Fear factor holidays Adrenalineboosting rides in Bohol
A surfing tale
A champion surfer on riding the waves in La Union
august - september 2010
All that bling
Luxury living at Peacock Garden
The new Makati From hip HOTELS to the latest shopping places
What’s on your table? Exotic eats according to chef Stephanie Zubiri
e u s s i E R U T N E V D A the
i n f l i g h t // au g u s t- s e p t e m b e r
2010
36
INPLACES 33 InsandOuts
The new Makati: From hip hotels to the latest shopping places
36 Fear factor holidays A pick of adrenaline-inducing rides in Bohol
50 Surfing La Union
A champion surfer talks about what’s best about his northern hometown
72 InFocus
Mon Corpuz’s Clark
Photo by Jeffrey Sonora; Fashion styling by Waldo Villados; Hair and makeup by Rocky Orejola; Diving suit by Aquamundo; Modeling swimsuit bybyMariana Pink Belter Fernandes by Lizlefor Hilario; Ideal People; Location: Model’s Shangri-La’s attire by Boracay PromodResort & Spa’s beach
august-september 2010 I InFlight 3
i n f l i g h t // au g u s t- s e p t e m b e r INFRONT 09 Editor’s Note
14
2010 28
10 InFormed
What not to miss in August and September
11 Inthenews
Newly-appointed Philippine Tourism secretary to focus on improving tourism infrastructure Plus: Boracay opens first “Adults only” resort; Nandana Boracay to open in October; Talima Waterpark in Olango, Cebu now open
14 InTalk
What’s your best adventure trip?
22 InPerson
Me and My Holidays: Champ Lui Pio
17
63 InTune
Messy Bessy and other non-chemical cleaners in detoxing your home
INvogue 17 Intheshops
The latest in outdoor style, whether you’re off to a tough adventure, or just biking round the corner
20 Inmybag
Outdoorsy artist Mona Lisa Neuboeck on travel adventure packing
50
INGOODTIMES 25 InRoom
Peacock Garden Resort: Good food, a luxury spa, cigar lounge, and a Wii screen that runs the length of the bar
28 InDulge
Chef Stephanie Zubiri on ostrich, duck’s embryo, frog, and goat dishes at restaurants Moomba and Bistro Remedios
25
Concept by SEAIR InFlight Photo by Jeffrey Sonora Art direction by Jocas A. See Styling by Waldo Villados Hair and makeup by Rocky Orejola Modeling by Mariana Fernandes for Ideal People Model’s attire: Clothes by Promod; footwear by Merrell Location: Danao Adventure Park
august-september 2010 I InFlight 5
Editorial
Publishing Director and Executive Editor
Nikos Gitsis Editor
Giselle Javison managing Editor
Monica G. De Leon REPORTER
MARGARITA F. FRANCISCO art & design
Art Director
Jocas A. See Editorial Production Inquiries
editors@flyseair.com Contributing photogr aphers
Mike Alcid, Ferdz Decena, Joel Garcia, Wacky Gochoco, Carlos Legaspi, Oggie Ramos, Jeffrey Sonora, Daniel Soriano Contributing writers
Vicki Aldaba, Chip Childers, Freida Dario, Ferdz Decena, Jan Lao, Andrea Pasion, Oggie Ramos, Ces Rodriguez advertising Sales marketing
Group Sales and Marketing Director
Delza Apostol Advertising OFFICER
Joy Gutierrez administration and finance officer
ARTHUR VALENCIA Advertising Traffic assistant
WALDO J. VILLADOS Advertising Inquiries
inflightads@flyseair.com editorial board
Publisher
South East Asian Airlines Seair Chairman
Iren Dornier Seair Director
Nikos Gitsis InFlight Editor
Giselle Javison InFlight Group Sales and Marketing Director
Delza Apostol Seair Legal Counsel
Atty. Bernard Bandonell Atty. Celina Cua philippine Copyright©
2010
InFlight Magazine: Units 304 & 306, La’O Center, 1000 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City 1000 Philippines Tel.: +632 840 2802 (Editorial) • +632 840 2803 (Advertising) Fax: +632 840 2805 URL: www.theinflight.com
6 InFlight I august-september 2010
Your personal playground Get away from the crowds and enjoy some quality family time as Regency Lagoon brings the fun of the beach to a more private setting. Tucked away from the crowds is this relaxing new oasis, which features its own 1,200 square meter pool. With its lush water features and relaxing atmosphere, Regency Lagoon is your perfect family escape. Station 2, Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Tel. (6336) 288-2828 to 32 • Fax (6336) 288-1010 Manila Office: Tel. (632) 3537777 • Fax (632) 3537249 www.regencylagoon.com.ph • resort@regencylagoon.com.ph
editor’s note
pe opl e . pl ace s . a dv e n t u r e s .
A
dventure is a personal word, taken in varying doses and experienced differently by different people. A giant rollercoaster for instance is heaven for my 12-year-old, but nightmarish for some people like me whose taste for adventure lately borders more on the vicarious.
