EXPAT NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 2018

THE PHILIPPINES’ FORUM FOR INTERNATIONAL READERS SINCE 1981

SEPTEMBER 2018 / VOL. 36 NO. 9

YOUR LOCAL GUIDE

STEP INTO THE RABBIT HOLE 7

The continued gentrification of Poblacion has resulted in a thriving, constantly evolving community where the uber hip, and utterly creative (and those that fall somewhere in between) convene – resulting in a neighborhood where everyone’s looking to stand out, whilst also fitting in.

Read up on how Run Rabbit Run fits the Poblacion mold of standing out.

EVENTS

TRAVEL

GRUB HUB

Poblacion’s best-kept secret Visayan Idyll With its prime location, quality of offerings, and price point, Taperia Poblacion should be your neighborhood go-to.

HOW do you make relocating to different country less emotional for your children?

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14

8

7

History Con 2018

Discover the myriad of sights to be enjoyed in Leyte, and why the province always entices promises of a return.

Check out some of the scenes from Asia’s biggest entertainment convention, which took Manila – literally and figuratively – by storm.

what

WHY

else should you order from Rico’s Lechon?

should we rethink our tuna fishing practices?

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9

WHICH alien expert and ancient astronaut theorist did Expat have a close encounter with?

15

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

2 NEWS

Academe-industry links sought to maintain BPO competitiveness

Seize opportunities, shun politics

By RICHARD RAMOS

By RICHARD RAMOS

W

hile the rat race is a never-ending process for companies worldwide to cope with the latest technological trends and hire the brightest minds, educational institutions continue to play an urgent role in the long-term development and formation of a well-equipped and skilled workforce.

This is more so with select private schools and state universities wherein a partnership model is deemed critical in supplying the companies with a steady stream of competent employees equipped with critical thinking skills.

Though the academe-industry linkages remain to be weak, these ties should be strengthened as soon as possible in order for the Philippines to remain globally competitive and retain its international stature as a powerhouse, especially in the field of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

This was revealed in a media gathering with industry leaders held prior to the Contact Center of the Philippines (CCAP) Contact Islands 2018 Conference at the ShangriLa Mactan Resort and Spa.

Obsolete collaterals Benedict Hernandez, chair of the CCAP Board of Directors, emphasized that fruitful partnerships with schools can speed up the skill-building process of the students even before graduation, with the establishment of a firm foundation.

“Industry companies can work with schools, especially on the development of the teachers and [the] curriculum, in order to raise the hiring rate many times over. At its present rate of 8 to 10 percent, the hiring rate can be raised as high as 60 to 70 percent with the proper training and guidance,” he stated.

The sad reality is that majority of schools rely on textbooks and other standard collaterals that are deemed obsolete, thus necessitating more trainings and orientations for the new hires.

Graduates likewise lack the proper communication and critical thinking skills that have become requisite in this hypercompetitive world, thus compounding the problem of an oversupply of under skilled workforce.

Positive outlook remains Fortunately, the industry outlook has remained upbeat due to the positive attitude of the Filipino worker, good English comprehension, and ability to adapt and adjust to the work environment and conditions.

“More schools are also offering analytics as a course in order to cope with the demand and upgrade their curriculum in order to be more responsive to the industry trends,” Hernandez added.

According to a statement, better customer experience remains to be the top unique selling proposition companies rely on to be ahead of the competition. And the Philippines continues to lead in this field in the contact center space and remains focused in making the customer the center of all its endeavors.

From its seven original founders in 2001, the CCAP is now comprised of nearly a hundred member companies operating throughout the archipelago. These members account for over 80 percent of the industry economic activity and employment.

Austrian Embassy presents child’s rights photo exhibit

T

he Austrian Embassy in Manila, as part of its initiatives under the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union this 2018, and in partnership with Lomography, SOS Children’s Villages Philippines, Sunny16 Lab and SM Supermalls, presents the SNAPSHOTS OF A HAPPY CHILDHOOD LOMOWALL EXHIBITION. The “right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development,” as stipulated in Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, is at the core of this collaborative project that captures in photos what children growing up in a happy and loving environment look like.

This child’s rights exhibition is a 6-feet by 14-feet LomoWall composed of 1,000 individual snapshots of children taken by Lomography and analogue cameras, as well as photos taken by children living in the SOS Children’s Village in Manila with simple use film cameras provided by Lo-

mography for the project. An international campaign, photos submitted by the international Lomography community also make up part of the photo exhibit.

Side exhibitions include the “Captured Moments in a Loving Home Exhibition,” which showcases 16 photos taken by the children of SOS to share their own stories,

and the “Lomography Classics Exhibition,” which displays the evolution of Lomography as an experimental brand and community.

The exhibit will run until Sept. 24 at the SM Supermalls: Sept. 10 to 16 at S Maison, and Sept. 17 to 24 at SM Aura Premier.

I

n order to maximize opportunities in the Philippine setting and convert these into an active advantage instead of a sleeping asset, a wellknown national consultant highly recommends that Filipinos forget about politics and focus instead on the strength of institutions.

Patronage politics unfortunately plays a dominant role in the lives of the electorate, resulting in a highly politicized citizenry who indulge more in the personality and popularity of the candidate rather than the professional qualifications of the aspirant.

Electorate > Elected “There is more to life than just elected officials. The role of active citizens matter much more than politicians who rule only for a few years.

Politics is a very temporary career while the citizens are around for decades. Hence, the private sector should take precedence over politicians for the betterment of the people,” Dr. Jesus Estanislao declared.

He bewailed the importance that Filipinos place on politics as the “beall” and “end-all” of many aspects in their lives and in their immediate locale. This should never be the case since the citizenry elects the officials, thus emphasis should be on the electorate and not the elected.

Examples here are government employees who are replaced by supporters of the incoming administration, thus creating resentment and chaos since professional qualifications and even civil service eligibility are not given importance.

Estanislao is the founder and chairman emeritus of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), among many other affiliations. He spoke during the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce (MCCI) Business Summit 2018 held at the Oakridge Pavilion, Mandaue City.

Beyond here and now According to Jesus Estanislao, civil society and institutions should be strengthened to give more voice to the private sector, he said. These include the Church, the academe, the nongovernment organizations (NGOs), the business sector, the studentry, cooperatives, among others, who should play a more active role in the political processes and not leave politics as solely for politicians.

He singled out Mandaue City and its mayor Luigi Quisumbing for the dissemination of good governance practices, strictness towards friends and relatives, and the mindset for the genuine improvement and development of the city itself.

Speaking on the topic “The Philippine Economy: Insights and Perspectives,” Dr. Estanislao also urged the audience to think long-term and go beyond the present-day scenario or be swallowed up by the problems.

“Think beyond the here and now.

Think for the future and not just for the present. This enables the people to think of the big picture and not just a snapshot image. This also paves the way for better foresight and planning due to a clearer mind,” the speaker said.

NEWS 3

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

BSP: Tax incentives for FDIs to be rationalized, not removed

By RICHARD RAMOS

D

espite the rather slow inflow of badly needed Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country, the government still insists on the future implementation of streamlining of incentives to the present batch of FDIs for transparency and monitoring purposes.

Many government officials feel that such scrutiny of incentives is quite overdue considering the fact that tens of billions of pesos have been diverted to the benefit of the investors instead of finding their way into the national budget to fund projects and social initiatives for the general populace.

“We just want to rationalize the incentives to be sure if these are used properly. The investors have to prove that the investments generate better job quality, introduce new production processes every three years, and foster innovation to research and technology,” declared Diwa Guinigundo, Deputy Governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

He downplayed an earlier claim of PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) Director General Charito Plaza who said that the total revenues contributed by the 380 economic zones has reached PhP1.33 trillion during its four decades of existence. She compared this figure to the PhP235.3 billion in foregone revenues, which went to investor incentives.

Guinigundo questioned what specific components the PhP1.3 trillion figure referred to. Are these raw materials, employment figures, or tariffs? He declined to comment further on the issue as he found it difficult to react since he found the claims rather vague.

Do not kill the goose that lays golden eggs In an exclusive interview with Expat, Plaza stated that a vast majority of the 4,161 locator companies would suffer financial setbacks and may even close shop and move to other Asean companies if their incentives would be withdrawn.

“I will do everything in my power to defend these locator companies since they have contributed so much to the national economy. Do not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. This can spell disaster for everyone,” she said earnestly over a European Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ECCP)-Cebu chapter hosted cocktail reception.

She also surmised that the national government needs the investor incentives to fund its ambitious “Build, Build, Build” PhP7trillion infrastructure program of large-scale projects such as bridges, airports, railways, and roads nationwide.

Spoiled investors For his part, Guinigundo declared that there are several “spoiled” investors that have enjoyed the incentives for over 50 years—resulting in huge losses for the government on a regular basis.

“These firms have been tax-exempt for

decades, while much smaller local firms are paying 30 percent in income taxes every year.

There is no value added in terms of the high production chain. And the big firms have been using basically the same infrastructure for decades,” he continued.

Jasmin Dacio, Bank Officer V of BSP, revealed “many investors also enjoyed double incentives when they relocate to another ecozone and collect the same benefits.

“Because of this, we want to insure discipline and transparency where incentives are concerned. Incentives should be performance-based only,” she affirmed.

Both speakers declined to mention the offending firms and the circumstances involved.

Favorable despite kinks “Bureaucracy and red tape now belongs to the courts and the police," Guinigundo said. "The new law authored by Sen. Migz Zubiri specifies deadlines for response time in all government offices. Once deadlines are broken, the request is deemed in favor of the person concerned and a case is filed vs. the erring party.”

