-the-question destination for the weary.
Situated on a 65hectare property vaOn the contrary, once on the North
cated by the U.S. Air
Luzon Expressway (NLEX), plying a
Force in September
stretch on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Ex1991, Thunderbird
pressway (SCTEX) and finishing it off
Poro Point, formerly
on the local scenic highway from Tarlac
known as Wallace Air Station, was deto La Union, and after 285 kilometers or
signed by well-renowned Spanish archiroughly 30 liters of fuel, you’ll end up in
tect Angel Suero. Today, Thunderbird
San Fernando and quite near the gates of
Poro Point shares the La Union cliffs
Thunderbird Poro Point.
with VOA (Voice of America).
When one finds oneself standing at
the front desk, finalizing the booking,
and as the breeze brushes one’s face, one
will realize that the journey was worth
every hour and every minute.
42
At present, the resort boasts of 40
rooms, which can easily accommodate
80 to 100 guests. As of this writing,
three luxurious villas are ready for occupancy, including one aptly named Zafra,
Thunderbird Poro Point, a place of bliss
dubbed after a famous town in the province of Badajoz, Spain. Each villa has its
own carport, veranda and fully functioning, sleekly designed kitchen.
Its façade and interiors are covered with an ingenious liquid tile paint
which surprisingly absorbs heat from the
scorching sun; making the walls cool to
the touch even on a hot day.
With three rooms, fully-equipped
The Suite’s master bedroom
with flat-screen LCD TVs, a stereo sound
system, free and fast WIFI connection, a
spacious toilet and bath and strong airconditioning, a fairly-sized family of six,
can easily call the villa their home away
from home.
Incidentally, five more villas will be
ready by the end of 2012 and ten more
by 2013. And by the year 2014, condominium-style accommodations are
in order via Thunderbird Poro Point’s
51-unit resort condotel. What’s unique
about this is, one can own a unit, have it
rented, have the resort maintain it, keep
it in tip-top shape, use it 30 times a year
and eventually, after 15 years, the unit
will be turned over to its owner practically brand new.
To date, there is no other place, entity
nor developer that offers a deal such as
this. Now, if that isn’t pointing you to
the right direction, we don’t know what
does.
The Point of No Return
Some say, there is nothing to do at
Thunderbird Poro Point aside from swim
in their super-sized infinity pool complete with a mini waterfall as a quaint
accent to the already scenic view of the
South China Sea.
While some insist, that one’s stay will
be a bore unless one plays in The Fiesta
Casino, which houses the most exciting
table games and high paying slots
in the Northern Philippines. Fiesta
Casino-Poro Point offers more than
28 table games and more than 250
slot machines that all high rollers,
amateur and professional players,
and slot players would surely enjoy
and spend their time and money for
some unmatched fun and excitement.
Now, when spending one’s hardearned cash for some thrill of the
roll seems too much, odds are, it’s always
a better bet to throw some chips over to a
different table.
Reserve one at The Olives, the only
fine dining restaurant in Ilocos and North
Luzon. It’s also the only dining place that
offers Mediterranean fare, and boasts of
having the only wood-burning pizza oven
in the region that makes two unique bestsellers: the Pizza Ilocano, a thin-crusted
pizza topped with tuna, locally-cured
tocino, Vigan longganisa, onions and
cheddar cheese; and the 4-Ways Pizza,
two slices of four mouth-watering flavors
namely, pepperoni and bell pepper, goat
cheese and artichoke, prosciutto ham and
mixed cheeses with herbs and basil.
As for the avid golfer, if one is looking for the next best thing to USA’s Pebble
Beach, there’s The Cliffs Golf and Beach
Club; a 3,450-yard, par 36, world-class
nine-hole golf course designed by the
world-renowned International Manage-
The Infinity Pool as seen from the
balcony of our suite with the South
China Sea providing the backdrop
The Cliffs Golf and Beach Club is
one of the most beautiful and scenic
seaside courses in the country.
ment Group. It is possibly the only golf
course in the Philippines that uses salt
water for irrigation and maintenance of
its fairways and greens; a brilliant effort
to help save the environment.
While Baguio is just an hour away,
the stunning all-weather golf course in
San Fernando, La Union, offers stunning views of the South China Sea at every hole. It features various contours and
challenges, and offers different playing
levels to suit amateur and professional
golfers alike.
Still, even with the Saphira Spa inroom services, or the outdoor activities like ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles),
Jet Skis, surfing lessons, or tours of the
north, others remain adamant whether
this five-star resort does hold water when
it comes to making their guests feel right
at home; possibly why most guests, once
checked-in, dread the idea of checking
out, a real point of no return.
43
TRAVEL DESTINATION
The Villa from the outside
Pan-seared Scallops and
Prawns In Saffron Sauce
The longest way round is the
shortest way home.
And home is where the heart is. One
distinct feature of Thunderbird Poro
Point is something one cannot touch,
taste, hear nor see.
It is simply felt.
Once one sets foot inside the front lobby, a cold welcome drink awaits the tired
and weary. Authentic Ilocano smiles accompany cold towels too; a surprisingly
refreshing way to cool down after a long
and rough drive.
As for our stay, Julienne Guianan,
the Front Office Manager, made doubly-sure we had the time of our lives by
being available almost 24-7; at our beck
and call. It’s like having a personal butler
without the stiff upper lip.
Meanwhile, F and B Manager Ferdie
Molina gave us a gastronomic experience
inside the Olives as they whipped up
gourmet dishes with signature cocktail
and desserts for good measure. Along
with Sous Chef Rey Buenafe, Executive
Chef Mike Gross is behind Thunderbird
Poro Point’s unforgettable menu.
Now, if there is such a thing as a
down-to-earth golf superintendent, one
can name him Iggy Yabut. He will make
your golfing experience at par even if
your score isn’t.
44
Thunderbird Poro Point’s key trio (left to right: Ferdie Molina, Iggy Yabut, and Yves Remondeulaz)
And of course, the fruits don’t fall far
from the tree. Leading the entire Thunderbird Poro Point staff is Yves Remondeulaz, the resort’s Swiss-French general
manager. A veteran director of several
resorts here and abroad, Yves showed
us how to run a five-star resort focusing
first on the guest’s needs to make sure
everything runs smoothly and each guest
leaves with a yearning to come back the
next day.
This leaves us with only one downside of Thunderbird Poro Point: the fact
that one has to leave, only to come back
again--a bittersweet parting knowing
there’s a place waiting somewhere, where
the sea breeze meets the cliffs, where the
tired is rejuvenated, and where the hungry is fed with a feast.
When one is still in the search for a
home away from home, start driving.
Thunderbird Poro Point can very well
be your true north. Thunderbird Poro Point
can very well be your true north. u
Thunderbird Resorts - Poro Point
VOA Compound, Pennsylvania
Avenue, San Fernando City, La Union,
Philippines 2500
E: pororeservations
@thunderbird-asia.com
T: (+63 72) 888 7777
F: (+63 72) 888 3888
45
INDUSTRY
Reluctant Hero
Pays It Forward
Entrepreneur Arnold Bagabaldo is the reluctant hero in
his own life story but in so many ways he epitomizes the
‘tiyaga at katatagan‘ spirit that defines the Filipino will to
overcome all odds and succeed.
I
t is this resilience he hopes will
carry him through his newest
venture and the launch of Pinoy
Health Plus, a game-changing
health insurance developed for
overseas Filipinos to better provide for their
family and friends in the Philippines.
