M A G A Z I N E F O R C E B U PA C I F I C
•
M AY 2 0 1 6
Le t div ’s e in! LITTLE TYKES, BIG TOKYO A kid-approved guide to the Japanese capital
WATER WONDERFUL WORLD
8 homegrown adventures of the aquatic kind
welcome aboard
A note from the chief
Raising the game You might have heard that Cebu Pacific is in the midst of a year-long 20th-anniversary celebration that kicked off in March this year, and that the brand overhaul marking our two decades in the aviation industry is well under way. Work on that began last year, and has so far resulted in a fresher and updated identity — a sharper eagle (check out the winged outline behind me), our name spelled out in a more modern typeface — as well as brandnew aircraft deliveries, new livery and an all-new, eye-catching look for our cabin crew uniforms. At the heart of all these outward changes is a company vision that has remained the same throughout two decades. We have kept the values on which we were founded while refining our sense of ourselves, and therefore our mission, as the times require. I am extremely proud of the fact that we have completed the next step in our evolution: in the space of 20 years, we’ve gone from being a startup carrier that provided the low-fare alternative, to a dynamic regional airline that allowed thousands of overseas Filipino workers to
Lance Gokongwei CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
fly back home more often and for much less, to becoming what we are now: a global player flying the flag for the Philippines. The new-look Smile that you now hold in your hands is part of the sweeping brand refresh. In keeping with the airline’s new global positioning, the magazine is likewise upping its game. There's a cleaner, more sophisticated design, a theme that holds the issue together, and a pumped-up features section with more fun and inspiring stories to lose yourself in, and more travel ideas to soak up. Read on and enjoy the flight.
SMILE is published on behalf of Cebu Pacific Air by Ink Publishing Pte Ltd • 51 Changi Business Park Central 2, The Signature #04-11A/12, Singapore 486066 • tel: +65 6324 2386 • fax: +65 6491 5261 • www.ink-global.com • www.cebusmile.com MCI (P) 124/02/2016 All articles and photographs published herein are created by the authors and photographers at their own discretion and do not necessarily represent the views of the airline. All material is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at the time of publication.
ADVERTISING Group Publisher Mohan Gopal Advertising Manager Bong Dy-Liacco Senior Brand Manager Andrew Lugtu Brand Managers Blessing Dizon, Nastassja Lacsamana Digital Sales Manager Nerisse Barcelon Commercial Director David Bloomfield Tel: +65 6324 2386 Email: smile@ink-global.com INK Chief Finance Officer Jim Campbell Chief Executives Michael Keating & Simon Leslie Associate Design Director Terence Goh Chief Sub-Editor Jonathan Evans Editorial Director Alexandra Karplus
May 2016 Smile 1
editor’s note
This month in Smile
Water you looking at? We’ve spent the better part of the year so far giving Smile a makeover, and what you’re currently looking at is an updated version of the magazine you’ve always enjoyed — with a buzzier roundup of what’s going on around the network, more features and even more amazing photography. A fun bonus: each issue is now specially themed. Maybe it’s the prolonged dry season and climbing temperatures that have everyone rushing to the nearest pool (if not sticking their heads in the freezer for longer than it actually takes to spot the ice cream), but we’re all about the water this month. You’ll find features on eight spots across the country where you can immerse yourself in a refreshing break (page 62); a tutorial on how to level up your underwater shots (page 70); a network of travelers who double as water-filter couriers, and are quenching the thirst for clean drinking water in places where it’s not readily available (page 82); plus a dip into the magical world of freediving (page 129). Also in this packed issue is a romp across northern Vietnam, from Hanoi to Hue, which you must add to the year’s bucket list (page 90); great ideas for keeping your little one over the moon in Tokyo (we guarantee they’ll love you forever; page 102), what should be your next themed party (page 110), and a night of classic Chinese opera in a pop-up theater in the streets of Singapore (page 118). Happy reading!
Tara FT Sering Editor
Reader tip: You can find even more travel ideas in Smile’s digital platform, waytogo.cebupacificair.com
FAVORITE BODY OF WATER? TEAM SMILE WEIGHS IN
Marlon Espino Art director “Kuta Beach in Bali hits all the right notes for me.”
Kat Zuno-Mateo Deputy editor “Laguna de Bay. When I see it, it means I’m home, and on vacation.”
Jonathan Evans Chief sub-editor “Sydney Harbour. The first time I saw it, it looked like something from a dream.”
Delle Chan Digital editor “Lake Kawaguchiko — you’ll see Mount Fuji reflected on its surface on a clear day.”
Aaron Low Photo editor “Uluwatu, Bali, for the ultimate sunset experience.”
May 2016 Smile 5
Our crew this issue
Get to know some of May 2016's crew of talented contributors WE ASKED THEM: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER RETREAT?
TOMMY MORRIS
Squad goals
TOMMY SCHULTZ
LESTER LEDESMA
Photographer and coach, Pictures to dive for, p70
Writer and photographer, A night at the opera, p118
Writer, Planes, trains and motorcycles, p90
“Liberty Lodge and Dive Resort on Apo Island — island living at its most authentic.” Here’s Tommy on his first ever surf trip to Siargao Island. “It was the first time I ever surfed a real reef break!”
“Inle Lake, Myanmar. It’s always cool up in the Shan Highlands, the views are gorgeous and everything is exotic.” Seems Lester can’t get enough of highlands — here he is in the terraced ricefields around Sapa, in north-western Vietnam.
“Coron in Palawan has a special place in my heart. It's simply incredible for outdoor activities and its culture.” Kristine always makes her way towards water — here she is on her annual birthday getaway in landlocked Siem Reap, where she took a tour of the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Asia.
MIKE AQUINO
CELINE REYES
JAKE VERZOSA
Photographer, cover
Writer, H2OHHHH!, p62
Writer, The water bearers, p82
“I love heading off to the Maldives. It has the cleanest water to swim in, and it’s so relaxing as it is totally isolated.” Here he is on another watery getaway in Halong Bay, northern Vietnam.
“It’s not just whale sharks on the agenda when you visit Oslob in Cebu — after snorkeling with the fishy giants, take a habalhabal to nearby Tumalog Falls and wash the seawater off!” This is Mike on a slightly different kind of adventure — climbing Padar Island, part of Indonesia’s Komodo National Park.
“Paguriran Beach, in my mother’s hometown of Sorsogon, is a must-go for me every summer.”
8 Smile May 2016
KRISTINE FONACIER
Photographer, Planes, trains and motorcycles, p90 “My waterside summer retreat would definitely be the empty, raw beaches in Palawan.” And here’s photographic proof: “This is a shot of me taken in San Vicente, Palawan, where we’re helping a friend set up his Ural motorcycle touring business in the area.”
Our crew this issue
This month’s cover + The Buzz
Reporting the buzz
KC Ramirez Suggests gift ideas for Mother's Day, and some good books to read
Christian Rodriguez Shares colorful photos of women motorcyclists on the streets of Hanoi
Ruben Nepales Speaks with Money Monster director, the brilliant Jodie Foster
Zane Ronquillo Will help you decide where to go and what to do during Vivid Sydney
Shooting the cover
Maya Calica Offers some guidelines on how to create the perfect cocktail
Tommy Morris Photographer “I had to lean over a twostorey-high balcony with just a flimsy safety harness in 35° heat, and hold that position for hours waiting for the right light. Nothing I wouldn’t do for a great shot.”
Jenny Peñas Reveals some top tips on how to capture beautiful portraits of locals
Nicola Gennaoui Production designer “To produce the shoot I needed as many blue ring floaties as possible. I literally cleaned Singapore out of them and they’re still not back in stock.”
Tata Mapa Gives us reasons to dine at one of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, Gallery VASK
Leanne Ledesma Model Our littlest model to date is unavailable for comment (she’s sleeping), but she’d like to assure everyone she had fun at the shoot. What a trooper!
MAGAZ
NTARY • MAY 2016 • THE WATER ISSUE
10 Smile May 2016
IS COMPLIME
came up How we onth's m with this cover
LITTLE TYKES,
BIG TOKYO A kid-appr oved Japanese guide to the capital WATER WONDE WORLD RFUL
WORLD 8 homegro wn adventu of the aquatic res kind
Photographer Clark Little's crazy big-wave photos on Instagram (@clarklittle) made us think of water...
And how much fun we had in it as kids, especially when we were given floaters and snorkels...
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Goodies from our virtual world
WEB EXCLUSIVES
Get some travel inspiration over at waytogo.cebupacificair.com
HOT SHOTS HERE ARE OUR FAVORITE #MYSMILESNAP PHOTOS ON INSTAGRAM. TAG YOURS AND GET A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED NEXT MONTH
@willianism09 caught someone taking a selfie at Arashimaya's Bamboo Grove
THE BEST PLACES FOR SHOPPING IN BANGKOK Your cheat sheet on where to go for your retail fix in the Thai capital @gotmarked admiring this tree in Antique
8 BEAUTIFUL HIKING TRAILS IN ASIA Get out there and work those leg muscles for a view you won’t forget
24 HOURS IN GLORIOUS GUANGZHOU Spend a perfect day in the city where past and present collide in spectacular fashion
@dezzlim matches the pretty blossoms in Tokyo
@zetcuenca captures a moment in Baler, Aurora
Write to us, join our contests, show us your pics and stay updated. Follow us on Smile Magazine for Cebu Pacific and smilemag. You can go to ink-live/emagazines/smile to download the Smile e-mag. 12 Smile May 2016
Flight plan
62
The water issue
May 2016
H 20HHHH ! Beat the heat without beating up the environment. Check out these eight eco-friendly water adventures in the Philippines
70 Pictures to dive for Shoot breathtaking underwater photos with these tips from a pro photographer
82 The water bearers Learn more how volunteers for the nonprofit Waves for Water help others while doing something they love
129 Into deeper space These amazing images might just convince you to take up freediving
May 2016 Smile 15
Flight plan
May 2016
102 Tokyo for tots Planning on taking the little ones to Japan? Check out these kid-approved spots in the capital
110 50s and fabulous A group of Sydneysiders come together for some nostalgic fun at The Fifties Fair
48
The money shot Jodie Foster talks to us about her new film Money Monster, motherhood and women in Hollywood
THE BUZZ
21 It's ďŹ esta time! A handy cheat sheet to three Philippine harvest festivals this month
118 A night at the opera Wayang opera offers a glimpse into Singapore's not-so-distant past
16 Smile May 2016
29 Going local Gallery VASK's chef Chele Gonzalez shares five of his favorite Filipino ingredients 40 From books to the big screen Read these titles before their film adaptations are released
IN EVERY ISSUE
137 Trip journal Heading for any of Cebu Pacific's 64 destinations? Get recommendations from our correspondents. 185 Welcome to Cebu PaciďŹ c Read the latest news, travel information and more from the airline. 196 Onboard treats Check out the menu for the latest food and beverage offerings.
The
buzz What you need to know about this month
INSIDE EUREKA MOMENTS NEED TO KNOW STUFF WE LOVE EXPERT ADVICE TRAVEL HACKS
PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES
GABFESTS
See the Sydney Opera House in a different light at Vivid Sydney
May 2016 Smile 19
The
buzz CULTURE SHOT
Parade for prosperity If you’ll be in Tokyo from May 13 to 15, be sure to check out Sanja Matsuri, one of the city’s most popular festivals. Head to the Asakusa district to soak in the lively atmosphere and watch as participants carry over 100 mikoshi, or portable shrines, around the neighborhood to spread good luck and prosperity.
STREET PARTIES
It’s fiesta time! Here’s a handy cheat sheet on three Philippine festivals happening in the merry month of May Pahiyas
Viva Vigan! Festival of the Arts
Pulilan Carabao Festival
WORDS BY LESTER LEDESMA (MAIN); PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA (PAHIYAS & PULILAN CARABAO FESTIVAL); CUIDAD FERNANDINA (VIVA VIGAN! FESTIVAL OF ARTS); GETTY IMAGES (SANJA MATSURI)
WHEN & WHERE
May 15 at Lucban, Tayabas, Sariaya, Gumaca and Tiaong in Quezon province
First week of May at Vigan, Ilocos Sur
May 14 at Pulilan, Bulacan
WHAT IS IT
A thanksgiving celebration for a good harvest, this festival is held in honor of the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador.
A religious pilgrimage, thanksgiving festival and cultural showcase rolled into a weeklong, citywide party.
Another harvest festival, this event honors both the patron saint of farmers and the farmers’ favorite beasts of burden.
WATCH OUT FOR
Local houses bedecked with the season’s produce, along with native décor that features colorful, wafer-thin sheets of rice paper called kiping. Get here early in the morning to watch the procession of the patron saint’s image.
Traditional horse-drawn calesas dressed up for a clip-clopping parade, followed by a round of happy-smiley street dancing. There's a carabao painting contest, too.
Carabaos dressed up in costumes and paraded around town. Get a good spot in front of the church to see the buffalo kneel before the statue of San Isidro Labrador.
FEAST ON
Pancit habhab — noodles served on a piece of banana leaf, and eaten straight off the palm — from the local market. In Lucban, take home a few strings of the town’s famous longganiza.
Bigueño delicacies like the deep-fried shrimp-and-potato dish okoy and empanada make for a delicious afternoon snack. Get these at the street stalls around Plaza Burgos.
Specialties at the La Familia Restaurant (280 Doña Remedios Trinidad Hi-Way, Baliuag). Try the tamarind leaf-infused pork dinuguan and the classic kare-kare stew.
May 2016 Smile 21
The
buzz
Film, TV & visual arts
I want immersive experiences... I want to learn from the experts.
Heritage & architecture
Show me something with a story.
Songlines presents the work of six Indigenous artists lightprojected on a really interesting canvas — the Sydney Opera House, no less.
See the voyage of Norbert the Nautilus projected on the rooftop of the Australian National Maritime Museum.
START HERE
I’m interested in…
indoors. Be surrounded by a hypnotizing video gallery of light, color, sound and movement by international artists at The Galeries’ Perspectives.
Nightlife & entertainment It’s about good food and drink.
Performance arts & music Let’s dance! FUN FESTIVAL
City of creativity There are plenty of things to do, learn, watch and eat at Vivid Sydney. Find out which ones will fulfill you the most
O
nce a year, Australia’s Harbour City transforms into the world’s largest creative and innovative space. Vivid Sydney 2016 is happening this month and it’s the longest, most ambitious one yet, with more than 250 special events, sessions and other activities spread across a wider variety of venues than ever. Each fall under one of three categories: Vivid Light is a collection of artistic lighting installations all across the city. Vivid Music presents musical events and performances by local and international artists; and Vivid Ideas provides learning venues and meeting points for artists, creatives and businessmen. Here’s a guide to help you find the Vivid Sydney inspiration you need, even if you have a limited time and budget. vividsydney.com
22 Smile May 2016
outdoors. Creatures and characters come alive on a robot-held water screen in the Laser Dragon Water Theatre viewed from Darling Harbour.
Concerts are my thing.
Conceptual art fan here.
Bon Iver, Esperanza Spalding and New Order are among the top acts to catch at Vivid LIVE.
Catch Björk Digital, the Icelandic star's virtual reality piece in collaboration with top filmmakers and programmers.
Specialization is the secret.
Discover why and how PR professionals are thriving in these tech-savvy, highly connected times. The main event: “PR in the Digital Age” at the Vivid Ideas Exchange provides insights and more.
It might feel weird to be dancing to music via earphones, but Central Park’s Silent Disco is always a Vivid Sydney hit.
Tech, design & innovation
Also at the Vivid Ideas Exchange is “Storytelling in a Virtual World”. Listen to short talks by virtual reality (VR) veterans and stalwarts.
Network with innovators at the REMIX Summit for Asia-Pacific. Some 2,000 creative leaders from around the world are gathering to learn from 75 nextgeneration pioneers.
Try the Aussie and international faves at the food and beverage merchants at Martin Place. Go and discover new cuisines.
Co-creation all the way.
“Semi Permanent”, at Carriageworks, presents plenty of interactive and artistic opportunities to connect with likeminded creative professionals.
WORDS BY ZANE RONQUILLO
Show me something local yet modern.
Hear from wonderdirector Spike Jonze (above) and writer-producers Beau Willimon (House of Cards) and Jenji Kohan (Orange Is the New Black) at the “Game Changers Talk Series” at the Sydney Town Hall.
The
buzz
LEARN MORE ABOUT BIOSPHERE RESERVES AT GOO.GL/ HXF2E8
GOOD NEWS
Plenty in reserve Albay has recently been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Find out what the new designation means for the southern Luzon province
The Albay Biosphere Reserve by the numbers One of
669
biosphere reserves in the world
WORDS BY CELINE REYES; PHOTO BY SHAIRA LUNA
A
lbay’s 257,000ha expanse of diverse ecology, coupled with its pioneering sustainable development strategy, recently prompted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to declare it a biosphere reserve. Biosphere reserves are places for learning about sustainable development issues. Now considered a “Science for Sustainability support site”, Albay is one of the best places to learn how biodiversity conservation can go hand in hand with the sustainable use of natural resources. Aside from Albay, the other two biosphere reserves in the Philippines are Palawan and Puerto Galera. Albay’s firm commitment to conservation and sustainable development resulted most notably in the 88% expansion of its forest cover in
2010. From 26,298.71ha in 2003, forest cover in that year reached an astonishing 44,891.16ha. Governor Joey Salceda, who worked hard to secure the province’s designation, explained that with the declaration, Albay’s protection initiatives now qualify for future funding from international agencies such as the Green Climate Fund of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. He added that the UNESCO designation is a “challenge to our community in mobilizing efforts for biodiversity protection”. Regional tourism director Maria OngRavanilla welcomed the news. “[The province] will now be a center of science and biodiversity research,” she said. “Its cultural heritage will also be totally protected. With this, more tourists will be lured to come.”
5
of the world’s 7 species of marine turtles
182 species of terrestrial plants, 46 of which are endemic
12 40
mangrove species
seaweed or macro-algae species
Its rich marine and coastal ecosystems are home to
10 seagrass species
May 2016 Smile 25
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
More than just a tourist HERE ARE SIX TIPS TO HELP YOU GET A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLACES YOU VISIT
Linger longer A place won’t reveal its real self to you in just three days and two nights. If you’re able, devote at least a week in one destination. This would give you enough time to meet some locals, wander aimlessly, and discover alleys and corners you wouldn’t normally find in guidebooks.
Learn the lingo Picking up some key phrases in the local language will help you connect with the locals. If they see that you’re putting in the effort, they’re more likely to warm up to you, and share useful insights and information about the place they call home.
Stay with a local Living with locals at their home will give you a front-row seat to real life at your destination. Nowadays there are platforms, such as Airbnb and HomeAway, which let you book online a room at a local’s home. If you’re uncomfortable living with a stranger, then rent an entire apartment in a non-touristy neighborhood. You’ll still get a glimpse of the local way of life, and may even chat up with some friendly neighbors.
Taste local flavors Eating what the locals eat is a delicious way to get to know a place better. Just go to a market or street-food center, and order what the locals are having. If you don’t know where to go or what to order, just ask someone. Most people will be willing to share good places to eat in their neighborhood. This will also help you save money, as places that are not marketed towards tourists usually offer cheaper, yet tastier, food.
Just Debit with BDO Whether you’re in the Philippines or overseas, a BDO Debit Card will make your life easier. Use your BDO MasterCard or Visa Debit Card to book flights, hotel stays or rentals, and attraction tickets online. And while you’re overseas, you can conveniently use your card to shop, dine and get access to the local currency from millions of establishments and ATMs worldwide. In the Philippines, use BDO Debit Card when you shop, dine or gas up. Just present your card at the cashier and in a swipe, you’re fully paid. What’s more, you can enjoy instant discounts and freebies from hundreds of BDO Debit Card partner establishments nationwide. You can also use it to withdraw cash from ATMs all over
Shop at local stores Look for shops owned by locals and buy your supplies there. Aside from patronizing local brands and buying goods only available in the area, you can also strike up a conversation with the shop owner or cashier. Who knows — you might even make a new friend.
Work out with the locals One of the best ways to see a place is by heading out in the morning and going for a run, stroll or bicycle ride. You can ask your hosts for safe routes, or you can look for a park. If the weather’s bad, you can head down to the local gym. If swimming’s your workout of choice, find out where the nearest pool is.
the Philippines. Get your own BDO Debit Card now! Visit bdo.com.ph/personal/accounts/debit-cards, or call the BDO Customer Contact Center at +63 2 631 8000 or 1 800 10 631 8000 (Domestic Toll-Free) to find out how.
The
buzz CHEERS!
Let's drink to that THESE TWO MANILA HOTSPOTS MADE IT TO THE LIST OF ASIA’S 50 BEST BARS
DELIGHTFUL DISHES
Going local Filipino ingredients take center stage at Gallery VASK, one of Asia’s Best Restaurants
WORDS BY TATA MAPA; PHOTO BY TAMMY DAVID (THE CURATOR)
T
he simplest ingredients can be elevated by someone whose passion for food, place and history run deep. Chef José Luis “Chele” Gonzalez (inset) of Gallery VASK is one such person. His focus on the relationships between different cuisines, and his passion for sustainable local ingredients, have resulted in a wonderful fusion of flavors and inventive dishes. This experimental cuisine has excited the palates and imaginations of Manila’s most discriminating diners, and earned Gallery VASK a spot in this year’s list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. In a recent interview with Smile, Chele revealed five of his favorite Filipino ingredients, without which he couldn’t make the food and experience that’s on offer at Gallery VASK. Coconut Chele combines fermented coconut with cilantro, basil, fresh curry leaves, turmeric,
crab fat and upo (gourd) seeds to create a dish called Habagat. For Tiradito, Chele’s take on kinilaw, he uses coconut milk flavored with calamansi and tabon-tabon to coat raw tuna loin. Alibangbang The leaves of the alibangbang (Bauhinia malabarica) are commonly used by the Aetas in their cooking. Chele uses it as a souring agent for broths and soups, such as Binulo. Calamansi Chele uses calamansi juice and zest to marinate Wagyu short ribs for his Sour Ribs (pictured above). The dish was inspired by toyomansi. The soy sauce and calamansi concoction is among Filipinos’ favorite dipping sauces. Ginger Ginger is commonly used to flavor soups and broths. For Pansit-Pansitan, Chele grills ginger, lemongrass and tuna belly to make a consommé inspired by nilagpang, a Visayan clear soup. Fresh and sustainable local fish Chele uses mackerel as part of Gallery VASK’s efforts to promote sustainable fishing. The oily fish is the main ingredient of Bauhinia.
