Directory Alphaland Corporation
The City Club
info@alphaland.com.ph +63.2.337.2031
Trunk line +63.2.737.0000
Sales Office sales@alphaland.com.ph +63.2.846.6205 +63.999.886.4420
Reception tccfrontoffice@alphaland.com.ph +63.2.737.0016
Corporate Events Marco Diaz mldiaz@alphaland.com.ph +63.998.998.9998 Katherine Solis kpsolis@alphaland.com.ph +63.917.858.9727
Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges Project Sales Manager Sienna Muncada slmuncada@alphaland.com.ph +63.948.250.8387 +63.917.804.5786
Membership tccmembership@alphaland.com. ph +63.2.737.0000 loc. 109 or 113 Events and Banquets tccevents@alphaland.com.ph +63.2.737.0000 loc. 108 or 136 Sports and Recreation sportsandrec@cityclub.com.ph +63.2.737.0000 loc. 107
The Residences at Alphaland Makati Place Reception reception@makatiplace.com.ph +63.2.737.0070
Aegle Wellness Center Reception info@aeglewellnesscenter.com +63.2.737.0077 +63.917.821.9795 +63.949.889.6237
Balesin Island Club Reception frontoffice@balesin.com.ph
The Alpha Suites
Reservations reservations@balesin.com +63.2.337.2055
Reception info@thealphasuites.com +63.2.737.0088 www.thealphasuites.com
Concierge balesinconcierge@alphaland.com.ph +63.908.887.4787 +63.917.509.7190
Editorial Team Anna Ongpin Editor-in-Chief Emerald Bañares Managing Editor Con Valdecañññas Darryl Joi Fuentes Editors South African Deputy Chief of Mission Tshire Kau Benedict Valdecañññas, MD Contributors
Sienna Muncada Luisa Banta Diane Tomas Evan Spargo Kat Garcia Writers Katherine Solis Coordinator Alan Alcala Senior Graphic Artist
ALPHALAND ATMOSPHERES is the lifestyle magazine of Alphaland Corporation. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Alphaland Corporation. Cover Photo of Presidential Suite by Milo Timbol For interested advertisers, contact the magazine’s Advertising Sales Team at sales@alphaland.com.ph.
Contents Table of
President’s Message & Announcements
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2
Event Highlights
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3
What’s Hot at UpMarket
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5
Chef Recommends
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6
The Best Filipino and Greek Food
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7
The Alpha Suites: Luxury Serviced Apartments
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8
Top Wedding Destinations
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The City Club’s Newest Reciprocal Club: Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis, Australia
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Concierge Recommends: Extended Summer in Paradise
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Issue 4 | July - September 2018
LIFESTYLE THE ALPHA SUITES
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TRAVEL
HEALTH & WELLNESS Much Ado About Nutrition .............................
TOP WEDDING DESTINATIONS
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EXTENDED SUMMER IN PARADISE
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17
How to Stay in Shape This Rainy Season
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20
Spotlight on: Executive Chef Mark Biddle
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21
Events Calendar
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22
The City Club Sports & Recreation Schedule
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President’s
Message We’re excited to share our newest property with you—The Alpha Suites, our luxury serviced apartments right here in Makati’s CBD. Ideal for everything from overnight visits to extended stays, The Alpha Suites, located at Alphaland Makati Place, offers the perfect accommodation for visiting friends, family, or business associates. Guests will benefit from access to The City Club’s acclaimed restaurants and amenities, as well as other perks and offers. Read all about it in this issue! We hope you enjoy reading Atmospheres, and encourage you to share your feedback with us at info@alphaland. com.ph
ANNA ONGPIN
ANNOUNCEMENTS Balesin Island Club 1. Don’t forget to avail of our Birthday Promo! For your birth month, you are entitled to a one-time offer of free airfare for you and your spouse, 1 free villa night voucher for you and your spouse, and a 50% discount for up to 10 guests on one villa night and airfare. 2. During peak periods, Free Villa Nights may only be used by the Member, Spouse, Dependents up to Age 25, Ascendants and Descendants (Direct Relatives). A maximum of three (3) villas may be reserved during peak periods using Free Villa Nights, or at member’s rate if the member no longer has Free Villa Nights. Reservations and deposits may be accepted six (6) months prior to the travel date for villas/suites and twelve (12) months for the Royal Villa. Advance payment of airfare via credit card or bank deposit is required, and must be made within 7 banking days of the reservation for it to be confirmed. Deadline for cancellation of peak period reservations is two (2) weeks before the travel date, except in cases of force majeure or death in the family. Otherwise, the full payment of airfare will be forfeited and may not be applied as a credit for future use. Flights to and from Manila are subject to limitations imposed by CAAP , therefore actual flight schedules will be announced the day before departure, and flights to and from Clark are possible. 3. The island is now experiencing the habagat (southwest monsoon) season and while we normally dock our super yacht on the Lamon Bay side of the island, we have moved the yacht to the calmer Pacific Ocean side where we’ve made several pleasant trips over the weekend. MICHAEL A.P.M. ASPERIN COO & BALESIN ISLAND CLUB CEO The City Club Summer is over and as early as July our members are preparing for their holiday celebrations. By September our Christmas packages will be released for you to choose from for your corporate or family year-end event. The Club’s annual Wine Festival gets bigger and better each year, which is why we chose the 4th of July and added whiskey exhibitors to the lineup. Members and residents can enjoy U.S. Independence Day with us at our revamped Wine & Whiskey Festival for 2018. Regular band nights have made the Club Lounge one of Makati’s top hotspots to unwind after a long day’s work. Tabacalera Cigar Divan is now a popular hangout at the Club with the introduction of its Cigar and Whiskey bottle-keep. For sports & recreation, we are hosting the first-ever City Club Golf Expo in August. Top golf exhibitors from the country will be showing off their newest products at the Ballroom and Atrium. See you at the Club!
