Balikbayan%20magazine%20v5n5 by Balikbayan Magazine

SPECIAL INVES TORS’ GUI DE ON F R A NCHI SI NG I N T H E P H I L I P P I N E S

I s s u e 3 9 , Vo l u me V OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2014

ART WALKS

Galleries. Restaurants. MANILA CATHEDRAL

Restoring Historical Emminence MUTYA NG PILIPINAS BEYOND THE BEAUTY…

More Than The Crown G TÖNGI

Her Passion. Her Craft. Her True Calling.

TACLOBAN A Year After

PALAWAN

THE ANCIENT ART OF BATOK

The Luxe Life at Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa

An ongoing series about the indigenous tribes in the Philippines

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Summer Bliss taken at Princesa Garden Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

THE ASIAN JOURNAL TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

The Ancient Art Of Batok

The Heart of Cordillera

The Luxe Life

An ongoing series about indigenous groups in the Philippines, Raphael Oriel journeys through the ruggedmountainous terrain of Kalinga in search of 96-year old Fang-Od, the last tattoo artist of the indigenous Kalinga tribe.

Charisse Trinidad isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one for road trips but her adventure up toward the high mountains of Banaue turned out to be as unexpected as it was memorable. From the hanging coffins to the cultural discovery of a lifetime, she shares how this wonderful journey made her, well, a lot more intrepid.

Enter your own personal slice of paradise at Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, the only 5-star oceanfront resort in Puerto Princesa boasting a meld of barefoot luxury with the majestic landscape of nature.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

NAILTROPICS AN OASIS OF TOTAL NAIL, HAND, AND FOOT CARE INTRODUCTION Angeli Daza, the beauty behind NailTropics, believes that nails should be a part of everyone’s grooming: a cause that urged her to put up a nail salon business back in 2002 during the time when nail salons were not an established industry in the Philippines — a sundry of salons were ubiquitous but with only a few selection that cater to specialized nail care. Now on its 12th year, NailTropics remains to be one of the pioneers in the combined nail spa and waxing

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services offering that well-deserved indulgence. What drives its continuing growth? It’s Quality Service that is being observed above anything else. Composed of hardworking and welltrained staff, NailTropics continue to showcase exceptional hospitality and personalized care that are present ever since the salon opened its havens of relaxation. AMBIANCE Put your feet up! Relax in one of the signature beach chairs, ready to catch you after a tiring day. NailTropics gives you a unique pampering experience with its diversified interiors: the Tropical Garden theme features the serene side of rainforest beauty, while the Floral Oasis offers sweet moments with flowery ensemble as part of each customer’s personal time. And lastly, the Seaside Sanctuary theme brings

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you an escape of a beach getaway and cerulean comfort right at your fingertips.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

NailTropics lines up of some the best brands of nail polishes available and is the only carrier of the Jessica brand in the country. And with Jessica’s GELeration gel polish that lasts for up to 4 weeks, chipped and peeling nail polishes are a thing of the past. Visit NailTropics now and see for yourself the quality Filipino grooming we all deserve. It is truly an oasis of total nail, hand and foot care for you and your family.

SERVICES Each of every service it offers is truly freshening. It stands proud with its organic spa mixtures and treatments. Its original organic mixes are all pounded on-the-spot. Customers will always know that they are lathered up with pure and fresh blends. Treat your fingers with a cooling dip of oats, honey, tomatoes, fruits and rejuvenating oil mixes, or choose from their selection of featured organic packages. Even gents now have services to avail in this spa. From basic manicure, pedicure and hand treatments and exfoliation, their grooming offerings for hands and feet will surely put men to a more classy and fresh composure.

FRANCHISE You might want to try NailTropics’ services first to experience value for money as a customer and as a future NailTropics business partner. Perfect for Balikbayans and retirees who want to put their money in the right investment. Daza envisions that this salon will continue to grow with her empowered women and partners in the industry. She treasures a wishful thinking that NailTropics will someday be the first Filipino-run Professional Nail Spa expanding locally and internationally. For this to happen, she calls for interested people who might want to be part of the NailTropics family as franchisees. Branches: Ayala Fairview Terraces Century City Mall Eastwood City Walk Greenbelt 5 The Podium Rustan’s Alabang Town Center Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza Serendra Trinoma SM City BF Parañaque

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014 BALIKBAYANMAGAZINE.COM 11 To know more about NailTropics, visit, www.nailtropics.com, or contact them at (02) 403-4992.

Editor’s Pick: Luggage Traveling is serious business. BB editors recommend you follow these tips to make your trip both efficient and stylish.

SCOPE:

Marikina From vintage stores, new and refurbished bike shops, and numerous cafés and quaint restaurants, it’s the ultimate neighborhood for that food trip.

No Way But North

Are You Ready for a #FASHIONTRANSFORMATION? Rosemarie Lim talks about her brand Krugarant Inc.

Survive Sagada with these helpful tips on what to bring for that trek up North—and how to pack them.

Art WalkS Love art? Visit these four nondescript galleries that are burgeoning toward the spotlight.

Statement Accessories: Created With Passion Elizabeth Payte’s timeless and ecoinspired pieces.

Beyond Beauty... More Than The Crown Filipina with a social responsibility: Mutya ng Pilipinas enhances the Philippines as a foremost tourism nirvana.

Manila Cathedral: Restoring Historical Eminence

Jessica Kaye Salao discovers how the Manila Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in the country, much like faith, is restoring its nonpareil splendor—one brick at a time.

Pack Light. Pack Smart. From what to bring to what not to bring, travel SMART and in Style with this illustrated guide to packing your carry-on luggage—RIGHT.

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48 G Töngi

From HOLLYWOOD: G Töngi’s inspiring journey in and out of the limelight—and back again

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BULLETIN:

Franchising in the Philippines

Innovation Is Key to Grow Family Owned Franchise Businesses!

Leyte: A Year After Addressing Poverty, Peace and Economic Development in Typhoon Yolanda Ravaged Areas

Tacloban’s Silver Lining One man’s optimism on the city struck by one of the gravest adversity this country has ever faced

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BB DIGITAL

INSTAGRAM

BEST TRIP EVER. WATCH A STEP BY STEP (literally) coverage of our SAGADA TRIP all the way up to KALINGA in this EXCLUSIVE BTS VIDEO.

@rjoriel | Editor-in-Chief “The passageway to the Kalinga Indigenous Village. 16 hour drive and 2 hour hike-journey to FangOd. #KalingaTattoo #Philippines #BalikbayanMagazine”

GOT INKED BY FANG-OD? TWEET US A PHOTO OF YOUR TATTOO. Or #inkbyfangod on Instagram.

INBOX: LOVE TO TRAVEL? Send your travel stories to balikbayan.magazine@ gmail.com and we might just publish them in our next issue.

@cherriesnicole | Writer “Breakfast is served.”

@missmportez | Managing Editor “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six #impossible things before # breakfast.” - #LewisCarroll”

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Watch out for an exclusive Balikbayan Magazine episode on Kababayan Today: a daily talk show on KSCI-TV LA 18 and with syndication on Hawaii’s KIKU station, with host G Tongi.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

On February 13, 2003, Republic Act No. 9189 was passed into law. Implemented by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), this act provides citizens who are either working or residing outside of the Philippines to vote in National elections. This is known as the Overseas Absentee Voting Act—an extremely powerful and influential act—especially with more than 10 million Filipinos now living outside of the country. Over 15 million people voted for President Benigno Aquino III in 2010. Voter registration has seen tremendous growth throughout the world. From the Middle East, Europe, to the United States, registration has significantly increased since May. What does this mean? It means you care—that even though you left the Philippines, the country remains in your heart. You continue to read the news and follow the nation’s current events. At Asian Journal we have noticed this too. We are receiving more and more emails from readers—everything from feedback, comments and suggestions, to even personal life stories. One reader from Moscow told us that she has not returned home in almost 14 years and because of Balikbayan Magazine, she has a motivating desire to return. Another reader from Sydney told us 16

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that he’s moving his entire family to the Philippines because the country is better now and that he wants his kids to grow up knowing their roots. We have noticed more website visits overall and an increasing percentage of traffic from countries that are new as an audience to us. Subscription inquiries now come in from places like Canada, Italy, and Qatar. A British manufacturing company with factories in Cebu recently ordered a reprint of the “Cebu Special Insight Guide” from our last issue to provide to their shareholders and customers in the United Kingdom. It’s fair to say that because of the developments and progress our country has made in the past few years the 2016 Presidential Election could in fact be the most critical in our nation’s history. And, as we have done since 1991, you can expect us to be tracking this growth in our publications. I strongly encourage you to not just register, but to actually cast your ballot. Hoping to enable strong participation from balikbayans, the Commission on Elections is pushing for a resolution from Congress to allow you to vote online. Currently, voting can only take place in embassies and consulates, but how can you vote if you have work or must travel a long distance to do so? The country is modernizing in many ways, and widespread use of technology is just one of them.

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Hand-in-hand with growth is the process of leaving behind old ways. I would like to conclude by sharing my fond memories of the iconic Mandarin Oriental, which recently closed its doors this past September. The Mandarin Oriental first opened in 1976 and will reopen in 2020 with a brand new, state-of-the-art building owned and developed by Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts. I remember it being the home of global professionals and travelers in the 1970s. In my 20’s, I would walk past the legendary hotel and imagine one day being a guest in its rooms and hosting business meetings in its restaurants, which I eventually did. Like the Mandarin Oriental, sometimes we have to tear things down and let go of fond memories in order to begin anew. I hope you enjoy the new size, paper quality, and design of Balikbayan Magazine as we too look forward to building better platforms. We have a lot of exciting things for you in the coming months such as Phase II development of AsianJournal.com and a completely new website for Balikbayan Magazine. Until then, safe travels and enjoy our 39th issue. Roger L. Oriel CEO and Publisher Asian Journal Publications, Inc.

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PUBLISHER & CEO

ROGER L. ORIEL

PRESIDENT & CO-PUBLISHER

CORA M. ORIEL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VICE PRESIDENT FOR SALES

RAPHAEL JOHN C. ORIEL SHARON ANN BATHAN-SAN PEDRO

VICE PRESIDENT FOR MARKETING AND SPECIAL EVENTS, PHILIPPINES

VINCE F. SAMSON

VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVERTISING

NOEL O. GODINEZ

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

ROD CORNEJO

MANAGING EDITOR

MARY MAY PORTEZ

FEATURES EDITOR

CHRISTINA M. ORIEL

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS FOR SPECIAL REPORTS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

DIGITAL MEDIA STRATEGIST MULTIMEDIA DEVELOPER LAYOUT ARTIST GRAPHIC ARTISTS

ENRIQUE SORIANO, GERRY PALABYAB ROSE ANNE BACAYO, ROSELYN BELTRAN, MARIE MONIQUE RECATO, KAYE SALAO, HAIDEE MARTIN-PROVIDO NOEL TY GELOY CONCEPTION, ARNEL LAGAREJOS, MARK SACRO, ALLEN ALIGAM, JACOB MAENTZ KIMBERLY DELOS SANTOS, KATRINA DELA CRUZ, JAZMINE LABORIANTE MARIE MADELINE RAMBOYONG CHRISTINA M. ORIEL DESIDERATA M. PASION

PHOTOGRAPH: JACOB MAETZ KATUTUBONG FILIPINO PROJECT

JAMES CHRISTER FRANCISCO, KENNO SAMULDE GODWIN GASACAO, MARK XAVIER BAUTISTA

ACCOUNTANT

GEMMA C. FABRO

ADMIN AND FINANCE OFFICER

GERALOU SAGUN

EDITORIAL INTERNS

ON THE COVER THE ART OF BATOK: A SYMBOL OF AN ENDURING HISTORY AND LEGACY OF THE KALINGA TRIBE

TONI PADUA

VIDEO EDITOR

CIRCULATION MANAGER

VOLUME V NO. V

THE ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC PHILIPPINES HEADQUARTERS

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editor’s pick | LUGGAGE For the new wave of discerning travelers, traveling is serious business. It is an art that involves meticulous planning and precise packing—let alone a de rigueur perspective. Deciding on your destination is as consequential as singling out the luggages you’ll take for that long awaited, well-deserved holiday. BB editors recommend you follow these tips to make your trip both efficient and stylish. Pack your bags!

Astor Ansonia Zip Top Leather Brief in black by Tumi

TUMI Tegra-Lite® Medium Trip aPacking Case in T-Graphite

Case Whether for business or simply a weekend getaway, a laptop bag is an efficient way to save space from your carry-on. A handy laptop case with a padded compartment and functional pockets can store your gadgets as well as your valuables. Not only is this a practical way to carry important documents, a sleek, leather bag easily complements your travel ensemble.

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Cabin Your carry-on caches most of your essentials. It needs to be distinctive, lightweight, and easily movable—and by movable we mean, something than can glide through bumps, corners, stairs, and trot as effortlessly as you do. An easy grip and international security proof TSA lock definitely makes all the difference. For a final touch, choose a scratch resistant textured finish.

Check-in Undoubtedly the bag that endures it all, your check-in should be built to withstand the strongest impact. Choose something made from materials like Tegris®—a substance used in making lifesaving armors and NASCAR race cars—nothing, not even rain and occasional hostile porters, can compromise your valuables. It should be lightweight with high levels of durability, with protective bumpers, and working interiors for a more organized packing.

Tumi : Greenbelt 5 | Cartlon : Tripologie

Carlton Alba Spinner Trolley 53cm in purple mirror

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SCOPE WHAT TO PACK

Pack Light. Pack Smart. Traveling with NO check-in luggage? Don’t waste time preparing a checklist. Everything you need is here, sorted and packed by our travel experts. From what to bring to what not to bring, travel SMART and in Style with this illustrated guide to packing your carry-on luggage—RIGHT. Wenger 16 Piece Carry on Toiletry Set

THE BAG Deciding on your holiday destination is akin to choosing the right bag. For a short beach vacation, use Carlton’s Alba Spinner. This 4 wheel trolly made from 100% polycarbonate material is a chic and durable travel companion.

CLOTHING Consider the destination and the duration of your holiday when packing clothes. We suggest to have a ratio of 2-3 shirts, 1 pair of jeans, 1 shorts, 1 dress (preferably the multi-purpose type you can restyle), 1 shawl/scarf, and a pack of disposable underwear.

5 1 3

Swimsuits, rashguards, boardshorts, and other swimwear should be packed inside a plastic zip-top bag.

Tip: Cabin Luggage should be 56cmx336cmx23cm in dimension for Airbus flights, and 56cmx35cmx20cm for ATR flights. A maximum of 7kg (15lbs) is allowed for most domestic flights except Caticlan which only permits 5kg.

FOOTWEAR Pack shoes and slippers along the wheel base. If you’re not wearing your kicks to the airport, remember to stow them in individual bags to avoid spoiling your garments inside the trunk. You may slip rolled socks inside your shoes to save space.

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3-1-1 RULE Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes should not exceed 100ml (3.4oz) in volume per container. They must all be placed in 1 clear, quart-sized, plastic, zip-top bag. And only 1 bag is allowed per person.

LAPTOP BAG

SNACKS Flights can be unpredictable. Don’t forget to stock a few packs of nibbles like rice crackers, mixed nuts, dried fruits, or granola bars.

