Feb march%202016 by Balikbayan Magazine

In-Depth: THE Golden Opportunity for the Travel Indus try

I ssu e 47 , Vo lu m e VII FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

Where luxury meets serenity

GREAT GETAWAYS TRAVERSI NG THE PH ILIPP INE COUNTRYSIDE

OUTLOOK ANOTHER UP GRAD E FOR THE PH I LIPP INE ECONO MY

NEWSMAKERS ONE-ON -ONE WITH MISS UN IVERSE , PIA W URTZBAC H

TECHNOLOGY MARK ET ING TO THE MOD ERN FI LIP INO

INFRASTRUCTURE

TABLE FOR TWO

HEALTH

NOW CONNECTING: FREE WI-FI NATIONWIDE

WHERE TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY

EXERCISE TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER BALIKBAYANMAGAZINE.COM

Old streets. New memories.

Double the fun this time around. Visit the Philippines again and get up to 50% off on airfare, accommodations, transfers, dining and shopping.

Perfect cone, spicy toppings

Find out more on itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

World-famous dive sites and sounds

Asia's 24/7 island

Handwoven and hand-built

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Siargao

Surf and Stay on Cloud 9.

Above ground and underground

Where the past is always present

Relax. Explore. Repeat.

Brilliant beaches. Soft pink sands.

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CONTENTS – February & March 2016

wine & dine 01 Anaheim White House Dicover California’s historic, fine dining establishment fit for any occasion. (pages 65-67)

02 Table For Two From the romantic to the hidden cafés and restaurants in the Metro, we’ve listed down the coolest it places to spend this year’s Valentine’s Day. (pages 68-70)

lifestyle 01 The Modern Romantic Need romantic ideas this Valentine’s Day? We’ve rundown some of the most interestingly sweet date ideas this 2016. (pages 73-75)

ON THE COVER

HEALTH & WELLNESS

01 Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa

01 Revolutionized Treatment at its Finest

Pack your bags and discover Panglao Island’s sophisticated, beach hideaway. Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa’s untouched nature and diverse coral and marine life is just one of the few highlights that make this exclusive paradise one of the best gems of Bohol. (pages 36-47)

ARTS & CULTURE 01 Art Fair Philippines 2016 Get to know the burgeoning artists in the country and be familiar with their works of art as they continue to reshape the art scene. (pages 9)

VACATION 01 Great Getaways Raphael John Oriel shares his latest getaway. Be inspired and rediscover the breathtaking beauty of Palawan, the stunning view of Taal Lake, and get cozy in the nippy weather of Baguio. (pages 48-49)

EXPLORER 01 Roadtrip Need ideas for the weekend? We’ve rundown some of the most awe-mazing spots for a weekend roadtrip. Read on. (pages 50-51)

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Learn more about Skeen Face and Body Centre’s latest innovation and breakthroughs. (pages 76)

02 Glamping Glamorous Camping: An extraordinary romantic spree Melding the intimacy of camping and the luxury of resort-style amenities and services, Nurture Wellness Spa is your next favorite spot in Tagaytay. Read on. (pages 78-79)

03 Exercise Together, Stay Together Nadj Villaver writes down five reasons why every couple should exercise together. (pages 80-81)

04 Fitness Dates Fitness date ideas for couples--not just for Valentine’s Day. (pages 82-83)

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features

TECHNOLOGY 01 V Money Expanding to Silicon Valley

NEWSMAKERS 01 Getting Personal with Miss Universe Despite public opinion on what really happened during the recent Miss Universe, one thing is certain…the Philippines won. Momar Visaya sits down with the new Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach as she recounts that memorable night and how she plans to move forward and make a difference in the world—the universe, rather. (pages 60-64)

Economy 01 Golden Opportunity for the Travel Industry Surpassing its neighbor Asian countries like Vietnam, Mongolia, India, and Cambodia, the Philippines’ current upturn from BBB- to BBB by the NICE (National Information and Credit Evaluation) promises a fruitful tourism. (pages 14-19)

INVESTMENT 01 Yet Another Credit Ratings Upgrade for the Philippines Raphael John Oriel reports how the Philippines’ new credit rating upgrade will hepl investors be optimistic about the country. (pages 22)

PEOPLE 01 “Doubters: A Useful Tool For Attaining Success” Lourdes Garcia sits down with Christina Oriel to share her life story of selfdiscovery and of the calling to be an inspiration to others. (pages 52-59)

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V Money’s ubiquitous solutions will be available in Silicon Valley by the first quarter of 2016; and soon, in Canada, Singapore, and other parts of Asia. (pages 24-25)

02 Now Connecting: Free Wi-Fi Nationwide Yes. You read that right. Will the free access to WI-FI Internet improve education, as well as the country’s economy? Raphael John Oriel reports... (pages 26-28)

03 Marketing to the Modern Filipino An infographic on Filipinos’ smart phone usage and dependency. (pages 29)

04 Swiping your way to digital dating: Cons vs Convenience Digital Media Strategist EJ Villafranca reports on the cons and advantages of dating in this modern, technologydriven time. (pages 30)

05 First Philippine Microsatellite “Diwata” Set to Launch The country’s first microsatellite designed, developed, and assembled by Filipino researchers and engineers, the Diwata Satellite is not just a crowning glory for the Philippines but an important tool in its advancement in the technology race. (pages 32)

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01 SCOPE | ARTS & CULTURE

Pop Cola Kid, 2013. Image courtesy of Ayala Museum.

Queuing a lineup of celebrated and up and coming artists in the country, this year’s Art Fair is a showcase of inspiration and well-deserve recognition. On its fourth year as the country’s most awaited culmination of local, aesthetic expression, its Special Exhibits feature some of the art scene’s burgeoning talents including Brisbane-based, husband and wife tandem Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan; Mark Justiniani, one of CCP’s Thirteen Artist Awardee amassing numerous recognitions both local and international; Martha Atienza, also a CCP’s Thirteen Artist Awardee, an artist of Cebuano-Dutch descent famous for her sea-inspired pieces; Nona Garcia, the grand prize winner of the prestigious Philip Morris Group of Companies ASEAN Art Award in Singapore; At Maculangan the only photographer featured in the exhibit, an art and culture photographer with works omnipresent on Manila’s leading publications; Raffy Napay, Florence Biennale Lorenzo il Magnifico Awardee and recipient of Liverpool Hope University residency grant, and also known for sewing scrap fabric on canvass and turning them into beautiful pieces for art; Pamela Yan Santos a former instructor of Studio Art courses at the UP College of Fine Arts; and Mac Valdezco, one of the country’s celebrated sculptors creating art pieces made from Divisoria and smallcottage industries. February 18-21 10:00A.M. – 9:00P.M. 5th Floor 7th Floor The Link, Ayala Center, Makati City

Reference: For exhibit schedules and other information, visit artfairphilippines.com/

Art Fair Philippines 2016

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PUBLISHER & CEO PRESIDENT & CO-PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Vice President for Sales Vice President for Marketing and Special Events, Philippines managing editor editorial consultant FEATURES editor DIGITAL MEDIA STRATEGIST CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING editors

Roger L. Oriel Cora M. Oriel Raphael John C. Oriel Sharon Ann Bathan-San Pedro Vince F. Samson MARY MAY PORTEZ Rod Cornejo

Issue 47 / volume vIi

MARIA NIMFA NADTJA H. VILLAVER

ON THE COVER Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa is located in Panglao Island, Bohol. This beautiful destination is a traveler’s paradise—combining the very best of Philippine luxury and serenity.

CHRISTINA M. ORIEL NOEL TY troi santos, ding carreon momar visaya, christina oriel

Advertising Executives

Kimberly delos Santos, GREG TRINIDAD, ROCELLE ANABEZA, KATrina DELA CRUZ, jazmine laboriante, marie madeline ramboyong, ALELIE JEAN TOLENTINO

Multimedia Developers

KENNO SAMULDE james christer francisco godwin gasacao

LAYOUT-ARTIST & illustrator

ALLANA SANTOS

Accountant

Gemma C. Fabro

Admin and finance officer

Geralou Sagun

Circulation ManagerS intern

Arthur Sibulangcao, ROLANDo Manese nicole justine s. pizarro

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INCORPORATED

For more information, visit EskayaResort.com.

the asian journal publications, inc philippines headquarters 2/F D&E FORT PALM SPRING CONDOMINIUM, 3OTH STREET CORNER 1ST AVENUE, BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY, Taguig City Telephone. (+632) 856-1661 Email: info@asianjournalinc.com Online Presence: BalikbayanMagazine.com Facebook.com/BalikbayanMagazine Twitter.com/BalikbayanMag

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No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage of retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the Publisher. Asian Journal Publications, Inc. regrets that no responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited material, which will be returned only if stamped, addressed envelope is enclosed. Printed in the Philippines. Distributed in the Philippines for newly arrived balikbayans at Duty Free Philippines, as well as at select hotel rooms, resorts, restaurants and cafes, major bookstores and magazine distributors. Circulated at special events and through subscription throughout the world.

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SP E C I A L A DVE RTI S I N G FEATURE

THE COUNTRY LIFESTYLE YOU’VE DREAMT OF

Actual Grande Three-Bedroom Unit

Actual Clubhouse

The Clubhouse is a perfect venue for events like company Christmas party

“Serene, fresh air, no pollution and most especially, Montebello is good for us who are aging. We also like the house. The rooms are very spacious.” – Grace Osea, Homeowner

Actual Lilac Twins Unit

There’s no better feeling than going home to your own place distant from the hustle and bustle of city life. Just a little over a 60-minute drive south of Manila, your dream home is made possible with the newest project among Don Tim’s communities: Alta Montebello. Literally translated to “beautiful mountain,” Montebello’s breathtaking view of Mt. Batulao is complemented by the serene ambiance of trees, parks, and recreational areas. The hectare ranch-themed village situated amidst the sprawling greens in the mountain ridge of Alfonso, Cavite is blessed with a cool climate and crisp air the wholeyear round. “Upon entering Alta Montebello for the first time, the feeling of a joyful heart is evident. It’s like a God-given medicine. It’s a nature therapy. There’s an unexplainable feeling seeing the model house which God gave to us. Our family feels the personal health and well-being benefits upon seeing the environment. We believe that contact with nature and time spent in the natural world can help build our physical, emotional, spiritual and family fitness.” – Marlene Romero, Homeowner

FUNCTIONAL-PREMIUM HOMES

Balikbayans, retirees, and expats who dream of owning a stylish home can choose from an array of model houses varying from Mediterranean to modern country. All house and lot packages, whether duplex or single detached units, are fully finished when turned over to homeowners. These ideal homes with the most picturesque and tranquil canvasses comes with the best value for money.

LILAC TWINS

Montebello’s main house model, Lilac Twins, is a duplex bungalow which represents the modern countryside living not just with its up-to-date design but also with its blunt interior. Each half of the Lilac Twins cover a complete floor area of 71.80 square meters comprising of either two bedrooms, one bathroom, a veranda, and a carport. Rest assured, you can get the privacy and space without intruding or disturbing your neighbor on the other side of the duplex with the sound proofed duplex common wall.

Lilac twins is also a senior citizen and person with disabilities-friendly home as it is not necessary to walk up any steps since it’s a one-story unit. The veranda is near the carport, making wheelchairs more accessible to enter straight in. Among the village features and highlights are: water fountain, swimming pool, kiddie pool, children’s playground, gazebos, basketball court, tennis court, and an amphitheater. Montebello is also an active place having a multipurpose Clubhouse equipped with a balcony, view deck, and other facilities.

For more information, visit www.dontim.com.ph, or like them on Facebook at Don Tim Development Corp. For inquiries, call +632 8439471 | +63 917 8258435 or email dontimcom@gmail.com.

