8 Magazine Jan-Mar 2011

REGION VIII’s FIRST TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Vol. 1 No. 0

JANUARY - MARCH 2011

ere i m e r p issue!

magazine

EASTERN VISAYAS Discover a paradise truly our own TEE OFF

Experience a golfer’s haven just a drive away

CARIGARA SPECIALTIES

Savor the world class delights

EAT. ENJOY. EXPLORE.

REGION VIII TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Volume 1 Number 0 JANUARY - MARCH 2011

Table of Contents

REGION VIII TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

CRAVE 6

8-YEAR STRONG This foodie can’t get enough of OCHO

8

CARIGARA SPECIALTIES Savor into the world class delights

TRAVEL 14

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NOT YOUR ORDINARY PARADISE Eastern Visayas is home to many natural and historical sights, but a supposed day of relaxation turns into an unexpected adventure HOME AGAIN IN TACLOBAN Foreign cities in the world can’t compare with the sights, sounds, and memories of one’s own city TEE OFF The San Juanico Golf and Country Club is a golfer’s dream come true

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VIRGILIO A. MORTERA JOEL R. CAMINADE Publishers

Editor in chief Executive Editor Managing Editor Associate Editors Creative Director

Editorial Consultant Creative Consultant Tourism Consultants

AARON J.P. ALMADRO REY B. GARNACE HAZEL B. CABALLERO VOLTAIRE Q. OYZON JEFFREY S. MORTERA AARON J.P. ALMADRO

ERIC RAMOS KATHERINE BERCASIO NORBERTO LUMBRE

Contributing Writer JENNIBETH R. LORO

Contributing Photographers

KULTURA 30

magazine

SINGING WITH THE REGION’S ART SCENE Get into the groove as we sample the local vibe ABOUT 8 MAGAZINE Get to know what’s in store for the magazine and the staff behind it

HARVEY TAPAN, ARCHIE OMEGA, JR ESPEJO, PHILIP SALEM, ZL REVEZ, PATRICK TUMALAD

Contributing Illustrator ED ROMPAL

Logo/Masthead Design DAN MATUTINA

Marketing and Communications Executives ROCHELLE DE LEON, FEIGI LOUIE PEDRERA, BEVY IVY NALDA, FRANCIS ABLAZA PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHIE OMEGA MODEL IVY SEVERSON HAIR & MAKEUP PORTIA FERNANDEZ SITTINGS EDITORS JEFFREY MORTERA, HAZEL CABALLERO, and AARON J.P. ALMADRO CLOTHES PROVIDED BY KATRINA SUNDAY RUIZ-BANZON and NADIA REGINA S. MORTERA SHOT ON LOCATION AT SAN JUANICO GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (CAPT. VIC DOMINGO GOLF COURSE), CABALAWAN, TACLOBAN CITY SPECIAL THANKS TO CAPT. VIC DOMINGO

Marketing Consultant MICO MARCO

OFFICIALLY ENDORSED

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGIONAL OFFICE VIII 8 Magazine is published quarterly by TRES NIÑAS PRINTING PRESS with office at 110 T. Claudio St., Tacloban City. The articles contained herein are opinions of the contributing writers and columnists and not necesarilly of the editorial team and the publisher. All materials within the magazine are property of the publisher. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without written permission from the publisher. © CopyrightJanuary 2011 - March 2011

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Editor’s Note Welcome to 8 Magazine

We will tease you.

This magazine is just a bite-size of what’s to come. Of something even bigger, better, tastier. This is just a taste of what we can give you, so you’ll be asking for more.

This magazine will be your guide, your eye-opener, your source of what’s new and what’s already there—with a new perspective.

A first-hand experience, a more local approach, something easy to grasp and understand, something truly our own.

Region 8 has a bounty of natural beauty just waiting to be visited and admired, from public beaches to secret surfspots; from laid-back places to adventure destinations, historical and cultural sites to very modern venues; from first-class accommodations to homey amenities; from international dishes to home-cooked delicacies; we have it all.

We will show the world what we have and what we can do.

There’s more to Region 8 than we even know.

This magazine will be an outlet where we can show the beauty of Eastern Visayas—Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Biliran. Region 8 isn’t just a home, it’s our own paradise, a place we should be proud of.

As the team put this teaser issue to bed, we realized that this is really fun, and we look forward to more issues to come.

Hope you guys enjoy this premier issue!

We are 8 Magazine, we are YOUR magazine!

Aaron J.P. Almadro

If you have a story to share, a place to show off, or a suggestion to improve this magazine, feel free to e-mail us at editorial@8-magazine.com.