“The stakes are higher; Pinoy Health
Plus is very personal for me. It is much more
than just business’” explains Arnold who is
finally fulfilling a promise he made more
than 20 years ago ‘to give something back
to the Filipino community’ as payment
for his university education in the United
States.
46
There is no doubt the burden of
responsibility he feels weighs heavy, not just
in honoring his historic commitment but
more, to succeed in making a significant
difference to the lives of millions of
Filipinos.
But, he says, he is no moral crusader or
budding saint. “Deep down, my motivation
is very selfish; I just don’t want to disappoint
anyone if it doesn’t all go to plan.”
From a man who learned the harsh
realities of life as a child selling cigarettes
and washing cars on the streets of Tondo
and Ermita to help his mother make ends
meet, made a fortune and then lost it only
to start over again, he rates Pinoy Health
Plus as his most daunting challenge.
‘There is a human aspect to Pinoy
Health Plus which connects directly to the
Filipino principle of the family being at the
heart of everything we do,” explains the father of two (and another 200 if you include
the employees at his pioneer BPO company
iVentures where he is fondly known as Tito
Arnold).
If Pinoy Health Plus does well it will
make affordable, comprehensive health
care accessible to potentially millions of
Balikbayan-supported families throughout
the Philippines. Is he worried?
Not in the least, he says. Having lived
and worked for many years in the United
States and traveled extensively to other
parts of the world, he knows there is both a
need and a demand for what Pinoy Health
Plus has to offer.
An eye for opportunity, excellent timing, a strong team to support him and more
than a healthy dose of good luck are consistent features of his repeated successes.
He turned his first venture in the early
‘90s custom assembling computers in his
bedroom for fellow students into a thriving
computer store (remind you of anyone?),
sold it then invested the proceeds in another start-up, Dynalink Telecom, selling
cheap phone minutes in the United States
to Filipinos to call home.
At its peak, the business was handling
more than 40 million minutes of phone
time from the United States to the Philippines every month--more even than
AT&T--and his monthly revenue was
counted in millions of dollars.
“It was too successful too quickly but I
was naïve,” says Arnold who attracted the
wrong attention and was priced out of the
market by the larger international phone
companies.
With what little he had left after folding the company, he took time out to reflect
on “what next” only for his life to take an
entirely unexpected direction on the arm of
his wife of 10 years, Cindy.
“Having a family gives you a completely
different perspective. It grounds you and
teaches you what is most valuable and important in life,” he reflects.
Newly married, the couple settled in
Manila and, seeing an opportunity to apply
his technical skills to the emerging BPO
market, he created Callworx, growing the
company from an initial 28 employees to
250 in just two years before being acquired
by US-based The Resource Group.
Determined to repeat this success he
immediately set up iVentures but five years
down the line, the drive to build it up and
cash in his chips has gone. As a platform
for future ventures, the company is now too
important to sell.
“It was never about the money. I have
everything I will ever need but it took
me time to fully appreciate that. Now, I
am motivated much more by providing
opportunity for others, to give others
some of the chances I have been fortunate to receive along the way.
“I don’t believe in kawanggawa,” he
said, pointing that if you give money to
others they will only become more dependent on you. Instead of giving someone a
fish, why not just teach him how to fish?
It is on this principle that Pinoy Health
Plus is founded.
“The rewards are just as tangible as cash
but significantly more satisfying, none more
so than the prospect of helping millions of
Filipinos live longer, more enriched and
fulfilled lives,” he adds selfishly. u
For more information,
please visit
www.pinoyhealthplus.com
47
INDUSTRY
EDDIE C. FERRER:
Foremost Fil-Am
Custom Broker
By Dan E. Nino | Photos by Ding Carreon
The spiritual upbringing of Eddie Caguioa Ferrer
is what probably keeps him grounded, despite his
many accomplishments as an entrepreneur and a
businessman.
W
hen he was younger,
Mr. Ferrer wanted to
become a priest. But
somehow, this dream
eluded him. He attended the Mary Help of Christians Seminary in Binmaley, Pangasinan, and later went
to the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in
Manila, under the Benedictine Order, as a
first step to priesthood.
His spiritual vocation was derailed, when
he opted to move to St. Louis University in
Baguio City, where he obtained his Bachelor
of Arts degree in Political Science with minors in English and History.
While in college, he had his hands full.
He was the editor-in-chief of White & Blue
(the university-wide campus organ), which
earned for him a scholarship grant. He was
also working full time as a radio broadcaster
at DZWT in Baguio City. Then, he became
the station manager, overseeing the news,
musical and drama shows, special events and
advertising. His most memorable coverage
was the Philippine papal visit of Pope Paul
VI in 1970.
After college, Ferrer taught History and
English at St. Louis University Boys High
School . He also became a Communication
Arts teacher at the university level.
His other dream to be a lawyer was also
derailed. After his second year in Law school
at St. Louis University, Baguio City, he de-
48
cided to go to the United States in 1974, in
search of greener pastures. Using his background in law school, Ferrer chose to be a
customs broker. After all, being a custom
broker also entails a lot of dealings with the
law.
In the United States, he worked as the operations manager of Arthur J. Fritz & Company (AJFC), a brokerage and transportation
firm. After that, he became the marketing
manager of Landbridge Shipping Corp., a
division of AJFC. He set up the Speedway
Company, a division of Sunjin Shipping of
Korea, and became its manager at the Long
Beach office. This was followed by his stint as
vice president for marketing of Trans Intermodal Shipping (also in Long Beach).
With his valuable and vast experiences
from his previous employment, Ferrer established his own company in 1985: E.C. Ferrer
Custom House Broker, Inc. It is a full-service custom brokerage, freight forwarding
and logistics operation company located at
Atlantic Blvd in Long Beach, CA.
This Filipino-owned firm is now the
leader in custom brokerage in the United
States--with 15 employees and three departments, namely: custom, shipping, and
export.
Starting the company was not a walk in
the park. “I started with nothing,” he said.
“Because of the friendship I established, my
old clients followed me. I struggled everyday.
We were vulnerable. It’s a risky business. But
I saw the hands of God.”
Although Ferrer is already well-established in the United States, he still yearns to
see corrupt- and red tape-free customs operations in Manila.
“We always maintain ethical ways of doing our business and follow strictly the laws
and regulations of every country we deal
with. We always try to envision what we can
do for the Philippines to improve its economy,” Ferrer said.
With the nature of his business, his company depends heavily on a huge warehouse,
where products for exports and imports are
processed. A visit to the warehouse facility yielded boxes and contraptions carrying assorted goods ready to be shipped out
to Mexico, Canada, Australia, Europe, and
other Asian countries, or to be distributed in
various parts of the United States.
Ferrer emphasized that in order for his
company to thrive, he and his employees
constantly attend seminars. Sometimes, he
even conducts the seminars himself.
In fact, after the Gala Night and Induction Ball of Pangasinan Brotherhood (PB)USA, wherein he was sworn in as its new
president, his company conducted a seminar
for mainstream business owners in the industry.
Despite his hectic schedule as the head
of E.C. Ferrer CHB, Inc., Ferrer remains
The warehouse located across town of Carson is the staging area of goods
ready for shipment overseas or to be transported in continental USA.
Key decisions are decided by CEO Eddie C. Ferrer, COO
Jackie M. Ferrer & Personnel Manager Rhenee M. Ferrer.
aware of his social responsibilities. He provides assistance to the community through
scholarship grants, cultural programs, and
church-related projects.
