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I s s u e 4 1 , Vo l u m e VI FEBRUARY / march 2015

FORTITUDE ON A FRIDAY Meeting with the Families at the SM MOA Arena THE PERFECT STORM Pope Francis visits Tacloban, Leyte BELIEVE IN THE GOODNESS Encounter with the Youth at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila POPE APPETIT Chef Jessie Sincioco talks about her experience cooking for Pope Francis

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CONTENTS Page 15 Fortitude on a Friday Pope Francis had one request during the Meeting With The Families at the SM MOA Arena: that there be no one seated behind the stage in order for him to be able to share a proper face-to-face encounter with all his listeners. Lily C. Fen shares how Pope Francis made the event more personal and truly memorable.

Page 18 The Perfect Storm Tacloban City was hit yet again by another historic storm.

This time, the storm did not destroy, but rather built and renewed the spirits of the city’s distraught casualties.

German P. Palabyab shares how Pope Francis brought hope to this locality greatly challenged by adversity by reassuring them that they are not alone. Gerry Palabyab reports.

Page 26 Believe in the Goodness The Encounter With The Youth at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila was reminiscent of Saint Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Philippines. Mary May Portez shares how this historic event will be one of the best and most memorable moments in Philippine history.

Page 36 Pope Appetit Chef Sincioco tells Haidee Martin-Provido how her blissful three-day cooking stint at the Apostolic Nunciature was not only a priceless experience to see and serve the Pope, but was also a very uplifting and inspiring vibe to foretaste his personal side.

Brimming with excitement, the participants at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila await Pope Francis’s historial walk along the iconic Arch of the Centuries.

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ISSUE 41, VOLUME VI ON THE COVER CELEBRATED AS THE “PEOPLE’S POPE,” POPE FRANCIS’S HISTORIC VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES IS A CULMINATION OF RENEWED FAITH AND THRIVING OPTIMISM AMONG FILIPINOS. ARTWORK: KENNETH CABUYAO

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

“RESILIENCE” Filipinos have been branded as resilient people who are able to brush themselves off and persevere in the face of adversity. We heard this word being used especially in 2013, after super typhoon Haiyan ravaged parts of the Philippines, killing and displacing thousands of individuals. As the disaster unfolded and left its mark, the world had its eyes on the Philippines, pouring in aid and watching how the national government would respond and rebuild. And one main thing the international community, especially the media, latched on to was the strength of Filipinos affected, who continued to have smiles on their faces, instead of despair.

However, almost two years since Haiyan — and a few typhoons and tropical storms along the way that thankfully did not amass sizable casualties and severe damage — it may be time to rethink this “resilient” label. While in nature, it is a positive aspect that describes our ability to recover and adapt, it can be limiting to the country’s future growth, as we resort to accepting situations, whether it is the political landscape, traffic, or even, the vulnerability to natural calamities, as norms. We must take our unshakable spirit a step further, so instead of continually having to repair what was lost, we are able to solidify our foundations and focus on expanding and supplementing.

In January, the World Bank released a report stating that the Philippines could eradicate poverty within a generation through sustained growth, contributed by reforms and investments in infrastructure, health care and education, and by establishing a competitive business environment and more employment opportunities.

“The Philippines has what it takes to sustain this high level of growth for many years. The country is benefiting from low and stable inflation, its finances are healthy, and debt levels are declining,” World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi said. “It has a dynamic private sector

that is seizing global opportunities. Now is the time to move the economy decisively onto a path that reduces poverty and creates more and better jobs.”

Moreover, the International Monetary Fund raised the growth projects for the country to 6.6 percent and 6.4 percent for 2015 and 2016, respectively, amid lowering the global projections to just 3.5 percent and 3.7 percent for the next two years. The International Labor Organization also surveyed over 100 countries and found that the Philippines is the top country in Asia, and 4th worldwide, with a substantial portion of women (47.6 percent) who are in management level positions.

We’ve been observing the promising growth of the Philippines for the past few years, given the young populace — around 90 percent of the total population is under 55 — who are entering the workforce and can aid in the eradication of poverty, as the World Bank predicts.

As the ASEAN integration is in effect this year, we are ready for the next step in our economic progress. Indeed, the country is no longer the “Sick Man of Asia.”

The Department of Tourism is pushing its year-long campaign, “Visit Philippines 2015,” aiming to bring in 10 million visitors to the country. With the full calendar of events, such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and summit, and destinations that are receiving rave reviews from international publications, this goal is definitely attainable, so people can experience all that the country has to offer for themselves.

2015 has just begun, and already the Philippines has been the center of global media attention; this time on a more upbeat angle, with the long-awaited visit of Pope Francis from January 15 to 19.

The historic series of events, including the record-breaking attendance of 6 million people at the Luneta Park Mass, are documented in the succeeding pages of this issue of Balikbayan Magazine.

Filipinos’ devotion to God truly cannot be underestimated, and it was just fitting for the head of the Catholic Church to grace a country of 80 million Catholics and boost morale. Whether you attended any of the events, were positioned somewhere along the pope’s travel route, or tuned in from overseas, the collective Filipino faith was everpresent. Pope Francis observed it too, as he said during his Mass at Manila Cathedral: “Filipinos everywhere are known for their love of God, their fervent piety and their warm devotion to Our Lady and her rosary.

This great heritage contains a powerful missionary potential.”

I am equally proud that Pope Francis had a chance to visit my alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas, where he had an encounter with over 20,000 youths and an interreligious meeting. Since being named Pope, he has made the Church more relatable by interpreting biblical teachings for modern day and teaching us to be more openminded and inclusive. His words will continue to resonate with Filipinos for years to come.

Balikbayan Magazine also features Chef Jessie Sincioco, who made sure Pope Francis was well-fed during his five-day visit. As you’ll read, she embodies two components of Filipino culture: a strong faith and love of food.

Lastly, on his way to the Philippines from Sri Lanka, Pope Francis commented on the massacre at the Paris headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical publication, by saying “You cannot provoke.

You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others.” As freedom of expression is a fundamental human right — one that enables healthy development of society and a democratic process — the attacks sent an alarming tone to the state of speech and journalism around the world.

Roger L. Oriel CEO and Publisher Asian Journal Publications, Inc. FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

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FORTITUDE ON A FRIDAY: Pope Francis Addresses Filipino Families at MOA WORDS: LILY C. FEN

Photo credits: Bullit Marquez/Associated Press

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am not exactly a fan of the Pope, unlike most of my fellow countrymen. I thought there was too much unnecessary ruckus involved in bending over backwards to accommodate this religious figure, when there were too many other valuable things to be done. But hearing what he had to say when he addressed thousands of Filipino families at the Mall of Asia Arena that Friday, January 16, showed me that underneath all the much-criticized fanfare involved with his visit was, actually, a good message.

Initially, all I could see were countless posters of him, and office hours coming to a standstill for a foreign visitor.

There was a lot of talk: the Department of Social picked up hundreds of street children and poverty-stricken groups and relocated them to a posh resort in Batangas for the few days the Pope was here. Events such as these lead only to seeing our inability to really face the disparate inequality in our country, when we do need to begin looking inwards, acknowledging the state of our home, and doing something about it.