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January - March 2011

Contributors Armed with his camera, ARCHIE OMEGA, is a formidable photographer.

He has been shooting captivating photos for a while now and his passion has drove him to co-create Pixel8, an independent production house handling video and photographic services, he is also a member of Litratista a spin-off of the Camera Club of Leyte and Samar (CCLS).

Archie shot the cover of this issue and the San Juanico Golf and Country Club.

PORTIA FERNANDEZ is no stranger to fashion and beauty, having been the main makeup artist of top local photographers in Region VIII, she is also the handler of the most beautiful models in the region as well.

Her prowess in makeup is evident as Portia did the makeup of our cover girl, Ivy Severson.

Writing has always been in her blood.

JENNIBETH R. LORO is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from the University of the Philippines Tacloban College.

She writes poetry and short stories in her native Cebuano language with works published and included in various local publications and literary compilations.

Currently, she is a part-time instructor in the Eastern Visayas State University, Ormoc City Campus, an online tutor, and a freelance web content writer.

We cook your food the way you want it.

Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Philippines Tel. Nos. (053) 325-4171 or (053) 523-8808 January - March 2011

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Crave

8-YEAR STRONG This foodie just can’t get enough of OCHO

by JEFFREY S. MORTERA

O

cho Seafood and Grill has really come a long way from its heydays. I have been an avid customer for almost six years now and I am a living witness of the metamorphosis Ocho has gone through. This resto wasn’t always the big success as it is today. Verily I say, it had humble beginnings. Back then, I remember it’s small yet homey corridor style.

I thought of Ocho as just another place to eat, but boy, I was wrong.

Who would have guessed that it would become one of Tacloban’s

Photographs by HARVEY TAPAN

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most popular restaurants?

Once a small corridor budget restaurant located at Barangay 54, Senator Enage Street just a little distance from Central Bank is now one of Tacloban’s landmark restaurants. Ocho is best known for its wide selection of seafoods and meats. Once you enter Ocho, you see a large display area of various fresh fish and other seafoods. Not only do you get to choose which seafood you want but you also decide how it is cooked and what spices you want added. Not so keen on seafood Some of Ocho’s sumptuous specialties (Clockwise from above): sweet-chili prawns; Grilled tuna belly; and Ocho’s twist on the classic ginataang kangkong: Porbidang kangkong.

OCHO and 8

8 Magazine chatted with the owners of Ocho Seafood & Grill, Edrick and Liezl Yao, and found out that great things do indeed come from small beginnings OCHO WAS PRETTY SMALL BACK THEN, DID YOU PREDICT IT WOULD BE THIS BIG RIGHT NOW? Liezl Yao: Oh no…. Definitely no! We didn’t expect that it would click this much but when it did, we didn’t have much choice because our employees were depending on us and our families were urging us to continue because we were doing so well. The blessings were pouring in so we decided to keep going.

But this business is no joke. The sacrifices we’ve made were really hard but when we see the satisfaction of our customers, it makes our efforts worthwhile.

OCHO’S FRIENDLY FACADE. Edrick Yao, Ocho Seafood and Grill proprietor, ensures the guests head home smiling and fully satisfied.

dishes? Ocho also has various cuts of meat and chicken which you also have the choice on how they are cooked.

Ocho also has a menu of its specialty dishes which can be ordered straight from your seats.

I have never come across an unsatisfactory order from this restaurant. Its food is always prepared with the highest quality ensuring that customers always feel satisfied after each meal.

If you’re looking for a place to hold social gatherings, Ocho is a good choice. Ocho’s second floor is not only an extension of its restaurant but it also has conference rooms for various occasions. Last October, I celebrated my birthday there; I can say that the rooms are spacious enough to fit my family members and a few of my friends. Combine that with great food, atmosphere, and privacy, Ocho is no slouch when it comes to comfort.

———————————

Ocho is located at Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City.

Tel no. (053) 325-4171 or 523-8808

HOW LONG WERE YOU IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS? Liezl Yao: My husband’s family was into other restaurant businesses before like Quarterhouse and Villa Jessica. So he is very familiar with the food industry.

Ocho on the other hand turned 8 last December 18, 2010.

WHY THE NAME OCHO? Liezl Yao: When we were deciding on its name, I really wanted a simple and Spanish sounding name. What we did was write down the words uno, dos, up to dyes on a white board and we kept thinking which one sounded the best. We liked otso the best and we decided to change the spelling to O-C-H-O because it looks more classy than O-T-S-O. We also know that to the Chinese 8 is a lucky number. Plus when you twist it, it becomes an infinity sign, and when you add dots to an inverted eight, it looks like a fish (laughs).

