FEBRUARY 2016 | VOL. VI NO. 1 | BORACAY’S MONTHLY NEWS ON RECYCLED PAPER
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COMPLETE LIST What’s in this issue...
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IN THE NEWS EXPAT FILES 7107 ISLANDS CENTERFOLD PEOPLE LIFESTYLE INDULGE
THE ULTIMATE RIDE beth jalea
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t’s all about the KITE, the BOARD skills, and the synergy of the wind and water forces. And bigger air.
Kiteboarding is an extreme surface water sport that combines the aspects of board sports like wakeboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, skateboarding, and even gymnastics. A kite boarder harnesses the power of the wind aided by a large controllable kite to propel himself across the water on a board, similar to that of a wakeboard or surfboard.
IN THE NEWS
ICTSI Kiteboarding Tour >>> PAGE 06
Every year during Amihan season, kiteboarding enthusiasts from all over the world flock the Bulabog Beach in Boracay to practice and compete in the kiteboarding tours organized in the island. During this time, the wind shifts to the Bulabog Beach making it a haven for surface water sports that rely on the power of the wind for extreme stunts. One of these competitions is the ICTSIPKA Kiteboarding Tour. Shown in this photo is Boracay-based kite boarder, Christian Tio, who topped the freestyle competition in the Boracay-leg of the
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Tour last January. The 14-year old bested all other competitors including last year’s Champion, Louis Hutter, with his flawlessly executed stunts and fancy tricks. Christian’s journey to the kiteboarding world has been one sweet ride. With his Vegas kite and board, he started competing at the young age of 10, against kiters twice his age. The setbacks he experienced in the first couple of years only made him more determined. After two years, he successfully harnessed the wind and ranked #2 in the world junior men’s division. Now out of the junior
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category and at the young age of 14, he is already Asia’s top kite boarder and on his way to the top of world rankings. These days, Christian spends most of his time training in his home spot in Bulabog, doing more twists and flips, and pushing for bigger air. He trains under kiteboarding legend, Ken Nacor. And with the rate he’s going, we know that he is only a flip away to that ultimate ride. “My style is freestyle and I want to be World Champion, so my direction is up.” - Christian Tio.
PEOPLE
Cebu City
Ati-atihan Festival
Boracay Kiteboarders
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>>> PAGE 12
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LIFESTYLE
Singapore >>> PAGE 17
EDITOR’S NOTE
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LET’S CELEBRATE! - February is a special month because unlike the other months, it has fewer days. This year, it is even more special being a leap year - a leap day is added on February 29 (an intercalary day) to keep our modern day Gregorian calendar in alignment with the Earth’s revolutions around the sun. If a leap day is not added every four years, we would lose almost six hours off our calendar every year. So why is the extra day added in February you ask? The answer is simple: it is the shortest month of the year. Shortest it may be but it is during February that we feel our hearts beat the longest and the fastest, so to say. Every 14th of this month, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, that special day when we celebrate love, the universal language of the heart. Oh, to be in love and be loved! On the 8th of this month, know your love and fortune predictions as we celebrate the Chinese New Year with our Chinese brothers and sisters for one long weekend (yes, Feb 8 is a public holiday). Speaking of celebrations, expect a festive read in this issue on some of the festivities in our country dedicated to the Santo Nino – read about the Ati-atihan of Kalibo and also of Boracay, the Dinagyang of Iloilo, the Sinulog Festival of Cebu, and the Agta Festival of Samar. And since we love things happy and tourist-worthy, we can’t help but share with you our awe when we watched the kiteboarders who participated in the 3rd Season of the ICTSI Kiteboarding Tour, Boracay leg. Congratulations, guys!
COVER By Alva Alvarez
THE BORACAY SUN FAMILY
WWW.BORACAYSUN.COM Managing Editor MICHAEL JEROME MADRIAGA Senior Editors BLANCHE BASCO & BETH JALEA Art Director ALVA ALVAREZ Photographer KARLA PARAYNO Columnists DENISE BENTULAN, JOEL JAMES CUBILLAS, KLAUS DORING, HOLLY GOLIGHLY, RICA VELASCO
ma. teresa fajilan
I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, He will not ask, “How many good things have you done in your life?” Rather he will ask, “How much love did you put into what you did?” ~ Mother Teresa The REAL LOVER is the man who can THRILL you by kissing your forehead and smiling into your eyes or just staring into space.
LOVE… Strangely known all over the world… it is an acceptable virus that malfunctions the heart, overthrows the rational thinking of the mind yet it causes the ears, cheeks and the whole face to illuminately glow. And it extremely makes the blood pressure high and blood circulate better. Best of all, it makes the world a better place to live in. ~ MTFB
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Contributing Photographers FLOW ABUAN, MATT ALCANZAREN, FRAN DE LEOZ, ERIKA ERRO, June Dale Lozada, ISLA GRAPIKA Publisher THE BORACAY WALLSTREET INC.
~ Marilyn Monroe
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Contributors BREVEN DEO ADRIATICO, JUN ARRIOLO AGUIRRE, KAREN BERMEJO, Holger Biallas, RAFFY COOPER, DOUGLAS FABILANE, SPO1 CHRISTOPHER MENDOZA, Elmar Terlutter, THINKERBELL, MARIA ANGELINE ZALAMEA
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President & CEO MA. TERESA FAJILAN Sales and Marketing Manager MICHELLE ELIZON Operations Manager JOANN BARRIOS Boracay Sun Office Monaco Crossing Tulubhan, Manoc Manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan 5608 editorial@boracaywallstreet.com
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Copyright © April 2014 Boracay Sun. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines. Except as permitted by law, no part of the Boracay Sun may be used, reproduced or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission of Boracay Sun. The publisher accepts no liability for the content correctness of any advertisement and reserves the right for editorial freedom of the press under the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines Article III (Bill of Rights) Section 4.
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BODYBUILDERS IN PARADISE: The 2015 PCBF Boracay Bodybuiding Championships Karen Bermejo
For the winners, to achieve the kind of body they now take pride is not easy. Just like any other sports, passion is essential in bodybuilding. Each bulk of muscles is not gained overnight, but a product of long hours in the gym and a lifestyle not everyone can endure. THE SACRIFICE
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or the first time in 13 years, the annual Boracay Bodybuilding Championships is now sanctioned by the Philippine Committee of Bodybuilding and Fitness (PCBF), a national federation which promotes and administers such competition in the country, adhering with the prestigious International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB). Before 2015 ended, the first PCBFsanctioned Boracay Bodybuilding Championships was successfully held last December 19 at The Ambassador in Paradise Resort. The event, which was organized by Muscle Tribe Fitness GymBoracay owner, Georgen dela Cuesta, gathered bodybuilders, physique, figure, and bikini athletes from all over the country, and some even from abroad. Seasoned bodybuilder Clifford Cruz was named the over-all champion for the Men’s Bodybuilding Category while Kenneth Ang topped the Men’s Physique Category. Cheryl Nakanishi and Cindy Gonzaga, meanwhile, bagged the top spot in Women’s Figure and Women’s Bikini Category, respectively. Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle CalizoQuimpo graced the event. Experts in the field of fitness served as members of the board of judges headed by Rowena Walters, Ms. Asia Pacific ‘08 women’s category champion and IFBBSingapore 2011 winner along with Malay Chief Tourism Officer Felix delos Santos, and fitness expert Jun Bueno. PCBF Executive Director Sam Solon served as the event director.
For 39-year old bodybuilder Clifford Cruz, bodybuilding requires an ounce of determination and motivation each day. The bodybuilder from Bulacan has been training for 18 years now, but it was only in 2012 when he started joining competitions. He usually starts his day with cardio exercises that included a set in his stationary bike at home followed by an ab workout routine. To be in his best shape during competitions, Clifford follows a strict diet and intense workout plan, and training for more than one hour a day, six times a week. Physique athlete Kenneth Ang also shared the same journey. Ang, who just started competing August 2015 said he had six months of intense training for the Boracay event. He also does boxing, muay thai and mixed martial arts, fitness activities that have become part of his lifestyle. For both athletes, aside from exercise, proper nutrition is really the key in achieving a great physique. They follow a high-protein, low-carb diet. They eat clean, lean meat - no salt, no sugar and no fats; and lots of green vegetables, such as asparagus and French beans as part of their diet plan. Despite all the sacrifices, bodybuilders don’t usually get huge prizes to take home. But for Clifford, it is the recognition of their hard work that matters. As he continues his journey, Clifford remains grateful to his mentors, Anthony Manjares and Samuel John Solon who helped him ever since. He also attributes his success on the strong support of his family. Kenneth offers his success to God, the source of his strength, perseverance and provider of all his needs especially during competitions. CONTINUED ON PAGE 04
Malay crowns its first Miss Philippines Earth Raffy P. Cooper
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oney Christy Bandiola, a resident of Barangay Manocmanoc, was crowned as the first-ever Miss Philippines Earth - Malay 2015 in the pageant which was held last December 11 at the Malay Activity Center. Bandiola bested sixteen (16) other ladies from the Municipality of Malay competing for the coveted crown. Bandiola, who also won awards in best in evening gown and best in environmental advocacy, got the crown after nailing the question and answer portion in the final five. “I will wear the crown in my heart, not just in my head and will continue with my advocacy. I will be a woman with integrity, confidence, and a God-fearing citizen. A woman with beauty, who is willing to share the values of culture, tourism and care for mother nature,” she confidently answered when asked what makes her deserving to be the first ever Miss Philippines Earth - Malay. Aside from Bandiola, four other girls were also crowned as her elemental royal court. Ma. Fleur Ong Talamisan from Poblacion got the second spot as the Ms. Philippines Earth - Air, Crissielle Aron from Caticlan was crowned as the Ms. Philippines Earth Malay - Water, Krystel Pelayo who represented Balabag was crowned as the Ms Philippines Earth Malay –
Water, and Kathleen Kate Montojo from Motag was crowned as the Miss Philippines Earth Malay - Ecotourism. The newly crowned Miss Philippines Earth - Malay 2015 will be the Ambassador of the Local Government Unit of Malay on its drive to raise awareness amongst youth in the preservation of our natural resources and in the protection of Mother Nature. She will also represent the Municipality in the prestigious Miss Philippines Earth 2016, which is set to stage this coming April in Manila. The Miss Philippines Earth - Malay 2015 is the first ever beauty pageant for a cause in the Municipality to be officially recognized by the Carousel Production, Incorporated, the owner of Ms. Earth Organization. The pageant was spearheaded by the Environmental Management Services Unit of Malay.