Our contributing writer, Chip Childers, has no such qualms taking on hellish rides at Bohol’s Danao Adventure Park, the latest word in thrill-per-minute rides. (See pages 36 to 47) Perched on the lip of a canyon, the park has two zip line cables hanging over the canyon floor, river kayaking, trekking and tubing on Class 2 rapids below, rock climbing and rappelling on the side walls, canopy walks and tours. Opening himself up to the adrenaline-boosting rides, Childers found himself “screaming like a little girl,” plunging some 45 meters down a gorge, strapped in parachute harness. The ride, aptly called “The Plunge”, is just one horror show in a series of horror rides at the park. Gentler adventure pursuits are also available, from interesting hiking via well-laid out paths, to dune buggy rides, to a spot of dolphin watching. On pages 50 to 61, this issue’s insider, champion surfer Luke Landrigan, takes us on a tour of his hometown La Union, giving tips on the best places to surf and must-see sites of the province. InTalk on pages 14 gives a few more ideas on how to spend an adventure holiday, whether planned or spontaneous. From most accounts and if you are up to it, get-in-the-car-andjust-drive whimsys sometimes end up being all the more fun. You just have to be game enough to sometimes have that odd night spent in unlikely places, which I do not recommend to families with kids in tow. But whatever your age and stage in life, there is always a spot of adventure for you if you open up to it. This, coming from a wimp, who is contemplating giving up my wimpdom, and ending my daughter’s nagging to celebrate my nearold age birthday by joining “Mr Blue and Mr Yellow” in a tandem paraglide up the mountains near where we used to live. Well, never say never.
InFlight cover model Mariana root climbing at E.A.T. Danao Park; below, InFlight’s InSider’s guide opens with a surreal seascape of Urbiztondo Beach
insider’s guide
Professional surfer Luke Landrigan on why his northern hometown is fast becoming an international favorite St ory by C ather ine C a lderon pho t oS by Joel h. Ga rCi a
giselle javison Editor editors@flyseair.com
Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan
50 InFlight I august-september 2010
InFlight cover model photo by Jeffrey Sonora; Model’s attire: Top and by Columbia Sportswear; shorts by Promod; footwear by Salomon
august-september 2010 I InFlight 51
august-september 2010 I InFlight 9
What not to miss in
August & September r e p o r t b y M a r g i e F. F r a n c i s co
August
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Sleeping Beauty
August
10-15 Cats
Watch Repertory Philippines’ adaptation of the well-loved fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, the story of a sleeping princess woken up from a spell and what could have been an eternal sleep by a love-struck prince. The play will be performed at OnStage in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Scheduled to run until December 10. Tickets are available at Ticketworld
Catch the musical Cats, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. It’s set in a rubbish dump where the Jellicle Cats come out to play at night. One of the highlights of their lives is the Jellicle Ball, when their leader names the cat to be reborn to a new life in the Heavyside Layer, a sort of cat heaven. Lea Salonga leads the cast at Grizabella, the Glamor cat. The musical which features the hit song “Memory” will be performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. For tickets, call Ticketworld at +632/ 891 9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph
September
1
Despicable Me “Despicable Me”, a movie about the normally despicable Gru (Steve Carell) who meets three orphan girls who make him rethink his plan of stealing the moon. Also starring Jason Segel, Julie Andrews and Miranda Cosgrove. For online ticket reservations and purchases in Ayala Mall cinemas, log on to SureSeats at www.sureseats.com
September
4
September
THE BIODIVERSITY RUN
SUMMIT WATER CAMSUR MARATHON 2010
Join the Biodiversity Run 2010 on September 4, and help raise money for the ASEAN Biodiversity Fund that sees the implementation of various ASEAN biodiversity programs. The race will kick off at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) and continue on to the Makiling Rainforest Park, Magnetic Hill, then back to the college. Registration is ongoing until August 31. Rates are P250 for the 5km and 10km run, and P350 for the 21km run. To register, email forms to rfmolina@aseanbiodiversity. org or gsrodulfo@aseanbiodiversity.org. Visit www. aseanbiodiversity.org
26
September
15-19 The Manila International Book Fair Check out the 31st Manila International Book Fair for discounts of up to 30% and the chance to meet authors. Books for sale include literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, coffee-table books, bestselling novels, hard-to-find titles, magazines and publishers’ technology and travel materials, newly published and second hand books. The fair will be held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. For more information, visit Manila International Book Fair at www.manilabookfair.com or call +632/ 896 0661 or 896 0682
10 InFlight I august-september 2010
This promises to be one of the biggest marathons in the country with 20,000 targeted runners, including local celebrities. The marathon will be held in Camarines Sur province, covering its various attractions including the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC). Registration is ongoing until August 10, while late registration is from August 11 until September 12. Local and international participants can register under five running categories: 3km, 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km. Email secretariat@camsurmarathon.com or visit www. camsurmarathon.com. For more info on CWC, visit www. camsurwatersportscomplex.com
tt rr av av ee ll
HHOOTELS TELS AND AND RES RESOORTS RTS
aa rr tt ss AND AND ffaa ss h h iio on n
A An nd d m mo or re e !!