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the INVESTMENT ISSUE

Publisher’s Note

Keeping A Journal

For the past few years, discussions about retirement amongst my family, friends, and associates have become more frequent. Here are some of the questions I’ve been hearing: • “What are you going to do when you retire?” • “Are you ready—are you prepared for retirement?” • “Where do you plan on retiring?” • “Are you financially secure for retirement?” • “What kind of retirement planning are you doing?” And then occasionally, I’ll hear people say, “Why don’t you just retire?—you’ll be fine.” “You can retire, but you still need to do something—you must keep the mind working.” To say the least, the concept of retirement fascinates me and it seems to interest you as well. In fact, retirement is one of the more prominent topics our readers write to us about as they consider buying a home in the Philippines. All of the questions above are typical of what some readers ask, but more often than not, our readers will wonder “Should I retire in the Philippines?” One of my favorite reasons (there a hundreds) as to why I think retiring in the Philippines is a great option is because it’s home—plain

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and simple. Every time I hear someone say they’re going to the Philippines, they say, “Going home to the Philippines.” 7,107 islands create our amazing country—how can you ever get bored? With all of this retirement talk, I can’t help but think about my own retirement and what that would be like. But I’m lucky to be able to approach each day and say, I love what I do. I can’t imagine starting the day and not learning something new from my editorial and advertising departments or not being in business meetings and discussing ideas, innovation, and strategies. To me, there’s no such thing as retirement. If you choose to retire in the Philippines. Don’t call it retirement, call it relocating. The country has thousands of things to do when you relocate. Take a class, learn a new language, learn an instrument, travel, paint, start a small business, teach, volunteer, write your life story—you name it, you can do it. Over the holiday season, I went with a few friends and family to a Los Angeles Lakers game. Coincidentally, this NBA season also happens to be Kobe Bryant’s swan song—this basketball legend has decided to retire at the age of 37 after 20 NBA seasons. As I watched Kobe, I could see the wear and tear of all those arduous years of playing basketball at such a high level. You can see it in the fluidity of

his movements. During the game, I heard a fellow opposing player yell to Kobe, “Father time is still undefeated! There’s no defense for that Kobe!” How profound indeed. But you see, just because Kobe is retiring, that by no stretch of the imagination does that mean life is over. In retirement, one chapter is completed and another journey begins. Make no mistake, it is our mortality that concludes our manuscript—not retirement. Later this year in September, the Asian Journal will turn 25 years old. It’s a very exciting year for our company. I remember back in 1991 (when I had a little more hair and was perhaps a little thinner), when we first started, the Filipino community in America was a shade over 1 million in total population. Today, it is now close to 4 million. As you will read on (and soon watch in the next few months), we will continue to highlight and capture the journey of the Filipino narrative as 25 years truly goes in the blink of an eye. In the words of George Eliot, “You’re never too old to be what you might have been.” I’d like to expand on that saying, “You’re never too old to learn what your kids know about technology.”

–– Roger L. Oriel

CEO and Publisher Asian Journal Publications, Inc.

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01 ECONOMY | FORECAST

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Golden Opportunity for the Travel Industry Writer RAPHAEL JOHN C. ORIEL

In this current era of global economic and geopolitical unrest, the global tourism sector is faced with significant challenges as government stability and travel safety play a critical role on tourism. Just the mere cognizance of danger and threat of civil unrest and terrorism could cause tourists to think twice about booking a trip. These factors can severely impact both the immediate and long-term outlook for the tourism sector of not just the country, but also neighboring nations. However, for the Philippines, civil unrest, political turmoil, or terrorism have no relevant concern or impact on tourists wishing to visit. This is signified by 2015’s record highs of almost five and a half million tourists and over five billion dollars in tourism receipts. For 2016, the Department of Tourism projects to surpass last year’s record as the country has now become one of the most intriguing destinations in the World.

With the repercussions of regional dangers in the Middle East, Europe, South America, and a few pockets throughout Asia, the Philippines has a golden opportunity to capture significant market share of not just regional based tourism, but global tourism as a whole—which is now a USD $7 Trillion industry. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals are consistently surpassing the 1 billion mark—1.14 billion in 2014, 51 million more than the previous year— accounting for 9.5% of global GDP and 5.4% of world exports. The Philippines has a unique travel catalogue to offer to the young and old generation of travelers— from exotic adventure to serene leisure. The growth and rise of the travel and tourism industry continues to play a vital role for job creation—which, according to the UNWTO, provides 266 million

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01 ECONOMY | FORECAST

10 ASEAN MEMBER NATIONS: 01 Philippines 02 Singapore 03 Malaysia 04 Thailand 05 Vietnam 06 Cambodia 07 Indonesia 08 Laos 09 Myanmar 10 Brunei global jobs either directly or indirectly. And now with the persistent strides the Philippines is making in attracting foreign and domestic tourism, the growth can be seen, felt, and experienced on both the macro and micro level economy. In terms of creating employment, the travel industry tends to employ more young people than most industries, which in turn, creates more opportunities for SMEs (small, medium, enterprises). Developing specialized tourism niches such as Medical Tourism would further spike tourist arrivals in the coming years especially since Filipinos are wellknown healthcare providers all over the World. The country is no longer simply just known for its pristine natural wonders and beaches, but also for being one of the most hospitable, inviting, and peaceful nations in the World today—which has largely influenced positive growth in the business environment likewise. The brand image of the country on the global minds of travelers far and wide is a direct result of the impressive, results driven, and extensive work of the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines as indicated by the infographic on page 17. In an interview about the Philippines’ 2016 Tourism Campaign, Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. remarked: “When the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) declared 2016 as Visit the Philippines Year Again (VPA 2016), we only had one thing in mind: to cement the Philippines’ reputation as a ‘must-experience’

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destination in Asia. And we are claiming it along with our promise of more fun as 2016 becomes our Year of Agains. Travelers will not run out of reasons to visit the Philippines this year. They should choose the Philippines because we assure them that they are off to a complete travel experience in what media giants Conde Nast Traveller, New York’s Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, and TripAdvisor.com among others, consider as “one of the most beautiful and most exciting places to visit” in the world. Together with the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines (TPBPHL), we have lined up many different activities for every persuasion. A full calendar of international events, which are all slated to happen in the country, awaits tourists in the Philippines. From festivals to musicals, to gastronomical, cultural and historical, there is no reason not to include the Philippines in one’s bucket list. Visit the Philippines Again 2016. We assure our new and returning/repeat visitors they will find the Philippines one of the most progressive, youngest and most inclusive societies in the 21st century. 2016 will see why the rest of the world has pivoted to our side of the globe. We are the ‘Next Big Thing’ in Asian travel, with the world now referring to us alternatively as the ‘New Asian Tiger’, ‘Asia’s Bright Spot’ and the ‘The Next Asian Miracle’. Experience a more visual Philippines. Experience the Philippines, not one way, not two ways, but as a multi-level destination. From north to south, east to west, the Philippines is by itself a multi-city, multi-experience destination. Have the best of both worlds—the urban experience in our

pulsating cityscapes and the rustic charm of the countryside in less than three hours by road, a little more by plane, and a few hours by sea. Also, we will feature special incentives for repeat visitors that offer discounts on flights, accommodations, tours, and other packages.” ASEAN TOURISM FORUM 2016 The World Economic Forum’s 2015 Report on The Travel & Tourism Competiveness Index now has the Philippines ranked 74th in the World—up 8 places from 2013. Just this past January 2016, the Philippines was once again the host nation for a global event, the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF). The ATF is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist destination—co-opetition. ATF TRAVEX is the longest-running annual ASEAN leisure travel trade event, showcasing the largest contingent of ASEAN sellers. The 35th ATF had an impressive 2,620 delegates visit the country. From ministerial and NTO delegates, to TRAVEX suppliers from all over ASEAN, to international buyers and media. The ATF TRAVEX comprises of the largest and most diverse collection of ASEAN travel suppliers. The SMX Convention Center housed over 1,000 exhibitors which connected with 457 buyers all over the World. The 3-day event enabled nearly 70 official meetings to a noteworthy itinerary of Pre-Show City Tours, Opening Ceremony, Welcome Reception and Dinner, and Farewell Ceremony for all ATF delegates. The Philippine Host Committee

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01 ECONOMY | FORECAST

even organized 10 post-ATF tours—ATF’s most extensive number of post-show tours in recent years. Susan del Mundo, Chairperson of ATF 2016 TRAVEX Sub-Committee said, “Visit Philippines Year (VPY ) 2015 was truly a huge success. This year, with Visit the Philippines Again (VPA) 2016, we are confident that it will be another spectacular year for the tourism industry, not just with the help of the government and private sector, but also with the heart of the Filipino people. With the Filipinos as our most important asset, VPA 2016 will surely captivate tourists even more as they return this year. We believe that this year’s host committee has created ample opportunities for delegates to experience the appeal of The Philippines.” In a media conference at the ATF, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Tourism, Arturo Boncato said, “Our competitiveness ranking improved because they’ve seen the Philippines to be very open—working on obstacles to people mobility and visa requirements have been relaxed….Our focus is really continuing what we started from 2011. The NTDP (The National Tourism Development Plan) is really the blueprint of our medium-term development. Off-hand, we were thinking what the plan would be. Are we going for a 300 million arrival-type of destination or are we going to be a $10,000 per person type of destination?”

Department of Tourism Undersecretary and ATF 2016 Philippine Host Committee Chair Benito C. Bengzon Jr. said the ATF exhibits featuring the best of ASEAN would give thousands of visitors from all over the world a memorable viewing experience. “The overriding objective is to come up with a single tourism policy infrastructure, legal framework, or strategic platform for all of ASEAN. The objective is to make ASEAN tourism contribute to the overall regional economic integration agenda that is envisioned to address the human requirements of Southeast Asia’s 622 million people.” At the opening ceremony in the Philippine International Convention Center, President Benigno Aquino declared that success of ASEAN tourism will depend on sustainability. “ASEAN tourism is something we have to build together. We are not competitors but partners in inclusive tourism.” The ASEAN tourism ministers announced the executive plans for 20162025, citing the need to focus on the quality of offerings as the region prepares for an expected 152 million international arrivals within the next decade. According to the plan’s executive summary, the two strategic directions are to continue promoting the region as a single destination and to ensure that ASEAN tourism is sustainable and inclusive.

The itinerary included a diverse range of travel must-sees: 01 Ilocos 02 UNESCO World Heritage Tour 03 Cordillera Heritage Tour 04 Southern Luzon’s Heritage, Wellness, Culinary Trail 05 El Nido, Palawan: The Last Frontier 06 Northern Palawan’s Eco Adventure 07 Bicol Express 08 The Visayan Charms 09 Negros Y Cebu 10 Islands to Highlands 10 Strategic Actions 01 Intensify promotion and marketing 02 Diversify tourism products 03 Attract tourism investment 04 Raise capacity and capability of human capital 05 Implement and expand ASEAN standards for facilities, services and destinations 06 Implement and expand connectivity and destination infrastructure 07 Enhance travel facilitation 08 Upgrade local communities and public-private sector participation in the value chain 09 Ensure safety and security, prioritize protection and management of heritage sites 10 Increase responsiveness to environmental protection and climate change. In summary, regarding the executive plans for ASEAN tourism, Ramon Jimenez said, “(We are in) what some Asians call coopetition, the theory is and has been proven repeatedly, the more we compete, the more we grow. We sell ourselves as individual nations and collectively we sell ourselves as a region.” Mr. Jimenez also revealed that the 10-member countries are in favor of having a single ASEAN visa in which a visa valid in one member-country is also valid everywhere within member nations. He said that within the next five years, this might already be in effect, as countries are in various stages of readiness for it—assuring that the concerns are merely “technical more than political”.