Ferrer is also an active member of the
Filipino leadership of St. Irenaeus Church in
Cypress, CA; he was former vice president
for programs of the Philippine Society of
Southeast Los Angeles; former president of
the Fil-Am Association of Orange County;
is an active member of Dagupan City Club
of Southern California; a prime mover of
Project Tulong Benedictine Priory Sisters in
Calapan, Mindoro; an originator in the construction of a chapel in Madras, India, for
Bishop Ambrose and Rev. Fr. Arul Raz; and
at the forefront of the fundraising effort for
E. C. Ferrer Custom House Broker, Inc.’s staff and
executives comprising customs, shipping and export.
Employees of E. C. Ferrer Custom House Broker,
Inc. in the warehouse keep the shipment on time
Alaminos City Seminary and Church.
His company is a member of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America and the Los Angeles
Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America. His company now partners
with Customs in fighting terrorism, after
having been certified as member of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
in 2003.
Now that he is in his prime, the 68year-old Ferrer trains his youngest daughter,
Jacqueline, by letting her take charge of the
day-to-day operations. Jacqueline currently
serves as chief operating officer of E.C. Ferrer CHB, Inc..
Speaking about her father, Jacqueline
said that Ferrer “is hardworking and determined to achieve results in a short span
of time. He is always in compliance with
customs laws and regulations because this
industry is well-regulated. He believes
in teamwork, ethical service and sharing
industry knowledge. He reminds us to be
honest and to tell our clients what they are
up against because every country has its
different set of customs laws.”
Despite his various endeavors as entrepreneur, businessman and community
leader, Ferrer still enjoys quality “Me”
time by going to the gym, meditating or
taking long drives with his wife, Rhenee.
After all, there is more to life than
work. u
49
INDUSTRY
Pixie’s Sinugba,
Incorporated
The healthy concept of the business is what defined Pixie’s
Sinugba. The richness in protein of the boneless bangus
(milk fish) served by Pixie’s is perfect for the health buff.
Its humble beginning in Tondo, Manila, in 2003 paved for
the opening of a small takeout outlet for their number one
product: grilled boneless bangus.
In a short period of time the demand
for other milk fish products increased.
The distinct mouth-watering taste of
Pixie’s various bangus dishes delighted
customers in a unique way, giving them
a take on a truly healthy diet.
The demand for healthy food created a
market for Pixie’s. Its customers played a
vital role in promoting healthy products.
Through word-of-mouth the marketing
of its bangus dishes became so much
easier. The demand for seafood dishes in
Pixie’s menu skyrocketed. Surprisingly,
some customers were already asking if
the company was open for franchising.
The business then started to make
noise in the local food industry. It was in
August 2007 when the company owners
finally decided to join the FRANCORP.
Slowly, Pixie’s opened the avenue for
franchisers to join its family. During that
year the company had an overwhelming
swamp of franchise applications.
50
Grilling Area
Kitchen Area
Bangus Lumpia
Liempo Classic
Tilapcharap
Inihaw na relyenong bangus
Inang gulay
The franchise outlet start up
investment is only P700,000, with a
requirement area of 20 square meters,
while the location must be along major
roads. The franchise contract is valid
for up to five years. On the other hand,
dine-in stores are available for a start-up
of at least P2.8 million.
Currently, the company is being
managed by its new chief operations
officer Andre Tagle, who took his post
in January this year. Under Tagle’s
management, Pixie’s undergoes serious
expansion in the business. The company
is now venturing into the Asian market,
particularly in Jakarta, Indonesia. Also,
they already put up a branch in San
Francisco, USA.
Pixie’s Sky Garden - SM North Edsa
Front row: L to R - Julito Ong - Franchise Manager, Shery Ann Limbauan- marketing head, Jhoanna Advincula - operations office,
Jefferson Collodel - area manager 2nd row: Elysha Marie Huervana - accounting officer, Hanie Joy Gellano - finance head, Nemia Blanca Narca - HR
Head, Jonah Mie Gatinao - procurement officer, Carla Jane Serrato - admin secretary, April Pilayo legal secretary, Rhea Joy Genisan - accounting head
Andre L. Tagle - Chief Operations
Officer/Francise Director
Company Information
Office Address:
Unit 408 Corporate 101 Building
Mother Ignacia St. Corner Panay Ave.,
Quezon City
Franchise Information
There are two available franchise
options open in the company: one is the
takeout outlet and the other is dine-in.
CONTACT NUMBER:
(02) 383-2983
EMAIL ADDRESS:
[email protected]
SAN FRANCISCO BRANCH:
5672 Mission Street, San Francisco,
California, 94112
51
INDUSTRY
Dental Visits are
More Fun in the
Philippines
A smile is a universal language, so they say. And when it
comes to the greatest smiles in the world, nothing could
beat the warm, genuine smiles of the Filipinos. NU.U Asia
Cosmetic Dentistry (one of the country’s leading names
in cosmetic dentistry) gives you five reasons why dental
visits and oral hygiene are definitely more fun in the
Philippines.
NU.U Asia The Fort Branch Photo by Jeffrey Bulanadi
Filipino doctors, world-class expertise
NU.U Asia’s dentists Drs. Carlito Librando, Nelda
Valencia Eufemio, and Mia Rosette Valencia Angeles
52
NU.U Asia’s dentists: Drs. Nelda Valencia Eufemio, Mia Rosette
Valencia Angeles, and Carlito Librando, have undergone several
dental trainings with local and international intuitions. “We are
always abroad to keep ourselves updated with the latest technology
that we can apply in our dental practice,” says Dr. Eufemio. NU.U
Asia’s dentists commit themselves to continuous dental education
around the world, ensuring that the clinic is up-to-date with the
latest dental procedures.
ZOOM! Teeth Whitening Equipment Photo by Jeffrey Bulanadi
World’s latest form of anaesthesia applicator—the revolutionary
Wand Plus Photo by Jeffrey Bulanadi.
Luxurious dental clinics
Both NU.U Asia’s The Fort and Greenhills branches exude
the modern and chic ambiance that most dental clinics in Manila
are still trying to nail down. The combination of dark wood plus
clean, white surfaces underlines the luxurious comfort the clinic is
famous for.
Cosmetic Dentistry at its Finest
Using the latest equipment in dental technology, NU.U Asia
offers the best dental cosmetic treatments such as Dental Implants,
Teeth Whitening, Cosmetic Bonding, Gum Re-contouring,
Orthodontics, General Dentistry, and Invisalign treatment or
“invisible braces.” The clinic pioneered the use of the revolutionary
Wand Plus (the most modern anesthesia applicator) in the
Philippines.
“Patients can be assured that [the service] they’ll be getting is
of premium quality,” says Dr. Angeles. “All materials used at our
center are of supreme type, making our work truly world-class and
unmatched.”
Your dentist, your best friend
Gone are days when a trip to your dentist feels as gruelling as
your college entrance exam. Your friendly, neighborhood dentists
from NU.U. Asia will not just take care for your oral health, but
will also be your friends for life.
NU.U Asia Greenhills Branch Photo by Jeffrey Bulanadi
“[Our patients] would often come back to see us not for a dental
appointment but just to chitchat and catch up on each other’s lives,
thus making our practice more worthwhile,” Dr. Angeles shares.
(NU.U Asia is planning to open its third branch in Quezon City this year.
Interested parties who wish to have their treatments or check-ups at the
Greenhills branch could call + 63 2 7270001 local 253 to set an appointment.