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NICHOLAS BELASCO THE CITY CLUB GENERAL MANAGER
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
BAGUIO MOUNTAIN LODGES CHAPEL BLESSING
Fr. Jett Villarin, President of Ateneo de Manila University, blessed the new Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges Chapel last April 6.
L A B O R D AY W E E K E N D
The kids had a blast in our first-ever summer Carnival Fun Fair at the Balesin Playground, where we had classic carnival games, yummy food, exciting prizes, a photo booth, face painting, and Bonnie’s Bird and Animal show, which was the highlight of the afternoon. 3
M O T H E R ’ S D AY
Mother’s Day celebration at The City Club was filled with great memories for members and guests. It was a full house as Jon Joven sang Mom’s favorite ballads during the buffet brunch.
TIE T H E K N OT: A L P HAL AND B RI DAL FAI R 2018
This year’s Bridal Fair was a hit! We had a great turnout and will continue to build on this event each year. 4
LIFESTYLE SECTION
WHAT’S HOT AT UPMARKET
by Emerald Bañares, Head of Special Projects
Hand-made locally in small batches using only two ingredients (coconut milk and coconut nectar), Buko Organic Coconut Spread has become popular in the UK and is now available back here in the Philippines. It’s sweet like caramel and melts in your mouth, plus it’s USDA organic, vegan, and gluten-free too!
Ritual’s home & personal care products are worth the buzz thanks to their eco-friendly packaging and their all-natural and effective ingredients.
The search for real organic local honey is over. Certified by the Philippine Department of Science and Technology as exceeding the national standards for honey, Manny’s Premium Pure Raw Honey is sustainably harvested by Mangyan farmers in the pristine highlands of Occidental Mindoro. This pure and dense honey weighs in at 500g in a 350mL jar.
You’ve heard of Kitayama’s delicious Wagyu steaks, but have you tried their bestselling chicken skin chicharon? Enjoy it as a snack or add it as a crispy topping to your meals!
Looking for something new to serve at your next celebration? Authentic, whole jamón leg by Txanton is available for pre-order at UpMarket.
Feast heartily on Spice & Cleaver hand-crafted sausages. Truly artisanal, the only preservative used is salt, and each variant has its own special blend of ingredients and distinct flavors.
UpMarket at Makati Place, Ground Floor, The Shops at Alphaland Makati Place Open every day, 11AM - 8PM upmarketatmakatiplace @upmarketatmakatiplace www.upmarket.ph
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CHEF RECOMMENDS by Chef Orvin Aure of Mykonos, and Kat Garcia
Greece is known for its beautiful islands and ancient landmarks, but it is also rightly famous for its food. As evident from its dishes, which range from seafood to lamb, and dips to salads, Greek cuisine has been greatly influenced over the centuries by both Eastern and Western cultures. Experience the distinctive flavors of Greece by heading over to Mykonos at The City Club or at Balesin Island Club. Here are some of the restaurant’s top picks.
Dolmades Having Dolmades is a great way to start your Greek culinary journey. This traditional appetizer (or meze) is made from tender grape leaves wrapped into small bite-sized rolls, stuffed with rice and fresh herbs. Shrimp Saganaki with Ouzo Saganaki refers to various Greek appetizers, which are prepared in a small, heavybottomed frying pan, itself called saganaki or sagani. The shrimps are sautéed in olive oil, which are then deglazed with ouzo, Greece’s anise-flavored liqueur. As a final touch, tomato concasse is added in and the dish is topped with fresh herbs and feta cheese.
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Pita Bread with Oregano Baked from scratch right here in our kitchens, our own take on pita bread, which is warm-tossed in oregano, is best served with our black olive and cheese dips. Melitzanosalata This flavorful roasted eggplant dip is a simple yet tasty dish made with smoked eggplant, pine nuts, and olive-oil made mayonnaise. Melitzanosalata is versatile—as it can be served with crusty bread as another meze or as a side dish with meat or seafood. Roast Leg of Lamb Presenting Mykonos’ star of the show! Roasted over a bed of onions, garlic, carrots, eggplant, tomatoes and zucchini, our Roast Leg of Lamb is generously seasoned the Greek way: with rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Make sure to order one day in advance as this impressive dish feeds a crowd and is one of our most popular items! Baklava A perfect way to round out your memorable Greek meal is with the classic Baklava. This most popular among Mediterranean desserts is a rich, nutty baked pastry made with layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped pistachios, pine nuts, pecan nuts, and walnuts, and sweetened with honey.
THE BEST FILIPINO AND GREEK FOOD by Tshire Kau, South African Deputy Chief of Mission
As a resident of Makati Place, in the same building as The City Club, I love the fact that I can go down from my home any time to have my fill of exquisite comfort food from the nine cuisines available with just a push of a button through an elevator ride. My personal favorites because of their customer service and food quality are Balesin Islander and Mykonos. These are the two best restaurants for me where I order my “usuals” that I keep coming back to. I have a home in them and even my special guests including family members who visit me from South Africa share the same view. Having lived in the Philippines for four years now, I have tried so many Filipino restaurants and Balesin Islander for me is the best. My personal favorite there is the Crispy Tadyang which is so flavorful in a party-inyour-mouth kind of way and is luckily okay with the Banting diet that I follow. These twice-cooked beef ribs are boiled in adobo sauce are then deepfried to perfection. The dish is best paired with hot steamed rice and dipped in spicy vinegar.