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02 ECONOMY | RISING NATION

Philippines Posts Gains In ‘Economic Freedom’ Anew US-based think tank lauds liberalization, easier business licensing procedures, reduced corruption The Philippines has scored anew in the area of “economic freedom,” being recognized internationally for the sustained improvement in the capacity of its citizens and investors to own properties, to generate income, to consume goods and services, and to do business. In the 2016 Index of Economic Freedom, the latest of the annual global survey conducted by US-based think tank Heritage Foundation, the ranking of the Philippines leaped by six places to 70th out of 178 countries from the previous year’s 76th. The Philippines is one of the most improved countries over the past six years, with its global ranking jumping by a total of 45 notches since 2010. The latest global ranking of the Philippines was made possible by its latest score of 63.1 points out of 100 points, better than the 62.2 points recorded the previous year. With the latest score, Heritage Foundation describes economic freedom in the Philippines as “moderately free.” “The Philippine economy has been growing steadily at an average annual rate above 6 percent the past five years. The government has pursued legislative reforms to enhance the entrepreneurial environment and develop a more vibrant private sector to generate broader based job growth,” Heritage Foundation said in the report released Monday. The country’s economic officials welcomed the positive development, which reflected the virtuous cycle consisting of reforms, improving perception of investors and third-party observers like Heritage Foundation, and economic development. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima remarked, “Underpinning the country’s improvement across virtually all global measures is the guiding philosophy behind the Aquino administration: good governance. Over the past 6 years, we have worked to better our institutions and improve business environments to facilitate robust private sector growth.”

“The consistency of results and recognition in the past 6 years mean only one thing: We must keep the faith in our governing principles. We will continue to expand the field of economic opportunity to enlarge the share of Filipinos benefiting from and contributing to the gains we are making.” National Competitiveness Council Cochair Guillermo Luz said, “Aware of the crucial role played by an enabling environment to investment generation and to improving the lives of Filipinos, making the Philippines a globally competitive place of business has been among the top agenda of government over the past 6 years.” “This latest international recognition of the country’s improving economic freedom may be credited partly to coordinated efforts of government agencies and local government units, which the NCC has engaged over the years to continually improve processes for businesses,” Luz added. Heritage Foundation evaluates the level of economic freedom of countries based on the following 10 components: property rights, freedom from corruption, fiscal freedom, government spending, business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom, trade freedom, investment freedom, and financial freedom. The think tank said the Philippines posted the biggest gains in “business freedom,” as licensing requirements for enterprises have been eased. The country registered a 32-notch improvement in its ranking under this component, or from 131st to 99th the previous year. “The time involved in dealing with licensing requirements has been notably reduced, and the cost of completing them has been cut,” Heritage Foundation said. It also said the Philippines registered significant improvement in the area of “freedom from corruption,” consistent with the implementation of good governance reforms in line agencies of government. Its ranking

in this component improved by 8 notches, or from 95th to 87th. Another area of marked improvement, the think tank said, is “trade freedom” amid efforts to further open up the economy to investments. The Philippines’ ranking in this component improved from 99th to 94th. For Heritage Foundation, economic freedom is important in that it allows people to engage in economic activities without unnecessary constraints, thereby helping boost incomes and accelerating progress. In the case of the Philippines, the improvement in its economic freedom came along with solid growth performance of the economy. Touted as one of the most resilient emerging markets in the world, the Philippines posted an average growth of 6.2% from 2010 to 2015 despite a challenging external environment.About the Investor Relations Office The Investor Relations Office (IRO) was established in July 2001 to strengthen the country’s relations with investors and other stakeholders by promoting active channels of information flow and dialogue between economic policy makers and investors. Based in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) or the Philippine central bank, the IRO has a dedicated staff composed of trained economists and communication specialists who work with their counterparts in the BSP and the economic agencies to implement a wide-ranging program of investor relations activities. The IRO provides services to a wide range of stakeholders – the Government’s economic agencies, financial institutions, credit rating agencies, bilateral and multilateral organizations, domestic and foreign investors, the diplomatic corps, business people, the media and the general public. All services to its stakeholders are underpinned by a set of fundamental principles: transparency, accessibility, timeliness, consistency and feedback.

Source Investor Relations Office of the Philippines

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01 INVESTMENT | OUTLOOK

Yet Another Credit Ratings Upgrade for the Philippines The NICE Investors Service praises government reforms and cites rising infrastructure investments for the recent upgrade Writer RAPHAEL JOHN ORIEL

The credit image of the Philippines received yet another boost from the latest rating action by the National Information and Credit Evaluation (NICE) Investors Service, citing the country’s governance reforms and intensified campaign for infrastructure development. The credit rating estimates the credit worthiness—evaluation of the Philippines’ ability to repay debt as prepared by the credit rating agency. Based in Seoul, South Korea, NICE upgraded the country’s credit rating a notch higher from the minimum investment grade of BBB- to BBB. As a result, this upgrade tightly secures the Philippines’ place within the investment-grade territory. Based on Standard & Poor’s ratings, the Philippines credit rating is now on the same status of such countries as Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Peru, and Bahrain. With the BBB credit rating, the Philippines is now rated higher than other fast growing economies such as Vietnam, Mongolia, India, and Columbia. In a recent statement last January 22, 2016, NICE, which is based in South Korea, said the upgrade was anchored on “improved government transparency as well as enhanced environment backed by expanded infrastructure and social overhead capitals in the form of public-private partnerships.” The upgrade came amid sustained rise in infrastructure investments made by the government—rising from 1.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010 to 5 percent of GDP for 2016. $4.8 billion in infrastructure contracts have been awarded to private-sector investors since 2010 under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) program, making the Philippines one of the most aggressive infrastructure markets in the ASEAN. Talk to a local or any traveler in the country and

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the dire need for improving infrastructure would certainly be on the top of the wish lists for the Philippines. The Philippines’ new credit rating with NICE is labeled with a “stable” outlook, meaning that it may stay the same at least over the short term despite challenges posed by external developments. In contrast to the country’s peers, NICE explains that the Philippines is viewed to be more resilient to shocks, such as the impact of a slowing Chinese economy in addition to market volatility arising from higher interest rates in the United States. “Considering its trade structure and strong FX (foreign exchange) liquidity, the impact of global economic uncertainties such as slowdown of the Chinese economy and US interest rate hike will be manageable,” NICE said. For the short and medium term, NICE projects the Philippines to sustain robust economic growth of 6.3 percent over the short and medium term. Over the past few years, the Philippines has received investment grading ratings from Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service, and Fitch Ratings. With the 24th positive rating action for the Philippines under the Aquino administration (9 outlook changes to “positive” and 15 actual hikes in credit ratings from various agencies), economic officials were pleased with the latest creditrating upgrade. “The string of favorable actions from credit rating agencies, the latest of which is from NICE Investors Service, resonates the process of economic strengthening that the Philippines has undergone over the years. Contributory to this process were forward-looking monetary policy, proactive bank supervision, and prudent external accounts management, which have played crucial roles in promoting

a stable inflation environment and a strong financial system,” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. said. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima remarked, “Virtuous cycles result from dogged discipline, even when political headwinds seem too strong. Expanded fiscal space has opened up a Pandora’s box of opportunities in infrastructure, allowing us to play a fast game of catch-up with our neighbors.” Later adding that, “With increased transparency, we have empowered citizens who participate in the process of governance, and who—having known the gains reforms can bring—will refuse to roll back progress.” Purisima also noted that with this latest credit rating action from NICE, Fitch Ratings remains the only agency that assigns the minimum investment grade to the Philippines. The others assign higher ratings. Investor Relations Office (IRO) Executive Director Editha L. Martin said upgrades in credit ratings have provided concrete benefits for the economy, including improved business confidence and reduced borrowing cost for the government. The latter has contributed to lower commercial lending rates for consumers and businesses as well, which in turn, fuels consumption and investments. “Having reaped the gains of investment grade sovereign credit ratings, there should be no room for the economy to slide back. The Filipino people, as it is incumbent upon them, are expected to demand from our leaders the kind of governance that will ensure that the economic transformation of the Philippines over the last half decade transcends changes in political settings,” Martin said.

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01 TECHNOLOGY | F I N A N C E

VMoney expanding to Silicon Valley

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n the heels of what was a marquee 2015, VMoney looks at 2016 as a year to further establish itself as a key agent in transforming the global payments landscape. Equipped with cutting-edge technology built on making transactions faster, safer, and more transparent, VMoney is set to make financial services available to an even broader audience with its expansion to Silicon Valley. In a matter of months, VMoney will bring its holistic platform with integrations to Bitcoin, VISA, MasterCard, ATM networks, POS, online payments, etc., to a completely new market. Consumers in the US can expect a more reliable and seamless way of transferring funds and performing transactions at significantly lower rates, offering OFWs a great alternative to brick and mortar remittance companies that charge exorbitant fees. Members can also benefit from the value-added features like prepaid services and bills payment, making paying for Philippine utility or phone bills all the way from the US possible. Furthermore, VMoney enables users to transfer money in

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real-time through multiple models including to and from e-wallet accounts, payment cards, bank accounts, or cash outlets. The platform will also be an ideal match for the needs of growing and established businesses alike due to its intuitive and cost-efficient nature, allowing companies to streamline their processes and focus on their core competencies. VMoney offers integrated business solutions that can considerably advance enterprise payment and funds disbursement capabilities swiftly and economically, from online payments and mobile POS, to loyalty and rewards programs, contactless payment technology, and cobranded cards. Its versatility and flexibility enables all types of customers, businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies alike to find an application for its use. VMoney continues to garner extreme interest from both local and international organizations and government agencies, as well as individuals looking to simplify their payment processes. As more and more people recognize the potential of transformative

digital solutions, VMoney looks forward to making its solutions available to a greater audience and addressing the limitations that continue to prevail in current banking systems and with traditional providers. VMoney’s ubiquitous solutions continue to contribute in expediting the emergence of an economy, especially as it presents a viable solution for instant transfers across borders, complete with dynamic FOREX capability, at affordable rates. With a robust, comprehensive, and secure platform, VMoney is primed to make an even greater impact as it becomes globally available. VMoney will establish itself in Silicon Valley by the first quarter of 2016, and soon, in Canada, Singapore, and other parts of Asia. For more about VMoney’s global expansion and upcoming features, keep your eyes on our news page. To learn more about how our services can help your business increase efficiencies, send an email to sales@vmoney.com.

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02 TECHNOLOGY | I N F R A S T R U C T U R E

Now Connecting: Free Wi-Fi Nationwide Writer RAPHAEL JOHN ORIEL

The free Wi-Fi in public places project will install wireless Internet access points in public places nationwide from town plazas, parks, government offices, health units, to transportation terminals including train stations, seaports, and airports. Studies by the World Bank signify that every 10% increase in broadband Internet connectivity translates to a 1.38 percent increase in the country’s overall gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Having a more connected society and the ability to share and access information is a basic human right. Mark Zuckerberg, in a recent interview with Wired Magazine, makes the case that the internet, just like healthcare and clean water, should be a basic human right and that access to the internet is the most critical societal issue for our generation. Allowing people to communicate and share information would enable people to government services, determine crop prices, and get healthcare. “It’s the underpinning for helping people get into the modern economy. Ten years from now, we should not have to look back and accept there are people who don’t have access to that” said Zuckerberg. THE FREE WI-FI PROJECT The free Wi-Fi internet access in public places project will include class one and two municipalities in the initial roll out in order to better reach the class three to six municipalities, which were the original target beneficiaries of the project. The project is enacted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Office. The decision to include class one and two municipalities initially stemmed from low participation in the procurement of internet

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providers for the original 967 beneficiary municipalities. The primary reason for the low participation from internet providers was due to the low price of allocated budget for the contract for the various municipalities. According to Undersecretary Louis Casambre of the ICT Office, “We intend to increase the budget allocation for Municipal Connectivity for the project, by around 50%, likewise, we will also be including class one and two municipalities in order to better reach classes three to six, the ones who need Internet connectivity the most.” The total number of beneficiary municipalities currently stands at 1,435. Undersecretary Casambre further elaborated that providers would need to upgrade and expand their communications infrastructure in order to serve hard to reach areas, and with class one and two municipalities included it would be easier for them to reach those poorer communities. “Tenders are currently being prepared for the new municipalities with the new budget, and they should be available within the month.” Undersecretary Casambre added. According to the Project Management Team, 1.6 billion pesos was added to the 2015 unobligated funds for the 2016 budget. DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo is optimistic that with the increased budget, the internet provider industry will better participate in the program, “We are looking forward to providing connectivity through our private sector partners especially in the rural areas. With Internet connectivity readily available, their lives can be enhanced with better access to weather information, education, agricultural resources, commerce, e-government services, as well as employment, through online jobs” Secretary Montejo said.