Meanwhile, for those who wish to have appointments at NU. U Asia’s The Fort
branch, you may call any of the three telephone numbers: + 63 2 8563641,
+63 2 5023060, and +63 2 8465013.)
53
54
Keep in touch. Be updated.
Bridge the distance with a trusted source.
55
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Noel Cruz:
Dolled Up Masterpieces
By Kristine Bernadeth T. Manaog | Photos courtesy of Noel Cruz
For some artists, their canvas may be a wall, a face, a naked
body, or a sheet of paper. But for Filipino artist Noel Cruz,
the plain face of a doll is his canvas. He skillfully repaints
to add a touch of magic to it—making his masterpiece
incomparable to its original state and transforming it into
the likeness of a celebrity or a famous fictional character.
A
rt can be expressed through
a variety of medium or form,
and for Cruz, repainting these
dolls adds “emotion” and
“life” to their expressionless
faces. The miniature dolls he creates are
not just dolls. They are valuable collectibles
that showcase the craftsmanship of a great
Filipino painter.
The Artist and His Dolls
Noel Cruz can be considered one of the
most versatile artists of today. He is a distinguished repaint artist, whose dolls appeared
on the Internet in 2007--particularly the
$3,500-worth Angelina Jolie doll posted on
eBay which captured the media’s attention.
The $3,500 Angelina Jolie doll is a miniature version of the Hollywood actress. Adding Angelina Jolie’s signature tattoo would
entail an additional cost.
Cruz’s repainted dolls are fashioned after several celebrities and fictional characters
including Kristen Stewart, Johnny Depp,
Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and Rose
of Titanic, to name a few. Cruz makes use
of stock dolls manufactured by Tonner Doll
Company, Mattel, Integrity Toys, and Superdolls, which vary from 12 to 17 inches in
height. The larger fashion dolls are Cruz’s
usual canvas, as they tend to be more popular
among repaint doll collectors.
56
Cruz started painting in 2001. He was
browsing the Internet to purchase a Gene doll
for his wife and stumbled upon life-like painted
dolls.
“Upon closer examination, I realized that
these were regular line 16-inch fashion dolls
with their factory facial paint completely removed and then repainted to look more lifelike,” said Cruz. “The difference between the
factory version and the repainted version was
quite dramatic and immediately piqued my interest.”
Cruz shared that faces have always intrigued
him. This fascination led him to mastering portraits. His long-standing hobby of collecting
memorabilia from the 1970s TV show, Bionic
Woman (starring Lindsay Wagner) was also instrumental in his pursuit of drawing portraits.
“Faces have always fascinated me and I
spent a great deal of my childhood learning
how to draw portraits,” shared Cruz. “So when
I saw these repainted dolls, it dawned on me
that the process was very similar to creating a
portrait—only, instead of creating it on a flat
surface, the canvas (doll’s face) is three-dimensional.”
Determined to learn the craft, Cruz dedicated his time to constantly practice and master
the technique. After some time, he made an
attempt to sell his first repainted doll on eBay,
marking the start of his unique career as a repaint doll artist.
Repainting Miniature Thriller
Bionic Woman Lindsay Wagner
Custom Doll Repaint
Asked if the process of learning the craft
is easy, Cruz told Balikbayan Magazine that,
“Upon discovering this new ‘art form,’ I immediately wanted to learn how to create one
myself. At first, I was very confident that I
would be able to make a repaint just as good
as the ones I’ve seen on eBay, having drawn
portraits all my life. However, I quickly realized that painting on a three dimensional
surface presents its own unique set of challenges [that are] very different from drawing portrait on paper. My first attempt was
unsuccessful, as it did not sell. But I did not
stop. Learning the craft came through much
patience and practice—[I made] a lot of mistakes but [learned] from them eventually.”
The Process
As a full-time repaint doll artist, Cruz
makes sure that he is updated on current celebrity dolls being produced by manufacturers, in order to allow him to recreate the doll
and diversify it--making it more realistic than
what was originally produced. Repainting a
doll could take three days to two weeks, depending on the amount of work involved and
the complexity of the celebrity or character
doll to be created.
The process involves removing all the factory paint then repainting the doll’s face in
the likeness of the celebrity or character peg,
making the dolls look life-like and authentic.
Cruz makes use of a variety of fine brushes,
top-of-the-line acrylic paint, acetone, doll
brush, and hair perming techniques for hairstyling.
But for Cruz, the most important tool is
“…having the skills and astute understanding of the human face. And if the repaint
involves the likeness of a specific person,
then an eye for capturing the exact likeness
is key.”
Repainting a Custom Painting Harry
Potter Doll Miniature Thriller
Repainting Mary Poppins Doll
Johnny Depp and Angelina
Jolie Doll Repaint
Nicole Kidman Doll Repaint
After his sudden rise to fame in 2008, due
to the garnered media attention of his Angelina Jolie doll, it was easier for Cruz to assert
his creativity. It was such a huge exposure for
Cruz, seeing his work in countless publications in both print and online media around
the world.
“When you have been struggling for the
better part of your life to sell your artwork to
try to make a living, it is a pretty dramatic
change to have the media exposure on a
global level,” shared Cruz. “This just motivated and inspired me even further to challenge myself and to live up to the standards I
have set for myself.”
With that, he began to enjoy the luxury of
being more creative and selective of his commissioned works. “I do accept commission
work every now and then, but the bulk of my
work consists of dolls that I am personally
inspired to create.... I still accept commission
work but tend to be more selective. If it is a
project or a celebrity I am excited about, then
I usually accept it,” said Cruz. His dolls are
currently on sale on eBay ranging from $400
to $3,000, while commissioned works start
at $1,000 for a 12-inch doll, and $1,250 for
16-inch dolls.
As of this writing, Cruz posted a brand
new 16-inch Marilyn Monroe doll sculpt,
created by Tonner Doll Company for bidding on eBay. Cruz said that this is his first
Marilyn Monroe doll repaint on an actual
Monroe sculpt, as opposed to the manufactured doll sculpt.
Besides selling repainted dolls, Cruz also
utilizes eBay for selling portraits and photographs. He also manages his website and
other sites to promote his repainted dolls.
Cruz also spends time collecting memorabilia of The Bionic Woman and Hot Toys
action figures, and enjoys traveling with his
wife. He currently resides in California in
the United States with his wife and son. u
To know more about Noel Cruz’s creation,
you may view all his dolls in this website.
http://www.ncruz.com
57
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
The Kiko Factor
By Nickee De Leon-Huld | Photos by Niña Sandejas
“I’ve yet to accomplish being a millionaire from doing all
these things. I’m just trying to make an honest living, and
that’s all there is to it. I always, always, want to be better at
what I’m doing, whatever it may be—even if it’s only for
myself and nobody notices the subtle developments.”
– Francis S. Reyes
Francis Florentino Saludo Reyes is a
man who needs no lengthy introduction.
In a nutshell, Francis (or Kiko to most of
his peers) is a prominent musician, radio host
and music writer/blogger. He was a member
of high-profile Pinoy bands, The Dawn and
Afterimage. He was also the former chief DJ
(aka Francis Brew) and musical director of the
now-defunct, Home of NU Rock (NU 107).
Yet, with everything that Francis has accomplished, there’s one quality about him
that struck me the most--he is just, genuinely,
a really nice guy.
Backstory
Flashback to more than a decade ago: I
was a twentysomething gig and music junkie, who rattled the racks of Tower Records
and Music One in Glorietta and Greenbelt.