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WOMEN IN FIGURE While bodybuilding is usually associated with men, the sport is also for women, according to Women’s Figure champion Cheryl Nakanishi of Las Pinas City.
Boracay still a good tourism potential for 2016
Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre
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or Boracay tourism, the year 2016 is anticipated as a good year despite several reports that the famous island resort is facing environmental degradation.
Reports by different international and national organizations reveal that Boracay faces flooding, overdevelopment, and coliform issues. Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said that around ten cruise ships are expected to dock at Boracay port, the largest of which is scheduled to arrive early this year. “There are also a lot of new tourism facilities that are being constructed. We actually expect we may experience shortage of carpenters, masons and the like because of the ongoing construction boom,” Miraflores said. The Aklan Congressional District Office together with the Department of Public Works and Highways are currently building various tourism road accesses in the province. Several new high-end resorts are also expected to rise this year. Also, the Asia Foundation, in cooperation with the Iloilo Business Club, is in partnership with the Aklan Provincial Government and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Aklan will hold a series of conferences aimed to determine new high-impact road networks for the province. The so-called Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure Development Project (CRID Plus) aims to identify and establish potential new roads project in terms of both economic and agriculture. It is also supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Australian Embassy in Manila. Last year, Boracay received a total of 1,560,106 foreign and local tourists and overseas Filipino workers. South Korea continues to be at the top spot with 292,174 tourists arrivals; China with 177,926; Taiwan with 57,765; Malaysia, 34,970; USA, 25,403; Singapore, 16,446; United Kingdom, 14,210; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 14,210; and Japan with 12,195. Niven Maquirang, Jetty Port Administrator, said there is an increase in the number of tourist arrivals in 2015, as compared to 2014 where 1,472,352 tourists arrivals were reported. Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo said that Boracay, despite its problems, still has huge tourism potential and that the Aklan provincial government is bent on pushing for environmental conservation programs.
police desk
Local Committee attends orientation on Anti-Human Trafficking (LCAT) and Anti-VAWC Laws
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he Local Government Unit of Malay thru its Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) and Municipal Tourism Operation Office (MTOO) conducted an Orientation for Local Committee on Anti-Human Trafficking (LCAT) and Anti-VAWC Law last December 7 at the Crown Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center. Fiscal Chris Gonzales of Aklan Provincial Prosecutors Office; Nova Regalario, Community Development Officer of ECPAT-Philippines and Madel Dee TaycoSchönenberger, Officer In-Charge of MSWDO-Malay, served as the resource speakers. Among the topics discussed are the salient provisions of R.A. 9208 as amended to R.A.10634 (Anti-Human Trafficking Act), R.A. 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse Act, R.A. 9262 (Anti-Violation Against Women and Child Law), and duties and functions of LCAT Members. The participants were also taught on how to deal with TIP cases, most especially the minor trafficked victims. According to Tayco-Schönenberger, their record showed that there were 41 VAWC cases in 2014,
SP01 Christopher Del Rasario Mendoza
seven of which were due to physical abuse, nine from psychological abuse and 25 were from economic abuse. Forty-nine VAWC cases were recorded in 2015 - 13 physical abuse, three 3 psychological abuse and 33 economic abuse. On Trafficking in Person (TIP) cases, 36 were reported in 2014; 27 were adults and nine were minors. Three cases of trafficking involving minors were recoded in 2015. Tayco-Schönenberger reported that investigations of TIP cases are hindered by the following situations: victims have no live birth/birth certificate, family does not cooperate, the number of licensed Social Workers assigned in the island and the availability of safe and conducive facilities for the trafficked victims. Orientation participants were the personnel of Boracay PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Maritime Group, Tourism Regulatory Enforcement Unit, Malay PNP, Malay Tourism Office, Malay Auxiliary Police, MSWDO-Boracay and Barangay Officials of Manocmanoc and Yapak.
Though new to competitions, the 37-year old athlete is one of the few who braved the world of bodybuilding for she wants to be an inspiration especially for her fellow mothers. Cheryl has taken to fitness and goes to the gym as part of her lifestyle. She started joining competitions last year; her first was at the Shawn Roden Classic in Manila where she won. Second is the Boracay event where she also topped athletes from other parts of the country. A mother of three, Cheryl believes that having kids should not be an excuse to be fit. “It’s really good to look good. It gives us the confidence,” she shares. With the success of this year’s event and through its partnership with PCBF, the Boracay Bodybuilding Championships hopes to bring more athletes in this tourist island this year. The organizer meanwhile would like to thank Mr. Joop van der Tak and the people of The Ambassador in Paradise Resort namely, Max Kuijkhoven, Tobias Schuijt, Anna Absalon and Marlon Moran, for all their support for the success of the event.
list of Winners WOMEN’S FIGURE Champion - Cheryl Nakanishi 2nd - Faliza Zainon 3rd - Jessica Aguirre 4th - Lyra Ruba Fontbuwna-Palma 5th - Prezella Vasquez MEN’S PHYSIQUE SHORT Champion - Miekel Allen Delmoro 2nd - Michael John Gelito 3rd - Elmer Delos Reyes 4th - Rojoe Guardamano 5th - Reymond Bernardo MEN’S PHYSIQUE TALL Champion - Kenneth Ang 2nd - Albert Lorenzo 3rd - Mark Stephen Bugtong 4th - Jeabon Gonzales 5th - Christian John Rodly Navarro WOMEN’S BIKINI Champion - Cindy Gonzaga 2nd - Jenette Deocampo MEN’S BODYBUILDING NOVICE Champion - Andrew Canlas 2nd - Arvie Venturillo 3rd - Sammy Hufana MEN’S BODYBUILDING 70kg and Below Champion -Mharl Madronial 2nd - Rafael Crisologo 3rd - John Labindao 4th - Rosalito Panagsagan MEN’S BODYBUILDING 70kg and above Champion - Clifford Cruz 2nd - Ronald Tsai 3rd - Arvie Venturillo 4th - John Abagatnan Men’s Physique Over-all Champion Kenneth Ang Men’s Bodybuilding Over-all Champion Clifford Cruz
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US foundation holds 5th medical mission in the island Douglas Fabilane
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anuary 18 and 19 marked the 5th Medical Mission in the Island of Boracay by the Medical Mission Foundation of Michigan, USA, headed by Dr. Lu Lim, and hosted by Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital through its President, Ms. Ruth Tirol-Jarantilla. Doctors from BE A MISSIONARY FOUDATION, headed by its Past President Doy Canlas, lead the Medical Mission Team while the Paranaque Dental Chapter, Inc. headed by its President, Dr. Arlyn Gopez, led the Dental Mission Team. Nineteen minor surgery cases were performed out of over 150 patients served by the Medical Team and more than 500 tooth extractions were performed by the Dental Team, during the two-day event. Boracay Alert Medical Clinic, the only premier medical service provider in Boracay Island, served as the venue for the medical team. The dental team, on the other hand, was encamped at the English Bakery and Manoc-Manoc High School grounds. Rotary Club of Boracay headed by its President-Elect, Ms. Teresa Fajilan-Bech, together with Rotary Club of San Diego South Bay headed by its President-Elect, Ms. Malu Ramos, provided invaluable support to the mission. Willy’s Beach Hotel, Le Soleil De Boracay, Nigi Nigi Nu Noos, Discovery Shores, Red Coconut, and Sea Wind Resort graciously provided meals for the missionaries; Sea Wind Resort and Baeay and Payag provided accommodations. The Medical Mission Foundation of Michigan and Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital started the Mission in Boracay in 2002 and since then, Rotary Club of Boracay has always been a major partner.