SO THAT’S THE INSPIRATION WHY ITS MAIN FARE ARE SEAFOOD. SO HOW DID YOU START? Liezl Yao: When we started, this used to be a billiards joint and an internet café where a lot of students hung out. I noticed that there were no food options offered to them for lunch. So we started

CAM STRUCK. OCHO’s love birds strike a pose of success for customers’ satisfaction.

wit budget meals, like barbeque or pork chop with rice and drinks already.

We then offered regular meals, so older customers cam in. But the noisy and rowdy students and the quieter older crowd who dined in did not get along well. Finally, we decided to remove the budget meals and cater to a higher market.

Besides our unique meals, we offer the freshest seafoods in town and the customer may choose whatever way they want it cooked.

ANY INSPIRATIONS FROM OTHER RESTAURANTS? Liezl Yao: My husband’s passions are cooking, eating, and travelling. He also studied in Bacolod where there are several restaurants there.

We also got inspiration from different kinds of restaurants during our travels.

WE NOTICE THAT SERVICE HERE IS IMPECCABLE. HOW DO YOU KEEP OCHO SO ORGANIZED? Liezl Yao: We usually include our managers and our subordinates with decisions regarding Ocho, more like a decentralized kind of management.

Plus we’re hands-on. We mingle with our customers. Not only do we get the chance to know our customers better, we also get instantaneous feedback, so we know what they want, and how we can improve our services better.

SO WHAT ELSE IS IN STORE FOR OCHO? Liezl Yao: Right now we are actually expanding our place especially our second floor.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY PHILIP SALEM

Travel

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DIVE SPOT. Trekkers love jumping off cliffs into the pristine seas of Marabut, Eastern Samar January - March 2011

NOT YOUR ORDINARY PARADISE Eastern Visayas is home to many natural and historical sights, but a supposed day of relaxation turns into an unexpected adventure

by AARON J.P. ALMADRO

“T

hey’re late again,” I muttered under my breath.

It was almost 7AM and the fierce bright sun wasn’t helping either. It’s a good thing that the air-conditioning of the van was in tip-top shape or else my perennially late companions would be enduring not only the heat of the sun but my glare as well.

It was a sunny April when I brought along with me my colleagues from the defunct men’s magazine I was working for. It was a travel issue, so we had to go the unbeaten path. Instead of going to Camarines Sur again, or the dreaded hedonistic island Boracay: I brought them to Leyte. Home sweet home.

And one of our destinations was a picturesque island I encountered before in one of the travels and sports magazines I have been part of, but

never really been to. It was an island off the coast of Palompon, Leyte—Calanggaman Island. Though so close to my hometown of Palo, I never even realized why I never tried.

According to Al, our trusty travel guide with a treasure trove of Leyte trivia, he intermittently shared even in-between important lull periods where one can sneak in a nap, the trip to Calanggaman Island would roughly take three hours, around two to the municipality and one to the island.

“And we’re really still quite early,” he told me and my four equally edgy companions: the magazine’s calm and seasoned editor Eric, my best bud renowned photographer Harvey, and two constantly at each other’s nerves company drivers, Ramil and Chris.

“Sorry we’re late,” the girls chimed in,

Photographs by HARVEY TAPAN, JR ESPEJO, PHILIP SALEM and ZL REVEZ January - March 2011

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Travel BREADED. Powdering up with Calanggaman Island’s fine white sand

“We had to prepare. You know, girl stuff.” With clenched teeth I just said, “Let’s go then,” while glancing at my watch and wondered how would anyone spend two hours to prepare to go to an island?

Kuya Bing, the kind bespectacled Administrator of the Department of Tourism Regional Office VIII helped us with our three-day itinerary. All I said was let us have a taste of the region in bite-sized nuggets, and amazingly they did.

Divided into three days, we squeezed in the following: we were to have a small tour at MacArthur Memorial Park in Palo, a view around Tacloban City, then off to Babatngon for a lunch at Rafael’s Farm, photo-op at the renowned San Juanico Bridge, a river trek towards Sohoton Caves, then to Palompon, for a stroll at the Tabuk mangrove outgrowth bird sanctuary and which is also our jump-off site to Calanggaman Island.

We had two days to squeeze in most of the other activities but the trip to Calanggaman would turn out to be the most memorable.