He admitted to the possibility that affected firms may leave for greener pastures abroad, but also cited the allure of the Filipino workers.

“Each and every country will have their own collective set of strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “But nothing beats the Filipino friendliness, flexibility, and ease with the English language. No need to translate anything to the local dialect. Plus we also have child labor and environment laws. All in all, we still remain a very favorable investment haven despite the usual kinks, he declared.”

The ecozones Some government officials already feel that it is about time some incentives for FDIs, especially the foreign locators in economic zones, be reviewed thoroughly in order to prevent or limit certain alleged abuses such as duplication of factories and perpetual extension of benefits.

With over 380 economic zones operating nationwide under five categories, Plaza stressed that a vast majority of the 4,164 locator companies based in these zones would suffer financial setbacks that would eventually force them to close shop due to the disappearance of their buyers.

These five zone categories are classified into 74 industrial and export processing zones, 266 IT Parks and Centers, 19 Tourism Ecozones, two Medical Tourism Parks, and 22 Agro-Industrial Parks. These integrated ecozones are geared toward the creation of Smart Towns, Digital Cities, and New Metropolitan Areas.

Powerful committee births unease Speaking on the topic “Updates on PEZA and TRAIN 2” before the ECCP-Cebu chap-

ter, Plaza revealed that the TRAIN 2 (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion 2) created a powerful committee composed of the secretaries of the Department of Finance and the Department of Trade and Industry that can revoke the incentives of existing companies.

Dubbed the FIRB (Fiscal Incentive Regulatory Board), this committee was originally created to raise revenues for the administration’s infrastructure program.

But the FIRB also created unease and restlessness among the ecozone locators as its powers seem to supersede that of PEZA’s, therefore threatening its very survival.

Plaza revealed that she spoke up during Investors Night where she defended PEZA’s shining record of having produced trillions of pesos in revenue for the government since its creation in 1995 despite the national government giving it zero budget from the start.

She cited 2015 figures of PhP235.307 billion as the total estimated foregone revenues due to tax incentives given to PEZA companies. While the staggering figure of PhP1.33 trillion was presented as the total economic figure contributed by PEZA companies.

“This means that the total economic gain contributed by PEZA companies is 5.66 times bigger than the total estimated foregone revenue due to tax incentives given to PEZA companies,” she declared.

Glowing figures and decongesting cities Plaza also cited that the total amount of

industry purchases, which has risen from PhP265 billion in 2016 to PhP296 billion in 2017, translating to a 10.5 percent increase on a year-to-year basis.

Moreover, she pointed to glowing figures in PEZA’s 2015 report to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

This included PhP270.716 billion in salaries; PhP773.243 billion in exports; PhP6.507 billion total of five percent gross income tax paid; plus PhP1.994 trillion in total actual investments.

“The PEZA offers the highest investment incentives and remains to be the biggest spoiler of investors. We have also given PhP700 million or half of our net profit to the national treasury. We decongest Metro Manila and create new cities. Also, our economic programs have been proven to reduce crime and spread the wealth in the countryside,” Plaza added.

As an example, she pointed to the social progress brought about by the presence of Metro Manila and the CALABARZON (Calamba, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) region, which accounted for 56 percent of the country’s GDP. Surprisingly, she expressed belief that the TRAIN 2 will not be passed due to the 2019 elections. She iterated that the politicians need the support of their constituents and will do what they can to please the voters.

Then, there is also the proposed shift to federalism that requires massive attention and large-scale changes in the systems.

Taiwan denies drug accusations

L

ast month, the Taipei Economic Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines issued a statement expressing strong protest to recent reports by the Philippine media, which quoted unverified sources from relevant authorities who indicated that a shipment of illegal drugs seized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), containing shabu (crystal meth) worth PhP6.8 billion, originally came from Taiwan.

“These allegations are incorrect and inaccurate. We solemnly condemn the irresponsible news report,” the statement sternly said.

According to the TECO release, after learning the illegal drugs could have been transshipped in Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s Bureau of Customs and relevant law enforcement agencies have made immediate actions in validating and verifying all the pertinent documents and discovered that the first 500 kilos of shabu found on Aug. 7 was originally from Malaysia, and arrived in the Philippines on June 28 before being seized by Philippine authorities.

The second container found with four empty magnetic lifters that was investigated on Aug. 9 was originally shipped from Viet-

nam, and afterwards was transshipped in Kaohsiung, Taiwan before arriving in Manila.

TECO maintained that Taiwan has always been recognized by the international community for its determination and decisive actions against trafficking of narcotics.

The release adds that in the past four years, through the cooperation and intelligence sharing between Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice, Investigation Bureau, and their Philippine counterparts, the PDEA and PNP (Philippine National Police), more than 300 kilos of shabu and about 7,000 kilos of chemicals for producing the substance, amounting to almost PhP2 billion, have been seized.

“The aforementioned fact is not only a testament to the strong relationship between our respective agencies, but also demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to alleviate the growing cross-border drug problem. As a longtime friend and close neighbor, Taiwan is, and will always remain a strong partner to the Philippines and will continue to work hand in hand with the relevant law enforcement agencies in terms of proper communication and information sharing to stamp out drug trafficking.”

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

4 CEBU

Cebu airport closure advisory

By RICHARD RAMOS

Photo courtesy of INTEGRATED DESIGN ASSOCIATES (IDA).

F

rom Sept. 1 to 21, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) runway will be closed for overlay works from 1:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. as part of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority’s (MCIAA) runway rehabilitation plan.

GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), together with allied agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, is working in support of MCIAA to ensure that its rehabilitation efforts for the MCIA runway are completed within the published schedule.

The upcoming scheduled closure of the MCIA runway has already taken into consideration the effect that it will have on airline operations, which is why it has been reduced to five hours to balance the impact on domestic and international flights.

These closures have further emphasized the urgency of having a full parallel emergency runway that can operate while the main runway is shut down for maintenance or emergencies. When the plans are finalized, this infrastructure solution will soon be part of MCIA to provide the flying public with what is intended to be seamless first-world service.

For affected flights, passengers are advised to get in touch with their respective airlines before their travel dates to check the adjustments on their flight schedules. Passengers may also call MCIA’s hotline at (032) 494-7000 for further assistance.

Tourism boost With its spanking new international ter-

minal, the GMR-CAC committed to promoting Cebu as one entity in hopes of luring in more overseas flights and more international airlines.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte was the special guest of honor during the grand inauguration ceremonies of Terminal 2 held last July when he called the building “the most beautiful airport in the country.”

“We recently promoted Cebu in Japan in one of our missions. We know Cebu very well and she will continue to play an important role in our strong relationships with other airlines, tourism bodies, and destinations,” GMR-CAC President Louie Ferrer declared during the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Business Summit held at the Oakridge Pavilion in Mandaue City.

Japan was formerly Cebu’s top global tourist market in the 1970s to the 1990s owing to the presence of its resorts, golf courses, nightlife, and natural attractions.

Stranded passengers soothed Ferrer expressed satisfaction at the current airport traffic situation, as well as the lasting impression design elements from local artists and craftsmen like internationally renowned fashion designer Cary Santiago and world-class furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue have left on passengers.

With regard to the recent airport crisis situation in Manila stemming from the Xiamen Air plane that overshot the runway, it was learned that the airport management did everything possible to soothe the stranded passengers coming from several diverted flights as an aftermath of the accident that thoroughly disrupted flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

According to the GMRCAC president, passengers were provided food and hygiene kits, treated to free massages, serenaded by live singers, and ensured that they received frequent updates on their next flight to their destinations.

Next on the CebuMactan International Airport’s agenda will be the renovation of Terminal 1, the domestic structure that has already undergone a lot of changes in the past three years.

Ferrer’s next wish is for all airport services, operations, and personnel to be integrated under the GMRCAC umbrella in order to raise airport standards to even newer heights, increase efficiency in all aspects, and improve further on professionalism.

By RICHARD RAMOS

World Dancesport Federation (WDSF) Cebu Open 2018 and the 10th Dancesport sa Sugbu will take place on Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino. The whole-day event will cover 19 categories that include the university/ school teacher and student event and the corporate event. Competing couples will be coming from Australia, Germany, Japan, Mongolia, Korea, Russia, and Vietnam. International adjudicators include representatives from Italy, Portugal, Russia, Mongolia, and eight Asian nations.

Tickets are priced at PhP1,000, PhP500, and PhP200. For more details, contact Jenette Flores at (032) 260-1850; (0923) 563-9110; (0956) 722-0010; dancesportcebu@gmail.com and www.dancesportcebu.org.

Bb. Cebu 2018, featuring 80 candidates representing the 44 towns and nine cities of Cebu, will hold its swimwear pre-pageant gala dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. at the Mandani Bay Tent, North Reclamation Area. Two new categories, Bb. Cebu Heritage and Bb. Cebu Ecology, have been added along with PhP175,000 in total cash prizes. Future Bb. Cebu events are the pre-pageant interview at the Mandani Bay Tent on Sunday, Oct. 14; and the coronation night on Friday, Oct. 19, at the Waterfront Lahug. Top three winners receive a total of PhP1 million in cash and PhP450,000 in kind.

Lead organizers are the Bb. Sugbu Charity Foundation and the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation, Inc. led by its president, Kenneth Lim. Kohler Kitchen and Bath Group opened its 51st showroom nationwide, the latest of which is located at the Filmon Finishing Studio in Molave St., Lahug.