Domestic Internet connectivity to the 14 major cities of the project which will act as internet hubs for the project has already been awarded to a joint venture between Innove & Yondu Inc. While connectivity to the international Internet was awarded to PLDT, connectivity to various municipalities was awarded to WIT, Converge ICT Solutions and a joint ventue between AZ Communications and Omniprime. While the System and Management and Access component of the project which will oversee the nationwide network of access points and provide the hardware necessary was awarded to Abratique and Associates Inc. which will be utilizing CISCO equipment to deliver connectivity to the end users. EXAMINING INTERNET USAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES Internet access substantially differs for emerging and developing nations. Some of the lowest rates of internet use are in Southeast Asia. According to the Pew Research Center, owners of computers, young people, the well-educated and the wealthy, and those with English language proficiency are much more likely to access the internet than those who aren’t. Today, most people increasingly use smartphones to access the internet rather than more cumbersome fixed landline connections and computers. For the developed World, both smartphones and basic-feature phones are frequently used for sending messages and taking pictures. Internet use is the highest in the wealthiest of the emerging nations, such as in China and Russia, where more than seven out of ten people have internet access. Despite these rates being considered relatively high, they lag behind the U.S., where 87% of the population have internet access. Throughout

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02 TECHNOLOGY | I N F R A S T R U C T U R E

the World, internet access differs substantially by a number of key factors in demographics, including age and education. According to the Pew Research Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 Global Attitudes Survey, 18 to 34 year olds are more likely to report accessing the internet than older generations in the Philippines. 64% of 18 to 34 years olds connect to the internet at least occasionally and own a smartphone whereas those above the age of 35 are just at 35%. Education is significantly associated with internet usage rates. People with a secondary education or higher are more

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likely to access the internet than those with less than a secondary degree. These divisions are especially prominent in the Philippines. 67% of people with secondary or higher education access the internet or own a smartphone whereas 33% for those with less than secondary educational attainment. Around the world, people often log on to the internet using either personal computers and smartphones. Smartphone ownership is higher among the more educated. In the Philippines those with a secondary degree or higher are more likely to own a smartphone

than the less educated. Whether using basic cell phones or smartphones, most cell phone owners use their mobile devices for more than making phone calls. In the Philippines, texting is virtually universal. In the Philippines, 95% or more of cell phone owners say they text regularly. Though texting and taking photos or videos on their mobile devices are relatively frequent for all age groups, young people are much more likely to do so. Young people, those ages 18 to 34, text more regularly than those 35 and older in the Philippines.

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03 TECHNOLOGY | O N T H E G O

Swiping your way to digital dating: Cons vs Convenience The present-day technology has the potential to dictate (wield, even) the way we interact and communicate. From career to romantic searches, success can either be determined by a single swipe or a wellorchestrated profile page. If you’re like me, you’re both skeptical and amazed at how the dating landscape has changed since the emergence of dating applications. It’s easy enough to get a match but still complicated enough to get longterm compatibility, much less a relationship out of something that’s entirely based on user input and integration. As a digital strategist, I understand how it can be argued that apps, dating or otherwise, suggest users to avoid social interaction. But I’m also aware of how helpful and convenient social and dating apps are. Unconventional as it may seem in our very conservative culture, online dating made it easier for the “typical Filipino torpe” to reach out and find his match. In this field, I have encountered clients that had us create campaigns that involved social engagement and design applications for online dating in Asia. During that time, I have gathered behavioral data and social insights that show that there are currently 91 million people around the world using dating apps. 2 out of 3 of them are men and 64 million are between the ages of 16 and 34. It also concluded that finding someone to date in the Philippines is far easier than in other Asian countries like Singapore or Hong Kong where people are more career oriented and the population as a whole is aging (less young population), and in some cases there are less opposite gender (in Hong Kong there’s currently more women than men). There’s also generally a stronger social stigma against online dating because of mailto-order brides and similar services which

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are still quite popular. The proliferation of apps like Tinder is also highly due to expats and traveling locals that help spread the word about such services. With very low tourists count in the Philippines, the impact of such online apps are minimal compared to other countries where you’ll see such apps widely used by both locals and foreigners. As the nature of online dating evolves, more data driven dating applications come into play such as the likes Happn, Clover and Hong Kong’s DateTix. More of these are relying on screening data and using algorithms to match individuals with more specific behaviors, social preferences, and online habits. Amy Webb, who gave a talk at TEDx, an international, open platform for speakers covering topics from sanitation to technological wizardry to deep policy issues, etc.¹, is a perfect example of an individual who utilized data in finding her match in online dating. Does this mean we are heading more into the digital way of finding our match than relying on natural circumstances to find the person that would serve as our match? Will

algorithms and data take over our decisions than genuine mutual connection that we find over circumstances? One thing is for certain though, and that is people are still finding ways to bridge the gap of interaction and connection. At the end of the day, our responsibilities to ourselves lie still - that is to know the purpose these apps serve and to be mindful of the image we maintain online, lest we fall deeper into the pit of online dating stereotypes. It’s possible that you find your perfect match anywhere, the same way your match can find you anytime. What you need to do is be open to possibilities of who and where your match can come from. Also, there’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of using the resources you have in your arsenal. Be open to connections made possible through dating sites and apps, it’ll only help you expand your network and meet more people outside your social circle. But of course, always be cautious when it comes to dealing with people online, just like how you’re mindful of dealing with people offline.

Notes: ¹ http://tedxtalks.ted.com/ References: http://www.datingsitesreviews.com/staticpages/index.php?page=Online-Dating-Industry-Facts-Statistics | https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_webb_how_i_hacked_online_ dating/transcript?language=en | https://www.care2.com/greenliving/digital-dating-swiping-off-the-screen-and-into-real-time.html

Writer EJ VILLAFRANCA Illustrator NICOLE JUSTINE PIZARRO

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04 TECHNOLOGY | S C I E N C E

First Philippine Microsatellite “DIWATA” Set To Launch Courtesy of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development

The potential uses of DIWATA, the first all-Filipino assembled microsatellite, include: improved weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical sites, and the territorial borders of the Philippines. DIWATA was turned over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ( JAXA) to prepare for its launch into space in April. With DIWATA, comes the Filipino dream to have its own Philippine Space Agency. Officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), UP Diliman, Tohoku University (TU), and Hokkaido University (HU) handed-over the project following the completion of the assembly and testing of the 50-kg Philippine Earth Observation Microsatellite. It is set to be released into space from the International Space Station (ISS) later this April. THE PHILIPPINE MICROSATELLITE PROGRAM Recognizing the advantages of using satellite-based remote sensing, the government invested in the construction and launching of the Philippine scientific earth observation microsatellite, under the PHL-MICROSAT or DIWATA program, with the budget of P800 million for three years. DIWATA is the country’s first microsatellite designed, developed, and assembled by Filipino researchers and engineers under the guidance of Japanese experts from Hokkaido University and Tohoku University. The satellite is designed to provide real-time images for disaster risk management and other applications.

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Seven engineering students from the University of the Philippines and two science researchers from DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOSTASTI) were sent to Tohoku University and Hokkaido University in Japan to work on the microsatellite bus system and payload design while pursuing advanced degrees, as part of the PHL-MICROSAT program. The bus development team worked on the design, the implementation, and the testing of various structural, mechanical, and electrical aspects of the microsatellite bus. The payload and mission design team on the other hand contributed to the science mission analysis and objectives that lead to the specifications of the payload sensors and instruments. The team studied the technical specifications of the payload instruments towards proper testing and calibration of its outputs. Part of the three-year program is the development of a second microsatellite (DIWATA 2) to be launched in 2017. The PHL-MICROSAT team also intends to develop course and training materials on small satellite technology design and testing, which are proposed to be incorporated into science and engineering undergraduate and postgraduate elective courses, as well as local industry short seminars. A microsatellite simulator and testbed, antenna design and testing facility and amateur radio satellite station are also currently being set up as part of the establishment of the local microsatellite research and instructional facility within UP Diliman. The rest of the PHL-MICROSAT team at UP Diliman are focused on developing a ground receiving station (GRS) that will allow space borne images to be

transmitted to earth. It will also be used to transmit commands from the ground to the microsatellite to carry out is mission effectively. DIWATA-1 is a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite set to fly 400km above the earth. It serves as a training platform and will pave the way for the Filipino team to further develop their skills in space technology. More than this, the potential uses of Diwata’s images include improved weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical sites, and the territorial borders of the Philippines. Diwata will be sending vital images and data back to Philippine Earth Data Resources and Observation (PEDRO) Center which was set up to receive data from the satellite DETAILS OF DIWATA DIWATA 1 is equipped with a high precision telescope (HPT) that can determine the extent of damages from disasters, like typhoons and volcanic eruptions. It can also monitor changes in cultural and natural heritage sites, like the Mount Apo or Mayon Volcano. Its spaceborne multispectral imager (SMI) with LCTF will be able to monitor changes in vegetation and monitor oceans productivity. It also carries a wide field camera that will help scientists and weather forecasters better observe cloud patterns and more accurately predict weather disturbances. Its middle field camera assists in determining the locations of images captured using the HPT and SMI.

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ESKAYA BEACH RESORT & SPA

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ON THE COVER

BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

The Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa is the most exclusive and luxurious resort on the idyllic Philippine island of Bohol. Spread over 16 hectares, the resort’s superlative villas face a stunning vista of virgin white sand beach and emerald ocean, while behind them rise the island’s jungle-topped mountains. The villas are fashioned out of local materials including bamboo, grass and hardwoods, a styling that continues into their spacious interiors. All modern features are here, including large terraces, whirlpool bathtubs, well-stocked minibars and even a butler service and private pools in some villas. A superb spa tops the list of things to do here and offers a seductive menu listing traditional Asian and modern European treatments. The resort also has a private beach, large infinity pool and whirlpools inside the villas. Guests can go mountain biking to explore the island or go snorkeling and scuba diving in the crystal clear waters. Meals can be taken privately on the beach, with just the lapping of the waves and the crackling of a fire for company, or at the Lantawan restaurant, which also serves breakfast and lunch. The menu here is a mixture of Filipino and international dishes and is guaranteed to satisfy every palate. Diving is a major activity here and visitors can gain certification while exploring the local coral reefs with its abundant wildlife. Lucky guests might even meet the area’s dolphin pod. Alternatively, guests can visit Bohol’s country-side which is only a 30 minute drive away. Transfers to and from this island oasis are inclusive in villa rates. BALIKBAYANMAGAZINE.COM

sophisticated, beach hideaway where spoiling and pampering is the norm, Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa nestles amid 40 acres of lush tropical gardens on Panglao Island, Bohol. With just 15 thatched villas, many with a private pool, a superb spa and phenomenal diving, this is the place for indulgent privacy and seclusion. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed with crisp, cool villas, breathtaking sea views and discrete but attentive staff. Feel the gentle sea breeze as you languish in your private whirlpool and plan where to have dinner; by the infinity pool, on the beach with a personal butler or in the privacy of your villa. Untouched nature is the star here. Experience the incredible diversity of coral and marine life on a spectacular dive. Alternatively, cruise Bohol’s Loboc River and discover the mysterious Chocolate Hills and encounter the unique and delightful tarsier. VILLAS Eskaya is composed of just twenty-four luxurious villas or balais. Each villa has its own private pool and offers stunning garden and sea views. Architecture is rustic and indigenous while the interiors are wellappointed with modern luxuries. Each villa has its own pool Eskaya Resort takes its name from Bohol’s sole minority tribe, an isolated and curious mountain community who has developed their own language, script and religious beliefs. Even their name—Eskaya— installed through the inspired efforts of architect Manosa, has been elevated to global heights. Eskaya is the priciest resort of the south ($500-$700 a villa room in the lean season); a sprawling property with ne views of the sea, with lush garden greenery crossing the resort, coddling the stylish Asian villas. Indoors, it is superb luxury for Eskaya guests. The modern balai each has an individual pool alongside; spacious suites under soaring bamboo ceilings, with gauzy net-canopies falling over beautiful stuffed beds—with goose-down pillows! ere are

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spacious open-air bathroom suites with hot jacuzzi tubs set against the surrounding bamboo fence...and capiz shell-window panels that slide away to reveal the wide Bohol seaview. Yes, it’s exquisite and exclusive and, luxuriously Asian all throughout the premises. The coastline along Eskaya’s 600-meter white beach is dotted with private sun decks or wooden platforms, just right for lounging above the water and sand. Above, arrayed

across the bamboo-planted landscape are cement paths for the golf-carts ferrying guests among villas and restaurant, pool area and spa, and among the different pavilions with splendid modern interiors. e massive swimming pool at the resort center has a swim-up bar, a jet-bubbler, and an infnity edge that looks seamless against the Bohol sea. By night, entertainment unrolls by the poolside, featuring the talented youth or adult bands of this musically blessed island.

