Smag january 2016

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M AG A Z I N E F O R C E B U PAC I F I C

JANUARY 2016

Bright New Start Singapor e’s latest is all about ar t t o p s t o h

Tokyo’s ink-credibles THE TATTOOISTS ETCHING A WAY FORWARD FOR BODY ART

Meat the new day LONGGANISA, A CLASSIC PINOY BREAKFAST



from the chief I love the energy every new start brings, and the trailhead of the year can be especially invigorating when you’ve got a lot to look forward to. Among our first-quarter highlights is the launch of the Cebu Pacific flight service from Manila to Guam, our first-ever destination in US territory. We will be the first and only low-cost carrier to fly direct from the Philippine capital to the Micronesian island known for its beaches, local Chamorro culture and leisure spots. It is also home to a large population of Filipinos who can now make the journey to Manila and back on fare rates that are up to 83% lower than other carriers. The new route also signals our expansion westward, across the Pacific. Cebu Pacific’s long-haul flights have done extremely well — the highest passenger growth for the network in the past year has been to destinations in the Middle East, Australia and Japan, where we now fly to a total of four airports. We’re hopeful that our first destination in the US will inspire a similar domino effect of added routes within the territory in the future. We start 2016 stronger than we’ve ever been. Our fleet of 55 aircraft, one of the youngest and most modern in the world, flies to 64 destinations and services a total of 98 routes. As we open new flights and expand our fleet — more aircraft are expected to be delivered from this year until 2021 — we are ever mindful of the reason why we do what we do: to inspire a wider worldview by making faraway places well within reach, to keep Filipinos mobile, and to make the best experience of our archipelago available to the guests that we welcome to our shores. Happy New Year, and safe travels to all.

STARTING STRONG

Lance Gokongwei CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ADVERTISING 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) 154/06/2015 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.

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Group Publisher Mohan Gopal Advertising Manager Bong Dy-Liacco Senior Brand Manager Andrew Lugtu Brand Managers Blessing Dizon, Nastassja Lacsamana Digital Sales Manager Nerisse Mandigma Commercial Director David Bloomfield Tel: +65 6324 2386 Email: smile@ink-global.com

INK Managing Director Hamish McDougall Chief Finance Officer Jim Campbell Chief Executives Michael Keating and Simon Leslie




No worries.

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editor's note

M AG A Z I N E F O R C E B U PAC I F I C

JANUARY 2016

Bright New Start Singapor e’s latest is all about ar t hotspot

Tokyo’s ink-credibles THE TATTOOISTS ETCHING A WAY FORWARD FOR BODY ART

Meat the new day LONGGANISA, A CLASSIC PINOY BREAKFAST

THIS MONTH’S COVER Photographer Franz Navarrete Art Director Marlon Espino Photo Editor Aaron Low Stylist Kat Mateo Hair and Makeup Artist Haslina Ismail Model Chanel L / Mint Management

EDITORIAL Editor Tara F.T. Sering Art Director Marlon Espino Deputy Editor Kat Z. Mateo Photo Editor Aaron Low Contributing Editors Tata Mapa, Nikka Sarthou-Lainez (Trip Journal), Charmaine Baylon, Maya Calica Production Manager Sally Shee Regional Production Manager Serene Wong Associate Design Director Terence Goh Chief Sub-Editor Jonathan Evans Editorial Director Alexandra Karplus

One of the things I look forward to during gift-giving season are the new travel journals people often give me. I get all kinds — elaborate ones that come with timezone listings and conversion charts, cutesy ones with blank pages you can draw on, Indiana Jones-type leather-bound notebooks that are as pretty as they are functional. It’s a bit of a no-brainer present for someone who finds few things are as satisfying as opening up a fresh calendar, date boxes still empty, and filling them up with the year’s travel plans. Some of those trips materialize, others don’t, but I find the process of making plans an uplifting act of faith — that I’m going somewhere new, some place that could possibly move me, and that I’ll return home happy, enriched, changed. So when a Smile reader shared a page from her own travel journal with us, a lovely sketch of a trip she was yet to take, it made my month. See it on page 54. We’ve made big plans for the next 12 months of Smile, with the first few stops compiled in the issue you now hold. Our adventure begins in Singapore (page 60), where there’s always something new and exciting that changes the cityscape — usually a large dining and entertainment complex or a fancy hotel by a celebrated designer. But this time around the Little Red Dot has unveiled a beautiful museum that’s poised to become the premier visual arts center in South-East Asia. Next up, we zip over to Tokyo (page 68) to get under the skin of a long tradition of tattooing. Then we go off the beaten track twice — in the middle of the Sulu Sea is Cuyo, a tiny island with a rich past, and a bright future in the unlikely sport of kiteboarding (page 80). Set even further south, in the Sulu Archipelago, a luminous photo essay captures a sense of everyday life in Tawi-Tawi (page 88). If you’re curious about what else is on our travel agenda, here are a few clues: you’ll see us next in winter jackets, then in hiking gear as we climb terraced farms. This is the year we go farther, make a lot of detours from the usual path in the hope that they spring wonderful suprises, and do a fair share of inconvenient but oh-sosatisfying journeys. We can’t wait.

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OUR CREW THIS ISSUE

We asked this month’s talented pool of contributors: what’s first on your travel agenda for the year?

Franz Navarrete

Arwen Joyce

Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap

PHOTOGRAPHER

WRITER

WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER

For this issue shot our amazing cover at the new National Gallery of Singapore “I’ll be visiting Kyoto for the first time and I’m looking forward to experiencing the sakura season in full bloom.”

For this issue explored the Japanese tradition of body art “I’m a city girl to the core, but this year I want to add more beaches and small-town charm to my life!”

For this issue shared his account of a nice surprise in the middle of the Sulu Sea “I always look forward to starting the year in my home province, Cebu — after the New Year celebration, there’s the Sinulog Festival.”

Tata Mapa

Jacob Maentz

STYLIST

PHOTOGRAPHER

For this issue made our breakfast plates look even more irresistible “No destination set yet. I often like to start the year with no plans, and then go where life — or the wind — takes me.”

For this issue shares stunning images from a trip to the southernmost province in the Philippines “I’ll be looking for some more unique locations within the Philippines. A trip back to the United States and Japan are also on the agenda.”

Richard Atrero de Guzman, aka Bahag

Miguel Nacianceno

PHOTOGRAPHER

For this issue made us googly eyed for longganisa “I have plans to spend a lot of time outdoors, doing a sea-to-mountain traverse. It’s partly for work, and partly me wanting to push myself beyond my comfort zone.”

For this issue documented the work of Tokyo’s top tattooists “My first trip for the year is to the Philippines, where I’ll be covering the visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan.” 8

SMILE • JANUARY 2016

PHOTOGRAPHER



BEHIND THE SCENES

Touching up in between takes

Trying out cover of options on the steps the National Gallery

Chanel gets friendly with chefs Helio and Xico of Boca near Chinatown

The crew for this shoot consisted of Filipinos, Singaporeans (our model, Chanel, was BurmeseSingaporean) and Malays. We met two Portuguese chefs, and had lunch at their restaurant, Boca, near Chinatown. (Learn more about it in next month’s issue). That’s a snapshot of life in Singapore — people of various races working together, exchanging and taking pleasure in each other’s cultures. — Kat

Photographer Franz and assistant Kamal getting ready to shoot the yummy dish es at Boca

Marlon and Kat had their own shoot on the side

Kat did double duty as deputy editor and stylist

We loved this giant pop-up book at the National Gallery

We loved the interior

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design of Boca

Franz shows some shots to Chanel



TRENDING

#MYSMILESNAP Use this hashtag to show us your travel photos on Instagram. One of your snaps just might be featured in Smile! Here are a few of our favorite shots this month

Straight from Hollywood @ayemsorandom and her friends jump for joy during their holiday in El Nido, Palawan

We love @bert_andone’s shot of this young T’boli girl in a canoe at Lake Sebu

@moretolove_life poses with the monkeys at Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest

@leonieblanca was so happy to have spent time with her family in Dubai

@iyishmay makes a splash in El Nido, Palawan

@missvenust endured the cold at the Mutianyu Gate of China’s Great Wall

Our Hollywood correspondent Ruben Nepales surprises us once in a while with photos of our favorite stars reading Smile. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reading our October issue are the latest. (Amy liked our interview with Paul Rudd!) If, like us, you want to see your favorite Hollywood star reading your favorite travel magazine, then drop us a note on our Facebook page or email us at cebu. ed@ink-global. com, and we’ll see what Ruben can do. In the meantime, feel free to explore star photos and more at facebook.com/ smilemag

Let’s be friends Write to us, join our contests, show us your pics and stay updated. Follow us on Cebu Pacific and smilemag. 12 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

Smile Magazine for




flight plan THIS MONTH IN SMILE

80 Castaway on Cuyo Head off the beaten path and discover the charms of an oft-overlooked island

MAIN PHOTO BY EDGAR ALAN ZETA-YAP

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68 88

In the art of the city

A Sulu state of mind

There’s something for everyone at Singapore’s National Gallery

Striking images of everyday life in Tawi-Tawi 15 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

The great tattoo taboo Three artists aim to take Japanese irezumi art to the mainstream


flight plan Track your run with this, p37

21 Three cheers for January Three Philippine festivals worth checking out this month 23 All eyes and ears Indie music takes center stage as the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival comes to Singapore

42 Tightrope act Joseph Gordon-Levitt reveals how he balances obeying rules and following his passions

33 Three to try New restaurants to tantalize your tastebuds this month 45 Culinary explorer Have a delicious adventure with Asian Food Channel’s Sarah Benjamin 51 Spreading the word Quintin Pastrana aims to give our public reading spaces a new lease on life through the Library Renewal Partnership

AAAND, THERE'S MORE...

95 TRIP JOURNAL Heading for any of the 29 international or 34 Philippine destinations on the Cebu Pacific network? Get some recommendations from these travelers.

141 AIRLINE NEWS Read the latest from Cebu Pacific, and get updates on destinations and routes.

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148 ONBOARD TREATS Check out the onboard menu for the latest food-and-beverage offerings.




the buzz THE LATEST NEWS, SOME COOL REVIEWS AND A FEW USEFUL TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE NETWORK

TRUNK SHOW Catch the Elephant Parade in Bangkok’s Lumpini Park from January 18 to 29. Staged to raise awareness about the plight of domestic and wild elephants in Thailand, it features a massive herd of 88 painted pachyderms

in cement plaster in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 88th birthday in December last year. Visit the Parade for a chance to win big prizes, including a four-day stay at the Anantara Golden Triangle

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Elephant Camp & Resort in northern Thailand. Visit elephantparadebangkok.com for more details. Exciting events and new restaurants to try >



Woohoo! fun festivals

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START THE YEAR WITH ICE, FIRE AND GOOD FORTUNE

JANUARY 5 TO FEBRUARY 25 Harbin, China (via Beijing)

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Harbin Ice and Snow Festival Marvel at man-made frozen masterpieces. icefestivalharbin.com

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Three cheers for January BY ZANE RONQUILLO; PHOTOS BY BERNARDO "BERNIEMACK" ARELLANO III (ATI-ATIHAN); JNTO (TOKA EBISU); NAGOYA TARO (WAKAKUSA YAMAYAKI)

THESE COLORFUL ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES GUARANTEE A FUN TIME THIS MONTH JANUARY 9 TO 11 Fukuoka / Osaka

Toka Ebisu Visit lovely shrines to invoke your good fortune. imamiya-ebisu.jp

JANUARY 23 OR 30 Nara (via Osaka or Tokyo)

Wakakusa Yamayaki Watch a mountain burn, then enjoy fireworks. jnto.go.jp

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Happy Dinagyang Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival holds its main events on the fourth Sunday of January. Some highlights are the colorful fluvial procession on the Iloilo River and cheery Dagoy. Standing at over 6ft tall, wearing Aeta child-warrior garb, a headdress and a bright smile, Dagoy is the irresistible festival mascot. So cute they even sell little Dagoy dolls! dinagyangsailoilo. com

Non-stop Sinulog The Sinulog Festival is Cebu City’s biggest party. The festivities — dances, markets, parades, festival queen coronation, fireworks competition, singing contest, a fun run and even a short-film festival — are often spread out, giving visitors a taste of the Sinulog spirit all month. The biggest street parade lasts 12 hours and draws visitors to join Cebuanos in shouting “Pit senyor!” sinulog.ph

Joyful Ati-Atihan Religious fervor and hardcore partying meet in Kalibo’s “mother of all Philippine festivals”, which traditionally starts with a mass and ends with a masquerade ball. In between are nine days of drumbeats, street dances, processions, a parade of higantes or giant crafted figures, art displays, a beauty contest, and even a bike race and car show! Party from sun-up to sundown, rain or shine. kaliboatiatihan.ph

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Woah! must-watch

All eyes and ears MORE THAN 20 ACTS ARE PERFORMING AT THE ST JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL SINGAPORE THIS MONTH. HERE ARE FOUR YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

worldwide, while The New York Times named it as one of 2012’s best. Her latest opus, Art Angels, was released this year, and became her highest-charting album in the US.

The Internet The American soul band’s 2015 album Ego Death has been nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Cheats This Filipino indie-pop band counts Radiohead and Spice Girls among its influences. Their self-titled debut album is on Spotify and is available for streaming.

BY ZANE RONQUILLO; PHOTO BY AFIQ OMAR (LANEWAY FESTIVAL)

CHVRCHES The Scottish electronic trio’s 2013 album The Bones of What You Believe went

A ROUNDUP OF SHOWS TO CATCH THIS MONTH

on to sell around 1 million copies. They launched their second album, Every Open Eye, last September 2015, and it reached number 4 in the UK’s Official Album Charts. Grimes With her third studio album Visions, the synth-pop sensation from Canada caught the ears of listeners

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STAY UPDATED Follow “LanewayFestSG” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Tokyo JANUARY 15 NATE RUESS On his solo tour, tune in to the unique rawness of the frontman from fun. viagogo.com

Manila JANUARY 19 ONE OK ROCK LIVE IN MANILA Get energized by the J-Rock superstars’ performance. smtickets.com

But there’s more! Aside from the music, you can take part in fun activities and enjoy lots of yummy grub during the festival’s 12-hour run. So gather your friends, ready your picnic mats and head to The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay on January 30. For ticketing and more information, head to Singapore. lanewayfestival.com

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Singapore JANUARY 15 THE ILLUSIONISTS — LIVE FROM BROADWAY Wonder at the amazing feats of the world’s biggest touring magic show. sistic.com.sg


Aha! good news

Days at the museum THIS MONTH, ENTRY WILL BE FREE TO MUSEUMS UNDER HONG KONG’S LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. HERE ARE THREE TO CHECK OUT

Hong Kong Heritage Museum Immerse yourself in the culture of the city here, where you will find displays of artefacts from the New Territories, as well as examples of Chinese fine art. If you have kids, take them to the Children’s Discovery Gallery. It has eight play zones where they can learn about nature, archaeology and history.

Hong Kong Railway Museum Another attraction which can be fun for kids, this small museum located at Tai Po has old train carriages and engines that the little ones can explore at their leisure.

GET A RIDE Uber, along with other ride-booking apps, has been given permission to operate in Jakarta. So when you need a ride in the Big Durian, go ahead — whip out your phone and use that app. As of press time, no similar decision has been reached in Manila. A temporary restraining order has been slapped on new Uber and GrabCar driver applications, but the two companies, and their drivers, can still operate in the metro.

INSTANTLY SHARE YOUR DISNEY ADVENTURES ONLINE Now that Disneyland Hong Kong offers free WiFi in the park, you can share your magical experiences in real time. Just look for the “Guest Free WiFi” signs at all shops, restaurants along the parade route, at the park entrance and all indoor Guest Services locations, and connect. You can Facetime with lola as the parade happens, or instantly Instagram your snapshot with Mickey. hongkongdisneyland.com 24 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG

Hong Kong Museum of History Learn how Hong Kong’s geography and natural environment influenced its development. Get to know about its former ruling dynasties, the causes and effects of the Opium Wars, and the city’s post-World War II development.



Wha...?

Clockwise: Banana-boating; horsebackriding; a resident orangutan; the Ocean Wing at night

Into the wild IT’S A WONDERFUL JUNGLE OUT THERE AT THE KOTA KINABALU’S SHANGRI-LA RASA RIA RESORT & SPA One of the first things we’re told as we arrive at the Ocean Wing of the luxe tropical resort in Kota Kinabalu’s Dalit Bay is this: sometimes at night, by the main driveway’s banyan tree that’s been there perhaps centuries (you can tell from the heavy drape of roots and branches), you’ll see one of the resident bearcats, locally called binturong. Native to South-East Asia, the binturong are now classified as vulnerable — no thanks to dwindling forests, where they live in treetops, and poachers — but a few of them have found a home in the resort that prides itself in its arms-wide-open embrace of the great outdoors. Rooms come with spacious balconies offering views of the South China Sea on one side or the lush canopies of a 400acre rainforest on the other. You’re free to just laze by the pool and soak

AFTER THE RUSH

up the sun while sipping a cocktail, but if you’re up for more quality time outdoors for your tropical escape ( jungle trekking, anyone?) the resort offers loads of options. On land Wild animals come with the territory. All weekend we obsessed over the binturong — it has the elongated, barrellike body and small round ears of a baby bear, but also the whiskers and dexterity of a cat, although it’s neither bear nor cat. We finally saw it by the outdoor archery range — curled into a large, black furball and sleeping on a high branch with its tail dangling. While we cooed, one of the rangers warned that these nocturnal carnivores are not always docile-looking and cute: binturong can hiss and snarl, baring sharp fangs, when angered.

Less moody are the resort’s charming orangutan, who live in the adjacent nature reserve. Part of the resort’s aggressive conservation program is a public education campaign on the red-haired primates, who are endangered and are now only to be found in Borneo. At the resort, you may go on a tour to see the orangutan in their natural habitat, and animal-loving kids may sign up to get even closer by assisting the rangers. At sea There aren’t many establishments on this side of the bay, so you get the long and quiet stretch of Pantai Dalit Beach almost to yourself. Go for a run or go horseback-riding on the shore, or if the water proves tempting, sign up for watersports. Use of Boogie boards and ocean kayaks is free, as is a ride aboard the resort’s catamaran. For a small fee you can try other sports like jet-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, standup paddleboarding and even deep-sea fishing. shangri-la.com/ kotakinabalu/rasariaresort

The Shangri-la brand has long been known for its award-winning spa services, so after your hectic day of animal-spotting or water-skiing, head to The Spa for holistic treatments that are derived from Sabah culture and use locally sourced herbs and oils.