new
Hope
Improve infrastructure first, says new Tourism Secretary Newly appointed Philippine Tourism secretary Alberto A. Lim is focusing his efforts on “product development before promotions” and on improving the services and standards in the tourism industry. Speaking before some 120 travel and tourism guests and the media last July at The Peninsula Manila, Lim said, “I will go around the country and identify what have to be prioritized in key destinations.” He said he intended to sort out “infrastructure gaps in the country”. Infrastructure improvement, he said, was key in making the Philippines a more competitive destination. He said he was confident this could be achieved more smoothly with the support of key cabinet members. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) secretary Jose De Jesus, for example, was intent on improving the country’s airports. Lim added that more funds would be spent on collaterals or information materials for use of tourism attaches abroad rather than on travel expenses in sending Philippine teams abroad. On the “Wow Philippines campaign” slogan and marketing, he said, he preferred a campaign that banks on the warm heartedness of the Filipinos and that his policy was more to “over deliver and under promise”. Lim is president of Ten Knots Development Corporation, the company behind the El Nido Resorts in Palawan, which has won international awards for environmental conservation. He was a board member of the Civil Aeronautics Board and executive director of the Makati Business Club. He has a Bachelor of Arts Economics Degree at the Ateneo de Manila University, a master’s degree in business administration at the Harvard Graduate School of Business, and a master’s degree in Public Administration at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. — Monica De Leon
Photo by Choy Elciario
august-september 2010 I InFlight 11
Picasso’s Malaga room Last year Travel Mart’s event scene held at the SM Megamall
watch
Out
21st Philippine Travel Mart launches travel auction This year’s Philippine Travel Mart (PTM), the largest travel trade show in the country, is launching an online and on-site travel auction, selling travel packages around the Philippines on September 3 to 5 at the Mega Trade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. PTM, organized by the Philippine Tour Operators’ Association (Philtoa) in partnership with the Department of Tourism, is now on its 21st year. Philtoa publicity and promotions officer Clang Garcia, said this year’s mart is projected to see an increase in travel trade exhibitors to 345, from last year’s 233. Total number of visitors is also projected to increase to 200,000, from 138,000. Garcia said PTM will be introducing new tour packages covering adventure, culinary arts, beach holidays, culture and heritage, wellness, shopping, medical tourism, diving and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions). Philtoa member Aljur Shroff, owner of Shroff Travel Care,
12 InFlight I august-september 2010
said “PTM has been increasingly seen as a great way of selling to people what the country has to offer.” He said his company will be offering a variety of tours including Manila, Bicol, Bohol, and Palawan, with package rates ranging from P500 to P15,000. According to Cencorp Travel and Tours managing director John Paul Cabalza, “The PTM is a good platform to sell destinations to both local and foreign tourists. There are new properties in a lot of the destinations and we want to invite these fresh players in the industry to show what they can offer.” Cencorp will sell packages priced from as low as P3,500, and include such destinations as Baler, Camiguin, Tawi-Tawi, Siargao, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. Other highlights of this year’s PTM, which has adopted the theme “WOW! I Love Philippines!” include the PHITEX foreign buyers program, Sale ng Bayan, Philippine Tourism Bee, cultural presentation and eco-chorale competition for high school and college students.
Philippine Travel Mart photo by Choy Elciario
r e p o r t b y M a r g i e F . F r a n c i s co
More trekking at Timberland Trail
new
Resort
Boracay opens first “Adults only” resort The newly opened Regency Lagoon Resort in Boracay has taken the brave step of positioning itself as an “adults only” resort. Nothing x-rated about it. It’s just that the resort accepts only guests aged 18 and above. According to its sister resort Boracay Regency Beach Resort chairman Henry Chusuey, the resort decided to limit its market to the age bracket after a survey of tourists, including foreign tourists, indicated that majority did not want to be disturbed by children frolicking in the pool. The resort, which opened in March this year, is a four-storey modern structure housing 120 Asian-inspired guest rooms, each with a balcony and a pool view. A 1,200sqm lagoon swimming pool runs the entire length of building. Guest rooms and suites on the ground floor have terraces right by the edge of the pool. All rooms have glass walls that separate the bathroom from the bedroom, LCD televisions, and individually-controlled air-conditioning. The resort also has a spa, gym and wellness center, and a mini shop. Regency Lagoon is located in Station 2, Balabag, Boracay.
For more information, visit www.regencylagoon.com.ph or call +6336/ 288 2828-32.
Nandana Boracay Triple A luxury resort Nandana Boracay, located in Station 1, White Beach in Barangay Balabag, is set to open in October this year. The 96-room resort is managed by Quantum Hotels and Resorts, the company that specializes in hotel and serviced apartments in the Philippines and in Hong Kong. Resort guest rooms are a generous 32sqm to 54sqm with some rooms opening out to a balcony facing the beach. Resort amenities include an indoor pool with cascading waterfall, spa, daycare center, restaurants, boutique, and a multipurpose hall for functions. Wireless internet access is also available.
For more information, call Quantum Hotels and Resorts at +632/ 864 0941 or visit www.quantumsuites.com.
Timberland Trail, located on the rugged slopes of Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, is developing a trekking trail on its 677-hectare property. Formerly known as Mt. Maaarat, Timberland, which opened in May this year, already offers jogging lanes and mountain bike trails, becoming a magnet for weekend sports enthusiasts and local tourists. Timberland Sports and Nature Club members have exclusive access to the club’s infinity pool, camping grounds, and can indulge in some wall climbing, billiards or shoot hoops. A bowling alley will soon open, along with an airsoft gun sport and possibly a laser tag. Every week, the club holds regular clinics on tennis, badminton, wall climbing, swimming and taekwondo. For more information, visit www.timberlandheights.com or call +632/ 793 5700.