Try it for yourself. Gallery VASK is at 5/F Clipp Center, 11th Ave corner 39th St, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila; galleryvask.com
ABV ABV, or Alcohol By Volume, is a Prohibitionstyle speakeasy that’s tucked behind an unassuming hotdog joint. The menu includes a roster of classics and specialty drinks with a twist, as well as a collection of over 30 bottles of absinthe. 22 Jupiter St corner Galaxy St, Makati City
The Curator The passion and knowhow of the team at The Curator — a café by day and a bar by night — are evident in each carefully crafted drink, where proper technique is coupled with a respect for the origins of the ingredients. The result: a stellar reputation for cocktails with profound flavor profiles. Whether you come for some coffee or something stiffer, the inviting space is one worth a visit. 134 Legazpi St corner C. Palanca St, Makati City
May 2016 Smile 29
The
buzz COOL CONCOCTIONS
Shake it up Try out these cocktails developed by Ginebra San Miguel mixologists Dea Magboo and Robert Aclan
ansi Calam ise r Surp
1.5oz Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin 2oz Sprite
1oz ick sugar syrup
Sweet Lemo n Marti y ni
1 glass of ice 4 basil leaves
4 pieces calamansi
1.5oz Ginebra San Miguel Premium
½ oz fresh lemon juice 100 grams ice
2 tsp sugar
Slice calamansi in halves, add basil and sugar en mix; fill e glass wi ice, pour e gin en top wi Sprite and serve.
Fill shaker wi ice; pour gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup; shake well en pour into cocktail glass, and garnish wi lemon wheel floating on e drink.
COCKTAIL CREATION
According to mixologists Dea Magboo and Robert Aclan, you don’t need to go to a bar to enjoy a custom-made cocktail. Here are their tips to help you create your own concoctions with simple ingredients.
JUST ADD JUICE Dea recommends mixing orange juice with either Primera Light Brandy or Antonov Vodka. You can also create a slushie using calamansi juice and a sweet, simple syrup using both.
GO LOCAL Level up your cocktails by substituting ingredients with local produce. Think calamansi instead of lemons or lime, and lagundi or basil instead of mint.
KEEP IT SIMPLE Dea enjoys drinking Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin neat and cold: “The sweetness of the gin and the juniper berry flavor pops, and then you get to fully enjoy the flavors from the orange.”
For more cool recipes using GSMI products, visit facebook.com/barangayginebra and facebook.com/gsmbluegin or log on to ginebrasanmiguel.com
30 Smile May 2016
WORDS BY MAYA CALICA
Mixology 101
The
buzz SMART STUFF
The future of cool Chilling your beverage just got more fun. Enter Plink, a revolutionary ice cube that comess in flavors like lemon-lime and peach, making it easy to add some extra zest to your drink. Fret not, however — it's sugar-free, so you don't have to worry about the calories! Available in convenience stores and supermarkets across Singapore. plink-ice.com
1
PRESENT PERFECT
Queen of the pack Here are some pretty and practical gift ideas for moms who love to travel 4 1 This transparent bag will hold her carry-on liquid bottles below 100m, and allow her to pass through airport X-rays without hassle. X-Ray Quart Bag, PHP890
2
5
2 This emergency travel blanket comes in a generous 55 x 55-inch size to keep mom warm and snug over long flights. Travel Blanket, PHP1,590
3 Mom can pack up to two weeks’ worth of socks, lingerie, pajamas and other undergarments in this lightweight pouch. Spacepak Undergarments, PHP2,190
WORDS BY KC RAMIREZ (MAIN); PHOTO BY VIC GUERRERO
3
4 The whole Go Clean set keeps clean clothes odor-free, the laundry concealed, shoes secure, and wet bathing suits tightly sealed. Go Clean Set, PHP2,990
5 It’s so pretty, mom can use it as an excuse to travel. The bag is made of lightweight nylon and is water-repellent, has quiet but sturdy wheels, and features convenient outer pockets. Avionette Carry-On, PHP8,990
Products are available at Flight 001 stores in Ayala Cebu, Robinsons Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, North Point Bacolod, selected The Travel Club stores and Rustan’s Makati.
May 2016 Smile 33
The
buzz
THE GUEST ROOMS HERE SEEM TRANSPORTED FROM A CLASSY LONDON BOUTIQUE HOTEL
SUITE SENSATION
Club class Check out Singapore’s latest hotel refurb Until its relaunch last October, two key components of what’s now The Club Hotel stood separately on Ann Siang Road near Chinatown: the intimate B28 whisky bar and the lively Ying Yang rooftop bar. Both have now been integrated into one overarching whole, augmented by The Disgruntled Chef ’s European cuisine and Mr and Mrs Maxwell’s cozy, lobby-area café, while Ying Yang is now a Peruvianflavored restaurant/bar, Tiger’s Milk. A “luxe-for-less” concept in the best possible taste, The Club isn’t just a fashionable bolthole with F&B options included, but a destination in its own right to rival any of this perennially popular strip’s palatepleasing favorites. With their writing desks, supremely comfortable Queen Elizabeth-endorsed beds and swish-but-discreet mod cons (oak-encased DAB radios, Nespresso machines), the guest rooms here seem transported from a classy London boutique
hotel. Though each of the 20 rooms has its own color scheme, the more sober Club Room comes in earth tones while the Club Suite is dressed in brighter hues. You’ll appreciate the small but significant details: the Matiérisme, Château II print by France’s Abandoned Architecture photographer Aurélien Villette that hangs in the corridor; the comely carpet that caresses tired feet; the highly effective black-out curtains; the abstract art gracing the Club Room walls; the shophouse shutters that open out to herald the
warming sun in the morning. If you’re bunking down here for the weekend, just one caveat: as one of the island’s key nightlife magnets, this area gets crowded and noisy after dusk. Raised voices and pumping beats can continue well into the early hours, and guest-room windows only extend up to the third floor, so short of joining the party yourself, it might be the ideal opportunity to soak up the jazz-enlivened ambience down in B28. 28 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore, +65 6808 2188; theclub.com.sg
BOOZE & BITES
Day-to-night dining at The Club AM Start the day by brunching indulgently at Mr and Mrs Maxwell’s with a Lobster Omelette, with fresh herbs topped on toasted sourdough; Elvis’s French Toast; Cuban sandwiches with gruyère and ham; a Crêpe Suzette flambéed in orange liqueur; or an innovative Baked Alaska topped with bright pink cotton candy that’s whipped up before your eyes. Healthy juices and smoothies aside, the accompanying drinks are no less calorific, and in some cases alcoholic: “Adult Shakes” include the Piña Colada Breakfast Shake with pineapple and vanilla ice cream, and Chocolate Baileys.
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PM You’ll be just as satiated by the equally inventive Peruvian food and drink up on the roof at Tiger’s Milk (named for a marinade used in ceviche that’s supposedly both an aphrodisiac and a hangover cure). Start with the Tiger’s Milk Trio, which showcases three seafood ceviches, then dig into the excellent traditional causa, a potato-based starter with shrimps and avocado; sample an anticucho street-food skewer (the lamb heart with hot harissa paste is a surefire bet); and finish off with a caramelized Pineapple Wedge simmered in chilli and served with vanilla ice cream.
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COOL DIGS
Sleeping in art’s embrace Park Hotel Tokyo’s “Artist in Hotel” rooms in the heart of Japan’s capital tick all the right boxes The Park Hotel Tokyo, in the Shiodome Media Tower, is the first Tokyo property to become part of Design Hotels, a worldwide collection of design-led accommodation. Two and a half years ago, the hotel started a creative project called Artist in Hotel, where top Japanese artists would stay in the Park Hotel Tokyo as guests and be inspired to turn rooms into original artworks based on the theme of “Japanese aesthetics”. The Artist in Hotel project has resulted in two Artist Single rooms, 11 Artist Queen rooms and four Artist King rooms, all with their own individual artistic character. The selection of top Japanese creative talent that left their artistic imprint on the Park Hotel Tokyo includes calligrapher Seihaku Akiba, woodcut print artist Naoki Takenouchi and painter Ryosuke Yasumoto. Artist Room Zen by Seihaku Akiba was one of the earliest rooms completed — the bold, powerful Japanese characters on the pure white walls, paulownia wood boxes representing the seasons and tatami mats all contribute towards creating the feeling of Zen and a room where guests can practice zazen — or meditating in the lotus position. For his Artist Room that was completed soon after, Naoki Takenouchi used washi, or traditional Japanese paper, as his main medium. He constructed lampshades out of woodcut printed washi, and created renditions of the god of wind, Fujin, and the god of thunder, Raijin, on the wall using 108 small prints of gods. While
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aiming for an amusing room, Takenouchi also designed a room that highlighted Japan’s traditions. Ryosuke Yasumoto also created a twotoned Artist Room, basing it on the folk tale of how the 12 signs of the zodiac came into being. Guests not familiar with the legend will be surprised to find that they are sharing the room with 14 animals —
Yasumoto’s design included the cat and weasel, which were missed out in the zodiac. Guests will get additional surprises while lying in bed, as they’ll be able to have a different perspective of a couple of the zodiac animals. There are also colorful rooms that will give guests a more whimsical feel, such as the latest Artist Room by painter Aki Kondo — known as Otafuku Face. The smiling floor-to-ceiling face, coupled with the vigorous plum tree enveloping the bed, both encapsulate the theme of Japanese beauty which attracts guests when they visit and lingers with them for years after.
Park Hotel Tokyo, Shiodome Media Tower, 1-7-1 Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku 1057227 Tokyo, +81 3 6252 1111; en.parkhoteltokyo.com
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Beautiful sunsets every day GET A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO AMAZING VIEWS AT COAST RESIDENCES
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ayfront living offers some fine perks — among them are unobstructed views and access to a host of outdoor activities. At the 41-storey Coast Residences, you’ll have easy access to the best of Manila’s natural and urban landscapes. Located along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, living here means you get a front-row seat to Manila Bay’s stunning sunset, as well as views of the Makati skyline. The promenade is nearby, giving easy access for those wanting a leisurely walk or calorie-burning run. But then again, you might not want to leave your hotel-inspired home. Coast Residences’ stunning pool and view deck faces Manila Bay, and has private cabanas where you can hang out and pretend you’re on vacation. What’s more, there are plenty of spaces for you, your family and friends to hang out, such as the game room, and the sunset and penthouse lounges, both of which have floor-to-ceiling windows that provide an airy and relaxing ambiance.
You’ll never feel isolated, though. Coast Residences, which is located along Roxas Boulevard’s hotel row, is close to plenty of attractions. The Cultural Center of the Philippines, Museo Pambata and the National Museum of the Philippines are nearby, as are shopping and entertainment destinations, such as the Mall of Asia Complex and Entertainment City. You’ll also have convenient access to the international and domestic airports, as well as major railway stations (the Gil Puyat station is nearby), so getting around and beyond Manila is a breeze.
HLURB TLS ENCRFO-16-01-004 Roxas Blvd. cor Dapitan St., Pasay City Completion Date: September 2019 Owner & Developer: SM Development Corporation
The
buzz READING LIST
From books to the big screen Have your fill of awesome reads before their movie adaptations come out FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM by JK Rowling Fantastic Beasts is Harry Potter’s textbook written by one Newt Scamander, complete with side notes by Harry, Ron and Hermione. But this hilarious minibook serves as inspiration rather than source for the movie trilogy that follows Newt’s adventures in America, where wizards face eradication by “Non-Maj” (their term for Muggles).
the cinema. Thirteen-year-old Conor’s monster is a disruptive giant yew tree which visits nightly while Conor copes with his mom’s terminal cancer. THE CIRCLE by Dave Eggers This sci-fi novel explores what privacy means online and how corporations are becoming owners of our private lives. The movie will star Emma Watson, Tom Hanks and John Boyega.
ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes This is like so many stories that we just have to read, even if they’re unforgiving tear-jerkers. The romance is pure, and the eventual heartache generates quote after quote of #feels. MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs In part a graphic novel, Miss Peregrine combines actual (and eerie) vintage photographs with the story of 16-year-old Jacob Portman discovering the secret life of his recently deceased grandfather.
All titles available at Books Kinokuniya. kinokuniya.com.sg
A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness Beautifully illustrated, haunting, tender and magical — this book is destined for
Edito r pick ’s "T
WORDS BY KC RAMIREZ; PHOTO BY AARON LOW
his bo o my m k blew ind!" — KM
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The cover-up It’s officially summer in Vietnam — the season lasts until the end of August — when temperatures rise well above 30°C and the blazing sun feels even harsher. So why do local women still bundle up from head to toe? That’s because skin color is tied to their socio-economic status — the lighter their skin, the better off they are. Female motobaik riders in Hanoi, like those photographed here, wear gear not only to protect against pollution, but also to avoid a tan.
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PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ
Motobaik
is a phonetic term used to refer to scoo ters in Vietnam
The
buzz 450 to 600ml
Extra amount of water needed when you exercise for an hour or less
3L
Adequate intake (AI) for men each day, according to the US Institute of Medicine
BEST BEVERAGE
Drink up Here are some must-know facts about the most important beverage — water
2.2L The daily AI for women
ASK AN EXPERT
Dr. Wong Wei Mun, deputy medical director, Raffles Medical Singapore Is there such a thing as drinking too much water? Although uncommon, it is possible to drink too much water. The intake of a large amount of water can overwhelm the kidneys such that they are no longer able to excrete the excess water. It may also dilute the electrolyte (mineral) content of blood, resulting in low sodium levels. This condition is known as hyponatremia and it has serious health consequences. Is it okay to drink sparkling water? Still water becomes “sparkling” when pressurized carbon dioxide is added to it. There are concerns that carbonation increases calcium loss in bones and causes tooth decay. Studies that compared carbonated water to fizzy sugary drinks prove otherwise.
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60% of our body weight comprises water
PASS THE SODIUM PLEASE
FOR WORKOUTS THAT ARE MORE THAN AN HOUR LONG, SUCH AS RUNNING A MARATHON, IT'S BEST TO TAKE SPORTS DRINKS THAT CONTAIN SODIUM.
N U SIDE OF SCIENCE F DISCOVER THE @ SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE Science Centre Singapore
Snow City
KidsSTOPTM
Omni-Theatre
Get ready to explore the wonders of science through a series of interactive exhibitions, engaging science shows and educational activities.
Discover science through interactive play at Singapore’s first children’s science centre catering to children aged 18 months to 8 years old.
Experience real snowfall and immerse yourself in sub-zero temperatures at Singapore’s largest indoor snow playground.
Visit Singapore’s only 8k digital dome theatre and transport yourself beyond the frontiers of Earth and Space with aweinspiring movies and live shows today!
/sciencecentresg www.science.edu.sg 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081 10am-6pm (Daily)
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
In the heart of the action THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF THINGS TO DO IF YOU'RE AT TAFT AVENUE. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS SEE THE SIGHTS Go on a kalesa, bike or walking tour of Intramuros (facebook.com/ officialintramurosadministration), Manila’s walled city. While there, pay a visit to the San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Completed in 1607, it is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. Another must-visit is the National Museum (nationalmuseum.gov.ph). Drop by to see the current exhibitions, but don’t miss Juan Luna’s Spoliarium at the main gallery. Also nearby Taft Avenue is Rizal Park. Pay homage to one of the country’s national heroes, Dr José Rizal, at his monument, and enjoy a picnic with family and friends. WINE AND DINE Whether you’re craving for Spanish-Filipino cuisine, home-style dishes or regional Filipino cuisine with a twist, you won’t run out of dining options in the area. HAVE FUN Get a glimpse of Manila’s future at
Artist's perspective
Ride a kalesa in Intramuros
Enjoy some paella
Visit the San Agustin Church
Shop at one of Manila's markets
Entertainment City. This Vegas-style development is the site of four integrated resorts, two of which are already open, offering plenty of fun for the entire family. A shopping spree is also always on the horizon as Taft Avenue offers convenient access to many shopping malls, either at Makati, Manila or Pasay. STUDY AND WORK Aside from the cluster of universities along Taft Avenue, the University Belt
is only a short drive away. Government buildings, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy are nearby as well. EXPLORE THE METRO AND BEYOND You can easily go from one point to the other through the various public transport options available at Taft. The LRT and MRT stations, as well provincial bus terminals are also just a few minutes away.
THE PRIME LOCATION Access all that Taft Avenue has to offer at Avida Towers Prime Taft. Strategically located along Taft Avenue — right in the middle of Makati, Manila and Pasay — this threetower development is an ideal home for young go getters who aim to thrive in a dynamic community. Now on its third and final tower, don’t miss your chance to experience that distinct and enriching A+ lifestyle and be where the A+ life comes together. Learn more at avidaland.com or call +63 2 848 5200 (within Metro Manila) or 1 800 10 848 5200 (outside Metro Manila).
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STRAIGHT FROM HOLLYWOOD
The money shot Jodie Foster tells us about making Money Monster, recalls the proudest moments in her long career, and reflects on motherhood, morality and the gender disparity in movies. By Ruben V. Nepales
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his year marks the 40th anniversary of Taxi Driver, Martin Scorsese’s seminal drama starring Robert De Niro and a 12-year-old Jodie Foster, who earned her first Oscar nomination for her performance as a young prostitute. A few decades and a slew of acclaimed roles later — most notably in The Silence of the Lambs, The
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Accused, Nell and Panic Room — Jodie is still pushing the envelope, this time firmly behind the camera and in the director’s chair. Her new movie, Money Monster, a suspense drama starring Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Jack O’Connell and Dominic West, takes a stab at the world of financial markets and the rogues who roam Wall Street.
PHOTO BY TRUNKARCHIVE.COM / SNAPPER MEDIA & SONY PICTURES
Jodie Foster on the Money Monster set with George Clooney
What were the challenges of directing Money Monster at this point in your career? Movies are life-changing adventures. They really are, from start to finish. It’s unlike any other job in the world. [We started work on it] almost four years ago. We worked on the script and brought in a wonderful young writer named Jamie Linden, who is an extraordinary human being and really brought so much to the movie. The part that went fast was that of George — he read it and decided to do it. That really started everything off. All that happened very quickly. The film itself is an incredible jigsaw puzzle. It’s an intellectually challenging movie — it’s trying to balance a whole bunch of different stories all at once. It happens in real time and involves a lot of media. There are monitors in every single scene and they are playing in real time. So it’s very complicated. The prep of the movie was very complicated. Then I thought: Okay, the edit is going to be easy. But that’s been the much harder
part — having that many different options because you are in so many different places. It’s been a real process finding the voice of the movie. You got to work with FilipinoAmerican cinematographer Matthew Libatique for the first time on this film. What was that like? I love Matty. I was so lucky to have him on the film. Every day I counted my stars — it was a really great partnership between the two of us, something that I’ll really treasure forever. There was a lot of laughing. He has a great sense of humor. He and I share the fact that we’re a little small, so we’re two funny fireballs walking on the set, taking New York by storm. Did this movie have any personal meaning for you? It was a big one. Even though I have had movies that have big-sized budgets and interesting talent, I have never really done a mainstream movie before. I had never done a genre film like this before. I am not
“I AM PROUDEST OF HAVING BEEN A PART OF THE '70S WITH MOVIES LIKE TAXI DRIVER”
even sure I was 100% aware that is what I was doing. It’s been interesting, dealing with complicated things in the financial world and balancing how to best communicate the film to a wider audience. That has been new for me. What are you proudest of in your career so far? It’s been a big career, and a long one. It’s been since the 1960s to the 2010s, so I have been a part of so many different eras in filmmaking. The thing that I am proudest of is having been a part of the ’70s with movies like Taxi Driver. Also, directing my first movie, Little Man Tate. Just the excitement of that, and to have put something on screen that was so imperfect, but it was 100% what I really felt and what I really thought was me.
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I look back on it now like somebody would look back on probably their first novel or something. I think: Wow, I was so young and naive. I can’t believe that’s what I thought. But I think it really came from an instinctual, primitive place, so I am proudest of that. How about the gender disparity in Hollywood — and in particular, the low number of female directors? There are almost no women directors in the film business. That has always been true. There have really been gains made in Europe, and in other places — and certainly in television. But mainstream features are the last holdout. That is changing very slowly. I am looking forward to the day when we won’t need to look at quotas and statistics, because that is no way to control an art form. Controlling an art form by saying this is part of the population — that is not going to work. But it is a good communication tool for bringing things to light about the
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“WHEN I WAS A KID, I DIDN'T SEE ANY FEMALES MAKING MOVIES AT ALL”
disparities in terms of media. When I was a kid, there were no females making movies at all that I saw. There was a lady who played my mom. There was sometimes a script supervisor and a makeup artist, and that was about it. As time has gone on that has changed, but I have only worked with one female director in my life. That was because I really liked her. She was a friend of mine and I wanted to support her. I didn’t think when I was six years old that directing was something that spoke to me. I didn’t think that women were allowed to direct; I didn’t think there would ever be a woman director. So it’s time for people to face to that. What do you hope your kids have learned from you? The good news is, I feel like my kids are
already themselves. They are already on their way. Both of them are just great guys. I trust them and I feel like they have a really high moral standard. When you are younger, you want to say things like, “You must never wear a T-shirt to dinner; you must always have a collared shirt.” Or, “Always write thank you notes.” As time goes on, they start talking with their mouths full. There’s nothing that you can do. My greatest expectation is that when faced with a dilemma, they remember to always try to do the right thing. It’s that ethical quandary — how do we do the right thing?
Read our complete interview with Jodie Foster at waytogo. cebupacificair.com
PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES
The
The
buzz HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRAVEL FOR WORK?
HIGH FLYER
William Haandrikman General manager, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit
What is your preferred time for flying and why? I prefer to take an evening flight so that I can spend the following full day at my destination.
What’s your preferred type of accommodation — chain hotel, boutique or rental — and why? Chain hotels — like AccorHotels — for business, and boutique hotels for leisure, because most have great local programs and a good location.
What’s the first thing you do once you’re on board? Due to my busy work schedule, I don’t have time to read books on my tablet, so I do this on the plane almost as soon as I get to my seat.
Which app do you use most when you travel, and what do you use it for? With the new app from AccorHotels, all my travel information — such as upcoming reservations, my Le Club [loyalty program] point status, and so on — is in one place. It even includes city guides and promotional opportunities. I highly recommend it to all travelers.
Window or aisle? Aisle, so that I can walk around the plane whenever I want to.
INTERVIEW BY CHARMAINE BAYLON; PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN HOGUE
At least four times a year for work, but often for leisure in the region.
What’s your preferred mode of transport — taxi, Uber or rental car — and why? Limousine and rental car. Limousines are reliable — they are always there to pick you up and you lose no time waiting. With a rental car, you are free to go whenever and wherever you want.
When and where was your last holiday? My last holiday was in January. I went to Chiang Mai and saw the cherry blossoms at Baan Khun Chang Kian, a renowned agricultural research center.
TECH
These apps will help you tackle your to-do list Get things done with Things. This awardwinning app will help you break down a big project into small tasks, and allows you to schedule them per day.
Manage your projects with Evernote. Use it to take notes, make to-do lists, and to store information and inspiration.
Stay organized with Clear. The award-winning to-do and reminders app has a clean interface that's mainly controlled by gestures.
Chat with your team members with Slack. The platform allows teams to organize and archive conversations, and also share files.