Another comfort food that I keep going back to is Mykonos’ Lamb Chops. The melt-in-your-mouth goodness is something I always crave. The chops are marinated with spices and sauces that make them very tasty and tender. I like mine cooked medium-well and every bite is perfect for me. I can’t help comparing these two restaurants with the others I’ve been to that serve the same cuisine and dishes. I always crave them and so by choice, I end up eating in Balesin Islander and Mykonos as often as I can. Book a table: The City Club - +63.2.737.0000 loc. 104 or 105, tccfrontoffice@alphaland.com.ph Balesin Island Club - +63.908.887.4787, balesinconcierge@alphaland.com.ph
RVO’’S WINE SELECTION Casas del Bosque Syrah Valle de Casablanca, Chile, 2013 Pequeñas Producciones
I also love their Chop Suey, which offers a wonderful mix of only the freshest, crunchiest vegetables with the right amount of salty-sweet sauce that complements every good thing in that guilt-free food mixture.
Tasting Notes: Intense red in color. On the nose, notes of rhubarb, red currant and rosemary dominate with a touch of tobacco. On the palate, the flavors of blackberry, earth and liquorice combine with a fresh acidity and clear tannins that lead to a long and elegant finish. Wine Features Type: Red Country: Chile Grape: Syrah Vintage: 2013 ABV: 13.5% 7
THE ALPHA SUITES
Luxury serviced residences in Makati by Emerald Bañares, Head of Special Projects
Whether you’re staying in Makati for a short or long business trip, relocation, or a staycation in the city, The Alpha Suites, the newest luxury serviced residences in the metro, should be at the top of your list because it’s unbeatable in…
1. Value With 250 five-star suites ranging from one bedroom to three bedrooms, not only does each suite come with a full-size kitchen complete with top-of-the-line appliances (including a dishwasher!), washer/dryer, and luxury bedding, they are, feature for feature, the best value in Makati.
Two-bedroom suite 8
2. Amenities The Alpha Suites guests have direct access to the exclusive City Club in the same complex, which offers an astounding 50+ amenities, including nine world-class restaurants, private dining room, expansive lagoon-style swimming pool and children’s pool, outdoor & indoor playgrounds, 500-square meter gym, martial arts arena and boxing ring, Pilates and multifunctional dance studios & classes, indoor tennis, badminton, basketball, and squash courts, an HD virtual golf simulator, billiards, live entertainment nightly at the Club Lounge, Tabacalera Cigar Divan, private screening room, 76-seat auditorium, library, and meeting rooms. Also in the same complex is Aegle Wellness Center, a state-ofthe-art integrative health & wellness center, and Top of the Alpha by Louie Y, the most exciting new nightspot and lounge that’s opening soon.
Lagoon-style swimming pool
3. Location With its prestigious Ayala Avenue address, The Alpha Suites is a stone’s throw from top corporate offices, Makati Medical Center, restaurants, shopping centers, and schools, including the acclaimed Canadian American School in the same complex.
PHOTO by MILO TIMBOL
4. Convenience The Alpha Suites experience can start as soon as you’re personally picked up from the airport. And even before you check in at the front desk, you can have your fridge pre-stocked with the basics, such as milk, juice, and eggs. During your stay, you’re provided with complimentary high speed Internet. You don’t have to leave the complex to grab a bite, coffee or groceries, or to go to the bank or pharmacy—everything is just an elevator ride away. When you do head out, you can stay connected by requesting a Pocket Wi-Fi or a smartphone from the Concierge.
3-bedroom suite living room and dining area
PHOTO by MILO TIMBOL
5. Space & Comfort Each suite is spacious and well-designed, with ample closet and storage space. The one-bedroom is spacious and efficient at 63 square meters, ideal for business travelers and couples. For family and group bookings, the two-bedroom suites range from 90 to 123 square meters, while the three-bedroom suites cover 153 square meters. For those who enjoy living at the top, the executive penthouses are approximately 161 square meters, and the duplex Presidential Suite is 262 square meters in size. The suites exceed the typical hotel experience with their modern, sophisticated touches, such as electric window shades and TV lift, wine chiller and bedroom minibar, and Philippe Starck-designed Duravit bathroom fixtures.
Presidential Suite
6. Perks The cherry on top for guests is the exclusive perks that come with each booking: access to The City Club, special discounts at Aegle Wellness Center and Top of the Alpha by Louie Y, and special charter rates for Alphaland Aviation aircraft. Long-stay guests may also experience the ultimate getaway in Balesin Island Club, or a rustic long weekend at the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges Clubhouse Inn. All these for the lowest rates for five-star accommodation in Makati’s CBD with The Alpha Suites’ special introductory rates. Special rates are valid for a limited time only, so book directly at www.thealphasuites.com for the best deals before it’s too late!
Balesin Island Club 9
Exclusive offer for Balesin Island Club and City Club members and their endorsed guests: 20% off the introductory rates. Simply present your membership card upon check-in, or to endorse guests, email info@thealphasuites.com with your guest’s name, check-in and -out dates, and your Member No.
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY RATES Suite
Floor Area
Introductory Rate
Balesin and City Club Members & Guests (20% off Introductory Rates)
1-Bedroom
~63 sq.m
Php 6,000 ++
Php 4,800 ++
2-Bedroom
~90 sq.m
Php 7,000 ++
Php 5,600 ++
2-Bedroom Deluxe
~123 sq.m
Php 8,000 ++
Php 6,400 ++
3-Bedroom
~153 sq.m
Php 9,000 ++
Php 7,200 ++
Penthouse
~161 sq.m
Php 10,000 ++
Php 8,000 ++
Presidential
~262 sq.m
Php 11,000 ++
Php 8,800 ++
**Rates are subject to taxes and service charge. For reservations, please contact +63.2.737.0088 local 190 or email reservations@thealphasuites.com and provide your member number The Alpha Suites 10
@ TheAlphaSuites
@thealphasuites
Billy & Coleen Crawford wedding photos by Metrophoto
TOP WEDDING DESTINATIONS
by Emerald Bañares, Head of Special Projects and Sienna Muncada, Baguio Mountain Lodges Sales Manager BALESIN ISLAND CLUB Balesin has made a name for itself as one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in the country. With its many villages inspired by the most alluring destinations around the globe and its exclusive island setting, it’s perfect for high-profile and private, intimate nuptials alike. Here’s a look at one of the most anticipated and, without a doubt, one of the most picturesque and extravagant high-profile weddings this year, that of Billy & Coleen Crawford. “I am so soooo filled with joy and still in awe of how the wedding was! Indescribable, and utterly flawless in my eyes!” Coleen gushed on her Instagram, while Billy said, “God gave us a more than perfect wedding.”