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BY TARA FT SERING

resorts with a twist




Hmmm relaxing retreat

The perfect retreat

PHOTO BY MIGUEL NACIANCENO

THE FIVE-HECTARE BE GRAND RESORT IN PANGLAO ISLAND, BOHOL OFFERS EVERYONE SPACE JUST TO BE Whether you got stressed out by the holidays and need a break, want to take your beloved somewhere special on Valentine’s Day, or want to have a relaxing getaway in the summer, check out Be Grand Resort — the newest destination at Bohol’s Panglao Island. Located in a secluded portion of Barangay Danao, Be Grand Resort is the perfect place for some R&R. The main building has 187 rooms, all offering comfortable beds, and bathrooms with deep-soak tubs and rain showers. Each has a private balcony, so just choose whether you fancy a room facing the garden, the pool or the beach. Couples who want more privacy, or families of four who need more space, can opt to stay at one of the resort’s 19 luxury villas. It’s a tranquil setting, but don’t

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think you’ll be cut off from the rest of the world: Tagbilaran City is just a 35-minute drive from the resort. Facing Panglao Bay, Be Grand Resort is also a good jump-off point to the snorkeling and diving spots that the island is famous for. The resort has a floating pontoon jetty, so you can hop on a bangka right there. If you want or need diving lessons, you can sign up at the resort’s diving facility. But Be Grand Resort is a destination in itself, and there are plenty of things to do should you decide to stay back. You can shoot water cannons with the little ones at the kids’ pool, play billiards, foosball or board games at the games room, work out at the gym, or just feast on delicious dishes at one of the resort’s five restaurants.

PLAN YOUR ESCAPE Check out Be Grand Resort Bohol's latest offers at beresorts.com/resorts/bohol

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Kid-friendly Bohol Here are three attractions my fouryear-old son loved when we went to Bohol: • Loboc Tarsier Sanctuary Even though it was raining when we went there, my son enjoyed hiking up the hill to see the tarsiers. We spotted four! • Loboc River Cruise Any cruise is fun for little ones. My boy liked the food, too. • Chocolate Hills My son saw the hills from the plane as we flew in, and he saw them up close, too. It’s a good way to give kids a quick lesson in geography. - Kat


PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Have points, will travel FLY FOR FREE TO YOUR DREAM DESTINATION WITH GETGO, CEBU PACIFIC’S LIFESTYLE REWARDS PROGRAM This coming new year, travel more frequently via Cebu Pacific or Cebgo, and fly to your dream destination for free. Sign up for GetGo, Cebu Pacific’s lifestyle rewards program, which will let you earn points from flights and everyday spending. Before you know it, you will have accumulated enough points to redeem a free flight to Tokyo, Sydney or any of the destinations on your must-visit list. EARN POINTS AND GET GOING There are several ways you can earn points with GetGo. The first is by booking flights with Cebu Pacific and purchasing add-ons, such as prepaid baggage allowance, seats and inflight meals. Another way of earning points is through GetGo partners. You can easily convert points you earn from Citibank, UnionBank, BPI, RCBC, Security Bank, Metrobank and BDO credit cards to GetGo points, which you can then use to purchase tickets on Cebu Pacific or Cebgo. You can also earn points when you spend on ZAP, Kaligo.com and Ring Rob Concierge. If you really want to fly to Tokyo in the spring or Sydney in autumn, but don’t have enough points to redeem free flights yet, then you can just pay the remaining balance in cash. It’s that simple. But GetGo points don’t expire, so you can just keep on accumulating until you have enough to book your desired flights.

THE MORE, THE MERRIER ERRIER If you want to earn pointss faster, get your family or barkada to sign up for GetGo, and create an Earning Circle. ircle. One circle can have as many as eight h members. b All the GetGo points each member has earned, and will earn, will be pooled to an Earning Circle balance. This balance can then be used by any member — with approval from the Earning Circle head — to redeem flights. Another great GetGo feature is the Sharing Circle. As a member, you can nominate up to seven people to be part of your Sharing Circle. You can redeem points from either your personal balance or your Earning Circle balance for a reward flight on behalf of someone in your Sharing Circle. For more information about the GetGo group features, visit getgo.com.ph and check out the FAQ section. PERKS GALORE Another reason to sign up for GetGo is the perks and privileges you can enjoy from promo partners such as Shopback, Hotel H20, Buri Resort and Spa, Busuanga Bay Lodge, Harbor Town Hotel, The Oasis, Tugawa Cove Resort, EastWest Bank Personal Loans, Enchanted Kingdom, YKL and Vikings Bacolod. You can also get access to exclusive seat sales, where you can book super-affordable flights for as few as 200 points.

CONVINCED? Start earning points now. Head to getgo.com.ph, fill out an application form, and pay a one-time membership fee of PHP150. Upon successful enrolment, you can start earning points. Your personalized GetGo card will also be delivered right at your doorstep. Alternatively, you can buy a GetGo membership kit from any Ministop branch near you, or at selected airports.

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GETGO PARTNERS




Yum happy new eats

Three to try ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW TASTES? THIS TRIO OF RESTAURANTS SHOULD MORE THAN FIT THE BILL

MILKBOX Space 1025 New Wing, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

If the idea of an ice cream parlor/coffee house/dessert spot hybrid appeals to you, then check out Milkbox — a cozy shop in the south of the Metro. Their coffee is roasted by third wave roaster, the Yardstick Coffee company, and they’re ready to brew anything from steady espressos, flat whites, AeroPress and pour-overs to more adventurous concoctions like their Cereal Milk Affogato and Orange Cold Brew. Treat yourself to their special ice cream flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Red Velvet, or to one of their Cwazy Shakes made with lots of ice cream, fresh milk, Chantilly cream and waffle chunks drizzled with chocolate sauce. Another Milkbox must-try is the Wonut (Waffle Donut). Bestselling flavors include Nutella Banana and Earl Grey and Almond. They also offer sundaes like the Tres Leches Waffle Sundae that even comes doused in a yummy milk bath.

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Yum

THE HALAL GUYS 5L Mega Food Hall, SM Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

If you’ve never had the good fortune of burying your face in a platter of gyro and falafel from The Halal Guys, then your luck has just changed. The now iconic food cart that first made its mark on the corner of 53rd Street and 6th Avenue in New York City has recently opened its doors in Metro Manila, so we can all get a taste of the Big Apple’s #1 Yelped business. Dig into their rice platters (chicken, gyro, combos), sandwiches (chicken, gyro, combos), and falafels and you’ll probably be able to figure out what all the fuss is about.

GENKI SHUSHI

Similar to the idea of kaiten sushi (where diners can choose from dishes placed on a revolving conveyor belt), Genki Sushi takes things further with trademark Japanese technology and innovation. Orders are placed without a waiter via an iPad menu. The kitchen then whips up your order and delivers it fresh and fast via mini train, right to your table. Just press a button, and the train speeds right on back to the kitchen. But let’s not forget the actual food. Genki Sushi serves fresh, traditional sushi options such as shirashi don, salmon sashimi and crab salad, as well as more modern takes like their mouthwatering shrimp garlic nigiri, seared salmon with pollock roe nigiri, salmon supreme and scallop pollock roe. For those who want more than sushi, Genki serves other popular favorites such as rice bowls and Japanese fried chicken. 34 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

BY TATA MAPA

2nd level, Bonifacio Stopover Pavilion, 31st St. cor. Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila




Oooh good stuff

Work out on the road FOUR FITNESS GURUS SHARE HOW THEY STAY FIT WHILE TRAVELING, AND THEIR ESSENTIAL GEAR

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Barre3 instructor Raech David-Tablante likes to do yoga on the beach or her hotel room. “If I have extra space in my luggage, I bring a yoga mat.” She vouches for Jade travel mats’ durability and portability. PHP2,200; yogamanila.com/ yogamanila/retail

Sydney-based Zumba instructor Nina Zaldivia makes sure she joins a class every day, no matter where she is. Aside from comfortable shoes, Zumbawear cargo pants are equally important, says Nina. US$59; zumba. com/en-US/shop/GU/ women

Coach Kevin Reyes makes sure to sign up for CrossFit classes at his destination. “I also make sure to bring my Proven gear. They’re quick to dry and keep me fresh even after intense workouts.” PHP550; facebook. com/provenph

Three-time Ironman distance finisher and ITU Level 2-certified triathlon coach Norman Pascual makes sure to stick to his volume-based training plan wherever he goes. “Aside from running shoes, I bring my Garmin Fenix 3 watch to keep track of my running.” PHP25,590; ph.garmin.com

BY JENNY PEÑAS

It’s a wrap! Protect your luggage from dirt and theft with Wanderskye covers. Made of polyester and spandex, with proper care the covers will last a long time. They feature designs by Filipino artists including Rob Cham, Joanna Malinis (her design is pictured right) and Raxenne Maniquiz, all of whom have done illustrations for Smile. The wraps come in three sizes, which fit baggage ranging from 19 to 32 inches in height. Want one? Guess Smile’s next cover destination to win your own Wanderskye luggage wrap. Turn to page 152 now! wanderskye.com 37 SMILE • JANUARY 2016


Oohlala good reads

he f n u ence THE LATEST NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNERS ARE AN ECLECTIC MIX, AS ALWAYS. HERE ARE FIVE YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR READING LIST THIS YEAR

iStatus Nation Joselito Delos Reyes writes anecdotal and often hilarious essays on subjects ranging from national concerns (the pork barrel scandal) to personal reflections (musings about wanting a certain expensive computer). We’re sure these crisp and funny missives from this gifted writer will make you chuckle. Hidden Codex: Fictive Scriptures Jose Marte A. Abueg reimagined characters from Christian texts and used enchanting language to tell new stories. This new and sensitive reinterpretation of Biblical themes in poetic terms is a worthy read. 14 Writer and illustrator Manix Abrera follows up his seminal 12 with this award-winning volume. The seven stories here convey so much emotion — love, dread, sadness, loneliness — without the benefit of language.

Tikum Kadlum This important piece of literature is the result of 20 years of research and translation. Federico Caballero and Alicia P. Magos’ book is the first in a series that preserves the 10 epics of the Panay-Bukidnon people for future generations.

i

TITLES ARE AVAILABLE at all National Bookstore branches.

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BY LOUIE-AN PILAPIL; PHOTOS BY VIC GUERRERO

Buti Pa Ang Roma, May Bagong Papa As the title suggests, this book is tongue-in-cheek and extremely funny. Noreen Capili’s observations on the contemporary dating scene in the Philippines produced this laughter-filled collection.




THESE AWESOME PEOPLE REALLY KNOW THEIR STUFF — HEAR IT STRAIGHT FROM THEM

FINDING THE SWEET SPOT

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

For Joseph Gordon-Levitt, life is a balancing act between living for himself and living for others. “I go back and forth,” the actor says. “If I only pay attention to my own opinion and my own perspective and my own desires, that is not a recipe for happiness to me. Likewise, if I only pay attention to the perspective, opinions and desires of other people and not my own, then this is not going to make me happy. So somewhere in the middle, there’s a sweet spot. And it is probably different from moment to moment.” Flip the page for more from Joseph

41 SMILE • JANUARY 2016


Hot topic chatfest with Hollywood stars

Tightrope act IN LIFE AS IN WORK, MOVIE STAR JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT WALKS A FINE LINE BETWEEN PURSUING HIS OWN PASSION AND ADHERING TO STRICT DISCIPLINE. BY RUBEN V NEPALES

He went from a brash young kid to a charming grownup on TV, on the big screen and in the public eye. But Joseph Gordon-Levitt is among a handful of former child actors in Hollywood who’s made the successful transition into a mature thespian, sans meltdown or errant antics that become tabloid headlines. Now the actor whose brilliant career includes memorable turns in such crowd-pleasing films as 500 Days of Summer, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception and 50/50 — is solidifying his reputation as one of the finest actors of his generation with his latest movie, The Walk, directed by Robert Zemeckis. For his portrayal of Philippe Petit, the French high-wire artist who pulled off a daring 1974 stunt between the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, Gordon-Levitt has stirred up critical buzz, not to mention early rumors of an Oscar nod. He will next be seen in the title role in Oliver Stone’s

Snowden, about the controversial former CIA employee who leaked National Security Agency secrets. We caught up with new dad Joseph — his wife, Silicon Valley exec Tasha McCauley, with whom he tied the knot in December 2014, just delivered a baby boy — for a quick chat about how he makes it all work. Philippe Petit, your character in The Walk, broke many rules to accomplish his feat of walking on a high wire between the Twin Towers. Are you good at following rules in general? I am really good at obeying rules when they are correct. But when they are not right [laughs], I am not so good at obeying them. Most great art or acts are sort of a balance between honoring some traditions and rebelling against others. A healthy balance of the two is important. You can go too far in either direction. 42 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

Were you rebellious as a kid? In ways. And then in ways not. As a kid, I did very well in school because I wanted to go to a good college. I had a full-time job [acting] that I was always professional at, so that wasn’t rebellious, I suppose. Then I had my rebellious parts, a sort of Holden Caulfield-esque defiance against what, at that time, I considered to be superficial in youth culture. Do you suppose this somehow inspired you to want to express yourself, and act and perform, at such a young age? I started working when I was six. I was in community theater, and singing in a choir and stuff. I always loved it. It was just something that I loved to do. I am just compelled to do it. I don’t know if I can necessarily answer why I love to act. Sometimes when you love something, words don’t suffice to explain it. It’s like when you love a


PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRISTAR PICTURES

person, you can’t really explain why. I love acting. I feel very grateful that I found it so early in life. You work with some of the best directors today, such as Robert Zemeckis and Christopher Nolan. How do you connect with them? Those are two individuals whom I just admire so much and have learned so much from. I am so grateful to them. Film is really a director’s medium. An actor’s job is to try to give the director what he or she needs, sort of like ingredients. The director is the one who takes all the ingredients and then, obviously with the help of lots of other collaborators, puts it together. So as an actor, you really have to trust that director. You get very emotionally invested in your director. Both Robert Zemeckis and Christopher Nolan were also

“Most great art is a balance between honoring some traditions and rebelling against others”

particularly generous with me, because they both could tell that I love film and filmmaking. I made a movie myself, and I am very interested in what a filmmaker does with the camera, or what they are going to do with the editing and the

music. They weren’t intimidated by my interest. In fact, they were inspired. They embraced it. Both Chris and Bob were very open to discussing with me what they were thinking, and how they were approaching it as filmmakers. That brought us closer, enhanced our creative relationship and allowed me to give them what they needed more precisely. And Oliver Stone? Oliver is equally accomplished. He knows so much about movies. He could tell that I love movies, and he was always recommending movies that I didn’t know. We had a great time together in that way.

GO ON RECORD Joseph Gordon-Levitt founded HitRecord, an online collaborative production company. Visit hitrecord.org to find out more.

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43 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



Wander lust travel like a pro

Culinary explorer GO ON AN AMAZING FOOD JOURNEY WITH ASIAN FOOD CHANNEL PRESENTER SARAH BENJAMIN A star presenter on the Asian Food Channel and its website, Sarah Benjamin has a job most would envy. As host of Must Try! Asia, Cooking for Love, Simply Special and GR848 — in which she seeks out dishes under US$8 — she uncovers the best eateries and recipes in the region. And she’s more than eager to. “I’m not one of those people who keeps secret spots to herself,” reveals the British-Peranakan-Chinese cook and former marketing executive. “I love to share great places to eat with my friends, and it’s always more fun when the company is good. If someone needs recommendations on where to eat, I’m always more than happy to oblige.” Sarah draws on her trips and experiences on the shows to advise us

where to go. “I know it’s home for me, but Singapore has to be one of the top food destinations in Asia. The food scene is such a great display of how cultures can blend together to create something new and better,” she enthuses. “I also love the food in Hanoi for its fresh, exciting flavors and light dishes. I was so happy to share it with everyone on Must Try! Asia 2. And I have to include Seoul for the amazing, spicy flavors and generous portions. It’s such a fun city to eat your way around.” Given that she’s dined her way across Asia — she also visited Cebu, Kyoto and Chiang Mai for Must Try! Asia 2 — is there anything left on her wishlist? “Right at the top has got to be Sri Lanka, and to try authentic, local hoppers,” she admits. “They’re 45 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

Denise hangs out with the

amazing, these steamed andSabah; fermented locals of Bajau Laut, (left) want yoga onto thehave go a rice buns, and I really taste of the real thing.” Hopefully she’ll be able to in 2016 — when she finds the time. This year Sarah will be introducing a new look and even better content for her website, kitchenhoarder.com. “I hope to grow it into the best food site in Asia,” she states. “There’ll also be more shows in the pipeline. I think it’ll be another busy year for me, but it’s going to be so much fun.” With her camera and notebook in hand, she’s inviting us along for the ride. “I truly believe in trying everything at least once,” she says. “It’s all about learning new things and gaining new experiences, no matter the destination.” On the next page, she offers tips on how to do both.


Wander lust

Talk to the locals A lot of people are so shy when traveling, but you really shouldn’t be. A simple smile works wonders to break the ice. I definitely recommend learning a few key phrases in the local language; you’ll be surprised at how much can be communicated with a few simple words and lots of sign language. Many locals will be very keen to share their favorite spots and recommendations with you, and sometimes it’ll be something you won’t find in any guidebook — but could be amazing. Just be open-minded and communicate. Discover more with your apps Google Translate — I can’t emphasize this enough. It’s such a helpful app when traveling, especially when you need to decipher foreign-language menus — because the best food is rarely at the touristy places. Also, TripIt is pretty good for organizing

“I value experience over money, and I always think to myself: Will I regret not doing this?”

all your travel details, like flights and accommodation. Eat breakfast Every city has its own way of starting the day with a meal, and it’s so much fun to start off your day together with the locals. Do your research If you just spend a little more time and effort trawling the internet

Sampling a dish for Must Try! Asia

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or magazines for secret, local recommendations, you’ll be rewarded with such great spots. Blogs, especially those run by a local or an expat, are a really good source of information. Safety first Keep yourself safe. I think instincts are a pretty good guide. If you feel like the area feels kind of off, or something doesn’t feel right, go with your gut and turn around. I think it’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local emergency telephone numbers. Just put your phone and wallet away when walking between locations, and try to keep your bag in sight when eating! Bring your essentials Some of my travel must-haves are comfortable shoes, for all the walking; charcoal pills, just in case some of that street food doesn’t sit so well in your tummy; and, absolutely, sunglasses. Stay true to yourself Everyone has something different that they want to get out of a trip. Be it to rediscover your inner peace, eat, shop or learn a new skill, it’s great to have these aims in place when you’re planning your itinerary. It’ll really shape what you do when you’re traveling.

FOR MORE OF SARAH’S FOOD ADVENTURES, visit kitchenhoarder.com and asianfoodchannel.com

46 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

BY CHARMAINE BAYLON

Know when to save and spend I’m going to be honest: working within a budget while traveling isn’t easy for me! I value experience over money, and I always think to myself: Will I regret not doing this? I will say, however, that the key to this is good planning. When you know what you’re going to be doing and where you’re going, it’s much easier to know what to expect when spending, and to stick with a set budget.