Talima Waterpark Cebu’s first water adventure park, the 1.5-hectare Talima Adventure and Water Park, recently opened in Barangay Talima, Olango Island. The park is a 10-minute banca trip away from Mactan mainland to Olango Island, famous home of the country’s award-winning Olango bird sanctuary. Activities at the park include kayaking, rock climbing, ziplining, rides on all-terrain vehicles, glamping, and its star attraction, Funflatables, a big inflatable playground ideal for kids and adults. Portion of the proceeds from the income generated by the park is allotted for the protection and preservation of the Talima Marine Sanctuary. Talima Adventure and Water Park is located in Olango island, 10 minutes away from Punta Engaño, Mactan via boat ride. Open from 8am to 5pm. For more information, call +63915/ 255 5991.
Vibram FiveFingers Vibram FiveFingers footwear is now available in classic, sprint, and kso styles at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati. Distributed from North America, Vibram footwear is the closest you can get to being barefoot, but with added protection. Its design and rubber soles give you a good grip on a variety of terrain. Vibram FiveFingers is at Level R1 Bridgeway Kiosk, Power Plant Mall. For more information, visit www.vibramfivefingers. com.
theADVENTUREissue
What’s your best adventure trip?
I fondly remember a road trip to Sagada in 2000 with my sister and friend. It was almost summer and the rice terraces were framed with thousands upon thousands of sunflowers. I was expecting green rice paddies and instead got glorious fields of yellow. From that moment on, I will always remember Sagada with a yellow glow. - Imelda Tinsay
Travel specialist, Nextstop Negros Tours (www.nextstop-negros-tours.com)
Interviews by Jan Lao AND MONICA DE LEON Illustration by Mark David A. see
Back in 1997, my three brothers and I went on a six-day road trip, departing Manila for Bacolod, our hometown. We had no reservations and stayed in budget hotels. I had a roof rack fabricated on top of my Landrover where we boarded three kayaks, a windsurf board, scuba gear, and a porcelain toilet bowl that we had to take to Bacolod. We drove from Manila to Balasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte where we kayak surfed, and stayed the night in a small room; then to Iriga where we climbed up a mountain to reach Lake Buhi, the cleanest body of water in the Philippines at that time, where we kayaked to see beautiful waterfalls. On our third day, we pulled out for Bacon, Sorsogon. Wherever we ended up at night, we always drank with the locals and ate street food. On the fourth day, from Matnog, via Bacon, we crossed to Samar, then on to Ormoc and stopped en route to see the famous Sohona Caves. In Ormoc, we hitched a ride in a container vessel to Cebu. So at 11pm we pitched our tents on top of two trucks full of sand, taking in the night sky on a six-hour journey to Danao City in Cebu. In Cebu, we went diving in Moalboal. Next stop was Santander where we took a ferry to Dumaguete then continued on to Bacolod City. So imagine these six days of no shaving, no car washing, swimming in the lakes and letting our soaked boardshorts dry on our skin. - Carlos Legaspi Photographer (www.carloslegaspi.com)
14 InFlight I august-september 2010
Going to far flung areas like Kalinga and Benguet where we travelled 30km for two hours, crossed rivers and climbed mountains to reach rainforests where coffee grows. From the top of the mountain you’ll see an abundance of trees and the land sliding down. Coffee grows in places about 900m above sea level in height. We visited the picturesque Ambuclao Dam in February. It’s like what you see in California. The roads are good and it’s amidst mountains. I found Ambuclao very attractive. Recently, I’ve seen the butandings (whalesharks) of Donsol in Sorsogon. We saw six – big ones and babies. Butandings are large gentle sea creatures with smooth skin, really wide mouth and dots on its head. The butanding season is from January to April and me and my friends went in April so it was a good time. In Donsol, they have the Butanding Interaction Officers (BIO) who guide tourists through the experience. They signal once there’s a sighting and then you jump altogether into the water to swim with the butandings. They guide you in the water so it doesn’t matter even if you don’t know how to swim. I’m scared of the water so all I did was cheer my friends who swam with the whalesharks and marvel at the site. - Chit Juan
Co-owner, Echostore (www.echostore.com) and Le Bistro Vert (www.lebistro.ph)
My friend and I are not fans of ‘planning’ so we ended up having to take a five-hour long trip on non-aircon buses with live chickens to reach San Vicente in Palawan in 2007. We had beer and seaweeds for lunch and camped in the home of a fisherman we befriended. But we had a vast expanse of beach to ourselves and it was good fun. Best Palawan trip ever! - Trina Santos
Community relations, WE International Philippines (www. weinternational.org.ph)
in the shops >in my bag
Women’s Chameleon Arc Pure, P3,995, from Merrell; XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX,P7,990, from Salomon; Chameleon3 Ventilator Mid GORE-TEX, P5,595, from Merrell; Men’s Ultra 105 GTX XCR, P5,690, from The North Face; Men’s Raveneous Omni-tech, P6,490, from Columbia Sportswear
theADVENTUREissue
The latest in outdoor style, whether you’re off to a tough adventure, or just biking round the corner P h o t o s b y J e f f r e y So n o r a Pr o d u c t r e s e a r c h a n d s t y l i n g b y Wa l d o J . V i l l a d o s
august-september 2010 I InFlight 17