ROCKY ROAD

“Makain man kita? (Where will we go?),” asked Al, our trusty tour guide, as we stopped by a fork on the road.

“Let’s ask some of the locals,” said Irene, a Creative Director from Manila who is also this magazine’s Creative Consultant and one-fourth of the quad of latecomers earlier.

We spotted two guys talking

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BIRDS OF SAME FEATHERS. The mangrove outgrowth Tabuk Island, dissected by a bamboo bridge, is a bird sanctuary where birdwatchers may find rare endemic species of aviary.

PHOTOGRAPHY ON THIS SPREAD BY HARVEY TAPAN

THREE DAYS BEFORE JUMP-OFF

THE LINK. The San Juanico Bridge connects the major islands of Eastern Visayas: Leyte and Samar.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY HARVEY TAPAN

THE RETURN. MacArthur Memorial Park is found at Red Beach, Palo, the same sight where General Douglas MacArthur set foot once again on Philippine soil to liberate it from the Japanese.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ZL REVEZ

Travel

GREEN LAGOON. Rafael’s Farm in Babatngon, Leyte is a quaint restaurant right smack in the middle of a scenic garden complete with a man-made lagoon you may waddle in.

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near the fork, our driver Ramil asked, “Which road do we take to Palompon?”

“Didto! (There!),” they said in unison, but both pointing in opposite directions, they then realized what they did, then immediately pointed opposite at each other again and said, “Aw, diri, didto ngay-an! (Oh.. wait, no, it’s that way!).” We didn’t even bother. It was

January - March 2011

like a skit in a slapstick.

So we just relied on our map which we bought from a bookstore, the kind of map of the Philippines you see posted on elementary public schools sans the picture of the presidents. We followed what we thought was the short way. It was short when seen from the map anyway.

What transpired next was straight

PROVINCIAL HEADS Northern Samar Gov. Paul R. Daza Samar Gov. Sharee Ann T. Tan Eastern Samar Gov. Conrado V. Nicart Jr. Biliran Gov. Gerry Boy J. Espina Southern Leyte Gov. Damian G. Mercado Leyte Gov. Jericho Carlos L. Petilla CITY HEADS Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo S. Uy Maasin City Mayor Maloney L. Samaco Ormoc City Mayor Eric C. Codilla Catbalogan City Mayor Coefredo T. Uy Borongan City Mayor Maria Fe R. Abunda Baybay City Mayor Carmen L. Cari

out of a horror suspense thriller movie.

We drove at around 15km an hour, at a neck-breaking turtle-pace speed and in a zigzagging pattern to be able to avoid the humungous mud-filled potholes. Our gleaming white van wasn’t exactly the 4x4 offroad vehicles required in this type of terrain.

On our right were shrubbery, plants and trees plus there were no houses for kilometers, while on the left were ravines and cliffs that spelled doom for us if our van took a wrong move.

Moving like a boat in troubled waters, a few minutes passed by or

PHOTOGRAPH BY JR ESPEJO

maybe an hour or so, we noticed that there weren’t pedestrians nor vehicles passing by! It was like we were bound to be ambushed by renegade NPA, if there were any. We stopped for a short break since most of our companions were already sea-sick due to the shaking of the van, then saw a truck going towards us. We felt happy but saw that there was only a driver and no one else on the truck. It was truly a deserted place. We wanted to go back but we were already so far off. We checked our trusty school map and didn’t know where the h*ll we were.

“Don’t worry guys,” our Ramil said, “we’re bound to reach a road to

PHOTOGRAPH BY HARVEY TAPAN

ATTACK! Replica sculptures of the infamous Balangiga Rebellion at Balangiga, Eastern Samar.

SILENT SANCTUARY. Sohoton Caves can be reached via Cadac-an River or also known as “The Golden River.”

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JR ESPEJO

Travel

civilization soon.”

I didn’t know if he meant to cheer us up, because he said that with a constipated look on his face.

CIVILIZATION AT LAST!

We left at around 7AM. It was almost 12 o’clock noon, the sun was blazing hot and still our van was swaying like crazy. We were barely speaking, there was no radio on (there wasn’t any reception), most of our companions especially the girls were already nauseous, but at least a few kilometers back we saw a family of chicken we let cross.

We saw another fork ahead, with people walking, without reaching them, I opened the door of the van, warm air rushed passed me but I just jumped and ran off towards them.

“Hain it munisipyo? (Where is

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the Municipal Hall?),” I hurriedly asked the pedicab driver wearing a cap printed with the name of a local construction supplies store. To my surprise they spoke Cebuano. Coastal places in Leyte speak Cebuano instead of the local language, Waray-waray o Winaray.