The Spanish-Filipina bride before walking down the aisle 11
Coleen and her entourage at The Balesin Royal Villa balcony.
The stunning wedding ceremony at Costa del Sol’s beachfront. 12
The extravagant reception at The Balesin Royal Villa.
TOP WEDDING DESTINATIONS (cont.)
Admiring the breathtaking view
PHOTO by OWEN AND NIKKA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
BAGUIO MOUNTAIN LODGES Baguio has always been a magical destination for weddings with its cozy climate, pine-scented, crisp, fresh air, and of course, the breathtaking view! If you and your future spouse long for a far-flung, rustic, mountainous, top-of-the-world kind of wedding, then Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges is perfect for you! This is your newest wedding destination.
PHOTO by CHAPTER ONE STUDIOS Toasts and speeches at the Clubhouse
PHOTO by CHAPTER ONE STUDIOS Outdoor reception “above the clouds,” overlooking the fog-shrouded mountains
PHOTO by OWEN AND NIKKA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY The open-air chapel, all set for the bride’s walk down the aisle
PHOTO by OWEN AND NIKKA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Bride, groom, and entourage in the chapel 13
TRAVEL SECTION
THE CITY CLUB’S NEWEST RECIPROCAL CLUB: ROYAL SOUTH YARRA LAWN TENNIS CLUB, AUSTRALIA by Kat Garcia If you ever find yourself travelling to Australia’s cultural capital, don’t forget to pay a visit to The City Club’s newest reciprocal club: the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club. The club is conveniently located in the affluent Toorak suburb, which is only four kilometers away from Melbourne’s CBD. Since its humble beginnings in 1884 as a one-room weatherboard pavilion, Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club has transformed into one of Australia’s most prestigious private clubs. RSYLTC boasts a diverse range of worldclass facilities, from well-maintained tennis courts to heated swimming pools and fully equipped gymnasiums. The club has four boutique apartments situated on top of a hill with picturesque views of the Yarra River and the stunning Melbourne skyline. These exquisitely furnished apartments are spacious—they include two bedrooms, a sitting room, a
separate dining room, a well-equipped kitchen, and a full-sized bathroom, along with modern facilities. While you’re there, don’t forget to embark on a gastronomic journey, as Royal South Yarra’s dining facilities provide a wide selection of fine food and beverages. The Courtyard Bistro and Terrace offers a diverse range of seasonal meats, poultry, seafood and house-made salads. If you want to opt for a memorable night out with your friends or family, The Courtyard Bar showcases an extensive wine list from around the globe—with available al fresco dining options. Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club 310 Williams Road North, Toorak VIC 3142, Australia +61 3 9829 1556 http://www.rsyltc.org.au/
The City Club Reciprocal Clubs Headed somewhere else? The City Club has eight other reciprocal clubs that can accommodate you during your visits. Please contact Assistant General Manager Oliver Calleja at +63.2.737.0000 loc. 103, +63.917.802.9024, or jmcalleja@alphaland.com.ph for more information about how to avail of our club reciprocity arrangements. St. James’’’s Club 7-8 Park Place | St. James’s | London | SW1A 1LS, England +44 (0)20 7316 1611 www.stjameshotelandclub.com
Terminal City Club Vancouver 837 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC, Canada 604-681-4121 www.tcclub.com
Capital Club Bahrain Levels 51-52, Harbour Towers East, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain +973-17-100100 www.capitalclubbahrain.com
Capital Club Lagos 6 Elsie Femi Pearse Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria +234-814-30000-74, +234-814-50000-74 www.capitalclublagos.com
Capital Club Dubai Gate Village, Building 3, Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), Dubai, United Arab Emirates +971-4-364-0111 www.capitalclubdubai.com
Tower Club Singapore Raffles Place, Penthouse (62nd - 64th Floors), Republic Plaza Tower 1, Singapore 6737-3388 www.tower-club.com.sg
Capital Club Nairobi 4/7 Floor, Imperial Court, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya +254-70-90-38000 www.capitalclubea.com
American Club Jakarta Jl. Brawijaya IV No.20, RT.5/RW.3, Pela Mampang, Mampang Prpt., Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12160, Indonesia 62212702438/39 or 62217264559/61 www.americanclubjakarta.org
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CONCIERGE RECOMMENDS:
EXTENDED SUMMER IN PARADISE: FIVE WAYS TO SPEND YOUR NEXT BALESIN HOLIDAY by Luisa Banta, Balesin Island Club Concierge Manager
The third quarter of the year in most parts of the Philippines ushers in the rainy season. In Balesin, however, we are blessed to have extended summers until October where we have the best of both worlds – sunshine during the day and cool rains at night. Coincidentally, summer is also usually regarded as vacation. This makes the island a delightful summer getaway destination just about all year round. For city dwellers, it’s a great idea to take time off from the daily urban grind, get away, take pleasure in some R&R, and enjoy the wonders of nature. Balesin is the best destination choice for your holidays – even in the off-season. For first-time guests and returning members, we’ve listed five ways to spend your next Balesin holiday.