Sarah in Kyoto with chef Oohashi and chef Masamichi Miyazawa (left)




High f lyer traveling for business

JACQE YUENGTIAN GUTIERREZ Occupation: CEO, HAPPY SKIN COSMETICS Company: ALLURE ASIA INC. Based in: MANILA How often do you travel for work? Before I gave birth, I traveled almost monthly for product development, and also for inspiration on the newest trends in the makeup industry.

INTERVIEW BY KAT MATEO; PHOTO BY VIC GUERRERO

What’s your preferred time for flights, and why? I like taking the first flight out so I can maximize my day, whether it’s for business or leisure. I love eating at new restaurants, so arriving early means I can eat at least four times that day! Do you have any rituals once you’re on board? I usually have my iPad with me so I have the option to watch a TV series or read a book. I also check the inflight magazine for the travel guides and tips — they usually feature restaurants to try, so I take note of those. What are three items you always have in your carry-on? My laptop, iPad and lots of snacks! Which accommodation do you prefer: chain, boutique or Airbnb? I usually prefer boutique hotels, since you get to talk with the locals and you get great tips on places to go and visit. Recently though, I’m

starting to book more places at Airbnb, especially for leisure trips. It has been a great experience so far.

But we usually get a rental car back to the airport so we don’t have to carry all our stuff.

Which app do you use most when you travel? TripAdvisor. I use this all the time to look for best restaurants to eat within the vicinity. My husband and I love walking and discovering new places to eat, but we quickly realized that it’s always best to check the reviews first.

When and where was your last holiday? My last real holiday was with my husband in Turkey back in 2014. We went around the country for 10 days, and it’s one of the best trips we took. We loved the amazing archaeological sites, the way mosques and churches coexist, the world-class cuisine and the spectacular bazaars.

Taxi, Uber or rental car? I usually take the subway or the train when traveling, as I find it more efficient in terms of speed and cost. 49 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

Where is home? Manila, where I live with my husband, Vic and our baby, Rafael.



In the library with Quintin Pastrana

Spreading the word

BY CHARMAINE BAYLON

UNDER THE LIBRARY RENEWAL PARTNERSHIP, FOUNDER QUINTIN PASTRANA IS HELPING TO GIVE LIBRARIES — AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE — A NEW LEASE ON LIFE Who says physical libraries lack purpose, are not a necessity, or could soon be a thing of the past? Quintin Pastrana, founder and managing director of the Library Renewal Partnership (LRP), begs to differ. Together with partners like National Bookstore, Adarna House and the Asia Society, LRP is reinvigorating these valuable “community education centers” all over the Philippines. Described as a “public-private partnership” and “non-profit coalition of leading literacy providers since 2010”, LRP aims to establish 200 libraries by the year 2020. “We are now 100 and counting,” says Quintin proudly. Open to the public, with local government units helping to provide the space and the staff, these stations

of learning are found in Aklan, Quezon City, Manila, Ilocos Norte and other areas in the country. How do they do it? “We help to establish new libraries and revive old ones,” he replies. LRP’s partners provide books and content, promote literacy and literacy programs, and hold other community and socially driven events. Local and international supporters also donate books. “We have a standard general collection of [literature and the arts, reference and educational] books,” he relates. “We work with the individual communities to ensure the books fit their needs.” LRP’s work has since been recognized both within the Philippines and worldwide. “We won a Freedom through Literacy Award in the United 51 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

Quintin flanked by partners and students at a school in Brgy Talaongan in Laguna; (inset) Quintin with LRP program manager Margarita B. Diego

States,” Quintin says. “We’ve also been featured on CNN Philippines and the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community.” The organization is likely to attract even more publicity in April. “We are presenting our model to expand to South-East Asia at a forum at Oxford University,” says Quintin. The founder told us about the processes, setbacks and developments LRP has been going through as it has strived to realize its goals. Do you remember the first time you visited a public library in the Philippines? What struck you the most? Yes — there was the hunger for knowledge by community members, and the lack of resources available.


In the library

There is certainly a demand and supply issue, and we’re here to bridge it. Was this what eventually compelled you to set up LRP? What were the initial challenges? It was my personal experience immersing in community and university libraries in the US and UK, to see how much of a central role they play in the development of the

community and the nation. That led me to complete a paper, while I was a student at Oxford, on how we can strategically enable these libraries as sustainable development tools in the Philippines. Where did your research for LRP take you? Which elements from other libraries and similarly driven organizations did you bring home with you? We looked at similar libraries in developed countries such as the UK, US, Australia and South Korea, and in developing countries like Nepal, Kenya, Brazil and India. In all these examples, the common denominator was that the library served as a third space — beyond work and home — to serve the community’s needs, be it for learning, livelihood development, sociocultural events or even disaster relief, as some of our libraries in the Visayas have shown. What’s been the libraries’ demographic so far? All ages, since they are public — and more families come to them together, which makes this an encouraging communal pastime. What kind of books do they look for? All kinds — from the classics to magazines, self-help and the social sciences. They also use the internet to do research in the growing number of libraries that have WiFi.

“I wanted to help create sacred spaces to rediscover the transformative experience of reading”

Part of LRP’s aim is to make the library more than just a place for books, but for meaningful interactions and activities too. In what ways have you seen these happen? Libraries around the world serve as gathering spaces for entrepreneurship classes, disaster relief, even weddings. Because it is a democratic space and resource, the community bonds together to find ways to collaborate further — be it for sociocultural events, crime prevention, community dialogues or the fundamental joys of learning. What are the other defining moments for LRP? Reaching our 100th library (in Laguna), and just before that, visiting

Margarita and Quintin with students

our first (in Aklan) and 50th (in Sta. Ana, Manila), to see all of them thriving and both empowering and truly being owned by the community. How do you see LRP adjusting and moving with the times? We see an interconnected archipelago of community education centers that are sharing best practices with each other, while evolving features and innovating through initiatives of the community members themselves. We also see it going regional and finding a strong foothold in ASEAN. What would be your ideal library? A good mix — from Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby to Hrabal’s Too Loud A Solitude, to the whole Carcanet poetry series. I think I started out that way, lost the habit for a while, and only when I got it back, when I lived abroad, did I feel my life change for the better. In fact, that’s why I started LRP — I wanted to help create sacred spaces to rediscover the transformative experience of reading, something so rare in the cacophony of life here. Well, if we have our way and more people join us, that will change for good.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LIBRARY RENEWAL PARTNERSHIP Visit librarypartners.com or Facebook. com/LibraryPartnership to connect with them.

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SMILE • JANUARY 2016

54

YOU CAN TELL HOMEMAKER AND SMILE READER RIA DE LARA IS A VISUAL PERSON — BEFORE SHE JETTED OVER TO TAIPEI, SHE MADE AN ILLUSTRATED MAP OF HER ITINERARY. WE THINK IT’S PRETTY AWESOME.


From a reader doodle by Ria de Lara

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How to... book rooms abroad

Rental guidance SEASONED TRAVELER AND FREQUENT AIRBNB USER ROY MACARAIG SHARES TIPS ON HOW TO FIND YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

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First, know your needs The best place to begin is by knowing your needs and preferences. Before logging on to Airbnb, you should know where you want to go, decide on your check-in and checkout dates, and how many people you’re renting a place with. You should also decide on a budget, and whether you want to occupy an entire home, a private room or a shared room.

Request to book

Read carefully Take time to read a place’s description. Among the important details to look at are the house rules, cancellation policies and amenities available. If you’re in doubt about anything, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the host.

4

Consider the reviews Previous guests are given the opportunity to provide reviews of their stay. Take time to read what they have to say about the host and the property you’re eyeing.

2

Use the filters Airbnb has filters for room types, price range, number of beds, bedrooms and bathrooms, plus other options such as neighborhoods, amenities and property types. The more specific you are, the closer you can be to finding your ideal rental.

5

Conduct all transactions on the platform Get in touch with your host and make your reservation only on the website. This is for your own safety and security.

56 SMILE • JANUARY 2016




features WE’VE GATHERED STORIES FROM ACROSS THE NETWORK TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT TRIP

VIEW TO A THRILL From the Aura Sky Lounge at the new National Gallery of Singapore (aura.sg), you’ll find the same stunning skyline like you’ve never seen it before. The sweeping view takes in everything from the CBD’s skyscrapers to the dome of the Gallery’s own former Supreme Court wing. Turn the page for the inside story >

59 SMILE • JANUARY 2016


HOT TICKET

IN THE ART OF THE CITY SINGAPORE’S LATEST ATTRACTION HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A CROWD-PLEASING MEGA-BLOCKBUSTER — IT’S HUGE, IT’S EXCITING, AND IT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. NOPE, IT’S NOT A MALL. IT’S AN ART MUSEUM, AND IT’S THE LARGEST ONE IN THE CITY TO DATE. TARA FT SERING QUEUES UP FOR A TOUR 60 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

PHOTO BY FRANZ NAVARRETE

Cover model Chanel poses in front of the grand façade of the brand new National Gallery of Singapore


HOT TICKET

Inside the DBS Singapore Gallery

A new glass and metal roof built over the former Supreme Court Rotunda dome

Detail of Cheong Soo Pieng’s Drying Salted Fish

The Upper Link Bridge

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF SINGAPORE

Lessons at the Keppel Centre for Art Education

W

hen you come to the end of Gallery 1 in the brand new National Gallery of Singapore, a mood-lit space that houses a permanent collection of 19th–century tropical tapestries, you’ll come across Cheong Soo Pieng’s Drying Salted Fish, a Chinese-inkand-watercolor-on-cloth art piece. Painted in 1978, it depicts an idyllic fishing village scene: young men hanging up the catch of the day, women in traditional Malay dress collecting fish in baskets. You’ll find the exact same image, albeit colorblended into a field of blue and a stripe of orange, on the city-state’s $50 bank

note. It is perhaps the most literal merger of art and commerce in a country arguably better known for its economic success than for its diligent pursuit of artistic ambitions. The big-picture goal — as broken down into milestones and outlined in the Renaissance City Plan, unveiled in early 2000 — is for Singapore to become a global arts and cultural center by, among other things, creating more infrastructure in support of the arts. The National Gallery (nationalgallery.sg) in the city’s Civic District, where you’ll also find other landmarks like the durianinspired Esplanade theaters, stands among the highlights of this quest. It 61 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

occupies two heritage buildings, the former Supreme Court and City Hall, and it took all of 10 years, a reported S$532 million, and an entire village — of administrators, artists, architects, consultants, engineers and builders — to put together the 64,000sqm museum. It’s well into big-budget territory and if early visitor traffic is any indication, the major production is already a certified hit: less than three weeks after it officially opened on November 24 last year (in time for the closing stretch of Singapore’s golden jubilee celebrations), 170,000 people had walked through the Gallery’s main doors, a whopping 40% more than earlier projected.


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The workshop Keppel Centre for Art Education

Learning at the Keppel Centre for Arts Education

The Padang Atrium with a sloping extension of the glass roof running down the museum’s main entrance

The National Gallery is charged with the largest public collection of modern art from Singapore and South-East Asia — over 8,000 works, from traditional forms like painting, sculpture and printmaking to newer media like photography and video — making it the biggest visual arts institution in the country. It defines an even bigger role for itself in the region. Assistant curator Melinda Susanto says, “While there have been exhibitions which look at the development of art in South-East Asia from a regional perspective, there has not yet been a long-term display of South-East Asian art.” That makes the Gallery’s “Between

Declarations and Dreams”, whose 400 works collectively form a narrative of the region from the 19th to early 20th century — some of them on loan from instutions in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand — a landmark event. The exhibition includes the 1884 painting España y Filipinas by Juan Luna, a major figure in the Philippine Revolution and one of the most important artists in the country’s history.

INTERACTION STATIONS It’s instantly clear the moment you step in that this is a museum built for these times, where technology plays 62 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

an integral role. The sheer size of the Gallery and its exhibitions can be overwhelming. There are six storeys in the City Hall wing, plus a three-level basement, and five levels including a mezzanine on the Supreme Court side. But there’s an app for that: the Gallery Explorer app helps you find your way around the different sections and, because it provides extra information through your smartphone, enriches your experience of a particular exhibition. You can customize your own tour and connect with a closed network of art lovers in the gallery, who can share insights on a particular work or display in real time. The Social Table, on the other


HOT TICKET The steps on the St Andrew’s Road side

At the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery

The Project Gallery

The Social Table

Aura restaurant

hand, which looks like the setting for a sit-down dinner of at least 50 people, is a giant LCD screen that helps gallery-goers better appreciate the life and times of a particular artist, displaying with one tap of a finger the artist’s connections, other figures in the art world and the circumstances that inform a particular work. All that information, or the relevant bits you care to keep, may be saved onto a digital pin board that you can then send to yourself or others by email. And when Sushma Goh, the Gallery’s director for project and facilities management, says they’re out to “create future generations of museumgoers”, they mean to start them young.

The Keppel Centre for Art Education on the ground level of the City Hall wing, a unique feature of the Gallery, is designed to allow children to discover art through play. It offers a tactile, interactive experience where kids can touch displays, make their artwork, or be a part of one. I am well over the recommended age for a section called Art Playscape (5 to 12 years old), but here is where I found my favorite spot (so far) in the whole Gallery: artist Sandra Lee’s The Enchanted Tree House is a giant popup book you can walk into. Whether or not you follow the story of its main characters, or make one of your own, is entirely up to you. 63 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

The National Gallery is charged with the largest public collection of modern art from Singapore and South-East Asia

NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD SPACE But the building itself is as exciting as what it holds, and it works hard to dispel the notion of a traditional museum. I spent the better part of the afternoon marveling at how the


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Audio facilities at the Keppel Centre

The former Supreme Court library

Art Playscape

86-year-old City Hall building has been transformed into a bright and inviting space. I walked across indoor sky bridges and down solemn halls whose mood and lighting befit their function as repositories of cultural patrimony. I hung out in the hip ground-floor café called Plain Vanilla while making plans to book dinner at Aura, the Italian restaurant on the fifth floor by noted restaurateur Beppe De Vito — perhaps with drinks later in the evening at the Aura Sky Lounge, the rooftop bar that offers a sweeping panorama over the stunning Singapore skyline. Ms Goh says my appreciation of the revamped space is no coincidence; the

visitor experience had been factored in right from the start. “Changing the perception of the museum as stuffy was very much part of the brief,” she points out. “We wanted to make it something where a lot of research and conversation goes on, and something that truly engages the people.” The decision to have seven dining outlets, for example, covering a wide variety of local and international cuisines, acknowledges the fact that yes, Singaporeans love to eat. They are likewise, as Ms Goh describes them, “a way of energizing the spaces”. Ms Goh has been with the National Gallery since day one, and has seen it 64 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

through every phase of construction. She says it was a community effort from the beginning. “We wanted everyone to understand that they had a stake in our national museum,” she says. “So we opened up the search for a design outfit through a competition.” It was a long, multi-phase process that in the end saw a local company and a French firm working together to effectively and almost seamlessly combine two buildings literally under one roof, each with its own renovation requirements. The major challenge was to convert the spaces so that they serve an entirely new function without



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Sky bridges link the two heritage buildings

The Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery

Dancing Mutants by Philippine National Artist HR Ocampo

compromising the buildings’ original character — especially areas of particular historical significance. The former City Hall’s main chamber for example, with its high marble columns and wood-paneled walls, is the site of key episodes in the country’s modern history. It was where Japanese forces surrendered to the British at the close of World War II; where “Majulah Singapura”, Singapore’s national anthem, was played for the first time; and where its first prime minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew, took his oath as the leader of a self-governing state. The chamber also saw the inauguration of the state flag and the state crest.

That storied hall has been preserved following strict conservation guidelines, as are a number of rooms in the former Supreme Court building, including the circular library, whose shelves and desks still feature the air vents that must have offered muchneeded comfort in the decades before air-conditioning. Now both buildings share a common roof, and a spectacular one at that, best seen from what used to be the open-air courtyard that once separated the two structures. Over 15,000 glass and aluminum glass panels were used to create the roof. They allow the influx of a flood of 66 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

natural light while softening the glare, and the effect it creates — especially when the sun is high — is uniquely tropical and evocative of the shadow made by overhead palm fronds on a sandy beach. In keeping with the original intentions behind the project, it lends the interior of the grand building an ambience that’s both distinctively modern and South-East Asian in flavor.

Cebu Pacific flies to Singapore from Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao. cebupacificair.com



DESIGNS ON JAPAN

The great tattoo taboo ARWEN JOYCE DELVES INTO THE THORNY ISSUE OF JAPANESE IREZUMI ART, AND MEETS THREE PROGRESSIVE TOKYO TATTOOISTS CHALLENGING ITS GANGSTER REPUTATION IN THE HOPE OF MAKING IT MAINSTREAM PHOTOS BY RICHARD ATRERO DE GUZMAN AKA BAHAG

D

espite the “No Smoking” sign on the door of the Bunshin Tattoo Museum in Yokohama, Mayumi Nakano can often be seen stubbing out a cigarette as she sits behind the front desk. Her arms are covered in colorful designs — the work of her husband, the renowned classical tattoo artist Horiyoshi III. Rumored to have once been a member of a yakuza gang, Yoshihito Nakano became Horiyoshi III when he apprenticed himself to a traditional tattoo master in 1971 at the age of 25. Scaly koi fish and dragons, multi-petaled peonies and symbolic Buddhist deities often appear in Horiyoshi III’s works of body art, which reference Japanese folklore and iconography, and employ classical designs. He is one of the few remaining artists to use a tebori or “hand digging tool”, instead of a tattoo gun, for shading and coloring his designs. His specialty is a hand-drawn, full-body tattoo suit or irezumi. There are other artists in Tokyo creating mythological portraits that cover the entire backs of their human canvases, but most use modern equipment and techniques. Many more tattoo artists in Japan’s fashion-forward capital make their living inking anime 68 SMILE • JANUARY 2016


Full-back body art in full color. Opposite page, left to right: Horiyoshi III in his studio and demonstrating the handdigging tool he uses for shading and coloring his designs

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www.cebusmile.com

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DESIGNS ON JAPAN

It’s the little details that make the whole picture. Opposite page: Artist Asao in her studio with some of the tools of her trade, including a poster that inspires her

Ready to get inked? Horiyoshi III and the Bunshin Tattoo Museum ne.jp/asahi/tattoo/horiyoshi3/ top.html Asao of Muscat Tattoo muscat-tattoo.com Aya Dolce of La Perra Negra la-perra-negra.net

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DESIGNS ON JAPAN

characters, phrases in kanji (Chinese characters adopted into Japanese writing) and tribal designs. Despite the fact that by some estimates there are over 3,000 tattoo artists in Japan, both traditional and fashion tattoos remain largely underground.