I was surprised to find that there was more to what the man had to say, if you silence all these issues in your mind, and focus, just for a moment, on the words he had to share that Friday as he communicated with countless households.

The Pope’s “Encounter with the Families”, was live streamed throughout 16 SM cinemas in the country. One can only imagine the huge volume of listeners there were.

The SM Mall of Asia Arena was likewise a berth for a large number of people to be present during the Pope’s familial address: the arena has a seating capacity of up to 15,000 – or 20,000 when standing room is accommodated.

It was 5 p.m. by the time he commenced this occasion with families at MOA, the same day he met with President Benigno Aquino III, urging our country’s political leader to uphold “honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good.”

The Pope had one request – that there be no one seated behind the stage, in order for him to be able to share a proper face-to-face encounter with all his listeners, making it a more personal, poignant experience for all involved.

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Photo credits: (Top to bottom) Wally Santana/Associated Press, Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

Photo credits: (Top to bottom) Wally Santana/Associated Press,Osservatore Romano, Pool/Associated Press

A packed arena greeted the arrival of Pope Francis. For someone whose visit has exacerbated heated and varying opinions about religion and politics, hearing what he actually had to say almost eradicates any of those issues that arise in all the commotion over his arrival.

He had a simple, valuable message to share with the 16,000-strong deluge of people who had come to hear him speak. It was one about the power of unity, of the need to pay attention to what is positive that lies before us, of standing our ground despite the way the tides turn, of resting in silence, and embracing action when the time is right.

Pope Francis addressed thousands of Filipino families that day, advising his audience to focus on their homes, to be mindful of their loved ones.

“How many solutions are found to family problems if we take time to reflect, if we think of a husband or wife, and we dream about the good qualities they have. Don’t ever lose the memory of when you were boyfriend or girlfriend. That is very important.”

What an apt suggestion to focus on the good that is in front of us, instead of looking at the glass of our lives as a half-empty one. This is very true of our perspective on relationships, or career situations, or simply the present state of our lives. There is so much we can be grateful for, so long as we steer our minds towards that.

He also prompted his listeners at the MOA Arena about the advantages that come with “resting in the Lord,” and that “rest is also essential for our spiritual health, so that we can hear God’s voice and understand what he asks of us.”

Wise words that land on ears swimming in the information age, where everything is right at our fingertips, young ones constantly in a flurry of activity.

Not only did he prod the assembly before him to savor the joys of slowing down, but he issued a gentle reminder to those caught up in the daily business of running a household, or providing for their kin, saying “if we do not pray, we will not know the most important thing of all: God’s will for us.” He tied together the notions of resting one’s mind, of hearkening to what needs to be done while sitting in silence, and of speaking with the universe, so well that this prodding to be mindful of our purpose made us think of how each of us fits within everything around us and what to do with the time given to us.

But the Pope didn’t stop at merely urging people to pray and think on what must be, he also pushed his audience to action, reminding everyone in the arena, “once we have heard God’s voice, we must rise from our slumber; we must get up and act.” He encouraged that there

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THE PERFECT STORM Tacloban City was hit yet again by another historic storm. This time, the storm did not destroy, but rather built and renewed the spirits of the city’s distraught casualties.

German P. Palabyab shares how Pope Francis brought hope to this locality greatly challenged by adversity by reassuring them that they are not alone.

WORDS: GERRY PALABYAB

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gainst all odds and storm warnings, nothing could have stopped Pope Francis from fulfilling his promise to visit Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte to be with the families of typhoon Yolanda (a.k.a. Haiyan) victims. So it came to pass that on that stormy Saturday morning of January 17, 2015, a few minutes after 9 am, Philippine Airline’s (PAL) special flight carrying Pope Francis, His Eminence Vatican entourage, Manila Archbishop and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and the Papal Visit press corps touched down at the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport in Tacloban City.

It was only after the Airbus 320-200 taxied safely along the 2,500 meter long runway and rolled to a complete stop that everybody heaved with a big sigh of relief. The hourlong trip from take-off from Villamor Airbase in Manila to the landing at DZR Airport in Tacloban was televised live.

The Holy Father himself thanked Captains George Alvarez and Rolando Narciso, pilot and co-pilot respectively, for a job well done. Why not? About an hour earlier (about 8 am, Manila time), CNN flashed a breaking news update that the projected path of tropical storm Amang (local name by PAGASA) will run smack into Eastern Visayas where the Holy Father was headed! At one point the CNN weather newscaster exclaimed in disbelief that the Papal party is going ahead with the trip. He asked if “there was anybody in the Papal party or the Philippine weather service who knew what was going on and what they were up against?”

CNN was broadcasting the imminent landfall of Typhoon Amang in Eastern and Northern Samar by 3 pm on that fateful Saturday with gusts of up to 180 to 200 kilometer 18

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winds at the center. But the Holy Father was not going to be denied. Typhoon Amang was no match for the divine winds of the Holy Spirit that Pope Francis brought with him. In the first place, this trip to visit the Yolanda victims was the primary reason why the Pope made the decision to come to the Philippines.

The Leyte visit lasted only about four hours (from 9 am to 1 pm) but the drama and the story behind those four short hours still qualified the leg as one of the high points of the Philippine papal visit this year. Here is why.

THE SHOW OF FAITH BY THE PILGRIMS OF THE TACLOBAN CITY VISIT

The steady stream of pilgrims into Tacloban City from all over the country, from Manila, the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao started as early as January 12, 2015. These are families and friends of people from Tacloban City, Tanauan and Palo, Leyte. By January 12, By that Monday, hotels and inns in Tacloban City were already fully booked. At Hotel Alejandro in downtown Tacloban City, they even put up barbecue kiosks, banderitas, and the atmosphere in many homes who were hosting friends and relatives was festive.

The joyful and festive ambiance was the extension of the long Philippine Christmas holiday that started on the first Sunday of Advent on November 30, 2014 and officially ended only in January 11, 2015, the Sunday of the Holy Family.

Security was tight. No umbrellas, water bottles and bags were allowed except plastic transparent bags to carry the minimum of personal effects. All roads leading to Palo,

Photo credits: L’osservatore Romano/Associated Press

Leyte from Ormoc City from the north and Maasin City from Southern Leyte were rerouted. No vehicles except those of the Philippine National Police, Red Cross, Presidential Security Group, and other law enforcement agencies on official duty were allowed. Only those with special vehicle passes could drive through. The pilgrims had to walk from the municipalities of Alang-Alang and Sta. Fe from the north, a good eight to 12 kilometers at least to get to Palo Cathedral. The same was true for those who came from Southern Leyte. In the City of Tacloban, there was no public transportation as early as January 15 when all offices were closed to allow the people to make provisions and prepare for the visit of the pope. The pilgrims, young and old, rich and poor, were once again seen walking side by side with each other to get to the apron of the DZR airport where the mass was to be held. This scene was very much like the repeat of what happened during the first few hours after super typhoon Yolanda struck on November 8, 2013. On Saturday, January 17, 2015 roads leading to the DZR airport were filled with people because they were also closed to traffic.