1. Dine in Style
2. Get Pampered
A perfect holiday isn’t complete without great food. Fortunately, Balesin is home not only to beautiful beaches and top-notch facilities, but to excellent food options from a wide array of international cuisines. We have a number of acclaimed restaurant outlets all over the island, each having its own unique personality. Toscana Trattoria is one of the most popular dining options, serving authentic Italian dishes with only the freshest ingredients, including best-sellers Spaghetti alle Vongole Veraci alla Roberto and Prosciutto-Arugula Pizza. Toscana offers a serene ambiance during the day and a very romantic setting at night. If you’re lucky, you might chance upon our trio of musicians who will serenade your group over lunch or dinner.
Complete the relaxing Balesin holiday you’re dreaming of by pampering yourself at the Balesin Spa, where we offer combined holistic treatments from all over Asia. Relax, unwind and indulge in a massage out in one of our open-air beachside cabanas, and feel the fresh breeze along with the skilled hands of our in-house therapists. Alternatively, opt for the serenity of our indoor spa villas and bask in the aroma of our oils to calm your mind and body.
Toscana Trattoria
Massage at beachside cabaña
Spaghetti alle Vongole
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3. Get Lost and Discover Wonders Being a secluded island, Balesin boasts many natural wonders and is undoubtedly a haven for adventure seekers. We have numerous hidden coves and secret beaches which you may only stumble on if you explore the island on foot or on two wheels (bikes)! You can also discover our lush forests on foot via our Nature Trails. Balesin is a sanctuary for a multitude of flora and fauna, and you can spot different species of exotic birds, as well as wild orchids and other unusual plants, all over the island and most especially on the trails. If you crave more adventure, discover the unknown and what lies beneath the surface….experience the thrill of scuba diving in Balesin! We also offer scuba diving adventures for enthusiasts of all ages – with experience or without.
Brand new island bikes are now available for rent at the Sports Center
Photo by Ely Teehankee
4. Get Active and Healthy Keeping our minds and bodies healthy is important to our holistic wellness, and Balesin makes it easy, with our expansive Sports Center, state-of-the-art Aegle Wellness Center, and beachside yoga sessions.
Fully equipped gym
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Aegle Wellness Center
Also, get your young ones active and let them run loose during your Balesin holiday by bringing them to our newest attractions on the island – the Balesin Playground and the Pony Paddock, where they can ride our cute miniponies.
5. Get Social Aside from our amenities and natural wonders, entertainment is another fun aspect of your Balesin holiday. Balesin hosts various special club events, like guest DJ nights at our Music Lounge and sports event viewing parties. Our regular weekend entertainment offerings are also a hit, as we bring local and international performers to the Balesin Concert Stage. We also host family activities such as Carnival Fun Fairs, Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween Trick-or-treat, Movie Marathons, Bonnie’s Bird Show, and so on. In addition to social gatherings for amusement and entertainment, we also organize community and CSR social activities, including our annual participation in the International Coastal Clean-up every September.
MUCH ADO ABOUT N…UTRITION!
by Benedict Francis Valdecañas, MD, Msc Aegle Wellness Center Medical Director
“Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, Men were deceivers ever, One foot in sea and one on shore, To one thing constant never.” - William Shakespeare (Much Ado About Nothing) Although the passage from the immortal play was meant to describe men’s behavior towards women, let’s instead apply this to how we mortals view dieting in this day and age. Most of us turn to dieting for two reasons and two reasons alone. One, we cannot get into that dress or suit we plan to wear to a cousin’s wedding, or we need to look good when we hit the beach in summer, so we have to lose unwanted kilos fast! Second, we realize, or our doctors inform us, that we are on a straight and narrow path towards disease. Or they may even break the news to us that we already have it: diabetes, hypertension, heart disease. And that if we do not modify our lifestyle and lose weight, we are certainly going to progressively deteriorate healthwise. The term “diet” has been associated with losing weight, and losing weight fast, to achieve a goal over a specified period of time. Diet is defined as the food that a person, animal, or community or culture habitually eats. Nutrition, however, is defined as the process of obtaining or providing food necessary for health and growth. Diet may have a negative or positive effect on an individual, but nutrition is always positive for health. Diet is but a means to an end; no, not weight loss, but nutrition! Thus when we talk about diet, it’s not the food you eat for 2 weeks or three months. Diet is the food you eat to achieve nutrition. Then why all the fuss about nutrition? Because the body heals and repairs itself so long as it gets the nutrition it needs. When a doctor puts you on a diet, it’s because with whatever you’ve been eating, you have been getting sick or sicker.