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Tournament Winners Novice Twin Tip Racing – Ladies 1st Place Sabrina Savnik 2nd Place Jin-ah Kang 3rd Place Lynley Teng 4th Place Theresa Szewczuk 5th Place Iryna Nikitina
14 year-old Filipino tops men’s freestyle in kiteboarding tour
Novice Twin Tip Racing – Men 1st Place John Clyde Prado 2nd Place Gordon Gelito 3rd Place Jondymar Cortes 4th Place William Cansino 5th Place Blazej Schmidt
mICHAEL MADRIAGA
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ow on its third season, the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and the Philippine Kiteboarding Association (PKA), once again wowed the kiteboarding enthusiasts during the Boracay leg of the ICTSI Kiteboarding Tour held last January 8 to 10 at Bulabog Beach. More than 50 participants joined this season who competed in six major categories: Novice Twin Tip Racing (Ladies/Men), Kids Twin Tip Racing, Twin Tip Racing (Ladies/Men/Master), Hangtime (Ladies/Men), and Freestyle (Ladies/Men).
encourage the younger generations to try the sport. He also added that it is PKA’s vision to expose the kids to kiteboarding as it has been gaining a lot of popularity in the recent years. Winning the new race category is Boracay local Remel Rentillo, with Mark Magliquian and Warner Janoya winning the 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
Twin Tip Racing – Ladies 1st Place Lisa Nikitina 2nd Place Kathrin Borgwardt 3rd Place Viola Kaukonen 4th Place Mary Jane Gajisan 5th Place Liezl Tio
Another category for specific age range is the Master’s Division where participants aged 40 and above joined. Atte Kappel topped the race followed by Jay Ortiz, Carlo Leongson, Eddie Garcia, and Mariel Candava.
Fourteen-year old Christian Tio, last year’s silver medalist, topped the muchawaited freestyle competition and was the only Filipino in the podium. With his flawlessly executed stunts and formations, Tio took the bragging rights from last year’s champion, Louis Hutter. Judges said that it was a close fight between the two and it took them a lot of time deciding on who to proclaim as winner.
Nationwide tour
For all ages
Winning participants were given PHP5,000 worth of travel vouchers for the Cuyo Island Leg. Participants were also encouraged to join the Anguib Beach tournament and PKA-organized tour transfers for interested competitors.
PKA President Jay Ortiz, during the awarding ceremony, said that they included a new race category this season which is the Kids Twin Tip Racing, to
Kids Twin Tip Racing 1st Place Remel Rentillo 2nd Place Mark Magliquian 3rd Place Warner Janoya
Prior to the Boracay leg, the ICTSI Kiteboarding Tour held its first tournament for the season in Siargao (Surigao del Norte) last November and is headed to Anguib Beach (Cagayan) in February, and on to Cuyo Island (Palawan) in March. A Virgin Kite Tour is also expected which will be held in Batangas to Puerto Galera in March.
Twin Tip Racing – Men 1st Place Julius Non 2nd Place Louie Fernando 3rd Place Ronel Mateo 4th Place Doque Delos Santos 5th Place Christian Tio
The ICTSI Kiteboarding Tour would like to thank the following sponsors: Tour Sponsors International Container Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Cabrinha, Coca-cola, Greenyard Boracay and Sailor Jerry Local Sponsors Aqua Boracay, Municipality of Malay, Valhalla Restaurant, The Lazy Dog & Breakfast, Lemoni Cafe & Restaurant, Freestyle Academy Kitesurfing, Vavuud, Area51, Boracay SunCruiser, Blue Bayou Boracay, Boracay Box & Ladder Hostel, Ultimate Apparel, Damiana’s, Smoke Resto, By Da Way Sports Bar & Restaurant, Hoy Panga Boracay & Gypsea Shack, Double Dragon Apparel, Surf Kitch, Dos Mestizos, Palassa Spa, Bom Bom Bar, Pat’s Creek Bar, Boracay Island Water Company, Lokal Shop, Lokal Snack Bar, and Gusto y Gusto Media Partners Boracay Sun, My Life on Board, and Paradise Cable Television (PCTV)
American actor Tim Starks visits House of Dreams residents for the second time
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merican Actor Tim Starks, who can be seen in hit TV Shows such as Friends, Scrubs, Nickelodeons Ned’s Declassified, and in movies such as Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring with Emma Watson, and Palo Alto with James Franco, made a surprise visit at House of Dreams last Christmas. It was his second time to visit the house and this time, he was able to bond with the children. He serenaded the kids with the song “Unforgettable” and distributed gifts to each of the residents. Tim said, “I was so blessed to grow up with a mother who had an un-denying faith in the Lord. I’m trying to make her proud, and through me a piece of her lives on. She always prayed for the kids all over the world.” It is wonderful to know that there are people in this world willing to give, not only to themselves and their
own family, but also to strangers who are in need. Timothy Starks, as well as many other kindhearted people, along with Derrick Brown (Everybody Gets To Eat), not only give material things to the poor but also teach the children good values and give them good memories of a very merry Christmas. House of Dreams of Young Life Foundation in the Philippines is providing care for children. Tim Starks is hoping that a lot more people around the globe learn about Young Life Foundation and its programs and services. To Tim Starks thank you for your kindness. Mr. Starks can be followed on Instagram under ActorTimStarks, and Facebook Timothy Starks Actor/ Director.
Twin Tip Racing – Master 1st Place Atte Kappel 2nd Place Jay Ortiz 3rd Place Carlo Leongson 4th Place Eddie Garcia 5th Place Mariel Candava Hang Time – Ladies 1st Place Kathrin Borgwardt 2nd Place Mary Jane Gajisan 3rd Place Lisa Nikitina 4th Place Viola Kaukonen 5th Place Franziska Limmer Hang Time – Men 1st Place Khristopher Ken Nacor 2nd Place Atte Kappel 3rd Place Mike Blomvall 4th Place Sassan Moscoso 5th Place Kirill Litvinov Freestyle – Ladies 1st Place Lisa Nikitina 2nd Place Kathrin Borgwardt 3rd Place Franziska Limmer Viola Kaukonen 4th Place Freestyle – Men 1st Place Christian Tio 2nd Place Louis Hutter Andrey Salnik 3rd Place 4th Place Sergei Sotov
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Piñata Christmas Party at Babies of Boracay Holly Golightly
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he Cat in the Hat, Olaf the Snowman piñata, goodie bags filled with sweet treats from island favourite Lemoni Cafe, singing and dancing, games and awards - the team at Babies of Boracay (B.o.B.), plus the generous sponsors from near and far, made certain that the Center’s 2015 Christmas Party was one to remember! The little community center, excited to welcome its second year, was packed out for its year-end party. 57 B.o.B. children, their mummies and daddies, volunteers, volunteer mummies, guests and some sponsors gathered last December 11 to celebrate a successful year for the children’s charity. The morning kicked off with games for the excited B.o.B. children and their parents organized by the volunteer mummies, and there was much laughter and competition. Once everyone had let off a bit of Christmas steam, Co-Founder and Head of Education Ma’am Olive gathered the students round for a charming rendition of ‘Jesus Loves Me’ – in both Tagalog and English, with Ma’am Olive leading on with a guitar. Then, to everyone’s delight, a fun dance was performed by Founder Ma’am Chelsey, Ma’am Olive, and some of the volunteer mummies. Seven B.o.B. students were congratulated for graduating and, in their smart new outfits, went to gather their certificates. Then it was time to hand out the Christmas presents, very kindly donated by island resident, Willy Oster. Every B.o.B. child had one of their own; everyone went up, one at a time, some shyly taking their gift, others overwhelmed with excitement! The timeless childrens’ classic, ‘The Cat in the Hat’, was expertly read by fiveyear-old Ashanti Estrada and the children listened avidly.
And They Lived Happily Ever After
Then, the surprise of the morning was brought out ¬– Olaf the Snowman Piñata! Created and donated by Macky Angeles of Headrush Boracay, the children delighted in bashing poor Olaf, swinging the stick light-sabre style, until all the sweets rained down onto the floor and everyone surged forward to catch them. Despite having goodies galore, everyone had space for the fantastic feast donated by Villa Caemilla Beach Boutique Hotel – a magnificent lechon, spaghetti and delicious spring rolls – and there being nearly 100 mouths to feed there wasn’t a scrap left over! B.o.B. mummy, Rubezyl, was delighted to be a part of the community centre: “I’m very happy with B.o.B., we’re very lucky. My children enjoy it here and want to be here forever. We’re more than thankful and happy!” Ma’am Olive said of the past year: “It’s hard to put into words the overwhelming emotions I feel. The support from the parents and the community has been incredible, and today there’s an overflow of joy, you can see it on all the children’s faces. It’s breath-taking to be a part of something like this and I feel so blessed. I’m compelled by love to keep doing this.” Ma’am Chelsey was overwhelmed: “It’s really wonderful to be able to all come together, the whole team, parents and children, to celebrate Christmas. We’ve had incredible help from the community, too, from sponsors who’ve donated money, time, presents, and food.”
Klaus Doring
stages of courtship. Of course, flirting is fun and a wide groove existing. But after a while our system needs a rest. Unanimously we’re in the second stage sooner or later and our marriage life needs badly a new outside coating.