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Wenger Jumbo Luggage Tag

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

Load your tablet, laptop, book|documents, and other gadgets inside this bag for easier access. Travel in style with Tumi’s Astor Ansonia Zip Top Leather Brief bragging an androgynous design and functionality, this is the perfect bag to hold your valuables.

Wenger: Tripologie

Note: Laptop bag, lady’s handbag, and camera bag not exceeding the prescribed dimensionsare are not included in the 7kg limit.

24: MARIKINA 28: ART WALKS 32: KRUGARANT, INC.: ARE YOU READY FOR A #FASHIONTRANSFORMATION? 34: STATEMENT ACCESORIES: CREATED WITH PASSION (ELIZABETH PAYTE, FASHION JEWELRY CREATION) 37: MUTYA NG PILIPINAS: BEYOND BEAUTY...MORE THAN THE CROWN 40: MANILA CATHEDRAL: RESTORING HISTORICAL EMINENCE 48: G TONGI

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1 Adela Dee and daughter Tatiana D. Catangco have transformed their love of vintage memorabilia and good food into something scrumptiously quirky. Go back in time and experience MamaChit’s retro-inspired diner. Try: Their Family Burger: a massive piece of grounded meat seasoned with Adela’s secret mix of herbs and spices, layered into perfection with fresh greens, tomato, cucumber, and a hefty slab of cheese. 278 J.P. Rizal St. San Roque, 1800 Marikina City

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2 An ancestral-home-turnedrestaurant, Patio Vera is the place you dream about having your romantic date at. Festooned with vibrant canopies gathered toward an elegant chandelier, it’s surely a candlelit dinner to remember. Spot: The intricate, colorful, miniature shoe they use to hold your bill. 70 Gen F. Santos, Marikina, Kalakhang Maynila, Philippines

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3 Combining art, ambiance, and great food, Rustic Mornings by Isabelo offers the best breakfast experience. This cozy restaurant offers an al fresco dining with shabby chic interiors reminiscent of a handsome country home. Imagine the smell of cinnamon, bacon, maple syrup, and freshly brewed coffee with that familiar milieu of warm hospitality. Try: The fluffy-to-perfection Pancakes and Crispy Waffle Churros. Heavy eater? Feast on their Gourmet Hotdog Sandwich. #11 Isabelo Mendoza St. San Roque, 1800 Marikina City

1. Spend perfect mornings at Rustic Mornings by Isabelo in Marikina. The shabby-chic interior oozes with elegance and aesthetics. Even the porcelain and empty perfume bottles are inspiring. 2. Adela and daughter Tatiana of MamaChit’s. 3. A romantic evening at Patio Vera: that perfect candlelit date amidst nature and basically anything chic.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Mango Tours. Aside from the website, Mango Tours also hosts a blog, integrated in the new website for easier access, which contains write-ups and tips for travel. MOBILE APPS PRESENCE Mango Tours users can also arrange their trips with the Mango Tours app, available for iPhone users in the App Store. It also enables the users to view their flight details, itinerary, and their flight status. Soon, Mango Tours will also launch their booking app on Google Play Store so Android users can enjoy the ease of booking a flight with Mango Tours.

MANGO TOURS WHERE IT ALL STARTS

acation is the only available time people experience relaxation and adventure; but in order to plan a trip, one must think about other things. But with Mango Tours’ new website, planning your ultimate getaway need no longer be stressful. The new Mango Tours mobile website is adaptive to major mobile browsers. It’s responsiveness to any gadget’s screen resolution is one of its main features. These developments put the website at-par with today’s web interfaces. MangoTours.com is now much accessible not only in desktop computers and laptops, but also in tablets, smartphones and iPhones.

Anyone can now book a trip within their palms! Since 2007. Mango Tours has been offering total packages of travel needs, which includes accommodation, tour packages, airport and hotel transfers, and travel insurance. These can now be done with the website’s dynamic booking engine. After filling out all the online forms and reviewing the terms and conditions, the itinerary will be directly sent to the user’s email. Now, any traveler can book a complete tour package with Mango Tours in as fast as five minutes. NEW FEATURES Mango Tours carries the best deals from the old website interface. The “Cheapest Fare Finder,” introduced last year, is still accessible in the new website – in a much improved version. It shows the fare matrix of flights within 7-day timeframe from your date of choice, so users don’t have to check deals in each succeeding day. MangoTours.com has also retained its two widgets for the convenience of its customers. “My Travel Cart” allows users to modify and organize all their travel needs in one single registration, while the “Feedback” widget enables users to send out their comments, suggestions and concerns directly to

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014 26 ForBALIKBAYANMAGAZINE.COM more information and first-hand experience, visit www.MangoTours.com

DESTINATIONS Every year, Mango Tours keeps on adding more destination packages for everyone to avail. Ranging from domestic tour packages like Batanes, Puerto Galera, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro; to East Asian countries like Korea and Taiwan. European tours are also available in Mango Tours alongside with South American and even African packages.

USER EXPERIENCE For those people who find booking a vacation as a hassle, Mango Tours offers the best and the easiest custom-tailored website user experience for all technologies available. Its user-friendly website features texts that are large enough to read, buttons and boxes to touch and a full website scrollable up and down. No pinching needed for zooming. For Mango Tours, relaxation should start right with booking that dream vacation.

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

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“The chief enemy of creativity is good sense.” Pablo Picasso

SCOPE WHY GO

Art WalkS

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1. A tradidional Filipino scene from Dominic Rubio and Michael Cacnio’s exhibit, “Vendors.” 2. The cute and trendy Elly Riders by Jomike Tejido. Elephant chairs that doubles as cabinets.

Rose Anne Bacayo

Roselyn Beltran

Art In The Park

Galerie Stephanie Location: Quezon City The Scene: Situated in the busy district of Libis, Galerie Stephanie offers a resplendent art space that aims to flourish contemporary artists in the Philippines. The art center was established on the year 2007, and became one of the leading art galleries in the country. Open from Mondays through Sundays, it provides a wide array of artworks, exhibitions, regular seminars and workshops.

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Spot: Last July’s exhibit “Mystical Realm” by the contemporary artist, Gilbert Semillano, a renowned artist in the Middle East and has won several awards such as: Grand Prize of 2007 ASEAN Art Competition (Kuwait), Grand Prize of 2008 Toyota Art Edge Competition, and won the First Prize for 2008 Easter Telecoms Art Competition. Semillano’s works are inspired by the Netherlandish painter Heironymous Bosch and

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Italian renaissance artist Caravaggio. The exhibit presents 20 artworks that are greatly influenced by Semillano’s own whimsical imagination. The subject in his works give a distinct character and an atmosphere of vivid colors using highly great techniques. Looking at his artworks is like peeping through a ViewMaster between reality and dreamscapes. Local pick: An exhibit by Dominic Rubio & Michael Cacnio, entitled: “Vendors”

Location: Makati City The Scene: A car park fashioned into an art gallery: Art in the Park is an annual event organized by the Philippine Art Events, Inc. in collaboration with Leandro V. Locsin and partners, Kenneth Cobonpue and Gigi Bautista and Associates. It is a venue for dialogue on contemporary visual arts via Christies Art Forum, a lecture series which focuses on art historical movements and Southeast

Asian contemporary art. Showcasing art pieces priced no higher than Php30’000, this event aims to support the growing local and international interest in modern and contemporary Philippine art. Spot: Sculptural works by Benedicto Cabrera; silkscreened scarves and graphic wallpaper from Pio Abad; an interactive sportsinspired work by Louie Cordero; and a reception piece by Jose John Santos III. Local pick: Jomike Tejido’s adorable Elly Riders that open up to provide cabinet space.

Lloyd Zapanta

Pinto Art Museum Location: Antipolo City The Scene: Resting in a forest subdivision near the Rizal

Capitol is the 1.2-hectare gallery, initially a residence owned by Dr. Joven Cuanang, a neurologist and professor from an internationally recognized hospital. After an epiphany that he wanted to be surrounded with beautiful things, he started collecting artistic pieces—the doors of Pinto Art Gallery opened to the public year 2000. Fashioned in Mexican Casa-style architecture, this white, stuccoed museum complex has wide and open spaces that are divided into 6 galleries and 4 lush gardens displaying numerous paintings of different styles, sculptures and installation arts from different local artists. Stairs and fountains also complete the landscape, complementing natural forest hill environment – the nature Antipolo City is known for. Spot: The Siraulo sa Pinto Café and the museum house dedicated for the love story of Jose Rizal and Leonor Rivera.

Local pick: Popular among couples as a venue for prenuptial photo shoots, this gallery combines handsome architecture with a tasteful ambiance.

Marie Monique Recato

Secret Fresh

Ronact Art Center Location: San Juan City The Scene: While many flock the often seething Greenhills Shopping Center, this is a place where famous personalities frequent. Nondescript but with a true blue underground following, Secret Fresh is a dais for collectors with singular taste. Owner and self-confessed toy collector Bigboy Cheng opened this gallery in 2007 as a venue for limited edition and hard to find designer toys. And after years of successful colaborations of local and international artists, fans can look

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forward to an even more exciting lineup...like one they should look forward to in the coming weeks. Scarygirl zealots get ready for Nathan Jurevicius surreal world of psychedelic colors and grabbing characters. Spot: Live music from indie bands that play on special events and launching. Local pick: Items range from cute, abstract, to down right expensive. Pick out can get H. Kenney’s YUMMY doughnut keychains for a reasonable bargain while special items showcased in class enclosures goes around 50,000+.

1. A life-size wooden horse marked as a crowd favorite in the Pinto Art Museum. 2. The Pinto Art Museum’s light and spacious gallery.

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Modern, durable, and affordable. ABC builds updated and relevant structures, always abreast with the demands of the times. Its broad market appeal attracts people from different backgrounds, from start-up families to career-driven individuals, even investors.

Integrity and honesty ABC also stands firm in its value of integrity and honesty. Guided by this core value, ABC and its associates conduct business in good faith always.

ALLEARAN HOMES | Mandaluyong A five-door townhouse property with a modern, contemporary design. Each unit is ideal for a start up family with two bedrooms, one den which may be converted into a study area or guest room and three T&B. Modern conveniences available includes telephone, cable and internet connection outlets, electrical provisions for generator sets and split type air conditioning units. Each unit also features a solar water heating system.

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8891 Suites The Ideal Place Blending relaxation and sophiscation 8891 Suites is a 6-storey condominium hotel with a total floor area of 1,635.78 SQM. It has 16 units of different type. The building is to offer new flanged but reasonably priced condominium units for the increasing number of young professionals, career-driven people, and start-up families.

Aguisanda Builders Corporation Unit M-4 Mancor Corporate Center, 32nd Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Manila Philippines 1634 E: aguisanda_arlene@yahoo. com T: +632 511 1600

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ARE YOU READY FOR A #FASHIONTRANSFORMATION? HI!%JK%?LM%NMOEMP?%?J:M%#)%543)54% 8),-%#"-4')64%2));%&.5%/2&6%,7%#)%04% 8),-%6)'#%/)-/4),'%'42*=%!$8%.)#%'72&##4-% 7"11&11%&.5%5-"1124%')64%+&"-%#)%-4A4&2% 8),-%/2&6)-),'%'"54Q%R4A42%,7%#$)'4% 5-4&-8%2));'%&.5%),#5&#45%'#824'=%J#%"'% .4A4-%#))%2&#4%*)-%')64%*&'$").%6&;4)A4-= WORDS: L>JSMM%:>O?JH<NOITJSI

#THROWBACKTRENDS Fashion trends come and go, but having an excellent sense of style always stays. To begin with, you need a self-assessment. What makes you feel comfortable? Which style will highlight your asset and will cover the flaws? Which mode will further define your personality? Which color will make you shine? These will greatly help you achieve the perfect look in no time. So step ahead, update your closet and give it a ‘lil boost. Let’s take fashion to the next level. ASK THE EXPERT Women today are fast becoming more fashion conscious and tend to increase the perception when it comes to their wardrobe. Clothes have advanced from being mere necessities to luxurious assets. Thus, there are various reliable companies now that allow you to select the type of clothing that you want. These sprawling ‘style and fashion haven’ could create and produce the appropriate details and the overall design that you desire. For this issue, Balikbayan scouted for the finest clothing lines around the Metro to update us on the recent fashion finds. A highly artistic entrepreneur and compassionate fashion stylist stood out...She is 32

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Rosemarie “Baby” Lim, the fashion genius and president of Krugarant, Inc., a clothes store that specializes in creating quality fashion. “I love fashion. I love dressing-up. I like [dressing people up,] too,” she states. Her company allows you to specify every little detail of the fashion creation you are looking for, from the kind of fabric materials, chic accents to the cut. She will guide you with her sophisticated prowess to come up with the best design for you. “Making each client look fabulous – that’s my only rule.”She aspires to make

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Filipinos look stylish and vivacious by providing them with elegant dresses. #SELFIESMART Victorian, elegant and modern. These best describe Krugarant’s fashion creations. “My style is very Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly with a dash of Marilyn Monroe,” adds Lim. During this interview, she instantly transforms my low-key dressing into a stylish glam ensemble. It was simple yet very chic. Being a fashion aficionado, I had a great time in this shoot, picking dresses and shimmery

jewel - all lined up for the photo shoot—but putting on her jewelry design is ‘icing on the cake!’ “I usually paint, but now my canvass are the people. I like people to look good.” She beams while showing me more of her latest creations. Krugarant’s clothing line also gives a unique sense of exclusivity because no one else has exactly the same clothing. “Three same pieces at the most,” confirms by the lady owner. Her extensive designs and reliable pattern makers are expert in producing exceptional styles yet so comfortable to wear. “Making each client look fabulous – that’s my only rule.” TIMELESS ELEGANCE The choice for mixing edgy stones in a wardrobe became Lim’s signature style. Like piña abaca dress overcoat, kimonos and piña shawl all sparkled with hand sewn pearls and vibrant stones. Each clothes are handmade with quality materials, from fresh water pearls or semi precious stones to the cloth. She also designs costume, jewelry and accessories that can complement the dresses for all occasions. “My creation is not limited to the dresses but has stretched to men’s fashion wear as well.” With the business doing well, she is now planning on going international. Comfort and style don’t always go together...but with the ‘lil help from the expert, you will be a sure standout and feel great. Customized clothing is one way to showcase your individuality while making sure that you will look your best. Be more audacious when it comes to fashion. Feel a lot more confidence and make a difference. Whether it is simply classic, feminine or edgy, the best thing is to look good inside and out. So, what is your #OOTD? (Krugarant, Inc. is located at 21-B Santolan Road, Quezon City, Philippines. Office Tel.: 727-7173 / 586-9132) OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

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Statement Accessories: Created with Passion BALIKBAYAN%4B72)-45%#$4%6).)3$-)6&#"3%2,B49%3-4&#"A4%4B#-464'%&.5%#$4%43)< ".'7"-45%'$"664-%)*%Elizabeth Payte’s *&'$").%U4(42-8%3-4&#").'=%J#%"'%&2')%;.)(.%*)-% 2&5"4'%&334'')-"4'%0-&.5%)*%6)54-.%T"3#)-"&.%7"434'%("#$%&%3$&-6"./%*,'").%)*%3)2)-'9% C,&2"#8%6&#4-"&2'%&.5%".#-"3&#4%3-&D'6&.'$"7=%>%).4<).<).4%".#4-A"4(%("#$%#$4%0-"22"&.#% 0,'".4''%()6&.9%$4-%".'7"-"./%'#)-8%&.5%($&#%6&;4'%$4-%54'"/.%,."C,4= INTERVIEW BY%L>JSMM%:>O?JH<NOITJSI

SURPRISE TREND Q: Why did a civil engineer by profession leave a flourishing career to become an entrepreneur?