Tattoo rebels The Bunshin Museum chronicles Japan’s tattoo culture, which stretches back to the country’s indigenous tribes in Okinawa and Hokkaido. Horiyoshi III’s private collection, spread over two cramped floors, comprises photos, sculptures, books, needles and all manner of subcultural ephemera that together illustrate the rich history of this artform. Colorful irezumi became popular during the Edo period (1603–1868), when samurai ruled Japan and artistic pursuits like woodblock prints and kabuki theater were at their height. Firefighters in the tinderbox neighborhoods of Edo (Tokyo’s former name) covered themselves in tattoos to demonstrate their toughness and bring good luck. Their distinctive and indelible body art also served a morbid but practical purpose — it helped their

families recognize their remains if they didn’t return from a blaze alive. Tattoos also became a way that Edo residents could subtly express their frustrations about living under an oppressive ruling class. Artists took design inspiration from Water Margin, one of the great classical novels of Chinese literature, which tells tales of outlaw heroes rising up against a more powerful army. Before long, the samurai lost patience with the working class’s attempts at self-expression and political activism. Body art was outlawed and then used by the state to brand criminals. A convicted man would be forcibly marked with a coded symbol, such as two lines on the forearm or, more blatantly, the kanji characters describing his crime would be tattooed directly onto his forehead. The punishment was lifelong; postcrime redemption was impossible. After samurai rule ended and the emperor was restored to power, the government continued to discourage ritualistic or expressionistic tattooing in a bid to subjugate minority indigenous tribes and create a unified Japanese identity. The ban on body art was officially lifted in 1948, but the connection between tattoos and organized crime was reinforced through the cinema in the 1960s, when a slew of gangster movies depicting heavily inked yakuza villains enjoyed widespread popularity.

Inking goes underground Despite the long history of body art 71 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

in Japanese culture, this anti-tattoo narrative has firmly taken root in “polite” society. Today, people with visible ink are unwelcome at onsen (hot-spring baths), beaches and fitness centers on the premise that — even if they are not prone to criminal acts — their tattoos might be unhygienic or cause distress to children. In May 2012 Toru Hashimoto, the Mayor of Osaka, went so far as to order all city employees with tattoos to remove them or leave their jobs. In the private sector, many Japanese companies — including the country’s two biggest airlines — ban staff from going under the needle. Showing off a tattoo in the cooler districts of downtown Tokyo is one thing, but in the suburbs many Japanese find body art unsettling. “They think all tattooed people are criminals,” says Asao, a female tattoo artist in her early forties, speaking in her sunny Shibuya studio. Though she takes inspiration from traditional woodblock prints, among Asao’s designs is a grey-shaded motif with a modern Japanese aesthetic. She pulls back her dark hair to show off a small tattoo under her right ear. “I always wanted to get a tattoo sleeve,” she explains, “but I also want to be able to wear T-shirts.” Aya Dolce, who among other styles creates tattoos worthy of Edo-era firemen in her one-room studio nearby, agrees. She recalls once being in a suburban shopping mall and hearing a mother say to her child, “Don’t look at her.” After that, Aya, whose fresh-faced beauty belies the


DESIGNS ON JAPAN

Tracing a realistic image. Below: Artist Aya Dolce and her tools

fact that she has been tattooing for more than 20 years, has been careful to wear long sleeves when taking her son to school.

Drawing new lines Over in Shibuya’s Yoyogi Park there are plenty of tattoos, alternative fashions and graffiti on display. All human life is here: alongside joggers and picnicking families, there’s a large flea market, rappers, skateboarders and rockabilly dancers who look like they just stepped out of a production of Grease. In this part of Tokyo, self-expression and individuality are celebrated, and foreshadow a day when mainstream Japanese culture will be more accepting of a range of aesthetic choices.

The 2020 Summer Olympics may bring that day closer. When Tokyo hosts one of the world’s most watched sporting events, tattooed athletes from all over the globe will show off their body art as they swim, run, vault and mount the medals podium. Even if they are not usually inclined towards ink, it is not uncommon for elite athletes to have the Olympic rings tattooed onto their bodies. This is one occasion when, under an international spotlight, swimming pools and other venues in the capital will not be able to ban tattoos. Asao is optimistic that increased exposure to body art of all kinds will lessen the negative image of tattoos, and she sees this happening already: “As Japanese people see more foreigners, Hollywood stars and sports stars with tattoos, their perception is changing.” Aya also hopes that hosting the Olympics will have a positive

effect on Japan’s attitude towards tattoos. “Tourism is so important — so how can we continue to turn foreigners with tattoos away from onsen or public places like the beach?” she says. Acceptance of small fashion tattoos may be achievable, but Horiyoshi III has more ambitious goals. He hopes that the Japanese will not just tolerate the modern tattoo styles preferred by foreigners but will reconnect with their own long history of body art. A crucial step will be to dissociate fullbody, Edo-style tattoos from lawless gangs. Helpfully, irezumi is declining in popularity among yakuza, who are reluctant to advertise their criminal gang connections. Once the association between crime and tattoos is broken, discrimination against law-abiding citizens who choose to adorn their bodies with ink might fall away as well. Overall, Horiyoshi III is optimistic about the future of his craft in Japan. As he told national daily The Japan Times last year, “No matter how many times the government tries to prohibit tattooing, it will never disappear. To receive and give tattoos is a human instinct.”

Cebu Pacific flies to Tokyo (Narita) from Manila and Cebu. cebupacificair.com

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BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

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For the love of

longganisa THE NATIONAL PORK SAUSAGE, WITH ITS MANY VARIATIONS ACROSS THE ARCHIPELAGO, IS A FAVORITE FOR THE FIRST MEAL OF THE DAY. JOSE MA. LORENZO TAN ATE HIS WAY AROUND THE PHILIPPINES TO SAMPLE SOME OF THE BEST STYLING BY TATA MAPA PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIGUEL NACIANCENO

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BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Lucban

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n a country so enamored with crispy pata or deepfried pork knuckles, chicharon bulaklak or deepfried ruffled fat, and lechon or roasted whole pig, longganisa stands out as the pork of morning, the crisp crunch that gives heart to our breakfasts. Aside from being a filling main course, longganisa also comes saddled with a lot of interesting cultural influences.

THE LONG WAY OVER Longganisa traces its roots to Spain, where longaniza is a long,

pork sausage seasoned with paprika, cinnamon, aniseed, garlic and vinegar. It is sold fresh and must be cooked. It’s not to be confused with chorizo, which is mostly fermented, smoked or cured, then sliced and eaten with no cooking required, or added to flavor a variety of dishes. At the height of the Spanish empire, longaniza traveled far and wide — not just to the Philippines but across the Americas, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Over

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the course of several centuries, the defining characteristics of the original Spanish longaniza changed, with different interpretations emerging from region to region, and from country to country. The Filipino longganisa tradition appears to have emerged by way of Acapulco, presumably around the time Juan de Salcedo, a Spanish conquistador who was born and raised in Mexico, founded Manila. An irresistible historical tidbit: his grandfather, Miguel López de Legazpi, founded the first Spanish settlements in the archipelago.


BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

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BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Tuguega r ao longgani s a

For centuries, Manila was a key stop in the Spanish trading network that included Lima in Peru and Panama, but served as a spoke of Mexico rather than a hub of empire. It is no surprise, then, that in some parts of the Philippines, as in Mexico, the word recado refers to condiments or seasoning. In the Philippines, it’s also used to distinguish the spicy version of longganisa from the sweet kind commonly known as hamonado. In Spain, however, the word “recado” has nothing to do with flavor or cooking, and simply means “message” or “errand”.

LOCAL FLAVORS There is no standard recipe for the Filipino longganisa, and its

preparation has always been been open to both local creativity and inter-generational innovation. You can try improving on your greatgrandmother’s recipe, for example, with a slight change in how much garlic you throw in. Most sausagemakers will also confess to just winging it and flavoring the meat on instinct, improvising with a range of locally available spices. The result? A wide assortment of varying flavors and textures. There are, however, broad categories that are useful to know, especially if you have certain preferences. Longganisa de recado is spicy and garlicky. Among the best servings of spicy longganisa are those that come from sausage-

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makers of Bais in Dumaguete, Lucban in Quezon, Taal in Batangas, Dipolog, Tuguegarao, Cabanatuan, Calumpit, Batac and Vigan. Longganisa hamonado, on the other hand, is sweet and possibly influenced by the Malay sate (satay) and the sweeter Chinese sausages like lap cheong or siang jiang. The longganisa of Bacolod, Cebu, San Pablo and Baguio are examples of the hamonado tradition. There are also lesser-known but no less distinctive versions of longganisa, among them the sausages from Candaba and Guagua in central Luzon, which are salty-sour — a possible influence of pindang, the Kapampangan practice of using a process of fermentation to tenderize the meat.


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BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

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THE FRESH FACTOR The best-known longganisa continue to follow time-tested artisanal traditions: they are cased daily, use no preservatives and are always sold fresh. The sausages never see the sun, breathe smoke or touch ice. Most longganisa are stuffed into casings made from fresh pork intestines. Others, especially home-made versions, are often served “skinless”. One version, in San Pablo, Laguna, was wrapped in the diaphanous membrane lining a pig’s stomach, called gapen or sinsal. Most longganisa are made with ground meat; however, the

towns of Taal and Guinobatan in Albay prefer the texture of rough-chopped pork. Many people like to eat them well cooked, with small bits of casing and filling fried to an almost candied crisp. In Guinobatan, where the annual calendar includes a longganisastringing contest, the casings are sun-dried prior to stuffing in order to help guarantee that crispness. Nearly all artisanal sausagemakers will tell you that nothing

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comes close to the flavor of freshly made longganisa. The Philippine longganisa reflects a wide variety of local cultures — and, like the national dishes of kinilaw, adobo and sinigang, come in at least as many versions as there are creative home cooks. If you want to savor the full spectrum of flavors that define this phenomenon, you must travel to where these traditional sausages are made. But first, eat your breakfast.

Cebu Pacific flies to 34 destinations around the Philippines. Many of them have their own version of longganisa. cebupacificair.com

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OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Castaway on Cuyo HALFWAY ALONG A CROSSING FROM ILOILO TO PUERTO PRINCESA, EDGAR ALAN ZETA-YAP DISCOVERS BOTH SLEEPY OLD-WORLD CHARM AND PULSE-QUICKENING MODERN THRILLS IN THIS FORMER CAPITAL OF PALAWAN STRUNG OUT IN THE SULU SEA

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OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

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owards the end of a 14-hour voyage from Iloilo City, I caught sight of land, lit by the orange glow of sunrise. The ferry I was on had bobbed across the sea through the night, rocked by monsoon winds, so finally stepping onto terra firma was no small relief. I would’ve kissed the ground if there hadn’t been a frazzled crowd, burdened by bags, eager to disembark and leave the port. The three-level iron vessel had docked at Cuyo Island, a speck of earth situated where, looking at a rudimentary map of the Philippines, one would assume there was nothing but a vast expanse of water. A regular stopover for passenger ferries traveling between Iloilo and Puerto Princesa, it is the largest of 45 tiny islands that comprise the Cuyo

Archipelago in the middle of the Sulu Sea. Despite its size and isolation, Cuyo town is the oldest colonial settlement of Palawan, established in 1622. It also became the second provincial capital — after Taytay — from 1873 to 1903. Several capiz-windowed ancestral houses still dot the townscape, which is designed like most of the country’s Spanish-era conurbations. Administrative and religious buildings are clustered around a leafy plaza, while the residential sprawl spreads out from the center. But no other structure harks back to this bygone era as much as the Fort of Cuyo, a few minutes’ walk from the pier. One of the most magnificent Spanish fortifications in the country, it lords over the township like an overprotective parent. Built to guard the settlement from Moro raiders,

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its 2m-thick perimeter of coral stone surrounds the St. Augustine Parish Church, convent and adoration chapel. The heavy cannons and statues of Catholic saints standing on the 10m-high walls are clear indications that the island was both a military and religious stronghold. Entering the stone archways, I tiptoed into the silent refuge of the church, where I could hear nothing but the somber murmuring of a lone old woman praying the rosary in front of the silver-paneled altar. The belfry rose above the formidable walls. Roosting on a high ledge was a flock of evil-eyed starlings that weren’t too happy about my sudden intrusion. As the birds flitted noisily away, I emerged onto a wraparound balcony, taking in the panoramic views of the town proper and nearby islands. From where I stood, I could see Capusan Beach, an



OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Clockwise from left: Shades of blue surround the Cuyo Archipelago; sunrise over the Sulu Sea; kids walk by Cuyo Fort on their way to school

Getting there Passenger ferries by Milagrosa-J Shipping Lines (+63 33 335 0955) and Montenegro Shipping Lines (montenegrolines.com.ph) link Panay and Palawan three times a week, stopping by Cuyo Island along the way. It takes roughly 14 hours to reach the island from Iloilo City, and 18 hours from Puerto Princesa. Tricycles and motorbikes may be chartered to take you around the island.

immaculate stretch of white sand that sweeps away from the port and tapers into a sandbar, an ideal viewpoint to marvel at breathtaking sunsets. The next day, on a motorbike trip, local photographer Ronald Palay showed me the rest of the island that time seemed to have forgotten. We rode all the way to the even more tranquil eastern side of the island, where much of the critically acclaimed 2008 indie film Ploning was shot. Starring big-name actress Judy Ann Santos, the Cuyonon-language movie was based on a local folksong about a maiden’s romantic longing for her lover who had left the island. Among the quaint spots we visited that were used as filming locations 83 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

were the Igabas Chapel, sitting on a hill of volcanic rocks shaded by old acacias, and Aceros Park, a forested watershed with brooks and cold springs, nicknamed “Little Baguio” for its cool surroundings. Another 17thcentury fortress was built on this side of the island, but was never finished. Its ruins can be found along the shores of Barangay Lucbuan in an area the locals still call kuta, or fortress, and it was dressed up with styrofoam crosses by the production crew for the movie’s cemetery scenes. The long, slow day ended at the last traditional Cuyonon house on the island, with cogon roofing and a separate kitchen also built on stilts. While not used as a filming location,



OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Left: Kiteboarding practice at Anino Retreat; (right) migrants from Mindanao harvest seaweed

Where to stay PSU HOMETEL has budget rooms located within Palawan State University, near Cuyo Fort and Capusan Beach, starting at PHP200 for a room with fan. +63 908 156 1664 JADE FELIMAR VALUE INN has great roof-deck views overlooking the town proper and nearby islands. Rooms start at PHP700 for a double room with fan. Juan Luna St, Barangay Cabigsing; +63 922 854 0335 ANINO RETREAT is a secluded beach villa resort suitable for couples and watersports enthusiasts, with accommodations for two starting at PHP2,700. Barangay Lucbuan, Magsaysay, +63 929 603 3275; anino-retreatcuyo.com

the rustic dwelling also exuded the movie’s nostalgia. And it was spooky: the abandoned hut had a large crab claw hanging next to a photo of the Virgin Mary by the door, both items traditionally hung outside rural homes to ward off aswang, or mythical vampire-like ghouls believed by superstitious islanders to prowl the hinterlands at night. After many languid days spent soaking up the island’s charm, my body was craving for adrenaline. Cuyo has recently been heralded as a paradise for kiteboarding, so I couldn’t leave without experiencing the island’s relatively new attraction. For introductory lessons, I met up with local kiter Jing Tabangay at Capusan Beach. He calls this island the best spot for kiteboarding in the Philippines, if not one of the best 85 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

in the world. Cuyo’s geographical isolation and low-lying topography allows the north-eastern amihan trade winds to blow strongly and consistently from October to June, peaking between the months of December to February. On days when the wind is particularly strong, the wind whistles through the beachside trees and the eaves of houses, beckoning kiters to take a ride. A group of Swedish windsurfers were reportedly the first ones to discover the island’s potential as an oasis for wind-based watersports in the late 1980s, but kiteboarding itself was only introduced by kiters from Boracay Island in the last decade. Capusan Beach, in particular, is the perfect spot, because it stretches out into a sandbar that enjoys wind blowing towards and away from the


OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Clockwise from right: Kiter Jing Tabangay soars into action at Capusan Beach; romantic garden villas at Anino Retreat; a tribute to cashew, the islands’ major food product

coastline. The sandbar also naturally creates a wide sand flat of calm shallows, ideal for kiteboarding, while choppy waters behind the sandbar are conducive to kitesurfing (essentially kiteboarding on waves). Jing first taught me the basics of kiteboarding on dry land. These exercises focused on kite control. I practiced with a 2m training kite attached to a body harness, tracing an imaginary figure “8” in the sky. After getting used to the gear, we moved on to the professional 9m kite, which can harness enough wind power to lift a kiter several meters off the ground. To properly maneuver this kite, I had to lean back and allow my body weight to counter its pull. As a safety precaution, my instructor had to hold on to me to prevent the kite from crashing, or worse, dragging my lanky frame all the way to mainland Palawan. Kiteboarding does require a lot of upper body strength, a little epiphany that slowly came to me while I struggled with my gear. It also explained why my coach, who has

been kiteboarding for eight years, was built like a wrestler. Eager to see how the pros do it, I turned over the gear to Jing. He walked out onto the sandbar where a steady gust of wind then picked up the kite, pulling him across the shallows. He gave the kite a tug and it quickly lifted him up, allowing the masterful execution of several gravity-defying tricks. I watched what I had yet to learn — twists, somersaults — and felt my heart start to thump. My sea adventure hadn’t ended when the ferry docked after all. What had started as a slow weekend of walking around town, inspecting the remnants of past glory, was turning into a high-octane thrill ride. Its colonial heritage and natural landscapes are an obvious draw, but Cuyo’s aptitude for watersports was a tremendous surprise.

When you go... • There are no ATMs on Cuyo, so bring enough cash for your entire stay. • Purchase your onward ferry ticket upon arriving on the island to secure a seat. • Bring your own gear for snorkeling or kiteboarding — rental options are limited. • While Filipino and English are spoken, Cuyonon is the native tongue of the Cuyo Archipelago. Useful phrases are “Mayad nga timprano!” (“Good morning!”), “Kamosta kaw?” (“How are you?”) and “Tagpira dia?” (“How much is this?”).