The venue showcases Kohler’s extensive range of kitchen and bath products including its latest innovative products in intelligent faucets, bidet seats, whirlpools, showers and PVD Vibrant Finishing faucets. The company celebrated its 145th year of heritage as a global leader in its field, with special guest Angel Yang – president of Kohler Kitchen and Bath Group of Asia Pacific. Event highlight was the presentation of the Sensis Intelligent Toilet with its one-click sanitation button activating the E-water and UV light functions to clean the toilet and wand to provide unparalleled hygiene.

Volkswagen Cebu recently hosted “trashe,” a plastic and trash awareness anniversary event organized by Phoneography Cebu, and the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesEnvironment Management Board 7 (DENR-EMB). Speakers included Hanz Coquilla, who dwelt on the waste generated by the fashion industry, Victor Kintanar who spoke on photography, and Albert Pedrosa who shared his passion about fashion photography. A special highlight was a fashion show showcasing indigenous clothing.

Soline Publishing Co., Inc. will present

a coffee table book about Lapu-Lapu dubbed “Taytayan” (bridge). According to Hembler Mendoza, Lapu-Lapu City tourism officer, the book will tackle subjects such as the city itself, old families, chosen Mactan Export Processing Zone companies, advertorials, cuisine, and of course, the historic Filipino chieftain.

Target launch date is on Nov. 15 in the midst of a three-day tourism expo featuring Lapu-Lapu souvenir items, among others. “Taytayan,” which will be limited to 1,000 printed copies is priced at PhP1,500. Part of the sales proceeds will finance the operations of the tourism office, and an upcoming Wildlife Festival at a bird and marine sanctuary at Olango Island to be held sometime next year.

Project CORAL (Cebu’s Oceans Rescued and Loved) in relation with the National Clean Up Day will take place on Sept. 15 at the northern town of Luyang, Carmen. Volunteers composed of divers and foot patrols will collect rubbish along the coastline and reefs of Po-po and Bantigue. The activity supports the national government’s objective of being environmentally conscious in thought, word, and deed. Interested parties can meet at Caltex Banilad at 5 a.m. on Sept.

15 for the hour-long ride to the Carmen pier. Clean-up activities are from 7 to 11 a.m., followed by shower and lunch. Divers are advised not to wear sunscreen or lotions since this can harm the corals.

For more info, contact Raine Baljak (Ms. Cebu 2016) at (0920) 519-2276 or Karlo Soriano at (0927) 297-7329; e-mail rainevalkyrie@gmail.com.

Urchoice Bistro Café, located along A. Morales St., Kamputhaw, recently welcomed the Cebuano community with a wide array of their authentic homecooked Italian and Mediterranean dishes.

Their cooking style which they playfully call “Itanoy,” short for Italianong Pinoy.

The colorful menu features a wide array of pizza, pasta, grilled items, salads, desserts, and coffee. Servings sizes are generous, prices are just about right. A bright spot is the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HAACPS) to their food preparation, thus assuring the diner of top-quality dishes.

Unilever Food Solutions recently held the Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Twist Year II at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel with five local cooks and their specialties in tow. Also present were three homegrown culinary talents—Chad Alao and his Sinampalokang Adobong Manok (Tamarind Adobo Chicken); Junrey Remiter – Cebu Stuffed Chicken Adobo with atsuete quail egg fried rice. Nico Joson ran away with the PhP100,000 cash prize for his rendition of the Adobecque. He also got the chance to attend the UFS Chefmanship Academy. Other entries included Wyreen Alarcon’s Chicharong Bulaklak in Kare-Kare Sauce (the media favorite), and Arlyn Conanan’s Bulalo with Coconut Cream.

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

FEATURES 5

How to make your move less emotional for your family

By ALLIED PICKFORDS

W

hen moving to the Philippines, many expats are drawn in by the hospitable nature of their new work colleagues, with the locals priding themselves on their welcoming attitude.

Along with the pervading national friendliness, it is not hard to fall in love with the scenic beaches, balmy tropical weather, casual urban lifestyle and cheap cost of living.

While traveling from one country to another for work can be exciting for many of us, it is not so easy when you are relocating with your family.

International moves can take the largest toll on kids, with culture shock being one of the biggest issues. Children may have a hard time coping with the language barrier, adapting to their new environment and transitioning to a completely different lifestyle.

Making your move less emotional for kids When it comes to relocating with your family to the Philippines, open communication is essential. Keeping your kids upto-date and involved in the moving process can help ease their emotional anxiety.

Here are 6 tips on how to make it easier for the children: 1. Inform your children early Children may be particularly emotional when it comes to leaving their friends behind so informing them early can help them prepare for any separation anxiety.

Explain why you are moving in a simple and precise manner and try to list the benefits of the new move.

2. Allow your kids to be sad Although it is reasonable for them to feel upset and powerless in the decisions over their future, parents should make sure that they patiently guide their children through the emotional struggle. Allowing them to feel their emotions then move on naturally can have a huge impact during the transition.

3. Talk to them about the advantages of relocating The stress of relocating can have a different effect on each child. To help them cope with the change, it is essential that parents talk to their kids about the advantages associated with the international relocation. Suggest some new adventures to look forward to, such as kid-friendly places you can visit during summer in the Philippines. Discuss what they expect from their new school experiences and show them pictures of their new neighborhood so they can familiarize themselves with the locality.

4. Involve them in the process of moving Involving your children in the process of relocating can help ease the emotional baggage by keeping their minds busy. As they have most likely spent a great deal of time in your current home, it is a great chance to declutter, set aside the clothes they’ve outgrown to give to charity or compile any old mememtos that you want to keep for years to come.

As well, it is advisable to support and encourage your kids’ opinions and assess their point of view. Acknowledge the fact that they are being a great help.

5. Give them opportunities to make friends Accompany your kids to a local clubhouse, to the park or check out any exciting events that are occurring around Manila.

Acquaint them with other children in the neighborhood. Take short walks so they can familiarize themselves with their local area to help them get used to the environment.

6. Connect frequently with relatives and loved ones Technology is very helpful when it comes to connecting friends and family

around the globe. Set aside regular times for your children to communicate with their friends through video calling and using smartphone apps to help to allow them to maintain familiar relationships at home.

Generally, Filipinos are family-oriented and reserve a warm welcome for expats, so if you’re open and friendly yourself and mention you have children in your workplace, you could soon find yourself invited to family-related work gatherings, which will go a great way to helping your children – and you - assimilate.

Photo courtesy of Expat Living HK

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

6 GRUB HUB

BEYOND LECHON

YOUR LOCAL GUIDE The Philippines’ forum for international readers since 1981

Murray Hertz Founding Publisher (1928-2014) Butch C. Bonsol President & Managing Director Vernon Prieto Associate Publisher Timothy Jay Araneta Ibay Editor-in-Chief Richard A. Ramos (Cebu) Via Baroma Staff Writers Angie Duarte Writer-at-Large Nikki Habana Macjanry Imperio Design & Layout Leah Egamino-Palaña Sales & Advertising Executive Fevelyn Bucio Admin and Accounting Vicky Soto Sales & Advertising Officer

Rico’s Lechon’s Manila arrival proves that when it comes to indulgence, their lechon is just the tip.

Words and photos by VIA BAROMA

R

ico’s Lechon’s long awaited Manila debut, and the arrival of its famed cooks and roasting team from Cebu was met with lip-smacking anticipation at the unveiling of its branch at The Fort Strip, BGC. Any visit to Rico’s will most likely see their renowned lechon (roasted pig) take center stage. For the uninitiated, sample their Original Lechon – a no frills approach to the sinful dish, cooked with tomatoes, lemongrass, leeks, ginger, calamansi, and spices – highlighted of course by its crispy skin.

For a little more kick, indulge in their Spicy Lechon ¬– it has all the goodness of the Cebuano lechon magic, just involving a bit more sweating from your end.

Just a note, any dish you pick off the menu can be amplified by their special homemade sauce – Sukalami.

Expat recommends But while Rico’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside lechon will always be their calling card, the menu is chock-full of equally delightful Filipino favorites. The Fried Rice Trio, for one, is made with three kinds

of dried fish (danggit, tuyo, and tinapa) and is a great complement to whichever lechon you choose.

Dishes that could either stand alone or be part of a feast include, the Seafood Kare-Kare (stew made with thick, savory peanut sauce), Crispy Feetchon (you guessed right, pork knuckles), Sizzling Lechon Sisig (double the sin, double the goodness), Pusit na Pinaputok (squid), and Lechon Humba (a commingling of Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino cuisine), among a host of other Pinoy classics.

For non-pork dishes, try their Chicken In-

asal (chargrilled chicken) or the Sizzling Tanigue (grilled Spanish mackerel). And for some greens, their Chopseuy and Gising-Gising (green beans and ground pork in coconut milk) should add a bit of balance to the feast.

For return trips, sample the Bam-i (Cebu’s native noodle dish) and its distinct blend of canton (egg noodles), sotanghon (glass vermicelli noodles), pork, and lots of veggies and spices; Sinigang na Baboy (classic Filipino sour pork stew); and the Dinuguan (pork and pork offal in rich, spicy, blood stew - trust us, you’ll love it).

Rico’s will soon be invading the rest of the metro with branches set to open in Tiendesitas (Pasig), Top of the Glo in Glorietta (Makati), and Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, and U.P. Town Center in Quezon City.

For more information, contact Rico’s Lechon BGC at (0917) 844-7067; Rico’s Lechon Mactan at (0917) 111-3000, (032) 402-0845, or (032) 383-1498; and Rico’s Talamban (0917) 102-7553.