EP: “My jewelry business all happened by chance. Back then, my sons liked giving their teachers little gifts for Teacher’s Day and Christmas. To save money, I made the gifts myself, I would buy the beads and other materials to make a bracelet or a necklace.During a trip to Tokyo, my brother who was based 34

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there brought me to Le Droguerie, a store that sold glass beads and jewelry parts, and manuals for jewelry making. I upgraded my designs and my friends loved my new collection. They urged me to join a bazaar. My pieces were a huge success, it inspired me to continue and expand my jewelry business.” CREATIVE PHILOSOPHY Q: With the wide range of ladies accessories on the market, what makes your fashion jewelry creation different?

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EP: “No two pieces are alike as a rule in my design. I make it a point that my pieces are distinctive so that they are difficult to copy by other beaders. All my pieces are painstakingly and uniquely made.

RADIANT HEIRLOOM Q: What makes Elizabeth Payte brand special? EP: “My pieces will last a lifetime. Each one is like a piece of wearable art. I use vintage brooches and cameos in my other pieces to add character to my creation. My pieces have a class of their own.” “Each one is like a piece of wearable art.” HEIRLOOM TLC All these Victorian-inspired accessories used hand crocheted wire mesh embellished with the finest stones and beads. The crochet pieces are made of solid stainless steel wire that will not stain. These crochet pieces can be bent and be adjusted to fit the neck of the client without deforming the arrangement of the stones, crystals and pearls. There is also a 4-6 inches extender chain for better adjustment for the neck. These are all washable by just running water just in case a powder or foundation gets in contact with it. They advise the user not to use soap when cleaning it to maintain the vibrancy of the stones and pearls. “My pieces have a class of their own.” CUSTOMMADE Q: Are there any special techniques in

putting embellishments? EP: “Stones, crystals, antique and vintage pieces are selected carefully before we make a manual handcrochet technique using wire mesh. Everything is meticulously handmade. Q: What is your best selling product? EP: “We have different types of fashion accessories like necklaces, bangles, necklaces, earrings, headbands and bags. Our popular items are our Victorian necklaces with different cameo designs, colors and unique shapes that give elegant and classic look.”

make sure that these accessories are safe to wear and do not tarnish.They also customize, accept redesigning and reinventing old pieces to give them a new character. The company’s big step is to become the leading supplier to stores carrying high-end ladies’ items and be a world renowned luxury ladies’ accessories brand from the Philippines. MORE FASHIONABLE, MORE EXPERIMENTAL

FILIPINO INGENUITY

The impeccable craftsmanship of these precious stones mark a perfect statement neckpieces to any special occasions. It could also be a refreshing approach even from the low-key jeans-and-shirt combination. ACCESSORIES make or break an outfit, when in doubt, check out the latest Elizabeth Payte designs. Their current outlets are: Boutique, Solaire Resort & Casino, Paranaque City Souvenirs, Shangri-la Hotel Makati City La Boutique, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City Boutique, Diamond Hotel, Manila SM Kultura, Mall of Asia, Pasay Cit SM Kultura, Aura Mall, Taguig City Abiste, Tokyo City ( Japan) Kate Chan, New York City (USA)

The company could create about 130 different accessories with distinct and intricate designs in a month. They

Zontra Club (Makati) Members’ Hair & Make-up by: Muriel Jada Nubla

Q: Where do you get the materials for your products? EP: “Materials are carefully sourced from around the world. I have suppliers of semi-precious stones. For my mesh necklaces, I get the stainless steel thread-like wires in Germany. I go to flea markets when I travel to buy the vintage components like glass beads from France, mother-of-pearl and other cameos from India, and glass leaves from Murano. During a trip to Tokyo, I bought obi materials and made them into bags as well.”

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SCOPE EVENTS the Philippines and the 160,000 Filipinos in Australia. Though we are far away, we remain proud of our Filipino heritage.As embodiment of beauty inside out,both are truly an inspiration for other women to emulate. “Believe in yourself, be patient and follow your dreams because it is only you who can make your dreams a reality,”concludes Fil-Aussie belle. “Believe in yourself, be patient and follow your dreams because it is only you who can make your dreams a reality.”Kim Fyfe (Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 2nd Runner-up)

Beyond Beauty... More Than The Crown WORDS: L>JSMM%:>O?JH<NOITJSI

BEAUTY TOURISM has made Mutya ng Pilipinas(“Jewel of the Philippines”) a cut above the other beauty pageants. Over the past four decades, it has shown strong commitment not only to promote fashion and beauty pageantry, but charters in worthy endeavours that will further enhance the Philippines as a foremost tourism nirvana and will beckon ‘Filipina with a social responsibility.’ OVERSEAS BEAUTIES MP is the first ever beauty pageant that has introduced the inclusion of representatives from Overseas Filipino Communities. This is not only to raise the level of competition in the national pageant but also to recognize the diverse cultures and Filipino roots of overseas-based women. Over the years, select Overseas Filipino Communities have been formidable partners of the pioneer and most dominant pageant organization in the Philippines and in Asia. Delegates from Northern

and Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Maryland, Midwest, the East Coast, Hawaii, Canada, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Iceland, and Scandinavia constantly participate as global beauty front runners. This year, two of the overseasbased delegates made it to the top 5: Patrizia Bosco (Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 Overseas Communities) and Kim Fyfe (Mutya ng Pilipinas 2nd runner-up). Boscois the pride of the Filipino community in Milan, Italy. Her mother is a Cebuana while her father is of Italian descent.“I’ve travelled a lot...Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Greece, Mexico and U.S.A., but it is not yet enough. I really want to promote [the Philippines] in Italy and to different parts of the world to show them how wonderful this place is,” says Fil-Italian model, stylist and fashion blogger. Fyfe is a nursing and psychology student in Australia. “I’d love to visit my mum’s hometown Dumaguete, the city of gentle people and of course all the beautiful beaches of the Philippines,”quips the 18 year old part time model in Geelong, Australia.“The Philippines is vibrant the people are happy, fun, positive and warm.I want to be a bridge between

WORLD CLASS BEAUTY QUEENS Since the 60s era, MP served as the breeding ground of world class beauty queens. It played a significant role in empowering women since then. Some of the previous winners are now politicians, physicians, lawyers, and movie and television personalities. Countless names were discovered as it triumphantly unlocks the opportunities worldwide. Proving that they are not just another pretty faces, Eva Psychee Patalinjug(Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014, Asia Pacific International),Glennifer Perido (Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014, Tourism International) and Cristine Cheeny Racel (Mutya ng Pilipinas

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1st runner-up)are future champions of varied social causes. The pageant provides these young ladies with a chance to share their visions for the country. “This pageant will be my platform in pushing for my advocacies in life especially promoting tourism in our country but also overseas,” remarks by Patalinjug. As a youth leader, (she is an outgoing Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman) the 20-yearold Cebuanaconsistently supports outreach programs.“It is a great opportunity to expand my horizon.” “This pageant will be my platform in pushing for my advocacies in life especially promoting tourism in our country but also overseas.”- Eva Patalinjug (Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 Asia Pacific International) Patalinjug and Gerido are both registered nurses. “I believe Mutya ng Pilipinas is a great venue for my advocacies in line with the pageant’s purpose that is Beauty Tourism. I will visit places myself and share to the world thru social media for everyone to know how beautiful our country is.” shares Perido who was from Tabuk City, Kalinga. The 22-year-old charmer’s mother is an Overseas Filipino Worker but she is not considering to work abroad as a nurse.“I want to give pride to my province Kalinga and to fulfill my dream to help others, serve as an inspiration and be a beauty queen leader.” RP’s representative & 3rd placer to Miss Tourism Queen International Asia in Xitang, China, Cristine Cheeny Racel adds, “Always remember that life is so beautiful and will be more if we will show the real beauty that we have, gain self-confidence and gain more positive and beautiful outcome.” Racel is from Olongapo City and took up Hotel & Restaurant Management “My life ambition is to serve God and do what He wants me to do. I trust him completely, and I know I’m now enjoying each step along the way and living my life filled with love.”

“Always remember that life is so beautiful and will be more if we will show the real beauty that we have, gain self-confidence and gain more positive and beautiful outcome. -”Cheeny Racel (Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 1st Runnerup) GLOBAL RECOGNITION The winners of the Mutya ng Pilipinas Pageant are sent to international pageant events, such as Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year and the Miss Asia Pacific International. MP has produced winners who made the country proud after winning a major international beauty title. Angeli Dione Gomez took home the Miss Tourism International 2013-14 crown, giving the Philippines a back-to-back win since Rizzini Alexis Gomez won the same title a year before. Their achievements marked the Philippines as the country with the most number of major international titles in this pageant. MP is the franchisee of Miss Tourism International pageant which was conceived in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia in 1994. Another Mutya delegate who captured the world is Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International 2013 titlist Koreen Medina who

competed at Miss Intercontinental pageant. She was hailed as “Miss Asia & Oceania” during the coronation night held in Germany, which is participated by 59 countries. TRIUMPHS OF A BEAUTY QUEEN The world of pageantry may look complicated.But there is something about beauty pageants that magnetize interest: amidst the nerve-wracking experience and pressure of standing on stage, the judgment and expectation, there’s a kind of charisma that compel women to adhere. Perhaps the distinction of Mutya ng Pilipinas that drives beauty queen aspirants to join is the mere quintessence of becoming a source of inspiration,a good way of discovering abilities, reaching self-actualization, respect and self-worth for the Filipino people.

Hair by Marc Balano, Richard Calo, and Michael Manalad of Haute Head Salon Makeup by Jim Ryan Ros for Maybeline New York, Elvie Caralde and Cris Colina of Haute Head Salon

Jacqueline Tan, Mutya ng Pilipinas President

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Manila Cathedral: Restoring Historical Eminence ?$4%3$,-3$%"'%).4%)*%#$4%3)66).%#-&546&-;'%&##-"0,#45%#)%#$4%E"2"7".)'=%J#%'860)2"14'% 6)-4%#$&.%&%3)66).%".'"/."&%#$&#%3&.%04%'44.%&26)'#%&.8($4-4%".%#$4%3),.#-8V%"#% "'%#$4%'860)2%)*%#$4"-%*&"#$%#$&#%2"A45%).%*)-%6&.8%84&-'%'".34%#$4%WXX<84&-%K7&."'$% 3)2)."1&#").%".%#$4%YZXX'V%"#%"'%&2')%#$4%'&64%P&#$)2"3%*&"#$%#$&#%$42745%#$4%E"2"7".)'% #$-),/$%'4A4-&2%&5A4-'"#"4'%".%#$4"-%$"'#)-8[%*-)6%(&-'9%#)%7)A4-#89%&.5%5)(.%#)%#$4% 24/4.5&-8%N4)724%N)(4-%O4A)2,#").=%Kaye Salao%5"'3)A4-'%$)(%#$4%:&."2&%P&#$45-&29% ).4%)*%#$4%)254'#%3$,-3$4'%".%#$4%3),.#-89%6,3$%2";4%*&"#$9%"'%-4'#)-"./%"#'%.).7&-4"2% '724.5)-\one brick at a time.

Located in Intramuros, Manila, the Manila Metropolitan CathedralBasilica, informally known as the Manila Cathedral, is a basilica devoted to the Immaculate Conception, the principal patroness of the Philippines. After enduring several damages since its construction in 1581, the cathedral remained standing for 433 years. Its sturdiness mirrors the resilient Catholic faith of the Filipino people. Under the keen eyes of the historians and members 40

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of the church alike, preservation and reconstruction of the prestigious structure was a long-awaited pursuit. But for such towering a cathedral, time and resources were just a few of the anticipated difficulties the Manila Cathedral encountered. The current Rector of the Manila Cathedral Msgr. Nestor Cerbo dutifully attended to the restoration of one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most esteemed churches. When he was appointed rector back in 2002, he

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was designated with three tasks by the late Cardinal Sin, himself: to tidy up the Manila Cathedral and keep it in good condition (Msgr. Cerbo recalled that the church was not in a good state when he assumed office as Rector. There was a part in the church where employees constructed makeshift cubicles to serve as living quarters looked like shanties inside the cathedral); to receive bishops and priests, especially those who came to officiate weddings, in a more

accommodating and gracious manner (Msgr. Cerbo also noticed that there was no proper receiving area for bishops and priests who came a long way to officiate weddings, and bishops were made to wait in the Rector’s office on a long wooden bench); and ultimately, to bring Manila Cathedral back to its glorious state for the 8th time. Msgr. Cerbo has set his eyes into retrofitting the Cathedral most of all, because it is the usual procedure to ascertain the structural integrity of the building first before restoration. Moreover, the structure of the cathedral no longer abides with the standards for safety, as issued by the current mandate. Concerned with this news, he immediately sought the advice of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for the restoration project, as advised by his superiors. With the organization’s expertise, it proposed two consultants for the project with Angel Lazaro & Associates International (ALAI) who got the bid as it was the only one registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Msgr. Cerbo noted that during

the planning stage of the restoration project, there was a suggestion to build the church from scratch in a different and more convenient location. The idea did not push through because of the important consideration of preserving the historicity of the Manila Cathedral by maintaining it in its original location. He also emphasized that it is not a renovation—the design should not be changed; it is a restoration, therefore preserving the cathedral in its original design is imperative. With this in mind, Msgr. Cerbo was determined to have the originl design retained, even having the salvageable pieces from the original construction conserved in the structure. Firm with this goal, he told the engineers and the architects to “stick with the original design.” “After the war, [the church] was not totally wiped out. The façade was preserved. The walls at the side, all the walls around, are preserved,” Msgr. Cerbo recalls. “So they just built on what was left.” But grand plans come with a great price. Msgr. Cerbo knew that the

restoration would demand an amount that the church does not readily have available. Seeking ways to reach the much-needed fund for the project, he initiated the Manila Cathedral Foundation. Inc.. Later on, like an answer to the call for help, donations from private sectors and individuals poured in to support the cause. “It’s good that I was able to approach one person who was able to help in getting people who can refer us to other people who can donate fund,” shares Msgr. Cerbo. “[Ambassador De Villa] was the one who got people to become trustees of the foundation, and some of them [were] referred by then Cardinal Rosales, and others by the current Chairman Cardinal Tagle.” The Manila Cathedral that we see now can be likened to its old design as if it never endured any of the detrimental elements that it did in the past. Designed to be a mixture of the old and new structure (years 1875 and 1958 respectively), it is exactly how most of us remembered it, only that traces of its original design are now more vivid. The façade of the whole edifice is already enticing, especially with its touch of copper dome exterior, which the team managed to preserve from its 1958 origin. It retained its classic Romanesque architecture while maintaining its ambiance of simplicity without too much of the decoration. Those few adornments

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1. Sara Maria Gonzales on violin and conductor Arturo Molina for ‘Konzertfest.’ 2. Tasso Adamopoulos on viola from France for ‘Eroica.’