I guess, it was the vestiges of the Cebuano diaspora, that then formed Cebuano-speaking provinces all throughout the region, even inland.

He pointed us to the right direction, when we reached Palompon Municipal Hall, I asked the first person standing on the steps.

“Sus! Sobra amo kabalaka, kaganina ra ‘mi nag huwat ninyo alas syete pa lang! (Jumpin’ jelly beans!* We were frickin’ worried!

We waiting for you guys since 7AM!),” the dude in the white shirt

told me.

They were laughing their faces off when we told them what we went through. Accidentally, we took the wrong way! If we took a right, what we would experience was smooth asphalt road all the way to the Palompon Munisipyo, which was really only around two hours.

Well, five hours of hell was well worth the trip. When we crossed over to Calanggaman Island via classic speed boat with katig, we were fed tropical seafood to our heart’s content, rolled ourselves silly in beautiful powdery white sand (well, I did), and swam into extremely saline but crystal clear water—the island was practically our own paradise. I would love to tell you our wonderful experience there.

But hey, that’s another story. *not actual translation

SURFS UP! Local and foreign surf enthusiasts consider Calicoan, Eastern Samar a surfer’s haven.

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Travel

PHOTOGRAPH BY JR ESPEJO

HOME AGAIN IN TACLOBAN Foreign cities in the world can’t compare with the sights, sounds, and memories of one’s own city

by REY B. GARNACE

T

here is no place like home, so to speak.

Last March 2008, I was given the chance to travel to the Bahamas as a visiting faculty. Although I did not intend to resign from my lucrative work yet, I grabbed the opportunity anyway. From my 15 months of work abroad, I had the chance to travel to different islands in the Bahamas and Carribean.

Practically, I traveled far and wide from the Philippines via Japan going to London and down to the Bahamas; then to the US of A (where 22

January - March 2011

I stayed for two weeks) down to Korea or Hong Kong, then to the Philippines. In that span of time that I was away from home, I kept coming back to Tacloban. To be exact, I went home three times in barely 15 months.

When I left Tacloban, I already heard about the possibility that it would be transformed as an HUC (and it did which made me decide as well to stay in Tacloban for good). I have witnessed how Tacloban grew as a city since my birth. From the very old terminal

Top: The majestic Tacloban City Convention Center stands proud with lustrous Kankabatok Bay in its foreground.

located near the market where all jeepneys and buses headed off for their respective destinations until the new terminal moved to Abucay. From about five banks which mushroomed to 21 banks now. From zero food chain before but now there we see Cindys, Jollibee, McDonalds, KFC’s, Mang Inasal, name them. From the old Gaisano to Robinson, Gaisano Central, Dynasty, Superstar, 578… From the old tricycles, pedicabs, jeepneys, and buses to vans, coasters, and taxis.

Now in my almost two year stint back in Tacloban, I don’t feel like leaving home again. Aside from the fact that my four kids are still young and they need my nurturing (not to mention my wife’s prodding), I feel that Tacloban has it all for me to stay. When years back I had to bring my family to Cebu or Manila for a vacation, now there is no need. We can spend a short vacation in some of the hotels or resorts here like Leyte Park Hotel, Hotel Alejandro, Hotel Angelo, Manhattan Inn, Hacienda Verde, and the likes. When we need to wind up, we can just go to Robinson to window shop or watch movies. When the children get bored, they can simply go to Tom’s World or other recreation centers around. Plus, there is no hassle going to churches like the Redemptorist or Sto. Nino or hospitals are very accessible like EVRMC, St. Paul’s, Bethany, RTR, Mother of Mercy Hospital (RSM’s owned newest hospital in Tacloban), and soon-to-be Tacloban Doctors’ Hospital.

All the places to go are just few blocks away. No hassles so far.

Tacloban City takes pride in its alluring natural and manmade tourist spots like Santo Niño Shrine Museum, Leyte Provincial Capitol Building, and San Juanico

PHOTOGRAPH BY JR ESPEJO

Bottom: The full moon and the LeytePark Resort floating restaurant.

PHOTOGRAPH BY PHILIP SALEM

Right: The Madonna of Japan Shrine along Magsaysay Boulevard looks ethereal and enchanting at night.

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Top: The seat of power, Tacloban City Hall, sits atop Kanhuraw Hill where local skateboarders hang out and practice their tricks (right).