Our Headquarters: Unit 305 Cristina Condominium, 143 Legaspi cor. V.A. Rufino Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City Our telephone numbers: (+632) 840-2996 or (+632) 812-0987 You can also reach us at: expatmag@gmail.com

Dinuguan Special

The mouthwatering Sizzling Lechon Sisig

Sizzling Tanigue

and for sales and advertising: expatcomsales@gmail.com Cebu Mailing Address: MJ. Cuenco Avenue cor. C. Mina St., Mabolo, Cebu City Telefax: (032) 412-8000 Statements, views and opinions expressed by the writers, contributors, and advertisers are their own and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher or the management.

The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.

Discover the Philippines with The Oriental Having you covered whether you’re looking to enjoy Manila’s cultural and historical wonders right outside your doorstep, or are searching for adventures away from the urban haze, is The Oriental Hotels and Resorts’ promise. And with properties set by some of the country’s most iconic sights – the Walled City of Intramuros in Manila, the Taal Lake in Tagaytay, and the always enchanting Mt. Mayon in Legazpi, Albay—they may just be right.

It also seems that they’re just getting started. Apart from properties in Bataan, and Leyte, they’re looking to expand further in places like Pagsanjan in Laguna, Tikling Island in Sorsogon, and Banaue in the mountain province of Ifugao, meaning exploring the country can begin and end with The Oriental.

“Aside from expanding, we also want people to discover unknown places. Sometimes we’ll be expanding in places that not a lot of people know about,” The Oriental Hotels & Resorts CEO Abigail Lee said.

September treats at The Heritage Hotel Manila In celebration of Malaysia Day, The Heritage’s Riviera Café is featuring one of the country’s favorite dishes—the Hainanese Chicken Rice. The complete meal (poached chicken, flavored rice, and chicken broth soup with scallion ginger sauce and homemade chili dip) is available ala carte for PhP500.

For some after work or weekend hangout sessions with the gang, their Beers n’ Cheers promo offers a free bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen and a savory pica-pica (your choice of Hawaiian or Pepperoni Pizza, Malaysian Chicken Satay, or Pork Sisig) for every five bottles of beer ordered (PhP999). Meanwhile, the Gran Tierra Wines (either red or white) goes for PhP395 per glass.

The Oriental Hotels & Resorts’ Swagman Hotel is located at 411 A. Flores St. Ermita, Manila; for more information, call (02) 536-1111 loc.

206 and 207 or (02) 536-9999; or visit www.theorientalhotels.com

The Oriental Luxury Suites Tagaytay

View of Mayon Volcano from The Oriental Legazpi

Mango Jack-o Smoothie

Deepest Darkest Cheesecake

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

GRUB HUB 7

CULTURAL LIBATION EXCHANGE

Step into Run Rabbit Run’s cocktail den, and indulge in its whimsical escape

By TIMOTHY JAY IBAY

T

he continued gentrification of Poblacion has resulted in a thriving, constantly evolving community where the uber hip, and utterly creative (and those that fall somewhere in between) convene – resulting in a neighborhood where everyone’s looking to stand out, whilst also fitting in.

This juxtaposition might well then be embodied in Run Rabbit Run’s (RRR) façade.

Fresh white paint trying its best to go unnoticed despite such a coat having no chance to last against the metro’s pollution; and eyecatching red doors, as inviting as they are intimidating.

At night, a massive “bouncer” who would otherwise encourage good behavior from even the most inebriated bros, serves as a hulking friendly invite into one of the newest doors in town.

And from the outside, RRR tries to maintain the charm of rustic Makati – with a residential home repurposed into a rabbit hole that’s part old Poblacion homage – while the doors open into an artsy speakeasy.

2

Cultural exchange RRR laconically describes itself as a neighborhood cocktail bar serving a selection of the finest pre-prohibition libations, to avant-garde, modern classics. But as with any “rabbit hole,” there’s more to it than that.

“We didn’t just want to serve excellent drinks, but a memorable experience through their cocktails,” RRR Philippine partner Michael Hearn tells Expat.

And this is where the cultural exchange through libation comes in. A collaboration with popular Singaporean bar Bitters and Love, RRR infuses various elements from the two countries’ heritage into their drinks, which not only add distinct layers of flavors, but stories to the concoctions.

The Chillin’ Like a Villainw, for example, is a gin-based cocktail with hints of peach that balances the sensual experience between fruity and floral by garnishing it with Sampaguita—the Philippine national flower.

“We wanted to create drinks with flavors

Off with Their Heads

1

people can relate to – creating memories and stories guests can bring back home,” explains Singaporean partner Ernest Goh. Then there’s the plainly named Kaya Toastq—a signature cocktail from Bitters and Love, it’s designed to be an homage to Singapore’s breakfast staple. Served with toast wedges with a scoop of kaya (pandan) jam, it’s ideal as a dessert cocktail.

Storytellers And just as the drinks have stories to tell, there’s one to be found in nearly every corner of RRR. Each of the pieces of furniture (even small details like cupboard handles) was handpicked from different stores across Metro Manila – in places like Dapitan, Evangelista, and Cubao – an excursion that not only gave RRR conversation eliciting design pieces, but also served as the Singaporean partners’ immersion into the character of this bustling megacity.

“We wanted to create a homey closet space where people can escape their reali-

Papa Buko

ties,” says Hearn.

Events and Marketing Director Fiona Fernandez calls it a whimsical capsule where clocks don’t exist, and friends are made—as much a place for stories as it is for frivolousness – depending on the night’s theme.

RRR’s cocktails were to designed to be easy to down, perfectly complementing the speakeasy’s steady vibe. But if you’re not careful, it might you deeper into an unexpected rabbit hole.

Meanwhile, for those who’d prefer to skip the cocktail’s theatrics, there are Engkanto brews on tap, along with a healthy selection of liquors and spirits.

Brave into the magical red door, and indulge in RRR’s whimsical escape.

RRR is located at 4991 P. Guanzon St., Poblacion, Makati, and is open Monday to Wednesday 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Thursday to Saturday 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. For more information, contact (0908) 897-0668, or visit www. runrabbit.run

Mr. Truffles

Is this Poblacion’s best-kept secret?

With its location, quality of offerings, and price point Taperia Poblacion should be your neighborhood go-to

By TIMOTHY JAY IBAY

A

third of renowned Chef in olive oil and garlic instead of Ariel Manuel’s foray liquid seasoning). And while into the continua quick look at the menu ally evolving Poblacion may suggest a leaning toscene, Taperia Powards authentic Spanblacion has largely ish tapas, it’s not what remained under the Taperia is, nor what it radar in its two years strives to be. of existence, albeit Instead, Taperia undeservedly so. harkens back to a Considering the time when life took on location, price point, a slower pace, allowing and the quality of offor more enjoyment of ferings those in the know the finer things – and takGambas with Almonds have come to expect from ing the time to prepare those any Chef Ariel brand, it escapes delicately fine things. And that’s me why Taperia has continued to sit by exactly what happens in the kitchen. the shadows of its more ostentatious brethren.

Perhaps it’s the inconspicuous building, Expat recommends Chef Ariel’s marketing disinclination, or just Start things off with the Fried Jamon and an aesthetic lack of hipness often more impor- Manchego Cheese (P60/piece) – highly addictant to Poblacion denizens. tive, the flamed manchego cheese that wraps Whichever the case may be, they’re sorely the delicately fried jamon is the perfect canapé missing out. to kickstart your Taperia experience.

You could also double up with the Smoked Taking a step back for the finer things Salmon and Egg Pimiento (P55/piece) to perAn idea born from his Spanish holiday fectly set your palate as you move up Chef hangover a couple of years back, and first lit in Ariel’s curated Taperia menu. a tapas venture in Alabang, Taperia’s straightThe Pugon Lechon (PhP415 – brick oven forward tapas-pintxos-callos formula is part roasted pork belly) is referred to by some as of Chef Ariel’s entry into a phase of his career the house specialty, although it’s easy to think where the idea is to allow people to be able to it’s just one of many. afford fine food.

A personal favorite is the Arroz en su Tinta Anyone who’s dined at a Chef Ariel Ma- (PhP440 – squid, shrimps, mussels and scalnuel establishment would know that superb lops) – Chef Ariel refuses to call it paella, but quality and preparation is to be expected (as when it’s done this well, semantics matter not. is showcased in Taperia’s Gambas – cooked Taperia Poblacion is one of those dining

establishments that allow you to pick anything off the menu and absolutely not go wrong, blindfolded or not – as whether you order the Lamb Aceitunas (PhP425 – Lamb Breast with Tapenade), Gambas with Almonds (PhP395 – Pimenton Shrimps in Garlic and Olive Oil), Sopa de Lentijas (PhP195 – Pugon Lechon, Jamon, Chorizo, and Chicharon) – everything’s guaranteed to hit the spot; and feasted on collectively, results in a dining experience that births plans for a return visit.

There’s an easy vibe in Taperia typically absent in dining outfits that serve food this good, proven by the fact that ordering off the three menus (The Sippery, and Bistro Manuel) is no problem.

If you’re the type whose intention for heading to the area is for a “Pob Crawl,” Taperia and its kin, The Sippery, make for an ideal pregame venue. Perhaps the most affordable San Miguel Beer in Poblacion, it’s also home to a slew of beer grub crafted by Chef Ariel.

Add to that the friendly price points, and you’re bound to head upstairs to personally extend your compliments to the chef.

Taperia Poblacion is located at Six Axis Center, 4347 B. Valdez St., Poblacion Makati.