MANILA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA THE MSO—88 YEARS YOUNG In 2012, the UNICEF reported that 39.4% of the 96.7 million Filipinos were under the age of 18. This year, a violin seller in the Philippines confided to Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Executive Director Jeffrey R. Solares that he was selling violins at a rate of 60 per week. We asked, “Who were buying these violins? And where are these violinists?” According to the buzz about town, the Department of Education is looking at arts and culture to fill up some gaps in the new Kinder-12 education plan. If we look at the big picture, there is a smouldering interest by Filipinos in musical education that predicates an explosion of classical proportions. And as with everything else, the future of classical music in the Philippines is in our nation’s youth. When I started with MSO, I was completely surprised at the popularity of classical music in social media. Among the well-known orchestras in the Philippines—MSO, Philippine Philharmonic, and ABS-CBN Philharmonic—ours not only had the most fans, but they were as rabid as fans of rock bands Urbandub, WilaBaliw, or Parokya ni Edgar. Our 42

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very enthusiastic fan base is from the Philippines (84%), and aged 18-34 (65%)! Who lied and said that classical music was for old people? If you see for yourself online (www. facebook.com/manilasymphony) you will stagger at the enthusiasm; the ‘liking,’ commenting on, and shares is what I would expect in, say, Vienna or Bonn. The MSO is riding high on the wave of technology, and the people are returning the love. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, therefore, that the enrolment at the brand new MSO Music Academy on Taft Avenue is at 100%. We are looking at the deafening facts with plans of opening more branches in Makati and Quezon City. Classical music is in a renaissance in the Philippines! Eighty-eight years for an orchestra is nothing, historically speaking. The age of the true modern orchestra was in the 1500s. The claim of “oldest continuing orchestra” is with the Royal Danish Orchestra founded in 1448. The oldest surviving violin, meanwhile, crafted for King Charles IX of France, is 554 years old. Look our musicians in the eye and you will see youth, pride, and hunger.

You will also see the awareness that they are the continuation of the Philippines’ heritage. The orchestra’s history is the Philippines’ history. The Commonwealth, World War II, President Magsaysay, folk music and dance, even martial law. Except for a decade in the 90s, the MSO has a place in every national event. I’ve heard stories of the Legardas (who, to this day, sit on the Board of Trustees) hiding from the Imperial Japanese the orchestra’s instruments in their distillery vats. Stories of musicians in the hills, some never to come back. Stories of the great Oscar Yatco as a young violinist playing Beethoven’s victorious epic Eroica two times a day for months on end for the heroic troops who had retaken Manila. I’ve heard stories of defiance of the Marcos dictatorship by beloved conductor, the late Basilio Manalo, who left the country rather than be coerced into giving credibility to the Iron Butterfly’s delusions of grandeur. But the best stories are the ones of friendship, of bonds made by music’s power. Of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese musicians and composers

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014 Words: Carlos Garchitorena, Marketing Manager of the Manila Symphony Orchestra

who made their mark on the MSO. Of the brothers Thanos and Tasso Adamopoulos from Belgium and France who come back to guest conduct and play every year. Of a group called Cultures in Harmony that comes yearly to exchange musical ideas with indigenous people, much like National Artist and MSO conductor Col. Antonino Buenaventura did in 1934. These are stories of MSO’s growth. The bios of our past soloists— assistant and associate concertmaster Sara Maria Gonzales and Christian Tan respectively, and principal cello Anjo Inacay—are testament to the foundation of classical music education in our country. Just as in the past, the MSO Foundation continues to move forward with immersion and scholarship programs like Music for Young Minds, to find the next Yatcos, Manalos, and Buenaventuras, and imbue in them the heritage of classical music in the Philippines. In spite of limited government assistance, the MSO keeps this heritage alive—not to mention 60 musicians and staff on a regular stipend—with the vigor of youth shared by all our musicians, supporters, subscribers, Board of Trustees, and sponsors. Funding comes from our Platinum Sponsors Metrobank Foundation and Natimars Foundation, our Gold Sponsors Meralco and First Metro Investment Corporation, and our Silver Sponsors, CATS Motors Inc., Toyota Motors Philippines Corp., Francisco Ortigas Securities Inc., First Metro Asset Management Inc., Federal Land, First Metro Securities, and Belle Corporation, while Asian Journal Publishing Inc. promotes us overseas. It is enough to allow us to extend the reach of classical music beyond the plush halls of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Because you never know when and where the sound of Beethoven’s clarinet solos or Bruch’s violin will awaken the next young mind.

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1. A symbol of faith that has lived on for many years, the grand aisle of the Manila Cathedral is every bride’s dream due to its lofty cieling. 2. A mover behind the restoration, Msgr Nestor Cerbo keeps an optimistic faith about the project. 3. A majestic view of the pipe organ: the biggest pipe organ in Southeast Asia. 4. Coat of arms preserved at the Choir loft where the pipe organ is located. 5. One of the many challeges during the restoration was to retain the original design of the capitals and the lower portion of arches of the twin pillars.

make great additions to the religious feel of the rather minimalist interior. Few such examples of these embellishments are the intricately designed arches that can be found in some corners of the church, and the vault ceiling. The cathedral also houses the largest pipe organ in Southeast Asia, which was also included in the list of restoration. Msgr. Cerbo also had some parts of the structure that needed immediate attention successfully repaired such as the revamping of the receiving room into a proper and more comfortable lounge room where he can accommodate guests of the church, the repairing of the ceiling and rooftop which caused the leaking especially during the rainy days, and the refurbishment of the broken stained windows. However, Msgr. Cerbo and his team were also challenged with some parts of the rehabilitation, especially in their efforts to restore them in their original state. The installation of the I-beams, albeit one of the simpler tasks in the retrofitting, cramped their workspace. The meticulous ways of manually restoring the decorative capitals and arch moldings in the finishing stage, as well as the precious marble claddings of the twin columns and main pillars posed a difficulty in bringing them back to their original condition. The delicate condition of the bell tower caused by the disintegrating concrete and adobe claddings proved to be trying in Msgr. Cerbo’s plans to have it restored. However, the toughest the team has encountered was the 44

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amount of dedication left in the team’s spirit who was in the brink of giving up. “The most crucial challenge is keeping the Project Team at the height of tension-filled working environment, to work together and prep their morale towards the common goal to meet the target completion, when most of the Project Team are about to give up,” Msgr. Cerbo shares. “It takes a great deal [of ]dedication, patience and perseverance to get things done in [the] face of uncertainties we faced during the height of restoration activities.” An addition was also made to the church, adapting to the modern times, and making it more touristfriendly. Touchscreen monitors were installed that show interactive ways to learn more about the Manila Cathedral such as its history, significance and value to the Catholic community, administrative functions, and many more engrossing facts that might enlighten curious visitors. The restoration process is not quite finished, but Msgr. Cerbo and his team intend to have everything done by the end of November 2014, in time for the Papal visit in the country. To this date, their funds for this project has reached up to a spiralling

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140 million Pesos, and still counting. Much should still be done for such limited time left. But the strong faith of Msgr. Cerbo and his team inspired them to keep going amidst adversities, and their belief in the divine intervention will give them a clearer sight of everything they have envisioned for the Manila Cathedral. For a schedule of liturgical services and other information on the cathedral, you may visit manilacathedral.ph. For queries regarding offerings and donations, call +63 (02) 5273093, 5271796, 5273889, 5283876 or email mlacathedral@yahoo.com.

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14thLacson Sts. Bacolod City, Negros Occidental Philippines 6100 Tel Nos.: (6334) 433.3731 (6334) 704.1999 | Fax No.: (6334) 433.0951 !"#$%&'(()&*#%+*,%-*.+/.01+%2#30%0(430" 46

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EXCLUSIVE

ALL ABOUT G By the time Giselle “G” Töngi was 21 years old, she was at the height of her career with a filmography of 16 films and numerous television shows, a debut album, and a highly-coveted gig as an MTV Asia VJ. Then, she walked away from it all, only to start anew. Years later, G is back on screen with a daily talk show in Los Angeles. She shares with Balikbayan Magazine how she discovered her true calling. By Christina M. Oriel Photography: Mark Sacro Photography assistant: Joe Gunawan Hair: Reggie Pamatong Makeup: Patrick Santa Ana Styling by Hergie Estoque and Tale for Esther OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

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G Töngi is ready for her CLOSEUP ON A BLISTERING AFTERNOON, G sits under the shade, while undergoing a makeup and hair transformation and providing input on what her ‘looks’ for today should be. Taking photos near the famed Hollywood sign may seem cliché and overdone, but for the former 90s It Girl, this is her dream photoshoot, a testament of how far she’s made it. “It’s surreal,” G says, basking in the moment. “I’m here shooting at the Hollywood sign with an all-Filipino crew.” Now in her mid-30s and a mother of two, G moved back to Los Angeles at the end of July to assume the position of host and producer of “Kababayan Today,” a daily talk show on KSCI-TV LA18 for the FilipinoAmerican community in Southern California and with syndication on Hawaii’s KIKU station. To understand how and why G returned to the United States after declaring three years ago that she would be in the Philippines for good, one must first understand her career’s progression — or reversal, of sorts — from being “on top of the world,” attempting to break into the US film industry, enrolling in school and tackling the most exciting project, yet. Saying G is a natural on camera is an understatement. During the shoot, she strikes poses, without having to be directed. Behind the scenes and in person, she always has a glistening smile and speaks expressively, but not in a histrionic way. She is more approachable and easygoing than having the air of someone who has been famous for two decades. AT 12 YEARS OLD, a commercial agent in Manila approached G as she 50

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was walking inside the mall. After profusely begging her mother, G went in to do a video tape recording (VTR). “‘Hi! I’m Giselle.’ You turn to the right [then] you look into the camera,” she says, reenacting how she first stepped in front of a camera, professionally. The casting agent noticed how comfortable she was on screen, which was in part due to practicing in front of the mirror and growing up watching television, particularly, MTV. But at 16 was when G received her ‘big break.’ Eric Quizon (actor, director, and son of famed-comedian Dolphy) approached G at a club called Faces in Makati, and asked her if she wanted to act in movies. She was taken aback by the offer — she considered herself to be a model, not an actress. “You have no idea what you’re in store for,” G remembers Eric saying. That week, Eric took her to Regal Films and she was signed to a four year, 16-film contract. In those four years, G became a 90s It Girl, starring in notable roles on ABS-CBN’s “Gimik” and “Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako” and in films such as “Langit sa Piling Mo” and “Istokwa,” to name a few. She appeared on variety shows, like “Eezy Dancing” and SOP, where she had her own “G-Spot” segment. She landed a spot as an MTV Asia VJ — the aspiration of any teenage girl growing up in the 80s and 90s — and even released “Very G,” her debut album under Sony Music. However, the fame wasn’t satisfying and G noticed something was severely lacking.

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“I didn’t understand what was happening to my life. It became an aquarium where everything I did was scrutinized. I couldn’t be myself because I was being molded to this idea of what it meant to be a star,” she recalls. She was working long hours and taping several projects at a time, which led to her feeling burnt out and a wake up call to reevaluate the direction her career was heading in. “[My mom] told me ‘you’ve got three TV shows [and] a film contract. You’re working with MTV Asia.’ I was on top of the world at 21,” G says. “But I knew…I wanted to do something more relevant to society. I didn’t know at the time what I was looking for.” In 2000, G, then 21 years old, packed up her bags and move to New York to study acting at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and dance at Broadway Dance Center. A year later, all of the money she saved from her acting career was gone. “I’ve never had a job other than being an artista (actress)…I had no idea how I was going to support myself,” she remembers. Keeping in mind her single mother’s survival instinct, G took a two-week crash course in bartending and took a job in the East Village at a Vietnamese restaurant called Village Ma. She also would occasionally return to Manila to work on television and movie projects. After roughing it out in New York, G decided to move to Los Angeles in 2003. “I had this notion that I wanted to be in the movies…I’ve done 35 feature-length films [back in the Philippines]. I was confident that I went to school [for acting] and had a

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lot of experience,” she says. G soon realized that acting offers wouldn’t be as easy as being physically present in the epicenter of entertainment. “I came out to Hollywood, literally, and got my first apartment along Sunset Boulevard…it was always a dream of mine to say ‘I’m here in Hollywood,’ but what I should have said was ‘I want to get a job in Hollywood,’” she jokes. She supported herself by bartending at both locations of Chan Dara, a popular Thai restaurant. “I remember some movie stars from the Philippines would come [into the restaurant] and I would go out of my way to make them drinks and bring it to [their] tables and instead of being grateful, they would say ‘Ay, si G, waitress na lang dito,’” G shares. She admits these encounters were ‘painful’ for her, adding that “there was this crab mentality that ‘she left this career in the Philippines just so she could serve me.’” It was really her way of being hospitable to those actors, whom she recognized. Her experiences while bartending were not all bad, however. “…I would always have [male] customers asking me ‘what are you?’ I would never say because I would say, ‘if you can guess, your drink’s on me.’ No one would ever guess then all of a sudden this [Caucasian] man sat down and said ‘You’re Pinay.’” The customer was Tim Walters, also a bartender, who followed her when she returned to the Philippines and proposed after three months. The couple got married in Boracay in 2005 and welcomed their first child, a daughter named Sakura. G was a stay-at-home mom for two years, but missed a more fastpaced life. The family moved back to the United States, where G enrolled at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. Having not been in school for 15 years nor finishing high school, G made it her mission to receive an education. Tim worked two jobs so G could

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focus on earning her degree and raising the family—she was five months pregnant with her second child (a son who would be named Kenobi) at the time. “I was going to do the best I could at it. The teacher would always be, ‘G put your hand down,’ because I read and wanted to share,” she says. Her next step would be to apply as a transfer student to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as a Communications major. Realizing how competitive the admission process was – the program only takes about 200-300 transfer students a year – G had to write ten extra pages of an honors project in each of her classes in order to graduate with honors from Pierce. “That’s really what honed me to be the writer that I am now,” she remarks. “Prior to that, I was very insecure about my writing, but that was the only way I was going to get into UCLA.” She wrote about the Filipino community on an academic level in her essays. For example, her essay for an anthropology class was about the black market of kidneys in the Philippines and she examined posttraumatic stress disorder in Filipino World War II veterans for her psychology class. G knew she couldn’t afford to attend UCLA and had two young children to raise, but with her husband’s support and push, she sat down and wrote her admissions essay in which she wrote about her situation and ambition to be a UCLA student. “Your family is here and I will work…so you can pursue your passions and dreams in life,” G recalls Tim saying. She would obsessively check the status of the application and finally received her admittance letter when she was in the Philippines, where she would find acting jobs during the summer. Tim moved the family’s belongings from the San Fernando Valley to Westwood while G was

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away, so by the time she returned, she could focus on studying. She studied for three years – a year longer because she wanted to stay as long as possible – as a communications major with a focus on mass and new media and double minored in film and theater. While a student, her children were placed in the UCLA Day Care, which she notes was her “saving grace.” After graduating with honors in 2011, G uprooted her family to the Philippines. There were no job opportunities waiting for her, yet she was confident that she could put her degree to practice as a producer. She conceptualized a 13-part travel documentary called “The Balikbayan Project,” wherein she teamed up with the Department of Tourism and brought the Basco family to the country to experience different destinations (i.e. Boracay, Palawan, Davao) and connect with their roots. The series was picked up by GMA Pinoy TV. “I wanted to film the Philippines in the eyes of a second-generation Filipino-American who has no idea what it means to be Filipino. We did it in 21 days,” she says about the inspiration behind the show. She asked close friend Michael Carandang (producer of “America’s Next Top Model” and “The Tyra Banks Show”) to consult for the show. But it was G who ran the show behind the scenes, from writing the scripts, sending sponsorship letters, recording voiceovers, to transcribing and editing the final footage. It took seven months to edit and package the final product, which G regards as “the best learning experience as a producer because I really had to learn on my feet.” “That’s really what led me to where I am now. The Philippine entertainment industry wasn’t really open to the Fil-Am experience. I grew up [both] in America and the Philippines all my life so what I understand is this experience.”