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The
buzz GEEK ALERT
DIY BB-8
PINOY INNOVATOR
Ride into the future Jose L. Guardo, Jr. wants to change the way we travel with his maglev train
I
f Jose L. Guardo, Jr. had his way, the Philippines would be at the forefront of transportation. He may not be far off. Thanks to his diligence and hard work, it could happen sooner than we think. Jose is the cofounder and chief architect of Maglev Vision Corporation — the company behind patented inventions such as the Hybrid Maglev Monorail and maglev car, and the multi-car cyclic magnetic elevator. Jose won first runner-up for the train, and second runner-up for the magnetic elevator, at the 2015 Regional Invention Contest & Exhibit (RICE) in Davao City last October. “Maglev” stands for magnetic levitation. Jose’s invention uses electromagnets and neodymium iron boron permanent magnets — the strongest in the world — to levitate and propel the coach. Unlike Germany’s Transrapid Electromagnetic System and Japan’s Electrodynamic System, which are both 100% non-contact, Guardo’s maglev train is guided by rubber
rollers. It can reach a maximum speed of 350km/h. His design looks to be more affordable, too; Guardo adds that an imported LRT or MRT coach can cost up to US$5 million, while his will likely be less than US$1.8 million. The train will be light and energyefficient, and can run at a mid-speed of 60 to 85km/h between stations. “At the moment we only aim for 250 passengers per five-coach train, because we intend to have more intervals in every loop — say one every 10 minutes,” says Jose. His dreams will hopefully become a reality at the first Philippine Maglev Monorail prototype project. Named after the rare Philippine eagle Pag-asa, and inspired by the 24-year-old animal that resides in Malagos, it was launched a few months ago in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. The doors open like the wing of our national bird, while the stations look like an eagle’s nest or a straw basket. “The prototype is still in the drawing board, as the team is translating my sketches,” Jose says.
Learn more about the Maglev Vision Corporation. Visit prime3.org and maglevision.com
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Why buy a BB-8 droid when you can make one? Angelo Casimiro, a 17-year-old physics major who creates innovative projects (he made the news with his electricity-generating shoes a few years ago), will teach you how. Using a clever mix of store-bought materials and household products — think styrofoam, a beach ball, glue, an Arduino board, even Christmas balls — Angelo created the smartphone-operated character from Star Wars: The Force Awakens in just a few days with lots of ingenuity and a bit of help from his family. Visit instructables. com/member/ASCAS/ and facebook.com/ TechBuilder to see how he did it.
WORDS BY CHARMAINE BAYLON; PHOTOS COURETESY OF JOSE GUARDO; GETTY IMAGES (BB-8)
TEEN INVENTOR ANGELO CASIMIRO BUILDS HIS VERSION OF THE FAMOUS DROID
The
buzz TRAVELERS WE LOVE
Mich Dulce The Paris-based designer reveals what she loves about her favorite cities
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he’s a milliner whose hats and headpieces sell in London, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Manila, and have been worn by celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Leighton Meester. They’ve also been featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Now Mich Dulce has been named one of UK department store Selfridges’ Bright New Things for 2016, which recognizes exciting designers who use sustainable materials and processes. “It’s an honor,” says Mich, who works with Filipino communities and craftsmen. “It’s important for me to use Filipino materials, and I run a minimum-waste policy. It’s what I want to do, and what I want my brand to be.” Describing herself as “not a touristy kind of girl” who checks out the art scene of an area first, she wants to “learn about a place and feel what the locals feel”. Here Mich points us to her favorite spots.
uts
rite hango
INTERVIEW BY CHARMAINE BAYLON; PHOTO BY JIM COLICO (SAN VICENTE); DEX FERNANDEZ/GARAPATA MAN (TODAY X FUTURE); COURTESY OF THE DEEP END CLUB (THE DEEP END CLUB)
Mich’s favo
New York “The Deep End Club is a store, but it functions more like a club house where creatives gather; it’s where I met a lot of my friends. It’s always going to be significant to me because I did my first New York pop-up there. Musician Adam Green and I also met because of that store; we did a collaboration and launched it there.”
Los Angeles “I’m into rockabilly and swing dancing, and I was looking for that scene. Joe’s in Burbank was the solution to that. I met so many people, and I got to explore Lindy hop and ’50s dancing in LA. I also go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market [above] for vintage.”
San Vicente, Palawan “I don’t take many vacations, but when I do, I want to go an island, sit by the beach and relax. Palawan has always been that destination for me, where I can just chill out and have no one else there.”
Manila “Today x Future in Cubao and saGuijo Cafe + Bar in Makati are both hole-in-thewall places where people can gather in an intimate setting— it’s a close-knit community of musicians, artists and fashion people. For years I’ve been going to saGuijo to see my friends.”
Check out more of Mich Dulce’s favorite spots at waytogo.cebupacificair.com May 2016 Smile 57
The
buzz TOP TIPS
Picture perfect Photographer Jenny Peñas loves taking shots of locals on her travels. She shares secrets behind her stunning portraits
Don’t be a sniper Ask for people’s permission before taking their photograph. The best approach is to talk to them in their native language. It’s pretty amusing to try to speak a foreign language. You’ll make them laugh and you’ll get a genuine smile for your photograph.
Make a connection Before and after snapping a photo, spend a bit of time with your subject. Interact with them, and make them feel at ease with you and your camera. You'll be rewarded with a more powerful image when you take the time to connect.
Watch the background Compose your shot and decide if you want to show more or less of what's behind your subject. Their environment helps tell their story, but a tighter shot will let them shine on their own. Keep one eye on your subject and the other on the background.
Let them see Show your subject the photo on your LCD screen or better yet, give them a copy. You can email it to them, but I prefer having an instant camera (such as a Fuji Instax Mini) with me. After taking a photo from my camera, I snap another one on my Instax and give them the print.
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THROWBACK
The pool kids STUCK IN THE CITY FOR THE SUMMER? COOL OFF AND GO SWIMMING. LM MARCH RECALLS HOW THE FAMILY POOL SHAPED HER CHILDHOOD
PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES
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s young kids in the pre-cable TV, pre-internet, pre-digital world (aka the early ’80s), those halcyon days when having your own Game & Watch in your pocket added a haughty swagger to your step, the only entertainment my three siblings and I could resort to during stiflingly hot summer days was to splash about pretending to be Patrick Duffy in Man from Atlantis (see Google) in my grandparents’ swimming pool. Together with six other cousins of more or less the same age, the history of our collective childhood summers spent in my grandparents’ house, boiler-room style, is often referred to in two eras: pool, and pre-pool. Before it was built, our games involved a lot of mud-covered fighting in the grassless yard, and often ended in taunting, fighting, constant switching of allegiances, some kind of punching, crying or elementary-type cursing (we hadn’t learned to use the real slashers at that point). The grownups blamed the flaring tempers and restlessness on boredom and the heat, and they talked about us kids in the even but concerned tone of
parents who half-suspected they might be raising thugs. While my memory of it is somewhat hazy, I’m pretty sure the term “Tasmanian devils” was put on the table. The solution, it was later on decided, was to build a small swimming pool. Thrilling news to all of us, but when my grandmother, who supervised the early part of the construction, said, “We’re going to throw all of you into the water when it’s done,” it sounded like a threat. Once we had the pool, we became almost productive members of the extended family. Because we were either busy acting out our own installment of the Patrick Duffy starring vehicle (again, Google), or holding friendly breath-holding competitions, the grownups were free to do as they pleased, which most of the time was simply to nap. While my grandmother sat nearby and kept one eye on us and another on her newspaper, some of us learned how to swim, albeit too energetically and with strokes that perhaps didn’t give us maximum efficiency. Some of us learned how to refine our storytelling skills (one cousin is now a scriptwriter). The water became our happy place, our go-to sanctuary that absorbed all our graceless energy and turned it into something useful. But when our grandmother fell permanently ill a few years later and could no longer step out of the house, we seemed to suddenly outgrow it and simply moved on to other things, like Archie comic books. Three decades later, the pool looks so much smaller than I remember it to be — not much bigger than a shark tank, to be honest. It’s probably not even an eighth of the lap pool in the fitness center I go to, where I wash away the day’s stresses in a refreshing 30-minute swim that’s slow and meditative. But as my introduction to water’s transformative powers, I’ll always remember that tiny pool in my grandparents’ house as the beginning of a sea of possibilities.
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Water, please
H 2O H H H H ! MIKE AQUINO POINTS US TO EIGHT ADVENTURES ON AND AROUND THE PHILIPPINES’ WATER RESERVES
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he country’s rivers, lakes and seas check all the boxes for the environmentally aware adventurer. Fun for any budget or skill level? Full contact with the best that nature has to offer? Minimal ecological footprint? Stay cool in the summer heat? The adventures in this list give you all these benefits and more. Badian’s canyons, El Nido’s coves and Lake Sebu’s culture (among others) feed you all the adventure you can stomach with little or none of the guilt.
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PHOTO BY RAPHAEL KAUFMANN OF FOOLMOON PHILIPPINES
Water, please
CANYONEERING
W H I T E WAT E R
IN CEBU
RAFTING IN
Four hours’ canyoneering down the rapids of Matutinao River feels like an eternity: starting at Kanlaob River in the town of Alegria, Cebu and heading downstream, you’ll negotiate jungle trails, take long leaps down cliff faces into clear water and swim under rocky overhangs until you make your way to Kawasan Falls in Badian. You’ll need stamina and a quick mind to successfully negotiate swift running water through jungle and canyons. The Matutinao River’s depth varies from place to place — it’s shin deep in parts, and too deep to try without a flotation device in others. Safety equipment is an absolute necessity when canyoneering around these parts: the rocks are too slippery for bare feet, and the rapids can overwhelm even experienced swimmers if they’re not wearing a life vest. Aqua socks and other light and snug footwear are highly recommended. badian.info
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Don’t be fooled by the placid river delta at the heart of Davao City; further upstream at Marilog District, the Davao River’s chaotic waters provide bucking-bronco-like fun for rafters who can hang on to their rides. The Davao Wild Water Adventure begins at Barangay Tamugan, about an hour’s drive from the city center. The whitewater rafting experience takes boaters through about 24 rapids bearing evocative names like “Monkey Wall”, “Washing Machine” and “Drop & Suck”, until you come splashing to a stop at Calinan District about a dozen kilometers downstream. Whitewater rafting in Davao takes teamwork: rafters are briefed on commands and safety regulations, drilled on proper paddling and rescue techniques, then paired up with a boat buddy to maximize safety while negotiating the rapids. crocodilepark.ph/davaowildwateradventure
PHOTOS BY KENN CAGOT (BADIAN); DAVAO WILDWATER ADVENTURE (DAVAO)
DAVAO
CRUISING THE
SOAKING UP
A B ATA N R I V E R I N
SUNSETS IN
BOHOL
MANILA
The Abatan cuts through Bohol’s heartland, and lays its countryside culture bare through a single leisurely boat that connects five riverside towns. Guests of the Abatan River Community Life Tour start at a wharf in Cortes town, where they hop onto a traditional bandong paddleboat and proceed through a four-hour journey down nipa-lined waters and verdant farmland. Bohol’s limestone geology ensures the Abatan has a near-constant clarity — a far cry from the polluted river waters we’ve come to expect closer to civilization. At each stop, music and a series of activities welcome guests, who then engage in activities — from weaving in Maribojoc to basketmaking in Antequera — that reflect the local way of life. At the last riverside stop at Kawasan Falls, guests may either head back to Cortes or proceed to an adrenaline-filled diversion with the Green Recreational Eco-Adventure Tour (G.R.E.A.T.) in Catigbian Park. +63 917 010 599; riverlife.ph
We’ve often suspected that the Spaniards didn’t take Manila to open up trade with China, but for the gorgeous sunsets. As the September-to-June “Amihan” season brings clear weather to the Philippine capital, visitors to Manila Bay get treated to an end-of-day spectacle that would not look out of place in a Vincent van Gogh painting: splashes of orange, gray, red and blue fill the sky as the sun retreats beyond the western horizon. This daily show can be viewed anywhere around Manila Bay, so choose your spot freely. Lovers of luxury can watch the sunset from the lawn, sparkling wine in hand, at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza or the soon-to-open Conrad Manila. Romantics might book a sunset viewing cruise of the bay. Or you can just enjoy the view from the Baywalk, proving that the best things in life don’t cost a cent. corregidorphilippines. com
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PHOTOS BY EL NIDO BOUTIQUE & CAFE AND AL LINSANGAN III (EL NIDO), RAPHAEL KAUFMANN OF FOOLMOON PHILIPPINES (BATANGAS)
Water, please
K AYA K I N G
S TA N D U P
IN EL NIDO,
PA D D L E B O A R D I N G
PA L AWA N
I N B ATA N G A S
The sheltered waters of Bacuit Bay off the seaside Palawan town of El Nido offer perfect kayaking conditions for paddling enthusiasts. Wherever you turn, you’ll glimpse dazzling blue-and-white beaches, soaring cliff walls and the wide expanse of the sea, free from boat engines and pesky crowds, as if you have El Nido all to yourself. In calm conditions, kayakers can hop from island to island, marvel at the alien-looking karst jutting out of the sea, and dip into the many caves and lagoons carved out of the cliffs by millions of years of natural erosion. Stable sea kayaks can be rented from a number of providers around El Nido; in excellent kayaking conditions, paddlers can spend a whole day picking their way around the 20odd islands in Bacuit Bay, from Cadlao Island and its eponymous lagoon to the big and small lagoons on Miniloc. elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com/island.html
Standup paddleboarding enjoys a tamer reputation than its sporting forebears. You don’t need to be as fit as a sea kayaker, or as steady as a surfer, but you’ll still enjoy the full benefits of these watersports — SUP provides a great workout for your leg, arms, back and core muscles, as well as a fun way to soak up the sea breeze. If you can keep your balance while standing and paddling on a broad board, then you’re good to go. Just a few hours’ drive from Manila, Anilao provides calm waters for SUP enthusiasts, who can paddle around the protected bay without being overwhelmed by breakers. It’s easy to feel at one with the elements on a paddleboard as you enjoy full immersion in the sun, water, wind and scenery. In fact, the biggest danger is enjoying the sport too much — resulting in paddling so far away that you can’t be rescued! For lessons by certified instructors, call SUP Central, tel: +63 917 891 1968.
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TRIBAL
CHASING
ENCOUNTERS IN
W AT E R FA L L S I N
S O U T H C O TA B AT O
ILIGAN CITY
As part of a network of hydroelectric facilities that draw Life around Lake Sebu had changed little since the T’Boli and energy from the rapid flow of the Agus River, the Agus VI plant Manobo settled around its shores, until tourists took note of supplies power to a large part of Mindanao. Any doubts about this placid South Cotabato lake, its temperate climate and Agus VI’s capacity fade when faced with the full force of nearby natural beauty. The lake is fed by springs in the nearby RoxasMaria Cristina Falls: a twin waterfall that cascades Matulas and Daguma mountain ranges; travelers almost 100m from cliff to pool. Depending on the can hike to the area’s seven waterfalls, or confront needs of the plant, the falls can be turned off like their agoraphobia at the local zipline, one of Asia’s a switch — the water is diverted to the plant to highest. Real travelers know that culture trumps ensure its continuous operation. Weekend visitors adventure in these parts. The T’Boli tribespeople can see Maria Cristina in full flow from a viewing in particular have become master weavers of t’nalak: their most accomplished artisans find deck on the third floor of the hydroelectric plant. inspiration in their dreams, and translate their Mindful of tourists coming in from Iligan City, the visions into magnificent woven artworks. Tourists National Power Corporation has converted part Cebu Pacific flies to 34 destinations can take a canoe to any of the local artisanal of the Maria Cristina Falls’ grounds into a nature around the Philippines. communities and fetch a cloth-bound dream or park, complete with picnic spots, rock climbing cebupacificair.com two to take home. lakesebu.southcotabato.org walls and ziplines.
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PHOTO BY PAOLO TIONG (LAKE SEBU)
Water, please
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER HOTLINE (CAC): (02) 819-2912 www.toyota.com.ph
Got skills?
PICTURES TO
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PHOTOS BY TOMMY SCHULTZ
DIVE FOR WHAT LIES BENEATH IS A BREATHTAKING AND MAGICAL WORLD — BUT SHOOTING UNDERWATER COMES WITH ITS OWN SPECIAL CHALLENGES. BALI-BASED TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER TOMMY SCHULTZ TELLS US HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF OUR SUB-AQUATIC WORLD
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lmost 100 years ago, pioneering National Geographic photographer Charles Martin rigged a raft with a mound of highly explosive magnesium flash powder (read: bomb) and set the whole thing off to light up fishy subjects only a few meters deep. No need to risk singed eyebrows or accidental fish fry these days — even the tiny camera on your cellphone, properly encased, is better than the first digital cameras NatGeo used in the early 2000s. The first underwater photos I ever took were shot in 2004 with a basic Canon Elph point-and-shoot while working as a Peace Corps volunteer with the Silliman University Marine Laboratory in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. I never imagined that little camera would get me my first publication with NatGeo and lead to a full-time career of exploring the world as a photographer. Since then I’ve spent the better part of the last 12 years taking photos in some of the most beautiful reefs on Earth, and everything I’ve learned over that time can be summed up in five steps. Ready to take the plunge into better underwater photos? Read on…
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Got skills?
KEEP YOUR SETTINGS SIMPLE
! Whoant e m mo ater
nderw The u a glorious is world ctacle spe
If you’re just getting started with underwater photography, don’t make the jump to a pro-level SLR rig. It’s better to begin with one of the many high-quality point-andshoot cameras that are available with a polycarbonate clamshell housing. These are usually priced around US$200 or less, and are capable of being used at depths of 40m (the limit for normal recreational diving). I use a Canon G16, which offers pro-level features like full manual mode, raw format (unprocessed file) support and the ability to add an external flash (called a “strobe”). That’s not to say that the more basic or less expensive options out there aren’t also good — the first photo I had published by NatGeo was taken with that little 5-megapixel Elph! Once you have a camera and underwater case, it’s time to set it up for your first undersea adventure. A common mistake made by many an aspiring Jacques Cousteau is to spend too much time underwater fiddling with camera settings and not pay enough attention to what’s going on. I once missed an amazing photo opportunity with a whale shark because I was fine-tuning the shutter speed on my camera. I’ve learned my lesson since. When starting out, it’s best to set up your camera on the beach with one basic setting and then spend your time in the water focused on absorbing and capturing the action around you. A good all-around setting for most cameras is to activate the “shutter priority” mode (you might have to read your instruction manual to find out how to do this), adjust it to a value of 125 — and your camera’s ISO (light setting) to 400 — then set the image quality to the highest possible level supported by your camera. This set-up will have you covered for most daylight shooting conditions down to about 10m.
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Got skills?
Between worlds
A dramatic contrast mak es for a great sh ot
DON’T DIVE TOO DEEP
Much of what divers learn in a basic openwater scuba class deals with how to safely make the descent to 40m (over 120ft) and back without getting “bent”. But is it really necessary to push these limits to get a great photo? One of the fundamental rules of great photography is to follow the light, which in the case of underwater photography means staying in the shallows — that means 10m or less. Water is very effective at absorbing colors from the light spectrum — that’s why all you see when you go below 10m is shades of blue. It’s hard to believe that
most of the corals and fish down there are brilliantly colored shades of red, yellow, purple and green. There’s no need to weigh this tutorial down with a discussion about the physics of light waves, but just keep in mind that once you venture below 10m, you’re going to be shooting monochrome unless you bring an artificial light source (such as a strobe) along. This means that you don’t even have to be a scuba diver to take great underwater photos; you can be snorkeling and stay within the optimal depth for using colorful, natural light.
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Got skills?
ALWAYS BE OBSERVANT Getting close to sea creatures can be a challenge, but here’s a trick that has often worked for me. Imagine that you’re a sea turtle, fish or tiny shrimp on a coral reef. Your survival depends on your ability to blend in with the natural environment and not draw attention to yourself. To an underwater photographer, this means that many of the best subjects are often hiding in plain sight. So one of your jobs is to know where these animals live and how they behave, so you can anticipate where they might appear and have a better chance of capturing them in your viewfinder. This means swimming quietly and not making any sudden movements that might scare the animals. Take care, too, not to step on any corals or touch anything.
y for Read e-up? s a clo ice tight
t Prac n your so o h s t dies bud
GET CLOSER AND FILL YOUR FRAME One of the most basic rules of composition (ie, what’s in your picture) is to fill your frame. So many otherwise great shots lose that muchneeded power because the photographer failed to get close enough to the subject to capture the viewer’s interest. The zoom on your camera is not going to be much help underwater; stretching your lens is only going to amplify the blurry effects of suspended particles or bubbles in the water. Once you’re near enough, be sure to use basic tenets of photo composition such as the “rule of thirds” — placing important elements along imaginary horizontal and vertical lines in the frame for optimal visual effect — to make your shots really pop.
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Lo and l ok earn It
’s the ir not yo turf, urs, s take y o our c ues from them
Got skills?
LEARN TO USE YOUR FLASH
Found...
wnfish a cute clo come ll a e ’v e w as w o n to k Nemo
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The small flash on your point-and-shoot can’t light up a panoramic reefscape, but it can bring out the colors of a clownfish for a close-up (or macro) shot. Set your camera to the shutter priority mode, lock the shutter at 125, set the flash to “always on” and set your focus control to “macro” (usually designated with a small flower symbol). If your underwater camera case came with a flash diffuser, be sure to use it to soften the harsh shadows cast by the bright light. Underwater photography is very much a process of trial and error. You’re learning how to capture the magic of the marine
environments you’re going to discover, and working with wild animals and lighting conditions that are frequently changing. Follow these guidelines on your next photo safari, and you’ll be sure to bring back more shots that you’ll be proud to share.
Cebu Pacific flies to awesome beaches everywhere. cebupacificair.com
Giving back
THE WATER BEARERS FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, COURIERS FOR THE NONPROFIT WAVES FOR WATER INITIATIVE HAVE BEEN DELIVERING CLEAN-WATER SOLUTIONS WHERE THEY’RE NEEDED THE MOST — DISASTER ZONES AND REMOTE TOWNS ACROSS SOUTH-EAST ASIA. BY CELINE REYES
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PHOTO BY ETHAN LOVELL
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n 2009, Jon Rose, then a professional surfer, traveled to Indonesia to ride the waves with friends. He’d brought along a surfboard, of course, but he also had 10 portable water filters. The plan was to hop around the nearby islands and distribute these filters in small communities where clean drinking water was in short supply. The constant quest for that perfect wave often took him to some of the most remote corners of the globe, where poor towns with hardly any potable water proved a stark contrast to the raw beauty of the landscape around them. Jon’s father once developed a practical way of catching rainwater in Africa, then taught the locals how to do it themselves — and the young Jon learnt from him that sometimes, a simple solution is all it takes to ease a dire situation. The filters would be his way of giving back to the towns in some of his favorite surf spots.