Of course, it also meant that I sporadically
splurged on a couple of CDs, albeit with my
measly salary.
But the highlight of my visits to Tower
Records was getting a complimentary copy
of Pulp Magazine (which, in reality, was not
“free” because there was a minimum purchase
requirement.)
It was through the pages of Pulp that I
first got acquainted with Francis’ writing.
Most were reviews of gigs and albums, or interviews with up and coming local bands. In
retrospect, his album reviews influenced most
of my purchase decisions.
From his seemingly nonchalant writing
style and well-modulated radio voice, I prefigured that he would be one of those snooty,
stiff-upper-lip types.
Boy, was I wrong.
58
N-I-C-E
It never occurred to me that I would be
able to meet Francis in person.
He probably doesn’t even remember, but
to this day, I still owe him a cup of brew.
Along with a common friend, we went for
coffee at Robinson’s Galleria. The name of
the coffee place now escapes me, but I still
remember the look of restrained disbelief on
his face, when I mistakenly put sugar and
cream in his coffee.
I was so embarrassed and offered to get
him another cup, but he declined. “Maybe
next time,” he said. That “next time” has not
materialized since.
Another incident would validate his admirable qualities even further. We were at
Bahay ng Alumni in U.P. for a gig, when I
realized that my cellphone was missing (at
that time, losing a cellphone was a big deal).
I started walking around and combing the
dark sidewalk, hoping and praying that I
would eventually find it.
It was at this point when Francis started
walking with me (not just within the vicinity of Bahay ng Alumni, but further down)
to spots in campus where we’ve been earlier.
We never found the phone of course, but being helped by someone who seemed so “up
there” was quite comforting.
More than 10 years and thousands of
miles later, I approached him on Facebook-he’s still the same down-to-earth guy. You’d
expect people like Francis to delay a bit, especially because of the time difference and
the fact that he’s busy traveling, writing and
interviewing foreign music acts/personalities. But he was very prompt in responding
and accommodating the interview, though
only via social media.
Francis, unplugged
Balikbayan Magazine (BM): What’s a
typical day like for Francis Reyes?
Francis Reyes (FR): Nothing particularly exciting. I wake up, have a glass of water,
pick up a guitar, make coffee [and] maybe
have breakfast and just practice in front of
a TV. I eat a lot of corn--everyday almost.
Niña (Niña Sandejas is Francis’ long-time girlfriend- Ed.) and I would often run a movie or
TV series marathon. I think we finished Full
Metal Alchemist in a week. On days when
there’s work, it changes a bit but generally I
stay home and hold a guitar. When we go out
and party a bit, it’s still work-related.
BM: Who would you say are your musical
and literary influences?
FR: I have many, many, many, musical
influences but Pat Metheny is number one-mostly because of the breadth of his work.
He’s a virtuoso jazz guitarist but his compositions cover the entire gamut of musical
genres and his melodies are always catchy,
regardless of the nature of the pieces. He has
a very open attitude with music and I always
aspire to that. Unfortunately, I’m nowhere
near as smart as him (laughs).
I don’t have any specific literary influences. I mean I do like Alan Lightman,
Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker, but I’ll read
anything, really. One of my favorite books is
Stephen Jay Gould’s I Have Landed and I’ve
resurrect NU; we (the last batch of NU
jocks and a couple of associates) just wanted
to continue where it left off, in some small
way, and the model was NU. And frankly...
we just wanted to keep working together and
stay in touch. We tried our very best. It was a
painful, professional rebound thing.
BM: I read the article you wrote about
Cynthia Alexander in OMG! Yahoo and also
had the opportunity to view parts of the video.
Based on the article, you said that Cynthia’s
reason for leaving is that she had very limited
support from the music industry in the Philippines. As a musician yourself, do you think this
is the reality that Filipino musicians (especially
indie bands) are now facing? What do you think
were the reasons/causes for it?
joy the Rock Awards; everything was chaotic
backstage but as long as the show ran smoothly
on the outside, we felt relieved. Now, I miss
that stress and tension. I guess what made me
special was...well no matter how dire the situation was in anything we did, I was there, trying
my personal best to help make things work. I
was a team player. It was family... everyone was
special really--except for the people we fired
(laughs).
read many books on Zen and spirituality. I
mostly look for biographies; I like having insights on how great people in history lived.
You can’t know Miles Davis based on a book,
but his music is illuminated a bit more if you
understand, or think you understand, how he
lived.
BM: It’s been almost two years since NU
107 was reformatted and The Home of NU
Rock was removed from the airwaves. Looking back, what are your most fond memories
of NU107? What do you think made Francis
Brew a special part of the whole NU experience?
FR: Everything about NU is a fond
memory... although I’m saying that through
the filter of sentimentality (laughs). The pay
wasn’t much... and whenever I had to work
on the Rock Awards, it was at least three
months of stress up--until the very last minute of the show. I never had the time to en-
BM: I witnessed the soft launch days of DIG
Radio. Some people consider the move as a means
to resurrect NU 107. What do you think makes
DIG Radio unique? What do you think will
make it survive and thrive?
FR: I resigned from DIG/Pinoytuner in
December [2011] actually. There were some
business decisions that felt very wrong to me
and to a lot of other key people who were there,
before my team and I came in. The advocacy
is noble and honest: support local musicians;
present them to the world via the internet. But
it is a business... and for a young company, I felt
that the business side was being rushed very
prematurely. For it to survive, I do believe that
they have to accept that making money from
internet in a country that suffers from terrible
internet infrastructure issues will take a long,
long time. Most of us were willing to make
it work almost for free and we were willing to
invest years into it, because we believed in its
potential and we wanted it to be a legitimate
platform for music. There are still very creative
people in there and content-wise, it’s good. I
hope the bosses take care of the talent [that’s]
still left in there. We didn’t go in there to
FR: I’m pretty sure she has other personal reasons for moving, but based on what
she said in interviews and in her farewell gigs
(and what she’s told me personally), yes a part
of it is support for her music. I got some flak
for the “lack of support” statement, but really I was referring to mainstream radio that
doesn’t pay her attention. It’s frustrating because her songs (even if some of the musical arrangements may be a bit “exotic” for
mainstream ears) are actually intelligent and
catchy pop. NU107 knew that, of course, but
it’s gone now. These days, unless you’re crass
novelty or candy gloss pop, good luck trying
to get your song on radio. It’s been dumbed
down (radio), but it sells. When times are
hard economically, less media outlets take
risks. It’s a reality that’s difficult to accept,
but easy to understand. I’m not against any
form of music, even if it’s extremely commercial American Idol-stuff; I just wish there
were other forms of music that would be
given some space and offer some balance. I
do believe that good music always resonates
with people and I know good record company people and good radio people know this.
Unfortunately, corporations run everything.
If it sells, turn it into a formula. Repeat until massive profit. Commerce has always run
the business, let’s be honest. But these days,
commerce is absolutely everything. You
know what I’m saying?
BM: Most people perceive you as an icon
--as Kiko, the awe-inspiring guitarist and
Francis Brew, the eloquent DJ and prolific music writer. You were also an integral part of The
Dawn, and are currently blogging for OMG!
Yahoo Philippines. At this juncture in your career, what else is out there for you to accomplish?
What keeps you motivated?
59
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
FR: What keeps me motivated is the
discomfort I always feel no matter what I do.