The big difference between the two days was that after Yolanda, people were walking like battered zombies, quiet, glassy eyed and dazed. This time, the atmosphere was joyful with murmurs of positive expectations and camaraderie.

Rains began to fall as early as Thursday, January 15.

By Friday night, January 16, the eve of the Pope’s visit to Tacloban City, heavy downpour began with winds threatening to rip off the canopies set up both at the Palo Cathedral and at the Tacloban City airport. By nightfall

of Friday, typhoon signal number 2 was up in Leyte and Samar. But the crowd did not stop coming. The airport apron had no shelter for the pilgrims. It is a narrow strip of land that is totally open like a thumb sticking out of the waters of San Juanico Strait on the eastern side and the Kankabato Bay on the western side. There were no tents as well. It was a very cold rainy Friday night and the windchill factor could have easily caused hypothermia to those exposed for long hours. Many who were in the comfort of their homes watching the drama unfold on television agreed that this will be a true test of the people’s faith.

It was.

Pope Francis himself could not hide his own amazement at the pilgrims’ show of “dignified and profound faith.”

By the time Pope Francis’ plane touched down at DZR airport a little after 9 am, the four quadrants in front of the altar that was designed to comfortably hold 100,000 pilgrims, swelled to double that number despite the wind and rain. The roads along the 12 kilometer route of the Papal entourage from DZR airport to Palo Cathedral were lined by people at least ten deep in many segments. Mayor Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban City estimated the crowd from the airport to Palo to be at least one million. Many who were there would later confirm this estimate.

Some members of the high and the mighty were also there but as expected (and as requested by the host Catholic hierarchy) all were low key. The official welcoming party was led by Archbishop John Du of the Palo Archdiocese, Leyte Governor Dominique Petilla, Mayor Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban City, 1st District Congressman Ferdinand FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

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DRAMA AT THE MASS AT THE DZR AIRPORT, THE EXTEMPORANEOUS PAPAL HOMILY

“..cuando yo vi desde Roma esta catástrofe, sentí que tenía que estar aquí. Quise venir para estar con ustedes, un poco tarde me dirán, es verdad, pero estoy”( When I saw from Rome that catastrophe[,] I had to be here. And on those very days I decided to come here. I am here to be with you – a little bit late, but I’m here.)

“Tantos de ustedes han perdido todo. Yo no sé qué decirles. ¡Él sí sabe qué decirles! Tantos de ustedes han perdido parte de la familia. Solamente guardo silencio, los acompaño con mi corazón en silencio”…

(So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you. But the Lord does know what to say to you. Some of you have lost part of your families. All I can do is keep [silent] and walk with you all with my silent heart.)

When the Pope spoke these words and delivered his 20

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homily in his native Spanish, no eyes were left dry because the Holy Father spoke from the heart. The whole trip was all about his desire to convey in person to the Yolanda victims how much the church cared for those who suffered so much. He likened the suffering of the Yolanda typhoon victims to the Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ. The sacrificial victim was Jesus Himself to redeem mankind.

He said that no word will be enough to express how he felt for the victims. He can only express it in silence, the language of the heart. After the homily and mass at the airport, the activities that followed became almost anticlimatic, as in the dénouement of a dramatic story. It was providential that the trip had to be cut short by four hours by the pilots who knew that they were flying dangerously at

Photo credit: Malacañang Photo Bureau

Martin Romualdez, Mayor Matin Petilla of Palo, and other national government officials (who stayed at the background) led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Communications Sec. Herminio Coloma and MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino. The latter group was there to ensure that security and preparation were adequate. Even former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos was there but remained in the background. The Yolanda victims and their families took the center stage and the limelight during the visit as requested by the Holy Father.

the very edge of Typhoon Amang. This fateful decision was validated a few minutes after the Pope’s plane successfully lifted off at about 1 pm. A lighter private jet chartered by the Philippine government carrying Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Secretary Herminio Coloma, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and their official party was blown off the runway and was not able to take off.

Photo credit: Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

MISHAP BEFORE THE MASS

Not known to many at the time of the Leyte visit, a 27-year-old female volunteer for the Catholic Relief Services (CRS, one of the largest relief organizations in the world operating in Leyte after typhoon Haiyan) was killed when a piece of the scaffolding near the altar bearing some huge speakers gave way to the force of the winds and fell on her, just before the mass. Her name was Kristel, the only daughter of an OFW mother from Hong Kong. His Holiness only broke the news of the accident during his homily at the Encounter with the Youth at the University of Santo Tomas, held the following Sunday morning, January 18. The Pontiff led the faithful in praying for the repose of her soul and the family she left behind.

The miracle of it all was how the father of Kristel took the accident and death of his only daughter in stride and with uncharacteristic joy knowing that his daughter died serving the Lord and the people. The father of Kristel said that he did not know that her daughter would arrange for him to meet the Holy Father one-on-one and privately. Such faith impressed the Holy Father the most. The body of Kristel

was airlifted Monday by a C-130 plane the government sent to Tacloban City after Pope Francis ended his apostolic visit to the Philippines.

THE PILGRIMS’ REACTION ALONG THE ROUTE TO PALO CATHEDRAL AND THE ARCHBISHOP’S PALACE

Many pilgrims who lined the streets along the route of the Papal convoy expressed a common feeling of “well-being”, uplift and joy when the Holy Father passed and threw his now familiar smile to the faithful. His passing glance was enough. This writer found this to be true not only among the pilgrims in Tacloban but also with those who were in Manila. No one was immune to the Holy Father’s eyes and infectious smile. They produced tears and a joyful emotion that could not be explained.

That is why even if the Holy Father only spent a few minutes each blessing the mass grave at Palo Cathedral, the Palo Cathedral itself, a Grotto in honor of the Blessed Mother, and at the Pope Francis Center for the Poor, and a quick 30 lunch with the lucky 30 Yolanda victims representatives at the Archbishop’s Palace, no one was complaining. Archbishop John Du could not complain and was very thankful. During the lunch with the Yolanda victims, the Holy Father did not and could not even eat the especially prepared lunch of humba, adobo and local salad.

He chose only to partake of the soup so he could listen intently to each family’s story of hardship and pain during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda on that fateful three and a half hours of November 8, 2013.

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Photo credits: (Top to bottom) Malacañang Photo Bureau, Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

THE CHALLENGE AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE HOLY FATHER

The real challenge to us Filipinos is not the question of what else could we have done better during the Pope’s visit.

The visit was almost perfect and boosted the stock not only of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila but also for many Filipinos and even the Aquino government.