W4W founder Jon Rose delivers clean-water filters in Tacloban
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Giving back
How it works Armed with water-filter systems and the desire to bring clean water to everyone who needs it, Jon then teamed up with surfing company Hurley International to fortify W4W’s initiatives. Later on, with the help of volunteer communities, other nonprofits and corporate partners, their efforts diversified through a volunteer program called Clean Water Couriers (CWC). Hardy travelers who get everywhere, such as surfers, make for perfect couriers — not only do they get to far-flung places, they also often rely on the kindness and hospitality of locals, with whom they form friendships, to find their way around. On a trip to Baler, Aurora, on the eastern fringes of Luzon, 25-year-old Meg Manzano discovered this impulse at first hand. “Imagine that your town had just been ravaged by a typhoon and there you are, preparing a makeshift bed for visitors and cooking them dinner,” she says. “I couldn’t comprehend at the time how anyone had the emotional capacity to give so much, despite having just lost so much as well. After all these trips, you start to see how
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traveling is such a perfect realm for giving — you encounter so many people on your way and see so many places, it seems imperative that you return their welcome by helping out.” Megan has been a courier for a year and a half. If backpacking is do-it-yourself travel, CWC is a kind of DIY humanitarianism — aside from donating directly to the cause, volunteers can “travel with a purpose”. Travelers build and pay for their own itineraries, then crowd-fund on W4W’s platform to buy filters for their trips. There are a few options of filters, ranging in price, size and versatility, but all of them effectively remove a host of disease-causing bacteria. W4W provides the resources to ensure travelers understand how to operate and distribute the filter systems once they’re on the ground. Social media has been a great help in spreading the word — one inspiring story posted online has the power to increase the number of couriers exponentially — and over the past six years, CWC has provided clean water to 8 million people in 27 countries. W4W has now implemented programs in several South-East Asian countries, and more are in the pipeline. In the Philippines, CWC missions and W4W volunteer crews began work in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, where they played a major role in relief operations. Two and a half years since the disaster that leveled Tacloban and its surrounding areas, local teams have responded to all major calamities in the Philippines, working around the clock to reach people in need. “It’s really hard not to respond when we know what a measurable impact our program will have,” says Carlo Delantar, W4W’s country director in the Philippines. So far, Carlo and his team have delivered water-filter systems to 33 provinces around the country.
_for_water
Want to be a courier? THERE’S A MOBILE APP FOR THAT
To help support its increasing on-the-ground efforts, W4W recently launched the ForWater app which allows travelers to create, raise funds and execute their own clean-water programs in a transparent way. If you want to be a part of the global W4W community and help solve one of today’s major global issues, download _ForWater from the app store.
Dive in Learn more about the initiative and get on board the clean-water drive at wavesforwater.org
PHOTOS BY DJ STRUNTZ & ARTU NEPOMUCENO
Things didn’t quite go as planned on that trip to Indonesia. A massive earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.6, devastated the area and reduced parts of the Sumatran city of Padang to rubble. Jon delivered the 10 filters to relief centers instead, becoming one of the disaster’s first responders. The experience was life changing. “It taught me many things,” he recalls. “Chief among them was how practical these solutions like water filters were, and how big the need was for them.” His fellow surfers joined him, and Waves for Water (W4W) was born — a cleanwater drive founded on the notion that you can do the things you love and help along the way.
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Giving back
First person
What’s been your key learn from this whole W4W journey so far? The biggest lesson has really been learning how much one person can do. It changed my life forever. Since that day in Sumatra we have implemented filtration distribution programs throughout the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia, and we’ll keep doing that. How important is the role of the local community in W4W’s programs? I’ve always believed in the model of empowering locals to help their own people rather than having us, a bunch of foreigners, deciding who gets what, when, where and how. We aren’t from here [the Philippines], we don’t know the intricacies and nuances of the culture, so why should we show up and start dictating things? I believe that my greatest role is to be a facilitator by providing new tools, along with the proper education and training,
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to address at least one of the many needs — access to clean water. In order for this model to be realized, we have to spend real quality time on the ground, day in and day out, developing relationships and seeking out the biggest pockets of need. What would be the greatest measure of success for W4W? Our goal is to get clean water to every single person who needs it. It’s hard to say when we’ll be able to achieve this. The idea isn’t to get one person to drop off 100 clean-water filters and call it a day. Let’s instead try to get 100,000 travelers to each pack 10 small filters, or team up with groups to implement projects with larger filters for an entire village. But the biggest thing I like to highlight and remember is to always think about addressing this challenge in a decentralized way, a “viral” way. As a group, a movement, we can solve this problem, and in our lifetime.
—Elaine Abonal, surfer, entrepreneur, brand ambassador for Hurley Philippines
Cebu Pacific flies to 64 destinations across the network. cebupacificair.com
PHOTO BY DJ STRUNTZ
Q&A with Jon Rose
“I’ve been a W4W courier for about two years now, and one of my most unforgettable donation trips was to Siargao island. Some of the kids there who don't have parents to look after their health drink water from the poso or deep-well pump. I brought a filter, and showed them how to use it and start drinking clean filtered water. The kids were thrilled about that, as were the grownups. W4W’s credo — do what you love and help along the way — made me realize I can do what I love and make a difference, no matter how small, in the places where surfing takes me. Not everyone has the privilege of drinking clean water, and there are a lot of people who want to help. Being able to bridge that gap or need is awesome, because it makes you realize that we can all help each other in our own little way.”
Pinoy to the world
PLANES, TRAINS AND MOTORCYCLES LIKE MANY REGIONS IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA, NORTHERN VIETNAM IS A LANDSCAPE IN FLUX — YET THANKFULLY, THERE ARE VESTIGES OF THE PAST THAT REMAIN IMMUNE TO SWEEPING CHANGES. KRISTINE FONACIER REVISITS HER FAVORITE DESTINATION IN THE COUNTRY, HUE, TAKING EVERY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION THERE ALONG THE WAY
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PHOTOS BY JAKE VERZOSA
The rail deal Train tickets from Hanoi to Hue cost about US$54 per person on the soft berth; US$52 on the hard berth; vietnam-railway.com
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he airport in Hanoi was little more than a shack, in my memory. This might be an exaggeration, after all these years — but I remember arriving in the middle of the night, on the last flight in, and arriving to find a small terminal that closed behind us, using metal shopfront shutters that had to be pulled from overhead. We whizzed through the city, marveling at the quiet streets and dim yellow street lamps, before being deposited into a hostel that was really just a couple of rooms rented out of someone’s house. The airport has become a graceful
building of steel and glass over the years, and international flights come in and out of Noi Bai every day. Build it, and they will come — or is it the other way around? In 2013, 13 million travelers went through the airport, even though it was only built for 9 million. At the end of 2014, the airport opened a new wing for international passengers; the airport is now able to take in 19 million people a year. No wonder that Hanoi, the bustling cultural capital of Vietnam, busy and startlingly cosmopolitan even then, has become even busier, with certain quarters filled to bursting with tourists
from every corner of the globe. “Filipino? Kumusta?” savvy shopkeepers now greet me from within souvenir stores. The shops themselves have gained a contemporary worldliness, offering movie posters reimagined in hip, minimalist lines, right alongside reproductions of old Communist propaganda posters. There is plenty more evidence of the ease with which the city — or the whole country, even — manages to straddle the old and the new, the local and the global, the traditional and the novel. Vietnamese coffee, still brewed strong in those charming tin drip contraptions,
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Pinoy to the world
can be enjoyed in artsy cafés where, anywhere else, one would expect specialty coffees at 10 times the price. The streets in the 2,000-year-old Old Quarter are still famously named after the items traditionally sold on their sidewalks: Silver Street, Silk Street, Hat Street, Bamboo Street, Paper Street, Fried-Fish Street. (To be fair, the Old Quarter is bordered by Hoan Kiem, or the Lake of the Restored Sword, which is probably the best name of any body of water in the world.) Sometimes it feels as if entire areas of
Hanoi are tourist ghettos, stuffed full to bursting with comically varied tour groups, but the residents seem unfazed by all this, continuing to live their lives and ply their trades as ever they did. The ubiquitous motorbike — there are some 4 million of them in this city of 7.5 million people — is a fitting symbol for the way progress marches on, urgently and chaotically, though never too fast.
Reunification express “Airport?” the taxi driver asks as he helps
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load our bags into the back. “Train station,” I reply, and he cocks his head. “Ga?” At this he perks up. “Ga! Yes, yes. Ga Ha Noi!” The word for “station” is the one Vietnamese word I remember from the small number of trips I’ve taken here since my first visit. The North-South Railway, popularly known as the Reunification Express, runs the entire length of the country. In Hanoi, many travelers take the train north to the lovely mountain retreats
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in Sapa, but few undertake the massive 35hour journey (a mere 29 and a half hours on the faster express train) from Hanoi all the way down to Ho Chi Minh City. There’s no reason to do it unless you’re a fan of train travel; at $90 for the most comfortable “soft berths”, it can be even more expensive than a two-hour flight. “This is the most comfortable standard available,” assures the Vietnam Railways website. “Though it cannot be compared to European standards,” it hastens to add. The trip from Hanoi to Hue is a different
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Hue's rush-hour traffic Conical hats sold as souvenirs
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Vietnam is famous for its streetside grub
story. I first traveled this route out of necessity, since the only other option, prebudget airlines, was to take the cheaper but less convenient tourist vans. But the 12-hour trip was a revelation. If I’d needed another reason to fall in love with the country, the train ride was it. I’ve never traveled to Hue any other way since. The soft sleepers are basic, but really comfortable. With four beds to a berth, and bedding provided, it’s not a bad way to travel. On this trip, though, the soft sleepers were fully booked, and we had to settle for
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The night attendant at the train station The best way to get around town is on two wheels 6 The Reunification Express 5
the slightly cheaper “hard berths”, which as far as I could recall weren’t actually harder than the soft berths; the main difference was that there were six bunks to a berth. We arrived to find the berth already fully occupied: there was a Vietnamese lady traveling solo on the bottom bunk, and another woman across her, with two young children huddled under the blankets. Two other foreigners each had the middle bunks, so we excused ourselves, and clambered all the way up to the top bunks, our faces less than a foot away from the
“If I needed another rea
son to fall in love with Vietnam, the train ride was it. I've never travel to Hue any other way sin ed ce”
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Pinoy to the world
ceiling. The trick to this particular train journey — and I will tell you the reason later — is to leave on the last train out of Hanoi, which leaves at 10pm. It wasn’t too long before the discomfort of the jam-packed berth made someone giggle softly. Laughter was a language we all spoke, so before long, everyone had their heads sticking out from their bunks, and we were trading small gifts of food among ourselves, and smiling as the children each
selected a fruit and happily retreated to their corners. The city faded into the suburbs, and the suburbs gave way to fields as we all started to drift off to sleep. The train would make half a dozen stops along the way, each one blearily acknowledged. Our Vietnamese friends had each departed on separate stops during the night, sent off with sleepy waves and well wishes. The trains run more or less on time, so
it’s always the same: the dawn breaks, and someone always stirs awake to check where we are. There is always a gasp of surprise. We are in the mountains when the sun rises, and the view — of dramatic montane passes, misty jungle and sweeping valleys — is as unexpected as it is stunning. Everyone wakes to take it all in, and for a swift hour or so, until the sun goes up and the train makes it way down to the other side, there is only awe.
Women in white ao dai dresses traveling on the ubiquitous two-wheeled ride
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A woman paddles on her floating store Thien Mu Pagoda, like much of Hue, has aged beautifully 9 Lotus ponds are a source of raw materials for fabrics 8
Two-wheeled tours By the time the train pulls into Hue, you’ll be more than ready to leave the train. Fortunately, the reward for this 12-hour trip is by far my favorite city in the country. Hue, located in the middle of Vietnam, is steadily gaining popularity among travelers as the growing number of shorthaul domestic flights from either end of the country has made access far more convenient. Not that the city has ever wanted for visitors — even 20 years ago,
Hue was already a major tourist draw. But while the entire country has become more cosmopolitan with the influx of foreign visitors, this one-time imperial capital and seat of the ruling Nguyen dynasty still remains curiously insulated from the breakneck changes being witnessed in Hanoi and, most especially, further south in Ho Chi Minh City. Much of Hue, by contrast, feels relatively unchanged, even in the tourist centers; there are more hotels and many more
10 Women focus on embroidery in the workshops of a thriving linen industry 11 Decked-out boats on Song Huong or Perfume River
tourist-oriented restaurants, but the core remains essentially the same. Taxis are ubiquitous now, we found, though bicycles and motorcycles remain the best way to get around. Walking is an option, of course, and while Hue does not have the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, the bridges that span the poetically named Perfume River are ample reason to get out for a stroll to the opposite bank. The city, incidentally, began to light up the main bridge about 10 years ago — not as gaudy as it sounds. It’s a quiet but
ch of Hue feels relatively Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, mu of es citi er larg the to st In contra centers unchanged, even in tourist
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spectacular way to celebrate the river that separates the Imperial Citadel from the rest of the town. Hue seems to have a knack for preserving things. The Citadel still stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and while teams of workers and scientists struggle to preserve what remains of the Forbidden City inside, the other areas within the old fort have adapted to modern times more gracefully, offering everything from “Made in Vietnam” items (export overruns perhaps, if not outright copies)
to coffee and WiFi. Ironically, outside the Citadel, there is more that remains unchanged. Lac Thien restaurant, famous among generations of backpackers, stubbornly remains a hole-in-the-wall affair, for example. Mr. Lac still makes his beer-bottle openers from a nail stuck on a piece of wood, still makes a show of flipping bottle caps open, and still gives away the contraptions with his autograph. The menu remains pretty much unchanged, though he and his family must have made millions of Hue-style spring rolls and banana
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pancakes by now. Across the river, the Hotel Saigon still stands as a fine example of French colonial architecture — it’s tempting to imagine that it has changed little since it was first built in 1901, though of course the reality is that it was destroyed during the Vietnam War, and rebuilt only in 1997. Still, the renovation was pretty faithful to the original Hotel Morin, and it remains a quiet, elegant presence in the city. Riding on rented motorcycles into the rural areas outside Hue proper, however,
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A beautiful view of Perfume River One for the bucket list: snake wine 14 Making non la conical hats
the changes can stand out starkly. On the 20-minute ride to Thanh Toan Bridge, for example, the pleasant stretch of dirt road in the middle of rice paddies is now gone, replaced by a six-lane highway still dusty from construction. Travel on the deserted highway on a motorbike is, literally, a rush (“Go!” our tour guide motioned at one point, grinning as we pushed our mopeds to the limit), but to be perfectly honest, I missed the lonely, bumpy roads that the highway had replaced. Change comes everywhere, though,
and sometimes in the most unexpected ways. At the old Japanese-style bridge, we took off our helmets while we had a breather and sat down for coffee, gazing at the 240-year-old construction. The schoolgirls who had also come to the tile-roofed bridge for a little shade came to sit with us, asking if they could perhaps practice their English. “Where are you from?” one of them asked. “The Philippines!” I replied. “Do you know it?” “Philippines!” the girls recognized
Farmers with their buffalo The colorful An Bang cemetery just outside Hue 17 The Citadel, where the emperor once held court
the name, and clapped. “We watch your television shows! We love Dingdong and Marian!”
Cebu Pacific flies to Hanoi from Manila.cebupacificair.com
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Kid-certified family fun
TOKYO FOR TOTS THE JAPANESE CAPITAL CAN BE AN OVERWHELMING PLACE TO EXPLORE, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG KIDS, BUT KAT MATEO HAS BEEN THERE AND DONE IT. SHE AND HER SPUNKY FIVE-YEAR-OLD SHARE THEIR MUST-VISIT LIST
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So when I started planning our family’s trip to Tokyo, I knew I had to include attractions and activities that will not only interest him, but engage him as well. Luckily, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly spots and things to do in Tokyo; all moms and dads need to do is find them. Here’s a list of activities we did on our recent trip — all with my little co-traveler’s sticky stamp of approval.
PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES
or me, traveling to Tokyo means visiting the temples and shrines, taking a photo with Hachiko’s statue, crossing the Shibuya scramble, trying the freshest sashimi in Tsukiji, going shopping in Omotesando, and seeing the natural wonders. But no matter how amazing and cool I think all of these are, my five-year-old son Ziv, who’s the most curious person I know, would probably say, “meh”.
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Check out the "life-size" Gundam statue at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba
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Kid-certified family fun
Small kids, big culture KEEP THE LITTLE ONES OCCUPIED AT TOKYO'S TOP ATTRACTIONS
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When in Asakusa: They’re probably going to not like squeezing through the crowd at Nakamise-dori, but you might hold their attention for a bit if you encourage them to check out the ningyo-yaki (a snack made of pancake batter and filled with bean paste) being prepared at the stands, or ask them to help you pick out a souvenir from one of the shops there. Once you get to Senso-ji’s main hall, ask them to pick out an omikuji, or paper fortune. They’ll enjoy shaking the omikuji box and matching the kanji (Chinese writing) characters on the rod to the labels on the drawers. Read their fortune to them. We did this and our boy got the No. 8 Best Fortune, which said that happiness will come to him “just like cutting rice plants with a cutter”. When in Meiji-jingu: If they have the energy, or if they’ve been strapped onto their strollers for too long, let them walk or run. They’ll enjoy dragging their feet on the gravel path leading to the shrine. Once there, purchase an ema or wooden tablet from the amulet office, then proceed to the desks under the camphor tree. There are pens you can use to write down your wishes. Ask your kid for their wish and write it down on your ema. Once you’re done, hang it together.
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Ride a space-age boat When I saw a photo of the futuristic Himiko — a boat that looks like a space cruiser — while researching for our trip, I instantly knew we had to ride it. Designed by one of Japan’s renowned manga artists, Leiji Matsumoto, the boat’s panoramic windows offer views of Sumida River and its 12 bridges. The boat takes passengers directly from Asakusa Pier to Odaiba Seaside Park, where many more kid-friendly attractions await. Ziv’s little strategy for waiting out the 50-minute cruise: hit up the onboard snack bar for a cup of ice cream. Essential info: The Himiko Line (aka Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line) is operated by Tokyo Cruise Ship company. There are three departures from Asakusa Pier daily, except for the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. You can check the schedule, and book your tickets in advance, at suijobus.co.jp. A one-way trip
costs ¥1,560 for adults, ¥930 for kids aged seven to 12, and ¥300 for kids aged one to six. Asakusa Pier is a short walk from Asakusa station on the Ginza and Tobu Lines, and five minutes from Asakusa station on the Asakusa Line.
Play with bricks in Odaiba When in Odaiba, make a beeline for the Legoland Discovery Center (Island Mall, 3F, Decks Tokyo Beach). Anyone with a five-year-old will know this is like winning the lottery. We did this on our first day in Tokyo, and Ziv kept asking to go back until the end of our vacation. One of the highlights of our visit was The Lego Movie 4D: A New Adventure. Even if the movie was in Japanese, we loved seeing some of our favorite characters from The Lego Movie — Emmet, Wyldstyle, Benny, MetalBeard and Unikitty. Other attractions Ziv enjoyed at
1 There are plenty of things to do in Asakusa, including posing with statues like this one 2 Ziv shaking the omikuji (paper fortune) box at
Senso-ji 3 Ziv blissed out at the Legoland Discovery Center 4 The Himiko boat docked at Odaiba
the indoor playground are Miniland, where Lego models of familiar Tokyo attractions can be found, and half an hour of free play at The Lego Fire Academy and Construction Site. Essential info: Legoland Discovery Center is open from 10am to 8pm on weekdays, and until 9pm on weekends. Entry is free for kids of two and below. A standard ticket costs ¥2,200, but if you book at legolanddiscoverycenter.jp you can save up to ¥700. Aside from the Tokyo Cruise, Odaiba can be accessed via the Yurikamome Line. It crosses the Rainbow Bridge and offers scenic views.
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Kid-certified family fun
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Meet Mickey and friends There are two theme parks at the Tokyo Disney Resort — Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Each one requires its own day pass, but both are well worth their fee. More than 30 of Disneyland’s 40-plus attractions don’t have height restrictions, so smaller kids are free to go wild with the riding options here, including It’s a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, and Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! The colorful parades — Happiness Is Here, the high-energy daytime show, and Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights, a slow-moving nighttime spectacle featuring our favorite Disney characters all wrapped up in LED bulbs — will surely capture the little ones’ attention as well. Mickey Mouse’s House is located in the park as well, so if your kid is an avid fan, be sure to queue for a photo opp. Adults won’t feel out of place though, thanks to rides such as Star Wars: The Adventure Continues and
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the Space Mountain roller coaster. Tokyo DisneySea, now on a year-long celebration of its 15th-year anniversary (until March 2017), is the only nauticalthemed Disney park in the world. It has more than 20 rides suited to small kids, among them Toy Story Mania!, Caravan Carousel and Jasmine’s Flying Carpets. Meanwhile, moms and dads who love thrill rides can give the Tower of Terror and the Raging Spirits high-speed roller coaster a try. New shows were launched as part of the park’s birthday blowout — Crystal Wishes Journey and Out of Shadowland, as well as a new version of the hugely popular Big Band Beat. Also worth looking out for: Mickey and friends will be wearing their 15th-anniversary costumes when they go out for their meet-and-greets. Tips: Crowds swell during peak seasons, such as during our springtime visit, when waiting times hit up to two and a half hours for one ride, so draw up a time-saving plan.
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Trying out a vintage game at an arcade in Odaiba Tokyo Disneyland's daytime Happiness Is Here
parade is led by Goofy 7 Ziv had the chance to ride at a decommissioned helicopter at the Fire Museum in Shinjuku
Prior to your trip, make a shortlist of five rides you must go on and which shows to catch, and arrive early to get a FASTPASS (for attractions included in the scheme) as soon as you enter the park. This will help cut the time you spend waiting in line. Arrange to stay overnight at one of the hotels located in or near the park — you’ll be dead tired at the end of the day, and the last thing you’ll want to do is ride the train or bus back to Tokyo. Essential info: A one-day passport for one park costs ¥7,400 per adult, ¥6,400 for 12- to 17-year-olds, and ¥4,800 for kids aged four to 11. You can buy this at the park or through the tokyodisneyresort.jp website. Tokyo Disney Resort (1-1 Maihama,
Kid-certified family fun
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Get off the beaten path If you have time, take your tiny tot to the non-touristy neighborhood of Yotsuya in the south-eastern part of Shinjuku, where two of the main attractions are the Fire Museum and the Tokyo Toy Museum. The Fire Museum tracks the history of fire service in Japan, a country that’s had its fair share of raging infernos, such as the deadly fire tornado triggered by the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923 that razed a large part of downtown Tokyo. There are plenty of fire engines and helicopters exhibited here, and if that doesn’t catch your little one’s fancy, then the films showing and models on display surely will. Peeling Ziv
away from the museum involved some form of bribery, and if you manage to convince your kid to do the same, take a 10-minute walk to the Tokyo Toy Museum. Housed in the former Shinjuku Kuritsu Yotsuya Elementary School are traditional, mainly wooden toys from Japan and other parts of the world. More than 10,000 toys are divided by category and displayed in 10 playrooms across three floors. Staff members, also known as curators or toy consultants, are on standby in all the rooms to teach kids how to play with certain items. The museum isn’t just a nice environment for your kids to play in or alongside local kids; it’s also a good spot for parents to rest. While Ziv was busy being a kid, my husband and I got a chance to take a peek into the lives of locals.