I’m flattered that you think I’m eloquent, but
I can’t agree with it. There’s always someone
who does what I do and I always go, “Wow...
why didn’t I do it like THAT? Why didn’t
I see it like that? Why didn’t I hear it like
that?” I mean whenever I submit an article
or play guitar in public, it’s always, “… Can
I take it back please? “ Because after I’ve
achieved a deadline, there is always, “but
wait there’s more!” When I’ve submitted
something, I guess there’s a detachment, and
then you view what you’ve done objectively
and you get even more insights and perspectives and realize you haven’t really captured
everything in your head. I get lost in my own
maze when I’m doing something so I try to
take a step back during the process.
I’ve yet to accomplish being a millionaire from doing all these [expletive] things
(laughs). I’m just trying to make an honest
living, and that’s all there is to it. I always,
always, want to be better at what I’m doing,
whatever it may be--even if it’s only for myself and nobody notices the subtle developments.
BM: In terms of your music and writing,
how much would you say you’ve grown?
FR: Not as much as I’d like. I had serious
creative self-esteem issues in my last years
with the band. I began to think if whatever
I was doing had any value: if they’re not in-
60
terested, then I must suck. I mean, anything
I learned, I would always bring it back to the
band. That was home see? Truthfully, I’m
still struggling a bit although when I wrote a
few pieces for the soundtrack of Mike Sandejas’ Dinig Sana Kita in 2009, I felt a little
more validated. Got a couple awards too;
that was nice. Couple that with worrying
about NU107’s fate all the way back to ‘99.
I’m feeling really good this year, fortunately. Got a band together with Japs Sergio
called Peso Movement. We’re playing original
material, and if it works commercially, great.
No pressure on that end at all; we just want
to play and express ourselves and what happens next is icing [on the cake]. It feels like
everybody’s first band... with a lot of experience holding it together. I’ve also made
a handful of electronica/rock pieces for my
private amusement over the last few years, so
maybe I’ll bring them out soon. Hopefully,
they don’t suck (laughs).
BM: It seems that even at a young age you
were already musically inclined (and a persuasive public speaker at that!) How was the challenging journey to success like? How would you
encourage those who are still struggling to live
their dreams?
FR: Those oratorical/declamation
things I did as a kid definitely made me feel
comfortable being on a stage... even if the
reality is I can be irritatingly shy (well irritating for everybody else) on most normal days.
Early on, I had terrible stage fright until I hit
the first syllable... and then there is nothing
else but doing what you have to do. I used to
puke before every gig. Then you hit the first
note... boom, you’re on your way. And hopefully, you’re making sense (laughs).
Success is in the mind. I’ve played in
front of thousands of people and felt like a
total [expletive] up for 90 minutes, and then
there’s that gig where there’s just ten people
and you feel like you rule the world. In terms
of material success, it’s really a lot of work,
a lot of getting along well with people you
work with, and some luck (or blessings from
above if you like). But I don’t aggressively
pursue material success; I’ve always been very
careful about stepping on other people’s toes
so I guess that’s what limits me.
I’m always thankful for whatever comes
my way--always. Everything is a blessing, an
opportunity to improve, learn [and] get better. I still have a lot of dreams so there’s still a
ways to go. And hopefully, it will put a little
money in your pocket (laughs) and you save
up.
BM: Lastly, what do you want to be your
legacy/lasting imprint to society?
FR: I never think of that. There are a lot
more people holding more noble positions in
society who should have that responsibility. I
just want to do what I do honestly, one project at a time. And hopefully, not starve along
the way (laughs). u
61
LIFESTYLE&CULTURE
Old Colonial Churches:
Manila’s Historical Treasures
By Oliver Bayani
San Agustin Church
Photo by Abe Olandres
Santuario Santo Cristo
Photo by Genesis Reonico
Whether or not you’re religious, it’s undeniable that churches are among
man’s most stunning creations. A heritage Spain left after 300 years of
colonial rule, the Philippines is dotted with breathtaking examples.
T
here is one in almost all
provincial cities and towns,
all attractive in its own right.
But the loveliest, oldest and
best preserved houses of
worship are found in Manila. Chances are
you’ll be able to spot the towering spires of
these monoliths in most parts of the city,
patiently watching the neighborhood evolve
into the metro that it is today.
From the back alley of Tondo, to the
hills where the first battles of the Philippine
Revolution began, I have scoured the city
and found the most remarkable churches in
the capital city of the only Catholic country
in Asia.
San Agustin Church
Completed in 1607, San Agustin is the
oldest stone church in the Philippines, a title
it earned by defying several earthquakes,
fires and being the only building standing in
Intramuros after World War II.
The reason why it stood for the past 408
years is the use of solid adobe blocks for pretty much everything. The Augustinian Friars
decided to use the material after the first and
second versions of the church burned down
in 1574 and 1583.
Numerous important events in the country’s history were held within its walls. The
first Church Council and National Synod
were held here in 1578 and 1581, respectively. Even the conditions of Spain’s surrender
to the Americans were drafted here in 1898.
San Agustin also houses the remains of
62
the founder of the city of Manila, Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi, and his grandsons Salcedo, Lavezares, and Blessed Pedro de Zuniga.
Outside, the Cathedral is guarded by Chinese lion statues, a legacy of the Philippines’
long history with the Chinese. Fittingly, the church was declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993--a
distinction its rich history helped earn. Manila Cathedral Its weathered façade and bell towers
seemed to have stood there unchanged since
Spanish times, but the Manila Cathedral we
see today is actually just 58 years old.
Official records say that that the church
is the end result of eight reconstructions since
it was first built out of nipa and bamboo in
1581. It has been ceaselessly rebuilt by its
devotees despite being destroyed by fire, typhoons and seven earthquakes in the last 429
years. The cathedral was reduced to pebbles
along with the rest of Intramuros in the Battle of Manila in 1945 during World War II
and was rebuilt for the eighth time in 1958.
Possibly off the tourist route is the crypt
found underneath its floors where Manila
archbishops are buried, just as the crypts
of St. Peter’s in the Vatican keep the bodies of former Popes. If you’re looking for
information on the Cathedral’s history,
don’t forget to check the eight beautiful,
seemingly cryptic bronze panels fitted on
its main door that may arouse the curiosity of Dan Brown fans.
San Sebastian Church
The aquamarine-tinted San Sebastian
Church takes pride as the only all-steel
church in Asia, and the second structure of
its kind in the world, after the Eiffel Tower
of Paris. In response to earthquakes and fires that
destroyed the earlier San Sebastian churches,
the Augustinian Recollects decided to rebuild the church entirely out of steel. Local
artisans headed by Spanish architect Genaro
Palacio assembled the church from pre-fabricated parts shipped from Belgium for two
years. The church was completed in 1891.
Rumors say that its metal structure was
designed by Alexander Gustave Eiffel, the
French architect behind the Eiffel Tower
and the Statue of Liberty. Official catalogues
of Eiffel revealed that steel parts for a church
were bound for Manila in 1875--13 years before the actual construction of San Sebastian
began.
This one-of-a-kind relic is a declared National Historical Landmark and tentatively
listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 2006. However, the church was also listed
among the 1998 World’s Most Endangered
Sites by the World Monuments Watch.
Steel, it turned out, was not as indestructible
as the Augustinians thought it would be, as
rainwater continues to gnaw some parts of
the 120-year-old basilica.
Malate Church
A stone’s throw away from Manila Bay,
Malate Church is the first church to be constructed outside Intramuros, the heartland of
Philippine commerce and religion in Spanish colonial times.