Cebu Pacific flies to Iloilo from Manila, Cebu, General Santos City, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Puerto Princesa. cebupacificair.com

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The Sama-Bajau consider weddings an important community event and celebrations sometimes last up to three days. Both bride and groom are often elaborately dressed and heavily accessorized. The henna tattoos on this young Sama-Bajau bride’s hands signify her bond with her groom


PHOTO ESSAY

A SULU STATE OF MIND AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHER JACOB MAENTZ MAKES HIS WAY TO TAWI-TAWI IN THE FAR SOUTH OF MINDANAO AND CAPTURES VIVID IMAGES OF SCENES FROM EVERYDAY LIFE IN AN OFT-MISUNDERSTOOD REGION

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he Sulu Archipelago, the chain of islands in the southwestern end of the country, hardly ever gets good press, and what limited coverage it gets almost always focuses on a dire peace and order situation. As a foreigner, I had legitimate concerns about traveling to this corner of the Philippines. Three of the largest islands are Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and they might be familiar to most as places riven with ethnic tension. But this whole region had also held my interest and curiosity for a long time. The draw was strong, almost irresistible, and I knew that if I just put my own negative preconceptions aside,

everything would be fine. I traveled with a talented group of people from The Extra Mile Productions, who generously documented my ongoing work of recording and documenting the indigenous groups of the Philippines, The Katutubong Filipino Project. The purpose of the trip to Tawi-Tawi was to explore the local culture and learn more about the Tausūg and Sama-Bajau people, the two dominant ethnolinguistic groups that call this region home. Flying into Bongao, the de facto capital of Tawi-Tawi, I got my first glimpse of the natural beauty waiting 89 SMILE • JANUARY 2016

for me while looking out from the airplane window. Seemingly untouched islands were etched on a canvas of dark blue ocean below me. It looked even more enticing than I had expected. My five-day visit turned out to be more beautiful and enriching than I could have ever imagined. I met people with intriguing stories, saw fascinating faces and experienced vibrant traditions. Most importantly, I made new friendships and experienced the genuine hospitality and generosity of Tawi-Tawians. My visit was short, but it filled me with lasting impressions and sparked even more curiosity to explore other places around Sulu.


PHOTO ESSAY

Shipbuilding in Sulu has a rich history dating back to pre-colonial times, and Tawi-Tawians are celebrated as some of the most skilled craftsmen of boats in the country. To this day, large, locally made wooden prahus ships are sold to Malaysia and Indonesia as cargo and passenger vessels

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PHOTO ESSAY

Cornerstones of everyday life in Tawi-Tawi include keeping traditions alive, hard work and play, and devotion to prayer — this is a bastion of Islam, the oldest recorded monotheistic religion in the Philippines. Tawi-Tawians are also well known for their elaborate mat-weaving and skilled shipbuilding, as well as for their expert abilities in the water — the seafaring Bajau, for example, spend most of their lives in stilt houses or on boats, and can dive to remarkable depths without gear, staying underwater for long periods of time to hunt for food.

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PHOTO ESSAY

Sama-Bajau women apply burak, a natural sunblock made from pounded rice, turmeric and other ingredients. Apart from sun protection, the paste is used as a beautifying agent

Cebu Pacific flies from Zamboanga to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Visitors planning to travel to Tawi-Tawi should first make arrangements with the local government or tourism office. cebupacificair.com

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trip journal GUIDES TO CEBU PACIFIC DESTINATIONS

INTERNATIONAL Check out what to do, what to see, what to eat and where to go in Cebu Pacific’s 30 international destinations

DOMESTIC Our local guides offer some handy ideas on how to enjoy each of Cebu Pacific’s 34 destinations within the Philippines

Two Lovers’ Point on Guam’s western coast

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INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Sydney

Bandar Seri Begawan

Tricia Raya

Brylle Baluyot

Researcher

SAP consultant

“Beaches and parks are just at the fringes of Sydney’s Central Business District. I didn’t have to choose between the city and the outdoors because I got both in one day!”

“I can’t help but marvel at the riches this under-rated gem of a country — from the golden domes in Bandar and the oil fields in Seria to the unspoiled, verdant forests of Temburong.”

For a nice dinner, head to The Bach Eatery (bacheatery.com.au) in Newtown, New South Wales. Try their Trust the Chef Menu and love every single plate they put in front of you (AU$50 per person). You won’t get their stuffed zucchini flowers off your mind! The Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk is a relaxing morning or afternoon activity (around 1.5 hours; free) that will give you the best views of the sea. The starting point at Bondi is just a bus away from Sydney’s Central Business District.

One of the local delicacies is the ambuyat, a paste made from tapioca that can be eaten with chilli paste and a host of savory side dishes. Go to Aminah Arif Restaurant (aminaharif.com.bn) in Jerudong to sample this unique local dish. Relative to other places in the region, Brunei’s jungles are untouched and (quite literally) wild. Experience it by visiting the Ulu Temburong National Park, and hike on its canopy walk to get exhilarating views of the jungles below.

AREA CODE +61 (2) TOUCHDOWN KINGSFORD SMITH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRAIN, TAXI, BUS

AREA CODE +673 TOUCHDOWN BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, CAR RENTAL

Did you know? THE ULU TEMBURONG NATIONAL PARK HAS BEEN A PROTECTED SITE SINCE 1991. IT HAS AN AREA OF 550SQ KM.

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INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Dubai

Gedwin Velasco Marketing manager

“Dubai is like an oasis in the heart of the desert — it has a lot of air-conditioned super-malls. It’s an expensive city, but it surely is worth a visit.” For a night out on the town, go to Toro Toro (torotoro-dubai.com), the first pan-Latin restaurant in UAE. The menu is an interesting combination of tastes from across South America. Atlantis at The Palm is an ideal place for family and friends. Enjoy the shows, huge pool and restaurants. Make sure to bring three-pinned plugs for the electrical sockets.

AREA CODE +971 TOUCHDOWN DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, METRO

Singapore

Camille Clarenze Saliba Receptionist Ria King at Yiaco Apollo Medical Architect / interiorCenter, Kuwait designer

Taipei

Oliver Go Institutional equity trader

“I love how the many cultures in Singapore melt into its cuisine. The city is a great place to sample delicious delicacies.”

“I went to the Addiction Aquatic Development, and stayed ’til nightfall. There I saw the chaos and beauty of life in Taipei.”

Faber Bistro (+65 6377 9688) is an interesting hilltop bistro with a cozy outdoor environment (budget S$25-40 per person). Go during the evening when the weather is cool. Must-try dishes are the crayfish linguine and the smoked duck pizza. Spend a whole day at Sentosa Island (sentosa.com.sg) and head to Universal Studios Singapore. The iFly is a thrilling must-try too.

Enjoy an order of hongshao doufu (braised tofu, approx. NT$200) at Shenkeng Old Street (aka Stinky Tofu Street). Take the Metro to Xingtian Temple station and walk north towards the Taipei Fish Market in Wanda Road. In the middle of the wet market is the Addiction Aquatic Development (www.addiction. com.tw), a huge warehouse complex where you can purchase the freshest on-the-go sushi or sit down at any of the in-house restaurants. Don’t tip at any of the restaurants or risk offending the locals.

AREA CODE +65 TOUCHDOWN SINGAPORE CHANGI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, MRT, BUS

AREA CODE +886 (2) TOUCHDOWN TAIWAN TAOYUAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, TAIWAN HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY (THSR)

Did you know? TAIPEI'S ADDICTION AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT IS OPEN DAILY FROM 6AM TO MIDNIGHT. CASH IS THE ONLY FORM OF PAYMENT ACCEPTED.

97 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Beijing

Shanda Lim-Uy Event host and singer

“Beijing preserves and cherishes the past, yet is open and ready for the future. This is evident in the stunning architecture.” Spoil yourself with some really delicious Peking duck (CNY70 per person) at De Yuan Roast Duck Restaurant in Dashilan W Street. You’ll find various street food and coffee shops to try in Nanluoguxiang. Take time to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. Explore the city by railway. Purchase a Transportation Smart Card, which you can use for one day of travel.

AREA CODE +86 (10) TOUCHDOWN BEIJING CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, SUBWAY

Guangzhou

Dave Joseph Santos Graphic and web designer

Shanghai

Jonas Canizares Academic & quality manager, EF Learning Labs

“I can’t speak any Chinese but I enjoyed my time in Guangzhou. It was fun going to the markets and practicing my haggling skills.”

“Crowded. Loud. At times aggressive, most of the time, over the top. You either love it or hate it; if it’s the former, then you will surely come back for more.”

Try the Cobb salad and shrimp, and papaya with chilli and cashews salad, at Element Fresh Restaurant in Tianhe Road. It seems a bit pricey at CNY300 but wait until you see the massive portions. Check out Baiyun Mountain. It offers a less rugged sort of hiking experience because all the trails are paved. It feels more like you are walking through a nice park. There’s a theme park, fast-food outlets and coffee shops.

Shouning Lu food street is a microcosm of Shanghai. It’s open ’til late, crowded, loud, and sometimes smelly — but I love it. The street is filled with stalls selling food, mostly seafood. One thing to try is xiaolongxia (crayfish). If you’d like to see a more “oriental” Shanghai, go to Yuyuan Garden (www.yugarden.com.cn) where you’ll see pavilions, gardens and ponds. Do note that the place gets crowded during Chinese holidays and weekends; it’s best to visit early.

AREA CODE +86 (20) TOUCHDOWN GUANGZHOU BAIYUN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, AIRPORT EXPRESS

AREA CODE +86 (21) TOUCHDOWN SHANGHAI PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, MAGLEV TRAIN, BUS

Did you know? SHANGHAI HAS THE WORLD’S LARGEST SUBWAY SYSTEM. IT HAS 14 LINES, MORE THAN 300 METRO STATIONS AND COVERS A DISTANCE OF 548KM.

99 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Xiamen

Jill Tan Investment banker

“As most Filipino-Chinese like me come from Xiamen, a visit affords a great opportunity to reconnect with our roots.” One of Xiamen’s culinary specialties is the oyster cake, a delicious dish that restaurants normally serve with scrambled eggs and some greens (average price CNY50). Zhongshan Lu is a shopping haven! It has a mix of branded and bargain items to suit everyone’s needs. Public transportation is very reliable and normally runs from 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning to 11pm. Locals don’t generally speak English, so download a translation app like Pleco to help you get around.

AREA CODE +86 (592) TOUCHDOWN XIAMEN GAOQI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS, PUBLIC BUS

Hong Kong

Clarisa Joyce Velasco Business analyst

“It was my first time in Hong Kong, yet I found the city very easy to explore. My four-day trip was not enough to go to all the theme parks, night markets and busy streets.” Café de Coral has a variety of Chinese pork meal sets priced at an average of HK$4. The pork buns at Tim Ho Wan (timhowan.com) are definitely a must-try. If you love to shop, don’t miss Kowloon where you can find everything from highend boutiques and department stores to street markets. Visit Ngong Ping 360 (np360.com.hk/en), go on a cable car ride and see the Tian Tan Buddha Statue.

AREA CODE +852 TOUCHDOWN HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAIN

Macau

Glenn Bacalso Senior customer care officer

“I totally dig the food in Macau, with its eclectic mix of Portuguese and Chinese cultures.” Enjoy the Macau Street Night Market, and try the milk tea and egg tart combo (MOP35) at Tea Plus. Check out Galaxy Macau hotel (galaxymacau. com/en) and its stunning interiors, and the Grand Canal Shoppes with its painted clouds, piazzas and scenic gondola rides. Most attractions are closed on Mondays. For transportation options, locate the nearest casinos since most of them provide a free shuttle to and from the airport and the ferry.

AREA CODE +853 TOUCHDOWN MACAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, HOTEL SHUTTLE BUS (FREE, WHEN AVAILABLE)

Did you know? THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO FEBRUARY IS THE COLDEST IN MACAU, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS TO -10ºC.

101 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Tokyo

Nagoya

Cindy Almazan

Pam Pebenito

Bank relationship manager

Marketing manager / doodler

“There’s nothing better than to learn about a place through its food culture. From appetizers to desserts, visitors will surely fall in love with Tokyo’s food fare.”

“Nagoya gave me a bit of everything I wanted — art, history, good food and even a bit of retail therapy. It’s an underappreciated city, and there’s a lot to explore.”

It is an open secret that Japanese bakers excel in French pastries. These are widely available in Japan, but the matcha croissant (¥330) in Sadaharu Aoki inside Isetan Department Store in Shinjuku is my personal fave. Visit Tsukiji Market in central Tokyo. It is the most famous tuna market in the world (skip the tuna auction and go straight to the outer market). The JR Pass will definitely make a tourist commute’s faster and easier. It may be pricey, but it’s practical when staying for about a week or so.

Head to CoCo Ichibanya curry house. The best dish you will taste there is the big serving of pork cutlet curry with melted cheese (¥939). It’s to die for! Roam around the grounds of Nagoya Castle and explore up to the topmost observation deck for only ¥500. Watch out for matsuri (festivals) with fireworks display and cultural programs inside the castle. Places of interest in Japan have rest days (usually Mondays) and holidays (some last for two weeks). Be sure to check the schedule.

AREA CODE +81 (3) TOUCHDOWN NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN NARITA EXPRESS (¥3,020–3,190 ONE WAY), AIRPORT LIMOUSINE BUS

AREA CODE +81 (52) TOUCHDOWN CHUBU CENTRAIR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, TRAIN (MEITETSU AIRPORT LINE AND SKY)

Did you know? THE TRAINS IN JAPAN ARE RENOWNED FOR THEIR PUNCTUALITY. THEIR AVERAGE DELAY IS JUST 18 SECONDS.

103 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Osaka

Fukuoka

Ernest Nolan Capili

Carlo Religioso Restaurant owner

English teacher

“Osaka is an awesome place to eat and shop. It is also just an hour away from Kobe, Kyoto and Nara — scenic places that are also rich in culture and history.” Enjoy the conveyor-belt sushi at Kaitensushi in Umeda. Each plate costs approx. ¥135. The serving size is big and the sushi tastes heavenly. Visit Tsutenkaku (tsutenkaku.co.jp) in Naniwa Ward, the old center of Osaka. It’s like stepping 50 years back in time. For the best bargains in town, shop in Namba and Shinsaibashi areas. Purchase the Osaka subway day pass (¥800 weekdays; ¥600 weekends) for a more efficient and convenient way of getting around the city.

AREA CODE +81 (6) TOUCHDOWN KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRAIN, BUS, TAXI

“Fukuoka is a calm and peaceful city. The food is great, too.” Fukuoka is known to have the best ramen in all of Japan. Have your fill at Ichiran Ramen (approx. ¥700 per person); their soup is thick and very flavorful. Admire the city sights and relax at Ōhori Park, which is distinctly structured with a pond in the middle. Check out the Japanese Garden. Feel free to ask for English menus in restaurants.

AREA CODE +81 (92) TOUCHDOWN FUKUOKA AIRPORT GET TO TOWN SUBWAY

Did you know? FUKUOKA, LOCATED IN JAPAN'S KYUSHU ISLAND, IS CLOSER TO SEOUL THAN TO TOKYO.

105 SMILE • JANUARY 2016


INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Bali

Jakarta

Beryl Jane Dela Cruz-Duterte

Derek Yao Test engineer

Development worker/ writer

“There are many things to see and do in Bali. From city to sea to summit, there’s something for all kinds of travelers. Best of all, you don’t need to spend a fortune to explore it.” Check out Nusa Dua and drop by Warung Bule and Susy (warungbuleandsusy.wordpress.com) for your local food fix. For just IDR95,000, you can get a hefty serving of nasi campur and the must-try fish curry. Catch a breathtaking sunrise 1,717m above sea level at the summit of Mount Batur in Kintamani District. You can climb to the summit from the base in two hours. Rent a scooter to make getting around town faster.

AREA CODE +62 (36) TOUCHDOWN NGURAH RAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN BLUE BIRD TAXI (APPROX. IDR100,000), BUS, HIRED VAN

“Jakarta never ceases to amaze me with its growing dining scene, inexhaustible shopping areas and everchanging entertainment centers.” If you need to find a relaxing spot for a Javanese coffee in the middle of the city, go to Café Batavia (cafebatavia.com) in Jalan Pintu Besar Utara. It is both a café and a heritage museum. Go up the National Monument’s (MONAS) golden spire to have a bird’s-eye view of Jakarta. The structure commemorates Indonesia’s fight for independence. If shopping is your thing, go to Mangga Dua Square (manggaduasquare. co.id) — it truly is a shopper’s haven. You can buy almost everything there at bargain prices.

AREA CODE +62 (21) TOUCHDOWN JAKARTA (SOEKARNO-HATTA) INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, SHUTTLE CAR

Did you know? MOUNT BATUR IS AN ACTIVE VOLCANO AND IS SACRED ACCORDING TO HINDU BELIEFS.

106 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Kuala Lumpur

Kota Kinabalu

Ron Florendo

Isabel Reynoso

Global finance operations manager

“Kuala Lumpur offers the best of everything for me and my family — good shopping, beautiful sights and interesting people. From old-world charm to modern glamor, there is something to please young and old alike.”

Finance head

“I highly recommend visiting the Mamutik Island chain to escape the heat or to watch the sunset while parasailing. Get a different view of this verdant landscape.”

Suria KLCC (suriaklcc.com.my) has a wide array of restaurants to excite your palate, ranging from high-end dining to casual meals on a budget. The Petronas Twin Towers (petronas.com.my), the Suria KLCC Mall and KLCC Park are three places you can visit within the city center if you’re in town for a quick stop. It’s best to go early for shopping and restaurant dates, ahead of anticipated lunch or dinner crowds.

Island hopping in Mamutik is a must! Ride a 30-minute jetty to the island chain, where you can snorkel, parasail or dive. It costs around MYR80 inclusive of boat fare for three islands, conservation and terminal fee. Travel back in time and ride the North Borneo Railway, a refurbished steam train complete with snacks and lunch served in traditional tin cans (half-day trip, every Wednesday and Saturday via Sutera Harbour, MYR318). If you want to rent a car, arrange it with one of the agents at the airport.

AREA CODE +60 (3) TOUCHDOWN KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN KLIA EXPRESS TRAIN (MYR35 ADULT, MYR15 CHILD/ONE WAY), TAXI, BUS

AREA CODE +60 (88) TOUCHDOWN KOTA KINABALU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, HOTEL SHUTTLE, AIRPORT BUS

Did you know? KOTA KINABALU HAS A SHOPPING AREA CALLED THE FILIPINO MARKET, WHERE MANY OF THE VENDORS ARE FILIPINOS.

108 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Siem Reap

Isabel Rodriguez Law student / editor

“The temples of Angkor are sights to behold. I felt an overwhelming sense of history and culture when I visited the complex. Each temple told its own story.” Pub Street is filled with great eating places for tourists (items range from US$1-4). Try the amok — a Cambodian staple of fish cooked in coconut milk. Don’t forget to try the infamous happy pizza. Enjoy some drinks, too, which can go for as low as US$0.50. Obviously, do not miss the Angkor Complex. Buy the three-day pass (US$40) to maximize sightseeing. You can rent bikes (around US$2/day) to go around the complex.

AREA CODE +855 (63) TOUCHDOWN SIEM REAP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN HIRED VAN, TUK TUK, TAXI, HOTEL SHUTTLE, TAXI

Busan

Dondon S. Obenza Electrical engineer

Seoul

Anna Charmaine Abara Financial analyst

“Picking out fresh seafood and having it cooked at Jagalchi Fish Market was one of the highlights of my trip. I also loved the quiet time I spent at Haedong Yonggung Temple.”