For more information, contact (02) 871-8566.

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

8 TRAVEL

Sweet returns and sad bye-byes

Discover the myriad of sights to be enjoyed in Leyte, and why it always entices promises of a return Words and photos by BERNARD L SUPETRAN

G

en. Douglas MacArthur is rumored to have fulfilled his “I Shall Return” promise via the Pacific province of Leyte during World War II not just for its military significance, but because of its charm – a place where he felt he can linger a little bit longer after kicking out the Japanese. This 74-year-old story could have been an urban legend, but the undisputable fact is that this coastal Visayan idyll is worth returning to, for reasons that go far beyond the larger-than-life bronze tableau that memorializes the historic 1944 Leyte Gulf Landings.

While the postcard-pretty war memorial is a must-see for every visitor to Leyte, it is best to explore beyond it to discover the province’s bucolic charm.

Battle lines Just a few minutes away from the MacArthur Park is the neo-gothic Palo Metropolitan Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese, and host of Pope Francis in 2015.

Restored to its former glory after being damaged by super typhoon Yolanda, the church is home to a rare Good Friday rite called the tais dupol, a group of barefoot penitents who don Spanish-style conical “dunce” hats and masks.

More than an hour away further west is Ormoc, a port city that can be reached via the telltale “Yamashita Lines,” a 50-kilometer national road, which saw the most hardfought battles between Allied and Japanese troops during the war. Japanese veterans and their descendants occasionally retrace these roads to pay tribute to the fallen Imperial warriors.

The city boasts of a hidden natural wonder—Danao Lake, a scenic and placid guitarshaped mountaintop lake that has become a go-to place for rafting, kayaking, boating and other eco-tourism recreational activities. It is also noted for the Formosa pineapple, the

tion in Eastern Visayas based on data from the Department of Tourism.

Baybay City's 16,000 Blossoms Park

sweet-tasting variety of the fruit.

The neighboring municipality of Albuera is a worthy pit stop thanks to Sibugay Mountain Resort, a recreational and adventure park located in the mountain’s bosom.

It has a swimming pool, picnic gazebos, a small river dam, and a 270-meter zipline that provides a thrilling panorama above the lush greeneries.

Growing devotion But perhaps Leyte’s best-kept secret is Baybay City, an emerging a heritage, farm and religious destination away from the madding crowd. Its spic-and-span poblacion area takes pride in its heritage lane, where you can visit colonial-era homes and the Spanish-era Immaculate Conception Church that still proudly stands despite having withstood the ravages of time.

A current hotspot

is the Lintaon Peak, Baybay’s highest point whose main come-on is 16,000 Blossoms Park, which lights up evenings with thousands of mesmerizing red and white LED light flowers spelling “I Love Baybay.” Developed by the city government into a mixeduse eco-park, this promontory offers a commanding view of the settlements and islands in the Camotes Sea. The Diocesan Shrine of San Antonio de Padua in Pomponan village lures Catholic pilgrims from all over the Visayas to venerate the century-old image of the saint every 13th of the month, an act of religious devotion starting the eve of. Devotees perform a liturgical dance called sirong, a show of gratitude for the miraculous healing of illnesses attributed to the saint’s intercession.

The parish church receives over 300,000 devotees annually, and ranks as the top cultural attrac-

Baybay smorgasbord Beach bums will be delighted with Baybay’s vast expanse of sleepy shores, the longest stretch in this side of the province. It is far from the talcum white sands of the Instagrammable ilk, yet the serenity and kaleidoscopic sunset it offers will take you back to the nostalgic days of lazing in the troika of sun, sea and sand.

Motorists, riders and cyclists will be thrilled by the newly-opened panoramic diversion road that cut through the hills, bypassing the downtown area. Situated along a fringe barangay, the vicinity of the undulating five-kilometer four-lane road is being eyed as the site of a new government center because of its spacious location.

And when it is time to settle down, you can feast on the city’s sought-after charcoalroasted chicken, perhaps the most tender barbecue you can sink your teeth into—a favorite of both the hoi polloi and the wellheeled.

For a truly countryside interlude, you can lay your head at the Visayas State University, which offers comfy and no-frills beach cottages that have hosted countless VIPs. Guests can also be toured around the sprawling agricultural campus to rekindle their relationship with the earth as farmers.

The school is also being groomed as a showcase for sustainable agriculture and farm tourism, a growing trend in the country’s tourism sector.

Beyond Baybay, there is a virtual infinity of sights to explore, depending on the time and money you wish to spend. Whether it be a road loop of the whole province or a sampling of select pit stops, the destinations make bye-byes sad thing to utter and makes a MacArthur-style vow of “I shall return” inevitable.

Barbecue and puso in Baybay City

Ancestral house at Baybay Heritage Lane

Lake Danao Natural Park in Ormoc

Visayas State University

Sibugay Mountain Resort zipline

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

IN FOCUS 9

Breeding tuna in the Philippines And the movement for more sustainable alternatives

By JONAH VAN BEIJNEN (MSc), Best Alternatives Campaign Proponent

T

una are large predatory pelagic fish that swim through the seas of the world. In terms of value and volume, they are some of the most important species for the Philippine fisheries sector.

The most commonly caught species include Skipjack, Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna – taken using a variety of gear ranging from purse seine nets to circular handline reels. Tuna provide excellent income for fisherfolk and fishing companies, while generating thousands of jobs in vessels, canneries and other parts of the supply chain.

Because of their high value in local and international sushi restaurants, many fishers focus on catching Yel- l o w f i n Tuna (Thunnus albacares). However, in recent years the rising number of fishers a n d large fishing ves- sels targeting these fish have depleted stocks, putting the livelihoods of Pinoy fishers and other tuna sector workers at risk. Besides promoting sustainable systems like handline fisheries, limiting fishing effort and improving enforcement, closed cycle aquaculture or breeding tuna can be a #BestAlternative – especially for the Philippines.

Why closed-cycle aquaculture?

Owing to technical difficulties, most aquaculturists still think producing captive-bred tuna from eggs is impossible – but much has changed in recent years.

In Europe and Japan, the culture of tuna started many years ago with fattening operations. Here, special purse seiners target wild juvenile and sub-adult tuna, which are carefully caught and towed back to special fattening farms.

Upon arrival, these tuna are transferred to large floating cages where they are fattened to attain better marketable sizes and to improve the fat percentage of their meat. Fatter tuna fetch higher prices.

Since pellet feeds for tuna are still under development in Europe, fresh fish like sardines and mackerel are used as feed. The feed conversion ratio of fresh fish fed to these tuna is not yet very efficient and approximately 15 to 20 kilograms of other fish is used to produce one kilogram of tuna.

About 10 years ago, with the number of fattening operations rising and most tuna stocks overfished or fished close to their maximum sustainable yields, a number of governments, nonprofits and

other stakeholders expressed their concerns about the sustainability of these farming practices.

This eventually drove the European Union and Japanese governments to steer their aquaculture sectors away from fattening wild-caught juvenile fish and instead invest in developing technology for the sustainable closed-cycle aquaculture of tuna.

Pacific rise Today hatchery projects for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) are already operating in Spain, Malta, Greece, Croatia, Egypt and Turkey. Since 2014, many of these projects have successfully produced small quantities of fingerlings and some harvestable fish.

The first tuna products from these efforts are already available in the Netherlands.

In Japan, scientists have been working hard to close the lifecycle of the closely related Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis), a species which is also found in the Philippines, especially around the recently-protected Philippine Rise, east of Luzon. After many years of trial and error, approximately 20 hatchery facilities are now producing Pacific Bluefin Tuna with an average survival rate estimated from three to five percent.

In 2016, these hatcheries together produced an incredible 500,000 fingerlings! The sales from grow-out operations using hatchery-produced Pacific Bluefin Tuna have lifted off as well, with 900 metric tons of sales in 2016 and over 1000 metric tons of sales in 2017 – thereby proving beyond a doubt that the closed-cycle aquaculture of Bluefin Tuna is viable, profitable and an excellent alternative to wild-capture fisheries.

In the meantime, two projects in Panama (South America) and Bali (Indonesia) have been focusing their efforts on Yellowfin Tuna. Both projects have been able to produce plenty of eggs in captivity and some fingerlings. Although there are still plenty of remaining challenges in improving the survival of tuna larvae and fingerlings, improving the sustainability of feeds and minimizing the environmental impacts of farming activities, the potential of the sector is clear.

Yellowfin movement The Philippines, with many islands and surrounding calm and productive waters, sits at the center of the natu-

About Best Alternatives campaign Founded by environmentalist Gregg Yan in 2014, the Best Alternatives Campaign is an environmental communications think-tank, which publicizes sustainable and profitable solutions to meet a host of ecological challenges – ranging from better ways to generate renewable energy to best practices for the seafood industry.

For more information, contact BestAlternativesCampaign@gmail.com.

About the author Jonah van Beijnen believes that sustainable production and consumption of seafood is the key to ensuring a better world for all people. Ten years ago, he co-founded Fins and Leaves to develop and successfully market one of the Philippines’ first grouper (Lapu-Lapu) hatcheries. Now based in Spain and a Best Alternatives Campaign proponent, he continues to assist nonprofits, corporations and governments in improving the sustainability of their fisheries and aquaculture operations, focusing on high-value species like grouper and tuna.

For more information, contact jonah@vb-consultancy.com or see his work on Researchgate. ral spawning grounds of wild Yellowfin Tuna. Juvenile tuna love these warm and calm waters, teeming with food.

This might just give the Philippines a big advantage in the future closed cycle culture of Yellowfin Tuna.