“I wanted other people like me to know what it’s like to go back to the Philippines, to eat the food and meet the people—that was my passion but I just didn’t always know it,” G adds. After failed attempts to pitch a similar series to Philippine-based networks, G appeared in several teleseryes (TV dramas): “Nandito Ako,” “Aryana,” “Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw,” and “Carmela.” But G would get in trouble because she would complain about the long hours, especially while raising two kids. There are no unions, residuals or health insurance for actors there, she discloses. She was also cast as Marlene Dietrich in a month-long production of “Piaf.” She dyed her hair blonde and read books on the actress in order to get into character. “Because I was able to walk away from the fame when I was younger, when the opportunity [to be the host of “Kababayan Today”] came along, I didn’t think I was right for it,” she admits. Her close friend Belinda Panelo (Fil-Am actress and also a former MTV VJ) sent her the listing that KSCI-TV LA18 was looking for a new host and producer for “Kababayan Today.” Writer and one of G’s mentors, Prosy Delacruz also reached out to her about the position. She sent a cover letter and samples of her video work to the station. Shortly after, she was invited to Skype with the executives of the station, who told her that if given the position, she would have to relocate to Los Angeles and travel to Hawaii and the Philippines about four times a year. “This was a Wednesday when they interviewed me. On Monday, they would interview the [other candidates]. I remember I put a reminder on my phone that day would be the auditions in LA. If I got this, I should be hearing from them in 48 hours. Sure enough my phone rang and they sent me an offer letter. By Friday, I accepted the offer

letter and on Sunday I left Manila to be here in the office by Monday morning,” she recounts. Indeed, it has been a surreal, fastpaced sequence of events for G. She came to Los Angeles alone with two suitcases and worked to finish the show’s programming for the rest of August, then returned to the Philippines to get her two children and take a family vacation in Boracay. As of this writing, Tim is still in the Philippines packing up their belongings — the family had almost 80 balikbayan boxes when they first moved in 2011. “I live and thrive in this kind of environment and it is because of my training from ‘The Balikbayan Project.’ You just hit the ground running. I aired my first episode [of ‘Kababayan Today’ on the week of August 4],” she says. In taking over a show that has been around for eight years and has built its own reputation in the FilipinoAmerican community, G is brimming with ideas to imprint her own mark. She envisions the show as a platform for “edutainment,” in which people are entertained, yet are educated on substantive issues and valuable lessons. Two of her primary goals are to help bridge the gap between the first and second-generations of Filipinos and to define what it means to be Filipino. “Our [Filipino] culture is so rich. It’s a special experience to be Filipino,” she proudly proclaims. Already, she has given her own twist to the show by introducing Mentor Mondays, a segment that invites young Fil-Ams to interview their role models on air. Eric Quizon and actor Dante Basco (of “Hook” fame and one of the cast members of “The Balikbayan Project) appeared in the early episodes. Throughout September, Filipinos in academia shared their stories and weighed in on the value of pursuing higher education and studying one’s culture and identity. She scored an interview with Jose

Antonio Vargas, undocumented immigration activist and journalist, which will be aired in the coming weeks. G discloses that she has received a range of feedback, some critical, but she takes those comments with a grain of salt, and if anything, as motivators to improve. Admittedly, she is still adjusting to the role and community she inherited and realizing how powerful the medium is. Not only is it a 30 minute period to celebrate the Filipino culture, while simultaneously dissecting the issues that affect the community and not being afraid to discuss them publicly. The show airs on a ‘must carry’ station in the Los Angeles designated market area — essentially the entire Southern California from Ventura to San Diego counties — so the viewership and reach outperforms that of Filipino TV competitors that are only available through premium cable subscriptions. “I know I’m ambitious but I have an amazing team with me and a community that wants to be part of this change…we’ll combine the best parts of being both Filipino and American: hard-working, diligent, loyal,” she says. She is currently exploring opportunities to bring secondgeneration Fil-Ams who have never been to the Philippines so they can understand where their parents and relatives came from. If G didn’t receive the offer to host “Kababayan Today,” she would be pursuing a master’s degree back in the Philippines. She retracted her application for a women’s studies program upon accepting her new role. “This is my calling. It’s not going to be something I do because it’s a job. It’s a passion—I live it, I breathe it,” she declares. (A version of this feature first appeared in Los Angeles Asian Journal’s MDWK Magazine)

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“

I came out to Hollywood, literally, and got my first apartment along Sunset Boulevard…it was always a dream of mine to say ‘I’m here in Hollywood,’ but what I should have said was ‘I want to get a job in Hollywood,’” she jokes.

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dental care. Hospitality mixes with professionalism in Dental World. With its holistic approach, it attracts “dental tourists” from various places who want to seek solution for their smile concerns. Dental World Manila promotes dental tourism through the Department of Health, the Philippine Dental Association, and the Department of Tourism with affordable and budgetfriendly dental services that costs up to 75% less compared to other first-world countries that offer the same quality procedures. Dental World Manila continues to improve everyone’s confidence and composure through a secured smile, by integrating skilled dentists and staff, modern technology in equipment, quality work and warm Filipino hospitality. Truly, Dental World Manila sets the standard of the growing world of dental and medical tourism in the Philippines.

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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014 57 For more information, visitBALIKBAYANMAGAZINE.COM dentalworld.com.ph

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Franchising in the Philippines In 1981, on the crowded, bustling streets of Morayta, Manila, the first McDonald’s was erected and with that, a billion-peso industry was rooted. 33 years later, there are now more than 1,000 brands in the Philippines with countless chains— and the number continues to grow. The Philippines is the number one market—the leading franchising nation in the entire Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), well ahead of Indonesia and Singapore. All major franchise industries from food, health and wellness, service sector, to retail will continue to spread throughout the entire country. With a population now surpassing 100 million, there are infinite possibilities for new franchisees and entrepreneurs to expand existing business models or to create new ones. Derived from the French word franc, meaning free, the word franchising means freedom. More precisely, franchising is defined as a long-term business relationship in which

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the franchise owner provides a licensed privilege to the franchisee to conduct business, offering full assistance in organization, training, merchandising, advertising and marketing, and management in exchange of monetary royalties. Franchising reinvented and transformed business cultures, practices, and strategies. Today, the franchise industry in the Philippines alone generates billions of pesos in revenue each year largely to four key advantages. The Philippines has: Strategic location in the ASEAN market to serve over 600 million total customers; An English speaking workforce who is service oriented and well-educated; A consistently growing population; A culture where people love to gather together to eat, shop, and relax.

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Go to any big or small city or town in the Philippines today and on any given street, you will surely find a franchised business whether it is a hair salon, pharmacy, convenient store, restaurant, or possibly all different industries. Sales by franchised businesses now account for 5% of total GDP—$6.6 Billion, which in turn, has created millions of jobs. Is franchising for you? The infographics on the next several pages will provide you with valuable insight into the franchising industry.

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“

Starbucks Is No Longer in the Coffee Business Howard Schultz, Founder Starbucks Corporation

Innovation Is Key to Grow Family Owned Franchise Businesses! WORDS: NOIE=%MHOJ]^M%KIOJ>HI

A powerful statement challenging the status quo and sending a strong message to the competitive world of franchising! To succeed, franchise businesses must transition to experiential innovation to drive and sustain its growth years. Sadly, succeeding phases of the business cycle often lead to complacency rather than innovation. Not paying sufficient attention to “innovation” within the business, the industry and market may be one of the contributing factors why so many businesses fail to transition towards the high growth stage. Innovation and strategy focuses on several disciplines. Most successful businesses innovate on product, people, process and experience. For small and medium franchise businesses, it is critical that their capabilities must be geared towards any or all of these disciplines. In this age of fast access where 28,000 new products are introduced every year and new inventions happen almost every day, franchisors should have a high propensity to continuously innovate. So how then can a business be geared for innovation? 64

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BUILD A BETTER MOUSETRAP AND THE WORLD WILL BEAT A PATH TO YOUR DOOR! Really. Does that happen? Certainly! In the Philippines, we have great local family inspired brands like Jollibee, Julie’s Bakeshop, Goldilocks, Max’s Restaurant and Phoenix Petroleum to name a few. These homegrown brands have thrived using innovation as their competitive advantage. Back in 1961 a few doctors doing research at the University of Florida developed the formula for what would soon become known as Gatorade. Applying their research to create a drink that more quickly replenished an athlete’s energy (salt and sugar) was a great “product” innovation. But perhaps an even greater innovation was the creation of a Gatorade Family Trust to ensure ongoing distributions from drink sales regardless of who owned the brand. Today just two shares of Gatorade yields over $500,000 per year according to Darren Ravel, author of “First in Thirst – How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat into a Cultural Phenomenon.” It is not one family that is part of the trust. It is three extended families that comprise this “family of affinity.” The Gatorade story shows how one product innovation can endure for multiple generations, and how one ownership innovation – a group trust – can also endure for multiple generations. Some family businesses have helped shape the world we live

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in today. It was a family business bicycle shop, owned and operated by the Wright brothers, from which emerged the creative ingenuity for man’s first successful flight. It was the Tuthill family who developed the first bread slicer around the time of the depression which spawned another innovation aphorism: ‘The best thing since sliced bread.’ Family-led inventions build stronger family businesses that endure for multiple generations. In fact, when innovative ideas build a better business we witness the world of customers, employees and vendors beating a path to their door. On the other hand, while successful businesses are willing and able to try new things, they must also recognize their core competencies and stick to them. So, we uncover another business paradox – trying new things vs. sticking to your knitting. How do we resolve this paradox? As with all paradoxes, the answer is “both and,” not “either or.” The solution is to choose new business areas that leverage prior knowledge and skills. Don’t branch out beyond your comfort zone. Focus first on what you do best (People, Product, Process and Experiential Innovation), then innovate around that core. The key to successfully executing this strategy is to clearly understand what your competencies are, the ones that clearly differentiate you from your competitors, and how you might use them to take you to new places. The ultimate challenge is in achieving balance between the “traditions” of the business with “innovative” ideas and business

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practices that will enhance the growth, profit and sustainability of the organization. Systematic Innovation has proven to be one of the most effective driving forces for the continued success of companies. The “acid test” is whether innovation gives clearly superior results even in times of crisis. The experience of Prefabricats Planas, a second-generation family business, supplier of the construction industry in Spain in 2010, should help to overcome major prejudices that exist about this issue. Innovation is uncertain — the best way to reduce uncertainty is to organize and systematize. However, companies with a robust innovation seem to ignore the crisis, while many others lament. Innovation points to the top. It is a problem of transformational leadership and should, therefore, not admit delegation. Frances Planas who led the Innovation council at the Prefabricats Planas said: “This change towards an innovative culture cannot be left to a laboratory technician or a technical head.” Delegating to a middle manager would have been dereliction of responsibility. Don Schwerzler, founder of the Family Business Institute, tells this story about innovation... “For years, the mantra for many family businesses was simple: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Schwerzler continues, “The first time I heard someone challenge that philosophy was the then Chairman of Coca-Cola, Roberto Goizueta.” Twenty-five years ago Goizueta opined that his core business philosophy was “If it ain’t broke, break it!” Schwerzler concluded, “That should be the mantra for business innovation – “if it ain’t

broke, break it!” The continued success of the company depends on a deliberate will to embrace innovation. Those who argue that innovation is not possible should stay out of the way of those trying to make it happen. For businesses in the start-up and growth phase, I have listed the following steps in crafting an innovation strategy: a. Prototype Innovation Initiatives similar to the “Lego” Way. b. Be Careful how you measure success. Allow small ideas the time to grow into big strong ones c. It is not easy. But it is possible, project by project. d. One size does not fit all. You need to build a culture of innovation that fits your business. e. Employees and Managers must buy in and be co-creators of these innovation Initiatives. f. Culture eats strategy for business. g. Experience is your great and compelling story to your customers. h. Execute. Execute. Execute. I will end this piece with a powerful quote… “Its no good just being better, you’ve got to be different!”

Professor Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business Advisor and Chair of the Marketing Cluster of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. He is a National Agora Awardee and book author of Kite Runner, a book on Family Business Governance and Succession. For comments, you may email the writer at sorianoasia@gmail.com.

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Leyte: A Year After >55-4''"./%N)A4-#89%N4&34%&.5%M3).)6"3% S4A42)764.#%".%?87$)).%_)2&.5&% O&A&/45%>-4&' WORDS: `MO:>H%N=%N>R>a_>a9%:a>9%PMKM

On the eve of the commemoration of the first year anniversary of one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded in modern times that made a historic and devastating landfall on Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Tacloban City, Leyte, the people of the affected areas in the provinces of Eastern Samar and Leyte continue to be dependent on relief and aid coming from the Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Philippine government and from some over a hundred or more Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from all over the world. This was typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a. Yolanda in the Philippines) that hit the Philippines on November 8, 2013 with sustained winds of more 68

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than 285 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts topping 315 kilometers per hour. The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and the DSWD boldly announced sometime in January 2014 that the relief operations phase must end by June of 2014. The rehabilitation and recovery phase must immediately commence by July 2014. SLOW PROGRESS OF REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY Nine months after typhoon Yolanda hit, rehabilitation is still not happening in a scale that would meet public expectation. As of this writing a number of NGOs led by the USAID’s Growth With Equity for Mindanao group (GEM) have launched their rehabilitation plan which involved mainly the building of new structures and repairing of houses and government offices around the heavily devastated

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Tacloban City, Palo, Tanauan, Dulag, Ormoc City and parts of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The landscape along the route of Typhoon Yolanda in north-eastern, north-western Leyte and Eastern Samar has not changed much. From the air as viewed from a plane that approaches the Daniel Romualdez airport in San Jose, the white canopies of tents and the characteristic curved roofs of the Tzu Chi donated structures dot and dominate the scenery and the landscape below. On the ground, the route from the DMZ airport to the Tacloban City Hall and to the government center in Candahug, Palo are still lined by damaged public (mostly schools and national government agency buildings) and private buildings. SCALE OF TYPHOON YOLANDA’S AFTERMATH To put matters in proper perspective, the devastation was just too massive and the repair and rehabilitation requirements are just too

daunting. All in all the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) placed total loss of life to only less than ten thousand people. Actual loss of life if one will include the more than twenty thousand (20,000) still missing could be three times the number reported by NDRRMC. About 161,400 hectares of farm and coconut lands were flattened or destroyed according to the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). PCA further reported that 13.1 million coconut trees from Eastern Visayas will have to be totally replaced through replanting, and about 20 million more trees were also partially damaged. The earliest these trees could bear fruit is about three and a half to four years after replanting. All in all, PCA puts the damage wrought by super typhoon Yolanda to about PHP 17.8 billion. This is equivalent to more than 15% of the estimated PHP 116.4 billion combined Gross Domestic Product of Eastern Samar and Leyte in 2011.