“Korea has an inexplicable charm, making you fall in love and keep wanting more. One trip isn’t enough to satiate your need to experience everything the country has to offer.”

Jagalchi Fish Market (+82 51 245 2594/5) is a seafood lover’s dream. Order king crabs (KRW20,000-50,000) or fresh clams that can be eaten either raw or grilled. Make sure to visit Haedong Yonggung Temple (yongkungsa.or.kr/en) where you can buy a copper roof tile and write your wish on it. This will be installed on the temple roof. Visit Yongdusan Park or Busan Tower (yongdusanpark.bisco.or.kr) and climb to the top to get a panoramic view of the metropolis. Entrance fee is KRW5,000.

Dine like royalty at Seokparang (seokparang.co.kr), where you can enjoy traditional court cuisine and eat like the kings and queens of Joseon with over 50 Korean banchan (side dishes). There’s an entrance to an underground museum at the back of King Sejong’s monument in Gwanghwamun Square. Go inside and have a fun, hands-on learning experience about Korean culture and history.

AREA CODE +82 (51) TOUCHDOWN GIMHAE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN SUBWAY (KRW3,000), AIRPORT LIMOUSINE BUS (KRW7,000), TAXI

AREA CODE +82 (2) TOUCHDOWN INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN LIMOUSINE BUS, TAXI, AREX TRAIN

Did you know? MANY PEOPLE VISIT BUSAN’S HAEDONG YONGGUNG TEMPLE ON THE FIRST SUNRISE OF THE NEW YEAR TO MAKE A WISH.

110 SMILE • JANUARY 2016


Come Play at Resorts World™ Sentosa Singapore Be part of your favourite blockbuster movies, journey into the marine realm and speed down thrilling water slide. Then top it off with fabulous food from authentic local fare to celebrity chef cuisine at our multi-award winning integrated resorts. Visit Resorts World Sentosa and bring home a lifetime of memories.

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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.

Jurassic Park TM & © Universal Studios/Amblin Entertainment. All rights reserved. Shrek and Puss In Boots © 2015 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. Sesame Street TM and associated characters, trademarks and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. © 2015 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved. Battlestar Galactica TM Universal Studios. © Universal Network Television LLC. All rights reserved. TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2015 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. © 2015 DreamWorks L.L.C. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Despicable Me and related characters are trademarks and copyrights of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All Rights Reserved. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE, Universal Globe logo, and all Universal elements and related indicia TM & © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. © 2015 Genting International Management Limited. All rights reserved.


INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Bangkok

we love to make coffee for the city that loves to drink it

Phuket

Niña Chua

Josephine Arce

Freelance graphic artist / entrepreneur

Address: G/F Level Extension Area. Robinson’s Place Puerto Princesa City, Puerto Princesa Philippines. Telephone #: (048) 434-0763 Fb page: palawancafe@yahoo.com

Hotel front office associate

“From the temples to the massages, the busy markets and the never-ending street food, Bangkok can be whatever you want it to be.”

“I love Phuket’s stunning beaches, amazing temples and festivals, cheap and delicious food, and the wonderful smiling locals.”

Make a stop at Ba Mee Sawang in 336/3-4 Thanon Rama IV, one of the best noodle shops you’ll ever visit. You’ll definitely want to keep coming back to this place for their egg noodle soup with pork (THB100). Satisfy your shopping needs at Chatuchak Market (Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd). No visit to the city is complete without a traditional Thai massage (approx. THB200/ hour). Be adventurous and try Bangkok’s street food such as spicy pad Thai (stir-fried noodles).

Find plenty of restaurants offering Thai and international foods at the weekend night market in Phuket’s Old Town. It’s also a great place to shop for souvenirs. Check out Seduction Bar in Patong — the craziest and wildest bar I’ve been to. Tour the Phi Phi islands, James Bond Island, Raya Island or Similan Island. The Phromthep Cape is a must-see — go there and watch the sunset. Taxis are expensive, so opt for motor taxis (guys wearing red vests on a motorbike).

AREA CODE +66 (2) TOUCHDOWN SUVARNABHUMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI (THB250-400), AIRPORT RAIL LINK (THB15-45, ONE WAY), BUS (THB12-36)

AREA CODE +66 (76) TOUCHDOWN PHUKET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN MINIBUS (APPROX. THB200 PER HEAD), TAXI (APPROX. THB400)

Did you know? THERE ARE MORE THAN 8,000 STALLS AT BANGKOK'S CHATUCHAK MARKET.

112 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Riyadh

Rod Ortuyo Executive secretary

“Riyadh has changed so much. New buildings, shopping malls and restaurants are popping up like mushrooms. I like how now, I have plenty of options to spend my time in the city.” Start your day with a big meal. The breakfast buffet at The Ritz Carlton in Mekkah Road serves continental, American and oriental dishes, as well as a variety of fruits, juices and baked goods (SAR260). The Kingdom Tower Sky Bridge offers a panoramic view of the city (SAR60). It is best to go there at night and see Riyadh’s beautiful night lights. During Ramadan, when most people are fasting, it is advisable not to eat or drink in public.

AREA CODE +966 (11) TOUCHDOWN KING KHALID INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, CAR RENTAL

Kuwait

Doha

Femme Martin Sola

Marvin M. Tejada

Entrepreneur

Architect

“Kuwait is a place where travelers can experience and enjoy traditional Arabic hospitality in a modern setting.” Dine at Sabaidee Thai Restaurant, and order both the tom yum and pad Thai for less than KWD5. For a rich gastronomic experience, indulge at the breakfast buffet in Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait. Breakfast is complimentary for overnight guests of the hotel. Don’t miss the Kuwait Towers (kuwaittowers. com), a popular landmark in the city. Show your respect by approaching and greeting locals with “As-salamu alaykum”, which means “Peace be upon you”.

AREA CODE +965 TOUCHDOWN KUWAIT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN AIRPORT TAXI (FROM KWD5), PUBLIC BUS (KWD0.40+).

“I like how Qatar has deep regard for heritage, archaeology and culture. It preserves true Islamic character in the face of changing times.” L’wzaar Seafood Market (lwzaar. com) in Katara Cultural Village is Doha’s no. 1 all-seafood restaurant. Try the grilled king prawns and steamed hammour. Be sure to make a reservation. Learn about Qatar’s culture at the Katara Cultural Village. Also visit Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, Qatar’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

AREA CODE +974 TOUCHDOWN HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN AIRPORT TAXI (FROM QAR25) OR REGULAR KARWA TAXI (FROM QAR100), BUS, LIMOUSINE

Did you know? IN THE 2015 UNITED NATIONS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT, QATAR RANKED 32ND AMONG 188 COUNTRIES REVIEWED. LEARN MORE AT HDR.UNDP.ORG/EN

114 SMILE • JANUARY 2016




INTERNATIONAL TRIP JOURNAL

Guam

Chalae Zuniga Bondoc Hedge fund accountant

“A street full of signature stores and duty-free shops, a stretch of white-sand beach, and a friendly mix of Chamorros and Asians (mostly Filipinos) — Guam is my home away from home.” Stop by Beachin’ Shrimp at the Plaza Shopping Center if you want to be served unique coastal dishes from around the world. Order their Beachin’ Shrimp with angel-hair pasta (US$19.99)! Shop at Micronesia Mall, Guam’s biggest duty-free international shopping outlet. Located at Dededo Village, you can also find here the island’s Macy’s, a movie theater and a variety of restaurants. Enjoy the white sand of Tumon Bay Beach, conveniently beside the shopping district.

AREA CODE +1 (671) TOUCHDOWN ANTONIO B. WON PAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI (TO TUMON)

Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City

Tim Gerard Barker

Loida C. Sandoval

Freelance travel / editorial photographer/ filmmaker

“The traffic scares most at first, but the best way to experience Hanoi is to be part of it. Hire a motorcycle driver and get lost around the lakes and in the back lanes. Be adventurous and be rewarded.”

School psychometrician

“I like how Vietnam has been able to preserve its rich culture; Western culture hasn’t taken over. Lots of must-see places, and the food is great.”

Almost everything on the menu of Chim Sao (chimsao.com) is amazing. I’m always keen on trying new dishes, but the one I’ll keep coming back to is the grilled shrimp (VND120,000) served with soy and wasabi sauces. Watch the sunrise at Hoan Kiem Lake. There is always a lot of activity around the lake. I particularly recommend watching or taking part in the aerobics class from 5 to 6am every morning.

The spring rolls at Dong Pho Restaurant in 57 Ho Xuan Huong are really good! Also try the set meal at Co Do Restaurant in 367 An Duong Vuong St. Visit the Independence Palace to see and get a feel of the local culture. Book a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels or watch the Vietnamese Water Puppet Show (goldendragonwaterpuppet.com). Crossing the road is not for the faint of heart. Motorcycles might run into you even if you’re using the pedestrian lane. Be alert and safe!

AREA CODE +84 (4) TOUCHDOWN NOI BAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN HOTEL CAR SERVICE (US$30/ROUND TRIP FOR TWO PEOPLE)

AREA CODE +84 (8) TOUCHDOWN TAN SON NHAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI (PREFERABLY VINASUN OR MAI LINH; APPROX. VND200,000)

Did you know? “HAFA ADAI” MEANS “MABUHAY” IN GUAM’S NATIVE CHAMORRO LANGUAGE.

117 SMILE • JANUARY 2016


PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Laoag

Manila

Aga Daquiwag

Pong Ignacio

Kiel Villamin

Entrepreneur

Cinematographer

Project manager

“I like the relaxed, provincial life in Cauayan, the authentic cuisine and the hospitality of its people. It makes any vacation more memorable.” Aling Luring’s in Dalupang Street serves my favorite goto (rice porridge), serkele, tokwa’t baboy, palabok, puto, kutchinta, biko, sapin-sapin and more. I never fail to visit this restaurant every time I go back for a vacation. Visit Our Lady of Pillar Parish Church, and be awed by its beautifully preserved exteriors and modern interiors. Explore Hacienda San Luis, which showcases local culture and heritage. Then check out Museo de San Luis or try the rock climbing facility.

AREA CODE +78 TOUCHDOWN CAUAYAN AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE (APPROX. PHP10-25)

“Ilocos Norte is a place with great food, history and adventure where you can try signature Ilocano dishes, visit beautiful old churches and ride a 4x4 across the sand dunes.”

“Manila offers so much in terms of nightlife, culture and food. You’ll never be lonely because each person you meet will make you feel at home.”

Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant & Bar in Gen. Giron Street is the place to go for local eats. They have poqui-poqui, an Ilocano dish with eggplant and egg that interestingly goes well as a pizza flavor. Try it with Ilocano bagoong! And how can you go wrong with bagnet (deep-fried pork belly) pizza? Take a 4x4 truck ride around the location of famous local films like Ang Panday, Temptation Island and Pedro Penduko. For an additional fee, you can try sandboarding down the dunes. AREA CODE +77 TOUCHDOWN LAOAG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN SIRIB BUS, JEEPNEY, TRICYCLE, PRE-ARRANGED RENTAL VAN

AT THE AZURE

SUNDOWN IS ONLY THE

BEGINNING 118

www.cebusmile.com

For Filipino cuisine with a twist, try Manam (+63 2 625 0515) in Greenbelt 2, Makati City. One of its must-try dishes is the watermelon pork sinigang. The Ayala Museum (ayalamuseum.org) in Makati, The National Museum of the Philippines (nationalmuseum.gov.ph) and The Museum of the Filipino People in Manila are must-visits if you want to have a better understanding of Philippine culture and history.

AREA CODE +2 TOUCHDOWN NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI

azure.com.ph

PHOTOS: EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP (CAUAYAN); LESTER LEDESMA (LAOAG & MANILA)

Cauayan


YOUR HOME

PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Clark

Tuguegarao

BY THE UNDERGROUND RIVER. DALUYON BEACH AND MOUNTAIN RESORT SABANG BEACH, BRGY. CABAYUGAN, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN

Deuzette de Dios

Keempee Tolentino

Fund accounting specialist

Client experience associate

“I would never trade Pampanga for Manila or any other city. For me, Pampanga has it all. I don’t need to leave to find whatever kind of experience I am craving.” When it comes to steaks, Meat Plus Café in Subic is my favorite. My top pick from there is the BBQ pork ribs meal for only PHP220. For extreme hiking, I recommend Miyamit Falls in Porac. It took us almost five hours to get to the falls from the starting point. If you are not physically ready for a challenging trek, consider Haduan Falls, which has an easier trail. If you’re going trekking, plan ahead and be sure to secure your permit at Porac Municipal Hall.

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA

AREA CODE +45 TOUCHDOWN CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, SHUTTLE, CAR RENTAL, JEEPNEY (APPROX. PHP13)

y l d n e i r Eco RFesort

“Tuguegarao will impress you with its Spanish-era churches and natural scenery. Everyone must visit at least once.” Make a stop at Diversion Road, Cagayan and eat at J-Ren’s Panciteria, famous for their pancit batil patong (miki noodles with minced water-buffalo meat and egg). Dishes range from PHP50-80, and are good for two people. Head to the town of Piat and visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Piat. Mainly made of red bricks, the basilica enshrines the Blessed Virgin Mary’s 400-year-old image, which is said to be miraculous. Don’t forget to take a photo at Buntun Bridge to complete your trip!

T: +63.48.433.6379 F: +63.48.434.1174 M:+63.917.826.9989

AREA CODE +78 TOUCHDOWN TUGUEGARAO AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE

Did you know? BUNTUN BRIDGE IS THE SECOND-LONGEST BRIDGE IN THE PHILIPPINES. IT OFFERS AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE CAGAYAN RIVER.

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www.daluyonbeachandmountainresort.com inquire@daluyonresort.com


PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Chonemy Furaque Social media specialist

“Legazpi is more than just our beautiful landmark, the Mayon Volcano. We have so much to offer, from mountains to waterfalls and the spiciest food you will ever taste.” Dine in Balay Cena Una (balaycenauna.com) in Daraga, a beautiful ancestral home with a view of Mount Mayon. Order their butterflied king prawns in tilmok sauce and Bicol Express; I can assure you, you’ll come back for more. If you’re feeling adventurous and have room for dessert, go straight to 1st Colonial Grill in Pacific Mall for their hot and fiery sili ice cream (levels 1, 2, 3). Explore Vera Falls at the foot of Mount Malinao. It is surrounded by a virgin forest, which makes the water cold and refreshing. AREA CODE +52 TOUCHDOWN LEGAZPI AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, TRICYCLE, RENTAL VAN

Naga

Virac

Cotz Yuson

Boots T. Leano

Writer

Real estate consultant

“I love Naga because it is a haven for people who love history, religion and good food. They have some of the most beautiful churches in the Bicol region.”

“During my visit to Virac, the islands amazed me. It’s a nice place to relax and enjoy endless, pristine shorelines and gusts of wind on your face.”

Sample the family heirloom dishes heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine at Casa Soriano in Concepcion Grande. For budget food tripping, head to one of the oldest restaurants downtown, the Naga Garden Restaurant. Try the toasted siopao, mami and pancit. Head to CamSur Watersports Complex (cwcwake. com) for some wakeboarding action, or trek to nearby Malabsay Falls. Go around the city for a minimum fare of PHP8 for both jeepney and tricycle. Say “mabalos!” (“thank you”).

If you’re craving for seafood, dine at Kemji Resort and Restaurant (kemjiresortandrestaurant.com) at San Isidro Village (budget PHP200-400 per person). Eat outdoors while a band entertains you with good music. Find bargains at Virac Public Market. Get the famous pili nut, and the handcrafted home products. Check out Bato Church, the oldest church in the province.

AREA CODE +54 TOUCHDOWN NAGA AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, JEEPNEY

AREA CODE +52 TOUCHDOWN VIRAC AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE, TAXI, JEEPNEY

Did you know? PEAK SURFING MONTHS AT PURARAN BEACH IN CATANDUANES IS FROM AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER.

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PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (LEGAZPI); RAYMOND CALACDAY (NAGA)

Legazpi



PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Louise Olivar Accounting student

“I experienced becoming one with nature in San Jose. The powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters were beyond my expectations.” Kusina ni Lea in Sikatuna Street is the best place to eat if you want dishes with a home-cooked vibe. Their sizzling pusit (squid) is a bestseller (PHP250, good for two). Rent a boat (PHP3,000, maximum of 20 people) and travel to Inasakan Beach on Ilin Island. Famous for its white sand and clear waters, tourists and locals call it “Little Boracay” (no entrance fee, cottage rental PHP650). Although fresh buko is offered there, you should bring food for your meals.

AREA CODE +43 TOUCHDOWN SAN JOSE AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE (PHP10.50 REGULAR FARE)

Busuanga

Gay Aida Dumaguing Freelance SEO specialist / blogger

“White sand, islands, beaches, clear waters, corals, fish and history — you can find them all in Busuanga. And like me, you might get your first giraffe kiss, too!” Chomp on affordable grub at Lolo Nonoy’s Food in National Road. Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary is three to four hours by boat from the mainland, but it’s worth a trip, especially if you want to see giraffes. See the fishes at Malcapuya Island. Coron is a small town that you could explore on foot, but there are tricycles and friendly locals to help you get around as well.

AREA CODE +48 TOUCHDOWN FRANCISCO B. REYES AIRPORT GET TO TOWN SHUTTLE VAN (PHP150 ONE-WAY TRIP), HOTEL SHUTTLE

Puerto Princesa

Ben Beringuela Lifestyle photographer

“It’s a one-of-a-kind destination where adventure and art come together. While it boasts natural treasures, its people elevate the experience. It’s an inspiring place.” For a light dinner, try the signature salad (PHP270) at Painted Table, the in-house restaurant of Canvas Boutique Hotel (canvasboutiquehotel.com). Every ingredient is sourced locally. The avant-garde Canvas Boutique Hotel (+63 917 307 0555) has colorful murals of local artists spread across the hotels’ interiors. Visit Puerto Princesa between April and November, and get a chance to swim with the whale sharks.

AREA CODE +48 TOUCHDOWN PUERTO PRINCESA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN VAN, TRICYCLE, MULTICAB

Did you know? CORON BAY IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO GO WRECK DIVING. SUNKEN BATTLESHIPS FROM WORLD WAR II ARE VISIBLE FROM 7 TO 30M, DEPENDING ON THE STRENGTH OF THE TIDAL FLOW.

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PHOTOS: GEORGE CABIG (SAN JOSE); LESTER LEDESMA (BUSUANGA & PUERTO PRINCESA)

San Jose


PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Tagbilaran

Roxas

Christian George F. Acevedo

Mara Ruiz Law student

Librarian and blogger

“Tagbilaran City is the gateway to an array of exquisite sights. My personal favorite is Panglao Island, where you can see white-sand beaches embraced by crystalclear waters.” Henann Resort’s Coral Café (henann. com) has a dinner buffet of fresh seafood, meat viands and desserts for approx. PHP700. The food its delicious, but the nice view makes it more memorable. Head to Danao Adventure Park (danaoadventurepark. com), where you’ll be strapped to a harness and dropped off a ledge. It’s the most invigorating thing I’ve done! The base fare of tricycle rides around the city is PHP7.