One might recall that Cardinal Tagle was already among the young Cardinals to watch out for, according to the Vatican press corps who was covering the conclave in February 2013 for the selection of the new pope. The challenge rather is how to respond to the Holy Father’s call for Filipinos to be missionaries of the great Asian continent. The Philippines, with its 80 million Catholics, remains to be the only predominantly Catholic nation is Southeast Asia today. How will the Filipinos sustain the spiritual effects of the papal visit? Pope Francis’ visit was titled “Mercy and Compassion.” But his mission and message of mercy and compassion for the poor, humility, integrity and simplicity reverberated among everyone he touched during the visit: rich and poor, Catholics and nonCatholics. What remains to be seen is not just the show of “profound faith and love of the Filipino people for the Holy Father” but how to live our daily lives and translate “mercy and compassion” to the poor and less privileged into concrete actions and programs. Some critics of the visit decry the alleged “disconnect” between the church and government pronouncements and the actual policies and programs in place by both organizations. These include issues in contraception, family, responsible parenthood and lifestyle, and decorum of church officials. The divide

between the haves and the have-nots of the world continue to widen even as we write this piece. In the Philippines it is no better as its Gini coefficient remains high at .448 in 2009 indicating acute inequality in the distribution of income.

Eastern Visayas leads the rest of the country in income inequality during the same period with a Gini coefficient of .484. Because of this, Pope Francis appears to be the Pope that the Catholic Church and its 1.2 billion followers need at the moment. This Pope of inclusion has many questions or challenges to the famous or infamous Roman Curia (depending on one’s belief and political persuasion) and to the leaders of the Catholic Church from Cardinals to Bishops and parish priests.Where do the church and its leaders stand now compared to what Jesus Christ preached in the gospels of Marc, Matthew and John? The gospels for 2,000 years have always preached for the well-being of the poor. Jesus Christ lived very simply during His times,

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Photo credit: Alessandra Tarantino/ Associated Press

from birth till His death on the Cross. The gospels were not pro-rich but they were not necessarily anti-rich, either. In the Philippines, politicians have preyed on the poor or used this idea of helping the poor ad nauseam as their political gimmick to get what they want and remain in power. The poor rule in the ballots. The very thin and beleaguered middle class who are supposed to be independent thinkers are outnumbered and therefore outvoted. If one were a trapo (traditional politician), one would rather have a throng of poor voters that one can buy and control rather than contend with a few independent thinkers who are usually the more financially independent voters. The dynamics of Philippine politics favor the status quo of poverty among the masses. This is where the message of the Holy Father clashes with the reality of our politics. Sometimes even some of the leaders of the Catholic Church in their desire to solicit more financial resources for the church succumb to this kind of politics — the politics of patronage. The contradiction of objectives and means continue to confuse us. The Pope spoke of corruption as an evil not only in politics but also in general. The church, this writer supposes, is also included. It would be amazing if the story was true that shortly upon election, the Pope became sad and concerned when he found out how rich the Vatican or the Catholic Church is! Accustomed to a simple lifestyle, Pope Francis had difficulty in trying to adjust to the pomp and glorious trappings of being pontiff. It is as if it would be more natural for him to function if he were a pope of a poor church. We understand and the pope understands the enormity of his responsibility to his 1.2 billion faithful.

An organization as huge as the Roman Catholic Church obviously cannot be run without a complex hierarchy,

resources and respect for tradition. After all, no other organization is like the Roman Catholic Church whose establishment and traditions date back (continuously and almost uninterruptedly )for more than 2,000 years. It is difficult to be as simple as Pope Francis wanted his church to be because the church that Jesus Christ founded upon St. Peter the Rock has grown with the world and had to keep up with the ever growing complexity of progress as we know it. One thing is for sure, we will see some lifestyle changes and traditions among our church leaders as Pope Francis shows by example how the Vicar of Christ on earth could live simply.

WHAT THE VISIT OF POPE FRANCIS MEANT TO THE PEOPLE OF EASTERN VISAYAS

For Filipinos, especially those who live in Leyte and Samar where life has always been relatively simple and basic, this is not a difficult challenge to take. Many waray-warays just like many poor Filipinos are easy to please. Three meals a day and a family to share it with would probably do it and stop any violent revolution on its track. Eastern Visayas Region, composed of the six provinces of Northern Samar, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran, is the third poorest region in the Philippines just ahead of Caraga and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Their main livelihood is from the many products from the wonder tree called coconut. This coconut and its people, too, have their own story. Little told stories of exploitation, deprivation and injustice, or in a nutshell, their own story of why they are poor. But this is another long story that the Pope might have to hear about.

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BELIEVE IN THE GOODNESS “Real love is about loving and letting yourself be loved. It’s harder to let yourself be loved than love!"#$%&"'(")$*"'&"'("(+",'-'./0&"&+".+12"&+"&$2"32452.&"0+62"+5"7+,!"

We can love Him but we must let ourselves be loved by Him.” — Pope Francis on his encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila WORDS: MARY MAY PORTEZ PHOTOGRAPHS: NOEL TY

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n a time when faith is often challenged by certainty, it’s difficult to believe in something indefinite.

Questions of logic and relevance shake one’s trust on something that cannot be explained nor seen. When we talk about belief, ideology and religion, it is but our subjective perspectives that draw the gauge on our arguably, debatable logic. For a while, we have relied on a common understanding of good as a measure of one’s righteousness: that as long it is good, it is not wrong. But not all good are right.

I am not, as what many would refer to, a traditional Catholic—at least for the past two decades. I have openly embraced the worldly call to a rather realistic conviction.

The first and last time I read the Bible was during my 7th grade religion class. My understanding of religion has been, for a while, a subjective faith on God. I believe in Him, but not everything about Him. This skepticism, I trust, is a shared sentiment among the youth—and perhaps to several others. It’s difficult to uphold absolute faith with pragmatic reasoning.

I was six when the blessed St. Pope John Paul II visited the country in 1995. My older sister went with the pilgrims to get a glimpse of the Pope while my mother and I stayed at home. The memory is quite vague now, but I remember my mom asking me to touch the TV set whenever the Pope was shown as if caressing a religious relic. This way, she said, I can be blessed. It’s hard to remember everything but I know I did what I was told. And that my mom wept at the Pope’s sight.

Of course, I was young then. I’d willingly eat a pebble if

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told it was candy. This exact innocence, I believe, is what Pope Francis is calling for. Because despite the modernity and sophistication that inhibit us to believe, this mere indifference is what can help us trust. In a child’s mind, it’s easier to be optimistic. There are less questions of why and what for. Faith is something as easy as play—or at least, it should be.

During Pope Francis’s visit at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila last January 18, one of the young guests raised an empathic query. A 12-year-old out-ofschool youth from the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation, a humble, non-government organization which the Pope visited on his second day after his mass at the Manila Cathedral, Glyzelle Palomar asked the Pope that if God was indeed good and loves His children, why had He allowed terrible things to happen to children like herself.

This unexpected comment caught everyone by surprise. The previous hours of joyful chanting and solemn merriment was swathed with masked nihilism. Her question was simpler than Jun Chura’s, also an out-of-school youth from the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation, who spoke before her. Glyzelle was unable to finish her speech. She broke into tears with nothing but the Pope’s hold to console her.

Everyone mirrored her actions.

The drizzle was getting heavier and it was a collage of colorful raincoats heaving with every sigh of sympathy for this poor child. I, too, found myself wiping my tears with my drenched hands.

How can this child undergo so much at such a young age?

That smile! The pontiff never failed to smile as he waves to the crowd.