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ebruary - the love month. We’ll be celebrating again the Valentines Day. By incident, just today, I found in a very old issue of PHILADELPHIA NEWS columnist Larry Fields confessing: “I lead a life of wine, women and song (by the way, a wonderful waltz of Johann Strauss!) - It’s cheaper than petrol, food and rent!” Mmmhhh.... Some marriages are made in heaven. You know some? I do. The best of the rest are down-to-earth. Maybe also yours? I am blessed and happy celebrating my 33rd wedding anniversary this coming March. Maybe you remember this: “Then the prince swept the lovely young maiden into his arms and carried her home to his castle. And they live happily ever after!” Indeed, they did. What I would like to see is an autonomy in home affairs study of all these title of nobility bearers seven years after their happily-ever-after marriages. Or even earlier, because the so-called darned and tricky seventh marriage year could be even the first one already. The truth is that life isn’t made up of the continual highs found in the initial
All of a sudden, the partner prefers day and night watching all the sports channels, falls asleep while you’re revealing your innermost secrets and even forgets the anniversary for the first or even second time. Just bear in mind: You’ve won each other’s acceptance and sometimes, even feelings no matter how terribly gloomy. This acceptance shouldn’t be undervalued. Even we see a house that has to be cleaned, many other things have to be organized, and the partner, who looks as fatigued and bored as you feel. The usual question is: “That’s it? That WAS it?” And suddenly, we experience the third stage and learned why it’s worth the ups and downs. Maybe we, men, don’t mention any more how incredible she looks, but we enjoy bleating and grousing at her spending innumerable hours putting herself together. But then, out of the blue, we, men, unload the garbage without being asked to. Although no marriage is continually blissful, it can be pretty good most of the time. When we lasted through arguments, money worries, and kid’s problems, or slowly but surely experience mid-life crises, we should face reality that our relationship is not always a big day celebration. It’s because the fundamental reason for a marriage has outlasted the craziness of day-to-day living: we love each other. That’s MY idea of “Happily ever after, indeed!” Love - not only during one day per year!
To donate to B.o.B., please visit www.babiesofboracay.com/donate
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It’s All About Love
fuel and essence of all life, appearing between people, animals, nature and divine. Actually, love is divided in two forms: eros and agape. Eros is that sexual passion we feel and agape is the divine, a life creating magical force that vibrates throughout the world and even in other dimensions.
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friend of mine showed me a fun little game the other day - a traditional Filipino love game called FLAMES. In that game you write down the names of both you and your loved one. Then you count the letters found in each name, finally adding those numbers together to find out what kind of love you and your special someone share. I remember a similar game from my childhood in Finland. I can’t recall the name anymore, but the idea was the same. During my elementary years, my girl friends and I often spent our break time finding out who might be a perfect match for us, using this game of magical mathematics. Even when we grew older, the same tradition continued in forms of little note books called slam books, revealing anonymously our secret crushes and wishing that the boy or girl of our dreams would recognize our handwriting and notice our shy attempts to get a bit closer. Even in adult life we picked up cards and some people went even to a fortuneteller to find out who might be the love of their life. Although falling in love is one of the most exciting things in life, love is not just personal love filled with crushes, passion, and relationships. I see love as the
For me, there is nothing more amazing and beautiful in this world than love. I will never forget the feeling of how it was to really fall in love for the first time - it felt like somebody hit my head with a baseball making everything else seem meaningless and dull. That love ended but many different kind of this feeling followed: crazy, passionate, foolish, warm, messy, shining, all forgiving, all understanding, and all enduring. Sometimes love was too much, and ended up hurting me, and others around me, but even those experiences didn’t silent my passionately beating, strongly loving heart. One might say I have always been a total love fool, but I don’t regret anything I really believe that this almost cliché saying about listening to your heart is absolutely true. Last year my heart started yelling at me. It all sounded crazy - giving away everything in Finland and moving to Philippines in one month, with no plan B or safety net or idea of what’s going to happen in the future. I just had the clearest, strongest feeling I’ve ever had. I could only trust my heart. And, as I found out, my heart was right. At the moment I am happier than ever, living on this beautiful island under warm sun, happy faces and life vibrating on every level. I share this experience with my special loved one and we can’t wait to see what the future brings for us. So, open your heart, buksan ang iyong puso, and let it lead you. Don’t forget to love yourself so that you will endure when life gets rough at some point. Love your family, friends, neighbors, and pets. Love the flowers, the skies and trees. Let your love shine to the world. It will shine back at you. It’s all about the FLAMES: Friendship, Love, Acceptance, Marriage, Engagement and Sweet. Keep those flames burning. It’s all about love. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
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SOLO TRAVELLER:
What is He Getting Away from Exactly? Joel James Cubillas
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eally, it’s no joke to travel alone.
A 10-hour stay in a cabin full of strangers would always result to utter boredom and awkwardness. Treading the coastlines with nobody may equate to self-pity and restless hours of jadedness. And summiting mountains in solitude is a risk in itself. But why does someone feel that particular urge to travel alone? I mean, it’s not merely an escape from one’s busy life. It’s not exactly the search for a change of scenery. Heck, travelling alone does not cure any real problem at all and there has to be deeper, more complicated reason why one explores the uncharted, and in his lonesome, at that.
If one would want to stay at the local museum, or stay at his room for hours, then there would be no problem for he’d compromise with no half-hearted travel buddy. No budget conscious confidante. No more over-thinking of the day’s itinerary.
drown himself with various hues of bikinis among other things. His girlfriend nags about everything? Go to Batanes and experience silence and zen in their utmost sincerity.
Also, travelling alone would make one a better traveller. When there’s no one to talk to, one is forced to notice the little things: the way the locals speak, how they smile, how they smell and how it’s all different from home.
However, solo travelling is only a temporary cure. At the end of the day’s itinerary, one would always ponder the problem he has left behind. And after his vacation which is full of encountering new faces, new discoveries and new acquaintances, he’d probably appreciate once again the joy of solving things, or starting anew perhaps.
One could also choose to make friends when in a solo trip. Knowing the local language is a huge plus, or at least speaking a decent English--- the closest we have to universal understanding--- would at least break the proverbial barrier.
And if he’d be given the chance to choose from the comforts of his home and the luxury of his vacation, he’d probably choose the former. Because it is his home. So what exactly is the solo traveller getting away from?
But definitely, it gives one a natural high—a higher state of independence. SOMEONE WHO ENJOYS HIS LONESOME There are times that we just want to be alone. In solo travelling, one would enjoy the ease of planning.
SOMEONE WHO SURRENDERS EVERYTHING His own self. One has to solo travel because he may long to rid himself of daily life’s hassles. His boss being bossy? Go to the north’s mountainous region and breathe the freshest of air. His neighbourhood’s scene has nothing much to offer? Sail down to Boracay and
He seeks for the lives he wished he lived. But ultimately, he only needs a step behind for a holistic perspective of his persona.
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Conquering the Queen City For us who lives in Boracay, Cebu can easily be visited as we now have direct flights from Caticlan and Kalibo to Cebu.
michael madriaga
conquistadores when they baptized Rajah Humabon and established Christianity in our country. The structure that we see now is not the original cross made by Magellan though; the original was framed inside the present structure in order to preserve it.
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ebu may well be the first province that you might actually read about in Philippine history textbooks. It was in 1521 that a Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, set foot on the island and Christianized the then chief, Rajah Humabon. It was also in the Island of Mactan where the soldiers led by Datu Lapu-lapu, the first Filipino who fought for liberty, defeated Magellan’s force.
Cebu City is known as the Queen City of the South. Though it is highly urbanized and modern, it retained its charm and beauty that no other city in our country could surpass. Historical Landmarks One of Cebu’s most famous icons is the Magellan’s Cross, the cross that was erected by the Spanish
Another major landmark is the Fuente Osmena Circle, which stood witness to a lot of major activities in the city including the Sinulog Festival. A park is located inside the roundabout, and at the end of the Osmena Boulevard, the massive Cebu Provincial Capitol can be seen. Religious Places When Magellan baptized Rajah Humabon and his wife Hara Amihan, he bestowed upon them a gift - an image of the child Jesus Christ or Santo Nino. It is
now housed at the Basilica Menore del Santo Nino, the church that symbolizes the birth of Christianity in our country. Inside the basilica’s complex is a museum that showcases historical items and documents about the image and also of Cebu’s unending love to the child Jesus. For Taoists and even for the passing tourists, the Cebu Taoist Temple is worth a visit. The site is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision and maybe accessed by riding a cab (around 20 to 30 minutes ride from the city center). Inside the compound are colorful temples where believers could pray. For the experience, make sure to try one of the rituals where you will throw two wooden blocks and if both fell down faced up, you could make a wish, otherwise you have to do it again on your next visit. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
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Dining and Night Life If there’s one thing that many travelers love about the Cebuano culinary, it is their world-famous lechon. Many, in fact, most, of the local restaurants are serving this roasted pork dish. A Cebu lechon is flavored with different spices, the meat is so tender and tasty that that you can eat it even without a dip or sauce. Larsian’s is a popular place for those seeking delicious yet affordable off-the-grill meals. Here, you can choose from different food stalls offering seafood (cooked depending on your desired style), grilled meat, chicken and pork innards, and a lot more. Dining in Larsian means you also get to try the puso, Cebu’s version of steamed rice, wrapped in woven coconut leaves. Cebu City also provides a colorful nightlife experience and the best place to enjoy it is in Mango Avenue, a street adjacent to the Fuente Osmena Circle. There are a
lot of bars, clubs, and specialty lounges along the road, and the best part is that most of these establishments sell your favorite liquor at affordable prices! Another famous spot for dining and night activities is the Cebu IT Park. Aside from having a lot of food choices and bars catering to the BPO employees in the IT Park, they also hold food fairs from time to time. When we visited the park last December, aside from various food stalls offering Cebu’s bests, they also have a public movie viewing - sounds romantic, right? Checkout the Park’s schedule fo activities when you visit Cebu so you could also try this fun experience. Cebu is really one of my most loved places. No matter how often I visit the city and its neighboring towns and islands, it still gives me the same chills and excitement I had when I first set foot on the island.