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HANDURAW SPA Handuraw, also a Visayan word, which means to evoke sweet memories & imaginations. Handuraw Spa gives you bliss & serenity bringing to your mind only happy memories of days past. Beautiful images play in your mind as you savor the heartfelt and skillful rendition of Filipino and Asian spa treatments, using a combination of sound, touch and color therapy. Discover wellness and pampering derived these centuries-old healing & pampering traditions. HANDURAW SPA RESORT LUXURY IN BOHOL Words have floated around, whispers of a luxurious new resort in Bohol. Awesome, exquisite and exclusive; and drop-dead gorgeous! The images have been flying off Panglao Island too: visions of infnity pools against the Bohol Sea; soaring cogon (grass)-

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thatched buildings trimmed with bamboo ceilings; exquisite resort architecture—and the highest room rates south of Amanpulo. Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa is the latest creation by renowned maestro architect Bobby Manosa—and the “very rst Filipinoowned luxury resort” on Bohol Island. The whispers are spot-on. Eskaya Resort is tucked away in exclusivity, down the sandy road from Alona Beach on the tourist isle of Panglao, o the Bohol mainland, just minutes from the bustling capital of Tagbilaran. is exclusive/reclusive resort is composed of Asian-style detached villas (called balai) with private pools, strung along a rolling coastline on the southernmost tip of the 10th largest island of the Philippines. Opened in 2008, the 16-hectare Eskaya Resort is already a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

The owners, Bohol business couple Richard and Phoebe Lim, had lived a lifetime in salt mining and real estate, till they saw that global tourism would soon discover their island. ey made their big development moves to catch the coming wave. ey decided to go for the upscale resort market, and aim at the high-end travel elite seeking exclusivity, serenity and an ultraprivate location. DEAD SEA SALT AND MUD Next door to the Presidential Villa (the top luxury residence for celebrity guests) stands the picturesque pavilion of Handuraw Spa. e spa’s reception hall has perhaps the highest soaring- bamboo and grass roof, spelling “fabulous” or “exotic Asian” for all resort guests. Down on the ground, Handuraw—meaning reverie or memory in

the Visayan dialect—brings indulgent bliss to the Eskaya lifestyle. Consulted by the Spa Professionals Group of Manila, Handuraw Spa has two giant treatment rooms, an outdoor jacuzzi tub, and a ne menu of indigenous bodyworks and treatments. Handuraw features the classic body treatments using natural ingredients: like the Artemis Scrub using Dead Sea and tropical salts to exfoliate the skin; and the Malumo Mud Wrap using Dead Sea mud to draw out skin toxins. LEAVES AND STICKS, ENDING WITH CHOCOLATE BATH Handuraw Spa’s Kahimsog Massage was developed with the help of the therapists of Bohol, who spoke of the Philippine camphor leaf being used by their grandmothers to remove fevers and body pains. In the spa, camphor leaves are laced with coconut oil, heated with a candle, then placed on various parts of the guest’s back. Left for a few minutes, the leaves warm the muscles and allow the body to absorb the healing properties of the leaves. The leaves are then crushed and used in the Filipino brand hilot massage. e warmth of the coconut oil mixed with the crushed leaves provides a unique Filipino spa experience. The Hilot Kaayo is a Filipino ritual treatment full of nostalgia and memory. Hilot traditionally refers to the rural midwife who helps deliver babies or a traditional healer who gives deep tissue massage to those who can’t afford to go to a doctor. In today’s spaspeak, hilot refers to variations of the deeptissue massage. Designed by spa trainer Atho de la Cruz from Iloilo, this spa hilot involves a five-part ritual: a foot bath and submersion in a hot-steaming tent called suob; a brief hair-pulling massage; the use of tuba-tuba ( Jatropha curcas) healing leaves found in the Visayas to diagnose the body’s ailments before the massage; and finally the dagdagay, the Ifugao foot-massage dagdagay of the northern Philippine tribe, using sticks to stimulate circulation in the sole. All these in a 90-minute therapy recalling old Filipino family traditions. But perhaps the most memorable, sensual and scent-full treatment that lingers in the indulged body-mind long after you’ve left the island, is the chocolate treatment. Handuraw Spa’s Chocolate Hills Wrap paints you in rich Filipino chocolate and coconut milk, wraps you in banana leaves... and sends you o with delicious inspirations from the tourist destination, the brown Chocolate Hills of Bohol Island! BALIKBAYANMAGAZINE.COM

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RESORT SERVICES Butler service for Presidential Villa & Family Villa, car rental service, complimentary newspaper, daily maid service, DVD/ CD mini library, fax machine rental, high speed WIFI Internet in public areas and villas, in-villa dining, laundry service, nanny service, pressing press, room service-24 hours, turn down service, wakeup calls. LANTAWAN RESTAURANT The word lantawan is Visayan, a local dialect, which means “to view”. Lantawan restaurant has a cool and relaxing ambiance with amazing views of the sea. Guests can marvel and enjoy the panoramic view while enjoying delicious meals. Its staff can also prepare a nice dining setup by the infinity pool or on the beach. Listen to mother nature’s relaxing sounds while feasting with your loved ones.

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LOCATION Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines, a short ride from Manila or Cebu. THINGS TO ENJOY Stunning sea views, single-detached villas with outdoor showers and whirlpool tubs, private pools, lagoon, hilltop spa, dive shop, infinity pool, swim-up bar, mini library, beach volleyball, badminton, water sports, scuba diving, superb restaurant and al fresco dining, meeting room. TOURS & CRUISES Dolphin and whale watching, Loboc River cruise, historic buildings and churches, Chocolate Hills, ecocultural tours, Cambuhat River and Village, caves, hill climbing, kayaking, island hopping, Rajah Sikatuna National Park, tarsier spotting, shopping at Tagbilaran City.

RESERVATIONS ONLINE http://www.eskayaresort.com RESERVATIONS +632 584 3180 / +632 5763051 reservations@eskayaresort.com ARRIVE & DEPART Check In: 14:00 PM Check Out: 12:00 NN

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01 VACATION | ROADTRIP

Great Getaways ROADTRIP Thinking of the perfect place to take your family for the weekend? Drive over to Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. Built in the early 1900’s by the Americans, Baguio continues to serve as one of the more popular quick-vacation spots in the country for those living in Metro-Manila. Stroll down Session Road and shop in an ukay-ukay (thrift shop) where vintage is reigns supreme. Visit the Bencab Gallery and Museum which was built on the edge of a hill with an incredible view of a rainforest and garden. Burnham Park, Camp John Hay, and Mines View Park are places to hang out. A day isn’t enough in this town, so keep your itinerary open; you might want to stay for a while. Is the 6 hour drive too far? Drive just 90 minutes over to Tagaytay and feel the energy of Taal Volcano from either a distance at any of the city’s amazing restaurants or up close at Balai Isabel in Talisay. Tagaytay is now home to many Balikbayan retirees, golfers, tourists, and locals escaping the hustle and bustle of the Metro.

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QUICK FLIGHT AND BOAT RIDE Puerto Princesa, largely known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The City in a Forest,â&#x20AC;? is nevertheless surrounded by pristine, powdery white sand beaches. The islands on the nearby Honda Bay offer beach lovers exclusive, uncrowded havens which are fast becoming a rarity. Dozens of white sand beaches beckoning from the clear blue waters where travelers can go dive, snorkel, or swim. Or simply sit on the sand and soak up some Vitamin D. Each island offers different attractions and there are plenty to choose from. Among the most popular are Snake Island, with a sinuous white sand bar, and Bat Island, from which a thick horde of bats can be observed flying in and out at sundown to feed on the mainland.

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02 EXPLORER | ROADTRIP

ROADTRIP Looking for a thrilling, exotic adventure? Head north and explore the serene countryside of Ifugao and the Mountain Province of the Philippines. Engulfing the peaks, hills, and mountains around this province, you will discover a 2,000-year-old man-made engineering feat which appears to be a staircase built for the gods. So remarkable is this terracing tradition that UNESCO deemed the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras as a World Heritage Site, calling it “an outstanding example of a living cultural landscape.” Go visit Bangaan, which has the picture-perfect village right at the foot of the terrace. Your views: a multi-level mountain with every shade of green. Hop on a jeep to Kiangan to view more of this untouched, historicallyliving cultural landscape. The oldest town and the mythical dwelling of the first Ifugaos, Bugan, Wigan, and Kiangan is also home to the Nagacadan cluster of terraces, the Ifugao Museum, and the Philippine War Memorial Shrine. Want to understand how the Ifugao used to live? Visit the Museum of Cordillera Structure or the Banaue Museum. From Banaue, drive just 4 hours over to Sagada and see this enchanting, yet mysterious town known for the hanging coffins which is their traditional way of burying people that is still practiced to this day.

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QUICK FLIGHT Roadtrips aren’t your thing? It’s ok, fly over to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Visit Puerto Princesa’s pride, the Underground River, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The 8.2-kilometer river, said to be the longest navigable underground river in the world, winds its way underneath a mountain range, through the St. Paul Underground River Cave, and then goes out into the South China Sea. The journey through the cave system alone is 24 kilometers long. The entire area where the Underground River is located is actually a national park and a model of biodiversity. More than 800 plant species, including almost 300 trees, 195 bird species, 30 mammals, 19 reptiles, and eight bat species call this area home. Ready for a dip in the clear blue waters of Palawan? Island hopping is one of the major draws of Puerto Princesa. At Honda Bay, boats take tourists to nearby islands for lunch picnics, snorkeling and non-stop swimming. For those wishing to experience the local culture in its truest form, head to Kinabuchs Grill and Bar which serves tamilok (shipworm) and crocodile meat.