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his Papal staff, and was on his way to UST. Everyone was on their toes, rallying, rather calmly, to a preferable spot for a better view of the Pope. Minutes later, a tumult of enlivened crowd started echoing an uproar of devotion.

It was past 9 in the morning. Pope Francis arrived in his quaint Volkswagen car waiving to the disappointed mob outside the gates of UST. He was welcomed by the several religious leaders under the iconic Arch of the Centuries inside the UST campus. From there, he rode the pope mobile and roamed around the vicinity, waving his calm and reassuring gesture to the patient devotees that have undergone a bit of penitence, on their own way, to attend this event.

Pope Francis was ecstatic. In a later interview with Cardinal Tagle, he said that the Pope frequently asked him on how big the crowd was. “How many?” It was almost unfathomable to him to witness this kind of devotion among Filipinos.

As I was standing among the group, conveniently situated in front of the choir. I pulled myself out from the taut and settled on a less, nearer spot. I admit, there was a feeling of irritation and regret: exasperation over the forceful others scuffling their way to the nearest railing, and regret that I

Photo credit: L’Osservatore Romano, Pool /Associated Press

The gates of the University of Tomas Tomas opened around 4 in the morning. By the time I arrived, the throng outside was starting to thicken. It was a mélange of people, of beliefs, and of intentions.

As I joined the crowd toward the entrance, I noticed that there was a shared level of joy and excitement. Everyone was thrilled to see Pope Francis in person, even from afar.

Some brought rosaries, handkerchiefs and other religious mementos to be blessed by the Pope. It was a younger audience, this one. And with this large of an audience, it’s inevitable to question each’s purpose.

The pre-event entertainment was the usual spectacle.

Angeline Quinto belted out a flawless “You Raise Me Up” while the recuperating Jed Madela delivered “The Light of a Million Mornings” as if he was in perfect vocal condition.

Every mobile phone was raised to capture the moment.

But the amusement was replaced with uncontainable anticipation soon as the booming sound of helicopter blades become audible.

“He’s near!” Some chanted. True enough, the hosts Jasmin Romero, Nykko Bautista, and Arnold Clavio confirmed this with an update that Pope Francis had left the Apostolic Nunciature, his official home together with

Just like a reunion with longtime friends, Pope Franics greets his friends in Christ with a big smile.

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Faith deeply rooted in God, devotees who attended the Encounter with the Youth at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila touch the crucifix for a blessing.

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As thousands of people flocked together to catch a glimpse of the people’s Pope, a message along Quirino Avenue reminds pope’s well wishers to maintain cleanliness.

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PRINT . ONLINE . MOBILE .

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didn’t get a better spot. All mobile phones were held up in the air blocking my already blocked view of the stage.

Why have they come? I asked myself.

Personally, I came out of duty. As a media person, I needed to cover the event. But a great deal was also due of curiosity. I saw the Pope on TV when I was six and I felt happy. If I see him now, up close, will I feel happier?

Like many others who came, I, too, wanted something—I mean, don’t we all? There comes a time in every person’s life when one feels alone and lost, and honestly, I was. I have always strived to strengthen my faith. To trust. To have faith. But I was accustomed to a life of logic over perspective. Condescending as it sounds, I was more rational than devoted.

When Pope Francis passed by, I did felt a certain measure of happiness. Happier...probably. But I was peaceful. He was a vision of certainty. There’s this indistinct charm that makes you feel emotional in his presence.

I didn’t waive. I didn’t even took my phone out to snap a

photo. I was peacefully watching him from a good distance as he was ushered to the stage. No one is perfect, but this man was good beyond reason.

Glyzelle was being consoled by, well, almost everyone on stage.

She was an epitome of a child: Us. We want to be believe in God. Be good. But we cannot help ourselves to question His will. Compared to Glyzelle, I was more optimistic when I was her age. Although we have not experienced the same adversities, we are alike in many ways. We want to live a good life. Be good, and hope that God will bless us graciously. We want to know that God is real and that He is good.

“This is a challenge. When they posed this question to us, why children suffer, why this or that tragedy occurs in life – our response must be either silence or a word that is born of our tears. Be courageous, don’t be afraid to cry.”

Pope Francis did not apprehend Glyzelle’s question nor rectify her concern. His reply was short. Honest. The Pope has reassured Glyzelle that no matter how hard life is, you are never alone, for God is with you. That through these adversities, you can better find your way to Him. It was an emotional exchange but the overlying message was clear: While we are overwhelmed by cynicism and doubt, it’s difficult to believe in something good. Pope Francis is unquestionable of righteous goodness. He may not be perfect, but he is the epitome of the goodness that we need: The kind of good that’s real. The kind of good that doesn’t just resurface every time there’s a collective force urging the gesture, but the good that lasts. The good that inspires us that we just have to believe in the goodness, no matter what.

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“Please pray with me for everyone in Sri Lanka and the Philippines as I begin my trip,” — Pope Francis (@Pontiflex): the techie-pontiff tweeted, three days before his arrival in this Pope-adoring country.

POPE APPETIT! Meet Chef Jessie Sincioco who cooked for Pope Francis during his visit WORDS: HAIDEE MARTIN-PROVIDO PHOTOGRAPHS: NOEL TY

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s the twilight wraps the mammoth of the patiently waiting crowd on the streets, the bells from the Catholic churches all over the Phil ippines rang simultaneously. The pope has arrived! The whole nation stopped. Everyone was glued on the rage of updates on the radio, television, print and social media all throughout his four-day heartwarming papal stopover...and the enchanting fine-tune, “Viva IL Papa!

Viva IL Papa! Papa Francisco, mahal ng Pilipino!” echoed all over the Catholic-dominated motherland.

The “Pope of many firsts” instantly magnetized our dreary consciousness and reunited our brawny devotion to the Roman Catholic church. His Holiness sparked the faith of both Catholics and non-Catholics. The Filipino people incredibly showered the 78-year-old religious leader with their love, warm welcome and discipline in all the papal events. In the first official public speech, the papal nuncio summoned, “God’s abundant blessings...and bring peace to the south.”

The solidarity of Filipino spirit made the papal journey truly meaningful and flourishing. His undying care for the children, the elderly, the oppressed, neglected and sick opened our hearts. His humanitarian dedication strengthened our faith much more.

“Do you love me?”, he asked during a mass homily in Manila Cathedral. “Thank you very much,” he replied in a lighter note, but continues that he was referring to the words of Jesus. Truly, everybody loves him.

We tried to know more about this “chosen one” from Argentina who knows little English and doesn’t understand 36

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much our native tongue. We all feel so blessed just seeing him stepping on our native land for the first time. He gently soothed our frazzled souls by his unlimited smile and caring waves. He simply makes life a little more affluent and buoyant.

What is it about this humble church leader that we love calling Papa Francisco? In an exclusive interview for Balikbayan Magazine, the Apostolic Nunciature’s official chef for the Papal Visit, Chef Jessie Sincioco shares her feelgood papal menu, inspiring stories, the joys and enriching close encounter with the visiting Santo Padre who loves to be simply called Lolo Kiko.