Photos by Erika Erro, Flow Abuan, Fran de Leoz and Matt Alcanzaren
Cebu is famous for its Sinulog Festival, a celebration held in honor of the Santo Nino de Cebu every 3rd Sunday of January. Cebu’s major streets are filled with reveries dressed in colorful costumes, dancing on a grand parade that lasts all day and night.
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ach year, on the second or third week of January, the deafening beats of the drums mark the celebration of the Ati-atihan Festival in Aklan’s capital town, Kalibo. While there are other festivals in the country that honor the Santo Niño, the more than 800-year old Ati-atihan, dubbed as the Mother of all Philippine Festival, has preserved its charm that attracts merrymakers and devotees from other parts of the country and the world annually. Endless street-dancing Ati-atihan runs for 10 days. The celebration is highlighted by the traditional “sadsad”, also dubbed as Akeanon’s version of the Mardi Gras on the third Sunday, gathering jovial participants - people covered with soot and colorful paints, others donning superhero costumes or any iconic characters – filling the major streets of Kalibo.
A festival lik e no other
made from local or native products and some from recycled materials.
Karen Berme
jo
Other Ati-atihan celebrations
Religious charm Replicas of the Santo Niño, dressed in different styles are present in every corner of the streets, too. From the first day of the festival until its culmination, the annual Paeapak sa Sto. Nino de Kalibo is done. The ritual involves the anointment of a Santo Niño figure on the body parts of devotees. Thousands of devotees endure the scorching heat and the long lines at the Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist. Devotees believe that the Child Jesus could bring miracles and answer their intentions, mostly healing from an illness.
In this street dancing activity, no one is left behind. The contagious positive vibrations from the beat of the drums, the melodic tune of lyres and the engaging dance routines of the competing tribes definitely could make someone dance on the street, without any reservations.
One of them is 73-year old Winelwina Repore from Balete. Influenced by her religious mother, Lola Winelwina has been practicing her devotion to the Santo Niño since her younger years. Despite her frailty condition, the elderly carries her 3-inches high Santo Niño image while waiting for her turn at the Paeapak on the last day. She also joined and walked with the rest of the devotees who do the same sacrifice every year.
In this year’s event, there were 29 tribes that represented their community. They battled in four categories, namely: Balik Ati, Modern Group, Tribal Small and Tribal Big. Each tribe showcased their unique and colorful costumes mostly
Lola Winelwina has been suffering from a gallstone for more than two years now, but could not have an operation. “Despite my illness, I am grateful that I am still alive,” Lola Winelwina shared in her dialect.
With its popularity, other places in the province including Boracay Island also have their own version of Ati-atihan. The Boracay Ati-atihan kicked off last January 8 to 10. The powdery white sand of the White Beach and its blue water served as background of the feast. Locals and tourists gamely marched from Station 1 to Station 3 with their costumes and other unique adornments during the traditional sadsad and procession. Students from the various secondary schools in the island likewise competed in the street dancing competition. Meanwhile, the town of Makato celebrated Ati-atihan on January 15 while Malinao hold their own celebration every 3rd Friday. Altavas celebrates their version of the festival on the 4th week and Ibajay on the 4th Sunday. Despite having different versions and ways to celebrate, all have the same sacred purpose, to honor the Señor Sto. Nino. With its perfect blend of culture and religiosity, once is never enough to experience the feast anywhere in Aklan. It may not be one the grandest of all the Philippine festivals, but Ati-atihan will always make you feel like you belong.
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THE WHOLE PHILIPPINES CELEBRATE
Pit Senyor! Pit Senyor!
Sinulog-Santo Nino Festival, Cebu The Sinulog-Santo Nino Festival is said to be the center of the Santo Nino Catholic celebration in the country. It is an annual cultural and religious festival in honor of the Santo Nino held every third Sunday of January in Cebu City. The festival lasts for nine days culminating with the Sinulog Grand Parade that lasts for 9 to 12 hours and participated by revelers coming from other parts of Cebu and the Philippines along with tourists from all over the world. The day before the grand parade, a religious fluvial procession is held where a statue of the Santo Nino is carried on a decorated boat which sails from Mandaue City to Cebu City. The procession ends at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino del Cebu where a re-enactment of the baptism of Rajah Humabon and his wife, Hara Amihan to Christianity is performed. The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano word “sulog” which means “like the movement of the water current”. The Sinulog dance moves are characterized by this forward-backward movement which resembles the current (sulog) of what was known as Cebu’s Pahina River. This is the ritual prayer-dance honoring the Santo Nino. With the promotion of Sinulog as a tourist attraction in recent years, organizers introduced the Sinulog Contest where locals and visiting contingents can participate.
Hala Bira!
Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo The Dinagyang Festival is the socio-cultural-religious festival of Iloilo City in honor of the Santo Nino and in celebration of its culture, the Aeta culture. It is a three-day affair scheduled on the fourth week of January (a week after the Sinulog Festival in Cebu). On the third day, a Sunday, the Ati Tribe competition is held which consists of a number of “warrior” dancers (in their colorful fighting gear) dancing in choreographed formation, and chanting “Hala Bira!” and “Viva Sr. Santo Nino!” to the sound of drum beats and improvised percussion instruments innovated by their tribe. From the tribes formed by the barangays or communities in the city, the competition has grown throughout the years, some tribes from as far as Batanes and Cotabato came to join. The competition is followed by street dancing or what the Ilonggos call, merrymaking, which means “dinagyang” in local dialect. The night before the Ati Tribe competition and street dancing, the Dinagyang religious sadsad is held in front of the San Jose Church in Iloilo City. The Dinagyang sadsad is an hour of merrymaking and chanting of petitions through songs and dances before the blessed image of the Santo Nino.
Viva Senor Santo Nino! Agta Festival, Bobon, Samar text by Breven Deo Adriatico
Bobon, Samar celebrates the Feast of Santo Nino every second Sunday of January through the Agta Festival. The festival showcases not only the Bobonanon culture but also the ingenuity and artistry of its people. It is highlighted by the Ati-atihan Tribal Dance Competition where contenders perform the traditional Ati-ati dance akin to those performed by the tribesmen during the Christianization of the Visayas in the 16th century. The festival, which can compare with Aklan’s Ati-atihan Festival and Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival, becomes an annual rendezvous of local and foreign tourists who want to experience Bobon beyond its majestic beaches and invigorating waters. The speedy drumroll, loud chants and jovial street dancing never fail to paint the town red.
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Saude’s Mari-it mari-it: (visayan) a place of dangerous enchantment. Beth Jalea
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ear not, Mari-it Artworks (PALHI – BORACAY) is nothing dangerous, no, not really. Saude Yanoc, the owner, has only warm smiles that reaches his tsinito eyes to each discerning art buyer, window shoppers, and even curious tourists who happens to pass by his shop. He is your typical hippie artist, with long curly hair and a goatie, tattooed, sans the psychedelic shirt and headband we usually associate any non-suspecting “Woodstock festival mover” that we see. Saude was wearing his artsy superman self the day we interviewed him for this piece. Nope, he was not making an iconic art piece; he was simply wearing superman’s iconic red underwear! He must have stolen it from him. (His words, not ours. He said those when we very nicely asked him to pull up his pants to hide those red briefs for the photos). See? Mari-it is not a dangerous place at all. But we were enchanted, with the artist and his works. Saude is an “original”, if we can call him that. He did not study from a known artist nor did he study art in college. He was a Mass Communication graduate and a mountaineer first before he became an artist. His journey to the enchanting world of art did not start until 2004, that was when he decided to relocate in Boracay from his hometown, La Paz, Iloilo. Before this move though, Saude has already been dabbling into art making since he was very young. He would weave and/or create simple handicrafts, mixing wood, animal bones and other media to form unique decorative and functional pieces. He said he has always been drawn to indigenous art and mysticism, specifically shamanian or the babaylan concept. This is very much translated in his art and the various pieces that he has gathered mostly from mountaineering throughout the years. Saude’s interest in mysticism is not just out of curiosity. Mysticism runs in his blood – his grandfather was a babaylan. This may be the reason why he can see beyond animal bones and fangs, seashells, and drift woods. Like a babaylan, he is indeed a “miracle worker” of mixed media; and a healer, too. He nursed the almost breathless Count Olaf back to good health. Count Olaf, by the way, is his famous flying fox pet that he passed by lying on the main road at the time when super typhoon Yolanda’s strong winds and downpours devastated the island. Count Olaf is now part of Mari-it’s unique attractions, it brings in cuteness and fun to the otherwise strange yet amazing art collection that the store offers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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Chasing The Wind
Up Close and Personal with our Island Kiters
Island souls
Rica Velasco
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uring Amihan Season, Bulabog Beach becomes an array of beautiful colors, thanks to our kiteboarding community. A lot of kiteboarders keep coming back to Boracay Island and are considered part of the island staples already. Let us learn a bit more about some of them.