inTheShops s u r v i v o r
Skareb 50 Pack, P12,990, from The North Face; Mobex XL,P6,890, from Columbia Sportswear
18 InFlight I august-september 2010
1 liter water bottle, P690, from Nalgene; Horizon breeze brimmer hat, P1,390, The North Face; Swiss Champ Swiss knives, P3,499, from Victorinox; Rakuwa necklace X50 high-end model, P4,295, from Phiten; UV detector watch, P3,995, from Rudy Project; Split Jacket sunglasses, 12,895, from Oakley; Venture safe hip pack, P2,390, from Pacsafe
Evolution triclimate jacket, P12,990, from The North Face
Fo r s t o r e l oc a t i o n a n d co n t a c t d e t a i l s , t u r n t o
on page 65 august-september 2010 I InFlight 19
inMyBag
Mona L isa Ne uboe c k M y t r a v e l l i s t:
I n t e r v i e w b y M a r g i e F . F r a n c i s co
“I always do a quick checklist a few days ahead of my trip especially if I’m off to an outdoor destination. I want to make sure there will be no regrets over forgotten essentials! I try keeping it light, using travel-size containers, and hardly ever taking more than one extra pair of shoes”
4 Nature’s Gate Spring Fresh Deodorant (P269) “This deodorant has a pleasant scent and is free of aluminum, parabens,
1 2 3
Dakine backpack (P4,495) Quantum Science Fusion Excel Flask (P8,000) Virgin coconut oil (P110) “Only two tablespoons a day boost my metabolism and aid digestion. And it is a fantastic, inexpensive all natural makeup remover with anti-aging properties”
and any other carcinogens or irritation-causing ingredients”
5 Vibram FiveFingers (P4,450) “The perfect outdoor shoe! Ideal for countless outdoor activities
including running, trekking, yoga and even water sports”
6 “The Secret Life of Water” book by Masaru Emoto (P705) 7 Sprinto Sports Gear Eyewear (P1,900) “The ideal shades for running. They are comfortable and don’t bounce or
slip off my nose when I sweat”
8 Clover Cups Vegan Treats (price ranges from P90-P165) “I always carry my own snacks with me like fruits, raw nuts or this
Mona Lisa Neuboeck is a Filipina-Austrian artist and yoga practitioner. After living and studying fashion design in Salzburg, Austria, she moved to Manila to pursue a career in commercial modeling. A passionate outdoor person, Neuboeck’s also a runner, surfer, stand-up paddle boarder and ocean swimmer
P h o t o b y J e f f r e y So n o r a
tasty vegan, low fat, high fiber, sugar free muffin”
9 Stevia Sweetener sachets (P359) “Sugar is bad; artificial sweeteners are worse! Stevia is an all natural calorie
free, diabetic safe alternative and these practical sachets come super handy on the go”
10 Apple iPod Video 80GB (P14,990) 11 Messy Bessy hand sanitizer (P60) 12 Spalding pedometer (P375) “This comes with a stop watch, time mode, a calorie counter, a distance
counter, and a very handy backside clip which I attach to my shorts or running gear. It’s an easy tool for monitoring my daily physical activity” ■
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Fo r s t o r e l oc a t i o n a n d co n t a c t d e t a i l s , t u r n t o 20 InFlight I august-september 2010
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on page 65
Champ Lui Pio is the lead vocalist of alternative band Hale, which is launching the album “Magkaibang Mundo� (a different world). He recently signed on with Viva Records as a solo artist and will launch his first solo album under the company at the end of the year. Pio has also started his Treehouse Daycare, a non-profit organization that takes volunteers in helping provide street children non-formal education to make them self sufficient. To volunteer at Treehouse, visit the Fire Station in Muntinlupa. For more on Hale band, visit www.haleofficial. com
M e a n d m y tr av e l s :
Champ Lui Pio I n t e r v i e w b y Mo n i c a D e L e o n
What are the perks of your job as a musician and member of alternative rock band Hale? Me and my band mates were able to go to almost all of the provinces in the country. So I get to appreciate the smallest islands to the most popular resorts to the unknown, most isolated places in the country. I’ve been to Basilan and they have a nice beach there. I don’t know what it’s called but it’s their best kept secret. Basilan’s probably the most underrated place to go to for a vacation but it’s very beautiful and untouched. It’a virgin island. What’s your best holiday? Holidays with my family. The last time we went on a holiday was to Samal Island in Davao for some island hopping. That was pretty fun. And there are the holidays with my friends to Boracay Island. It’s an annual thing for us. We go every summer. Any favorite resort or hotel? I don’t have any. I’m a cowboy. Seriously, I can stay anywhere. Though I remember in Boracay we stayed at SeaWind and Lazy Dog. What do you have to have for a perfect holiday? A perfect trip for me is being with the people I love, the people I have a connection with. If I‘m with a fun group, it doesn’t matter where I’m sleeping or where I’m eating or where I’m swimming. Where do you regularly play? So far, we’ve consistently been playing in Boracay every April for the past four years.
It’s something that we always look forward to and are excited about. Aside from the free trip, free vacation, the free jamming – because that’s what it really is for us – there’s a certain spirit that you can only get when jamming in Boracay. It’s quite special. Your most memorable travel gig? Baguio. It started raining while we were performing outdoors. And it was freezing cold but people stayed put. Eventually, I stepped out of the shaded area so I could get rained on and connect with the crowd. It was intense. Times like this you don’t really forget.