THE PERFECT BLEND

Filipino chef extraordinaire Jessie Sincioco was so blessed to be chosen by the papal visit committee headed by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Giuseppe Pinto and the archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle to prepare and put together the papal menu for the duration of Pope Francis’ stay (from January 15 to 19) at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila. “When I was told that I would be preparing the Pope’s meals, I went down on my knees, in joy and gratefulness for this biggest blessing,” shared the culinary artist.

Being a sought after chef is very hard-hitting because it demands relentless specialization, experimentation, exceptional training and hard work. It also challenges her to upgrade her culinary knowledge and insights from time to time. Furthermore, an ultimate foodie expert like her should continuously level-up the gastronomic sense and

The Bulacan native chef who had twice bagged the L’Assiete D’Or in the prestigious culinary competition ‘Chefs on Parade’, Chef Jessie Sincioco is the woman woman behind the delicioso dishes, unique local desserts and bread baskets served during the pontiff’s fiveday visit in the Philippines.

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taste for self-improvement. Thus, very few people make it to the uppermost point of the Philippine culinary industry.

But for Chef Jessie, it’s just a piece of cake if you are really passionate about anything.

Literally and figuratively, a piece of cake became her instrument to a very flourishing culinary career. “My winning [mango cake is what] I claim to be my passport to the culinary world,” she fondly recalled. “Because of that cake, I was introduced to the hotel.” She received training courses in pastry and a position from the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel in Manila when she won the grand prize in the baking category. Her cooking expertise was greatly influenced by her aunt Lita Dy. “My aunt trained me. She raised me up since I was nine. She is very [passionate about cooking]. She would attend and pick the baking lessons being offered around [the world].” Tita Lita was the one who encouraged her to try out a stint in the Great Maya Cookfest in 1983. “She was actually the one who got me into baking. When I discovered baking, I fell in love with the kitchen,” she quipped. She finds fulfillment in creating irresistible desserts, especially pudding and crepes.

Numerous prestigious recognitions were acclaimed during her baking stints. She traveled overseas to have more in-depth training and knowledge at all the Intercontinental European divisions.

RISING TO NEW HORIZONS

Chef Sincioco further honed her sweet, creative indulgence as the pastry chef at the prominent Le Souffle restaurant.

It made her the first ever Filipina to become a pastry chef.

Later on, she explored the dining scene. Together with other business partners, they opened a fine dining restaurant business with a first-rate French-Mediterranean classics. After several years, the lady chef introduced another haven of international cuisine, Top of the Citi by Chef Jessie and Chef Jessie at Rockwell Club.

Located in the Citibank Building, Top of the Citi by Chef Jessie prepares stellar and so homey recipes of Filipino and Asian fusion cuisine with enticing twists. Chef Jessie located at the resort-like venue inside the One Rockwell offers a combination and an assortment of international dishes. The chef was also behind the success of unique 100 Revolving Restaurant in Eastwood City, Libis.

SEEDS OF SUCCESS

Chef Sincioco has been in the culinary industry for more than 20 years now. A financial and business degree college holder, she prefers the delectable offerings in the kitchen rather than the busting and fast-paced corporate world.

Exuding a pure Filipino trait, master of food traditions and culture, emanating a home-style, family-oriented ambiance plus being an award-winning and internationallytrained culinary guru elevated Sincioco to be “the one” among other chefs. Aside from these qualities, her cooking was apparently known to some members of the papal committee who would dine at her Chef Jessie restaurant.

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HOME AWAY FROM HOME

“Let people feel at home,” uttered the Bulacena chef when asked about her 15-year old food-venture destination at Chef Jessie at Rockwell Club. “I don’t want to create an impression that when you come here, you have to dress up,” she says. Even though the locality and ambiance echoes straight, fine dining with expansive five-star cuisine, she doesn’t want it to be identified as such. “People can come here in jeans or in decent shorts,” she added.

FIL-ITALIAN INFUSION: A WORK OF ART IN CULINARY

Chef Jessie exudes the glorious inspirations and rooted for dishes with a nostalgic aroma of Philippine culture and Argentinean cuisine, exclusively for the Pope plus the other papal guests of 12. As early as September last year, she was informed that she had been handpicked to be the Pope’s chef with the assistance of the nunciature kitchen staff.

Immediately after, the eager restauranteur researched online and bought all the books pertaining to Pope Francis, his favorite food and the Argentinean cuisine. “All the possible sources of information,” she claimed.

The guru chef said that she was able to finish the Pope’s four-day menu (from the papal guests’ arrival on January 15 until his departure on the 19th) in just about an hour. But what makes it challenging? “I was told that the menu [had] to be really simple. For us chefs, the most difficult to prepare are the simplest things because it had to be done perfectly,” she admitted.

As a fine dining menu expert, the culinary crew was able to prepare their best in the simplest way, and at the same time, served something that would keep up Papa Francisco’s non-stop energy throughout his frantic day.

Waste me-not! Anti-buffet Set-up. The nunciature clearly instructed the catering team not to prepare and serve too many dishes for every mealtime. The Pope does not like any cooking to go to waste. Food is a blessing and

must not be wasted. Nothing extravagant. Just simple verywell cooked food. According to Chef Jessie, the Pope will not even touch the food that he thinks he cannot finish.

Healthy Considerations. As a Filipino chef, Sincioco wanted to highlight the famous Filipino traditional dishes, especially the old-time favorites pork or shrimp sinigang, bistek Tagalog and chicken tinola. She knew that those dishes would be new to the papal’s taste buds. However, “the nunciature is being careful about the Pope’s digestive health,” she uttered honestly. No fancy, exotic or complicated cuisine to avoid any upset stomach.

THE MAJESTIC FEEL AND CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

The Papal sojourn to the Philippines kept the chef ’s creative fires at work and faith burning. Aside from being a devoted kitchen warrior and businesswoman, Sincioco is also known to be a devout Catholic. She has special intentions to Mama Mary and St. Joseph, respectively.

The veteran chef vividly remembered an uplifting episode during her kitchen shift at the official papal house with Pope Francis after a stormy flight back to Manila from Tacloban. “Welcome back from Tacloban, Your Holiness,” she warmly recalled. Amidst the tired look, the pontiff eagerly smiled back as he stepped out of the car. “There’s a certain magnetism in him,” the devout Catholic fondly affirmed.

“There was this particular day when we served him the roast beef na gustong-gusto niya (that he really likes). When he was already riding the pope mobile going to Luneta,” the chef related, “and Cardinal Chito who was with him said, “Chef Jessie, she is the one cooking your food.” The pontiff held out his hands asking for the chef ’s hands to tell her, “Thank you.

Delizioso.” Chef Jessie asked, “Did you like your steak?” and the pope replied “ Yes, yes. Delizioso!” and said something in Italian which meant tender. “It’s like a cow. Moo! Moo!”, and they all laughed at the Pope’s very candid remark.