The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has also realized the potential of tuna aquaculture. On 11 July 2018, they released a statement that the Bureau of Fisheries will collaborate with the Japanese government to start Yellowfin Tuna fattening operations in Samar, where juvenile tuna will be gathered from spawning grounds in municipal waters for farming.

This is an innovative and hands-on move by BFAR. However, with Yellowfin Tuna stocks in the Philippines and Western Pacific Ocean already under severe pressure, collecting wild juvenile tuna from spawning grounds might not be the most sustainable approach.

The same approach has been tried with groupers and lobster, where undersized individuals were caught for fattening purposes – and both practices resulted in a population collapse.

Since the Japanese are already producing hundreds of thousands of hatchery-bred juvenile tuna, perhaps the Japanese government can be requested to focus on the closed-cycle aquaculture of Yellowfin Tuna in their collaboration with BFAR instead.

As an alternative to catching undersized tuna, the Japanese could for example build a hatchery and farming research center for Yellowfin Tuna in Samar and share their knowledge on how to culture tuna from eggs with Filipino aquaculturists.

In doing so, they will capacitate Filipinos, create a truly sustainable aquaculture sector for Samar and many other island provinces, and let locals truly benefit from their investment.

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

10 EVENTS

SG53

We are Singapore Words and photos by VIA BAROMA

S

ingapore showcased its country’s achievements, as its embassy in Manila hosted a colorful affair last Aug. 8 at The Ballroom of Raffles and Fairmont Hotel for the celebration of its 53rd National Day. Dubbed “We Are Singapore,” the festivity highlights a pledge of unity and togetherness among diverse cultures. “We” in this year’s theme emphasizes the collective, regardless of their origins and wherever they currently are – a vow that Singapore is their way of life and will always be their home.

Among those in attendance were essential people in the political, economic and diplomatic field. The well-attended affair was hosted by outgoing Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng, who was joined at the event’s opening ceremonies by their guest of honor, Philippine Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo Montealegre, and Dean of the Philippine Diplomatic Corps Reverend Gabriele Giordano

Caccia.

The Philippines and Singapore established full diplomatic relations on May 1969, when the Philippine consulate-general in Singapore was raised to embassy level. Both countries are founding fathers of the Asean.

“Rest assured, I think bilateral relation is pretty good. I’m confident that next year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our friendship, ties will become even stronger.

And this is because we both are fellow Asean members, we both love food, we both love music, and we love each other,” Ambassador Kok Li Peng beamed.

For more than 50 years, Singapore has defied odds by becoming one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Li Peng credited their economic success to their founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, adding that her generation and generations after have and will continue to benefit from the labor and discipline of Singapore’s older generation.

Panamanian Ambassador Rolando A. Guevara Alvarado, Togo Consul Evie Costa, Ambassador (Ret.) Mme. Lizia Lu, and Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma

Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Dutch Ambassador Marion Derckx, and spouse, Jozef Ijzermans

Raffles Makati Managing Director David Batchelor, Venezuelan Ambassador Capaya Rodriguez Gonzalez, and Colombian Ambassador Victor Hugo Echeverri Jaramillo

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Meynardo Montealegre; Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng, and Dean of the Philippine Diplomatic Corps Reverend Gabriele Giordano Caccia share a toast

Austrian Ambassador Bita Rasoulian and Ret. Panamanian Ambassador to Vietnam Lizia Lu

Bruneian Ambassador Johariah Wahab, Turkish Ambassador Esra Cankorur, and Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma

Libby Aulsfoid, International Rice Research Institute Director General Matthew Morell, and Katie O' Bryan

First Secretary- Fraud Prevention Manager Leon W. Gendin and Chief, American Citizen Services Tonya W. Gendin of the US Embassy

Swedish Deputy Head of Mission Lennart Jansson and his wife

Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng and Panamanian Ambassador Rolando A. Guevara Alvarado

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

EVENTS 11

More than glitz and glamour

T

he much-awaited Best Dressed Women of the Philippines (BDWP) season is officially in full swing with the Afternoon Tea held at Okada Manila. A joint effort between Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), led by chairman Antonio Ma. J. Guerrero, vice chairman Jose Sandejas and trustee Dr. Kelly Salvador, alongside the indefatigable BDWP team headed by event chairperson Angola consul Helen Ong with the selection and organizing committee composed of your columnist as adviser, project head Roselle Rebano, and member Mabel Abaño, the event introduced the 2018 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines style icons Yoli Ayson and Darlene Ardeña Go, and awardees Joy Jabile-Ejercito, Maru Go, Mandaluyong City representative Queenie Gonzales, Malou Tamayo Martinez, jewelry designer Tim Tam Ong, Merci Poblador Padolina, Bettina Nicole Reyes, Malabon City vice mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Krisha Almeda-Sia, Mary Carla Christine Reyes-Sia, Jasslyn Joanne Tan, Michelle Copok Tan, Dr. Mary Jane “MJ” Torres, DIWA Partylist representative Emmeline Aglipay Villar and Faith Valerinne Tan Wee. Also present in the afternoon tea were the supportive 2018 Ambassadors for Life Carmen Afzelius, Marcott Almeda, Annabel Braganza, Flora and Sheree Chua, Ruby Chua, Ningning de Ocampo, Jennie Diaz, Lynette Guzman, Connie Haw, Nina Paula Ng, Baby Tan, Ofelia Wadle and Agile Zamora. Now in its fifteenth year, the glitz-and-glamour BDWP events are organized to raise funds for the benefit of the PCS, which has been at the forefront of research to raise cancer awareness in the country for more than 50 years now.

Congratulations to the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines and to the Philippine Cancer Society for a successful Afternoon Tea! The Best Dressed Women of the Philippines will hold its 15th Annual Awards Ball on September 20 at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila.

2018 BDWP awardees Krisha Almeda-Sia, Jasslyn Joanne Tan and Michelle Copok Tan

Okada Manila’s Cielo Reboredo and Julius Santos (Seated) Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) chairman Antonio Ma. J. Guerrero and executive director Dr. Rachael Marie Rosario and Best Dressed Women of the Philippines (BDWP) event chairperson Angola consul Helen Ong with (standing) BDWP selection and organizing committee members Tanzania consul Betty Chua and Jayelles’ Roselle Rebano, PCS trustee Dr. Kelly Salvador and BDWP adviser your columnist

2018 Style Icons Yoli Ayson and Darlene Ardeña Go

BDWP selection and organizing committee member Mabel Abaño with 2018 Ambassador for Life Marcott Almeda

2018 BDWP awardees Faith Valerinne Tan Wee, Mary Carla Christine Reyes-Sia and DIWA Partylist representative Emmeline Aglipay Villar

2018 BDWP awardees Malabon City vice mayor Jeannie Sandoval and Mandaluyong City representative Queenie Gonzales

2018 BDWP awardees Merci Poblador Padolina, Malou Tamayo Martinez and Dr. Mary Jane “MJ” Torres

2018 BDWP awardees Joy Jabile-Ejercito and Tim Tam Ong

2018 Ambassador for Life Ofelia Wadle

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

12 CLASSIFIED ADS FURNITURES

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151A way St., Tel: Cell:

We are at 123 Rada cor.

Legazpi Sts., Legazpi Village, Makati City (632) 812-6062 www.unionchurch.ph Facebook: Union Church of Manila Like Page

DR. SEBASTIAN A. ALTAMIRANO

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12:30 pm Contemporary with Communion Children's Sunday School: (for kids grades 1-6) 8:30 am ; 10:30 am ; 12: 30 pm Youth Service: (for grades 7 - 12) 10:30 am - 12 noon

Physician’s Tower 533 U.N. Ave. Manila 524-7287/5214962/ (0908) 5575726

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Unit 305 Cristina Condominium, 143 Legaspi cor.

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SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

WHAT'S ON 13

Compiled by VIA BAROMA

LIVE PERFORMANCES

F&B

• Mamma Mia!

• European Culinary Week

Sept. 29 to Oct. 16; The Theatre at Solaire, 1 Aseana Ave., Entertainment City, Paranaque; for more information, visit www.mamma-mia. com, www.ticketworld.com.ph or call (02) 891-9999

Sept. 10 and 12 at Grand Hyatt Manila, BGC; Sept. 14 to 16 at Crimson Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu; for more information, contact Marga Silva at marga.silva@epbn.ph or call (02) 832-8121

The smash hit musical sets its sails back to Philippine shores!

Join the ultimate feel-good show Mamma Mia! – the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating show. Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget.

This irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world and now the International Tour returns to Manila.

For Weekdays, tickets are priced at PhP6,500 for VIP; PhP5,300 for A Reserve; PhP4,150 for B Reserve; PhP3,300 for C Reserve; and PhP1,550 for D Reserve For Weekends, tickets are priced at PhP7,000 for VIP; PhP5,800 for A Reserve; PhP4,600 for B Reserve; PhP3,800 for C Reserve; and PhP1,800 for D Reserve

• Dua Lipa Sept. 14; Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City; for more information, visit www.smtickets.com or call (02) 470-2222 Get ready to blow your mind as sensational English singersongwriter Dua Lipa comes back to Manila for a one-night concert. Dance the night away with hit singles like “New Rules,” “IDGAF,” “Last Dance,” “Blow Your Mind,” and “Hotter Than Hell” as the stunning Dua Lipa kicks off her Asia tour.

Her recent collaboration with Calvin Harris, “One Kiss,” is the latest jam to set the charts ablaze, spending its first seven weeks at the top spot.