The church dates back to 1588, but the
original building was demolished on 1661
due to fears that Lim Hong, a Chinese pirate, might use the church as a garrison, in
his attempted invasion of Manila. It was later
rebuilt and completed in 1679. The church lay witness to the short-lived
British occupation of Manila, when it was
used as a military headquarters in 1762. The
church standing today was rebuilt after Malate Church was ruined by the great 1863
earthquake that either destroyed or severely
damaged all the churches in this list.
The church is the home of Nuestra Senora
delos Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies), the
parishes’ Patroness, delivered here in 1624 by
galleons from Andalucia, Spain.
Tondo Church
Santo Niño de Tondo Church is one of
the most visited churches in the Philippines.
Tourists and devotees of the Child Jesus
flock here by the thousands every third Sunday of January, to celebrate the Feast Day of
the Sto. Niño.
An ivory image of the Sto. Niño shipped
via galleon from Acapulco, Mexico in the
1570s is kept within its walls. Sources point
out that the church was built around the
1600s beside an Augustinian Convent established close to a hundred years before. Like most churches at that time, Tondo
Church was ravaged by natural calamities
and war but was rebuilt stronger with better
materials and designs. It was damaged by the
Chinese revolt in 1641 and an earthquake in
1645. Together with Malate Church in 1661,
it was wrecked upon orders of the Governor
General over fears of Lim Hong’s attempted
invasion. It was rebuilt a year after.
Borrowing design cues from the all-steel
San Sebastian Church, the domes of the current Tondo Church has been reinforced with
steel frames and used iron sheets for the roofing all imported from England. The decision
came after the great 1863 earthquake damaged the building. A little known fact about the church
is that Jose Rizal was temporarily buried
here after his execution in Bagumbayan.
His remains were only transferred to the
Rizal monument at the Luneta when the
Americans came. Also, the remains of the
three martyred priests; Burgos, Gomez,
and Zamora (who were executed through
garrote in 1872) were also secretly interred
here.
Binondo Church
During Spanish rule, pure-blooded
Chinese and Chinese-Filipino Catholics
were banned from entering Intramuros to
visit famous churches like San Agustin and
the Manila Cathedral. As converts in the
Chinese community grew, they soon built
their own cathedral--Binondo Church.
Found in the heart of Chinatown, the
original church was founded by Dominican
priests in 1596, but succeeding versions of
the church was destroyed by the Chinese
revolt in 1603 and the invading British
forces in 1762. The corner stone of this church was laid
by Francisco de la Cuesta in 1720, then
Archbishop of Manila and the most powerful man in the country, acting as Governor
General of the Philippines. Sta. Ana Church is the home of the Our
Lady of the Abandoned. A little known fact
is that the icon kept in Sta. Ana is actually
just a copy of the original statue in Valencia,
Spain. On the other hand, the beautiful baton it’s holding is no reproduction. The crystal baton, a symbol of authority, was previously owned by the Archbishop. The ground where the church stands hold
a great historical importance: the National
Museum excavated an impressive collection
of Pre-Hispanic artifacts in 1966 on its site.
The oldest of them was a white and blue ceramic, with floral designs that date back to
the 11th century.
Quiapo Church
There’s no denying that Quiapo Church,
home to the revered Black Nazarene, is the
most popular church in the country. Sanctuario de Santo Cristo
Located in San Juan, this lesser-known
colonial church with a convent was built
from 1602 to 1604 by the Dominicans. Both buildings were burned during the
Chinese uprising of 1639. A new church was
constructed in 1641 but was again set on fire
by July 1763 by the British Forces during
their brief 18-month occupation in Manila.
The current church and convent were
constructed in 1774 and has been renovated
many times during the mid-1900. It’s noted
for its historical importance when it was used
as a shelter by the Katipuneros during the
1898 Philippine revolution. St. Pancratius Chapel
St. Pancratius Chapel, better known as
Paco Church, might be the smallest church
in the list, but it makes up for its size through
its history and importance.
This round-shaped chapel stands in the
grounds of what used to be a municipal
cemetery for the rich Spanish families living
in the district of Dilao (Old Manila name
for Paco). In 1822, the cemetery was used
to entomb victims of a cholera epidemic that
swept Manila.
Now empty, the old catacomb is now one
of the most favorite wedding venues in the
country. The expansive courtyard is circular
in shape and lined with an inner and outer
circular wall that was hollowed as niches. At
the center of the cemetery turned park is a
romantic, multi-colored fountain.
Manila Cathedral
Photo by Oliver Bayani
The church we see today is the fourth to
rise on the site and was rebuilt from World
War II ruins. Fortunately, bombs dropped
during the war in 1944 spared the octagonal bell tower (a design with Chinese significance) and some parts of the walls of the
third cathedral built in 1852. Renovation on
the heavily damaged church began in the
1950‘s and was completed only in 1984.
Originally called Our Lady of the Most
Holy Rosary Parish, it’s now also known as
the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz,
named after the first Filipino saint. Lorenzo, a Chinese-Filipino born in 1600, served
as a sacristan here in the 1700s before he
was executed as a martyr.
Sta. Ana Church
Like Binondo Church, Sta. Ana Church
is one of the few churches built outside Intramuros. It was part of the first evangelical mission outside the walled city by the
Franciscan Friars in 1578 in hopes of bringing Christianity to more Filipinos. Quiapo Church
Photo by Engr. Sherwin Calalang
The life-sized statue of Jesus Christ, carrying a cross made of black wood ,was first
enshrined at the late San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Intramuros. The Archbishop
of Manila later ordered the Augustinian
Recollects to transfer the relic to its current
residence in 1787. This relocation is commemorated every January 9 by the Feast of Black Nazarene, widely considered as one of the most
spectacular religious events in the country.
Around eight million devotees paid homage
to the beloved icon this year, all drawn to its
claimed miraculous powers. The cream-colored building we see today
is the third structure built in 1899 and later
expanded in 1984. The original church made
from nipa and bamboo was burned to the
ground in 1639. The second was damaged
by the 1863 earthquake. Aside from a house
of worship, the church grounds have also become a flourishing center of commerce and
arcane novelties like fortune tellers, amulet
vendors, and herbalists. u
63
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Photos courtesy of AngLahi USA
(rizalatbp.com and flickr.com/photos/anglahiusa/).
Rizal Atbp:
Exploring a hero’s value
to modern-day Fil-Ams
By Mico Letargo
LOS ANGELES – “What good ever
came out of the Philippines?”
This is the core question that AngLahi
throws out in its staging of the play Rizal
Atbp. With shows held in different cities across California, Rizal Atbp. retells
the life of Jose Rizal through the eyes of
a Filipino-American student. On Saturday, September 8, AngLahi staged the
last two performances of Rizal Atbp. at
the Valley Performing Arts Center in
Northridge, California.
Joey is your average Filipino-American youth: the goofball of the class who
likes to play video games and hangout
with his buddies. The play focuses on
a common attitude among most Fil-
64
Am youth, which Joey embodies: he is
ashamed of his heritage.
“My parents are Filipino. But me, I’m
an American… dude,” says the youngster in the opening scene of the play.
In order to pass his class, Joey must
present a report on Dr. Jose Rizal, the
Philippine national hero. His teacher,
intent on changing Joey’s negative
attitude towards his Filipino heritage,
pairs the boy up with Mary--the
charming and diligent new girl from the
Philippines.