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A BLESSED AND BOUNTIFUL OCCURRENCE

An outpour of positive emotions and unending gratefulness filled the lives of Jessie Sincioco, together with her two assistants and two other Apostolic Nunciature staff members. The past four days of serving and preparing the meals of the head and the pillars of the Roman Catholic Church were the best highlights of her culinary career that spans more than two decades. “I’m happy that we were able to feed him well,” she cheerfully beamed. Her blissful three-day cooking stint at the Apostolic Nunciature was not only a priceless experience to see and serve the Pope, but was also a very uplifting and inspiring vibe to foretaste his personal side. While she spent more time whipping up dishes in the kitchen at the official papal residence in Manila, Chef Jessie was still able to get closer to the papal group and to Papa Francisco himself. She could easily attest that our beloved Lolo Kiko was really friendly and approachable in and out of the papal house. He is always ready to smile, wave and greet people around.

THE LAST BITE

The humble chef became emotional on Pope Francis’s final day in Manila. She handed the pontiff a symbolic bamboocarving with a painted image of St. Joseph (both are devotees of the Saint). Being a sweet lover, she also gave him a pistachio polvoron packed in a coconut shell and a shirt

personally signed by each kitchen staff. She received an equally humble, yet rewarding memento from Pope Francis himself, a pearl rosary.

A SNEAK-PEEK AT POPE FRANCIS’ PALATE

The chef extraordinaire, created a simple yet sumptuous culinary masterpieces which infused both Filipino and Argentinean flair. Here is the list of her satisfying, healthy and imaginative selection of recipes for the Pope.

The Pope’s First Meal: Saffron risotto Pan-fried sea bass (barramundi or apahap) with potatoes and vegetables Flambe mango with mantecado ice cream LOLO KIKO’S SWEET TEMPTATION REVEALED

“Buti na lang the first dessert that I served him was flambé mango with ice cream. He loves mango. He loves ice cream. Pati buto, simot na simot! So, bingo ako dun! He loves it!” stated Chef Jessie. This confirmed what the veteran chef had researched – our loving Pope has a sweet tooth. He also likes crepes, dulce de leche and other pastries. The Bulaqueña Chef Jessie even served our endearing Pope pastillas from her native Bulacan.

Breakfast Meal: Ciabatta Light selection of cold cuts Cheeses Jams Yogurt Dinner Meal: Grilled chicken with chimichurri sauce Italian ice cream with banana cue and turon Simple yet perfectly done tender roast beef served with baked potato and steamed broccoli on the side topped with forest mushroom gravy.

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The Popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first meal comes with a pan-fried sea bass savored with tomato-artichoke heart cream sauce, grilled potatoes and vegetables, and a wild rice risotto.

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ment! It just means that what you make for him is really appreciated. It’s like a sending message that he liked it.”

VISUALIZING THE SCENARIO EVERY MEAL

SCRUMPTIOUS BITES

“He eats very well. He likes bread. That’s why we have to bake seven different kinds of breads for him every day. That is my commitment to the nuncio,” Chef Jessie said. She personally baked the “media luna,” an Argentinian bread that was one of the church leader’s favorites, according to her research.“I served it in two ways, yung medyo sweet at not-too sweet. I also found out that he loves crusty bread so I made a crusty roll for him. He likes our ciabatta,” the bubbly baker uttered.

“Gusto niya yung crispy ang labas.”

The religious cook was tasked to supply the bread for the nunciature and for his entourage who are about 12-18 heads.

Papa Francisco had Italian wine with his main course, grilled chicken with chimichurri sauce. Chimichurri is a kind of Argentinean sauce that is made of a mixture of vinegar, parsley, red pepper and oregano. “Mam, sinisimot niya, pati yung sauce!,” the chef said while recalling what her waiter have said. The affectionate pope really finished everything being served, especially the rice risotto and the Argentinian dish, chicken chimchurri.

“What was left was the bone of the chicken,” she shares with pride.

When asked about the most rewarding part in food preparation, she quickly replied, “When I see empty plates coming back to the kitchen, that’s a test. Everytime na pag serve namin ng appetizer, naubos ba? Inaabangan talaga. Kapag nakita naming simot, fulfill-

The Santo Padre would wake up at 4 am, three hours before breakfast to pray. “Everybody should be there and nobody sits,” the hands-on chef related.

They would wait for the nuncio at the receiving area of the Apostolic Nunciature. “When he comes down from his room, then he is the first one to enter the dining room. Then everybody sits,” she recalled. After a prayer, the food will be served by the chef ’s waiter and five trained St. Paul sisters. “I think pag kumakain siya, nagmi-meeting siya eh... he talks, non-stop siya but he eats well.

It was like a breakfast, lunch or dinner meeting. Because he is always with his staff when he eats. The interpreters are not even there because they all talk in Italian.They don’t want to be disturbed while eating.” He doesn’t eat snacks, only breakfast, lunch and dinner.

LIFE’S FEEL-GOOD SECRET RECIPE

What makes a recipe special? It’s not just quality of ingredients nor the proper planning of the gastronomic menu. We need to remember that cooking is art. Anyone can easily prepare gourmet food if the cooking is be done from the heart sprinkled with good vibes and positive thoughts.

Chef Jessie’s papal menu redefines what a hearty meal is: simple and nothing excessive.

Everyone had such a blast witnessing this phenomenal magnetism, whether on social media, radio, television and print coverage or personal encounters during the well-attended papal parade. Anyone can exude the fundamental mission of the papal visit, to be real and affectionate like the Santo Padre. For he is a perfect representative of Jesus Christ. That is why, “Papa Francisco...Mahal ng Filipino!” continues to be chanted in our hearts, rousing our faith. #FilipinosBlessedByThePope FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

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THE CITY CLUB WORK. PLAY. RELAX.

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usiness and leisure can meet in one place. Fun and learning can be laidback. Sports and gastronomy together. Nowhere else in Makati will you find all of these options in a single, exclusive club.

The three-hectare City Club has carefully crafted spaces dedicated to fulfill your most demanding lifestyle needs. It occupies the top three floors of Alpahand Makati Place, one of the highest residential buildings along Ayala Avenue. Envisioned as a members’ only club with a tastefully designed interior, the fourth to sixth

floors cater to all your business, lifestyle, and fitness requirements.

HEALTH & WELLNESS IN STYLE The City Club has put together a comprehensive health, fitness and sports facilities all together in one place in a vertical structure. Located in the fifth floor of the six-story podium are the diverse spaces for the mind and body.

Aside from breaking a sweat in the Club’s fully equipped gym, it also has a trendsetting athletic complex, including covered courts for tennis, basketball and badminton; squash court, table tennis room, boxing ring, airsoft range and martial arts studio.

There are also separate studios for aerobics, yoga and pilates.

The Club has also made it possible to play golf with its high definition virtual golf. It is a best opportunity to practice one’s golf swing, grip and putting. And just like any typical

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tournament, golfers can choose from the best championship courses and even play four-ball golf with friends.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION LESIURE AND ENTERTAINMENT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Bid goodbye to driving long hours going to a place where you can spend leisure time. The City Club provides extensive facilities not just for children but also for other family members so that the entire family can have fun and enjoy a well-deserved vacation any time they want. Sit back and relax at the Wii Room, game station, bar & fame room, KTV rooms and even pamper yourself at the body, salon and barber shop. Club members and residents can also use the screening room if they want a movie marathon with the family or friends.