TACLOBAN CITY REVENUES FELL AS AID FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IS AWAITED The City of Tacloban was the first “Highly Urbanized City” in Eastern Visayas and as such became financially and administratively independent province of Leyte since 2008. By all accounts, Mayor Alfred Romualdez proudly announced that the city was on the verge of taking off economically with its millionth arrival at the airport recorded by end of 2011 and all major car dealers opening branches in the city. There were sixteen flights in and out of the Daniel Romuladez airport and there were planned expansion of many businesses already operating in the city. But most of the businesses called for tax relief as a result of damages from typhoon Yolanda and also from the losses from the largescale looting. Luckily, there were the international NGOs who took up the cudgel to deliver other public services in addition to relief and rehabilitation

services. Otherwise, the city had no capacity to provide regular city services like garbage collection, etc. The national government earmarked nearly PHP 2 billion for the rehabilitation of Tacloban City (mostly infrastructures, housing and buildings) which was finally approved and scheduled for release at about this time. Palo, Tanauan and other municipalities also received more than a billion for housing and repair of buildings and infrastructures. THE CHALLENGE OF REHABILITATION: HOUSING AND RESTORATION OF PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY The two main challenges of rehabilitation are: first, how to house the displaced population and second, how to replace the “lost productive capacity” during the immediate and interim three and a half to four year period when coconut trees and farms need to rebuild and become productive again. Of the total population of Eastern Visayas of

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of 4,101,322 as of 2010 our estimate is that up to 1.5 million people or about 300,000 families have been directly affected by the typhoon in the provinces of Leyte and Eastern Samar alone. One of the steps taken by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino to jump start the rehabilitation and recovery at the Typhoon Yolanda devastated areas was the creation of the office of the Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) and appointed former Senator Panfilo Lacson to head the office on December 10, 2013. PARR was tasked to oversee, coordinate and manage all the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of all the international and local NGOs who are involved in the rehabilitation of all super typhoon Haiyan ravaged areas. By August 1, 2014, (or about nine months later) Sen. Panfilo 70

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Lacson submitted to the Philippine president the PHP 170.9 billion master rehabilitation plan for the Yolanda damaged areas. The report is 8,000 pages thick that came in 8 volumes. THE PARR MASTER RECOVERY PLAN The PARR Master Plan consists mainly of hard projects (infrastructure and fixed asset development), that includes housing. The government’s initiative for housing directs PAGIBIG to fund and finance developers to revive, continue and initiate new mass housing projects. For example, the National Housing Authority and PAGIBIG are supporting Marag-ing Real Estate Development Company and Peerless Development Company (both local developers) for this purpose. USAID’s Growth with

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Equity in Mindanao (GEM) came to Tacloban City with a cadre of 60 or more of engineers and architects to build 600 to a thousand houses. The Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC) contribution is supposed to be the construction of 1,000 houses (if they could find a suitable resettlement area) for the displaced families who used to live along the shoreline of Leyte while a number of private NGOs pledged to repair and build school houses, churches, donate motorized bancas (boats), small stores and other hard and tangible items. One big catch that prevents the progress or construction of the PRC houses is that President Aquino allegedly specified that these new houses should be able to withstand 240 KPH winds (or a typhoon that approximates typhoon Haiyan). No contractor could obviously meet this impractical (if not financially unviable) specification.

Is Tacloban Ready for Another Yolanda? Oliver Cam, Point Person for Trade, Industry and ICT of Eastern Visayas and Leyte Chambers of Commerce & Industry (EVCCI/LCCI), states that although the city is prepared in terms of DRRM and evacuation planning, the city does not yet have enough equipment (vehicles, disaster resilient Evacuation Centers, communications facilities) and operating budget (due to the great loss of local revenues from local businesses which have not yet fully resumed operations and still awaiting the actual disbursement of requested funds from the national government). Even the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) does not yet have enough operational firetrucks. Only 3 out of 6 firetrucks are operational to-date. The Tacloban Airport is also still not fully operational and only half of its 2.1 kilometer runway is usable by small turboprop aircraft until end of the year.

HARD AND SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN THE YOLANDA RAVAGED AREAS The Yolanda ravaged areas could be used as pilot areas of work to build and sustain skills development and training projects to increase employability of the local labor force that has been displaced. These training entities could even be developed to become financially selfsustaining enterprises that can be replicated in other under-served areas or regions of the Philippines. A complete rehabilitation plan must include education and training for hard and soft skills needed by the new communities being built in the rehabilitation program in addition to hard infrastructures and other hard projects. Education and training should be a collective effort by all and require the pooling of resources of private academic and training organizations, the Local Governments Units (LGU), DOLE, OPAPP, CHED and even the DEPED. ADDRESSING POVERTY INCIDENCE IN EASTERN VISAYAS AND PREPARING FOR 2015 The incidence of poverty in Eastern Visayas per Philippine Statistical Yearbook of 2012 ranges from a low of 20.7% (Biliran) to a high of 59.4% (Eastern Samar). Region VIII’s average poverty incidence of 37.2% in 2012 is just behind Region 12 (37.5%) and ARMM (46.9%) or third highest in the whole Philippines. Any recovery plan must therefore also address the functional literacy gap by delivering Basic English language proficiency and numeration skills among others, to increase their employability. Other capacity building activities to fit the skills of the local labor force to the skills being demanded by employers could be delivered as well. The TESDA skill certification courses come to mind. Finally, the rehabilitation and recovery plan must meet the challenges posed by the implementation of free-trade in services expected by 2015. The biggest contributor to economic growth in most ASEAN member countries is from the Service Sector. This means that we have to develop our technical, vocational and professional skills of our local labor force along with providing them the tools and facilities to work with. The rehabilitation and recovery plan for the typhoon Yolanda ravaged areas are no exceptions. Hard projects, (buildings and infrastructures) are not enough.

Livelihood rehabilitation is the greatest challenge, majority of all the local government and line agencies are still awaiting the actual disbursement of funds for their respective approved rehab/ recovery programs. Approval vs Disbursement of funds: As many in government know, the disbursement process may take several months to years after approval. MSME/business owners can apply for a soft loan up to P2 million with no collateral requirement at 6% interest per annum at the DTI Provincial office along Real St in between the Tacloban Astrodome and Coca-Cola plant. Up to P5 million loan can be availed with minimal collateral requirement. To-date, around P1.18 Billion from the original funding request for the soft loan program of P7 Billion in funding has been provided/released by the SBC. Tacloban already has created and is implementing a revised Disaster Risk Reduction and emergency evacuation plan through its City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO). Around 70+ Evacuation Centers (EC) out of more than 92+ EC’s identified throughout Tacloban City have been/are undergoing repairs. The city is setting up an Evacuation Center System composed of at least 6 major EC’s in strategic geographic locations throughout the city combined with smaller EC’s in the form of evacuation towers and disaster resilient school/multipurpose buildings from various donors like USAID, UNDP, JICA, etc. UNDP donated one of the major EC’s which will be constructed at the vacant area beside the Tacloban city Hall. At present, there are ongoing revisions to the previous Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) so that proper re-classification, re-zoning combined with a new building code for structures that are in the permanent danger zones can be promoted and enforced source: Eastern Visayas and Leyte Chambers of Commerce & Industry (EVCCI/LCCI)

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Tacloban’s Silver Lining: One man’s optimism on one of the gravest adversity this country has ever faced WORDS: RRI_S%b>N>H?>

Rebuilding is never an easy task, especially in an area ravaged by sudden storm surge and typhoon like Tacloban City in Eastern Visayas. After the storm displaced thousands of Tacloban residents all over the country, majority of the locals were left helpless and clueless on how to start life anew. This is the time that government officials are called for division of tasks, and departments to jumpstart the rehabilitation process. Working for the government is not just a job, but a responsibility. Every government process is very crucial for the development of communities in the country. In order to engage with the community, one must understand the need of the people—and experience is the best way to relate and understand. German Policarpio Palabyab, fondly known by his friends as Gerry, currently manages the Tacloban 72

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Regional Office of Professional Regulation Commission. Gerry is a graduate of the University of the PhilippinesDiliman, with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Master’s degree in Business Administration. In 1975, a year after he got his master’s degree in UP, he started to enter the academe as an Instructor and Lecturer in Economics for one year in UP Manila, which was only an extension back then; and at the same time, worked as a Management Consultant for the National Economic & Development Authority in Pasig from 1974 to 1983. While working for NEDA, he became involved in the setting up and the original incorporation of the APO Production Unit Inc., together with his other colleagues in NEDA and the National Statistics Office, in order to establish a modern, fully-integrated printing and publishing outfit that will facilitate the production and publication of the NEDA economic and statistical reports and Asian Productivity Organization’s own publications in the 1980s. Up to now, APO Production Unit Inc. is a government owned and controlled corporation under the oversight of Sec. Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). In 1989, he took a leave of absence and migrated to California, USA and pursued different careers in the private sector. He became a vice-president for operations of a Southern California manufacturer of sachets, pillows and comforters until 1990. Then he moved to San Francisco California and managed a printing brokerage company until 1992. He became the publisher and editor-in-chief of Manila Bulletin USA which was launched in 1994. Constantly improving himself, he was invited to join a select group of potential teachers for the public schools in the Bay Area. This was the Partnership Program between the University Of California East Bay (UCEB) and the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD). Mr. Gerry Palabyab the publisher and journalist became Gerry, the professional teacher after he acquired his Professional Teacher Certificate and teaching credential for K-12 with multi-lingual and multi-cultural emphasis under the USC and WCCUSD Partnership Program. Fourteen (14) years in the US has honed Palabyab’s vast management experiences. He returned to the Philippines in 2001 to continue serving the government and to apply what he learned – this time, through the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas). In Tacloban City, together with his wife Lina, he helped set up and organize in 2002 the Leyte School of Professionals (LSP), a non-stock, non-profit foundation specializing in Public Administration up to the time it earned its license from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) IN 2004. Gerry actively writes articles and research papers based on his current interests. His “Complete Printing Operations and Publishing Manual” first published in 1986 is still being used at APO Production Unit, Inc. His recent work was the “Readings and Preparation Guide for Professional Teachers,” published in Quezon City in February 2012.

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Gerry has been with the PRC as regional director for Eastern Visayas since May 2001. His stint in PRC Eastern Visayas was briefly interrupted in 2007, when he was re-assigned to PRC Central office to chair PRC’s ICT Steering Committee, or the policy making body responsible for the improvement of PRC’s information technology and communication systems. The move was prompted by the need to make the Walk In Examination System (WES) work in time for the visit and inspection of the WES by the manning and shipping organizations in Manila in 2008. The manning and shipping companies donated computers and servers for the WES in Intramuros, PRC Cebu, Iloilo and Davao upon request by Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP). Gerry was asked to troubleshoot and save the Philippines from embarrassment by making sure that the WES works again. WES is a component of the Licensure Examination and Registration Information System (LERIS), PRCs flagship ICT project work. He initiated some revisions and enhancements that made the WES more user friendly and up and running. Tacloban City, Leyte lies along the typhoon belt and is prone to flooding and even earthquakes. The work of disaster risk reduction management councils and other volunteer organizations for relief after typhoons and emergencies are therefore important. Not known to many, other people and offices volunteered on their own in the current rehabilitation, including the Tacloban City office of PRC headed by Gerry Palabyab. TACLOBAN RISES AGAIN Gerry and his wife Lina recently submitted a concept paper proposing plans on how Eastern Visayas could recover from the Typhoon Yolanda devastation and achieve a sustainable economic recovery. Gerry calls this plan his “Literacy and Skills Development Plan to 74

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Alleviate Poverty, promote Peace and economic development in typhoon Yolanda stricken areas.” Tacloban City before Yolanda is one of the highly urbanized cities in the Philippines, which means that the city is an important regional hub for commerce, education, culture and government. It was awarded the zeal of good governance from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and also received recognition as one of the country’s most competitive cities. But after Yolanda hit, Tacloban City was literally knocked down but not out. CNN’s Anderson Cooper who was among the first international journalists to cover the Yolanda aftermath who noted the resiliency and capacity of the people of Eastern Visayas to rise up to the challenge of rehabilitation. Gerry argues in his paper that equally important in the rehabilitation of Eastern Visayas is education, literacy, and skills development to capacitate the people to work and become productive again. Mere rehabilitation of infrastructures is not enough. Soft skills go hand in hand with repair of infrastructures to attain economic self-sufficiency. The teacher in Mr. Palabyab is manifesting itself in this advocacy of his. Hoping for the involvement of NGOs, private companies and the national government as well, Gerry and Lina are aiming to revive the almost-rubbled Leyte School of Professionals (LSP), the only private foundation in Tacloban City offering a baccalaureate course in Public Administration. LSP’s history could be traced to the partnership of Fiscal Administration Foundation Inc. (FAFI), with the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA). Initially offering only a master’s degree in public administration, the FAFI became the alma mater of some notable government officials to date like Secretary Butch Abad and his wife, numerous regional directors and other third-level government officials in Leyte and Samar. LSP needs massive rehabilitation and funding because its facilities were wiped out by the storm.

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Beyond public administration, Gerry and Lina’s plan for LSP is to offer tech-voc courses that are demanded by the industry as reported by the Bureau of Labor and Employment by the DOLE. Language training is a major part of the training curriculum. Gerry and Lina’s plan goes beyond the expansion of the LSP in the Eastern Visayas. The business model calls for partnership with the beneficiary communities that could be replicated in other economically depressed and underserved areas. These are the Cordillera Region, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, and parts of the Bicol peninsula. Their plan will use an online academy to deliver the courses to different digital labs at the target regions. Their plan is actually in line with the PRC’s call for competitiveness of Philippine professionals in time for the ASEAN economic integration in 2015. The reality in the Yolanda stricken areas of Eastern Visayas is that billions of pesos have been pledged and raised but it won’t be easy for the region to benefit from these due to serious implementation problems. The office of the Presidential Adviser for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) has documented and listed what the victims need and what the NGOs and other donors are willing to give. The good news is that there are many hardworking men and leaders who truly are committed to making things work in the typhoon ravaged areas in Visayas. From the rubble and ruins of their homes, farms and offices will surely rise a new Tacloban City, like a phoenix rising with the dawn. Gerry and Lina remind everyone that the most important and most valuable of all the resources needed to rise from the ruins and destruction is the human resource. This is where Gerry and Lina Palabyab would like to focus on. Buildings, machines and other infrastructures are nothing unless there is a human person in it who will make it work.