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA

AREA CODE +38 TOUCHDOWN TAGBILARAN AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE/ MOTORELA, PRE-ARRANGED HOTEL SHUTTLE

“I am a proud Capiznon. Here, the people are friendly, seafood is abundant and life is simple. You’d want to come back again and again.” Coco Veranda in Baybay Beach is one of the best seafood dining destinations. The Seafood Platter (approx. PHP650) has buttered shrimp, crab roll, steamed squid, sisi (seashell) and fish fillet. Visit Ang Panublion Museum to see historical, cultural and archaeological artefacts about Capiz. Spend some quiet time at Olotayan Island, the only island-barangay in the province.

AREA CODE +36 TOUCHDOWN ROXAS CITY AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, TRICYCLE, HOTEL SHUTTLE

Did you know? ROXAS CITY HAS HAD TWO NATIONAL ARTISTS: JOVITA FUENTES FOR MUSIC AND DAISY HONTIVEROS-AVELLANA FOR THEATER.

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PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Tacloban

Iloilo

Nikki H. Ravelas

Del Britanico

Insurance firm marketing assistant

Chief operations manager

PHOTO: SAMUEL DE LEON (TACLOBAN); LESTER LEDESMA (ILOILO)

“The city seems to have picked itself up, as there are now lots of developments. With good food and friendly locals, Tacloban is a great city to explore.” Do yourself a favor and eat at Ocho Seafood and Grill in Trece Martirez Street — simply the best food place in Tacloban. Choose any seafood or meat you would like to eat and have it cooked (approx. PHP75-150 per kg) the way you want. Try the fried squid and grilled shrimp. Visit the Sto. Niño Church, where the miraculous image of the Sto. Niño is placed. Go for a morning jog along the longest bridge (2.16km) in the Philippines — the San Juanico Bridge.

“Iloilo City is a take-off point to nearby provinces for great outdoor adventures. But stay a while and enjoy the good food.” Go to Breakthrough Restaurant (+63 33 337 3027) in Sto. Niño Sur for the freshest seafood. It’s right on the beach and the service is good. Budget around PHP300 per person and be sure to order their baked oysters, scallops and lechon kawali (deepfried pork belly). Go for a walk or jog along the Iloilo River Esplanade. From Iloilo, you can take a short trip to nearby places such as Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, Aklan and Boracay. WITH WELL-EQUIPPED ROOMS AND SUITES WORLD CLASS FITNESS CENTER

AREA CODE +53 TOUCHDOWN DANIEL Z. ROMUALDEZ AIRPORT GET TO TOWN JEEPNEY, TAXI, TRICYCLE

AREA CODE +33 TOUCHDOWN ILOILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, VAN

Did you know? SEDA ATRIA HOTEL HAS RECENTLY OPENED IN MANDURRIAO DISTRICT IN ILOILO CITY.

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ROOF DECK SWIMMING POOL ULTIMATE DINING INDULGENCE AT CALIBER CAFE EXPERIENCE WELLNESS AT SENSUI SPA

T: (+63)2 526 0888 / 559 9890 F: (+63)2 353 9754 E: reservation@armadamanila.com WWW.ARMADAHOTELMANILA.COM 2108 M. H. Del Pilar Street Malate, Manila Philippines 1004


PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Caticlan (Boracay)

Kalibo

Samantha Inocencio

Rabbie Kyle S. Garcia

Physiotherapist/ occupational therapist assistant

“Boracay is where I can take a break from reality and escape from the fast-paced life. Just walking along the beach and viewing the sunset brings me comfort and joy.”

“Kalibo is more than a gateway to Boracay. It has its own attractions that are ideal for unwinding and spending time with loved ones.”

Jonah’s Fruit Shake & Snack Bar has the best fruit shakes in the island (PHP90-120, depending on flavor). Their mango and avocado variants are highly recommended. Experience the best 15 minutes of your life by parasailing (PHP800-1,000 per person). If you’re not afraid of heights, feel the rush of flying and have a memorable view of the whole island! Hotels and bars in Stations 1 and 2 have happy hours (usually between 1pm and 7pm) when you can get good deals on cocktails and drinks.

Try the mouthwatering dishes at the Grande Royale Restaurant (+63 998 574 7745) in Jaime Cardinal Sin Avenue. My personal favorite is the Seafood Platter (PHP618) with garlic lemon butter sauce that lets me feast on grilled fish, squid, clams and shrimp. Tour the vicinity of Sampaguita Gardens Resort (+63 36 264 3422) in Rizal Street for a consumable fee of PHP50 only. Visit the museum at the town square to discover more about the local culture and about Ati-Atihan.

AREA CODE +36 TOUCHDOWN GODOFREDO P. RAMOS AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE TO CATICLAN JETTY PORT, THEN BOAT TO BORACAY

AREA CODE +36 TOUCHDOWN KALIBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, TRICYCLE, JEEPNEY, BUS, VAN

Did you know? AIRPORT COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL NAMED KALIBO INTERNATIONAL AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST EFFICIENT AIRPORTS.

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KALIBO: LESTER LEDESMA

Businessman/chef


PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Dumaguete

John Garcia Forex trader/travel manager

“I can see myself returning to Dumaguete for a few days just to de-stress, chill and eat. It’s a gentle city where it’s impossible not to feel relaxed.”

Davao

Gerald S. Germones Subject matter expert

“Don’t miss trying lesserknown activities like sunrise watching, market hopping, and late-afternoon partying to fully understand why Davao is a draw for unconventional backpackers.”

Camiguin

Lara Pangilinan Business operations executive

“The island of Camiguin is the perfect getaway for those who want to be one with nature. You should see its beautiful and natural attractions.”

Indulge in fried crab with aligue (crab fat) sauce at Glamour Resto in J. Camus Street (approx. PHP438). For budgetfriendly eats, go to Pastil BBQ sa Ponce near Jacinto area. Get a real highland experience at Seagull Mountain Resort, just two hours from the town proper. The trip will surely revive your spirit with its picture-perfect mountainscapes. When driving, strictly adhere to the city speed-limit ordinance (EO No. 39).

Satisfy hungry tummies at any of the following restaurants in Mambajao: La Dolce Vita, Shardana Bar & Grill or Casa Roca Inn. Bask under the sun at White Island; swim in Katibawasan Falls; and have a relaxing dip at Sto. Niño Cold Spring and Ardent Hot Springs Resort. Visit the Spanish colonial churches in various locations across the island: Sto. Rosario Church, Old Catarman Church and Ruins, and Baylao Church. Also check out the Sunken Cemetery in the municipality of Bonbon.

AREA CODE +35 TOUCHDOWN SIBULAN AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE, JEEPNEY

AREA CODE +82 TOUCHDOWN FRANCISCO BANGOY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, BUS, VAN, JEEPNEY

AREA CODE +88 TOUCHDOWN CAMIGUIN AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE, MOTORELA

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA

Sans Rival Bakeshop and Bistro is popular for a good reason — its pastries and cakes are delightful yet inexpensive. Silvanas (buttercream cookies) are a must. A box costs PHP170, while a slice of lemon lime cheesecake only costs PHP60. Silliman University is a charming campus full of old trees and American-era architecture. It’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon walk, just like Rizal Boulevard, the city’s seaside gastronomic center. Roam the city with ease by hopping on a tricycle for just PHP8 a ride.

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PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Cebu

Bacolod

Jon Adrian Ong

Cane Donio

SAP consultant

Marketing assistant

If you have a big appetite, head straight to Casa Verde in Asiatown IT Park. Try Brian’s Ribs — they’re huge, delicious and best of all, affordable at only PHP200. Buy edible pasalubong items like danggit (dried fish), dried mango chips and chorizo at Taboan Public Market in Pahina Central. When asking how to reach a certain destination via jeepney, you’ll always get an alphanumeric code as a response (for example, 17C). This is because each code corresponds to a specific route and it’s an easier sign to spot on jeeps.

AREA CODE +32 TOUCHDOWN MACTANCEBU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, MULTICAB, HOTEL SHUTTLE

“Bacolod has a wide selection of sumptuous local delicacies at very affordable prices, and the people are very warm and accommodating.” Indulge in mouthwatering baby back ribs (PHP150) at Lord Byron’s Back Ribs on Lacson Street. Have caramel cheesecake (PHP95 slice) and other sweet treats at Calea Pastries and Coffee. Schedule a day trip to Campuestohan Highland Resort (campuestohanhighlandresort.com), about 19km from the city. Entrance is PHP150 per person. Jeepney is the main mode of transportation, but there are also tricycles and pedicabs that ply the side streets. AREA CODE +34 TOUCHDOWN BACOLOD-SILAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI (APPROX. PHP500), SHUTTLE VAN/BUS (PHP150)

Did you know? SM SEASIDE CITY IN CEBU IS THE THIRD-LARGEST MALL IN THE PHILIPPINES, WITH A TOTAL GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 430,000SQM.

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PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA

“Cebu brings the best of two worlds together — the bustling city on one end, and relaxing beaches on the other. It’s my perfect combination!”



PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Frank Rayala Senior office manager

“This quaint destination offered me much-needed respite with its laid-back atmosphere, abundant seafood and nearby beach resorts.”

Butuan

Ommaric Lim de Villa SAP solution specialist

“In Butuan, everything you need is within your reach. What I love most about my hometown is that I get to enjoy city living minus the usual hurries.”

Taste local dishes at the following establishments: bulalo ramen (PHP200) at Chloe’s Bistro, kinilaw na isda (PHP150) at Erlindas’ Food House, and chicken or pork inasal (PHP50) at Karyll’s Grille. At sundown, stroll along Dipolog Boulevard and sample some street food. At daybreak, hike 3,003 steps going up to Linabo Peak for a panoramic view of the city. Or just relax and enjoy the fine white sand of Dakak Park Beach Resort (dakakresort.com) in Dapitan City.

For reasonably priced late-afternoon treats, visit the BBQ stalls along A.D. Curato Street. Also try Baron’s at JC Aquino Avenue for grilled food and fresh sashimi. Sing your heart out in Wat Ever Family KTV, and spend the rest of the night hanging out with Butuanons in Boy’s Bar & Wine Room (+63 85 342 2697). Learn about the local culture by visiting the Balanghai Shrine, Butuan Regional Museum and Masao Beach. Finish your visit with exhilarating adventures at Delta Discovery Park in Bonbon.

AREA CODE +65 TOUCHDOWN DIPOLOG AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE

AREA CODE +85 TOUCHDOWN BANCASI AIRPORT GET TO TOWN JEEPNEY, MULTICAB, HOTEL SHUTTLE

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Ozamiz

Claude Diel Private corporate consultant

“Nothing makes me happier than going to Ozamiz, where I can feast on affordable and sumptuous local food.” Prawns, prawns, prawns! At PHP300 per pound, Big Catch at J Luna Street offers you the best deal when it comes to prawns. If you’re on a budget, ride a motorcab and ask the driver to take you to Blue Haus, where you can find pork barbeque that costs only PHP2 each! For a bit of history, head to Cotta Fort, which was built in 1756 and used as a Spanish outpost (PHP10 entrance fee). Go up the mini-lighthouse to get a good view of the pier.

AREA CODE +88 TOUCHDOWN LABO AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE (PHP30 PER PERSON TO CITY PROPER)

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (BUTUAN & OZAMIZ)

Dipolog



PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Virgel B. Broca Sales engineer, key account specialist

Cagayan de Oro

Kristine Kee Investment banker

General Santos

Maan Pamintuan Lamorena Blogger

“I am fond of Pagadian’s uniquely designed inclined tricycle, which is just perfect for this beautiful city with its steep, sloping hills and mountains.”

“Whitewater rafting in CdO is a yin-and-yang experience. There is an adrenaline rush as I hit the rapids, then complete calmness as I paddle amid a scenic view.”

“GenSan has the right mix of bustle and tranquility — an ideal getaway for those looking to relax and enjoy outdoor adventures at the same time.”

Hang out at Trace Arcade in F.S. Pajares Avenue, where you can feast on mouthwatering Mexican food at Mooon Café, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at Infinitea, or have drinks and sing your heart out at Thor KTV. Make your way to the top of Pagadian Rotonda Park, which overlooks Illana Bay. You can even go horseback riding at the park. Visit the Provincial Government Complex in Brgy. Dao, where you can find Unity Park, a monument to the “tri-people” group: the Lumads (or Subanen), Muslims and Christians.

Eat at Kambingan Sa Buena Oro if you’re looking for goat dishes. Try the kambing na kilawin (goat meat cooked with vinegar and spices, around PHP60 per order). Go river trekking at Mapawa Adventure Park (mapawa.com) and experience water slides, canyoneering and cliff diving from 30ft (PHP1,200 per person)! To get around the city, just ride the motorela (auto rickshaw), which seats up to eight people.

Jo-Ann’s Bakeshop (+63 83 552 3192) offers home-cooked and short order dishes like lomi (noodle soup; PHP75 for solo order, PHP120 for 2-3 people). Schedule your visit during the Tuna Festival in the first week of September to dance in the streets of the city, watch different bands perform at the Oval Plaza and taste the tuna, which the city is famous for.

AREA CODE +62 TOUCHDOWN PAGADIAN DOMESTIC AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE, JEEPNEY

AREA CODE +88 TOUCHDOWN LAGUINDINGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, JEEPNEY, MOTORELA, SHUTTLE

AREA CODE +83 TOUCHDOWN GENERAL SANTOS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, TRICYCLE, HOTEL SHUTTLE

Did you know? WHITE WATER REFERS TO THE ROUGH, FOAMY WATER IN RIVER RAPIDS. WHEN THE RIVER'S SLOPE INCREASES, AIR GOES INTO THE WATER FORMING FROTH, WHICH MAKES THE WATER APPEAR WHITE.

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PHOTOS: EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP (PAGADIAN); LESTER LEDESMA (CAGAYAN DE ORO & GENERAL SANTOS)

Pagadian


PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Zamboanga

Cotabato

Melissa Ajaddi Chin

Andrei Alan Tipoe ERP business/ financial consultant

Entrepreneur

PHOTOS: SAMUEL DE LEON (COTABATO); LESTER LEDESMA (ZAMBOANGA)

“In Cotabato, everyone is friendly and easygoing. Plus, I can always count on delicious, affordable food.” Drop by Tatis Resto Bar & Grill, famous for its deep-fried hito with tanglad (catfish with lemongrass, PHP250 per kg) dipped in home-made sukang tuba (coconut vinegar). Visit Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid at Tamontaka Bubong Road. Also known as the Grand Mosque of Cotabato, it is the largest mosque in the Philippines (free entrance). Don’t forget to buy yourself inaul (handwoven fabric), made exclusively by Maguindanaon ladies.

AREA CODE +64 TOUCHDOWN AWANG AIRPORT GET TO TOWN JEEPNEY, MOTORCYCLE, CHARTERED VAN

“My hometown is a perfect mix of Spanish and Malay influences, with amazing culinary dishes reflecting both. There are loads of beaches, rivers and mountains waiting to be discovered.” Try Zamboanga’s version of halo-halo called the knickerbocker at Hacienda de Palmeras Hotel & Restaurant in Pasonanca Road. For approximately PHP65, you get a glass of fresh fruits, jellies and condensed milk topped with strawberry ice cream. The best forms of public transportation in the city are jeepneys and tricycles. Never forget to haggle a bit before you hop on a tricycle. A 10km journey will cost you around PHP60.

AREA CODE +62 TOUCHDOWN ZAMBOANGA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TAXI, JEEPNEY, TRICYCLE

Did you know? SOUTH-EAST ASIA’S LARGEST SOLAR ENERGY PLANT WILL BE BUILT IN ZAMBOANGA CITY. THE FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MARCH THIS YEAR. 133

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PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

LOCATION Club Intramuros Golf Course, Intramuros Manila

Tandag

Tawi-Tawi

Tel. No.: (02) 523-1856 or (02) 567-1080 Promo Duration: Month of January FB Page: www.facebook.com/segwaytoursmanila Email: segwayphil@gmail.com

le New Year Sa

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Take a photo of this ad to enjoy this promotion

New Year

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Product Segway x2, i2 and Segway Pat Patroller

Tel. No.: (02) 523-1856 or (02) 567-1080 Promo Duration: Month of December. FB Page: www.facebook.com/segway. philippines Email: segwayphil@gmail.com * On all Segway units used in APEC Summit.

Jem Baldisimo

Leslie Delos Arcos

Marine science senior research assistant

Doctor

“Everything is in the water — houses, markets and people’s livelihoods. For someone like me who loves beaches and cultural exploration, Tawi-Tawi gave the best of both worlds.”

“Tandag is the capital of Surigao del Sur and your gateway to experience this nature-blessed province. I suggest you go around the small city in a tricycle to reach your destination.”

Hungry? Try hawker stalls at the Chinese Pier and Bongao Market that sell satti (grilled chicken with special sauce on cubed rice) with local snacks for about PHP50. Get a guide and hike up Bud Bongao (Bongao Peak) to see breathtaking views! Hop on a public ferry to Simunul and visit the Sheik Karimul Makhdum Mosque, the first and oldest mosque in the country. Head to Sitangkai and see the myriad of canals leading to houses in the island.

Head to the Boulevard and satisfy your cravings with grilled bangus (milkfish), chicken or pork. Satisfy your hunger for less than PHP100! Relax at Bugsay Beach Resort in Balibadon, Cortes, where you can swim with different fish and see various seashells. You can also get a massage and do boating there (PHP50 entrance fee). Journey to Mangkagangi Island by boat to swim, dive, and see bats live! Bring food and camping materials if you plan to sleep there overnight.

AREA CODE +68 TOUCHDOWN SANGASANGA AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE (FROM PHP150-500, DEPENDING ON YOUR BARGAINING SKILLS)

AREA CODE +86 TOUCHDOWN TANDAG CITY AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE, HABAL-HABAL

Did you know? YOU CAN’T FIND FAST-FOOD CHAINS LIKE JOLLIBEE OR MCDONALD’S ANYWHERE IN TANDAG, SO PREPARE TO EAT DELICIOUS, HOME-COOKED FOOD THERE. 134

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PHOTOS: EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP (TAWI-TAWI); LESTER LEDESMA (TANDAG)

25co%unt

1 Hour Segway Tour


PHILIPPINES TRIP JOURNAL

Siargao

Surigao

Pia Roxas Ocampo

Chill Torralba Businesswoman

Creative director

“Bucas Grande Island is a heck of a commute, but for a stretch of soft, white beach all to yourself, dramatic limestone pillars, so many stars and the edge of the Milky Way, it’s well worth it.”