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY PATRICK TUMALAD

Bridge. Additionally, I also miss Tacloban since it is also popular in festivals or special events in the city such as Sangyaw, Subiran Regatta, and Santo Ni単o de Leyte Fiesta. So why go far?

After sizing up the advantages and disadvantages being away from home, I have finally decided to stay for good, meantime. Not only for my family but also for my home, Tacloban. I could not trade Tacloban with any other city in the world. This is where I build all my dreams and live all fond memories with my family and friends. Now that Tacloban has a lot to offer, there is no point of leaving this city.

Truly, Tacloban is a home sweet home.

BE SEEN.

HERE IN magazine

For advertising, e-mail us at ads@8-magazine.com. For dealership and distribution, e-mail us at sales@8-magazine.com

January - March 2011

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Travel

TEE OFF

The San Juanico Golf and Country Club is a golfer’s dream come true

by JEFFREY S. MORTERA

B

ack in 2007, I accompanied my Dad, an avid golfer to a golf course in San Juanico which is just a small distance from the wellknown bridge that connects Leyte and Samar. When we arrived my first impression of the golf course was quite different. I could see a part of the golf course, some trees, soil, grass and some sand traps but nothing that would make me want to explore the place. I even saw some stray dogs roaming around the area. I’m not a golfer nor a golf fan so I decided to stay in the small

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January - March 2011

canteen-like area which I didn’t know at the time was actually the clubhouse.

So I just sat there eating chips and waited for my Dad to finish playing.

GREEN HAVEN. The verdant greens are captivating to both visitors and golfers at the San Juanico Golf Course and Country Club.

FAST FORWARD

My opinion would soon change three years later when 8 Magazine staff decided to have a photo shoot there. When we arrived, the first thing I noticed was the newly improved clubhouse. Gone was the small canteen and in its place was now a classy and spacious

Photographs by ARCHIE OMEGA

Ocho’s friendly facade

PICTURE PERFECT. Manicured landscapes complement the perfectly trimmed greens.

golf course—from the clubhouse you can now see that the golf course has been vastly developed, there are now cemented pathways, living gazebos, small lakes with resident ducks, and even small islands with connecting bridges all surrounded by lush green flora. The golf course is also now so large that it take us more than 10 minutes to tour just half of the whole golf course on our rented golf cart.

THE FUTURE OF GOLF restaurant with full-set meals that can be ordered such as clubhouse sandwiches, pork ribs, and different kinds of fish dishes. The clubhouse also now has locker rooms for both men and women complete with showers and massage benches; the men’s locker room even has its very own theater component system.

Beside the clubhouse which used to be just a barren piece of land is now a pleasantly shaped swimming pool and matching kiddie pool. But all of that is small change compared to the improvements done on the

The entire golf course has 18 holes (Par72) and spans 54 hectares.

President of the San Juanico Golf and Country Club (SJGCC) Capitan Vic Domingo alongside Vice-president Virgilio Mortera, Grounds and Tournament Chair Joel Caminade and the rest of the Board of Directors are almost done with the facilities especially that Capitan Vic Domingo is developing a mini hotel, which will have 25 rooms, an addition that will satisfy even more golfing needs of its members and visitors.

The SJGCC, though exclusive to members only, visitors may come as

LUSH LUXURY. San Juanico Golf Course and Country Club’s clubhouse is a scene to behold while it’s pool is so inviting.

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Travel

FIRST-CLASS. Nothing can relax you right after a dip in the pool or a gruelling game of golf but a filling meal at the San Juanico Golf Course and Country Club’s restaurant.

long as they are with a club member. But SJGCC do have promos that allow the general public to enjoy the place.

So watch out for that as well.

If you’re looking for that unique golfing experience or just want to unwind and relax with the family or friends, head on over to San Juanico Golf and Country Club.

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AND THEN THERE WAS ONE The San Juanico golf and country club got revived through the efforts of Capitan Vic Domingo

T

he San Juanico golf and country club was actually established in the 1960’s but was abandoned in the 80’s due to golf’s unpopularity at the time. Only in 2006 when local golf enthusiast Victor Domingo (known fondly as Capitan Vic to his friends) and his colleagues pooled their resources together and planned its revival and reconstruction. Through their efforts this once forgotten golf course has become a lively place of leisure and competition not only to locals but also to foreign patrons and golf fans.

TRUE BEAUTY. Ivy Severson, 8 Magzine’s first cover girl, is a 1st year Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant Management student at ABE and the reigning Miss Tacloban. A true Taclobanon beauty, Ivy poses by the San Juanico Golf and Country Club pool with an easy smile.