Hendrik is from Beveren in Antwerp, Belgium. Like Maria, he’s been coming back to Boracay every Amihan season for the sport since 2013. But unlike Jana, rather than taking lessons, Hendrick started off flying two liner stunt kites for hours and gradually evolved to four liner kites with handles, then on to a 14-meter tube kite that he rode over sand beaches with a mountain board. After about 1000 hours of flying kites and a year on the mountain board, he was able to strap his first board and go in the water. Maria hails from Yakutia, Russia. Travelling allows her to escape the cold and dark winter of her country. She fell in love with Boracay’s beaches and its people the first time she set foot on the island that she’s been coming back for four years now, in time for the Amihan season and primarily to kiteboard. Maria’s love affair with kiteboarding as a sport did not happen at first sight though. She was intimidated, especially by what she thought as the amount of physical strength required to glide. It was not until she saw a 13year old do it, with a body frame smaller than hers, that she gave the kiteboarding a try. She has been kiteboarding since then. For Maria, the sport brings her closer to the things she holds dear – sea, sun, beaches and a community of interesting people from different parts of the the world. For her, nothing could compare that sense of freedom and the feeling of pure joy once you’re on the board and playing with the waves. Aside from Boracay, Maria has also played the sport in other parts of the Philippines, particularly Seco Island and Cuyo Island, as well as, in other countries like Turkey, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Maria’s day job involves making articulated paper dolls and sells them on her online shop dubrovskaya.etsy.com. She earns just enough to continue kiteboarding and travel to other Asian countries during off season. “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a kite and that’s pretty close,” she said.
Jana is originally from Manila. She moved to Boracay in 2011 and after a year of meddling with the waves and some extreme training, became a kiteboarding instructor. Learning to kiteboard is not easy. Jana, on the first two days of her lesson, learned only to set up the kite, safety system, kite flying, and self- rescue. On her third and fourth day, she did body dragging, power stroke, board recovery, steady pull and water start, wherein she started to ride with the board. She may have been able to control the kite then but it took her a while to ride especially that she had no previous experience with board sports. She also gets apprehensive when the water become crowded with other kiters. Her friends motivated her by bringing her to a wake park so she could practice her balance. She even went to Vietnam and Sri Lanka to train further and it took her almost six months to ride confidently. Now she can do basic jumps and is working on her unhooked tricks. When asked why she pursued to learn the sport, she answered, “I love (the) adrenaline (rush). I love the feeling of riding in the water and getting pulled by the kite powered by nature. Also, the best thing about it is you get to travel and meet a lot of interesting people.”
On why he loves kiteboarding, Hendrik said it’s because of the water sport’s diversity; from just going left to right to clear his head, to long distance crossings to different islands using the kite, to difficult technical freestyle tricks, to big jumps on days with really strong wind, and to ride in between big waves with the kite and surfboard where he can really feel the power of the ocean. It’s the adrenalin rush that he looks for every time. Hendrik has gone kiting in other countries such as Belgium, Holland, France, and Sri Lanka. For him, what sets Boracay apart is the social aspect. All the schools are along the same beach and while kiting, one can see their friends on the beach, or ride with other friends. A good night life in the island is also a major plus. Hendrick is now a kite instructor by profession. He likes to be thorough with his students and take his time to teach them everything they need to know. He said, “In the end, the student is your creation and your responsibility, so I like to do relaxed lessons which really mark all the points so that they know what to do at all time”. His advice to students is to relax, smile, enjoy, and DONT PULL THE BAR!
What these three kiteboard enthusiasts agree on is that kiteboarding has changed their lives, and are confident that it will change the lives of anyone who gets into the sport. To them, kiteboarding is not just a sport, it is a lifestyle.
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travel tips
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Getting Organized Denise Bentulan
raveling is always better when your things are well packed and you could access through your items easily without having to unpack everything. Though very helpful, I try to keep my organizing materials to a minimum because they still tend to take up space in my luggage, but they surely make things faster for me.
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Something to organize your clothes
Something to organize your documents
I only use these when I have my suitcase with me. Using packing cubes will enable you to have more space in you suitcase, and also pick the right clothes (and undergarments) needed. Having a separate laundry bag will also help a lot.
This is especially useful at the airport, when everyone wants to check your paperwork and other legal documents. Get one with a penholder, and one big enough to fit your passport even with its passport cover on.
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Something to organize your thoughts Something to organize your toiletries
Here’s a list of organizers that will help you pack your things better and make your travel a lot more comfortable: Something to organize your cables My cables and cords always end up getting tangled, or worse, lost on a few occasions — so I have one of these organizers from Tahum leather crafts, which helps me find my needed cable easily. These cord rolls can care for three or more cables. You can also use them for your sunnies!
A wash bag makes life a lot easier, much like a shower caddy, but a lot more portable. I have a very tiny one because I only bring travel-sized toiletries. There are a lot of these in department stores, and some also have bottles to decant your bath products into if you can’t find any decent travel sized toiletry.
Denise Bentulan Denise works with children with special needs and is a freelance artist during her free time. To know more about her, visit http://www. denisewillgothere.com/about
Tahum leather is proudly made in the Philippines — and of course being made out of real leather means that it endures the usual wear and tear from months or even years of usage. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
I never really cared about keeping an actual handwritten journal, but these are really nice to keep specially if you’re sentimental. You can document your daily adventures, your favorite memories, and daring escapes. You can keep contact lists (of all those locals you’ve befriended), plan your next escape, color in a blank map, and plan your expenses.
Celebrating Single Awareness Day in Boracay Maria Angeline Zalamea
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oracay is one of the most romantic island resorts that I’ve been to, and during Valentine’s Day, a lot of couples visit the island to have quality and romantic time. It’s not surprising that hotels are fully booked during this period and restaurants are filled with moon-eyed lovers. For those who don’t have that special someone yet, like me, we must remember that coincidentally, we are also celebrating Single Awareness Day (S.A.D.) on the love day. SAD serves as an alternative to Valentine’s Day for single people or those who are not involved in a romantic relationship.
Each piece at Mari-it is unique. We found several “gecko” lighters made out of real lizard bones and skin with wood, silver or other metals for accent but each of them has that particular character, perhaps each piece was styled depending on the artist’s mood or media inclination at the time. Some of the store’s customers are tourists looking for souvenirs, others are collectors who travel the world for rare finds. Sometimes Saude and his team are commissioned by tourists and island residents to do decorative pieces and even furniture for their homes or shops. They were once asked by a customer to make dining chairs out of a particular drift wood – it took them months to complete all six pieces as they had to scour Boracay’s forests for that particular wood. And they won’t just cut down trees, it’s against any true-blooded mountaineer’s creed and Saude’s babaylan concept. Mountaineering allows Saude to be one with nature and see it for what it really is - wild, refreshing and nurturing. Each sojourn increases his pile of tangible treasures from discarded animal skulls and bones, fallen branches or wood pieces to gemstones and crystals. And along with it a vast knowledge of the mountain or cave and the trails that he has traversed on. To say that Saude has stolen something from Superman may not be a joke after all. No, not the red underpants. He may well have stolen Superman’s love and sense of protection for mother Earth. Count Olaf is simply the silent witness. PALHI - BORACAY (Mari-it Artworks) is located at the beachfront of Station 3, White Beach, Boracay.
No are the are
need to feel lonely now ‘cause here some tips on how a solo travel in island can still be fun. After all, you single and ready to mingle!
Book in a hostel – I find sleeping in hotel room alone with a king-sized bed too depressing that’s why I always book in a hostel whenever I’m traveling solo. The fun part is that you get a chance to interact and stay in one room with different people. I actually met a lot of people and gained friends from staying in hostels, and I never felt solitary at all! Never drink alone for safety reasons and avoid being labeled as an alcoholic - having alcohol in the system makes us more sensitive and emotional. Yes, I survived months of being single and yet there is this day when you long to have a boyfriend by your side. To dissuade bitterness, join the PubCrawl and meet new friends! And if you’re not into bar hopping, there are also rustic bars where you’ll feel comfortable hanging out in alone.