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01 PROFILE | GAME CHANGERS

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Doubters: A Useful Tool For Attaining Success Writer CHRISTINA ORIEL Photographer DING CARREON

Growing up, Lourdes Garcia’s father told her she couldn’t continue her education beyond elementary school. “When I started going to school, I was thinking I wanted to be a lawyer because I have a [female] cousin who is a lawyer,” she shared. “But [my father] said ‘No, 6th grade is good enough for you, enough to learn how to read and write, because you’re just going to lose my name and get married early.’” Determined to break the cycle too familiar in her hometown of Bataan wherein girls in their early teens would get married and have children, Lourdes excelled in school to prove that she was worthy of receiving secondary education. Since she was the second of seven children, she would find ways to earn money through small jobs before and after school, like selling Sampaguita flowers or washing dishes at nearby restaurants, to not be a financial burden to her parents. She could not even afford school supplies, so she had to resort to digging in the trash for scrap paper or asking her teachers to lend her materials. “It was a good thing,” she said of her struggles. “Then you learn how to appreciate the value of [what you earn.]” Once she graduated from the 6th grade as class valedictorian, she recalled

her father telling her, “I think you have a brain,” but he still would not allow her to go to school. She took a test and earned a scholarship to a high school in another town (about a 45-minute commute each way) to prove him wrong. When Lourdes was 16, she relocated to Pampanga to take care of her older sister’s newborn baby. She enrolled at a local university during the day and found a job as a waitress at a busy restaurant, where she would meet her future husband, Regino, who was two years older. “When my brother-in-law learned I was going to get married, he threw me out of the house,” she said, adding that her sister put all of her belongings outside in the rain. Lourdes and Regino soon eloped and he brought her to meet his family, who amassed wealth through real estate investments in the area. His parents gave them a house and money to get married because it was a tradition in the family to have a large, extravagant wedding celebration. However, the couple could not wed in church because they were underage. Instead, the parents brought them to the mayor’s office to make the marriage official. “I told them to just give us the money and we can start a business,” she said, “at 16 I was [already] thinking like that.”

Taking the money that was supposed to be for their wedding, Lourdes opened up a general merchandise store. She began cooking and selling basic dishes like pansit, after noticing that the location of the store got a lot of traffic, which encouraged her to open up her own restaurant. By the time Lourdes was 19, she had three children—one boy and two girls—who were well provided for with uniformed yayas and extensive help at home. But suddenly, a tragic accident would shake up her family dynamic. Regino took his motorcycle (a 21st birthday gift from his father) out for a ride one night and was killed in a collision. “When we were still dating, it was like he had a premonition. He would say ‘I’m not going to be 22 years old. I think I’m going to die at 21,’” she revealed. “Your tongue...is either a cursing or a blessing. Whatever you say, that is what’s going to happen to you.” Widowed at a young age and surrounded by painful reminders of Regino, Lourdes grieved for the death of her husband. “I had [the motorcycle] recovered and for so many years it was just sitting there in a corner to remind me. At night, I would take out our photo albums and smell his dirty clothes,” she said.

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01 PROFILE | GAME CHANGERS

PICKING UP THE PIECES Her late husband’s family had a meeting about inheritance, and one of the brother-inlaws argued to not give Lourdes any money because she would eventually get remarried and another man would benefit. “When I heard my brother-in-law say not to give me the inheritance, I said, ‘this is not for me, it’s for the kids, why would you deprive them?’” she shared. “I think that’s what motivated me to work hard because I didn’t want anybody to say that I’m just riding on your [money].” She eventually graduated from college with a commerce degree, and cultivated her restaurant business. She also went back to school to study tailoring, feeding her passion to constantly learn new things. With her brother-in-law’s comments continuing to ring in the back of her mind, Lourdes knew she needed to leave the Philippines and prove to her in-laws that she could survive and provide for her children without their assistance. She auditioned for a dancing troupe and was chosen at least three times to travel to Japan, but her father prevented her from going. She also applied for an administrative

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01 PROFILE | GAME CHANGERS

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assistant position at a hotel in Saipan, despite the unsustainable salary, and was accepted—yet once again, her father did not allow her to go. But finally, the turning point came when a couple entered her restaurant and told her they were applying for visas to migrate to the United States, which encouraged her to apply as well— and she did. When she finally received her visa, she was second guessing herself. But in true coincidental fashion, it was her father who told her to leave.

“Kapag umalis ka, malayo ang mararating mo (If you leave, you will go far),” she remembers him saying. FORAY INTO NURSING When she moved to Los Angeles, she worked as a secretary at a law office in downtown, but she couldn’t picture herself there for the long haul. While eating at a Filipino restaurant, she stepped on a flyer advertising how to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). She decided to take the test and

passed, then enrolled in school while working as a private caregiver at night. “I was thinking because my kids are getting older and need to go to college soon, I need to make money fast and be flexible, work on the weekends, at night. If you find a job that’s 9 to 5, then your time is not flexible,” she explained about why she went into nursing nearly two decades ago. “I think nursing is the best because you can work any time or many shifts.” To fulfill the prerequisites for a Registered Nurse (RN) program, she enrolled at three different community colleges and worked three jobs: full-time at Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, parttime at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, and as a caregiver at night. As an RN, she has worked in home health, pain management, and intensive care. For six years, she was assigned to the Intensive Care Unit of Good Samaritan Hospital in Downtown Los Angeles. “I just like to be with people…We Filipinos tend to take care of old people. That’s why it’s not hard to be a nurse, even if you’re not geared to be one,” she remarked. To prevent herself from getting bored of her routine, she returned to school to obtain two master’s degrees in nursing and health care administration, and will be taking her board certifying exam to become a nurse practitioner. Awakening her entrepreneurial spirit, Lourdes ventured into the home health care and hospice business in the early 2000s, where she learned the backend and financial sides of nursing. She also bears experience directing assisted living homes, such as Palmcrest Grand Retirement Home and Assisted Living in Long Beach. In 2007, she assumed the roles of director of nursing and administrator at Grace Home Health Nursing Services in Fontana, where her duties include overall functioning of the agency, nursing in-services and training and supervising personnel and workflow, among others. In addition to her leadership at Grace Home, she is currently executive director and part-owner of Arcadia Retirement Village in Arcadia, an assisted living community that provides elderly individuals with handson aid with daily tasks and easy access to medical care. Over a year after she took charge of the retirement home, Lourdes shared the tremendous changes that have been

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01 PROFILE | GAME CHANGERS

implemented: full occupancy, restoring the interiors to give the home more hotel-like decor and activities for the elderly residents that “make them feel human again.” A CLINIC WITHOUT WALLS With the level of success she has attained in the United States, Lourdes has given back financially to her church Light of Life Ministries, which provides a feeding program twice a week for orphans who live in a cemetery in Cebu. One day, an 11-year-old girl did not show up to receive her meal, leading the church to search for her. The girl was found dead inside one of the crypts with parasites coming out of her, Lourdes vividly described. This unfortunate case compelled Lourdes to take her philanthropic work a step further by establishing Telehealth International (“A Clinic Without Walls”), a medical mission program along with Dr. Bryn Henderson. “I had invitations to start Telehealth in Vietnam, India and Iran, but I declined because I said I would do this in my own backyard,” she said of why she started it in the Philippines. At first, the group of volunteer nurses would go to the cemetery to deworm the children and provide them with clothes and shoes. However, to ensure that the children are on track to improve their health and welfare, Dr. Henderson and Lourdes began using a tele-conferencing system to chat with nurses in Cebu and Zamboanga and examine patients, who would otherwise be unable to afford or gain access to medical care. Through Lourdes’s coordination, the nurses describe the symptoms and physical state of the patients, which helps Dr. Henderson prescribe and diagnose treatments, from thousands of miles away. A group of USbased specialty doctors—Dr. Charles Tran, a dermatologist, Dr. Martin Nation, an orthopedist, Dr. Antonio Abiog, a heart surgeon, and Dr. Mohamed Sellami, an intensivist,—contributes their expertise as well. About 70 to 80 patients, according to Lourdes, are seen in each weekly session. Older individuals started coming, after seeing how orphans and the homeless were benefitting. Telehealth’s work has been recognized by various media outlets, including the Orange Country Register and TFC’s “Balitang

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“I provided everything, as much as two people could provide—and I did it by myself,” she stated. America,” which featured Lourdes as a Filipino Champion. She was also recognized by the International Nurses Association and Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare for her over 15 years of experience in the nursing field. As Lourdes balances her responsibilities overseeing healthcare communities and helping those back in the Philippines, she described a sense of satisfaction with where her career has taken her, including possessing the means to bring her two eldest children, who are a physical therapist and a certified public accountant, to the United States. “I provided everything, as much as two people could provide—and I did it by myself,” she stated. Though the assisted living business is still booming because older individuals are able to benefit from social security, according to Lourdes, she hopes the federal government will take action on the current state of the

health care industry, and especially with how veterans are re-integrated back into society and receive medical treatment. She has learned that ethics is the most important component to carry while conducting business. Two of her biggest lessons, she shared: “you don’t backstab your partners” and “you must have a clear book of documentation.” “There are a lot of people in this business who are just in it for the money,” she observed. “How can we clean this business?” In her free time, Lourdes enjoys ballroom dancing, participating in beauty pageants— her titles include Mrs. Asia USA and Mrs. Filipinotown—and supporting the Filipino community in Los Angeles. Among the causes she has given back to include the Los Angeles-Makati Sister City, Inc. and ASEAN Women’s Circle of Los Angeles. “I am doing what I’ve been called to do,” she said.

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01 NEWSMAKER | INTERNATIONAL

Getting Personal with Miss Universe By now, the world…the universe, rather, already knows who Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is. Writer MOMAR VISAYA Images Courtesy of Malacanang Photo Bureau, Miss Universe, and Troi Santos

Chalk it up to a confluence of things, or maybe an alignment of stars. When the Steve Harvey debacle happened on December 20, 2015 where he announced the wrong name as the Miss Universe winner, people’s minds went on full gear. Conspiracy theorists made more than enough noise; was the wrong announcement planned all along? Other people said it was a design issue, saying that it wasn’t Steve Harvey’s fault since the design of the card that he was supposed to read was well, badlydesigned. And still, others, including one of the evening’s judges Perez Hilton believed it was a human error. “He had a job and he didn’t do it well,” Hilton said. The most beautiful mistake is now almost three weeks old, yet people are still talking about it. Slow news cycle, yes, maybe the week that it happened. But week after week since the coronation, people have not run out of things to talk about. But what happened to the main players? Steve Harvey seemed to be the fastest to move on as he tweeted “Merry Easter, y’all!” on Christmas Day. Ariadna Gutierrez in her backstage interview said “things happen for a reason” and posted a statement on Instagram with a photo of her wearing the crown and saying “Forever your Miss Universe” and followed it up a few days later with a post congratulating the Filipinos for having a Miss Universe. A week later, she was on Colombian radio saying that she was embarrassed big time and that she wanted to share the Miss Universe crown. And in between, she was also offered a million dollars to do a porn film. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach had graciously accepted her fate when Harvey announced Ms.Colombia as the winner. There she stayed, away from the spotlight, on one Photo Source: http://www.latintimes.com/see-miss-philippines-pia-alonzowurtzbach-miss-universe-2015-crowning-moment-pictures-360702

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dimly lit corner of the stage she shared with the second runnerup, Miss USA. Less than two minutes later, a camera was in front of them; Steve Harvey was walking back near Miss Colombia. “I think you just won Miss Universe,” Miss USA Olivia Jordan whispered to Pia’s ear. “I didn’t know what to do, I was looking for the stage managers and I was waiting for the announcement to make sure. I did not want to assume,” Pia said as she recalled the moment leading up to her coronation, the moment many pageant diehards believe was stolen from her because of what happened. That ‘moment’, and the inaugural walk, Pia had a chance for a do over as TV host Kelly Ripa asked her on their morning show just because she was deprived of that chance. As gracious as she was in her initial loss, Pia was equally magnanimous in victory. “I was concerned about Ariadna’s feelings, that is why I was not in a full celebratory mode,” she remarked. She was concerned yes, but she was a little firm when she was asked about her thoughts on sharing the crown with Miss Colombia. “I think it would be difficult for two girls to share a crown, but I have high hopes that this will give great opportunities for me and Miss Colombia and the rest of the contestants,” Pia told Good Morning America. Quite the right response since she won the title fair and square based on the unanimous votes of the judges, the viewers and their co-candidates. The Philippines waited for 42 years before winning another Miss Universe crown. Pia now

joins the elite group of Gloria Diaz who won in 1969 and Margie Moran who won in 1973. With her reign, she hopes to shine some light on three of the causes near and dear her heart – HIV and AIDS awareness, helping calamity-stricken countries with relief operations and cyber-bullying. Despite, and maybe because of her stature as a beauty queen, Pia was the center of cyber-bullying herself when she posted something back in May 2015 immediately after Manny Pacquiao lost against Floyd Mayweather. “I watched the fight and I was so affected that he didn’t win. Just like everybody else, I wanted him to win. It was meant as a joke. I wasn’t trying to threaten anybody,” she said, recalling what transpired in those moments. “To me, I said it in jest. I was just trying to be funny. A lot of people were not so happy with that tweet.” The people who were not happy with that tweet bashed her endlessly on social media, saying she was too over-confident and that she should be more humble. “I guess my mistake was that I did not put any emojis. It was for me, something to be taken lightly,” she explained. For her diehard followers – some call themselves Pianatics – the tweet was not a big deal, that Pia was – that early – just claiming the Miss Universe title already. For that, she was quick to dispel the issue. “I have claimed it ever since 2013! I always said, ‘I’m going to be Miss Universe’. I’ve said it so many times in my head and I’ve claimed it so many times, even in public when I was with my friends,” she said. And it became her mantra.