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Kultura

SINGING WITH THE REGION’S ART SCENE Get into the groove as we sample the local vibe

by JENNIBETH R. LORO

M

y first writing workshop with the UPVTC Visayas Writing group in 2003 was probably my first exposure in the art scene of the region. It was a busy day in February, my classmates and I were busy setting up our wine booth with our professor’s class for the Arts month celebration, when the letter confirming my participation in the 4th Viswrite Workshop arrived.

As a novice in the writing world, I was thrilled at the thought of picking up wisdom offered by established writers and the abundance of creative outputs from other musicians and visual artists.

It seemed as if a whole angle of the world would open before me.

The workshop was more than that. Aside from the multitude of snacks and food, I learnt concepts like persona, imagery, and insight as crucial concepts in the art of writing.

It was in this workshop that I met poet-writers Janis Claire Salvacion and Voltaire Oyzon, also who happened to be my schoolmates in 30

January - March 2011

the University of the Philippines.

It was in this workshop that their mantles as poets began.

Poet-critic Professor Victor Sugbo and poet Palanca-alumnus Merlie Alunan were panelists of the 4th Viswrite Workshop. After the workshop, I was lucky to serve as Ma’am Merlie’s office assistant for a couple of months before my first job and finally became personal friends with her. I also accompanied her in meetings and social functions with other artists in Tacloban City. Those were the moments when I attended national writing workshops like the Iligan National Writer’s Workshop in Mindanao State University in Iligan, City and the Cornelio Fiag-ao Creative Writing Workshop in the University of San Carlos. Ma’am Merl was also one of their panelists.

KEEPING THE MUSIC PLAY

“The art scene is finally getting noticed and accepted by the people.

I guess it’s because more and more artists are featured locally,” states

Dante Enage of the local art scene, who had his first solo exhibit last 2009 entitled Hiraya.

The whole art scene is alive as ever. Some artists have been there since I last remember while some I had the honor of knowing them personally (see story on right).

Budding artists, from musicians to visual artists and literary artists, keep the scene buoyant. Even I still continue to write stories and poems. Some had the chance to be published in Bisaya magazine and the Lantawan. This February 2011, I will be accompanying writers Janis Claire Salvacion and Neil Lopido for the 2011 Taboan National Writer’s Conference in Davao. I still maintain ties with my writer-friends in Tacloban despite the distance between Tacloban and my town, Merida where I am currently based.

For me, the Region’s artistic landscape will always be part of my growth as a budding writer. This is where I have found my voice and sing it with others.

REINVENTION

My exposure into the art scene has opened my eyes to the local gems scattered around. Some of the known artists in the city are Professor Dulce Cuna, Dante Enage, and Jerby Santo.

by JENNIBETH R. LORO

DULZ CUNA

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isual artist and performer Professor Dulce Anacion (who was also my teacher in Creative Advertising) is known not only in the city but other parts of the country with her exhibits and papers on art and the humanities.

She has always been a staunch supporter of the arts, being involved in almost all artistic endeavors of the province.

She is actively researching the region’s artistic landscape particularly in tracing the history and motifs of the pintados tattoos.

JERBY SANTO

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remember Jerby when he went to Ma’am Merl’s office and let her critique his compositions in Waray. As an observer, I can tell that he loves to joke and laugh a lot!

I guess every true-blooded Waray-waray has probably heard Jerby Santo’s name and the band CampoXanto whom he fronts.

CampoXanto’s talent has not only captured the adoration of the Waray crowd but also the respect of the Manila scene as they won a national band competition and wowed everyone including Razorback. Their meteoric rise to popularity was also due to their unwavering love for everything local. With a rock and alternative sound, their songs in the native tongue has paved the way for other artists to do the same.

Jerby currently formed an alternative punk band The Guerillas, that also includes some of his bandmates in CampoXanto.

DANTE ENAGE

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also met Tacloban-born visual artist Dante Enage. Though already 15 years in the visual art scene, he is one of the young artists that are gaining a following and respect in the region.

Dante is also a tattoo artist and the percussionist of the band Kulahig (Kultura, Arte at Himig), an ethnic rock band based in Tacloban City. The band has reached national television when ABS-CBN included one of their original composition in the station’s “Boto Mo, Ipatrol Ko. Ako ang Simula” campaign for the 2010 Presidential Elections.

His famous piece Lab-as, depicting a very realistic rural scene of fishermen looking up with baskets of fishes, made the cover of Singkwenta, the official Tacloban City coffetable book for its 50th year of cityhood last June 2008.