Basilan’s probably the most underrated place to go to for a vacation but it’s beautiful and untouched Where do you go for good live music? If you’re living in the south, 19 East (+632/ 837 6903). For me, they have the best sound system in any bar. They play everything from rock to pop to jazz to R&B. In the Fort area, Saguijo (+632/ 897 8629). In the north area, Club Dredd in Eastwood (+632/ 421 2283). Your favorite restaurants? For steaks, Mamou (+632/ 856 3569); for Japanese, Omakase in Alabang (+632/ 771 1443). And Som’s in Rockwell (+632/ 757 8079).
Do you ever go shopping? No. Luckily I have friends who are kind enough to make me jackets like Puey Quiñones and Marc Rancy. Do you collect anything? Lego. Sorry. I’m a kid at heart. I’m planning a room just for my lego medieval designs. I started collecting ever since I started earning my own money. What do you always take with you? My Northface backpack. It’s like my survival kit. Everything’s there – flashlight, umbrella, books for reading, chargers, toiletries. I always have that bag in my car so when I go out of town, it’s ready. And I have different sets of chargers — one for travel only, which are kept in the bag, and the other one’s for my daily use. Are you a lightpacker? Definitely. One bag only because I have three different hardcases for the instruments that I always take with me. Any travel advice? Always be prepared. If you’re on a trip with friends, leave your work behind. Focus on the trip. Make it worthwhile. Where do you want to go on holiday next? My friend is getting married this December in El Nido. I’m excited about that trip because it’s going to be a trip with friends. What do you hate about holidays? Work popping out of nowhere. Imagine you’re all set to go on vacation and a good gig comes up for you to take on. I hate that. ■
august-september 2010 I InFlight 23
i n r oo m > i n d u l g e Peacock Garden Luxury Resort & Spa’s jacuzzi and kiddie pool
ethical
Badge
Bohol Bling
‘You ain’t never met a resort like this one,’ says Chip Childers, won over by good food, a luxury spa, infinity pool, and a Wii screen that runs the length of the bar P h o t o s b y joc a s a . s e e
august-september 2010 I InFlight 25
inRoom T h e P e a coc k G a r d e n L u x u r y R e s o r t & S p a
FIRST IMPRESSION. ‘Good God man! I thought I was in Bohol!’ I thought to myself as I approached the resort, which resembled Tony Montana’s digs in the movie “Scarface”. Well-groomed and expansive fruit orchards give way to Roman holiday type villas and buildings, occupying a knife ridge with a view of the Bohol Sea. There’s an infinity pool reflecting the view, spas, restaurant, wine room and bar. Location. The Peacock Garden Luxury Resort & Spa is up on the hilltops above Baclayon, Bohol, in Barangay Laya, about 15 minutes away from island province capital, Tagbilaran. Not too far past the Baclayon Church, turn off the coastal highway and head inland. The Peacock Garden staff can prearrange all transport from the airport. ROOMS. Given the jaw-dropping surroundings and exterior, having a disappointing room at the Peacock Garden will be like finding out Wolfgang Puck doesn’t know how to slice onions or cook up a steak. And the rooms here do not disappoint. The various rooms, of which there are 40 available, range from 270 to 560 square feet, and come with decks and sliding glass windows. All rooms feature standard mod-cons like dvd player, coffeemaker, writing table, WiFi and sitting rooms. fOOd. To find a resort restaurant that shines on its own accord is a treat indeed; and “Old Heidelberg”, the Peacock Garden’s in-house German/ continental/local restaurant offers some of the best German food in the country, with one of the most impressive wine lists and collection of German beers you’ll likely come across in your travels. Fair enough, the restaurant existed for 17 years in Manila before the move south, and time in the Philippines created a morph of German/Philippine cultural appreciation. Main courses are, as you would guess, hearty meat-driven affairs with sausage, veal, schnitzels and potatoes. A personal favorite was the veal cheeks in red wine sauce (P750). The daily set menu (P650) is a sure winner, whatever it happens to be the day you visit. I also found dishes such as the pork neck with carroway and the pork tenderloin medallions with pommery mustard sauce excellent. I
26 InFlight I august-september 2010
Clockwise from top: The resort’s premier room; in-house restaurant Old Heidelberg’s chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce and fruit garnish and grilled beef steak
swear that after trying the chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce and fruit garnish (P260), I told the chef I wanted to give him a hug. He declined. WE LIKE. The Spa spares no expense, nor do the Hemingway Cigar Lounge or Pim’s Bar, which offers some pretty cool future options, like the Wii on projected wide screen the length of the bar. And we definitely like an infinity pool that reflects Pamilacan Island, shimmering out of the Bohol Sea. And did I mention they have really comfortable robes? I felt like Hugh Hefner in a smoking jacket! NOT SO KEEN. The Peacock Garden is not on any beach. Did it bother me? Not at all, and it bothered me even less by the end of my stay. I just put that in there to pre-warn beach freaks.
essentials Visit www.thepeacockgarden.com; email relax@thepeacockgarden.com; or call +63917/ 326 9000, landlines +6338/ 539 9231, 416 0483 and 540 94897. Room rates are from P8,000 to P18,000 (about US $180-$360) a night. How to get there. From Caticlan, SEAIR has daily flights to Cebu, from where fast craft boats make it an easy trip over to Tagbilaran. From there, Peacock Garden vans take you the last 15 minutes to the site. To book SEAIR, visit www.FlySeair.com or call +632/ 849 0100. Other carriers also ply daily direct flights from Manila to Tagbilaran and to Cebu.
VERDICT. Can I stay there again…. please? I’ll wash dishes… ■
Old Heidelberg’s food photos by Ferdz Decena
august-september 2010 I InFlight 27
theADVENTUREissue
What’s on your table?