Stay away from couples – This is not a guide on how to become an introvert; we just want to avoid the evil “envy” and the “green-eyed monster” who seem to creep in to singles when they see romantic couples. A visit to the island’s less populated beaches like the Puka Beach is a good alternative. Or go to Bulabog beach and watch the Kiteboards fly. You can even try a watersport or two; go flyboarding. Make use of technology – Tinder is one of the most used dating applications, but I don’t use it for such, I use it to meet new friends and fellow solo travelers who would want to join me in my future adventures. Another mobile application that can be useful is CouchSurfing. Backpackers usually use this app to look for free accommodation in a destination, but aside from people offering their “couch” to travelers, parties and get-togethers are also posted and everyone is free to join! These tips may not apply to all single ladies (or men), but I assure you, these can help to avoid feeling lonesome. Valentine’s Day is just one out of the 365 days we have in a year, there’s no need to feel depressed if you are without a romantic prospect on this date. Happy Single Awareness Day!
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Getting Lost in the City of Lion Michael Madriaga
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etting lost in an unfamiliar city is problematic to some, but for me and other travellers, it is an opportunity to discover more places and a chance to interact with the locals. When it is your first time to visit Singapore (SG), or the City of Lion, and you are just making your own itinerary based on Google Maps and the Mass Rapid Transit’s network, chances are you will probably get lost. My “getting lost” adventure in SG was actually fun and memorable. It wasn’t a problem at all and no time was wasted, as I was able to visit my entire where-to-next list. Just a piece of advice, purchase a Tourist MRT card at the airport right away. That gives you unlimited train and bus rides around the city. Chinatown and Food Street For budget travellers like me, Chinatown is a haven. In this district, you can find a lot of budget hotels near the MRT and good restaurants that offer local cuisine at very affordable prices. My friends and I stayed at 5 Foot Way Inn. The room is simple yet clean and tidy. The toilet and bath is communal but well-maintained. The inn’s common area provides travelers with opportunities to meet and interact with other guests. Chinatown is also the best spot for souvenir shopping. You can buy shirts, key chains, bags, and other local crafts for really low prices. Communicating with the vendors isn’t really a problem. In fact, most of them are Filipinos so you could actually just talk to them in Tagalog. Another thing I love about Chinatown is the Food Street. It’s an everyday market where a smorgasbord of different delicacies from Singaporean, Hainanese and Chinese cuisines await your taste buds. The food sold here is cheap and the serving portion is good for any starving tummy. Don’t forget to have a taste of
ais kacang or SG’s version of halo-halo. Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay My “getting lost” adventure actually started when I tried to look for this famous hotel and landmark. I didn’t ask anyone for directions. I just based my commute on the MRT map and Google Maps but apparently, I got off at the wrong stop. After several train rides and with the help of guards and locals, I was finally able to get to my destination. Marina Bay Sands is famous for its iconic architecture. Its sheer size and magnitude reminded me of just how small we really are in this vast world, or just amid this vast architecture, for instance. It was dusk when I visited the Sands and the lights just added the perfect aesthetics, showing its contours, making it seem like a ship wading through a sea of stars. Just a few meters from the Sands are the Gardens by the Bay. I suggest visiting this spot during the day so you can appreciate the gorgeous landscape more. The Gardens is divided into different sections with different themes, like Indian, Chinese and Malay Gardens, among others. Most of its gardens can be visited for free! You only have to pay an entrance fee if you want to check out what’s inside the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. Esplanade and Gluttons by the Bay Another perfect spot for those who want to feast on different cuisines while in SG is Gluttons by the Bay. Yes, gluttony is not a sin in this street where you can enjoy different Singaporean, Chinese, and even Filipino delicacies sold at really affordable prices. Train stations near this spot are located inside the mall, so if you are not sure where the right exit is, it’s better to ask a guard to avoid wasting time and money.
Just a few steps from the street and you’ll find the viewing area of Esplanade, where you could have a panoramic view of the city’s nightscape. I have never seen such beautiful skyscrapers in my life. The tall buildings with varying styles and colors, reflecting their beauty on the waters of the Singapore River, are by far the most romantic city setup that I have seen. From the same spot, you will also have a cinematic view of SG’s icons like the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion. Singapore Flyer While traveling around the city, you will surely notice this tall Ferris wheel. Known as one of the highest observation wheels in the world, the Singapore Flyer gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire city. Each of its capsules carries 28 persons. The ride comes with a fee, which is not exactly cheap, but the view it offers is really priceless; not to mention the excitement and feeling that you’re on top of the world - worth every Singaporean Dollar! Merlion Park When in SG, it is mandatory to have a photo with the Merlion - the iconic white statue of a mermaid with a lion’s head. There are actually a lot of Merlion statues around Singapore,
but this one (in Merlion Park) is the most popular and possibly the most visited and well, photographed. Besides those great spots and awesome food joints, there is actually a lot more to discover in Singapore. Due to my limited time in SG, I was only able to visit the most famous areas that also happened to be a short distance from each other. My “getting lost” episodes turned out to be magical and fun adventures that opened my eyes to the beauty of the “Garden City”. Now, I am actually looking forward to getting lost again in my next visit. Good thing we now have direct flights to Singapore from Kalibo! Happy travels!
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special press release
LIFESTYLE
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Villa Caemilla launches new cocktails
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illa Caemilla is renowned for the luxurious boutique experience that it offers. Located in one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Boracay, Villa Caemilla received various awards including Best Boutique Hotel of the World 2015 and Winner of Southeast Asia’s Best Newcomer Boutique Hotel 2015. For their new cocktail menu, they flew in Cocktail Professor, an international cocktail bureau, and created a line of concoctions that combines the luxury of a boutique experience and the beauty of the tropical island. Expect delicately prepared cocktails that are served in a big seashell, made especially with local flower syrups, or even presented with an elegant small fire ritual. Six entirely new signature cocktails inspired by local rituals, traditional dishes, and even children’s stories were launched with flavors from our local ingredients and homemade infusions and syrups. “Since we opened, we have strived for excellence in affordable luxury (and) we are passionate about what we do. Our thoughtfully designed cocktails are crafted with lots of care and attention to perfectly match our boutique beach concept,” says Mr. Wesley van der Voort, Villa Caemilla’s General Manager. Cocktail Professor from Amsterdam is known for their unique vision on hospitality and creativity in cocktail
concepts that tickles the five senses. Together with Villa Caemilla’s bar team and some travelers visiting the island, they spent days in designing a unique tailor-made cocktail lineup. Among the new cocktails is the Lapulapu, a light and refreshing drink perfect for those bathing under the heat of the sun. Infused with local sampaguita flower syrup and inspired by the Philippine’s first hero and a strong gigantic fish, the cocktail is served in a big seashell from Puka Beach. Fruity and flavorful is how we describe Juan Tamad, a relaxing refreshment made from fresh pineapple juice, dark chocolate and local brown rum served in a coconut shell with a little fire show by the bartenders. Another specialty cocktail is the Holy Water, purposely designed for the ladies with its healthy mix of celery juice, lime and mangosteen infused gin. For the gentlemen, the One Day Millionaire will be a big hit combining homemade ginger beer and cognac decorated with an ice ball with a local orchid frozen inside. Besides the signature cocktails, Villa Caemilla also serves other well-made classic cocktails and original recipes. The new cocktail menu is available all day at the beach lounge and at the hotel’s restaurant from 3pm till 9pm, and served during happy hour with a second drink served for free.
YOGA – A Traditional Way of Being Happy and Healthy Holger Biallas & Elmar Terlutter
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hat are you aiming at in life? Is it just wealth and prosperity, or would you want to go for a more holistic approach to the law of abundance, like health, happiness and a kind of spiritual well-being? If you answer “YES!”, the old tradition of “Hatha Yoga” is for you. “Hatha” means “force” or “power”, paying respect to the fact that no goal can be reached without effort. It also points at the complimentary properties of the energy of the sun and moon, balancing male and female, hot and cold, dynamic and quiet aspects of our very own being. Experience is the foundation or grounds on which its roots can be followed back in time as far as 700 b.c., when certain breathing techniques were mentioned in the “Upanishads,” one of the most famous scriptures of ancient India. The 5th century brought on the so-called “tantric revolution.” A human body was considered temple and
dwelling of the soul and no longer being less sacred in nature, or even without any value at all and so negligible. To say it clearly: the word “tantra” means nothing but a practice that is dealing with the body and aiming at the spirit. Therefore “Hatha Yoga” is a tantric tradition. The unification of man and woman in tantra is a spiritual thing and happens during certain, specialized meditations, or finds an expression in yogis doing “asana” (postures) pairwise and with direct eye contact. An example is the “Sikh” people in the indian state of Punjab. Only a very small part of tantrics are into the sexual aspect of it. Their variety is called “maithuna tantra,” the “left-handed” path. Before the tantrics questioned the old ways, the principles of “purusha” (spirit/soul) and prakriti (matter/body) were seen as being in opposition. The body was something that the other darshans (forms of yoga) were thriving to overcome. Now things were changing and the movement resulted in the formula “atman = brahman,” meaning, during our incarnation
Photo from: www.healthbeautyexercise.com
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into a physical body, our own true self is identical with the one of the creator. This is called the “great tantric synthesis” and it means the unification of the two traditions of “Samkhya” and “Yoga.” The effects of “Hatha Yoga” are plentifold. To mention a few: detoxification, improved immunity, stress reduction, inner peace, better relationships, and weight loss. Liberty Gardens Health and Wellness center is located in the Municipality of Ferrol in the beautiful Tablas Island, we are providing a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic choices that go hand in hand with “Hatha Yoga.” You can book one-on-one Yoga therapy or participate in our regular classes. As what my highly respected teacher, Anna Troekes, said: “Yoga = Bhoga, Yoga = Joy.” Nurture your soul and body the healthy way. We are looking forward to enjoy the experience and body nourishment with you. Make your appointment now and feel good and relax and happy!