9 Trying out toys at the Tokyo Toy Museum Monsters, Inc and Toy Story characters all lit up for the Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights 11 One of the antique fire trucks at the Fire Museum
the Yotsuya-Sanchome station on the Marunouchi Line. The main entrance to the Fire Museum (tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/ts/ museum.html) is at level B1 of the station. It is open from 9.30am to 7pm Tuesday through Sunday, and on national holidays. Entry is free. The Tokyo Toy Museum (goodtoy.org/ ttm) is open from 10am to 4pm from Friday to Wednesday. A child-and-adult pair ticket costs ¥1,200.
Essential info: The Fire Museum and Tokyo Toy Museum can be accessed via
Get more tips on traveling to Tokyo with your kids at waytogo. cebupacificair.com 108 Smile May 2016
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Cebu Pacific flies to Tokyo (Narita) from Manila and Cebu. cebupacificair.com
PHOTOS BY KAT MATEO
Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture) is accessible via the Maihama station on the JR Musashino and JR Keiyo lines. Alternatively, you may take direct buses from various points in Tokyo. Visit the website for details.
Dress up and go
50s AND FABULOUS EVERY YEAR, A GROUP OF SYDNEYSIDERS GATHERS TO RELIVE THE GLAMOR OF THE ROCK ’N’ ROLL DECADE. PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES HORAN CAPTURES THE NOSTALGIC FUN
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TEXT BY MAYA CALICA-COLLINS
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he Fifties Fair at the Sydney Living Museums (sydneylivingmuseums. com.au), one of several events that the museum organizes, is an annual shindig that lets its retro-loving participants step back in time. For one day, women don petticoats, tight sweaters, gloves and hats, while men turn up in fedoras, bowling shirts and saddle shoes to grace the fair. Held in Australia’s iconic mid-century Rose Seidler House — which still has all its original furniture and fixtures in place — activities include dancing to live rock ’n’ roll music, viewing the vintage cars on display, gourmet dining, and shopping for 1950s fashion, furniture and memorabilia. To suit the occasion, visitors can also get their hair done à la Marilyn Monroe or James Dean by stylists specializing in vintage coiffures. “I love that everyone attending makes a huge effort,” says Sydney-based photographer James Horan, who has been commissioned to cover the event twice. “Everyone spends hours on their hair, makeup and tailor-made outfits — they love it when you shoot them.” Maybe these folks are seriously passionate about the past. The Best Dressed awards that are up for grabs could be another incentive. For whatever reason they’re there, they all seem to have a blast — and the fun is evident from Horan’s photos. It helps that one of his favorite pastimes is people watching. His father showed him how to use an old Canon AE-1 camera and a Mamiya CC30, and he became hooked from that moment on. “All I wanted to do was photograph people,” he says. Horan has now been a full-time photographer since 1998. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, Maxim magazine and Reader’s Digest, to name a few. But he finds random encounters far more fulfilling as subjects than celebrities. “Recently, my family spent a month in America on vacation. Once my daughter was asleep, I wandered off looking for interesting people to shoot,” says Horan. “When I have time off from my assignments, this is what I really love doing.”
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Dress up and go
Details of the decade Among the defining attributes of the 1950s was its distinctive fashion — from balloon skirts and cat glasses for women, to gelled-back hair, country bowties and western jackets for men; (opposite page) don't forget to floss
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Dress up and go
All the right moves The Fifties Fair’s music harks back to the golden age of rock ’n’ roll, as do the dance moves — from swing and bop to the handjive and rockabilly
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Dress up and go
So cinematic After years of austerity, the general mood in postwar Western cities is often described as having been “buoyant�. In Australia, locals lapped up the Hollywood-style glamor exported to the world from America
Cebu Pacific flies to Sydney from Manila. cebupacificair.com
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Street art
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PHOTOS BY LESTER V. LEDESMA
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA A CENTURIES-OLD TRADITION OF SONG, ELABORATE COSTUMES AND EPIC STORYLINES, WAYANG OPERA SURVIVES AS A POP-UP ART FORM ON THE HYPER-MODERN STREETS OF SINGAPORE. BY LESTER V. LEDESMA
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hese are the custodians of a dying art. With their stylized movements, theatrical voices, loud face paint and equally gaudy traditional costumes, Singapore’s Chinese street opera artists personify this nation’s cultural ties to the Middle Kingdom. Yet their performances carry a name borne from the native Malay vernacular — wayang, a local term for “theater”, which has become synonymous with their unique brand of ancient artistry. Singapore’s wayang performers are a fascinating peek into this country’s not-too-distant past. The wayang have captured my imagination ever since I first saw these painted performers over a decade ago. Disciples of one of the earliest forms of drama, theirs is an art form that hails back to Imperial China’s Song Dynasty in the 13th century. Chinese street opera, you could say, was my introduction to Singapore’s traditional side, an aspect of culture that is often swept under this country’s ultra-modern sheen.
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Street art
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But even back in 2003, the wayang performers were already a rare breed. Their show venues were so obscure — they staged their plays anywhere from open fields to temple grounds, or even sidewalks — they went practically unnoticed. This is a far cry from their heyday in the 1800s, when this stage drama was the preferred entertainment in colonial-era Singapore. The wayang were the rock stars of their period, their traveling troupes drawing huge crowds wherever they performed.
Their popularity didn’t last long, though, as the country entered the first world and Singaporean lifestyles became westernized. Fifty years ago there were more than a dozen professional opera groups on the island; today there are only three. The wayang may have gone from the limelight in today’s era of YouTube and television, but thankfully they have managed to survive (albeit barely). This I experience one evening in the company of an opera performer, Carine Lim. At 39 she
1 Chinese opera is a highlight at many temple events 2 Wayang stages are often set up in open fields 3 Performers get help dressing up 4 Wayang Carine Lim and her onstage persona
is one of the younger artists on the scene, yet her experience with the wayang goes all the way back to childhood — her father is a manager at Singapore’s oldest active opera troupe, Lao Sai Tao Yuan. On this occasion — a god’s birthday, celebrated at a nearby Taoist temple — I am backstage with her crew of more than a dozen opera actors and musicians. “It was my personal decision to become a wayang, but for many of my older colleagues, this life was something they
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Street art
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were born into,” Carine tells me as she prepares for a performance. “In the old days, children were sent off to the opera troupe in order to train and earn money for their family.” She continues talking while she goes through the long, careful process of applying her character’s makeup. “Traditionally, the young actors would learn the craft by assisting the senior wayang and picking up any tips they could get from them.” In the dim light of this dressing room — which amounts to the area behind the stage curtains, where makeshift dressers stand amid piles of costumes and props — I watch Carine’s colleagues as they indulge in their own personal rituals before going
The wayang were the
5 Actors from the Lao Sai Tao Yuan opera share a light moment backstage 6 Chinese opera is known for its distinctive use of stage makeup 7 A sparse audience of mostly old-timers
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rock stars of the colon ial period, the travel ing troupes drawing crowds wherever the huge y performed
on stage. On one side, a pair of dan or female leads, who in this particular opera play princesses, are quietly rehearsing their lines. The chou, or clown character, is alone in an opposite corner, looking rather serious with his cigarette. The wen — a scholarly figure denoted by the fan-like extensions on his headpiece — is adjusting his strap-on moustache, not far from the pious xiao youngster and the elderly lao mother who are both catching a few minutes of sleep. All their faces are adorned with thick face paint, the colors of which denote certain qualities. Red, for instance, suggests bravery and loyalty, while gold and silver portray a character’s spiritual nature. With their makeup all set and their costumes in place, the wayang begin the show. Accompanied by gongs, crashing cymbals and the piercing notes of the erhu and guzheng (both traditional Chinese string instruments), the artists perform their roles with masterful ease. Occasionally their shrill voices break into
Street art
song. They move with impeccable grace, each flick of the wrist and each tilt of the head adding depth to this time-honored presentation. I look out to the audience, and see a mere smattering of faces. There’s a small number of old folks sitting on the plastic chairs, their eyes and ears trained eagerly on the show. At the sidelines, a few curious tourists and casual observers stand by. They watch for a few minutes before going off into the night. No doubt they are fascinated with the spectacle, but the exclusively Chinese dialogue keeps them from fully appreciating it. This is a far cry from the old days, when traffic stopped to watch wayang performances on the streets. Close to midnight the show ends in a rousing climax, with the elder wayang showcasing stylized kung fu moves in a final fight scene. Under the glaring stage
Catch a show FIND OUT WHERE TO WATCH THE WAYANG IN ACTION Check out schedules and updates for performances of the Lao Sai Tao Yuan troupe at their Facebook page; facebook.com/lao. saitaoyuan
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Elaborate costumes are an integral part of the traditional opera
Street art
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8 Gongs, drums and strings comprise the troupe's in-house orchestra 9 A backstage portrait while the actor waits in the wings 10 A scene plays out onstage
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lights, wooden swords and bamboo spears are swung with fluid precision. Heroes shine while enemies are vanquished, and an ancient tale is once again successfully retold. As the cymbals bang out their final notes, the meagre audience begins to disperse. Unlike their Western counterparts, Chinese opera artists do not line up for a curtain call; instead, Carine and her colleagues quietly retreat backstage to remove the night’s work from their faces. There will be neither flowers nor glowing reviews tonight — or any other night, for that matter — but
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these artists don’t mind one bit. “If not for these temple events, our wayang troupe would have closed down long ago,” says Carine as she collects her talent fee — an amount that hovers between SG$60 and $90, barely enough for a day’s expenses. Tomorrow she’ll be back at her day job, running a garment boutique. “This isn’t something we do for the money,” Carine admits. “Everyone here is passionate about Chinese opera, and we all try our best to keep this art alive. This is why we continue being wayang!”
Cebu Pacific flies to Singapore from Manila, Clark, Cebu and Davao. Cebupacificair.com
The big blue
INTO DEEPER SPACE
PHOTOS BY MARTIN ZAPANTA
FREEDIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES IS MAKING WAVES
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n a boating trip in Panglao, Bohol six years ago, photographer Martin Zapanta jumped into the open waters for a snorkel and found himself nearly drowning, taking saltwater up his nose and mouth as he splashed about in a fit of panic. But rather than put him off the water forever, the incident inspired his current obsession — competitive freediving, or holding your breath as you dive into the blue without the aid of breathing apparatus. While his personal best so far is diving 180ft with a monofin, his goal is to be the first Filipino to freedive to a depth of 330ft. Here, in breathtaking images, he answers the question, “Why do it?”
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The big blue
SURFACE TENSION
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"My first dive wasn't so deep — only 8m, or 26ft — in Moalboal, Cebu. My ears hurt, and it was a struggle to hold my breath and difficult to learn the techniques." For followers of the fast-growing sport, though, the challenge is all part of the appeal. There is now a total of 14 freediving schools in the Philippines, in places like Cebu, Bohol, Coron, Camiguin, Siargao, El Nido and Romblon.
THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING UNDERWATER
"Freediving is an amazing experience — for one thing, the world is calm and you are weightless — until you feel heavy contractions in your lungs and a strong, almost insurmountable, urge to breathe," Martin says. For him, this struggle begins after two to three minutes underwater. The average time a person can hold his or her breath is 30 seconds.
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The big blue
ENTER ANOTHER WORLD
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The Philippine archipelago is a prime destination for freedivers around the world — the waters are clear, and enchanting sights include everything from wrecks to whale sharks. The subaquatic seascapes have drawn freediving superstars from overseas. "I shot with Alexey Molchanov, the Russian world champion, when he was here to conduct a workshop. Annelie Pompe, Tomoka Fukuda, Sahika Ercumen — all elite freedivers — have all come to train as well, and it was great seeing them in action," says Martin. "There are many others, like Stefan Randig and Dongha Kim, who are both the deepest divers in their own countries [Germany and South Korea]. They are here, living in the Philippines, teaching freediving." Herbert Nitsch, who is the deepest freediver in the world using a weighted sled, has likewise visited Moalboal, Cebu.
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The big blue
INTO THE BLUE
"After I stretch my ribcage, arms and legs, I just relax before a dive. I don't like to overthink it because it makes me more tense, and I try to think of nothing, like taking a nap, when freefalling," Martin says. The freediving course includes rigorous training, part of which is to help develop the instinct for calm, not panic. "If you like going to the beach, the world undersea is totally worth seeing." Martin's dream is to freedive in Tubbataha Reef, off Palawan, to take pictures of manta rays and hammerhead sharks.
Cebu Pacific flies to 34 destinations across the Philippines. cebupacificair.com 134 Smile May 2016
Trip journal Guides to Cebu PaciямБc destinations
LOCAL COLOR
LITTLE INDIA IS ONE OF SINGAPORE'S BRIGHTEST, LIVELIEST AREAS. TURN TO PAGE 149 FOR MORE THINGS TO SEE, DO AND EAT IN THE LION CITY.
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Trip Journal International
Australia
Brunei Darussalam
SYDNEY
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Yvette Velasco
Anacelle Bautista
Postgraduate student
SSEAYP youth ambassador/ investment banker
Devon Café in Devonshire Street, Surry Hills is one of Sydney’s best brunch places. They serve Asian fusion cuisine that is borderline fine-dining but with friendly prices. Try the Breakfast with the Sakuma’s (AU$25) or KJI Burger (AU$19).
Aminah Arif (aminaharif.com.bn) is famous for its ambuyat, a national dish resembling porridge that you’ll roll into a ball using chopsticks. Try the set for two (BN$16) in Jerudong. Also try Thien Thien Restaurant’s chicken rice topped with chilli sauce (BN$3.20). It has been a local favorite for the past 20 years. Find it in Seri Complex.
Visit Manly Beach on a Sunday; Opal fares cap at AU$2.50 so it is cheaper to enjoy the ferry to the beach. If you are keen, take a day trip to Port Stephens to go sandboarding (AU$28), or hike up to the summit of Tomaree National Park for an amazing view of the NSW coast.
Find inner peace at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. During sunset, the gold dome glitters and reflects on the surrounding lagoon. Immerse yourself in local culture and explore Kampong Ayer, a water village on stilts. Take a water taxi for BN$20.
AREA CODE +61 (2) TOUCHDOWN KINGSFORD
AREA CODE +673 TOUCHDOWN BRUNEI
SMITH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI,
TOWN TRAIN, BUS, TAXI
BUS, CAR RENTAL
Trip Journal International
Cambodia
China
SIEM REAP
BEIJING
Frances Beldia
RJ Dancel
Writer and home-schooling mom
Freelance copywriter, social media specialist
Peace Café (+855 63 965 210) is a vegetarian restaurant with a nice garden setting where you can lounge and laze about after a long day at the temples. The curry and the burger are unforgettable at US$6 each and a tall glass of smoothie costs US$2.
Sample dumplings, quail eggs dipped in egg and potato batter, and more at Wangfujing Snack Street. Generally speaking, you can spend less than CNY50 for a meal with drink. Also try the Peking duck at Bian Yi Fang Roast Duck Restaurant in Chongwenmenwai. Spend CNY130++ per dish.
Spend no fewer than three days visiting as many temples as you can. The best sunset view is in Phnom Bakheng. The other unforgettable temples are Ta Som, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Neak Pean and Ta Keo. Join meditation and yoga classes at Peace Café. They also have Khmer (pronounced “kamay”) and cooking classes available.
The iconic Tiananmen Square — the largest urban city square in the world — in the Forbidden City is one of the best-preserved imperial palaces. Go back in time and see the Chinese architecture and rich culture that have been a mainstay throughout China’s history. Catch a kung fu show at Red Theatre (+86 10 6714 2473) in Xingfu Street.
AREA CODE +855 (63) TOUCHDOWN SIEM
AREA CODE +86 (10) TOUCHDOWN BEIJING
REAP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
TAXI (US$35), TUK-TUK (US$25), HOTEL
TOWN TAXI, SUBWAY, BUS
SHUTTLE, HIRED VAN
Trip Journal International
China
China
China
GUANGZHOU
HONG KONG
MACAU
Clarice Sy
France Natera
Anna Apolis
Sales manager
Broadcast producer
Trade finance associate
I like how they prepare gong fu cha (Chinese tea ceremony) at Guangzhou Restaurant in Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. It’s so refreshing and warm that you’ll forget the cold weather outside! Try their dim sum, particularly the hakaw (shrimp dumpling), beef ball and panfried walnut bun.
The Sichuan spicy chicken pot at 66 Hot Pot (+852 2392 4966) is a perfect complement after a long walk in Mong Kok. The green tea mochi complimentary dessert also adds a sweet surprise. Budget approximately HK$100-200 for two people.
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is also the most popular and biggest shopping location in the city. Buy clothes for CNY40, bags for CNY50 and shoes for just CNY60! Bargain, if possible.
Kowloon Walled City Park sits on the site of what was once an ungoverned settlement and one of the most densely populated places on Earth. Relive the “darker side” to Hong Kong, a place where triads ruled over this lawless enclave.
Have some fresh-from-the-oven Portuguese egg tarts at Margaret’s Café e Nata (+853 2871 0032) in Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. I think it is even better than Lord Stow’s Bakery! Senado Square is Macau’s urban center and a sight to behold. Famous for its wave-patterned colorful mosaic stones, it is known as a place for celebrations and gatherings. You may also walk around and try the free samples given out by food vendors.
Go on a romantic night cruise along the Pearl River and enjoy the sights for an hour. Spend around CNY80 per person.
Ride a Star Ferry boat from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. For an average price of HK$3 you get to see the remarkable landscape of this world city.
Be amazed by The House of Dancing Water in the City of Dreams complex. It showcases world-class acrobatics, incredible dives, astounding motorbikes and lots of water!
AREA CODE +86 (20) TOUCHDOWN
AREA CODE +852 TOUCHDOWN HONG
AREA CODE +853 TOUCHDOWN MACAU
GUANGZHOU BAIYUN INTERNATIONAL
KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN BUS, TAXI, AIRPORT
TOWN SHUTTLE (INCLUDED IN PACKAGE),
TAXI, HOTEL SHUTTLE BUS (FREE, WHEN
EXPRESS
MRT, BUS
AVAILABLE)
140 Smile May 2016
Trip Journal International
China
China
Indonesia
SHANGHAI
XIAMEN
BALI
Janet Ngan
Enzo Flojo
Hongwei Dai
Finance analyst, CBRE
Educator, writer and sportscaster
Marketing officer
Shanghai is synonymous to xiao long bao (soup dumpling). A trip to the city would not be complete without it. Have authentic Shanghainese xiao long bao at Fu Chun in Yuyuan Lu near Zhenning Lu.
Check out Zhongshan Lu (Road) — it really comes alive at night. There are a lot of great hole-in-the-wall places for easy dining. The sky is often littered with stars, and there’s a nice view of the water.
Sundara (+62 361 701010) at Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran Bay is a beautiful beachside restaurant that features fusion food at affordable prices. The three-course Express Lunch has generous portions and costs IDR220,000++.
Go to Yu Yuan Garden and Old Town during the day. The classical garden is full of pavilions, artificial rocks, running water and historic architecture. One of the highlights of Yu Yuan Garden is the Exquisite Jade Rock.
Go to local markets like Xia Da, Zhongshan Lu and Gulangyu, where you can find a lot of good bargains. Say “Duo shao qian?” (“How much is this?”) when you’re out shopping.
Jimbaran Beach is my favorite — it offers the best sunset in Bali. At weekends, you will see locals with families gathering at the beach. Happiness is as simple as this.
Gulangyu Island is a fantastic side trip. It’s great for more bargain shopping and for some cultural immersion. While there, check out the Piano Museum (+86 592 206 0238) and the Koxinga Statue, which is situated on a huge rock.
Go to Uluwatu in the late afternoon, around 4.30pm, and take in the breathtaking views from the cliff. Make sure to catch the Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple, where you’ll see villagers perform.
AREA CODE +86 (21) TOUCHDOWN SHANGHAI
AREA CODE +86 (592) TOUCHDOWN XIAMEN
AREA CODE +62 (36) TOUCHDOWN NGURAH
PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
GAOQI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
RAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
TOWN TAXI, BUS, MAGLEV TRAIN
TOWN TAXI, AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS,
BLUE BIRD TAXI (APPROX. IDR100,000), BUS,
PUBLIC BUS
HIRED VAN
Take a 35-minute high-speed G-type train from Shanghai Hongqiao railway station to Suzhou (CNY39.50 one-way), known for its gardens and waterside architecture. Visit the Lingering Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
142 Smile May 2016
Trip Journal International
Indonesia
Japan
Japan
JAKARTA
FUKUOKA
NAGOYA
Brian Lim del Rosario
Rowena Soriano
Margarita Tan
Market researcher
Lawyer
Self-employed individual
Be ready to get your hands dirty at The Holy Crab (theholycrab.co.id)! This no-frills restaurant is all about one thing — finger-licking good crabs! Take your pick from local mud crabs to imported king crab legs. Mall culture is very big in Jakarta, which makes it a great destination for a whole day of intense shopping. Check out Grand Indonesia Mall, Plaza Senayan and more. Cap off your day at Beer Garden in Menteng, a stylish drinking spot attracts a chic crowd of locals and expats who love to wind down at a well-designed space with a bottle — or a bucket — of beer.
Dine at the Kadoya izakaya in Tenjin (+81 92 738 8268) for some hotpot, yakitori, grilled fish and drinks (spend approx. ¥5,000). For budget eats, go to Ishiya near the Hakozaki Campus of Kyushu University for seafood okonomiyaki soba noodles, with free salad and sweet-potato fries bar for appetizer (¥1,100). Visit the shrines — Hakozaki (near Hakozaki-Miyamae subway station), Kushida (near Nakasu-Kawabata subway station, exit 5) and Kego (near Tenjin subway station 12 west exit). Have a leisurely stroll along the walking path in Ohori Park, which has a large pond in its center. The park is just near Akasaka subway station.