Tickets are priced at PhP8,500 for Platinum; PhP7,500 for Patron; PhP4,800 for Lower Box A; PhP2,650 for Lower Box B; and PhP1,750 for General Admission

• Postmodern Jukebox Sept. 14; KIA Theatre, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City; for more information, visit www.ticketnet.com.ph or call (02) 911-5555 Experience the modern pop stylings of viral vintage sensations Postmodern Jukebox as the musical collective founded by Scott Bradlee comes to Manila. Postmodern Jukebox originally blew up online, with new videos added weekly that continually found creative new ways to put Bradlee’s trademark vintage twist on modern pop hits. But it’s onstage that the project has really come to shine, playing hundreds of shows to soldout houses across the globe, from intimate standing-room gigs to large-scale, theatrical extravaganzas.

Tickets are priced at PhP9,650 for Gold VIP Package (inclusive of 1 Premium seat location in the first 10 rows, post show meet and greet and photo opportunity with members of Postmodern Jukebox, 1 exclusive Postmodern Jukebox limited edition tour poster, 1 commemorative VIP laminate); PhP7,045 for Silver VIP Package (inclusive of 1 premium seat location in the first 10 rows, 1 exclusive Postmodern Jukebox limited edition tour poster); PhP4,770 for VIP; PhP3,710 for Orchestra; PhP4240 for Loge; and PhP2,650 for Balcony

During the European Culinary Week, guests will be able to discover different authentic European cuisines, culinary students will have the opportunity to meet and work with distinguished European chefs, and businesses will be able to network or establish connections for the import of EU products.

The European Culinary Week has three parts: Charity Dinner, Culinaria, and Culinary Weekend happening in Manila and Cebu. The Charity Dinner is a 5-course meal prepared by award-winning European chefs to raise funds for two charities: the Lighthouse Club Manila and the Chosen Children Foundation.

The Culinaria presents European award-winning chefs in an open kitchen where they will be preparing two courses (hot and cold) for the attendees. These will be paired with different drinks (cocktail, beer, wine, and liquor) served to match each course.

Lastly, the Culinary Weekend lets guests discover different European flavors through a welcome barbecue dinner (Friday), a TAPAS lunch and gala dinner (Saturday), and a closing European brunch (Sunday) prepared by a diverse group of talented award-winning European chefs, paired with different libation.

Tickets for the Charity Dinner is priced at PhP10,000 for Regular; PhP25,000 for VIP inclusive of free-flowing sparkling wine and complimentary recipe book; PhP80,000 for Group Discount (Buy 8, Get 2 Regular Tickets Free); and PhP200,000 for Group Discount (Buy 8, Get 2 VIP Tickets Free); Tickets for Culinaria is priced at PhP7,000 for Regular and PhP9,900 for VIP inclusive of free-flowing sparkling wine and complimentary recipe book

• 80th Oktoberfest Oct. 4 to 6; Solaire Oktoberfest Tent, Solaire Resorts & Casino,1 Aseana Ave., Entertainment City, Paranaque; for reservations, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph, call (02) 891-9999; or visit the German Club, 5/F Penthouse, Eurovilla II Bldg., 118 V.A. Rufino St., Legazpi Village, Makati; you may also email reservations@germanclub. ph or call (02) 818-4236 Experience the most authentic Oktoberfest in the Philippines as the German Club Manila celebrates its 80th Oktoberfest at Solaire. Indulge in an endless stretch of a sumptuous Bavarian feast, unlimited free flowing Weihenstephan beers, quirky German traditions and exciting raffle prizes. This year, a 12-man German band called Bavarian Sound Express will be flying from Germany, along with German hosts and waitresses, to provide the evening’s musical delights.

For Regular Sales (from Sept. 1 until Oct. 3), tickets are priced at PhP10,368 for VIP Beergarden (sold by 10 seats); PhP5,184 for Premium Beergarden A; PhP4,968 for Premium Beergarden B; and PhP4,590 for Beergarden For Group Pricing (20 to 79 pax), tickets are priced at PhP9,558 for VIP Beergarden (sold by 10 seats); PhP4,752 for Premium Beergarden A; PhP4,536 for Premium Beergarden B; and PhP4,158 for Beergarden

BOOKS

• 39th Manila International Book Fair Sept. 12 to 16; SMX Convention Center, Pasay City; for more information, visit www.manilabookfair.com or call (02) 896-0661 Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is back and bigger than ever. Now on its 39th year, the MIBF continues to be the country’s biggest and longest-running book fair.

It showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature for leisure and academic reading.

With an expected 150,000 visitors this year, MIBF has again dedicated the second floor to special exhibitions featuring children’s and young adult book publishers, including digital publications kids and kids at heart are sure to enjoy. Bookworms can get a hold on exclusive deals and limited items like new releases, bestsellers, and collector’s items, and even digital and physical teaching materials.

Highlighting this year’s five-day affair are book signings, book launches, meet and greets, story sessions for kids, special contests, workshops, and other activities bookworms both young and old will enjoy.

The very first Pop Hub: Comic Splash x Fandom Fest Vol. 1 is co-locating the MIBF on Sept. 15 and 16 at the SMX Function Room 3. Geek out with the country’s largest fandoms with renowned comic book creators, artists, writers, and collectors for a weekend of fun fellowship among fandoms!

Tickets are priced at PhP50 for General Admission; and PhP40 for Students, Teachers, Senior Citizens, and PWD

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

14 EVENTS

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History, in the Making Asia’s biggest entertainment convention captivates, instructs, and takes Manila by storm 2

Words by ANGIE DUARTE Photos by ANDIE D SYYAP

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ack for a third installment, History Convention 2018, took Manila by storm – literally and figuratively – from Aug. 10 to 12 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. While the three-day event was set against a backdrop of inclement tropical weather outdoors, indoors proved a whirlwind of excitement, enthusiasm, education, and a touch of extravagance – this year was the biggest, boldest History Convention, by far.

History buffs and HISTORY Channel fans, alike, mingled with cosplayers, geeks, art collectors, and lovers of all things vintage, among other characters. Last year, attendance at the event reached a record-breaking 68,800 people, surpassing 2016’s marker of 50,000. While the numbers are not yet in for this year’s convention, it is safe to say that the eager throng showed up in full-force, once more. And they came out, despite monster rains, for many good reasons, not the least of

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which was to be part of history in the making. From massive installments and all-out displays, to an impressive array of art and oddities, curios and collectibles, plus an interesting lineup of shows and performances, the convention proved that history is bestlearned beyond the four walls of a classroom.

A star-studded roster of HISTORY Channel celebrities graciously shared their time and talent, wowing people with not only their good looks, but also their history smarts: Ancient Alien’s Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, Jaime Dempsey of Ride N’ Seek, Emmy-winning series Vikings’ leading actress Katheryn Winnick, Singaporean social media influencer Yeoh Mong Chin of the new LIFETIME series Who Runs the World, The History Hustle’s host Simon Yin, and Xian Lim and Diego Loyzaga of Celebrity Car Wars.

If you missed out this year, stay tuned for History Convention 2019. Because history’s defining moments need to be told.

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1 A display of replicas of traditional Filipino amulets or anting-anting 2 A unique concept, the Ugly Portraits art booth 3 Chili growers booth extends an invitation to HisCon 2018 guests 4 Old coins for sale, by the handful 5 Muscle car on display 6 One of the displays at HisCon 2018 7 Vintage cars on display 8 Veteran's Bank and Philippine Army installation 9 Actor in a circa 1800 Katipunero revolutionary soldier outfit 10 Actors get ready to reenact the Battle of Manila 11 Part of a movie mannequin dsiplay at the entrance lobby 12 Cosplayers at HisCon 2018 13 Steampunk History Channel logo by Filipino artist, Ram Mallari 14 History Channel stars, (L-R) Diego Loyzaga, Mong Chin, Katheryn Winnick, Giorgio Tsoukalos, Jamie Dempsey, and Xian Lim 15 History buff and special guest at the opening ceremony, US. Ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim 16 Sen. Grace Poe at the opening ceremony 17 History Channel stars, (L-R) Simon Yin, Diego Loyzaga, Katheryn Winnick, Giorgio Tsoukalos, Mong Chin, and Jamie Dempsey 18 Kim Atienza checks out Ram Mallari's Anthology steampunk collection

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SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

FEATURES 15

Close Encounters of the Ancient Kind

By ANGIE DUARTE Photo by ANDIE D. SYYAP

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f you are out-and-about on the Manila entertainment scene, you may have noticed that the metro is no stranger to an affection for all-things geeky. Yes, Manila has certainly been bitten by the Geek Bug, big time. From quiz nights at board game cafés and pop culture conventions at massive venues, to serious cosplaying, LARPing (live action role playing) and gaming events, the city is abuzz with geekery. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I have always been fascinated with the ins and outs of Geekdom; and, while it would be pretentious of me to say that I am hardcore into it, I am gung-ho enough about it to call myself a fan.

One geek-wise aspect that has intrigued me ever since I can remember is this: are we alone in the Universe? While the query is as straightforward as they come, the answer is far from simple. The topic has, in fact, sparked heated debate, and generated equal amounts of attention and ridicule through the years. It is a subject that is as hotly contested as it is passionately defended, depending on which side of the polarizing proposition you stand.

Imagine, then, my delight to have had 10 minutes to chat with non-other than the alien expert himself, Ancient Astronaut theorist, Giorgio A. Tsoukalos at the recently concluded HISTORY Convention 2018.