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INDULGE
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FEBRUARY 2016
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Other must tries:
Bolognese Pasta – a Filipino favorite. Made from meaty red sauce with a serving size made for sharing.
TEXAS STEAK HOUSE Off-the-Grill Goodness Michael Madriaga
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steak meal can be pricey. Yet, most of us are simply willing to pay especially for those special dinners where choice cuts of meats, grilled to perfection and oozing with flavorful juicy goodness are served. Just then, every bite is worth every penny, and suddenly, those celebratory dinners now range from anniversaries and birthdays to a simple “pat-inthe-back” moments at work. Just in case you are having one of those moments, walk over to Texas Steak House – Boracay and satisfy your craving for a rodeo house hot off-the grill perfection, anytime.
Texas Steak House is, yes, a steakhouse, a breakfast and brunch restaurant and a wine bar. And, we were lucky enough to sample what this new restaurant in D’Mall has to offer. Let’s start with the appetizers. The Chef’s Special Salad is their best seller. Why, you ask? Imagine, the freshest greens tossed with tomato and cucumber, topped with cheese, ham, and hard boiled egg, and drizzled with the restaurant’s specialty vinaigrette – all complementing each other. For the main course, their Ribeye Steak is a star; a choice
cut if the Angus beef imported from Australia. The moment I sliced through my steak and see how succulent it is, my fork just immediately landed on my tongue. The beef is so tender, perfectly grilled and yes, oozing with that tasty Angus beef goodness. This dish just gave justice to the restaurant’s name – Steak House. And did I say I forgot my name after that first taste? Another must-try is their Spareribs. You will be served with a slab, a big slab, of pork ribs, grilled until the meat is almost falling off the bones. Tender is not enough to describe it; it melts in your
mouth. The charred barbecue flavor combined with the sweet savory sauce give the dish just the right kick. And what’s more, the slab is so big for one that you can share it with your special someone. Valentine dinner, anyone? Each of steak meal comes with a soup, garden salad, and fresh fruits for dessert. But the meal does not end there. For side dishes, choose from among their menu of mashed potato, French fries, or steamed vegetables. You also have the freedom to choose which sauce would complement your steak – pepper sauce or whiskey sauce.
Tropical Shake – the perfect refreshment to partner with their steaks. It is made from fresh pineapple, mango, banana, and watermelon. Visit Texas Steak House at D’Mall, Station 2 just near the beachfront entrance. For reservations, you may call +63 36 288 6139.
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ARIA: Experience Italy one dish at a time THinkerbell
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talian cuisine has incredibly many variations, mostly because of the geographic shape of the country. The southern part of Italy lies on the Mediterranean Sea, jutting all the way close to Morocco in North Africa and its northern parts get their influences from its neighboring European countries such as France. In between, is a delicious variety of food ranging from rare seafood to some of the finest beef in the world. And I get to taste some of those at Aria. The first time I enjoyed a dinner at Aria, we had pizza - Aria is known for its Italian delicacies, and what could be a better example of Italian food culture than that famous dish. Aria’s pizza was more than perfect: homemade, perfectly thin crust, with fresh ingredients from meat to herbs, and served straight from the oven. Last month, I tried a whole meal with appetizers, main course and dessert. What is special about Aria is their menu, which has new flavors for every month; January celebrates food from Sicily area. We started with Caponata Palerminata, an appetizer consisting of colorful sautéed vegetables, pine nuts and raisins, giving a nice twist to the combination. Beautiful portion was wrapped in Parma ham and topped with fresh basil leaves. The garlic bread sticks which were served on the side were homemade. We absolutely loved this starter, a perfect combination of sweet and
salty, waking our senses for the next course. We also wanted to try another option from the restaurant’s appetizer selection which sounded very intriguing: Pizza Sushi. Instead of fish we got a big plate of yummy, snack-size pizza rolls filled fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, mayonnaise and olive oil. This has been, for long, one of the favorite dishes in Aria, which was the first place in Boracay to serve pizza rolls, creating a trend that has spread wide nowadays. The pizza sushi was crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and really, it’s so appetizing that you just want to pop one after another. The serving portion is great for sharing and can be enjoyed also as a snack or a light meal for one person. For the main course we had a pleasure to taste a teaser from their March menu, a pasta dish called Pici al Pesto Senese from Italy’s Tuscany region. This is not an ordinary pesto pasta, it was a splendid parade of flavors teasing your taste buds with new and exciting experiences. The pici pasta is handmade using traditional Italian tool. Served on top were tarragon flowers, giving a tempting sweet aftertaste. Tarragon is also the main ingredient of the pesto that originates from Sienna. Warning! Do not add salt or pepper on this dish - it spoils this dish by overpowering the delicate herbal flavors. Dessert turned out to be the highlight of our meal.
Canneloni Siciliani is a typical Italian dessert, consisting of cookie-like chocolatey cone filled with mascarpone cheese, pieces of rich chocolate, served with fresh strawberry syrup and whipped cream. The dish itself was presented like piece of art, leaving us admiring both the look and the taste - a sweet but perfectly not too sweet ending for our fantastic meal. It was a joy talking with Chef Gino Amodio, who, I found out, has been living in Boracay for 30 years now, serving high-class Italian food to locals and visitors. He creates the menu and loves to experiment with food, never forgetting his roots but always bringing in new twist to his cooking. He told how essential it is to use first-class ingredients, and value the dining experience itself, all the way to the details like using the right glass for the wine. But the secret to a good restaurant, according to him, are two special elements, which kitchen professionals call “front of the house and back of the house” - the dining hall and the kitchen, the spirit of hospitality and passion for cooking. (You can check out more of his creations in Facebook under the title Adventure Chef.) My overall experience in Aria was more than excellent. It is a perfect modern Italian restaurant for everyone to enjoy: the food is traditional but innovative and exciting, the atmosphere is relaxed and staff is friendly. Aria adds that extra flavor to your meal that makes a casual dinner or lunch luxurious.
A Magical Burger Experience Michael Madriaga
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s a personal travel advisor for my visiting friends, I would often find myself at a loss when they ask which joint serves the best burger in the island. I know that my friends are looking for something out of the ordinary especially nowadays where concept stores are the trend. Now, I could give them a sure answer, and personally escort them even (in exchange for a burger treat, of course), to this promising burger joint in the island that I’ve come to love - the Supermagic Burgers. Supermagic’s burgers are made with purely freshly ground quarter-pound beef patties – no extenders added! Its flavors are highlighted more with Supermagic’s umami dust, Kampot pepper and other spices, sandwiched in a soft freshly baked bun from The Sunny Side Café. Just by the way it is served, you will surely start drooling over one of their best sellers, the Supermagic Umami Bomb. As its name implies, expect an explosion of flavors with every bite. The juicy beef patty itself is so tender and savory, and sandwiched in a sweet bun that was decadently brushed with umami butter, it’s like a nuclear explosion of comfort food and delightful goodness. Another favorite and definitely a must-try is their Shrimp Roll. This seafood rendition won’t be tagged as the ultimate beachside sandwich for nothing. It is made with the finest and freshest shrimps mixed with mango, ebiko, Japanese mayo and Kampot pepper all wrapped up in a sweet bun. Trust me, you’ll want to eat it beachside. There is no other perfect match when it comes to burgers than French fries. Yes, those irresistibly crispy
potato sticks, deep-fried, and made even extra special in Supermagic Cheese Fries. It’s not your usual cheese covered fries; it is paired with that creamy and tasty Supermagic sauce and served in a portion that is definitely more than its price. The magic does not end there. Supermagic also serves delectable desserts! They have created their own line of Frozen Custards that will not just give you brain freeze but also shivers down your spine. They also serve my now favorite, Cookie Dough frozen custard. It is made with chewy sweet cookie dough balls topped with rich creamy custard, and drizzled with chocolate syrup. And if you want to have a sweet cold
snack, try their Crispy Dream. With the same creamy frozen custard base, this one is topped with chocolatecovered potato chips and sea salt. And, to complete your Supermagic experience, you definitely must try their Ice Cream Shakes. These thick, creamy shakes are made with real milk and flavored with scoops of FIC ice cream. You may choose from different flavors like Red Velvet, Cookie Dough, and Pumpkin Spice, among others. I like mine in Malted Milk flavor. Supermagic Burger is located in front of Sands Hotel (Station 3) just beside Sunnyside Café.
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