AREA CODE +62 (21) TOUCHDOWN JAKARTA
Traveling on a budget? Eat in a fastfood place like Yoshinoya (yoshinoya.com) that has branches all over Japan. Try its tasty beef bowl! Spend around ¥500 for a single meal. Make your way to Osu Shopping District, a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Aside from retail stores, you’ll also see Buddhist temples in the area. The Osu Shopping District has been in existence for around 400 years. It features over 1,200 businesses that range from long-standing establishments to new ones. Tipping is not required in Japan, so there’s no need to leave extra cash when asking for the restaurant bill. AREA CODE +81 (52) TOUCHDOWN CHŪBU
(SOEKARNO-HATTA) INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AREA CODE +81 (92) TOUCHDOWN FUKUOKA
CENTRAIR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, SHUTTLE CAR
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA TAXI, BUS, SUBWAY
TOWN TRAIN (MEITETSU-LIMITED EXPRESS), BUS, TAXI
May 2016 Smile 143
Trip Journal International
Japan
Japan
Kuwait
TOKYO
OSAKA
KUWAIT
Jade Furuta
Lester Estrada
Marta Marinho
Lifestyle YouTuber and Japanese interpreter
P&G Japan marketing manager for laundry
PE teacher
Gonpachi in Aqua City mall is a casual dining restaurant that serves izakaya-type food. Try their assortment of tempura made out of fresh vegetables and seafood, which are amazingly crispy and flavorful (¥1,280). Enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of the bay during your meal. Visit the beautiful Yoyogi Park in Harajuku. It’s fun, relaxing and free! Watch costumed folks perform original dances there. The park is one of the largest in Tokyo and is near Meiji Shrine.
Osaka is well known for its glorious okonomiyaki — Japan’s answer to American pancakes. Dotombori is ground zero for these savory carb-bombs, and Mizuno (+81 6 6212 6360) makes for a good representation of the Kansai fare. Universal Studios Osaka (usj.co.jp/e) is home to the nearest Hogwarts Castle from the Philippines. While a Japanesespeaking Dumbledore may catch you by surprise, it is worth the full-day visit. Come in early, at around 9 or 10am, as there are limited slots for admission.
Try the mixed grill with hummus and typical Kuwait bread and Kuwait fish at Mais Alghanim (maisalghanim. com) in Arabian Gulf Street. It has been operating since 1953, and continues to offer traditional Lebanese, Arabian and international cuisine. 360 Mall (360mall.com) in Sixth Ring Road is the perfect destination for shopaholics. It has local and foreign retail shops, department stores and entertainment areas. Also dine in one of the cafés or restaurants at The Gardens.
If you are taking the Tokyo Metro (tokyometro.jp/en) to more than three stations, save money by buying an oneday open ticket instead.
Explore Dotonbori, which houses a Statue of Liberty replica in Amerikamura (American Village).
Rent a private yacht and go to Kubbar island, 30km off the southern coast of Kuwait. It’s beautiful and the water is very warm.
AREA CODE +81 (3) TOUCHDOWN NARITA
AREA CODE +81 (6) TOUCHDOWN KANSAI
AREA CODE +965 TOUCHDOWN KUWAIT
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
NARITA EXPRESS, AIRPORT LIMOUSINE BUS
TRAIN, BUS, TAXI
AIRPORT TAXI (KW10 PER TRIP, REGARDLESS OF DISTANCE)
May 2016 Smile 145
Trip Journal International
Malaysia
Malaysia
Qatar
KOTA KINABALU
KUALA LUMPUR
DOHA
Cobo Nepomuceno
Almarie T. Dela Cruz
Janina Marie Berciles
Director of Research and Development for Schuyler Scents Inc.
Operations manager
Ground crew
Find street hawker food served the Shangri-La way at the Rasa Ria Resort & Spa’s Tepi Laut Makan Street (+60 88 797 888 ext 6315). Indulge in grilled seafood and meats as you dine al fresco under the stars, with the waves beating on the beach for a true tropical experience.
For me, TG’s Nasi Kandar (+60 19 335 0490) in Bukit Bintang offers the best local food. On the menu are nasi goreng, nasi lemak, roti and more. A biryani meal starts at MYR10.
Doha is the best place to try kebabs. Habeeb Restaurant near Jaber bin Hayyan Street offers mouthwatering meat skewers and other Turkish delights. They also do lamb chops and grilled chicken well. For after-dinner drinks, go to Trader Vic’s (tradervicsdoha.com) at the Hilton. They play live music but no karaoke.
DESA Dairy Farm (desaplus.com) is a sight to see because you wouldn’t think you are in Asia. Sample some of its premium fresh milk there. Entrance fee is MYR5.
Make your way to the Central Market (centralmarket.com.my) in Jalan Hang Kasturi and do your pasalubong shopping there. Buy affordable sarong, batik and other souvenir items.
Shop at Souq Waqif, a local market where you can buy shisha and more. It is accessible by taxi.
Enjoy the chilly climate at Mesilau Nature Resort (+60 88 871 519), located at the foot of Mount Kinabalu. While there, have a hearty lunch or join a guided nature walk for an additional MYR5.
Take the 3.38km Skyway Cable Car from Gohtong Jaya to Resorts World Genting. It’s one of the longest and fastest cable car lines in South-East Asia, and it passes through the 100-year-old tropical rainforest. A normal one-way ticket is MYR6.40.
Check out Zekreet, 90km from Doha, which is known for its limestone escarpment where the chalky rocks have eroded into mushroom-like formations. This northern area is full of interesting coves and bays.
AREA CODE +60 (88) TOUCHDOWN KOTA
AREA CODE +60 (3) TOUCHDOWN KUALA
AREA CODE +974 TOUCHDOWN HAMAD
KINABALU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI
TOWN BUS, TAXI, HOTEL SHUTTLE
TOWN KLIA EXPRESS TRAIN (MYR35 ADULT, MYR15 CHILD/ONE WAY), TAXI, BUS
May 2016 Smile 147
Trip Journal International
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Korea
RIYADH
SINGAPORE
BUSAN
Katherine Ann Roque Reforma
Andrea Cid
Ice Artificio
Registered nurse
Advertising creative
Marketing manager/food blogger
Buffalo’s Southwest Café in Thalia Street serves American cuisine with big servings. My personal favorite is the Big Round Up, a complete meal that comes with ribs, buffalo wings and three sides of your choice. A meal averages SAR100 per person. On top of the 992ft Kingdom Centre skyscraper is the Sky Bridge (SAR35 entrance fee). From there, you can get a beautiful view of the city lights at night. Its shopping center has a separate floor exclusively for women where men are not allowed to enter.
Annalakshmi (annalakshmi.com.sg) offers delicious Indian vegetarian buffet. Proceeds from the restaurant support a cultural organization, Temple of the Arts. You simply pay with a donation that you determine yourself, depending on how much you have eaten or how long you have stayed. My friends and I have paid around SG$8-15 in the past. Check out the recently opened National Gallery Singapore for the largest public collection of art in South-East Asia. Admission is SG$20.
Staying near the beach means getting access to some of the freshest seafood. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the sannakji or live octopus in the Jagalchi Fish Market. Prices vary, so prepare to pay around KRW3,000-9,000 per person. It’s a long walk from the bus station to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, but the view is definitely worth it, as it is situated on the shoreline. Entrance is free. Enjoy the night lights seen from Gwangalli Beach while having a box of Korean-style fried chicken, or enjoy the sunrise with a cup of coffee from the many stores along the beach.
If you have a little more time, head 80km outside the city center to check out the Red Sand Dunes.
Catch a film at The Projector, an independent cinema at the historic Golden Theatre ($13). Settle into a bean bag with a craft beer and salted egg-yolk fries.
AREA CODE +966 (11) TOUCHDOWN KING
AREA CODE +65 TOUCHDOWN SINGAPORE
AREA CODE +82 (51) TOUCHDOWN GIMHAE
KHALID INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
CHANGI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
TOWN TAXI (SAR50-100), BUS, CAR RENTAL
TOWN TAXI (BELOW SGD30), MRT, BUS
TRAIN, AIRPORT LIMOUSINE BUS, TAXI
(SAR100-200)
May 2016 Smile 149
Trip Journal International
South Korea
Taiwan
SEOUL
TAIPEI
we love to make coffee for the city that loves to drink it
Address: G/F Level Extension Area. Robinson’s Place Puerto Princesa City, Puerto Princesa Philippines. Telephone #: (048) 434-0763 Fb page: palawancafe@yahoo.com
Nicole Quiogue Golloso
Abigail Butalid
Career management specialist
Producer
Dongmoon offers Asian and Halalcertified cuisine. I recommend the grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce and rice (KRW10,000), Guangdong-style stir-fried rice-noodle with beef (KRW12,000), and Hongshao beef noodle soup (KRW10,000).
Go food tripping at Ximending Night Market! Find shops and street vendors offering treats like grilled sausages, noodles, milk tea, large fried chicken and more. Be adventurous to try new things.
My favorite is the N Seoul Tower (nseoultower.co.kr/eng), a romantic place where you can get a panoramic view of Seoul. It is also famous for its light show. There’s no entrance fee unless you want to go up to the observatory (adults KRW9,000). Avail of the Seoul City Bus Tour (seoulcitybus.com). It’s cheaper and faster than the subway. You can hop on and off at any of its 22 stops for one whole day (KRW12,000).
Jiufen is a mountain city that’s just a one-hour bus ride from Taipei. It used to be a mining town and has now become a popular tourist destination where you’ll get a great view of the city as the sun sets. When taking the inter-country trains, be wary of the fine print. It’s possible you won’t have a seat for an hour or more, especially at weekends when students go home to their provinces.
AREA CODE +82 (2) TOUCHDOWN INCHEON
AREA CODE +886 (2) TOUCHDOWN TAIPEI
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA
TAOYUAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET
AREX TRAIN, LIMOUSINE
TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, TAIWAN HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY (THSR)
Beachfront, Station 2, Balabag, Boracay, Malay, Aklan Philippines 5608
PREMIER DELUXE ROOM
PREMIER SUPER DELUXE ROOM W/1BED @ premier East Wing
Trip Journal International
Thailand
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
BANGKOK
PHUKET
DUBAI
Lauren Chua
Evelyn Sy-Tay
Cris Buenaseda
Sales and marketing manager
IT consultant
Banker/finance professional
Satiate your hunger at Thip Samai in Maha Chai Road. Its pad Thai (stir-fried rice noodles with toppings) amazingly tastes salty, sour, sweet and spicy — all at the same time! Combine this with their famed orange juice, and budget at around THB70-100 per person.
For authentic yet affordable Thai food, No. 6 Restaurant (+66 81 922 4084) in Patong serves delicious pad Thai, green curry crab, tom yum and fried rice. Try to go early as the queue could be long — but it’s definitely worth the wait.
Relax at the Skytrain Jazz Pub (+66 89 895 4299), a picturesque pub in Victory Monument where each floor is decorated with a cool fusion of vintage Thai and Western artwork.
Head to Bangla Road in Patong Beach — the nightlife hub of Phuket. You’ll see bars, restaurants and discos crowded with people partying and having fun.
Find great steaks at The Meat Co (+971 4 420 0737) — the branch in Souk Al Bahar has a lovely view, with outside seating right in front of Burj Khalifa overlooking the Dubai fountains. Apart from visiting the traditional gold and spice souks, don’t miss Souk Madinat Jumeirah (+971 4 366 8888). Its retail shops are open every day from 10am to 11pm.
Go island hopping! Include the Phi Phi Island Tour by speedboat in your itinerary and see the famous Maya Bay, which was featured in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, The Beach.
Aside from the must-do desert safari, a selfie with the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain show, go on a Yellow Boats tour (theyellowboats.com) in the afternoon for a 90-minute cruise around Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and the iconic Burj Al Arab luxury hotel.
AREA CODE +66 (2) TOUCHDOWN
AREA CODE +66 (76) TOUCHDOWN PHUKET
AREA CODE +971 TOUCHDOWN DUBAI
SUVARNABHUMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA
GET TO TOWN TAXI, AIRPORT RAIL LINK, BUS
MINIBUS, TAXI
TAXI (STARTS AT AED20), DUBAI METRO
Check out the Amphawa Floating Market at night to experience shopping under a blanket of friendly fireflies. It’s just near the King Rama II Memorial Park.
(APPROX. AED5-7), HOTEL SHUTTLE, BUS
May 2016 Smile 153
Trip Journal International
United States of America
Vietnam
Vietnam
GUAM
HANOI
HO CHI MINH CITY
Marie Noelle Umali
Ayong Teves
Samantha Coronado
Investment advisor
Customer service representative
Travel blogger
Say cheese! Chuck E. Cheese’s (cecguam.com) is a chain with a fun atmosphere. You get that kiddie feeling inside when you enter the restaurant, which will make you crave for all-meat pizza and soda. Allot US$12-15 per person.
Complete your trip by trying the local specialty, banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich). Banh Mi 25 (+84 97 766 8895) in Hang Ca Street has the best one in town, with roast pork and honey chicken fillings on the menu. An order comes with free tea and banana.
Get your retail fix by heading to T Galleria by DFS, Tumon Sands Plaza (high-end brands), Macy’s, Guam Premium Outlets (shoe paradise), Ross (budget-friendly finds) and last but not least, a 24-hour Kmart. Buy macadamia nuts, Chamorro cookies and mango beer!
Take a ride on a cyclo — like a baby stroller for adults — and do a city tour in style with Hanoi Cyclo Tours (hanoicyclotours.com). They also do food tours and even water-puppet shows.
Try Quan Oc Hoang in Nguyen Thuong Hien, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that serves freshly cooked tiger prawns, scallops and other seafood delights that you can savor inside your banh (bread). Raise your glass at Chill Skybar (+84 8 882 2838) and enjoy the rooftop view of the glimmering HCMC skyline. Arrive early for happy hour! Learn about Viet Cong resilience by visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex underground system that’s now a museum. These tunnels enabled guerrillas to withstand US forces during the Vietnam War. Find walk-in guided tours at Pham Ngu Lao Street.
Most of the places to visit in Guam are within walking distance. As in Honolulu, you can get around via trolley.
Do what the locals do and have a bowl of pho and beer while sitting on a tiny plastic seat in the street. You’ll see a lot all over town.
AREA CODE +1 (671) TOUCHDOWN ANTONIO
AREA CODE +84 (4) TOUCHDOWN NOI BAI
AREA CODE +84 (8) TOUCHDOWN TAN SON
B. WON PAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI,
NHAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
TOWN TAXI (TO TUMON), HOTEL SHUTTLE
HOTEL CAR SERVICE
TOWN VIA TAXI
154 Smile May 2016
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA (BACOLOD & BUSUANGA)
BACOLOD
BUSUANGA
Sherlene Vijandre
Deepa Paul
Mountain biker, scuba diver
Freelance copywriter and content producer
Terrasse Bistro (+34 707 7002) at The District, Ayala North Point in Talisay City is a wonderful fine-dining establishment by noted chef Nico De Asis Millanes. The Norwegian salmon with carrot mousseline and red wine onion sauce is outstanding! Every dish is creative and service is excellent.
We bought fresh seafood at the talipapa (wet market) and brought it to Kaison Restaurant along the main road in Coron Town. They can cook it any way you like (paluto) for a fee of PHP150 per kilo. Yummy and affordable!
Take a tour of Hofileña Ancestral House in Silay, which houses an impressive private art collection and antiques. Visit the tourism office to get recommendations and a DoT-accredited guide when touring around town. Take a ride on a steam locomotive at the Hawaiian-Philippine Milling Company in Silay.
Don’t miss Kayangan Lake, which is said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines. Take a short hike to the top of the hill, where you can get a pictureperfect view of the lake. You’ll need to bring about PHP1,000 in PHP100 bills for various entrance fees to different islands. These fees are used to pay the local caretakers, who keep the places pristine.
AREA CODE +34 TOUCHDOWN BACOLOD-
AREA CODE +48 TOUCHDOWN FRANCISCO B.
SILAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
REYES AIRPORT GET TO TOWN SHUTTLE VAN,
TOWN TAXI (APPROX. PHP500), SHUTTLE
HOTEL SHUTTLE
VAN/BUS (APPROX. PHP200)
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
CAGAYAN DE ORO
Sherwin Putian
Peevi Jannsen N. Juan
Finance & accounting group manager
Executive mobility consultant
Margie’s Kitchen (+85 342 1980) is famous for its Cookie Monster dessert. I saw many folks hand carry this as pasalubong in my numerous flights to and from this city for the past 10 years. This chocolate cake tastes like heaven and you can only get it from Butuan.
Kagay-anons take pride in their fried chicken. The Prito Paborito! (+88 309 1194) brand resembles fast-food chains in Metro Manila, but serves reasonably priced and tasty food. A two-piece fried chicken meal with rice only costs PHP64!
Visit the nearby Kimberry Beach Resort in Carmen, Agusan del Norte, approx. 30 to 40 minutes away from Butuan. Its well-shaded beachfront makes for a perfect getaway.
Visit the Divine Mercy Shrine at El Salvador in Misamis Oriental province. It features a 15.24m statue of the Divine Mercy. You can see Macajalar Bay on the southern island of Mindanao when you reach the area.
Join the fun and revelry as Butuan celebrates its colorful Balanghai Festival during May to commemorate the arrival of the early migrants that settled in Butuan.
Score authentic hand-woven sarong and other Cagayan de Oro delicacies like dried fish from the weekend night market at Rotonda, Nazareth.
AREA CODE +85 TOUCHDOWN BANCASI
AREA CODE +88 TOUCHDOWN
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN JEEPNEY, MULTICAB,
LAGUINDINGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
HOTEL SHUTTLE
GET TO TOWN TAXI, JEEPNEY, MOTORELA, SHUTTLE
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA
BUTUAN
Ang Pintura Ko. Reliability and beauty. Wanting nothing but the best, one of the country’s most talented actress, Heart Evangelista-Escudero, opt for her brand of choice: The A-PLUS PAINTS. The A-PLUS All Weather, the A-PLUS Fresh & Green, and the A-PLUS PowerRoof will make every house, the perfect home.
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
CAMIGUIN
CATICLAN (BORACAY)
Kriztel Lorbes
Camille Buenaventura
Master’s student in media and communications management
Software test engineer
Visit the Giant Clam Sanctuary and interact with kids who are assigned to share and explain the life cycle of the sea creatures they keep in the area. Snorkeling brings you closer to the clams that they’ve been reviving.
Dos Mestizos serves the most authentic Spanish cuisine in the island. The flavors in every dish are perfect, especially in the callos de garbanzos (tripe with chickpea, PHP355). Listed by The Huffington Post as one of the best cliff-diving destinations, Ariel’s Point lets you experience jumping into the water from different levels, ranging from 3m to 15m (PHP2,500 per person, inclusive of buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, and activities like snorkeling and kayaking).
Soak up the early-morning sun on White Island, Camiguin’s most famous sandbar. Rent a boat for PHP450 (up to five people) and shell out PHP20 for the environmental fee.
Sail into the sunset with Boracay’s version of a sunset cruise. Discover beautiful sites around the island by renting a paraw (double outrigger boat).
AREA CODE +88 TOUCHDOWN CAMIGUIN
AREA CODE +36 TOUCHDOWN GODOFREDO
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA TRICYCLE
P. RAMOS AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE THEN BOAT (10 MINS TO BORACAY ISLAND) TICKETS (PHP200) AVAILABLE IN THE AIRPORT ARRIVAL AREA
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA (CAMIGUIN & CATICLAN)
Try a kiping. It looks like crêpe and is made from cassava and topped with latik. Find it just outside the Sto. Niño Cold Spring. Try a pastel as well! Get these soft and sweet buns filled with yema at Vjandep (vjandep.com).
YOUR HOME
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
CAUAYAN
CEBU
BY THE UNDERGROUND RIVER. DALUYON BEACH AND MOUNTAIN RESORT SABANG BEACH, BRGY. CABAYUGAN, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN
PHOTOS BY EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP (CAUAYAN); LESTER LEDESMA (CEBU)
dly n e i r F Eco ar Resort 4 St Hillary David
Golda King
Tourism student/Bb. Gawagaway-yan 2015 of Cauayan City
Visual artist/painter
Enjoy the pork sisig (minced pig’s cheeks and ears) at Kusina Kawayan (+78 652 2622), crispy pata (deep-fried pig trotters or knuckles) and roast beef at Marco Paulo Café and Restaurant (+63 917 867 8479), and Aling Luring’s (+63 915 648 0960) great-tasting serkele (beef stew) and palabok (shrimp noodles).
Kusina Ni Nasing (+32 255 4213), a hole-in-the-wall, carinderia-style restaurant in V. Rama Avenue has really good liempo (grilled pork belly, PHP190).
Visit the Hacienda San Luis, where you can walk through the museum that showcases the history of Tabacalera’s tobacco industry, which goes all the way back to 1881. Feel the thrill of wakeboarding (PHP250 an hour) at Jaycee Farm in Brgy. San Fermin. It’s the first wakeboarding park in Isabela.
Cebu has a burgeoning art scene. If you’re interested in buying a piece from a local artist, drop by Qube Gallery and 856 G Gallery, and have a look at what is in their backroom. Also, keep an eye out for street art by artists Soika, the Bart Brothers, Lean Reboja and RV Sanchez. Ubuntu Festival offers a series of activities — usually during summertime — centered on yoga, food, music and art. For schedules, visit their Instagram account (@ubuntufestival).
AREA CODE +78 TOUCHDOWN CAUAYAN
AREA CODE +32 TOUCHDOWN MACTAN-CEBU
CITY AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA TRICYCLE,
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI,
PRIVATE VAN
HOTEL SHUTTLE, MULTICAB
T: +63.48.433.6379 F: +63.48.434.1174 M:+63.917.826.9989
www.daluyonbeachandmountainresort.com inquire@daluyonresort.com
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
COTABATO
Evanika Makabali
Manal J. Sugadol
Graphic designer
Audio-visual production officer
A great place to get a taste of Kapampangan cuisine is Matam-ih restaurant (+45 499 2382). If you’re brave enough and are willing to try exotic food, order their betute tugak or stuffed frog (PHP180), fried native frog stuffed with meat, and relish it while enjoying the native feel of the restaurant. A thrillseeker? Have an adventure at SandBox (alviera.ph/sandbox) in Porac with their extreme sports that will surely make your heart race. Avail of Package A, which costs PHP600 to try all activities.
Treat your tastebuds to some baby back ribs (PHP300) at Reese (+64 421 1085) in Pob. 5 Quezon Avenue. Or have some delicious bistek Tagalog or garlic fried chicken at Tati’s Resto Bar & Grill in Ramon Rabago Street. Don’t miss the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, which is also known as the Grand Mosque of Cotabato. This magnificent landmark is the largest mosque in the country and was funded by the Sultan of Brunei.
If you’re just looking to relax and unwind, Puning Hot Spring Resort at Sapang Bato can wash away all your problems.
Go swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Mindanao’s blue lagoon at Brgy. Samberen, Datu Odin Sinsuat Maguindanao. It’s just 20 minutes away from Cotabato City.