For Chef Stephanie Zubiri its ostrich, duck’s embryo, frogs, and goat at restaurants Moomba and Bistro Remedios. Ces Rodgriguez reports p h o t o s b y joc a s a . s e e
Chef Stephanie Zubiri spends an afternoon trying out not-your-usual dishes of frogs, duck’s embryo, ostrich, and goat
indulge
This page: Chef Zubiri samples a few of Moomba’s ostrich dishes and favors the tian of ostrich. Center photo shows Moomba’s foyer, and bottom, Bistro Remedios. Opposite, Bistro Remedios’ crispy, stuffed betute or whole frogs
At Moomba, Zubiri likes the tian of ostrich (P450), marinated ostrich strips with vegetables, mashed potatoes and whole baked garlic cloves. “It looked juicy, was thinly sliced but softer because it was cooked with a sauce. The flavors were strong yet you can taste the ostrich more.” Moomba’s ostrich a la pobre (P450), a classic steak dish with toasted garlic, one of the restaurant’s bestsellers, is another one to try although it did not meet Zubiri’s approval. Zubiri found the strips were a bit over seasoned and dry. “Something like this should be cooked very fast or super crispy. The flavor is good. But you can’t tell its ostrich. There’s a lot of paprika so it masks the flavor of the meat.” For those trying ostrich for the first time, ostrich steak is a good bet. “You can sear it then you can slice it thinly after. Or cut it up and put it in a fajita or a taco. Use it as your ground beef.” Moomba’s Chef Jimmy Jardiniano says the restaurant serves 25 kilos of ostrich meat a week, fillets sourced from farms in Cagayan de Oro. In Romblon and various parts of the country, ostrich meat, which tastes beefy, is gaining popularity as a healthier alternative to beef. Zubiri recommends a full-bodied red wine with the ostrich. “You can also go with a white sophisticated Piñot Noir. It’s not as full bodied but in terms of aroma, it’s good. And it also depends on the sauce of the dish.”
Moomba Bar and Restaurant, 1810, Mother Ignacia corner Roces Ave., Brgy. Paligsahan, Quezon City; tel: +632/ 431 9431 or 371 1971
august-september 2010 I InFlight 29
indulge W h a t ’ s o n y o u r t a b l e ?
How to eat balut:
Next time, check out
Close your eyes and think of England. Duck embryo on your plate is not for the squeamish
Bistro Remedios is known for frogs, goat and balut. It was a few weeks too early for the Pampanga specialty kamaru or rice field crickets, spiced and fried to a crisp, so the order of the day were adobong balut (P120), two unfertilized duck eggs stewed in soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic, and betute or farm frogs. Zubiri’s balut verdict? “It’s very rich and buttery. It’s more salty than sour; you can really taste the garlic. It’s like the leftover of an adobo dish.” For those not too keen on balut, the way to eat it is to eat it whole in one fell swoop. If you break it up, you just might not succeed in eating it at all because you’d see the parts of the embryo. As I poked through the split balut, Stephanie stopped me. “Don’t show me what I’m eating! I don’t wanna look at it!” she said. She sampled the betute (P275), two whole farm frogs fried to a crisp and stuffed with minced pork, with a salad of tomatoes, cucumber and onions. She found the flavor of the stuffing very strong and recommended eating the frogs as soon as they’re served to ensure the meat doesn’t dry up to inedible stringiness. The star of the spread was the adobong kambing (P355), stewed goat meat strewn with whole cloves of baked garlic, the papery membrane just peeling away, and whole dried red siling labuyo or bird’s eye chili. She loved the way the sili added kick to the thick vinegary, garlicky sauce — perfect over steamed rice. “I think the spice masks the gaminess of the goat,” she said. ■
Bistro Remedios, M. Adriatico Street, Remedios Circle, Malate; tel: +632/ 523 9153
30 InFlight I august-september 2010
Stephanie Zubiri is the executive chef and managing director of food catering company Modern Epicurean Kitchen. She teaches cooking by appointment, conducts wine, whisky and cigar appreciation classes, and is a restaurant consultant and events organizer. Zubiri studied Basic Cuisine at the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris
Balaw-Balaw Restaurant and Art Gallery built its reputation on exotica like sawa (snake), bayawak (lizard), usa (deer) and baboy damo (wild boar) until the Department of Environment and Natural Resources deemed them endangered and threatened. But the restaurant quickly found substitutes like uok (280), white worm from the larvae of crickets or beetles found in fallen coconut trees, cooked as adobo or pangat sa sampalok (steamed in tamarind and tomatoes); and soup no. 5 (P200) made from the testicles of cows. Balaw-balaw (P165) itself is a preserve of small shrimps, gruel and the reddish herb, angkak, fermented in an earthen jar for three days. Or try the nilasing na palaka (drunken frogs, P220), six whole frogs marinated in wine and then deep fried. A little less adventurous? Then, nibble on the rose petal tempura (P120), crispy alagaw leaves (P105), and bougainvillea salad (P95), the reddish vine leaves (which we often mistake as the flower) served with sliced cucumbers, onions and dressed with sweetish vinegar. 16 Don Justo, Doña Justa Village, Angono, Rizal; tel: +632/ 651 0110
Lime 88 for what they call “street food with a twist” or “street food na pina-sosyal” (or made refined). Try its street style BBQ platter (P160) with favorites like adidas (chicken feet), isaw (chicken intestines) and walkman (pig ears) with a peanut dipping sauce and sinamak or spiced coconut vinegar, the balut in red wine sauce (P120); and for dessert, try the dirty ice cream tempura (P100), their take on iskrambol, the original sweetened shaved ice in a plastic cup, drizzled with milk and chocolate syrup and eaten with a flat wooden spoon. 160 San Rafael St., Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila; tel: +632/ 533 7515
Balaw-Balaw Restaurant photo by Ferdz Decena; Street style BBQ platter photo by Dianne Santos
ins & ou ts
co v e r s t o r y
insider’ s guide
i n f oc u s
Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences
Hotel Céleste
Republiq club
ins & outs
Makati’s new bolt-holes
R e s e a r c h b y M a r g i e F r a n c i s co a n d Mo n i c a D e L e o n
Makati City has seen the opening of trendy boutique hotels the past few years, providing great variety for all types of travelers. Shopping and entertainment centers have also expanded to embrace both international designer brands and exciting, new local designer products. Stay. The recently opened Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences in Salcedo Village offers sharply modern, chic interiors inspired by the palette and design of the famous Spanish painter. Rooms have centralized air-conditioning, a balcony, well-equipped kitchenette, tea and coffee
m a p illustr ation by r a ndy r . r ey
making facility with electric kettle, internet access, iPod docking station, LCD TV, DVD player and bedside clock radio. Located right at the heart of the business district. Room rates start at P4,000 (about US $80) per room night. Tel: +632/ 828 4774; url: www.