And of course, lifestyle modification should always involve not just our diet but also exercise and supplements, to make sure we get all the nutrients our body needs to not only function well but repair itself daily. Let’s now take a look at all the fad diets that have attracted our attention over the last century. Let’s face it, diets become fads because they made a celebrity lose weight in record time. Books have been written about them, talk shows have featured them, cookbooks have sold worldwide, merchandise has flown off the shelves. Don’t get me wrong; I love fad diets! They have made people lose that harmful extra weight and gotten them into somewhat healthier eating habits when they might not have otherwise changed their diet towards better health. Some of the twentieth century’s many diet fads were ludicrous inventions of quack doctors, food companies, ministers, and even in some cases, cigarette brands, but despite being crazy and absurd, these diets shouldn’t be viewed with disdain; rather they should be interpreted as badges of society’s dogged, if often misguided, pursuit of a healthier existence, towards better nutrition so to speak. In the 1900s, Horace Fletcher promulgated mastication. Yes, chewing your food, even liquids, at least 100 times to lose weight. Logically it did burn calories, and his foremost followers were the Sinclair family, Mark Twain, and John Rockefeller himself. Speaking of calories, Los Angeles physician Lulu Peters encouraged counting them in the 1920s to balance energy expenditure. Believe it or not, in the 1930s they promoted
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cigarette smoking as a means of losing weight. Nicotine not only suppressed one’s appetite but increased metabolism as well. In the 1940s no one needed to go on a diet with all the rationing gong on during the second world war. In the 1950s, religion was used to keep people slim. Reverend Charlie Shedd promulgated prayer and counting calories, equating being overweight with sin. Well, gluttony is indeed one of the seven deadly ones! In the 1960s, the “weight watchers” phenomenon was born and changed the face of weight management forever. Calories were still counted, but no one cared to look at its myriad forms. It wasn’t until the ‘70s that the world became conscious of the types and kinds of calories they were eating. Awareness of gluten gained a foothold in the world...in the western world, that is. Gluten sensitivity was thought to be a Caucasian condition that Asians need not worry about. It was not until the Scarsdale Diet of the 1980s that more sensitivities and allergies were blamed on food; sensitivities that cause symptoms resulting from carbohydrate intake now associated with disease, particularly metabolic syndrome and diabetes. It encouraged minimizing carbohydrates in one’s diet. This was further popularized with the Atkins Diet of the 1990s—the first diet that eschewed all forms of carbohydrates so as to push metabolism towards one of ketosis (as in today’s ketogenic diet). With the completion of The Human Genome Project in 2003, every human’s reaction to food was associated with a genetic mutation that may or may not cause him or her to develop lifestyle diseases. Yes, choosing what you eat now has a genetic basis! But that’s as technical as we will get here. What followed in terms of fad diets were more melodies from the same symphony, so to speak. The Atkins and South Beach diets condemned simple sugars and identified complex carbohydrates as the way to go. They emphasized proteins as the greater portion of our daily macronutrients. And more recently, the Paleolithic Diet and the more extreme Ketogenic Diet aim to totally eliminate all carbohydrates.
only complex ones at that. The Ketogenic Diet, on the other hand, which is designed for cancer patients, eliminates all sugars on the premise that cancer cells feed on sugar. But even people with no cancer swear they lose considerable weight and get rid of their disease while on this most extreme of diets. And now intermittent fasting, or IF, comes to the fore. Based on the longevity concept of caloric restriction, or limiting one’s calorie intake to only that which the body needs, IF has become popular as another weight-loss tool for a lot of people. However, science shows us that it should be practiced towards the end of the day; no food after 4pm and not the prescribed fast until afternoon. What IF devotees don’t realize is that a prolonged fasting state upon waking up, when the body naturally revs up its metabolism, pushes the body into longer hibernation mode, thus lowering metabolism instead. The adage “Break fast like a king, lunch like a prince, and sup like a pauper” is still good advice. One should not miss breakfast, our parents used to say. IF has become popular because it fits right into the bad habits of the working population, those who do not have the time to eat breakfast because of the morning rush, only to gorge themselves with food at the end of the work day when they have more time. Why do you think we’ve evolved into obese executives? Diets should be seen as a tool towards proper nutrition the way it was intended to be. Our diet should therefore be one that we customize to how our bodies function and that we adopt for the rest of our lives as the tool for achieving nutrition and healthy well-being. One diet thus does not fit all. And so to modify Shakespeare’s immortal words…
The Paleo Diet is basically what its prehistoric namesake indicates: you eat only what you can hunt or gather—animals and plants—thus minimizing carbs, and restricting yourself to
Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, Food can be deceivers ever, One foot in the ref and one on the scale, To one thing constant never.
For consultations, please contact: Aegle Wellness Center The City Club Balesin Island Club +63.2.737.0077, +63.917.821.9795 +63.917.323.2017 or +63.998.582.3962 or +63.949.889.6237 info@aeglewellnesscenter.com
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www.aeglewellnesscenter.com
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HOW TO STAY IN SHAPE THIS RAINY SEASON
by Evan Spargo, The City Club Sports and Recreation Supervisor Now that summer is coming to an end, the heat dies down, the rain starts to pour, and our motivation to exercise can wane. No longer does it become easy to step outdoors for a casual walk, jog, bike ride, or swim with all the rain in the way, not to mention the traffic. So how can we stay in shape and keep fit when it doesn’t stop raining? The solution: weight training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Both of these training methods can be performed indoors and in a gym. Weight training is a form of strength training where you resist against an external weight or your own body weight in order to develop the size and strength of the skeletal muscles. The benefits of weight training include weight loss, because the more muscle you build, the higher your metabolism becomes and the more calories you burn every day. When I mention build muscle, I don’t necessarily mean “bulk up”, which is a common misconception many people have when they think of weight training. All I am referring to is an increased muscle-to-fat ratio, and for females, it’s very difficult to bulk up due to significantly lower testosterone levels. Weight training will also help tone, shape, and improve the posture of your body due to the muscles being challenged with resistance. Examples of weight-training exercises are squats, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, bench presses, shoulder presses, and crunches. These can be performed in a sequence of sets and reps, e.g., 3 sets of 10 reps for squats.
HIIT is any form of activity or cardio that alternates between intense exercise bursts and less-intense recovery periods. The benefits of HIIT include burning a large number of calories in a short amount of time due to the higher-effort bouts as opposed to long, slow cardio at a steady pace. With HIIT, your metabolism is also in high gear for longer after you’re done exercising. This can lead to fat burning and overall weight loss. The other benefits include increased oxygen consumption, lower heart rate, and lower blood pressure. HIIT is one of the most time-efficient training methods you can do. An example of a HIIT workout is running at a fast pace for 60 seconds and walking for 60 seconds’ recovery on the treadmill; do this for 10 minutes. Alternatively, bodyweight exercises such as jumping jacks for 30 seconds and push-ups for 30 seconds, rest for 30 seconds after, repeat 8-10 times.
When it comes to exercise and staying in shape, there’s never any excuse no matter the weather, especially when you have access to the state-of-the-art gym facilities like those at The City Club and Balesin Island Club. If you would like to try these training methods and need some assistance, check out one of The City Club’s regular workout programs like Spargo Fit circuit training, or ask one of our qualified trainers to assist you, and they will be more than happy to help you on the path to get in shape this rainy season.