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01 NEWSMAKER | INTERNATIONAL

A couple of years later and here we were, doing this interview a stone’s throw away from the Miss Universe Organization offices along Manhattan’s Avenue of the Americas. The irony is that her being Miss Universe hasn’t totally and fully sunk in yet for her. When we ask about her current state of mind, Pia replied quickly. “It’s starting to sink in because I am finally working. It is different when you are at home and resting. You don’t get a grasp of what’s going on but when you’re actually at work and doing the duties and responsibilities of a Miss Universe, that’s when it started to sink in.”

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CHASING PIA January 4, 2016 was Day 1 for Pia and her new job as Miss Universe. It was a very busy and productive day (but very organized and well-managed too, she said) for her and she spent the day doing ten interviews. Her first one was with Good Morning America, followed by Live with Kelly and Michael, and ended with CNN with Don Lemon and ABC’s Nightline with Juju Chang. In between, there was Access Hollywood, Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight, a live interview broadcast in the Philippines for ABS-CBN’s morning show Umagang Kay Ganda. The following day was step and

repeat as she went through more interviews and guestings on Fox and Friends and other local shows. What follows are excerpts of our one-on-one interview with the reigning Miss Universe. • On Meeting Samuel Jackson I’m so happy that Samuel L. Jackson was the first famous person I met because I am really a fan and I watch his movies. He’s such a good actor and he is so warm and friendly. When he saw me, he said, “Miss Philippines!” and we shook hands. On her emotional sendoff in Manila I was just so relieved that it was finally my turn for a press

conference and sendoff. I was also under a lot of pressure, it was so close to my flight to Las Vegas. And of course, we really wanted to win Miss Universe. It has been building up for so many years and I didn’t want to be the one to break that streak, of course not. If for anything, I wanted to win, not just for myself but for everybody. All of that, the pressure, the relief, it was like I won again. • On being a breadwinner at a young age It was not hard as I was never forced into it. It was something that I enjoyed doing and I want to go back doing it after Miss Universe. It felt so natural to me. I went to school on weekdays and weekends I had shoots and tapings. To me, it was a pretty cool job for somebody my age at that time. I matured quite a bit compared to my peers because of that and that actually had some benefits as well. • On her third attempt for the title I was in London because I was waiting for my sister Sarah to give birth. She was due around Christmas pero January na, wala pa and we had so many false alarms. It was almost my flight back home and she hasn’t given birth yet. I asked her if she wanted me to stay until she gave birth and she said, ‘You go! We’ve heard enough about this Binibining Pilipinas, it’s all you have been talking about since you got here. You obviously want it. Go!’ I flew back to Manila and I wasn’t really pageant-ready. I had to rush the preparation for the pageant, the rest of the training I did after na. • On destiny I believe in destiny but success is not handed to you, you work hard for it. • On loving museums I love visiting museums, even when I was in England or in the Philippines. I usually go during my free time and I’m there for hours. It’s fascinating to me. After an interview earlier, we walked past the Museum of Modern Art and I was making mental notes on where it is so I can go back if I have time. • On NYC as a foodie city I’m still trying to find out what is the local cuisine here because it is so diverse. We (she

then pauses for a while) have everything here. It’s actually my first time to say we, I mean, live here. I just noticed that everywhere you look, there are different cuisines. What is home-grown New York cuisine, that’s what I am trying to figure out. • On her culinary capabilities My mom is a better cook, I’m sure of that. She’s my biggest critic when I cook Filipino food because she’s the best. She has many dishes. I was not a fan of pancit before but now, when I think about it, I would love to eat her pancit, her lumpia and kare-kare, that’s my favorite. It’s my celebratory meal back in the Philippines. And pan de sal with Cheez Whiz, that’s my favorite thing to eat for breakfast. • On her Miss U friends I was really close with Myanmar, who was my roommate; Malaysia and China. We were under one supervisor and we had to stick to each other because you don’t want to get lost. If your supervisor is looking for you, you should all be together. They were my comic

relief because at times, things would get so serious and competitive but when I was with them, I could just sit down and be me. • On her ideal man I like guys who have a sense of humor. He has to be smart as well. • On the legacy she wants to leave as Miss Universe I would like the people to remember me as someone who is very natural and relatable. I don’t want to be so stiff. I want to erase the image some people have of beauty queens, that we are so unreachable and poised all the time, that we can’t commit a mistake. That’s not true. We’re real people, we’re just like everybody else. I want to show that we’re human. • On Lea Salonga’s open letter welcoming her to New York I love her advice for me and the things that I have to remember. I have yet to reply to her so thank you for reminding me.

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01 NEWSMAKER | INTERNATIONAL

• On the last thing she listened to (She went on to sing a few bars of a song with the lyrics ‘You are the universe…’ and asked if I knew that song.) I was singing it yesterday during a shoot and I asked if anybody knew that song. Nobody knew it. Is it just me? Did I make this song up? (laughs) • Last thing she ate (It was almost 2:00 pm) I haven’t eaten anything yet, I had raw juice from a local juicer. I have them send it every day. Green juice. • On her nightly prayers I say thank you. • Do you wish on stars? All the time. • On what color she would be if she were a crayon. Red, because I’m hot. (She giggles and follows it up with ‘I’m just kidding.’) Green. That’s my favorite color. • Favorite drink Coconut water. • Favorite sport I don’t play but I love to watch football, or soccer. • Favorite toy as a kid My Barbies. I had so much, my dad spoiled me with so many Barbie dolls. • What is Pia Wurtzbach afraid of? Regrets, that’s why I always try to do my best because I don’t want regrets. • Best assets Physical? My eyes. Character-wise? My personality and my sense of humor. • On why she is where she is right now I had very good teachers, mentors, parents who made sure that I was on the right path.

Read the full version of this article on asianjournal.com

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02 WINE & DINE | BEST RESTAURANTS

Anaheim White House In the heart of Anaheim, California — just minutes away from Disneyland — sits Anaheim White House, a historic fine dining establishment fit for any occasion from a business dinner to a wedding ceremony. With dining rooms named after US presidents and adorned with Europeaninspired decor and murals, Anaheim White House delivers a timeless elegance to make your meal or celebration memorable. And yet, this sophistication is coupled with an intimate that makes guests feel comfortable and right at home. “It’s the personal touch that matters,” said Sylvano Ibay, the general manager at Anaheim White House. “It’s like having a wedding at home. It’s a magical restaurant and a historical landmark that brings elegance and old-world charm to any ceremony.” ABOUT THE VENUE The Anaheim White House restaurant was once nestled quietly among an enormous orange grove in the early 20th century and home to a beloved doctor and his family for more than 50 years. The home was converted to a fine-dining restaurant in the 1980s but

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ABOUT THE ANAHEIM WHITE HOUSE Anaheim White House is a familyowned restaurant operated by general manager Sylvano Ibay, and his uncle, Chef Bruno Serato. The fine-dining establishment is well-known for its incredible work in the local community. Through Caterina’s Club, a non-profit organization started on behalf of Serato’s mother Caterina in 2005, Anaheim White House serves about 1,800 homeless “motel children” in Orange County every night.

Sylvano Ibay, general manager, and Katie Ibay, wedding coordinator

this enchanting mansion, which was built in 1909, still stands with the same floor plan and many of the original windows and fixtures. The restaurant is registered as a historic national landmark. THE CEREMONY Anaheim White House stands alone as the perfect backdrop for a glamorous wedding ceremony. The restaurant’s quaint and enchanting elegance is evident as soon as you enter the doors. The West Wing Ballroom is 1,600 square feet and is the perfect venue for weddings ranging from 50 to 130 guests. The ballrooms elegant interior stuns with flowing golden drapes, sparkling crystal chandeliers and a beautifully crafted wood floor. The lush gold chiavari chairs highlight the interior decoration. The garden area is an ideal pairing for an at home feel and common place for cocktail hour and mingling among guests and family. For a smaller scale or intimate wedding, the Anaheim White House offers several

private rooms that can accommodate two to 40 guests. MENU & PRICING It is Anaheim White House’s mission to create lasting memories and make your special day one to remember. Wedding menu packages have been tailored to represent the award-winning exquisite cuisine personally approved by Chef Eduardo Meza. Couples may choose from the Silver three-course menu ($70 per person), Gold three-course menu ($80 per person), Platinum four-course menu ($90 per person), or the Diamond four-course menu ($100 per person). Each package is inclusive and comes with a specialty menu, non-alcoholic beverages, tax, gratuity and champagne toast. Package upgrades for wedding cakes, flowers and DJs are also available. The restaurant requires neither a room fee nor a minimum. There are also no time restrictions on the ballroom, our way of providing maximum service for your dream wedding timeline.

More than one million meals have been served to date. For his work in the community, Serato was chosen as a Top 10 CNN Hero in 2011 and received the Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s Presidential Award. To donate to Caterina’s Club, please visit http://www.caterinasclub.org/.

887 S. Anaheim Blvd. Anaheim, California 92805 For more information about packages and pricing please contact Katie Ibay at (714) 772-1381 or email katie@anaheimwhitehouse.com.

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01 WINE & DINE | MOMENTS

Table for two Where will you be this Valentine’s Day?

Along the best-kept food alleys abuzz with patrons, getting a table on Valentine’s Day may be more daunting than expected. Explore unconventional, romantic reservations with these wonderful discoveries that are sure to make this special day one to remember. From the quirky to the most intriguing, we’ve rundown some of the most exclusive and downright sneakiest hole-in-the-wall spots in the Metro.

1 FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER Don’t be intimidated by its Frenchness. The Le Jardin Manila in Bonifacio High Street is the newest it place in the BGC strip. Despite its overtone impression, it is surprisingly one of the most accommodating venue for that romantic dinner. Complete with the neutral tones of a French country aesthetics, Le Jardin is a worldly spectacle of fine wine and superb dining experience.

2 Illustrator NICOLE JUSTINE PIZARRO

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FOR A COZY, HOMIER AMBIANCE Cozy with a rustic feel of mid century home, Pio’s Kitchen in Timog Avenue is a Pinterest-worthy, private restaurant in the Metro. An open kitchen of Chef Chin Gallegos-Bagis, Pio’s is not just a chic place to dine but a place to appreciate great food. Strictly a reservations-only restaurant, Pio’s is amassing a following of food enthusiasts hungry for Chef Chin’s latest concoctions.

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3 FOR THAT “SELFIE” MOMENT Popular with young couples as a pre-nup shoot location, 14 Four Café is one of Taytay’s best-kept secrets. A restaurant that doubles as an exhibit of furniture pieces of the country’s best local artisans, this quaint house-turned-restaurant is a venue for privacy and authentic home-cooked meals.