PHOTO: LESTER LEDESMA (SURIGAO)

Sohoton Cove in Bucas Grande is just lovely. There’s a half-day tour that takes you through Sohoton’s greatest hits — a fluorescent cave, the stingless jellyfish lagoon, limestone-surrounded coves and inlets, and a cliff jump for beginners. It’s a good introduction to the cove and helps sustain the local tourism efforts. Enjoy the sun while exploring the cove by boat or kayak. From Surigao City, just ride a bus to Claver, get off Hayanggabon Port and then charter a boat going to Sohoton. AREA CODE +86 TOUCHDOWN SURIGAO AIRPORT GET TO TOWN TRICYCLE, MULTICAB, HOTEL SHUTTLE

“Siargao is known for surfing, but it offers more than that. Be amazed by the island’s gorgeous beaches, delicious foods, beautiful resorts and friendly locals. Worth a visit!” I like the chicken barbecue and other grilled specialties at Mama’s BBQ. Also dine at the restaurant of Kermit Surf Resort and Camp, known for its freshly made pasta and pizza (approx. PHP150-300). Aside from surfing in Cloud 9, you can go island hopping towards Dako and Naked Islands. Rent a motorbike, drive to the municipality of Pilar, and see the Magpupungko Beach and tidal pools that are beautiful beyond words. Respect the locals and the island so you’ll have a smooth trip. Take pictures and leave nothing but good memories. AREA CODE +86 TOUCHDOWN SAYAK AIRPORT GET TO TOWN HABAL-HABAL, SHUTTLE VAN TO DAPA (PHP200) OR GENERAL LUNA (PHP300)

Did you know? CLOUD 9 IS A WORLD-CLASS SURFING SPOT AT SIARGAO WHERE YOU CAN RIDE THE BEST WAVES DURING MID TO HIGH TIDE. IT’S A RELATIVELY SHORT WAVE THAT BARRELS THE WHOLE WAY, SO IT’S NOT FOR NOVICE SURFERS. 135

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DIRECTORY

Dress to express

A little slice of paradise

What Brian Dy started as a small enterprise in 2003 has grown into My Philippines, a flourishing apparel and lifestyle brand that’s captured the hearts of Filipinos and foreigners alike. Their iconic, flag-emblazoned shirts and jackets, as well as T-shirts designed with images of Pinoy culture, have also been spotted on celebrities like Piolo Pascual, Rayver Cruz, Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano. The secret to Brian’s success is insisting on only the best standard of workmanship. He has created world-class products by sourcing raw materials from overseas and using durable printing techniques on his T-shirts, jackets, beach shorts and couple tees. Find the latest designs and updates at mynationalshirt.com and Facebook.com/ myphilippineslifestyle

Planning a visit to the Underground River near Puerto Princesa, Palawan? Stay at Daluyon Beach & Mountain Resort. This class-AA resort has 27 beautifully appointed cabanas, with wooden doors that open up to magnificent sea views. Step out of your villa, and a short walk takes you to the beach. Best of all, Daluyon is an eco-friendly resort that is a three-time consecutive winner of the ASEAN Green Hotel Award, making it a hall of famer. It is also a Frontier group member of the Zero Carbon Resorts Project. The resort was given the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame award this year for receiving a Certificate of Excellence from 2011 to 2015. Daluyon also has the best restaurant for local and international cuisine in Sabang, and is ranked the Best Beach Resort in Sabang Beach on TripAdvisor. daluyonbeachandmountainresort.com

So much in store The Queen City of the South unveiled a spanking new mall late last year. SM Seaside City Cebu at the South Road Properties, Cebu City is the latest development of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Designed by the Miami-based architecture and interior design firm Arquitectonica, SM Seaside City Cebu boasts a lot area of 93,570sqm and a gross floor area of 429,917sqm. The circular mall has five levels featuring multiple anchors, cinemas, a largeformat theater, SM Bowling and Amusement Center, a food court and an ice skating rink. With over 400 food and retail shops, including global brands and international flavors and cuisine, the mall offers Cebuanos a wide range of entertainment options. SM Seaside City Cebu will also have a Sky Hall for concerts, as well as a Sky Park. 137 SMILE • JANUARY 2016



DIRECTORY

Aim high at STI Want to give your kids a solid foundation for the future? At STI Senior High Schools, incoming Grade 11 and 12 students are provided with a top-notch educational base. Through high-standard lesson plans developed by the experts at the STI Academic Research Center (ARC), students are trained to anticipate the challenges of the workforce with actual training modules from top industry partners integrated into lessons, activities and multimedia learning resources. The school’s full range of facilities and air-conditioned classrooms provide the undergraduates with an environment conducive for learning. And with the innovative STI eLearning Management System (eLMS), senior high students can review on their own time wherever they are. With an online account, students can access their notes, lectures, handouts and multimedia learning materials on their smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer. sti.edu/senior_high_school.asp

For traveling light

A better shopping experience

Walking is good for your body, but with the right pair of shoes it can be good for your sole too. Rusty Lopez launches a new line of shoes designed to keep you light on your feet no matter how far or long you have to walk, thanks to a unique sole material with microcellular structures. This “microtech+ecosole” technology prevents air trapping and hydrolysis — the result is that you are stress-free even after walking long distances. Available in a variety of styles. rustylopez.com

Clothing brand Penshoppe recently opened its biggest store ever at SM Seaside City Cebu. The store features interactive touchscreen devices, which shoppers can use to browse the latest collections, see the newest campagins and get outfit suggestions based on real-time weather conditions. Another fun feature is the Color Picker, which identifies the color of the outfit the customer is wearing, and gives suggestions on other pieces that match it or can be worn with it. Drop by to experience it for yourself. penshoppe.com 139

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airline news UPDATES FROM CEBU PACIFIC AIR

NEW YEAR TREATS Indulge in some more retail therapy at the annual month-long Dubai Shopping Festival, where you can get amazing deals at the city’s many impressive malls and souks. In between buying clothes, electronics, textiles or accessories for yourself and loved ones, try to catch a couple of events, too: there’ll be a fashion show, street performances, themed itineraries and fireworks. Cebu Pacific flies to Dubai from Manila daily. mydsf.ae; cebupacificair.com

More news from Cebu Pacific on the next page >

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COMPANY UPDATES

Fly to Guam via CEB starting in March

GUAM FLIGHTS TO BE LAUNCHED IN MARCH Cebu Pacific is proud to announce an exciting new addition to its expanding network. Starting March 15, 2016, travelers will be able to visit Guam — CEB’s first US destination. CEB is also the first and only low-cost carrier to offer this direct flight, which will run every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Guam has a sizeable Filipino community, so the new service will be beneficial both for CEB and its passengers. Before it was introduced, there were fewer than 6,000 weekly seats available for those who wished to make the journey. Now you have 1,440 more. “Having Guam in our network sets us off on another expansion path across the

Pacific,” explains CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei. “With the launch of Guam, we offer fares that are up to 83% lower than other airlines. Fares this low can only mean more tourists to both countries, more Filipinos visiting home, and more opportunities for everyone.” By “lower fares”, customers can expect to pay from PHP7,197 for this route — which CEB says is up to 40% lower than other airlines’ tariffs. This development only serves to boost CEB’s reach even further. It currently boasts 64 destinations and 98 routes using a fleet of 55 aircraft — one of the most modern in the world — with eight Airbus A319, 33 Airbus A320, six Airbus A330 and eight ATR 72-500. CEB will also be receiving five brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo and 16 ATR 72-600 aircraft between 2016 and 2021. Manila–Guam will utilize the Airbus A320. The plane leaves at 3.45am from Manila and arrives at 10.15am in Guam; the return leg leaves at 12.30pm from Guam and arrives at 2.55pm in Manila. For bookings and more information, visit cebupacificair.com or call the reservation hotlines at +632 702 0888 and +63 32 230 8888. Follow CEB’s official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook pages for seat sales as well, or download the official mobile app on the App Store and Google Play.

More flexible and fuss-free payment options with CEB No credit card or cash at the moment? No problem. Cebu Pacific allows you to book your ticket online and pay for it within 24 hours at any of its partner establishments. This includes ECPay, over 1,400 7-Eleven branches, over 1,800 Cebuana Lhuillier branches, and payment centers at Robinsons Department Stores and SM Department Stores.

It’s one more thing to appreciate about CEB, especially if you want to finalize your travel plans before the end of the January holidays and snag a seat for your trip this year. Just log on to cebupacificair.com, choose your flight and provide your details, and click on “Pay Within 24 Hours” on the payment page. Make sure to jot down the 12-digit confirmation number and total

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amount to show at the counter; then check your email after the transaction to get your confirmed CEB ticket. Or why not go for CEB’s “Pay Before 11.59pm” at banks and remittance centers instead? If you don’t have internet access, you can book your ticket through the reservation hotlines and still enjoy these payment center options.


COMPANY UPDATES

Middle East, Australia and Japan are CEB’s fastestgrowing routes Cebu Pacific’s low-cost, longhaul flights to Australia, the Middle East and Japan had the highest passenger growth in the CEB network from January to September 2015, compared to the same period the previous year. What’s more, based on September 2014 to September 2015 data from the Australia Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, CEB has garnered 38% of the market share on the Manila–Sydney route. It also found that overall traffic increased by 67% since the airline started flying to Sydney in September 2014. CEB’s progress in the Middle East and Japan, on the other hand, can be attributed to the recent launches of its Kuwait, Riyadh, Doha, and Cebu–Narita (Tokyo) flights. Locally, CEB’s fastestgrowing routes include Manila– Tagbilaran (Bohol) and Cebu– Tandag (Surigao del Sur). With CEB’s additional twice-daily flights for the former, and its introduction of the latter route in June 2014, the carrier saw

over 100% rise in passengers for both routes compared to the same period last year. “We’re pleased to see the CEB effect in these markets, and will continue to study destinations where we can grow traffic,” says CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. “As we take delivery of more aircraft in 2016, including brandnew ATR 72-600s for Cebgo, we look forward to serving more guests, and creating more tourism and business opportunities, to benefit the destinations we fly to.” CEB now has over 90 routes on 60 destinations, with six Philippine hubs that include Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Clark and Kalibo.

CEB has garnered 38% of the market share on the Manila–Sydney route

How to search, book and check in for flights

ONLINE Cebupacificair.com 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

It’s fun to be social

FLY FOR FREE WITH GETGO When you’re a member of GetGo, Cebu Pacific’s lifestyle rewards program, free flights and exclusive monthly seat sales could be the norm. Simply apply at www.GetGo.com.ph and pay the one-time membership fee of PHP150. You’ll earn one point for every PHP5 you spend on flight bookings and add-on products. You can also earn points by converting rewards from GetGo’s partners. Rack up enough points (which don’t expire), and you’ll soon be able to fly to your dream destination via Cebu Pacific for free. Visit the website to learn more and for the complete list of GetGo partners.

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Connect with us and be among the first to know about our promos and other updates. Like @CebuPacificAir on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.



GOOD TO KNOW

Travel more

2016 TRAVEL RESOLUTIONS AND TO-DO LIST • Set a budget for your big trip, create a savings plan to meet it, and stick to it. Ask someone you can depend on to remind you of your goal.

Airport of the month

If you’re flying in or out of…

BANGKOK’S SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT As a top tourist destination, Thailand is used to seeing over 50 million visitors walk through its top airport’s doors every year. And they won’t be disappointed: frequently spotted in “world’s best” lists, Suvarnabhumi features amenities and services designed to make one’s stay smooth and convenient. Try these: • If you need to go to Don Mueang Airport for your next flight, hop on the transfer bus. It runs from 5am to before midnight. • Or if you’d like to reach another part of the airport (like the Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel), there are four lines of shuttle buses at the passenger and departure terminals. Each has a different route. • Aside from Novotel, there are

other accommodations less than 3km that are more affordable: for example, Louis’ Tavern Transit Hotel and YHA Bangkok Airport Hostel. You can even book a room through Suvarnabhumi’s own website. • Kill time by looking through your email and favorite websites at the free internet kiosks or with the free WiFi. You can also sit back and relax at the transfer passenger lounges, with their comfy seats and TV. • Save on calls and internet access with a prepaid tourist Inter SIM with affordable three- to seven-day plans, available at True Shop. • Reserve an electric buggy in advance to allow you a speedy passage through the premises. • Before your flight, let the kids burn off all that energy at the playground. suvarnabhumiairport.com

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• You don’t have to go far to have a fulfilling holiday. Every few months or so, take a break with a staycation, or head to a local town or city you’ve never been to and explore. • Snap more photos of your adventures, no matter how big or small. Better yet, share the experience with loved ones and get them in your pictures as often as you can. • Be more open to the new and exotic. • Say yes to everything (within reason, of course) and go with the flow. • Travel solo. It’ll be a unique experience. • Look at travel advisories, be aware, and stay safe. • Bring a travel journal and put your thoughts on paper.


Where to next

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Onboard treats

Hot meals Available only on international flights

ON SHORT-HAUL FLIGHTS PHP350 each

NEW

Chicken Teriyaki

Beef Misono

Beef Kebab

Grilled chicken slices topped with special Japanese teriyaki sauce, served with mixed veggies.

Tender grilled beef slices, marinated in a special blend of Japanese sauce and spices, topped with onion and leeks.

Mediterranean-inspired beef kebab burger topped with zesty white garlic sauce. Served with turmeric rice, roasted onions and tomatoes.

ON LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS PHP500 each with dessert

Korean Sweet & Spicy Chicken

Beef Pastel

Pasta Marinara

Breaded chicken coated with a special blend of sweet and spicy sauces.

Beef cubes with mushrooms, potatoes and carrots, cooked in a rich, creamy sauce.

Penne pasta tossed in flavorful marinara sauce, topped with parmesan cheese and paired with parmesan breadsticks.

FILIPINO classics

NON-HALAL

Beef Caldereta

Chicken Adobo

Bistek Tagalog

Chicken Barbecue

Filipino-style beef stew in a rich tomato sauce, with carrots and potatoes.

A Filipino staple simmered in a balanced mix of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and peppercorns.

Beef strips cooked in a medley of soy sauce, calamansi and onions.

Chicken chunks cooked in a savory barbecue sauce.

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SAVORY snacks 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.

Oriental Chicken & Peach Sandwich PHP180 Fresh sandwich made of sliced chicken and peaches. Made more flavorful with a tangy oriental sauce.

SWEET treats

QUICK bites

Cheese Roll PHP100

Jagabee Potato Fries PHP70 (classic salted, garlic, cheese)

Mini Choco Chip Cookies PHP100 Chewy Macaroons (Box of 5) PHP100 Black Forest Muffin PHP100

Nova PHP60 NEW

Chippy PHP60 Piattos PHP60

NEW

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) 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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Drinks

Onboard treats

COLD drinks

ALCOHOLIC drinks

Double Choco Dinosaur PHP100 NEW

Yellow Tail Wines PHP200 (chardonnay/shiraz/merlot)

Mocha Mudslide PHP100

NEW Asahi Super Dry Beer PHP150

Mineral Water PHP50 San Miguel Beer PHP130 (pale pilsen/light)

Chuckie Chocolate Milk Drink PHP60 Minute Maid Pulpy Juice PHP60 (orange) C2 Flavored Green Tea PHP50 (apple/lemon) Canned Soda PHP60 (Pepsi/7-Up/Mountain Dew) Mogu Mogu Lychee PHP60 Gatorade PHP60 (red/blue) Vita Coco PHP70 B’lue Flavored Water PHP70 (lychee/calamansi)

HOT drinks Twinings Hot Teas PHP70 (English breakfast/jasmine green tea/ chamomile & spearmint) Café Mocha PHP100 Creamy Dark Chocolate PHP100 Brewed Coffee PHP100 Great Taste White Coffee PHP50 Hot Calamansi Tea PHP80

NEW

PLEASE NOTE: • Items may vary depending on the route • Subject to available stock • Goods sold are not refundable • We accept foreign currency — please ask the cabin crew.

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Travel essentials

Onboard merchandise

New Year Treats NEW

NEW

NEW

With FREE Sharpie Pen

Adult Shirt PHP280

Wanderskye Luggage Covers PHP1,195/1,295 NEW DESIGNS Other designs available; international flights only

Kids’ Shirt PHP200

Mini Messenger Bag PHP220

Airplane Backpack PHP550 NEW

Lagu Beach Blanket PHP999 Sand repellent *NEW COLORS*

NEW

Parachute Insulated Lunch Bag PHP250

Hoodie Neck Pillow PHP490

Lagu Beach Bag PHP499 Sand repellent

World Map Tote Bag PHP300

NEW

3-in-1 Clip-on Lens PHP250

USB Pocket Cable PHP220

On the Go Luggage Scale PHP490 Available on domestic flights only

Cebu Pacific & Smart Bro Fun Data SIM PHP500

Bluetooth Speaker PHP550

NEW Wind-up Plane & Puzzle Set PHP280

CEB Fun Blanket PHP350

CEB Siesta Kit PHP280

CEB Stuffed Toy PHP350

A320 Die-Cast Plane PHP550

*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 piece of cool luggage wrap from Wanderskye (@wanderskye). 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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Home for the Holidays! THIS CHRISTMAS, GIVE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY THE BEST GIFT EVER — A CENTURY HOME!

THE MILANO RESIDENCES INTERIOR DESIGN BY VERSACE HOME

THE RESIDENCES AT COMMONWEALTH

AZURE URBAN RESORT RESIDENCES

ACQUA PRIVATE RESIDENCES

ACQUA LIVINGSTONE INTERIOR DESIGN BY MISSONIHOME

THE EASY TO OWN A CENTURY HOME – HOLIDAY PROGRAM presents to you the most captivating ready-for-occupancy units at packages with a keen understanding of your budget and aspirations. Whether a beautiful suburban home at The Residences at Commonwealth by Century, Century or exquisite designer homes at the Milano by Versace Home, Home the Livingstone Tower by MISSONIHOME, tropical beachfront living in the city at the Azure, or a residential oasis at Acqua Private Residences, you can now move in immediately to the address of your dreams. Celebrate the season with a Century home and joyous payment deal! Call us today. www.century-properties.com • ask@century-properties.com Phone: +63-917-5555-274 Authorized to sell by HLURB: Milano Residences located at A. Spring St. cor. Valdez St. Brgy. Poblacion, Makati LTS No. 25038; Acqua Private Residences located at Coronado Street Brgy. Hulo, Mandaluyong City – Niagara LTS No. 25631, Sutherland LTS No. 26132, Dettifoss LTS No. 26229, Livingstone LTS No. 26972; Azure Urban Resort Residences located at West Service Road, Bicutan, Parañaque City – Positano LTS No. 26378; Commonwealth by Century located at Don Antonio Drive, Brgy. Batasan Hills, QC - Osmeña West LTS No. 28528


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