Check out schedules and rates in the Sports & Recreation Schedule on page 24. For inquiries and bookings: +63.2.737.0000 loc. 107 | sportsandrec@cityclub.com.ph 20
SPOTLIGHT ON
EXECUTIVE CHEF MARK BIDDLE by Anna Ongpin
Alphaland’s Executive Chef Mark Biddle is one busy man. Responsible for managing 24 restaurants in 3 locations—Balesin Island Club, The City Club in Makati, and the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges—he is rarely in one place for more than a few days at a time.
Chef Mark has lived and worked in the Philippines for more than 12 years in total, and he’s even been known to try out his Australian-accented Tagalog from time to time. Balesin and City Club members can often spot him making his rounds from outlet to outlet, checking on the kitchens and the guests, when he’s not presiding over F&B staff meetings, fine-tuning menus, meeting Originally hailing from New South Wales, Australia, Chef Mark with suppliers, and developing new dishes. was exposed to the finer points of food, wine, and entertaining as a young boy. Indeed, the culinary arts were a family affair; Mark Now overseeing 65 chefs and 100 other F&B staff at Alphaland’s learned the basics of cooking from his grandmother, and would various properties, including two eponymous restaurants— help his mother prepare meals in the kitchen. His parents were in Mark’s Prime Rib at The City Club and Mark’s Steakhouse at the wine-making industry, and they often hosted wine dinners. As Balesin—Chef Mark is not slowing down anytime soon. After all, Mark grew older and more accomplished, he and his dad would he’s doing what he loves to do. plan wine-pairing dinners, where Dad would select the wine and Mark would match the food. He went on to start his professional career as an apprentice chef in his hometown of Newcastle, NSW. Chef Mark has worked all over the world, from the Netherlands to the UK, from China to Thailand, in addition to Australia and the Philippines. He joined Alphaland back in 2013, after stints at the renowned Dorchester Hotel in London and Palazzo Versace in Australia’s Gold Coast, among many other 5-star properties. Over the course of his career, Chef Mark has cooked for dignitaries and VIPs such as Nelson Mandela and the Saudi royal family at the Dorchester; Rupert Murdoch, several heads of state, and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones at Hayman Island Resort; and the Versace family at the grand opening of Palazzo Versace.
PHOTO by MARTY ILAGAN
As he says, with a smile: “Ultimately, food is my passion and after 30 years of cooking, I still enjoy sourcing it, experimenting with it, eating it—but I especially enjoy preparing it for others.” Lucky for us!
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EVENTS CALENDAR July - September 2018 THE CITY CLUB
July
August September
DATE 4, Wednesday 7, Saturday 13, Friday TBA 25, Saturday 30, Thursday 29, Saturday
EVENT Wine and Whiskey Festival Summer Modeling Workshop Fashion Show Bastille Day Countdown Golf Expo Poolside Movie Screening Kickoff Whiskey Night Beerfest Kickoff
VENUE Ballroom Ballroom Club Lounge Ballroom & Atrium Poolside Club Lounge Poolside
Wine and Whiskey Festival We’ve gathered the top wine and spirits merchants in the metro for this year’s festival. Expand your knowledge of premium wine and spirits labels while enjoying good food and live music! For inquiries and reservations, contact Karen Araneta at +63.917.320.8847 or at kcaraneta@alphaland.com.ph
Summer Modeling Workshop Fashion Show Witness glamour and style as the confident students of Mafae Model Management graduate from their Summer Modeling Workshop and showcase the creations of the Philippines’ best designers. Proceeds from the show will go to the James McKay Foundation, supporting the Philippine School for the Blind.
Bastille Day Countdown Enjoy great French food and drinks from A Taste and France and groove to the beat of Red Picasso.Plus other surprise treats from The City Club!
Golf Expo Gear up, golf enthusiasts! The City Club invites you to a three-day expo with everything for your golfing needs, special and exclusive offers from select golf suppliers, and a chance to try out our high-definition virtual golf simulator!
Poolside Movie Screening It’s a poolside “dive-in” movie at The City Club! Catch your favorite movie, grab somesnacks and chill with us every Saturday night starting August 25.
Whiskey Night The Club Lounge Specials offer a special whiskey tasting night while you enjoy music by the country’s rising artists.
Beerfest Kickoff Happy hour just got happier! Good music and free-flowing beer await you in our beer fest kickoff on Saturday, September 29. Get updates on our featured brand on our Facebook page and Instagram account.
For inquiries & reservations: The City Club +63.2.737.0000 | tccfrontoffice@alphaland.com.ph
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BALESIN ISLAND CLUB
July
DATE 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday
EVENT
VENUE
Bastille Day Fête
St. Tropez
August
18, Saturday 25, Saturday
Balesin Concert Series
Clubhouse Performance Theatre
September
15, Saturday
Balesin Coastal Clean-up
Balesin Sala
Bastille Day Fêête Celebrate Bastille Day at St. Tropez and get a taste of France with our special set menu featuring Filet au Poivre or Filet de Saumon paired with wine.
Balesin Concert Series Enjoy your island home every weekend with our concert series and get a chance to win exciting prizes from the Club! Be on the lookout for performances by Arnel Pineda, Randy Santiago, and many more of the country’s top performing artists!