Paradigm shift As the authority on the theory of Ancient Aliens (and the host of the long-running HISTORY channel show of the same name), Tsoukalos’ brain is a goldmine of information on the subject. The crux of the matter is the idea that Ancient Astronauts (or Ancient Aliens), intelligent extrater-

restrial beings, visited the earth in prehistoric times – and that their direct contact with humans influenced cultures across the globe, and even altered human DNA, itself.

Those who uphold this theory believe that humanity is descended (some would say created) from this otherworldly lineage.

Tsoukalos says that in recent years, the “blinders of humanity are coming off ” and that more and more people are embracing the idea that our civilization may not be the only one there is. The first thing I wanted to know was what caused this change of perspective.

True, these days, reality is often so absurd that it is difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction – maybe that’s why we are more open to an idea as eye-popping as this one. But Tsoukalos credits it primarily to the spirit of this age.

“Generally, as a society, we have become more open-minded – entertainment has helped to develop this open-mindedness. Science fiction is a part of our history, and shows like Ancient Aliens, for example, give us insight into how this idea resonates with the general audience around the world. So, something IS going on... we’ve struck a chord. It’s a paradigm shift, the zeitgeist,” he explains.

Founded on fact But, as important a role as science fiction has played (and continues to play) in humanity’s eyes being opened to the possibilities of our Ancient Alien ancestry, the theory is founded on fact, not fiction.

“The Ancient Astronaut theory is not founded on merely one avenue of research, but is a collection of different avenues of research,” Tsoukalos points out. “You have ancient textual references, artifacts, objects,

figurines, carvings, and you have the oral traditions – and you also then have the gigantic ancient monuments. None of which, by the way, were built by aliens. These were all built by human beings, under the tutelage and with the knowledge imparted by Ancient Astronauts. All ancient cultures a minimum of 2,000 years old were visited by extraterrestrials – and the evidence is everywhere in these cultures. In many forms.”

“For instance, ancient Egyptian texts talk of the ‘Guardians of the Sky’ and the ‘Watchers’ – because they did not have the vocabulary to say extraterrestrials. They refer to the Cosmic Egg that flew through the emptiness of space,” Tsoukalos adds.

Hollywood, Schmollywood During our brief interview, I ask how far apart the Hollywood take on aliens is from the reality of things. “Galaxies. The depiction is galaxies apart,” Tsoukalos replies to my query. As important as science fiction has been in opening our minds to the infinite possibilities of the Universe – no, the multiverse – and life forms across that expanse, Tsoukalos points out that that there is a vast difference between Hollywood and the real deal.

“The idea that I propose is that we are the offspring of Ancient Aliens. So, they’re not just going to show up 10,000 years later and wipe everyone out. I love sci-fi movies with alien invasions, but that’s just pure entertainment, really.”

At this point, my 10 minutes with Tsoukalos are up. But not until he throws in some tidbits about the Cargo Cult principle in anthropology and how this has impacted the way humans view technologically superior beings.

“Last two minutes,” his assistant re-

minds me. I take the opportunity to show Tsoukalos a photo of a hammered silver belt worn by members of the 4,000-yearold Miao tribe in Guizhou, China. Four-orsome years ago, I was part of a media junket across China’s provinces and inner sacred cities, one of which was the Miao village in the heart of the mountainous region seven hours from the ancient Zhen Yuan River. A photojournalist I was with snapped the picture and, back at the hotel, sent me a closeup of the detailing: Ancient Alien beings with human torsos, alien heads, and horse legs, marching across the landscape.

“Get out!” Tsoukalos exclaims in sheer delight, takes a photo of my photo, and hastily scribbles the details of the tribe.

Even the expert is amazed. Which goes to show us all – no matter what our beliefs may be – that there’s still a whole lot of mystery the world holds for those who are willing to take a closer, more curious look.

Where expats and locals are sharing personal experiences

By FABIO AROMATICI

T

What is it about storytelling?

hese days it can be found everywhere: marketing, public speaking, training, and advertisements, among a slew of other communication channels. It is the thing, and everybody wants to be a part of it. This is also one of the reasons why there are so many groups of active storytellers in the Philippines, where the oral tradition is learnt at a young age within the family and in school.

On the other hand, there is a group that’s more than a bit different—Story Nights Manila (www.storynightsmanila. com). It is a European format, which was developed in the city of Bratislava in 2015, and is now present in several countries around the world. The basic idea is to form a community between expats and locals, in a cozy and friendly environment.

People must feel comfortable, so politics and religion are not discussed. Only personal stories are allowed. They meet every last Thursday of the month at Pineabble Lab (www.pineapplelab.ph) with a specific topic such as “Life as journey” or “Fifty shades of love.” They have a Facebook page, a website and a YouTube channel where you can see some of the stories, meet the storytellers in advance

and find out about their activities. Social media plays an important role in reaching out to people in a large city such as Manila. How to join them? Send a 60-second video introducing yourself and your story to stories@storynightsmanila.com.

About Story Nights Manila I founded the group in March 2018 with Filipino Karl Alexis Jingco – despite ourselves being two completely different people. I came with a sound business

background as an international executive, while Karl is a well versed individual in the world of arts and improv theater.

In few months, we grew our presence online, offline and in the media. Last June in Cebu, a spin-off was created where Rachel Arandilla, a blogger and a writer, developed a local chapter. Further expansion is sought in Davao, before the group looks to establish a Filipino National Federation of Storytellers.

What is so cool about this group?

Fabio Aromatici with fellow storyteller, Karl Alexis Jing Co

Friendships are strengthened or created from scratch where the foreign diplomat is mingling with the local actor. It is an opportunity not only to tell your side of the story, but also to connect with people that otherwise would stay strangers despite living in the same city.

From time to time, magic happens both in a literal sense when magicians or mentalists are invited to join, or when an executive of an Indian pharmaceutical company unexpectedly jumps onstage and offers help to Mots, the young woman who created Cancervants Philippines (the national volunteers’ associations helping children with terminal illnesses).

At Story Nights Manila it is not unusual to encounter lightsabers, coming outs, personal takes on historical moments, tears, laughter and most of all, the opportunity to connect with a special someone who gets on that stage as a stranger and steps down as a friend.

The next show is planned on Thursday, Sept. 27th with the title: “Work, colleagues, offices and all the stories in between.” Make sure to be there either on stage or in the audience, where you can find that the cultural differences can be very subtle and enlightening.

See you there!

For more information on Story Nights Manila, visit www.storynightsmanila.com

SEPTEMBER 2018 www.expatphilippines.ph

16 FEATURES

Last month, a series of monsoons brought to fore a couple of the worst elements of Metro Manila life—flooding, and the amplified traffic gridlock it brings. While the rainy season will come and go, road congestion will continue to persist until the government finally puts long-term solutions in place.

But with decades upon decades of poor zoning and urban planning, a culture with an inherent lack of road discipline, and a combination of far too many vehicles and far too few quality public transportation options, it will take incredible commitment and political will before anyone sees substantial change.

Gerard Papillon French Co-founder, Pamora Farm, Inc. I don’t see any easy solutions because the education for driving doesn’t exist. Filipinos are fantastic as long they don’t drive; as soon they drive without any training and knowledge, they are not the same person.

As long as people can buy a driving license, I am hopeless.

In France, it was mandatory 30, 40 years ago for TV and radio stations to feature and broadcast every day (2 to 4 times per day) educational bases of car driving, and respect for others.

If you stop on the right lane of EDSA the traffic flow is reduced by a minimum of 30 percent. I couldn't find the driving code of the Philippines in any bookstore. Four to five years ago, the Land Transportation Office only provided us with a kind of comics, 20 to 25 pages. Police should be properly trained and not accept bribes.

Chris Nelson British

Fel Pascual Singaporean Branch Manager, Play Nation Discipline is the basic and most important factor to improve our traumatizing traffic situation. It is a shared responsibility among drivers, commuters and riding public in general.

Our drivers should know the basic road signs as to when and where they could stop. And the riding public should be aware as to when to hop-in and alight.

I am very upset with our road situation nowadays. I wonder how the locals are able to cope up with this. I am truly saddened for our local employees who need to fight all these issues everyday, which can be solved by having simple road discipline.

Executive Chairman, British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Last May 2017, the British Chamber hosted a Labor Briefing entitled “Flex it, Work It!” showing support to Senate Bill 1033, commonly known as the "Telecommuting Act of 2016.” The bill's author, Senate Committee Chairman on Labor and Employment Joel Villanueva, explained that a telecommuting program would alleviate traffic congestion and increase work flexibility and productivity. I fully agree and support this initiative, and believe that allowing work from home as a viable option for Filipino employees is one impactful way to improve the traffic situation in the Philippines. Depending on the industry or nature of work, some employees may not need to report physically to an office, decreasing the number of cars on the road especially during rush hour.

With this, Expat asks,

“Based on your experience with living in the Philippines, what simple solutions/ lifestyle changes can you think of that could improve the Philippine traffic mess?”

Rafael Calero Filipino Owner, Puesto del Sol Resort One of the first things I would do is replace the trains to the larger sized ones. I’d also set a standard size for jeeps (if you noticed some jeeps are much longer than others), and start using electricity powered jeeps, trikes, and taxis. I would also eliminate buses from EDSA, as I believe buses should only be used to get to and from the provinces.

Flora Y.F. Loh Malaysian Area Manager, Malaysia Airlines I personally would say that, if possible, when traveling, try to carpool because there are too many cars now in Metro Manila, so I believe that was causing the traffic jams. And the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) should continue its efforts as well when it’s typhoon season. Most of the roads, and even EDSA get flooded badly. I think they need to check on the drainage issues.