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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

SCOPE HIKING ESSENTIALS

Health Benefits “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

No Way But North Destination: Sadaga | Kalinga !4%$4&-5%#$&#%"#G'%.)#%U,'#%A4/4#&024'%&.5%A&-"4/&#45%+)(4-'%".%#$4%H)-#$=% ?$&#G'%($8%(4%'4.#%),-%6)'#%".#-47"5%#4&6%#)%'4#%),#%*)-%#$4%#-4;%6)'#% #-&A424-'%5&-4%.)#%#&;4\"*%/"A4.%&%3$)"34\&.5%c.5%),#%($&#%"#%"'%#$&#% 6&;4'%#$"'%.)-#$4-.%-4/").9%74-$&7'9%#$4%.4B#%it%54'#".&#").=% >5-4.&2".4=%:&U4'#"3%A"4(=%P,2#,-4=%>.5%).4%$43;%)*%&.%&5A4.#,-4=%!$&#% &-4%8),%(&"#"./%*)-Q%

Hiking is known to improve balance and cardio-respiratory fitness (heart, lungs, blood vessels).

ILLUSTRATION: RRI_S%b>N>H?> Navigation: Remember to wear a watch and bring a MAP & Compass.

Merrell: Ground level, New Wing, Market! Market!, Taguig City | Source: American Hiking Society

Sun protection: Sport a breathable hat with good coverage. Apply sunscreen and wear comfortable sunglasses.

Food: Pack sufficient food for your trip: ready-to-eat and in easy to open containers. Take with you a water bottle.

Light: Use waterproof flashlights | headlamps and matchbox.

“Research shows that hiking has a positive impact on combating the symptoms of stress and anxiety,” says Greg A. Miller, PhD, President of the American Hiking Society.

Clothing: Wear a waterproof jacket to bear occasional rain—choose one in bright color for easier recognition when traveling with a group.

First Aid: Make sure that your first-aid kit suits the trip length and group size.

Tools: Stow a knife and multitools for food preparation, gear repair and first aid.

Trekking builds strength in your quadriceps, hamstrings, and the muscles in your hips and legs. Walking releases adrenaline—which if not released from the body, accumulates and causes muscle tensions and feelings of anxiety. Long walks increases oxygen supply to every cell in your body. It eases muscle tension and wakes up stiff joints. It also makes you feel less lethargic. It makes you happy! Walking releases feelgood endorphins into the bloodstream.

Shelter: Bring an easy to assemble tent and snug sleeping bag.

Facts You burn 200-250 calories per hour if you’re walking at a rate of 2.5 miles an hour (that’s about the pace you’d walk from one place to another). You burn 500 calories per hour if you’re walking at a rate of 4.5 miles per hour.

Hike in comfortable shoes like Merrell’s All Out Blaze. Lightweight and fits right in the shape of your foot, this shoe absorbs impact with its UniFly™ technology. Sporting Vibram® outsole, it is perfect for uneven, slippery terrain.

On average, you burn 100 calories for every mile you walk.

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T KALINGA

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THE ANCIENT ART OF BATOK >.%)./)"./%'4-"4'%&0),#%".5"/4.),'% /-),7'%".%#$4%N$"2"77".4' WORDS: O>NL>MR%dILH%IOJMR PHOTOGRAPHS: d>PIa%:>MH?b OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

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T KALINGA Getting to Buscalan, Kalinga Plan your dates carefully. It can be a rather dangerous road driving through the mountains, so make sure to keep track of weather reports if you plan to go during the rainy season. Contact a local tour guide. The village does not speak Tagalog or English. They have their own local dialect, but they also speak Ilocano. Make sure to be prepared. Francis Pa-In is the world famous Kalinga tour guide. He is a delightful eccentric who will give you a comprehensive guide into the lives and customs of the Kalinga. (Mobile #0915-769-0843)

Part I—Of Folklore and Truth Chancing heavy rains, traversing rugged-mountainous terrain—in search of 96-year old Fang-Od, the last tattoo artist of the indigenous Kalinga Tribe. ___ And there she was. Crouched on her knees in a huddled position—tapping, hammering away on the foreigner’s chest—right above the heart. Placed on a chair beside her was a small coconut bowl filled with thick, black ink—organically made from soot:a black powder that is formed from burning wood. In the corner of her house, laid two pots over several piles of wood—the fire burned continuously to make all the ink that she would need for the scores of unannounced travelers who came to be honored with a tattoo from her. Forget about your phone, there is no signal for miles and hours on end—you are now in the village of an ancient civilization. She wiped away the blood and ink that spewed off the foreigner’s body with her ink and blood stained cloth. Her tools: two hammer like sticks—one with a short handle made of bamboo and a sharp pomelo thorn called siit as the head: the 80

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other, a thick wooden stick used as her knocking tool. She reaches for a tiny bottle of oil and begins to appease, satiate the punctured skin. In just 30 minutes, she completed the foreigner’s badge of honor. She quickly stood, glanced at the on-lookers attentively watching her every move. She smiled, pointed to the chair in front of her and said in her native dialect, “Who is next?” At 96, Fang-Od is as spirited and energetic as a young child. Her piercing grey eyes invoke the keenness and grace of a soaring eagle. Her kingdom—the habitually mist riddled village that rests high atop and deep into the Cordillera Mountains of Northern Luzon, Philippines. Her lineage spans decades of skilled mambabatoks (tattoo artists), including her father, Ogg-ay, the teacher of whom she attained her talents from at a very young age. And yet, to this day and at the ripe age of 96, if she does not have any visitors, she tends to her family’s rice fields. They own this land. Arising every morning at the cusp of dawn, she battles hundreds of stairs, surpassing powerful waterfalls—all the while surrounded by lush, green flora and fauna. After the treacherous climb down, she moves upstream, walking several kilometers through muddy paths and an hour or so later,

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Have a base point. Manila to Baguio is about 5 hours. Baguio to Buscalan, Kalinga is 5 hours. Sagada to Buscalan is 5 hours. Do not drive at night, it is not advisable whatsoever. Arrive early. The hike through and up the mountain is exhausting. According to my walk meter app on my phone, it is 17,463 foot steps to the village, which is about a 2 hour hike. Packing Guide Hiking boots - Choose the best, go with Merrell Hiking Shoes. Most comfortable, supportive shoes that the entire Balikbayan Magazine team used. It was the perfect shoes hiking up the mountain especially in the rain—it will literally save your ankles, and your life. First Aid Kit – If you plan on getting a tattoo, bring petroleum gel to begin the healing process. Bottles of water – It can be a treacherous hike up the mountain and no matter how cold it is, you will sweat. Bring 1 bottle of water for the hike up the mountain. If you’re staying overnight, keep water by your side. And have another bottle of water for the hike back to your car. (Approximately 4 bottles of water each person.) Extra pair of clothes (for at least 2 days). Make sure to wear comfortable clothes for the hike up and down the mountain. Mosquito repellent – Not that problematic, but best to be sure just in case, unless you don’t mind mosquitoes buzzing around your ear.

she finally arrives. Working all day just before sunset, she carries on her back a hefty basket of rice to bring for the village dinner. And away she goes, back on the trail home, carefully walking step-by-step back up to the top of the mountain—a life routine she has done for more than 80 years. Welcome to the tranquil poetry of the Philippine countryside. In her twenties, Fang-Od lost her one true love to a logging accident. As she tells the story, a crack in her voice became noticeable. For over 80 plus years, she dedicated her love of batok (tattoo) to fill the empty void in her heart—she never remarried or had kids. She laughs and smiles, pauses for up to a minute and exclaims, “Oh, I had so many suitors after me before.” Because she does not speak Tagalog, I ask her in Ilocano (of which she can understand and speak only minimally), “How many people have you tattooed?” She laughs in deep wonder, trying to recall the past 80 years. She replies in her native tongue, “Many, so many, I cannot even count. I would even be commissioned by other villages to do their warriors. People from all over the world have come here, Europeans, Americans, all over.” Choose, sketch, hammer, and cleanse— Fang-Od’s 4-step process of getting the Kalinga Tattoo. In the tattooing area, which is located at the mouth of the village, you are provided with 3 books showcasing the designs of this ancient art. Pictures of all the Kalinga men and women dating back decades are on full display as well as the handful of villagers adorned with their own symbols on their arms, chest, and back. You can either choose your design or ask Fang-Od to decide for you. Each tap from her tools, blood will begin to spew around the wounds and quickly flow down forming a stream of red and black. The canvas will wince in pain taking in almost 80 to 100 beats per minute in this truly once in a lifetime experience of an ancient spiritual and religious practice. If

you don’t take the pain courageously, it is believed that this is a sign of a looming bad omen—that death and destruction is imminent for both you and the village. The cost of receiving a tattoo is dependent on the size, ranging from a low cost of Php 1,000 to upwards of Php 10,000—my request—a full left sleeve, would take at least 2 days. One of the village chieftains who welcomed us to stay in his home, told me that in 2007, the village was opened to travelers and a few years later, in came the concrete maze through the mountain paved by the government to solve what otherwise would be a remarkably unsafe passage. Before this, the village was largely left in the confines of its own solitude. For the most part, the Philippine government has tried to preserve indigenous villages throughout the country. As such, on October 29, 1997, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act was passed into law in order to “Recognize, protect, and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities, creating a national commission of indigenous people, establishing implementing mechanisms, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.” It wasn’t until 2010 when acclaimed tattoo anthropologist, Dr. Lars Krutak of the National Geographic, featured the art of batok in a documentary when intrigue over the indigenous culture, customs, and livelihood of the Kalinga peoples really became internationally known. For centuries, the ancient art of batok was practiced throughout the Philippines, all the way from the northern most provinces to the remote depths of Mindanao. With the introduction of Christianity and the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, the practices of tattooing rapidly faded away. In 1521, when Spaniards arrived in the Visayan Islands, they described the natives as “pintados,” meaning “the painted ones” as a result of the vast array of people covered in tattoos—with the exception of their hands and feet.

Portable charger (for your cameras) Vitamins / Medicines – Keep your immune system strong and don’t forget your medicines. The nearest signal is (supposedly) a 30 minute walk from the village. Gifts for the village – A small token of gratitude will go a long way. Snacks – We didn’t bring any snacks so we bought a small size pig and 2 chickens for dinner for Php 2,500. Toiletries - Bring mouthwash. You’ll feel so much in the morning. Alcohol sanitizer – Bring a big bottle and wash your hands with this. Jacket – It can get quite cold up in the mountains. And just because it is sunny initially, you never know, it could rain. Flashlight - It is nearly pitch black at night. Eating utensils - The village normally eats with their hands. Sleeping bag – We were hosted by one of the village chieftains. The beds were wooden cots, so if you can’t sleep and something hard, I highly recommend this. Journal – The serene mountain views will inspire you to write. Make sure to capture this once in a lifetime experience. Don’t forget your camera! This is a once in a lifetime experience in a place where not a lot of people have been to. Be sure to document your experience. Backpack – You need something to carry all these supplies. Candy – Many children in the village kept asking if we had candy. Pasalubong Guide Tattoo from Whang-Od - If you were unsure about getting a tattoo before, this is surely the definitive time to get one. I suggest buying the native coffee. Best coffee I’ve ever had—organic, naturally sweet bold tasting coffee. Leave everything you brought with the village.

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T KALINGA Prior to World War II, the mountain tribes of the Cordillera region exercised headhunting and resolved conflicts with rival tribes using bow and arrows, spears, and makeshift knives in battle. For Kalinga men, tattoos were earned, only awarded to the bravest—to signify their victories over sworn enemies. The men were not honored with crown jewels, but rather with elaborately designed tattoos, which in turn, became their body armor. Up to the 1940s, during the Japanese occupation, warriors still received complete body tattoos for successfully defeating their enemy and thus, solidifying their stature in the community. They bravely fought the Japanese guns with their primitive weapons. These are the Kalinga—one of the select few that never succumbed to foreign rule. Even under Spanish and American occupation, the Kalinga were granted autonomy—even joining forces with the American military to fight the Japanese attempting to penetrate the north. The fiercest warriors believed their tattoos gave them spiritual and magical abilities, which in turn, provided a powerful psychological edge and mental strength in combat. For women, tattoos were desired to make themselves appear more

attractive and enhance their beauty in the quest of finding a lover. With no actual form of currency, often times pigs, chickens, carabao, elaborate heirloom jewelry, or clothing were used as collateral for receiving the sought after body art. The Kalinga people believe that when you die, you do not take your clothing or jewelry to heaven with you, just your tattoos—so that in the afterlife, your family would see your beauty and importance on earth. To this day, tattoos are still believed to ward off illnesses, bad spirits, and to signify your social status within the village community—tattoos are highly regarded and considered the greatest symbol of honor. LASTING LEGACY Fang-Od’s niece, Grace, a young woman is learning to become the next mambabatok. However, she has yet to fully display complete devotion to protect this ancient art. Her intrigue of modernization is conflicting with the required dedication, focus, and practice needed to assume the iconic place of her aunt. The struggle for preserving their ancestral roots continues to clash with 21st century notions. Presently, the village itself is home to 1,000 people—however, more and more are migrating to nearby towns.

Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Phiippine Culture and Society By William Henry Scott Available on Amazon.com

Kalinga Tattoo: Ancient & Modern Expressions of the Tribal By Lars Krutak Available on Amazon.com

Spiritual Skin: Magical Tattoos and Scarification By Lars Krutak Available on Amazon.com

Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral Traditions By Virgil Mayor Apostol Available on Amazon.com

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Photograph: Geloy Concepcion

Filipino Tattoos Ancient to Modern By Lane Wilcken Available on Amazon.com

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T CORDILLERA

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oad trips aren’t my thing but for these 3 mountain getaways, driving more than 10 hours is worth seeing the beautiful view. If you’re into trekking, this adventure will be a wonderful experience to partake in. Everything about this trip will leave you feeling rejuvenated and whole. Finding myself was so much easier when it came to the views, people, and everything in between. Our first stop was Banaue. In Banaue there is a population of 22,365 people. Banaue is a beautiful mountain known for their rice terraces. If you were to translate it into Tagalog it would be called Hagdan-hagdang Palayan ng Banaue. The rice terraces have been on this earth for about 2,000 years.