AREA CODE +45 TOUCHDOWN CLARK
AREA CODE +64 TOUCHDOWN AWANG
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI,
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN JEEPNEY,
SHUTTLE, CAR RENTAL, JEEPNEY
MOTORCYCLE, CHARTERED VAN
PHOTO BY LESTER LEDESMA (CLARK)
CLARK
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
DIPOLOG
DUMAGUETE
Caitlin Yao
Jap Roda
Arvin Crisol
Caterer/businesswoman
Operations analyst
Regional HR head
Tess BBQ near Agdao Public Market will satisfy your cravings with its madeto-order barbecue and puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves). Their chorizo is to die for! Dip it in their special vinegar and it will feel like you’re in heaven. Budget PHP150 for a gut-busting meal.
If you are looking for authentic Filipino food, go to Tonino’s Resto and Wine Bar (+65 212 1256) in Rizal Avenue. Their crispy pata (pork knuckle, PHP350) is so delicious!
Sans Rival Cakes & Pastries (+35 225 4440) is where coffee is brewed to perfection. It has a wide range of breakfast options. The big bonus after breakfast — or any time of the day, for that matter — is the best silvanas in town!
Aldevinco Shopping Center in Roxas Street has all your shopping needs. Stay until sundown and see the night market filled with food, ukay-ukay (second-hand goods) and more.
Get packages including lodging in the famous Dakak Park Beach Resort (dakakresort.com) in Dapitan City. It has nipa hut-style cottages with a modern twist. Dakak is known as Mindanao’s version of Boracay.
Visit Silliman University in Real Street. Take a tour of its campus and museums and just marvel at this academic institution with its diverse and talented student body.
Island hopping is a must. The boat will take you to Talikud Island, where you can spot virgin beaches and amazing snorkeling spots. Pay PHP6,000 for a ride that can take up to 30 people.
Head to Gloria de Dapitan for an unforgettable day! Aside from Teatro De Dapitan (Dapitan’s first movie theater), it has its very own theme park called Gloria’s Fantasyland (fantasylandtours. com) with a ride-all-you-can promo.
Check out the Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao. You can take a boat ride around these enchanting waterways, and it is an awesome place for nature lovers.
AREA CODE +82 TOUCHDOWN FRANCISCO
AREA CODE +65 TOUCHDOWN DIPOLOG
AREA CODE +35 TOUCHDOWN SIBULAN
BANGOY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE (TO
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA TRICYCLE (TO
TOWN PUBLIC UTILITY JEEPNEY, TAXIS
DOWNTOWN AREA, PHP20 FOR 2 PERSONS)
TOWN, PHP100 ON AVERAGE), JEEPNEY
162 Smile May 2016
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA (DAVAO & DUMAGUETE); SAMUEL DE LEON (DIPOLOG)
DAVAO
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
GENERAL SANTOS
ILOILO
RJ Casabuena
Joyce Jardeleza
Managing partner/registered yoga teacher
Construction and supply contractor
Have a good time at Cotton Bowl Grill and Steakhouse (+83 554 7455). They offer the best steaks, burgers and fried chicken in town, with prices ranging from PHP350-730.
Adventurous seafood lovers shouldn’t head home before eating their heart out at BullJack Talabahan (+63 912 832 2050). Enjoy their fresh steamed talaba (oyster) for only PHP30 per serving, and their buttered shrimps for PHP140 per quarter kilo. Visit Mama’s Kitchen and Sinamay House in Arevalo for the best chewy cookies made from local ingredients. You can learn about hablon (hand-woven textile) here as well.
Situated 800ft above sea level, the panoramic view in Sanchez Peak both by day and night is breathtaking, and an absolute stress reliever. Allot an hour and a half for trekking.
Warm up by taking a walking tour of Calle Real (J.M. Basa Street), where you can appreciate Iloilo’s heritage and photograph beautifully restored historic structures such as the Regent Arcade Building.
AREA CODE +83 TOUCHDOWN GENERAL
AREA CODE +33 TOUCHDOWN ILOILO
SANTOS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
TOWN TAXI, TRICYCLE, HOTEL SHUTTLE
TAXI, VAN
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA
Lemlunay Resort (+83 228 1704) in Maasim is the perfect destination for sporty folks. Try watersports like kayaking, banana boat riding and the Hobie Cat catamaran. The rate for scuba diving is PHP1,500 per person, which is inclusive of gear and dive master.
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
KALIBO
LAOAG
LEGAZPI
Julie Ann Abawag
Lorie Abing
Dr. Joey Hernandez
Businesswoman
Pricing and data analyst
Doctor to the barrio
Hernani’s Mix 'n Match (+36 2684240) in Barrios Street will fill your belly with cheap yet high-quality food. The baby back ribs (PHP180) can be shared between two people. Sampaguita Gardens, New Washington, is a popular tourist destination. There is an entrance fee of PHP50 that allows you to buy food or souvenirs in their shop. While there, you will see an impressive collection of Precious Moments dolls and Jojo’s Christmas Cottage, where it’s Christmas all year round!
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA
Do a trail walk and explore the river at Bakhawan Eco-Park (+36 262 7697) in New Buswang. This 220ha mangrove forest has a 1.3km bamboo trail.
If you’ve been to Baguio, seeing Macy’s Diner (+77 770 3551) will instantly remind you of a 1950s diner — from the interiors right down to the jukebox. The Ilocos longganisa will not disappoint! Spend PHP150-200 per meal. Visit Paoay Church, one of the oldest Baroque churches in the Philippines and a UNESCO Heritage Site. Adventurous ones should experience the Paoay Sand Dunes. The best time to get into the 4x4 would be around sundown, so you will see the vastness of the dunes staging a dramatic sunset view. Rate is PHP2,500 an hour, including sandboarding.
Balay sa Bicol (formerly Balay Suanoy) is a homey, Filipino-/Old Spanish-themed restaurant in Daraga. Try their delectable sinigang (Filipino sour soup) and other native dishes. It’s like eating Sunday lunch at your grandmother’s house, complete with exquisite utensils. Check out Amater Spring Resort in Malinao, about an hour from Legazpi City. The trip will be worth it as you take a dip in the cool natural spring waters. See the Mt Mayon volcano up close on the breathtaking seaside walk at Legazpi Boulevard. It is a jogger’s favorite in the morning and a popular bar strip at night catering mainly to chill-time seekers.
AREA CODE +36 TOUCHDOWN KALIBO
AREA CODE +77 TOUCHDOWN LAOAG
AREA CODE +52 TOUCHDOWN LEGAZPI
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN SIRIB
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, RENTAL VAN,
TRICYCLE, TAXI, JEEPNEY, BUS, VAN
BUS, JEEPNEY, TRICYCLE, PRE-ARRANGED
TRICYCLE
RENTAL VAN
May 2016 Smile 167
Hosted more than 10 million rides since opening in 2005, Skyline Luge Sentosa is the ďŹ rst-ever Luge introduced in Southeast Asia, offering 2 unique experiences, Luge and Skyride!
CEBU AIR TRAVEL & TOURS PTE LTD
304 Orchard Road #03-65 Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863 Mrt Station: Orchard Station
Tel # +65 6235 2328 / Fax # +65 6235 6768 / +65 9235 2328 Open Daily 10Am To 7:30Pm. Closed On Public Holidays.
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
MANILA
NAGA
Diego Beltran
Josephine Peñas
Communications manager
Engineer
Big Sky Mind in New Manila is one of my favorite hangouts for late-night drinks, with great people and good music. I always get the flavorful aligue (crab fat) pasta for PHP200.
Bob Marlin Restaurant in Magsaysay Avenue has a catchy name and delicious food. The best time to visit is at weekends, when they have local talent serenading you with live music. Make sure to order their sumptuous crispy pata.
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA (MANILA); RAYMOND CALACDAY (NAGA)
For people who want to see good live local bands or artists, saGuijo Cafe + Bar in Makati and Route 196 in Katipunan Avenue are the perfect places. The nightlife in Bonifacio Global City is always fun, whether you are a local or a traveler who wants to experience the local clubbing scene. I recommend the Fort Strip and The Palace at Uptown Bonifacio.
The Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia is breathtaking. Naga is known for its devotion to the Virgin Mary and for the Peñafrancia Festival every September, but this place is worth a visit at any time of the year. Go shopping for pasalubong at Naga City People’s Mall, formerly known as the Public Market. You can buy everything there from pili nuts to dried fish and even second-hand clothes.
AREA CODE +2 TOUCHDOWN NINOY AQUINO
AREA CODE +54 TOUCHDOWN NAGA AIRPORT
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI
GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE, TAXI, JEEPNEY
EXPERIENCE AN IDYLLIC ESCAPE AT YOUR CONTEMPORARY BOUTIQUE BEACHFRONT RESORT IN BORACAY. A 4-star resort situated right at the center of the world-famous Boracay beach where spectacular views, chic facilities and unrivaled personalized service are well within your reach.
ACCOMMODATION | LAP POOL WITH JACUZZI RESTAURANTS | BAR & EVENTS ROOFDECK CONFERENCE FACILITY | GYM | SPA
Station 2 (Beachfront), Boracay Island, Philippines T: (63 2) 234.9058 | T/F: (63 2) 234.5917 | E: reservations@the districtboracay.com W: www.thedistrictboracay.com @TheDistrictBoracay | @DistrictBoracay SNS:
YOU GET THE BEST RATE AVAILABLE ONLINE. Here’s how to do it: (1) Use the code SmileMagTDB on their Online Reservations System to get the best available rate (for advance reservations). OR (2) Take a photo of the AD and show a copy to the Front Desk to avail of their Best Rate Guarantee (plus a free premium item at the resort). Visit and follow them on Facebook (@TheDistrictBoracay), Twitter (@DistrictBoracay) and Instagram (@thedistrictboracay). Tel: +63 (2) 234 5917/234 9058, +63 (917) 819 7546 (call only), reservations@thedistrictboracay.com, www.thedistrictboracay.com
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA (OZAMIZ); EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP (PAGADIAN)
OZAMIZ
PAGADIAN
Dothcel Secuya
Elaine Geneston
Travel agent
Engineering student
The pan-seared fish fillet is a musttry at Mooon Café (+88 564 2622), a Mexican-inspired restaurant. Also go to Dwino’s Grill (+88 521 1999) for its tasty inun-unan isda bariles, or tuna cooked in vinegar, which is similar to paksiw na isda.
Satisfy all your seafood cravings at Yammy’s Seafood Grill (+63 909 669 4951) along the road to Rotonda Hills. Add PHP25 for all-you-can-eat rice. They serve the best crab guisado (PHP220) in town!
Head to Fort Santiago in Rizal Avenue and check out the Cotta Shrine, where the image of Virgin Mary is believed to be miraculous. Get a great view of Misamis Occidental at Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel Adventure Park (hoyohoy.com) in Tangub City. Do a farm tour or whizz down the longest (1,250m and 1,100m) and highest zipline (500m) in Asia.
A first-time visitor? Head to the Pagadian City Tourism Office in Aquino Street and ask for travel guides to bring you to Alegria Falls or Manga Falls, or even go spelunking in Kendis Cave — but only if you’re up for some adrenalinepumping action. For adventure seekers, trek Mount Susong Dalaga, meet the Subanens, a local tribe in Lison Valley, and be amazed at their culture.
AREA CODE +88 TOUCHDOWN LABO AIRPORT
AREA CODE +62 TOUCHDOWN PAGADIAN
GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE
DOMESTIC AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE, JEEPNEY
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
LOCATION Fairways and Bluewater, Boracay Island Tel. No.: (036) 288-5587 Loc. 2312
PUERTO PRINCESA
ROXAS
Mt. Luho Tour
Tel. No.: (0998) 556-6412 Location: Zetro Adventures, Boracay Island
Promo period: APRIL 2016 Email: segwayphil@gmail.com Tel. No.: +639 77 839-6005
BOOKING.SEGWAY.COM.PH
Julie Anne Sebastian
Rhiel dela Rosa
Auditor
Segment host of CASAC Real Stories
Bona’s Chaolong (+48 434 8420) in Manalo Street is a local favorite. Order their famous chao long (Vietnamese noodle soup with toppings, approx. PHP50-70 per order) and add French bread (PHP15-40 per order) to complete the experience.
Cafe 1927 (+36 522 1426) offers authentic Filipino dishes like lechon kawali. Another must-visit is Café Terraza, a hilltop dining destination in Pueblo de Panay, where you can sample delectable seafood dishes and more.
Head to the Crocodile Farm (or Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, to give it its full name) and take wonderful pictures with a crocodile, snake or bearcat (PHP20 for a photo, PHP40 entrance fee).
Check out the 14ha Capiz Ecology Park located in Barangay Nagba, Cuartero. Also, see the Agtalin Shrine in Barangay Dulangan, Pilar. The 85ft-tall statue of the Miraculous Medal will impress devotees.
Take a boat to Cowrie Island (PHP700 for a minimum of six passengers), where you can enjoy the calm beach for a minimal entrance fee of PHP75 per head. It’s a nice place to witness the sunrise.
Be a voluntourist (a tourist volunteer) by joining any of the life-enriching activities of the Capiz Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (+36 621 0042/local 133).
AREA CODE +48 TOUCHDOWN PUERTO
AREA CODE +36 TOUCHDOWN ROXAS
PRINCESA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE
TOWN VAN, TRICYCLE (PHP50), MULTICAB
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA
Fairways Beach Tour
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
SAN JOSE
Dr. Marlon O. Lajo, a board certified aesthetic plastic surgeon and who is based at St. Luke’s Medical Center has made his frequent travel more convenient and more fun by browsing and reading the inflight magazine. In his years as a Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Marlon Lajo has been able to do what he wants to do, traveling from Gensan to Manila, vice versa and from Puerto Princess to Manila and vice versa. He can still actively attend to several aesthetic centers in Metro Manila as the plastic surgeon without the inconvenience of the air transportation. Dr. Lajo has found particular interest in rhinoplasty (noselift), one of the leading procedures which has dominated his practice around the country. Moreso, blepharoplasty (upper eyelid deepset /eyebag removal) is another sought after procedure which has made him very busy, followed by abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, breast augmentation.
Hannah Cepe
Kimmy De Leon
Photographer/writer
Integrated art director
You should definitely try Macky’s Fast Food just near the town plaza. It has the best-tasting pancit (stir-fried noodles)!
The in-house restaurant of Sagana Resort (cloud9surf.com/restaurant.html) has dinner sets that change every night and are always great. I highly recommend the ceviche. The resort’s owners, Susan and Gerry, are wonderful hosts, too.
Get to know the Bato Ili River. It’s raw, unspoiled and a sight you shouldn’t miss when you visit San Jose. The clear waters and the stunning view of the mountains are perfect. Check out the trade fair and buy one of the bracelets specially made by the Mangyan indigenous group. Or check out Nicah Food Products, which offers pasalubong items like local sampaloc candy, peanuts and cashews.
www.marlonlajo.com www.plasticsurgeononline.net www.noselift.info SMS, Viber or WhatsApp
+63 917 885 0337 Email
marlonlajomd@hotmail.com
SIARGAO
Isla Daku is a perfect beach. It has crystal-clear blue waters and fine whitesand beaches. It’s not too crowded, and you will feel like you have the island all to yourself. Cloud 9 is definitely worth to see and experience especially if you surf. The boardwalk is a great place to hang out and watch the surfers, or have a dip in the clear blue waters of the reef below.
AREA CODE +43 TOUCHDOWN SAN JOSE
AREA CODE +86 TOUCHDOWN SAYAK AIRPORT
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA TRICYCLE
GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE (APPROX. PHP200 TO CLOUD 9), HABAL-HABAL, SHUTTLE VAN
PHOTO BY GEORGE CABIG (SAN JOSE)
DR. MARLON O. LAJO Plastic surgeon
SURIGAO
TACLOBAN
Michael Zotomayor
Daniel Abunales
Shift-in-charge/team leader
Journalist
Check out Marbie Store in Barangay Ipil for the sayongsong (ground purple sticky rice and ground ordinary rice cooked in coconut milk and sugar). It’s Surigao’s local delicacy, and at PHP5 per piece it’s very affordable.
Eat at any of the carinderias in downtown Tacloban. Order tinowa, the Visayan version of sinigang na isda. The freshness of the fish gives the soup a special sweet and sour flavor. An order is less than PHP50.
Rent a boat to reach Sohoton Cove National Park, where you will have access to Hagukan Cave and the bioluminescent water inside it, as well as Magkukuob Cave where you can go cliff diving (PHP830 boat rental fee, good for eight people).
Check out Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum in Real Street. It is one of the 29 mansions of ex-president Marcos. Aside from giving you a peek into the lavish lifestyle of the former premier, this site also houses paintings of historical events in Leyte.
Once in Sohoton, hire a smaller boat (additional PHP100) to visit the Stingless Jellyfish Sanctuary. Grab this awesome chance to get super-close to the jellyfish.
At the rooftop of Yellow Doors Hostel, hang out with awesome volunteers who are helping to rehabilitate Tacloban after Typhoon Yolanda. Bring a book to swap.
AREA CODE +86 TOUCHDOWN SURIGAO
AREA CODE +53 TOUCHDOWN DANIEL
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA TRICYCLE,
Z. ROMUALDEZ AIRPORT GET TO TOWN
MULTICAB, HOTEL SHUTTLE
JEEPNEY, TAXI, TRICYCLE, HIRED VAN
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
TANDAG
TAWI-TAWI
Hera Marie Ydulzura
Oliver Alcid
Nur-Aisa Alih-Sahijuan
Undergraduate from DLSU
Marketing manager
Government employee/customer service officer
From the outside, Gerarda’s (+38 412 3044) looks like a normal house, with signage to indicate there is a restaurant. But once you enter the establishment, it looks really elegant. Order the seafood kare-kare.
Aside from the usual coffee choices, La Jara coffee shop in Osmeña Street also offers Filipino comfort-food dishes such as fried chicken and pancit (noodles with toppings). It’s a nice place to simply relax and enjoy some food.
Practicing Catholic? Check out St. Joseph Cathedral, the biggest church in Tagbilaran City. Those hungry for knowledge should visit the Tagbilaran Branch of the National Museum.
Pass the time at Tandag Boulevard, the happening place in the city. It is known for having vibrant lampposts that light up beautifully at night. There are also food stalls where you can grab your favorite local snacks.
Choose from a wide array of value meals at M&O Fastfood Café in Awwal Street. The seafood sisig with rice and drink costs only PHP60. If you fancy something exotic, go to Malaysian Food just a few steps away from M&O and enjoy their steaming soto ayam (hot chicken soup) for just PHP45.
Ride a van for four to five hours to reach almost the end of Bohol and find Anda Long Beach, a not-socommercialized swimming spot. The sand is really smooth and low tides reach a mile offshore.
Enjoy the view of the seashore and perhaps taste the water for a swim at Beachside Inn in Sowangkagang, Bongao.
Got more time? Visit the adjacent municipalities such as Cortes and Cantilan by riding a bus, van or jeepney.
Go island hopping, head to Taganak (Turtle Islands) and be awed by the marvelous sight of green sea turtles nesting and roaming in great numbers on the shores.
AREA CODE +38 TOUCHDOWN TAGBILARAN
AREA CODE +86 TOUCHDOWN TANDAG
AREA CODE +68 TOUCHDOWN SANGA-SANGA
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE/
CITY AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VIA TRICYCLE,
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE (PHP20-25
MOTORELA, TAXI, HOTEL SHUTTLE
HABAL-HABAL
TO TOWN PROPER), JEEPNEY (PHP800 A DAY FOR A LARGE GROUP)
178 Smile May 2016
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA (TAGBILARAN & TANDAG); EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP (TAWI-TAWI)
TAGBILARAN
Trip Journal PHILIPPINES
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA (TUGUEGARAO & ZAMBOANGA); ERICK LIRIOS (VIRAC)
TUGUEGARAO
VIRAC
ZAMBOANGA
Huie Torres
Jovy Carl Acueza
Xeph Suarez
Publishing specialist
Product management lead
Filmmaker
Go to Fat Kid Inside in Pengue Ruyu and order their famous Fat Kid burger (PHP150) loaded with Spam, crispy honey bacon bits, home-made aioli and a lot more. Also find a variety of food options — from pares to Cubano sandwiches and churros — at Luna Street Food Park.
Try the local laing at Blossoms Restaurant in Rizal Road, and the crispy pork binagoongan at Sea Breeze Restaurant near the port area for a taste of true Bicolano fare. Prices are not that expensive. Then head to Café de Au, Quezon Avenue, for the best coffee in town.
Try the many restaurants that serve Malaysian cuisine, but only after trying Sulu cuisine. Dennis Coffee Garden serves both: order the tiulah itum (beef in broth of roasted coconut and spices) and their pastries, bangbang sug.
Don’t miss a chance to explore the seven chambers of the Callao Cave, and then float down the Mororan River in a wooden boat.
For the heritage junkie, visit the St. John the Baptist Church in Bato, which is almost 200 years old.
Visit Sta. Cruz Island. Zamboanga takes great pride in the island’s pink sand — the only such instance in the Philippines. You can also visit the Dulian Falls or the more famous Merloquet Falls, about 78km away from the city proper.
Experience going around town by riding a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage). There are plenty still left in Tuguegarao.
More adventurous types should put on their trekking shoes and climb to Maribina Falls in Bato, or head to the town of Baras to get their surfing fix on the huge waves of Puraran Beach.
AREA CODE +78 TOUCHDOWN TUGUEGARAO
AREA CODE +52 TOUCHDOWN VIRAC
AREA CODE +62 TOUCHDOWN ZAMBOANGA
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE
AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE (LESS THAN
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI,
PHP10 TO TOWN CENTER), TAXI, JEEPNEY
JEEPNEY, TRICYCLE
Experience riding the colorful vinta boats during the month of October at Paseo del Mar and/or RT Lim Boulevard at the Regatta.
May 2016 Smile 179
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
From Caraga to the world OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR FOOD PRODUCERS IN THE PHILIPPINES' CARAGA REGION The pasalubong industry is an integral part of tourism, with every town boasting unique food specialties — and in the Caraga Region, the processed food industry is thriving. Following their big break at the International Food Exhibition Philippines in 2005, 17 Caraga producers boldly entered the export arena featuring the region’s finest food products. This resulted in the establishment of CReATE Food (Caraga Regional Association of Traders and Entrepreneurs in Food). Through tie-ups with government agencies, CReATE Food has become the consolidator of Caraga-made goods,
assisting producers to enhance their capability, finances and logistics, product development and marketing through training programs and workshops. And their passion for excellence hasn’t been in vain. Through CReATE Food, the Caraga Region achieved the Best Emerging Regional Cluster Award 2007 and has been recognized as one of the Top Five Industry Cluster Models of the National Cluster Management Team under the Export Development Council. CReATE Food has also established OTOP (One Town, One Product) Pasalubong Centers at the Gaisano Mall and Robinsons
Place in Butuan City. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, selected these two Butuan OTOP outlets to receive capabilitybuilding and promotional assistance under the OTOP Tindahang Pinoy project for entrepreneurs to make them the model of the next breed of OTOP stores. These shops showcase Caraga products with global appeal, such as processed food and beverages from Agusan del Norte, organic goods from Agusan del Sur, agsam fashion accessories from Surigao del Sur, processed marine products from Surigao del Norte, and handicrafts from the island province of Dinagat.