Kulahig The Guerillas

ARTISTS UNITE! Want to contribute to 8 Magazine’s KULTURA? E-mail us a sample of your work or drop us a line or two at: editorial@8-magazine.com We’d love to hear from you!

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Feature

ALL ABOUT

Get to know the staff behind 8 Magazine and what’s in store for the next issues

8

Magazine started from scratch, literally. An idea borne out of the desire to have a magazine of our own, talented and like-minded individuals joined forces to come up with a magazine that is created by Warays for Warays.

THE MAGAZINE

The team was thinking of a magazine that can represent the region, Region VIII, thus, 8 Magazine was born, a simple but straight-forward and confident name.

The planning stage was tedious; days and nights of brainstorming and meeting with people to back up the dream; but finally, with the benevolent support of publishers Virgilio A. Mortera and Joel R. Caminade, the dream has now become a reality.

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January - March 2011

THE TEAM

Editor in chief Aaron J.P. Almadro assembled a formidable team to come up with the best content issue after issue: Executive Editor Rey B. Garnace, Managing Editor Hazel B. Caballero alongside Associate Editors Jeffrey S. Mortera and Voltaire Oyzon.

One of Dan Matutina’s logo studies for the logo of 8 Magazine.

Jeffrey Mortera and Voltaire Oyzon completes the editorial line-up as 8 Magazine’s Associate Editors

Renowned Tacloban-born Manila-based artist Dan Matutina created the magazine’s masthead.

He has already several local

Dan Matutina’s creative brief for 8 Magazine’s logo and masthead is based on the local banig.

8 Magazine Editorial Team After leaving the University of the Philippines Tacloban College, AARON J.P. ALMADRO had a brief stint as a Medical Representative then jumped to his passion that is print media and worked for the largest broadcasting company in the country.

He has either been an Editor and/or Art Director for a sports, travel and adventure magazine, showbiz magazine, a music magazine, an international men’s magazine, a general-interest magazine and a cosmetics reinvention magazine, while juggling hats as a writer, freelance stylist, columnist and marketing consultant for various publications and private groups.

He is currently a consultant for Media and Tourism for a local government unit in Region VIII. SWEET AND SIMPLE. Ed Rompal’s sketch, which when colorized becomes 8 Magazine’s section illustrations.

and international exhibits and contributions to local and international publications, Dan is a fine example of a global Waray.

Besides being Creative Director of his own advertising agency, Ideals Creatives, he teaches design at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

“The logo mark forms the number 8. It’s also a visualization of the San Juanico Bridge that connects the islands of Leyte & Samar.

The magazine will also connect Eastern Visayas to the rest of the Philippines,” states Dan as he explains the design rationale behind his creation.

Local artist Ed Rompal created the section illustrations. His sweet and simple illustrations are evident of his classic style. direct and artistic at the same time.

MORE TO COME

The team will be churning out issues every quarter, for this issue we have given you a taste of our sections CRAVE, TRAVEL and KULTURA. Watchout for the following sections in our next issues:

FINDS Here we will feature local products, souvenirs, and stores plus items that are all the rave in the Philippines.

FASHION

We will have clothes, footwear, accessories, beauty products, boutiques that are found in the region unless there are products of national interest.

PEOPLE

People from and for Region 8. The pride of Region 8. A national and global Waray.

ADVOCACY

About advocacy groups, foundations, NGOs and corporations that help the community.

DR. REYNALDO B. GARNACE specializes in English and is a Doctor of Arts in Language Teaching.

Having been an adviser and a coach to numerous national winning school publications, he is no stranger to journalism. His 15-year advisorship in school publications paid off when he grabbed the National Outstanding School Paper

Adviser award.

He has edited numerous books, published master’s theses and dissertations, and authored two books namely: Asian and African Literature and Global English for Filipinos.

Though still advising various school papers in the region, he is currently senior lecturer of the University of the Philippines Manila (SHS) and the Dean of the College of Education and Liberal Arts of the Holy Infant College.

HAZEL B. CABALLERO is based in Tacloban as a web project manager for an international education website. Outside of her day job, she is mostly blogging, photographing stuff she cooks and eats, or concocting plans for her next trip. She is also the editor of the local travel and lifestyle blog, www.

WarayClub.com. Follow her adventures with food, places, and anything in between on www.

PinayWorkingMom.com.

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Behind the scenes

8 Magazine cover mock-ups that didn’t make the cut.

The 8 Magazine team during the cover shoot at the San Juanico Golf Course and Country Club.

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