On the Club’s sixth floor are the pool and spa areas. There are three swimming pools – main swimming pool, four-lap swimming pool and children’s pool. Enjoy and relax in a breathtaking resort-feel atmosphere complemented with the sunbathing deck. Boasting a total wellness space, the Club offers a surefire way to revitalize from a stressful day at work with a full body massage at the club spa. It has a separate spa area for men and women, sauna and hammam room, and an outdoor Jacuzzi area.

The Pro Shop is open daily for your convenience should you need sports stuff as well as the club’s Clinic for immediate concern.

conferencing, and a state-of-the-art fiber optic network to ensure that you stay connected at all times, from anywhere in The City Club.

If you have business meetings, the Club has five meeting rooms, conference room and Tabacalera Cigar Divan to choose from for small group gatherings. For banquets and events, there are three private function rooms, three Chinese function rooms and two large function rooms (banquet hall) that can accommodate up to 300 persons. An outdoor activity area is also available for open-air activity requirements.

DOING BUSINESS REDEFINED The City Club redefines doing business. It provides all the necessary conveniences to avoid pointless glitches. The entrance to The City Club is accessible by private elevator from the basement parking or the drop-off areas. Enjoy all the modern facilities such as WiFi, video

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The Club also houses a Canadian American School as well as a daycare center. Located on the 6th floor of The City Club, Canadian American School is a P-8 international school (PreK, K, Grades 1-8) offering a

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blended North American curriculum with early years foreign language immersion and inclusive education aimed at expatriate as well as local resident families. Low student:teacher ratios are expected with students taught by internationally trained and certified educators that will promote mindfulness and inspire critical thinking in a safe, fun, and loving environment.

After school time, the kids will surely love to stay and enjoy the indoor play area and outdoor playground.

ambiance. Located the sixth floor, the restaurant also serves as the poolside restaurant.

AROUND THE GLOBE GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE Dining will also be most pleasurable with eight specialty restaurants to choose from. Each restaurant offers a specialty cuisine, from the exquisite to local and international favorites; as well as a private and function rooms, which can accommodate small and big gatherings.

Contact details: T: +63 2 846 6205 E: sales@alphaland.com.ph W: www.cityclub.com.ph

Spoil yourself with diverse international cuisine from the restaurants located at the fourth floor – Hai Shin Lou Chinese Restaurant, the largest among the restaurants, Sakura by Edo San Japanase restaurant, Toscana Ristorante Italiano, Costa del Sol, A Taste of France and Salathip Thai restaurant.

There’s also Mark’s Prime Rib if you’re craving for steaks. And for tea lovers, there’s a tea lounge by TWG Tea at the Atrium’s lobby.

For those who have strong affection for Filipino foods, Balesin Islander is a haven of familiar food and nostalgic

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ALPHALAND MAKATI PLACE SETTING A NEW STANDARD IN URBAN LIVING.

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akati City may maybe one of the busiest hubs for business and commercial trade, but 2015 marks a milestone in its otherwise burgeoning housing enterprise. Commencing its turnover this 2015 are two of Alphaland Makati Place’s three residential towers.

Located along Ayala Avenue corner Malugay Street, this is expected to be one of the highest residential buildings in the area with 51 floors on its Tower 1, 46 floors on Tower 2, and 33 floors on its Tower 3. This one-ofa-kind, exclusive residential complex provides you the technology, lifestyle, and hassle-free environment that all ideal homes should offer.

The Makati Place is not just an efficient use of space, but an efficient use of capital, as Mr. Roberto V. Ongpin, Director and Chairman of the Board of Aphaland Corporation, sees it, “The Makati Place is where you could live, entertain and shop at the same time.” It gives you real value for money—and more.

EXCLUSIVITY MADE MORE EXCLUSIVE Apart from an elegant privacy offered by the exclusive complex, each residential unit owner can automatically enjoy free membership share to The City Club that gives you access to 30,000 square meters of facilities and amenities. Enjoy the convenience of a private gym, spa, learning institution, theatre, and a line of specialty restaurants located on the 4th to 6th floors of the complex.

FUNCTIONAL LUXURY Regardless of what you look for in a home, it’s imperative to invest on quality fixtures and furnishes. From faucet knobs to expresso machines, deciding on these appliances

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may proffer a daunting task, an inconvenience you certainly need not worry about at the Makati Place.

Every unit comes in a fully-furnished, living condition, easing you with the trouble of moving those heavy equipments in and installing them.

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The Makati Place offers nothing but top-of-the-line furnishings. The living room appliances include a TV Lift, 40” Flat screen TV, and an A/C unit. While the Kitchen sports a premium line of functional furnishes from refrigerator, microwave, builtin oven, electric cook top, range hood, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, coffee machine, and wine chiller. The management has also given a considerable thought in the maintenance of these appliances that’s why most of the devices are sourced from one reliable provider to enable convenient repair services.

automation system that enables you to remotely control your home devices even when you are not at home. Every unit is provided with a tablet installed with an easy-touse application that will transform any device with an IP address into a familiar home automation user interface, allowing access and control

MODERN CONVENIENCE Imagine all the amenities of a hotel melded with the unique comforts of a livable space conveniently located in a prime spot where everything you need is just right at your doorstep.

A built-in concierge system for housekeeping, maintenance, security, and other areas through a data network system, are just some of the unique services offered by the Makati Place. It also features a unique home

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of the security system, music, and other utilities in the unit.

You never have to worry about security with the building’s 24-hour security video surveillance system.

Each unit is pre-installed with CCTV cameras and Fiber-to-the-Home technology together with IP phone

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION and stream hundreds of HD video channel and services.

systems that provide total control of home devices from anywhere with an internet connection. Using your handheld devices, you can access your security system and monitor your home. There’s also a voice broadcasting of emergency messages to inform and properly guide guests and residents in distress situations.

Incorporating a fiber-optic infrastructure making it receptive to future technology, the complex also provides Wireless Internet access throughout the entire area. The internet connection is much faster than DSL and has the ability to add

RESPONSIBLE LIVING Registered under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building System of the U.S. Green Building Council, the entire building is an eco-friendly structure of green interiors and energy-saving fixtures.

With its water-efficient systems, it collects rain water to water plants and integrate a low-flush water fixture, low-flow aerated faucets and shower heads to help save 35% of water usage.

The Makati Place also has a stand-by generator to ensure uninterrupted power usage during typhoons and unexpected repair works performed by the utility company.

With its 1’000 underground parking spaces, the complex is able to reduce the “heat island effect.” Alternativefuel vehicles are also given a specially designed parking areas. At the

Makati Place, you can be assured that materials and paints used have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially toxic chemicals.

Contact details: T: +63 2 846 6205 E: sales@alphaland.com.ph W: www.makatiplace.com.ph

Disclaimer: Alphaland reserves the right to change the appliances to units of equal or higher value without further notice.

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I N - F O C U S : A L P H A L A N D ’ S T H E C I T Y C LU B A N D M A K AT I P L AC E

I s s u e 4 1 , Vo l u me VI FEBRUARY / march 2015