Balesin Coastal Clean-up The Balesin Conservancy Project invites everyone to join the Balesin Coastal Clean-up, our annual community effort to preserve the shores and beauty of our island paradise. For inquiries & reservations: Balesin Island Club +63.908.887.4787 | balesinconcierge@alphaland.com.ph
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THE CITY CLUB SPORTS & RECREATION SCHEDULE PROGRAMS ARCHERY
ARNIS
BALLET
BOXING
RATES
SCHEDULE
TRAINER/COACH
4 SESSIONS PHP2,800
SUN 9:45AM-12PM 1PM-3:15PM
MARTIAL JEUDY
BY APPOINTMENT
JODEL CASTRO
10 SESSIONS Member: PHP5,500 Guest: PHP6,000 PER SESSION Member: PHP550 Guest: PHP600 Kids’ and Adults’ rates PER SESSION PHP750 6 SESSIONS for 1 MONTH PHP3,500 12 SESSIONS for 3 MONTHS PHP6,600 UNLIMITED SESSIONS per MONTH PHP4,000 10 SESSIONS Member: PHP4,000 Guest: PHP4,500 PER SESSION Member: PHP500 Guest: PHP600
KIDS WED & FRI 5:15PM-6:15PM ADULTS WED & FRI 6:15PM-7:45PM
ANNA SUNTAY
BY APPOINTMENT
KRISTIAN HERNANDEZ ALLEN SIMBAJON
SAT & SUN 12PM-2PM
NIC BELASCO
SAT 9AM-11AM
MAFAE BELASCO
MON, WED & FRI 6AM-10AM, 5PM-9PM SAT 6AM-11AM BY APPOINTMENT
PEACHES TENORIO
SAT 9AM-11AM
MAFAE BELASCO
10 SESSIONS Member: PHP6,000 Guest: PHP6,500
BUSA BASKETBALL
5 SESSIONS Member: PHP3,000 Guest: PHP3,500 PER SESSION Member: PHP700 Guest: PHP800 10 SESSIONS Member: PHP6,000 Guest: PHP6,500
BUSA TENNIS
5 SESSIONS Member: PHP3,000 Guest: PHP3,500 PER SESSION Member: PHP700 Guest: PHP800
CYCLING
PHP4,500 per MONTH 12 SESSIONS Member: PHP5,500 Guest: PHP6,000
ESCOSES TRAINING CAMP BADMINTON
6 SESSIONS Member: PHP1,200 Guest: PHP1,500 PER SESSION Member: PHP200 Guest: PHP250
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THE CITY CLUB SPORTS & RECREATION SCHEDULE PROGRAMS
RATES
SCHEDULE
TRAINER/COACH
EVERY DAY 1PM-3PM & 4:30PM6:30PM
GERALD PILAPIL
MON, WED, FRI 7:30PM-9:30PM
ALI SULIT
PHP550 PER SESSION PHP2,000 for 4 SESSIONS PHP3,600 for 8 SESSIONS PHP4,800 for 12 SESSIONS
8 TO 19 YEARS OLD SAT 10AM-1PM 7 YEARS OLD AND BELOW SAT 10AM-11AM
PRINCE ANDREEN SY
4 SESSIONS Member: PHP1,800 Guest: PHP2,000
WED 6PM-8PM
4 SESSIONS Member: PHP2,500 Guest: PHP2,800
GYMNASTICS
8 SESSIONS Member: PHP4,500 Guest: PHP4,800 12 SESSIONS Member: PHP6,000 Guest: PHP6,500 24 SESSIONS Member: PHP11,000 Guest: PHP11,500 PHP3,500 PER MONTH
JIU JITSU
KARATE
KENDO
PHP2,000 ONE-TIME ENROLLMENT FEE
8 SESSIONS Member: PHP3,400 Guest: PHP3,800 PER SESSION Member: PHP600 Guest: PHP700
PHYSIOTHERAPY/ STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
PERSONAL TRAINING
PILATES
PHP1,500 PER SESSION 10 SESSIONS in 6 WKS. Member: PHP12,000 Guest: PHP12,500 20 SESSIONS in 12 WKS. Member: PHP23,500 Guest: PHP24,000 30 SESSIONS in 16 WKS. Member: PHP29,000 Guest: PHP30,000 PHP8,000 EACH for 2 PAX for 10 SESSIONS in 6 WKS. PHP7,000 EACH for 3 PAX for 10 SESSIONS in 6 WKS. PHP6,000 EACH for 4 PAX for 10 SESSIONS in 6 WKS. PER SESSION Member: PHP900 Guest: PHP1,000 P10 SESSIONS Member: PHP8,000 Guest: PHP8,500 10 SESSIONS Member: PHP10,000 Guest: PHP13,000 PER SESSION Member: PHP1,000 Guest: PHP1,200
KOJI IGARASHI SUN 4PM-6PM
BY APPOINTMENT
RHYESONN CORNILLA
ARNIE FIDEL BY APPOINTMENT REX MIRAFLOR
BY APPOINTMENT
ANGEL ORTEGA
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THE CITY CLUB SPORTS & RECREATION SCHEDULE PROGRAMS
RATES
SCHEDULE
TRAINER/COACH
MON, WED, FRI 7PM, BY APPOINTMENT
EVAN SPARGO
TUES & THURS 10:30AM-11:30AM
ROXY BARRIOS
10 SESSIONS (Individual) Member: PHP12,000 Guest: PHP12,800
SPARGO FITNESS
8 SESSIONS (Circuit) Member: PHP4,000 Guest: PHP4,800 4 SESSIONS (Circuit) Member: PHP2,400 Guest: PHP2,800 PER SESSION (Circuit) PHP700 PHP800
BEGINNERS’ SWIMMING
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8 SESSIONS Member: PHP5,500 Guest: PHP6,000 PER SESSION Member: PHP600 Guest: PHP800
TRIATHLON SWIMMING
8 SESSIONS Member: PHP5,500 Guest: PHP7,500
TUES & THURS 6PM-7PM
NOY BASA
ZUMBA
5 SESSIONS Member: PHP1,500 Guest: PHP1,750 PER SESSION Member: PHP300 Guest: PHP350
TUES & THURS 6:30-7:30PM
ANGEL ORTEGA
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