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Bohol summer long HERE ARE FIVE REASONS WHY YOUR NEXT SEASIDE HOLIDAY SHOULD BE AT SOUTH PALMS RESORT PANGLAO
It’s never crowded South Palms Resort’s 9.3 hectare beachfront property extends out on to the longest stretch of white-sand beach in Panglao Island, which means you’ll have plenty of space for yourself. If you need peace and quiet, you’ll surely find it here. Plenty of options for relaxation Treat yourself to relaxing treatments at Palm, The Spa. You can choose to enjoy it at a cabana by the beach or in the comfort of your own room. Superb food You’ll be spoiled for choice at South Palms’ Oceanica Seafood Restaurant. Aside from offering dishes prepared with the freshest seafood and locally grown produce that are ferried from the resort’s own farm straight to the kitchen, you can also enjoy a themed buffet dinner. If you suddenly feel peckish while at the pool or beach, order some snacks and drinks at the Coast Pool Bar.
Beautiful rooms All of South Palms’ rooms highlight Boholano craftsmanship, and offer modern amenities such as cable TV and WiFi access. If you feel you need more space, you can opt to stay at one of the villas. The Panglao Villa is the biggest and most luxurious. It has two bedrooms and its own jacuzzi.
Impeccable service One of the most raved-about qualities of South Palms is the outstanding Boholano hospitality. The resort’s staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Tempted? Book your vacation at southpalmsresort.com
PARTNER PROMOTIONS
A handmade tale After 23 years of creating fine artisanal leather accessories, FINO Leatherware undergoes a rebirth of sorts with its SS’16 Collection. The new line celebrates both traditional and modern aesthetics through new textures and forms. FINO’s SS’16 Collection fuses the luxury of leather with Filipino elements, namely the sipa, puso, suman, banderitas and banig, all integrated into each handloomed, hand-braided and hand-woven piece. Highly skilled Filipino artisans created the SS’16 Collection, averaging 20 hours of work on each FINO bag to ensure intricate details are perfectly hand-crafted. The result: works of art that are timeless in their beauty and functionality. To find a FINO store near you, go to finoleatherware.com
The suite life
Mariwasa turns 50
When in Singapore, stay in the thick of the action at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel. Just a short drive from Changi international airport, the hotel is just five to 10 minutes away from exciting landmarks, major shopping centers and restaurants. The delights of Fort Canning Park are also just around the corner. With 600 suites to choose from, you even get to see awesome Singapore views from the Sky Lounge. Book directly with the hotel to enjoy cool added benefits and perks, or become a corporate client to enjoy the best available rate throughout the year with free priority upgrades. 5 Coleman St, Singapore; peninsulaexcelsior.com.sg
Mariwasa, the Philippines’ leader in the ceramic tile industry, marks its 50th year in business. As part of its jubilee celebration, the company unveiled its newest tile designs — a trio of avantgarde sub-themes named MORPHOLOGY, INDIE-FLUENCE and INNOTHERAPY — which will cater to modern urban consumers. The products were launched on March 16 at the 21st WORLDBEX, the country’s largest construction materials exposition, the new designs “reflect the preferences of an important segment of our market, the millennials,” said VP for sales and marketing Jakkrit Suwansilp. mariwasa.com
182 Smile May 2016
Personalize your pizza
Three days in paradise
If you want a pizza that’s as unique as you are, you’ll love Project Pie. With over 30 premium toppings and sauces, you can have your hand-crafted, custom-built “masterpizza” at one price, in just three minutes, served piping hot from their 650˚C brick pizza oven. Project Pie also offers great value deals for big groups, such as the Awesome Foursome meal. For PHP899 you get two BuildYour-Own pizzas, fresh Classic Caesar Salad, a Primo Meatball (choose all-beef, spicy pork or both), a dessert pie (Banana Nutella or Choco Smores Pie), and refillable drinks or local beers. Check projectpie.ph for a list of branches.
Take advantage of The Lind Boracay’s “Beach Break”, a three-day, two-night getaway offered to all local residents. What you get: for PHP29,000 nett, you’ll enjoy a stay for two in a Garden Room of this luxurious beachfront property with daily breakfast buffet, round-trip land and sea transfers via Caticlan, plus a consumable amount worth PHP10,000 nett at The Lind’s restaurants and The Spa Wellness Boracay. Aching for an ocean view? Upgrade to the Sea Room for PHP32,000 nett. The “Beach Break” package is valid from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. Rates not applicable during peak season. thelindhotels.com
A printer for better business If your business depends heavily on churning out fast, high-quality printouts, Epson introduces a superior alternative to the laser printer. The M-Series, Epson’s monochrome inktank system printer, offers laser-quality prints in a faster, more economical manner. For PHP565 per bottle, the Epson M-Series can print 6,000 pages — that’s 12 times cheaper than laser printers. With a print speed of up to 34ppm (15ipm), it is just as fast as a laser printer. What’s more, the pigment inks of the Epson M-Series are waterresistant and fade-resistant. The new printer also consumes less energy than conventional laser printers.
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Welcome to
Cebu Pacific Airline news, travel information, maps and onboard goodies
ON THE NETWORK
ONE OF THE GRANDEST CELEBRATIONS OF BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY WILL BE HELD AT PO LIN MONASTERY IN HONG KONG ON MAY 14.
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company updates
Fly in comfort with CEB
Cebu Pacific turns 20 Cebu Pacific marked two decades of service last March. From a network of three domestic destinations in 1996, the airline now flies to 30 international destinations and 34 destinations in the Philippines. CEB has now flown more than 125 million passengers since its maiden flight. “Throughout our 20 years of operations, the Filipino people have witnessed Cebu Pacific grow from serving one route to successfully expanding our flight network to over 90 routes on 64 destinations that span Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the
US,” says CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei. “We mark this milestone by thanking everyJuan who flew, is flying, and will fly with CEB. We look forward to enabling more adventures, more reunions and more opportunities for you.” CEB currently runs a 56-strong fleet of seven Airbus A319, 35 Airbus A320, six Airbus A330 and eight ATR 72-500 aircraft — one of the most modern in the world. It is also awaiting three more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo and 16 ATR 72-600 between 2016 and 2021.
Cebu Pacific achieves another first among airlines in the AsiaPacific region: its brand-new fleet of 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft will be fitted with SL3510 seats from Recaro Aircraft Seating. What makes the Recaro SL3510 different? The economy class seat weighs a light 9kg or 20lbs — about 40% less than conventional models. Its backrest is also made of a thin netting material, which allows for more space in between seat rows, and conforms to the shape of your spine for a more relaxed feeling. “We have always been a firm advocate of innovative and economic solutions that ensure the best travel experience for our passengers. The ergonomic Recaro SL3510 seats will not only contribute to our valued guests’ comfort on board, but also help us reduce fuel burn,” says CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei.
Cebu Pacific recorded a net income of PHP4.4 billion in 2015, a 414% growth from the previous year. The airline cites strong passenger and cargo revenues, and lower operating expenses, for this impressive boost in earnings. The Cebu Pacific Air group also looks to the sustained growth in passenger numbers, a healthy presence in emerging markets and a conservative fleet expansion plan as factors in the 8.7% rise of its total
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revenues to PHP56.5 billion. “CEB’s dynamic market has grown exponentially in two decades, thanks to the continued trust and patronage of our valued guests, and the staunch support of airline regulators and stakeholders both in the Philippines and abroad,” says Atty. JR Mantaring, CEB Vice President for Corporate Affairs. “Our passengers now number over 125 million since our inception — a testament to our commitment in enabling everyJuan to fly through our extensive and most
affordable flight network.” CEB saw 18.4 million travelers in 2015 — an 8.9% increase from the previous year, when they carried 16.9 million. Passenger revenues also went up to PHP42.7 billion as a result — a 6.2% climb year-on-year. Cargo revenues, on the other hand, rose 10% to PHP3.5 billion. Online bookings, as well as an array of ancillary revenue products and services, contributed to the 19.6% hike to PHP10.4 billion.
PHOTO BY AJIG IBASCO (PLANE)
Profits up to 414% in 2015
More flights this summer
CEB General Manager for the Long Haul Division Alex Reyes flanked by crew at the launch of the Manila—Guam flights
Manila–Guam flights launched Cebu Pacific kicked off its direct, four-times-weekly flights from Manila to Guam last March 15. CEB’s all-inclusive, low yearround fares for this trip begin at just PHP7,203 — said to be about 40% lower than other airlines’. “We are proud to operate our first route in the US this day, which coincides with the month of our 20th anniversary. We share this excitement with Filipinos in Guam, who may now come home to their families more often, and with travelers from the Philippines, who aim to cross another destination off their bucket list,” says Alex Reyes, CEB General Manager for the Long Haul Division. “We hope to strengthen trade and tourism between the Philippines and Guam through faster, more
affordable and more accessible flights for everyJuan.” Passengers have the option to fly on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with a 3.45am departure time from Manila and a 10.15am arrival time in Guam. The journey from Guam back to Manila is at 12.30pm, and the plane will land in Manila at 2.55pm. Nathan Denight, Guam Visitors Bureau General Manager, remarked on the occasion, saying: “Cebu Pacific’s entry into Guam creates an opportunity to further connect our island and the Philippines. It also creates new and exciting ways to travel, whether it’s for business or pleasure... We look forward to partnering with Cebu Pacific in promoting tourism and our island paradise.”
Cebu Pacific is making it easy for you to book a plane ticket this busy summer season. It has increased flight frequencies from Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao to domestic and international destinations. Passengers can enjoy: • Up to 28 weekly flights from Manila to Tagbilaran; • Up to 51 weekly flights between Cebu and Davao; • From Cebu: up to 17 weekly flights to Bacolod and Kalibo; up to 10 weekly flights to General Santos City; up to 22 weekly flights to Puerto Princesa; and up to 12 weekly flights to Zamboanga; • Up to 16 weekly flights between Cebu and Iloilo, with ATR planes possibly upgraded to Airbus A320 to offer more seats; • Up to nine weekly flights between Iloilo and Davao, and up to nine weekly flights between Davao and Zamboanga; • Up to four weekly flights between Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi; • Up to three weekly flights from Iloilo to Singapore; and • Up to three weekly flights from Davao to Singapore.
NOTEWORTHY
Head to Davao City Cebu Pacific has teamed up with the DOT-XI and MICE Davao Execom to offer flight discounts to groups attending conventions in the city. The partnership will help support Davao City’s standing as a major MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibits) destination. Visit cebupacificair.com for more information.
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airport of the month
IF YOU’RE FLYING IN OR OUT OF...
A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport Now that Cebu Pacific is flying four times a week to Guam, travelers can look forward to a new destination to explore. Guam has beaches, water and adventure sports, good food, golf courses and duty-free shopping. But before you get to all that, your first stop is the international airport. Here are some things to expect: • Taxis are available outside the West Arrival terminal building; rates range
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from US$15 to US$22 to popular hotels and resorts. Ask the counter for an estimate. There are also six car rental companies for you to choose from. • Begin and end your trip with a dutyfree shopping spree. The airport has Lotte Duty Free Guam, which has a range of designer and luxury brands. • Considering a tour? More than 10 tour group companies have counters at the airport.
• There are two lounges: Sagan Bisita, which can seat over 160 people and serves some airlines, and United Club, which is for members only. • Download the airport’s official mobile app to receive up-to-date information. • One last reminder: Guam is a US territory, so make sure you meet all the visa requirements before your flight. guamairport.com
travel information Stretch and recline Where you’re seated in the plane can spell the difference between bliss and misery. Get the seat you want by reserving
It's in the bag CARRY-ON NOT ENOUGH? AVOID HAVING TO PAY EXCESS BAGGAGE FEES AT THE CHECKIN COUNTER BY PURCHASING YOUR BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT
CHECK THE SUMMA R F E E S FO Y O F R TH ADD-ON ESE S AT GOO.GL /6XMGF I
it online. Here are your choices:
YOUR OPTIONS
Small 15kg max
Standard 20kg max
Large 30kg max
Large Plus 40kg max*
Each passenger is only allowed one prepaid item of baggage per booking. But don’t worry — you can
As with your baggage allowance,
always upgrade your allowance, as long as you have up to four hours before your scheduled time of
you can select or upgrade your
departure. Just go to the Manage Booking tab on cebupacificair.com, or call the customer service
seat up to four hours before
hotline or the sales office.
departure.
*A checked-in bag cannot exceed 30kg per piece to avoid injury to the porters. So if you purchase a 40kg baggage allowance, you need to break it up into two 20kg items of luggage, for example, or into one item that's 30kg and another that's 10kg.
row? Be sure you meet these
Want to sit on the exit requirements: • You’re 15 years old and above • You’re not sitting with an
TAKE NOTE
infant or a passenger below 15 years old;
Worry-free travel
• You’re not traveling with
When we’re traveling, there are plenty of factors that are beyond our control. But don't let these unknowns stop you from exploring new places, and having fun while you’re at it. That’s what TravelSure is for. TravelSure, which you can purchase together with your Cebu Pacific flight tickets, offers protection from accidents, coverage for emergency medical treatments, and benefits for loss and delays. Visit travelsure.ph for more information and to get a free quote.
in case of an emergency;
anyone needing your assistance • You’re fit and able-bodied, and do not have any permanent or temporary impairment; • You’re able to speak and understand English; and • You’re able and willing to help the cabin crew in the unlikely event of an evacuation or
For more information about prepaid baggage allowance, seat selector and other add-ons, visit cebupacificair.com and click on the Travel Services tab.
emergency situation.
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travel information
Airplane mode
How to search, book and check in for flights
A FEW GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES ONBOARD
Online Cebupacificair.com
• You may use these electronic
keyboards, can only be used
devices throughout the
while boarding, and during
flight: mobile phones, laptop
the flight. They must be safely
computers, handheld music
stowed during takeoff and
players, handheld gaming
landing.
devices, electronic readers, digital watches and digital
• Use headphones when you're
cameras. If you're not sure
watching videos, listening to
whether it's safe to use your
music or playing games with the
gadget onboard, check with the
sound on. But please remove
cabin crew.
them during the safety briefing.
• Hearing aids and heart
• For safety reasons, the crew
pacemakers can also be used
may advise you to turn your
throughout the flight.
devices off, or switch them to airplane mode. You are legally
• Laptop computers and
required to comply with these
Bluetooth accessories, such as
instructions.
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On your mobile device Download the Cebu Pacific mobile app from the App Store or Google Play. Book tickets and check in for your flights in just a few quick taps. You can also select baggage, meals and seat options, then pay by credit card. On the phone Need to speak to an operator? Call the following numbers: • Manila: +63 2 7020 888
• Cebu: +63 32 2308 888 • Hong Kong: +852 3973 3800 • Singapore: +65 3158 0808 • Australia: +61 2 9119 2956 • United States: +1 855 5 CEBPAC It’s fun to be social Connect with us, and be among the first to know about our promos and other updates. Just “like” our @CebuPacificAir social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Where to next
Laoag
Exp Cebu lore Pacifi c’s
Tuguegarao
34
Cauayan
dome desti stic natio ns
The Philippines
CLARK
MANILA
Naga
Virac
Legazpi
San Jose Busuanga Caticlan an n KALIBO
Roxas
Tacloban ILOILO I
Bacolod od CEBU
Puerto Princesa
Surigao
Tagbilaran Dumaguete
Siargao
Camiguin Tandag Butuan
Dipolog
Cagayan de Oro
Ozamiz Pagadian
Cotabato Zamboanga
DAVAO DA DAV DAVA AV O AV
General Santos
Tawi-Tawi
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Where to next
KUWAIT Kuwait QATAR Doha Riyadh SAUDI AU AUD UDI ARABIA
The World Trav Cebu el to Pacifi c’s
30
inter na desti tional natio ns
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Dubai UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Beijing KOREA KO K O Incheon (Seoul)
JJAPAN
Busan Osaka Fukuoka
Nagoya
Narita (Tokyo)
Shanghai
CHINA
T TAIWAN Taipei
Xiamen Guangzhou
Hong Kong Macau
Hanoi
GUAM G
Clark THE PHILIPPINES THAILAND Bangkok Phuket
VIETNAM
Manila
em mR Rea eap ea Siem Reap
Kalibo
CAMBODIA C Iloilo
H Chi Minh City Ho
Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA M
Kota Kinabalu Bandar Seri Begawan BRUNEI
Cebu
Davao
SINGAPORE S Singapore
INDONESIA Jakarta Denpasar (Bali)
AUSTRALIA
Sydney
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Onboard treats
Filipino Classics
HOT MEALS AVAILABLE ONLY ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
served with fragrant pandan rice
NON-HALAL
*NAPA
BEEF CALDERETA
CHICKEN ADOBO
Filipino Filipino-style style beef stew in a rich tomato sauce, sauce with carrots and potatoes.
A Filipino l staple l simmered d in a b balanced l d mix off soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and peppercorns.
BISTEK TAGALOG
CHICKEN BARBECUE
Beef strips cooked in a medley of soy sauce, calamansi and onions.
Chicken chunks cooked in a savory barbecue sauce.
Daing na Bangus with Garlic Rice and Egg
Pre-order your meals now and check our new menu at cebupacificair.com *No Artificial Preservatives Added
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Savory snacks
Sweet treats Pi単a Colada Muffin Php100 NEW Chewy Macaroons (Box of 5) Php100 NEW Cheese Roll PHP100
BEST SELLER
Mini Choco Chip Cookies BEST SELLER PHP100
Quick bites Jagabee Potato Fries Php70 (classic salted)
BEST SELLER Ham & Cheese Croissant PHP100 Our light, flaky croissant with slices of ham and cheese is sure to satisfy your cravings!
Tuna Roll PHP100 Creamy tuna enveloped in soft bread and topped with chopped parsley. Pizza Supreme Roll PHP100 Soft bun filled with bacon, mushroom, cream cheese and pepperoni sauce and topped with toasted sesame seeds.
Nova PHP60 Chippy PHP60 Piattos PHP60
Hearty meals Soon Veggie Ramyun Php120 Made of 100% vegan ingredients. No MSG added and contains zero trans fat. Nissin Cup Noodles PHP100 (seafood/beef/chicken)
BEST SELLER
Shin/Shrimp Big Bowl PHP150
!
Caution: Our cup noodles are served with piping hot water. Please be extra careful when having them.
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BEVERAGES
Onboard treats
QUENCH YOUR THIRST
Cold drinks
Hot drinks
Mineral Water PHP50
Twinings Green Tea PHP70 NEW
Cloud 9 Chocolate PHP60 Milk Drink C500 Juice Drink PHP50 (Lemon, Orange)
Café Mocha PHP100 Creamy Dark Chocolate PHP100
NEW
C2 Flavored Green Tea PHP50 (apple/lemon)
Brewed Coffee PHP100 Great Taste White Coffee PHP50
Canned Soda PHP60 (Pepsi/7-Up/Mountain Dew) Mogu Mogu Lychee PHP60 Gatorade PHP60 (red/blue) Vita Coco PHP70
Alcoholic drinks San Miguel Beer PHP130 (pale pilsen)
B’lue Flavored Water PHP70 (lychee/calamansi)
PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited cabin space, items are subject to stock availability and may vary depending on the route. Payments may be done using credit card or cash - PHP, USD and 3rd currencies. However, we only accept PHP coins. Change will also be given only in PHP.
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TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Onboard Merchandise
Inflight Bestsellers
NEW NEW
Dry Bag • 2L – PHP180 • 5L – PHP350
NEW
Cross-body Bag PHP250
Striped Pouch PHP150
NEWRS O COL
Adult Shirt PHP280
Wanderskye Luggage Covers PHP1,195/1,295
Hoodie Neck Pillow PHP490
With FREE Sharpie Pen
CEB Stuffed Toy PHP350
Other designs available; international flights only
Lagu Beach Blanket PHP999 Sand repellent *NEW COLORS*
Parachute Insulated Lunch Bag PHP250
On the Go Luggage Scale PHP490 Available on domestic flights only
Lagu Beach Bag PHP499
USB Pocket Cable PHP220
Sand repellent
Bluetooth Speaker PHP550
A320 die-cast plane PHP550
Wind-up Plane & Puzzle Set PHP280
CEB Siesta Kit PHP280
CEB Fun Blanket PHP350
*Every pair comes with a soft case
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next stop
CONTEST TIME
In which city was this photo taken? Tell us the right answer and stand a chance to win a Thule Atmos X3 iPhone 6/6S Case. Follow @ smilemag on Instagram, then take a picture of this page (selfies are welcome). Post your photo, tell us your guess and tag @smilemag. Add these hashtags, too: #smilemag and #nextstopsmile. Good luck!
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IN T ER NAT I ONA L H OT EL LI V ING NOW YO UR S F O R T HE TA K ING
Century Properties embarks on its first hotel project in partnership with one of the world’s most renowned hotel chains – AccorHotels.
Soaring 41 storeys into the sky, Novotel Suites Manila brings an international branded hotel experience with exceptional service, world-class amenities, and beautifully designed living spaces. Rising as the final tower within the immensely successful Acqua Private Residences, it is the culmination of this magnificent waterfront masterplanned development located just a bridge away from the Makati Central Business District and its many attractions. In addition to preferred shares through the Century Fractional Ownership Program, you can now take ownership of your very own home at the tower’s most premium floors. The Residences at Novotel Suites Manila becomes a blank canvas for bespoke interior design and your personalized aesthetic. Residents are also granted the esteemed privilege of exclusive access to Novotel’s marvelous array of hotel amenities, use of the The Pebble, Acqua’s iconic central amenity, as well as hotel privileges such as room service, laundry and cleaning, concierge, valet parking and more. This is true international hotel living now yours for the taking at Novotel Suites Manila.
Photos are artists’ illustration only.
Authorized to sell by HLURB LS No. 030967
Century Limitless Corporation is a subsidiary of Century Properties Group, Inc.
HLURB ENCR AA-2016/03-1171. Novotel Suites Manila is the sixth and final tower rising in Acqua Private Residences located at Coronado St., Bgy. Hulo, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. Owned and developed by Century Limitless Corporation. Completion date: September 2019. Fractional Ownership represents a percentage share in the company that owns the asset. Novotel Suites Manila and its related products are not owned,developed, sold nor endorsed by S&P Inc. or its affiliates (“Accor”). Accor makes no representations or warranties and accepts no liability in connection with Novotel Suites Manila and its related products. The developer uses the trademarks and tradenames of Accor under a hotel management agreement which may be terminated by Accor in various circumstances including if the developer defaults in the performance of its obligations under the agreement.
www.novotelsuitesmanila.com ask@century-properties.com (+63) 917-5555-274 (CPI)