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The Filipinos consider these terraces as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. With Ifugao being Banaue’s ancestors, the rice terraces were manually carved into the mountains. Till this day, the locals still plant rice on terraces. One thing you should know is that the ifugaos do not find farming enjoyable. They say that if the steps were connected end to end, it would encircle half of the world. Can you imagine just seeing the rice terraces cross itself on your own neighborhood? The harvest season is the best time to take a visit because of the feasts. The people of Banaue bring out a tango or tungul which is called (A Day of Rest). It holds a strict restriction for agricultural work. They also participate in the bayah (rice beer) as well as eating rice cakes and

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betel nuts. There are four rice terraces that resemble each other. They are the Mayoyao, Happao Rice Terraces, and Kiangan Rice Terraces. From Manila to Banaue the drive is approximately 8-9 hours but it is very doable. On the road going to Banaue there will be plenty of breathtaking views you can capture. You will notice that you are 2 hours away from your destination once you’ve hit the zigzag road. There will also be terraces that you will be passing by before you hit Banaue. Stopping over would be a good idea for a great shot on your camera. Once you have arrived at Banaue you should go straight to the tourist center located at the heart of their town proper. There you will meet Rio Humiwat. He is the supervising tourism operations officer. Don’t be

shy to come up and ask him about questions and information within their province. The people in Banaue come forth with open arms. They are all tourist-friendly and they make sure that you won’t leave feeling unwelcomed. Deep within the cordillera range you will find a place just only a couple of hours away. Within two to three hours you will find yourself in a small town called Sagada. It may be a small town but it is filled with mystifying adventures. Sagada is about 80 miles (140 kilometers) from Baguio. It is also adjoint to Bontoc which is the province’s capital. Sagada holds about 19 barangays and they are all equally subdivided. Legend has it that Sagada used to be an Ili or village by Biag. It was founded by man from Bika in eastern Abra. As you enter Sagada you will find yourself passing by log cabins and pine trees. You will mostly see Sagada weaving houses on your right. Sagada weaving produces great quality woven material. They are also all manually made. The population in Sagada is approximately more than 11,000. During the morning until early evening you can see most of the locals walking around. Most of them prepare the market for the village so that others can buy important necessities to feed and care for their family. They offer you fresh vegetables, meat, and other main ingredients you normally find in a regular market. If you’re thinking of staying for a while, the market will be very useful if you choose the option to cook your own food. There are 3 paths once you’ve hit the market. There’s one going down the village on your right. If you walk straight ahead it will lead you to the mayor’s town hall. Walk one floor up and to your right, you will see the mayor’s office. Lastly, the path on the right will lead you to The Pumpkin Place in addition to passing by a couple of cozy inns. In the town hall, tour guides will

assist you and give you everything you will need in order for you to have an easier stay in Sagada. Just a suggestion, ask for April Castro and Mark Galas. There will be other local tour guides, but these two did an outstanding job in making sure that the team of Balikbayan magazine took in good quality information and adventures within their stay in Sagada. The Mayor of Sagada goes by the name of Eduardo T. Latawan, Jr. He has served his term from 2007-present. Respectable and heartwarming, Mayor Eduardo Latawan will make sure that you won’t feel that far away from home. Finding a comfortable and cozy inn won’t be difficult. This hotel is recommended for any occasion or purpose you might have in Sagada. Their log cabin themed rooms give you a great view of the mountains every morning. The best times to look out your window are during sunrise and sunset hours—the fog just makes it even better. Sagada also offers you a wide variety of hiking and trekking routes. Leaving Sagada would be incomplete if you weren’t able to visit the astonishing hanging coffins. From the town hall, tour guides will assist you on a 30 to 45 minute hiking path heading towards the hanging coffins of Sagada. As you take on the trail

there will be a couple of historical landmarks to stop by and take photos of. This includes the first church built in Sagada called The Church of St. Mary the Virgin. It was built in 1904 and suffered damages from The World War II, yet the people of Sagada were able to reconstruct the building back to its original structure. The beautiful fog will surround you as you walk deeper into the mountains. During this rainy season the mountains tend to get slippery and muddy, so wearing hiking boots/ shoes will you keep you safe from any dangerous incidents. At the end of the trail you will happen to stumble upon the ever so famous hanging coffins of Sagada. These coffins have been placed there for centuries and they have been practicing this for about more than 2,000 years. The people of Sagada believed that placing coffins on the side of a cliff would bring the deceased closer to heaven. Another reason why the hanging coffins were placed there was not just because of their spiritual beliefs, but also because Igorots knew that the bodies would decompose quickly when buried on the ground. It has an eerie effect to it once you take your first look, but once you know the exact story and the reasons why those coffins were hung it will really change your views towards the

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T CORDILLERA 1. Dubbed as the “8th Wonder of the World,” the Banaue Rice Terraces is a majestic landscape—an icon of the North. 2. Curiously eerie, these hanging coffins are strange as they are captivating. 3. A cold dip inside the cave in Sagada. TRIVIA

coffins. It really is beautiful the way that the people of Sagada strongly keep this practice until this day. Delicious and mouth watering food is also a specialty that Sagada holds. There are many selections of cute, small restaurants that you can choose from. They may seem that they offer a very small selection of meals but to be honest with you, their courses are to die for. The team was able to experience only one night to find a great place to eat dinner as well as breakfast the next morning. The best place to grab dinner would be The Yoghurt House. Their dishes are hearty meals and healthy choices that will make sure you won’t leave with an empty stomach. Most of the drinks and desserts are yogurt based. The theme of their restaurant gives off an aura of warmth and comfort. They even have a cute little fire place on the first floor. If that doesn’t warm your heart and belly, then I don’t know what will. Sagada brought fascination, adventure, and great affordable meals. The comfort that Sagada had given me went straight to my heart. Security, warmth, and laughter are the top three reasons why tourists love to come around even more than once. You will see several foreigners walking on the streets to explore 86

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more about what Sagada can offer them. Without the beautiful people and the fascinating places in Sagada that make it worth the stay, then it wouldn’t have been as well talked about until this day. There are thousands of mountains around the world but nothing has ever changed my life unlike these two mountains have. Mountains are quiet, strong, and they stand tall. Just like the mountains, the people of both provinces have been molded just like the place they live in. Finding the heart of Cordillera was similar to finding and understanding the meaning of life. My view on appreciating beautiful mountain scenery has never been life changing. It has altered my perspective toward life in many ways possible. Like a wise man named John Muir once said, “going to the mountains is going home.”

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Sagada has a tribe called “Applai Sagada is an Ilocano dialect The Banaue Rice Terraces was chosen as one of the two green globe destinations of the Philippines by the World Travel and Tour council The Banaue Rice Terraces is considered as a national cultural treasure TIPS Make sure to buy yourself a pair of good hiking shoes like Merrell’s All Out Blaze Waterproof Be prepared to walk under the sun for a long period of time, bring bug repellent, hat or caps, and sunscreen Don’t forget water and a first aid kit, it is very important that you stay hydrated throughout your trekking adventures Don’t worry about the locals, each and every one of them are very friendly and approachable Make sure to prepare sweaters to keep you warm the mountain province will get very chilly during the evening and early morning

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T PRINCESA GARDEN

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THE LUXE LIFE While there are a number of reasons to visit Palawan, Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, a green paradise of beauty and bliss, is surely the place to be. OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

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T PRINCESA GARDEN

Picture the breathtaking sunset: the burning gradience of red and yellow reflected on a horizon of cerulean watersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; placid waves breaking onto the golden shore of glistening sand as the sun lowers over the outlook. And then picture that perfect spot just where the opposing tides meet: that swathe of bright sand melding with turquoise. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inviting. The tall glass of cold, fresh smoothie is dewy with moist under the summer sky. Everything is perfect. 90

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rincesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, nestled in the village of Bancao-Bancao in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, is five minutes away from Puerto Princesa International Airport and an hour flight away from Manila. It is the first and only 5-star oceanfront resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan that boasts an Asian-themed architecture infused with native touches. From the rustic handcrafted walls made from corals to the use of solar panels that support the water heaters, Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa is keen on minimizing its carbon footprint. Combing practical luxury with environmental responsibility, it has its own wastewater treatment plant and desalination system to water the vast foliage; it also made use of the different materials found naturally in the area during its construction.

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Canuigaran Street, Brgy. Bancao -Bancao, Puerto Princesa, Palawan For more information please visit www.princesagardenisland.com or call Manila Sales Office: (02) 7447979 or 09178739574 | 09189675132. Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa: (048) 7231379 to 76 or 09277649915.

3 1. The warm and â&#x20AC;&#x153;refreshingâ&#x20AC;? welcome at Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa. 2. The cozy interior of the resort with a twist of local artistry and craftsmanship. 3. Colorful. A very artistic shuttle to the resort. 4. One of the highlights of this resort is the cultural show.

Complete with an in-house foreign exchange service, WiFi access and safety deposit box for business professionals, you can expect nothing but full, personalized services. With a fully equipped gym, rental bikes, seaside volleyball, life-size chess, mini-golf and an entertainment center equipped with billiards, darts and table soccer, everything you need is inside the resort. Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa has the most extensive banqueting and conference facilities on the island, which can accommodate up to 600 people and even has its own chapel: an elegant venue which can house 100 guests, perfect for wedding functions. While there are a number of water sports activities available, take advantage of the resorts complimentary kayaks or boat shuttle service going to the sandbar located a few meters away from the resorts shoreline. A visit in Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa would not be complete without taking a dip in the resorts majestic chlorine-free swimming pool, kiddie pool, toddler pool and 3 state of the art slides. The horse-drawn kalesa ride takes you exploring the local village while being serenaded with Filipino folksongs. And a cultural show (on occasion) enlivens the local appreciation on our culture through dance and music. The loft type Daycare center separates children 4-11 years of age (complete with board games and soft play equipment) to our young adolescent guests who can enjoy playing computer and video games. In addition, daily activities await young artists to explore their creativity at the art center. *some charges apply

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T PRINCESA GARDEN

SIGNATUREÂ COLLECTION Princesa Classic | 35-41 m2 The Princesa Classic is a treat for nature-lovers, providing a magnificent view of the surrounding foliage and blossoms, as well as breathtaking views of the resort from its spacious balcony. Each lanai also features its own daybed. The bathrooms are equipped with their own 8-inch rainfall shower with complete amenities. Princesa Classic Elite | 41 m2 Upgaded version of the Princesa Classic. Princesa Harbor Suite | 62 m2 Princesa Harbor Suiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main distinction from the rest of the signature collection is its outdoor Jacuzzi and spacious lanai. Princesa Premiere Suite | 62 m2 The Princesa Premiere Suite is a studio suite with its own Jacuzzi, 12-inch rain shower and 46-inch LCD television. Princesa Garden Suite | 61 m2 Located on the ground floor, this suite has its own Jacuzzi. Unwind in your room with its 46-inch LED TV, and enjoy the luxurious swimming pools. One Bedroom Princesa Suite | 100 m2 The spacious suite lends an intimate ambiance with a seafacing bedroom, giving you the best views of the ocean. It boasts a powder room, and a dining and living area. 92

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POOL COLLECTION One Bedroom Elite Ocean Front Suite | 91 m2 Offering stunning views of the ocean and the resort’s prosperous gardens, this grand, spacious suite faces the endless expanse of the ocean and opens out into its own private veranda. Relax in the comfort of your bed, unwind in your outdoor beachside Jacuzzi, and step directly into the infinity pool.

Elite Pool Access | 35-41 m2 You can enjoy more bathroom facilities with the Elite Pool Access room, such as the room’s soaking tub in this upgraded version of the Pool Access room.

Pool Access | 35 m2 Enjoy direct and private pool access to the luxurious swimming pools. OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

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T PRINCESA GARDEN LUXURY COLLECTION Pool Villa | 47 m2 This is the perfect choice for honeymooners. Each of the villas has a lanai that grants guests access to the private pool. Double Pool Villa | 49 m2 Double pool villas are furnished with their own ceiling fan, spacious closet, ipod dock, 46-inch LCD television, 12-inch rainshower bath and private garden or ocean view. Water Villa | 143 m2 Enjoy the 180-degree view of the deep blue waters of the lagoon from the room’s three-side floor to ceiling glass windows. Relax on a hammock in the balcony, or indulge in the outdoor jetpool. Guests residing at the ocean villas also have exclusive access to the standalone lounge, the club lounge, which serves light snacks and drinks 24/7. Princesa Luxury Suite | 173 m2 Princesa’s crowning glory; a 2-bedroom suite that gives guests the option to widen their lap of luxury by connecting it to the adjoining room. This luxury suite has all the comforts of home. DRINKS AND DINING Sala Lobby Lounge Enjoy intimate nights at Sala Lobby Lounge and be serenaded by the soothing piano music. With its cozy ambience, it’s simple to relax and enjoy a nice cocktail or hand-rolled cigar. It is truly the perfect place to end your evening. Open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm Club Lounge Exclusive VIP lounge club for all floating villa guests. Light snacks and drinks are made available here for free at any time of the day. Open 24 hours. Float Piñacoladas are the order of the day at Float. Guests can enjoy house creation drinks. The Restaurant flaunts its location at the sandbar for guests to enjoy the view and soak up the sun. Open from 10:00 am to 94

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5:00 pm Rice Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the open theater kitchen of this allday dining café. It offers you a selection from both Filipino and international cuisine, available a la carte or from our interactive buffet stations (on occasion). Or you can also enjoy the scheduled cultural shows happening at the outdoor wooden deck while feasting on mouth-watering fare. Satisfy your palate with our variety of dishes, skillfully prepared by the resort’s chefs. Open from 6:00 am 10:00 pm Tomato and Basil Enjoy wood-fire baked pizzas and other sumptuous Italian dishes with a dash of wine while

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overlooking the resort’s magnificent infinity pool at Tomato and Basil Cuisina Italiana. This open-air restaurant lets the multitude of fragrant aromas waft through the air, intermingled with the scent of the tangy ocean. Open from10:00 am – 10:00 pm Golden Elephant Sitting atop the crystalline blue waters of the Southwest China Sea, the Golden Elephant is an absolute must-try dining place. It serves a fusion of different Asian flavors, favoring seafood fare. Guests have an array of live fish and other seafood to select from and have prepared for them by our excellent chefs. Their dishes are then created with artful mastery, infused

with fragrant and exotic herbs both imported from Thailand and grown in our very own private greenhouse, promising only the perfect dining experience. End your day with a relaxing massage from Princesa Garden’s Hilot Spa. Rustic with barefoot luxury, this bliss haven is divided into 8 rooms, each with its own individual shower and a couples room equipped with a Jacuzzi. Specializing in authentic Filipino massages using natural oils and organic scrubs, you are guaranteed with a truly rejuvenating and relaxing experience. The spa also has a coldplunge Jacuzzi and sauna that hotel guests can enjoy. Opening date: December 2014

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EDITORS NOTE

BANAUE SAGADA

BAGUIO

MANILA

KALINGA

Observation

The journey to the Buscalan, Kalinga indigenous village is quite the adventure. If you’re willing to leave Manila, drive sixteen hours, hike for three and chance narrow roads and pouring rain, you can experience a culture that has insulated itself from the modern world for hundreds of years. The Kalinga people (and many other indigenous people throughout our 7,107 islands) are the spiritual protectors of our country. They are “Filipino” in its truest form—a product of their surroundings, governed by their own decree and living by their instincts. They are jovial, energetic, curious, extremely proud and more interested in telling you about their way of life than hearing about yours—which, in itself, is quite refreshing. While we were there we met the 96-year old tattoo artist legend of the mountain tribe: Fang-Od. FangOd is a cheerful and lively woman. When I asked about her secret to being so healthy she lifted her hands

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and gestured around her, “I have everything I need. My family is here. I have food and an important job as a tattoo artist. I am here, but I’ve met people from all over the world…” I often hear discussions around what the “Filipino identity” truly is. The ambiguity is understandable given the many foreign influences that have pervaded our history. Perhaps, that explains the appeal of visiting the indigenous villages of the Philippines—they are the closest ties we have to our roots. We went to the Kalinga village to observe their culture and try to understand their way of life. At first glance the differences between us seemed vast, but I started to see our profound similarities. The values of family, hard work, integrity, faith and perseverance are core to the Filipino identity, whether you work in the city or tattoo in the mountains. As I sat watching the Kalinga’s interactions, hearing their dialect, breathing the fresh air and feeling an increasing sense of harmony with the land and tradition, I began to understand what it means to be truly Filipino—and I have never been more proud.

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Raphael John Oriel Editor-in-Chief Balikbayan Magazine