FOR A QUIRKIER EXPERIENCE Perfect for a cuddle fix, Barkin Blends Dog Café and Miao Cat Café give you a private space to express the animal lover within. Much like the dog and cat cafe’s in Korea and Japan, these cute nooks are not just a romantic setting for couples but for anyone who enjoys the company of pets. The interiors are even designed to be pet-friendly, as well as Instagram-worthy. NOTE: Both cafés offer a consumable package of “pet interaction” and food and beverage.

5 FOR A POETIC EXPRESSION Reminiscent of roof deck bars in Europe and New York, the Bunk bar in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City is among the most cherished gems of the local art scene. Bespoken for its surreal setting overlooking the cityscape—not to mention its stunning view of Manila’s sunset—it is a haven of hipsters, beanbags, candlelit coffee tables, and affordable grubs and drinks. With the recent closing of Sev’s Café, Bunk is one of the burgeoning outlets for Spoken Words.

Reference: Le Jardin Manila [5th Avenue corner 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City] lejardinmanila.net | Pio’s Kitchen [Scout Fernandez, near Timog Avenue, Quezon City] pioskitchen.com | 14 Four Café [Magnolia Lane, Taytay Rizal] 14fourcafe.com | Barkin Blends Dog Café [Rosa Alvero, Manila] barkinblends.com * Miao Cat Café [2/F #7 Congressional Avenue, Quezon City] facebook.com/ miaocatcafe | Bunk [8th floor Jovan Building, Shaw Boulevard corner Samat Street, Mandaluyong City] facebook.com/Bunkph

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01 LIFESTYLE

The Modern Romantic Illustrator NICOLE JUSTINE PIZARRO

With powerful tweets of love in one hand, and sedulously edited Instagram posts in the other, romance has never been globally sensational. Swathed with ubiquitous means to express one’s sentiments on social media, the modern-day romantic knows no boundaries when it comes to that grand gesture. Perk up your old swag and Valentine clichés with these modern upgrades. If you’re that unconventional date, these picks will leave you swooning like a 21st century cornball. Read on.

1 BE CREATIVE. Cheese and crackers are not the only ones that go perfectly with a glass of wine. The Sip & Gogh Paint and Sip Studio lets you discover your aesthetic side with their sip & paint activities that are perfect for a night out this Valentine’s Day. It’s also a relaxing treat with friends, or families, as you artistically express your inspirations over a glass of your favorite beverage. Oh, and you get to keep your canvass too!

The Sip & Gogh Paint and Sip Studio: sipandgogh.com | The Gandiva Archery Range and Café: Unit 703-705 One Corporate Center Building, Julia Vargas corner Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City gandiva.com.ph | Ball Pit Manila: ballpitmanila.com

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2 UNDER THE STARS… Pull off a classic drive-in movie experience with all the present-day convenience. Same day as Valentine’s Day, the Romantic Reels in Nuvali yanks you back to classic, romantic rendezvous. Playing romantic-comedy classics like Sleepless in Seattle, The Fault in Our Stars, and 50 First Dates, the open grounds at The Fields in Nuvali will give you a nostalgic feel of romance as you lay under the stars gazing at some of Hollywood’s best-loved movies.

3 GAME ON! Because there’s nothing more entertaining than drawing out a bit of healthy competition. The Gandiva Archery Range and Café is the perfect place for the dauntless and subtle showoff. Complete with the wooden bow and arrow, safety gears, and professional instructors, this archery range gives you a different sense of adrenaline rush and a memorable bonding experience. Impress with your sense of focus and bring out the Katnis Everdeen and Oliver Queen in you.

4 KID AT HEART. ALWAYS. Imagine diving straight into a pool of 80,000 balls (holding hands, or not) and being mosh pitted over thousands of white, light spheres like a carefree child on a reverie. Sounds like a dream? Opening this March, Ball Pit Manila is a fun, not to mention the craziest, way to celebrate a postValentine’s date. Perfect of pre-nuptial shoots, parties, even team building activities, this white room of pure fun is much like a dream for the child at heart.

ESCAPE TOGETHER. Perhaps the best way to judge a first date! Discover your strengths and hidden talents in solving puzzles and mind games through Breakout Manila’s nail-biting and exciting challenges. Ideal for a group date, this game is not just a platform of wits and presence of mind but of trust and teamwork.

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01 HEALTH & WELLNESS

Revolutionized Treatment At Its Finest One of the country’s leading aesthetic clinic, Skeen Face and Body Anti-Aging Centre continues to promulgate innovation and introduce new breakthroughs in the aesthetic aspect. Expect the best treatments from basic and advanced aesthetics as well as natural avenues for anti-aging, general medicine services for all age groups that only Skeen Face and Body Centre can provide. ONCOLOGY AESTHETICS BY MS. MORAG CURRIN (SKINCARE THERAPY FOR CANCER PATIENTS)

Oncology Aesthetics, founded by Oncology Training International President Morag Currin, is an integrative (holistic) approach to skincare with modifications for the safety of cancer patients and for improved quality of life. It is a form of skin therapy that can ease symptoms and skin reactions, improve skin and overall health and restore a sense of well-being of patients who are undergoing cancer treatments. The purpose is not to treat the cancer itself but to treat the person as a whole. Complementary therapies help a person cope with cancer, its treatment side effects and to feel better. “ULTRA V-LIFT”: NON-SURGICAL FACE LIFT AND V-SHAPING Ultra V lift is invented in Korea utilizing KFDA approved PDO (polydioxanone – already used in cardiovascular surgery and fine ligatures for a long time) fine thread. The fine thread is inserted into the skin to not only lift the sagging tissue from the inside but also stimulate the proliferation of collagen and elastic collagen in the dermal layer.

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The clinic applies advanced techniques of 3D UVL, Tornado, Twisted materials that can be used on entire face to include higher levels such as forehead, entire face, nasal ala reduction, nasal bridge height, Neck, Arms and abdominal areas. It is the most effective and lasting treatment of minimal invasive facelift. Ultra V Lift can reach an unprecedented facial rejuvenating result with long-lasting effect. HIGH PURITY NABOTA BOTULINUM TOXIN AND PERFECTHA E-BRID TECHNOLOGY FILLERS: THE PERFECT COMBINATION Nabota is a high-purity botulinum toxin formulation which is the highest in the industry today obtained via Daewoong Pharmaceutical. It is pure, stable, and has anti-diffusion property. It has the advantage of long-lasting and predictable outcomes, as well as reduces antibody production rate, thus a lower risk of developing resistance to toxins unlike other low purified brands which needs repeated injections or more doses of toxins. Nabota has excellent results in treating wrinkles, smoothening, diminution of fine and mid-deep lines in any part of the face such as forehead, around the eyes and lips, jaw lines and jowls for major face sculpting through injection. It has been obtained salutary results also on neck lines. Also offers good results for excessive sweating (Hyperphydrosis) such as underarms, palms and soles. Perfectha® E-brid Technology is the latest generation of hyaluronic acid dermal filler cross-linked for facial contouring that produces a long lasting and natural result. It can be used for all aspects of facial contour correction including replacing lost volume in the cheek and chin area, the augmentation of tissue volume, lip contouring and wrinkle filling. It addresses minimal crow’s feet usually situated at the side of the eye area and around the lips area, can treat moderate wrinkles and frown lines, add volume to hollows of the cheeks, lips and add contour to the cheekbones, jaw and jowl area.

“It has always been my mission to bring back self-esteem and youngness to each person. There’s beauty in different angle but you need to present beauty at its natural way in one plate. That’s the most important thing.” - Dr. Gisela Trajano-Sarmiento. Skeen Face and Body Anti-Aging Centre is founded by age-management, aesthetics, dermatologic surgeon and skin health expert Dr. Gisela TrajanoSarmiento. Her area of expertise mainly revolves in using minimally invasive and non-surgical treatments in achieving resounding outcomes. Dr. Gisela is best known for creating customized and holistic treatments for each of her patients. As a practitioner of Aesthetics, Age-Management, Regenerative Medicine, Skin Health and Dermatologic Surgery, she underwent international training for different skin trends and technologies. In this essence, she gives prime attention to significant details and focuses on out-ofbox assessments and resolutions.

SKEEN ALABANG Upper Ground Floor, Commerce Mall Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa 0917-8901640, 553-5017 SKEEN GREENHILLS 2/F G-Square Commercial Mall, 212 Wilson St., San Juan 0977-80988856, 279-6710 www.skeenclinic.com

@skeenfaceandbodycentre @SkeenClinic

@SkeenClinic

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02 HEALTH & WELLNESS

GLAMOROUS CAMPING

Glamping An extraordinary romantic spree Writer MARIA NIMFA NADTJA H. VILLAVER Photographer GODWIN JOSEF GASACAO

There’s nothing more romantic than having a quality time with your loved ones away from the bustle bustle of the city life that comes with a memorable outdoor experience. So, skip the usual dinner for two or weekend staycation this time around for your romantic date and go on camping. Not just an ordinary camping but with glamour. Glamorous camping or “glamping” combines the intimacy of camping and the luxury of resort-style amenities and services. The concept of glamping can be traced wayback the early 1900s in Africa. Because there are a limited number of hotels in the area, the campsites developed an alternative way to provide the comfort and luxury of hotel accommodation to travellers. In the Philippines, glamping has quickly become the ultimate travel experience when it started a few years ago. And for couples, this is one of the romantic experiences you should include on your bucket list. COMFORTABLE SLEEP When people hear the term camping they can’t help but think it’s hard to sleep comfortably. Because of this, they choose staying in hotel rooms rather than in tents. But forget about this perception. As a matter of fact, glamping lets you enjoy the comforts of a bedroom on outdoor tent. The moment you step inside your tent, you’ll immediately feel at ease because of the cozy mattress complete with pillows and blanket.

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HASSLE-FREE CAMPING Glamping takes the stress out of camping, leaving you lots of time to have fun together. Setting up your tent will never be a problem. There are camp butlers who will take care of it for you. Aside from a ready-to-stay tent upon arriving at the camp site, bonfire at night will also be prepared by the camp butlers. So you don’t need to worry if you don’t know how to make fire from woods.

UNSPOILED QUALITY TIME Contrary to a restaurant dinner date or a hotel staycation, glamping provides an avenue to build unforgettable memories with your loved ones because there’s no distraction. You can take a walk, try the resort / campsite amenities and services or simply enjoy the nature together. “There’s nothing like being alone with your loved one. And how do you nourish

Hearty breakfast: Arroz Caldo

NURTURE WELLNESS VILLAGE Nurture Wellness Village Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II West Cavite, Tagaytay, Luzon 4120, Philippines +63 918 888 8772 | +63 2 710 9786 info@nurture.com.ph

your relationship? By having focused time with each other,” says Cathy Turvill, owner of Nurture Wellness Village. If you’re planning to try this romantic outdoor experience for your upcoming anniversary, birthday or surprise escapades, Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay is among the pioneers that offer glamping in the Philippines. Aside from the perfect cool weather in Tagaytay, Nurture is surrounded

with trees - perfect to relax and commune with nature. Nurture’s glamping package pampers guests with a blissful yet tranquil 22 hours overnight stay at naturally ventilated camping tent; bon fire with BBQ diner with Rice, fresh fruit Platter and Lime Basil Cocktail; Arozcaldo Breakfast with homemade bread & Pate with Kale Juice; and 30 minutes outdoor treatment choice of Facial

Nurture Wellness Village glamping packages comes with a healthy breakfast meal. This Arroz Caldo is made from mixed brown and white rice that comes with complete toppings - sping onions, hard boiled eggs, toasted garlic, ginger, chili garlic, and tofu.

or Foot massage. Guests can also participate in activities like Tai Chi, Reflexology Walk and Happy Dance, that are designed to enhance and rejuvenate Nurture’s guests in body, mind and spirit. There’s also a bonus Nurture Walk going to the organic farm. The concept of glamping maybe new to most people but it surely is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Pack your things and get ready to camp!

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03 HEALTH & WELLNESS

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04 HEALTH & WELLNESS

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