The clashing personalities of Joey and
Mary make for a lively love-hate relationship as the two attempt to rediscover
what made Rizal the hero he is acclaimed
to be. When Joey’s Fil-Am best friend
Frank finds out about the former’s efforts
to learn about Filipino heritage, a conflict
rich with stereotypical quips break loose.
A subtle philosophical discourse
By using Rizal’s life as backdrop, Rizal
Atbp. is ingenious in its subtle discourse
about the dilemma that Fil-Am youths
now face. The play uses comedic skits
and elaborate song-and-dance numbers to
temporarily distract the audience from the
uneasy hardline issues of the plot, while
at the same time giving some breathing
space for introspective reflection on the
thematic concepts.
With an undeniable plausibility, Pi-
noy youth have now grown detached to
the patriotic ideals of the motherland.
Though they know about Rizal in Wikipedia-esque fashion, the Fil-Am youth
of today cannot even begin to grasp the
essence of Rizal’s life. In other words,
they know how the man died, but they
don’t know what he lived for.
And this is what AngLahi attempts to
say, without being rude.
Juxtaposing Rizal’s historic life with
Joey’s modern-day encounters, the story highlights the value of education in
making a lasting significant impact to society in
a Filipino way. In the
life of the young Pepe
(Rizal’s nickname), Joey
learns that education-according to the metaphor of the moth and the
candlelight--is a beacon
of knowledge that must
be sought out and shared
to everyone.
With the help of
Mary’s diligent guidance, Joey learns that
there is more to Rizal
than just his novels and
his death in Bagumbayan. Rizal, who eschewed
a violent revolution, was
a man ready to give up everything for the
sole purpose of propagating education
to the Filipinos as a means of attaining
eventual social reform.
In making a significant impact to his
era, Rizal drew strength from the sense
of indignation he felt against racial injustice in the friar-controlled universities. This racial injustice, according to
the narrative, is the very same reason
that causes modern Fil-Am youth to feel
ashamed of their cultural heritage.
As a further example of an excellent
framing device that uses juxtaposition,
Fil-Am children (whether intentionally
or not) were among the cast in the scenes
that depicted historic Philippines in
Rizal’s time. Young Pepe, who was tutored by his mother Doña Teodora, was
played by Fil-Am kids, Jeremiah Partido
and David Paul Sabado. Other Fil-Am
children were cast as young students of
Dr. Rizal in his Dapitan exile.
The twang in the accent of young
Pepe is all but undetectable, betraying to
the audience the fact that the child actor
grew up in the United States. This faint
literary device of a Fil-Am Rizal effec-
tively connotes the importance of educating our Pinoy youth in America.
(Or maybe this writer has been spoiled
too much by Christopher Nolan’s work.)
A plot-driven storyline
Not without merit
The narration itself is not without
shortcomings though. As a plot-driven
storyline, it forgets to build upon the
characters’ backgrounds and motivations. The characters’ traits, actions, as
well as plot developments, are offered to
the audience in a matter-of-fact fashion.
The play progresses without even giving
as much of a hint or a peek into a prior
circumstance that might have affected a
particular scene in the story.
Consider this: Joey’s arrogance and
indifference at the beginning of the story--these motivations would never allow
him to even begin studying Filipino history. However, after an argument with
the Mary, Joey eventually gives in.
He starts to learn about a culture that
he had a burning hatred for, just a few
moments past. Did he give in just because of a growing sense of patriotism?
Or did he just do it because he liked the
girl? This action, though not entirely implausible, is seen as an out-of-character
move from the perspective of the audience, leaving one completely perplexed.
Character motivation and background
is partially or totally left out, like in the
case of Joey’s smug indifference, Mary’s
enthusiastic patriotism, and Frank’s
mysterious anger. In the literary world,
character-driven storylines draw the
most emotion and empathy from the audience.
This one, however, just falls a few steps
short of totally pulling the audience into
its compelling world of introspection.
This is not to say that the play Rizal
Atbp. is not without merit. In fact, this
could well be one of the more satisfying
productions as of late, in terms of quality
of performance, multimedia innovation,
and overall cathartic experience.
Joshua de Guzman, playing lead as
Jose Rizal, explores a more passionate
and angry Rizal that is rarely seen in most
portrayals of the hero. He
manages to strike a balance between a calm intellectual and a raging social
reformist.
Frank (played by the
intense David Amansec)
portrays a dark and brooding anger that begs the
audience to ask and re-ask
the play’s thesis statement.
His effective and contagious intensity urges you
to re-examine your own
Pinoy pride.
Chelsea
Bernasconi
(who plays the role of
Mary) offers an enthusiastic charm that draws you
on, to be curiously interested in pursuing the questions raised by
the story. Her vulnerable sincerity proves
to be her best asset as an actress.
The integration of multimedia material
in the production is similarly noteworthy.
Music videos, montages, and even the
musical score, all give a new dimension to
the whole theatric experience. Though, at
some points, the interweaving of the new
media may be a little distracting, especially in the song numbers where lyrics
and subtitles are flashed onscreen while a
singer is performing onstage. But overall,
these technical aspects build upon the already engaging theme of the play.
For a Filipino production staged outside the Philippines, Rizal Atbp. proves
to be one of the iconic productions that
any self-respecting Filipino in America
shouldn’t miss. By introducing a new
perspective into Rizal’s value to our modern-day heritage, the narrative captures
the raw emotions of indifference, bigotry,
and shame, and uses those to evoke a cathartic experience that begs an answer to
the play’s fundamental questions:
“What good ever came out of the
Philippines?” u
65
INDUSTRY
Duty Free Philippines
Inaugurated New Manila
Ocean Park Outlet
DUTY FREE PHILIPPINES (DFP), in its commitment to be of
service to the international travelers market and to Philippine
tourism, has opened a duty free store at the Manila Ocean Park,
the country’s all season, all-weather holiday destination for
locals and tourists.
The Department of Tourism’s attached
agencies believes that a duty free store in
Manila’s integrated resort facility with
marine life attractions will be able to
cater to the duty free shopping needs of
the Manila Ocean Park’s loyal patrons
and visitors who recently travelled
abroad.
Duty Free Philippines’ (DFP) retail
presence in this fast-rising tourist hub
shows its utmost dedication to serve the
balikbayans, overseas Filipino workers,
regular Filipino travelers, foreign
tourists and tour groups. The new outlet
was unveiled in simple rites led by no less
than Lorenzo C. Formoso, DFP chief
operating officer.
To maximize benefits from the opensky policy which opened the country to
foreign carriers, DFP resorted to massive
store expansion program in anticipation
of the influx of arriving tourists. The
establishment of new duty free stores in
Aklan, Albay, and Palawan are already
66
underway, and renovation plans are
ongoing for all its other outlets at the
NAIA, Mactan International Airport
and Waterfront Hotel Cebu. These
new duty free stores’ more attractive
and functional retail environment will
be instrumental to the achievement
of DFP’s goal of contributing to the
country’s tourism efforts.
DFP hopes this new outlet will add
“more fun” to their stay at the Manila
Ocean Park. u
Ribbon cutting: (L – R)Lorenzo C. Formoso - DFP COO, Chudney Ngo - Acting Director of Manila Tourism, Gemma
Cruz Araneta - Vice Chairperson-Manila Historical Heritage Commission, Usec. Theresa Martinez - DOT, Van Kam
Weng – Ocean Park GM, Atty. Carlos So – NAIA Customs District Collector
67
68
69
70

Pacquiao - Balikbayan Magazine

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