picassomakati.com Hotel Céleste is a smallish (25 deluxe
•
rooms), modern, and stylish hotel that opened in Makati in 2008. Its five individually-themed suites, named after French queens, are equipped with 32” LCD HDTV, iPod dock, coffee and tea maker, plush beddings and linen, glass encased rain shower, in-room safe and IDD/NDD
telephone. Tel: +632/ 887 8080; url: www. hotelceleste.ph Robinsons Land Corporations’ Go Hotels,
•
a budget hotel (room rates start at P388++ per night) at Robinsons Cybergate Plaza on EDSA corner Pioneer Street, has clean, modern rooms with rain shower bathrooms, cable LCD TV, free WiFi access and in-room safe. It’s five minutes by taxi to Makati and a few minutes’ walk to the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) Boni Avenue Station. Tel: +632/ 398
8788; url: www.gohotels.ph
• The 172-suite Maxims Hotel, opening in July 2010, is the country’s first deluxe casino hotel. All its rooms come with a personal
august-september 2010 I InFlight 33
insAndOuts M a k a t i ’ s n e w b o l t - h o l e s
butler. Of the suites, three are royal villas and one is a two-bedroom presidential suite. The hotel, part of Resorts World Manila, opened its gaming rooms in August last year, ahead of its guest rooms. Brand name shops such as Burberry, Tifffany and Co., Ferragamo and Gucci to open are close to the hotel entrance.
Tel: +632/ 836 6333; url: www.rmanila.com
Le Bistro Vert
DO. Republiq club at The Atrium in Resorts World, expected to be the largest club in the country, with about 13,000sqft floor area, launched the Main Room and Café on June 17. Opening in July is the Suites at Republiq, six individually themed private rooms with audio and video streaming, karaoke facilities and game console. Republiq is operated by the same group behind Encore, The Manor, Embassy Superclub, and Members Only. In November, the VIP Room that will be its secondary club room will open. url: www.
Café La Carmela
Papertrail
republiqclub.com
SHOP. Makati is a great place for shopping designer brands Burberry, Gucci, Boss Black, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Bvlgari, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs at Greenbelt 4, and local designer shopping at Greenbelt 5, also known as the “Filipino Zone”, carrying Filipino labels such as Aranaz, Atelier Avatar, Gaupo, Kate Torralba, L Manila, Religioso and Tan Gan. On Malugay Street is The Collective that has some 16 shops, including New Old Bikes that specializes in customized bicycles, The Ritual selling affordable local organic items,
•
the noodle house and vegetarian grocery called Wabi-Sabi, and Sundae, a trendy stop for fashion enthusiasts. For bookaholics, Powerbooks, has just opened a newly refurbished Greenbelt 3 branch. Tel: +632/ 757 6428. Papertrail at Lao Center, Makati, sells journals, note pads, organizers, quirky tote bags and “smencils” or scented pencils, all imported from abroad. Tel:
•
+632/ 403 7523; url: www.papertrail.vweb.com US brand Forever 21 has just opened
•
its first store in Manila at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong. Forever 21 features clothing lines, shoes, bags and accessories. Shop Familia at Lao Center sells trendy clothes, bags and shoes of US and European brands and couture fashion for toddlers. With head office in Beverly Hills, California, it has been styling for celebrity kids of Kevin Costner, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and Tori Spelling. Tel: +632/ 836 2021; url: www.
•
shopfamilia.com.ph
Green stop. Enjoy the 20,000sqm Ayala Triangle Gardens right behind the Philippine Stock Exchange building. Park goers can sit under the trees and get free WiFi, enjoy Ovvian Castrillo-Hill’s sculptures and the greenery. Flag down an e-jeepney, a brightly painted, electric-powered 12-seater passenger jeepney, an eco version of the gas guzzler passenger minibuses that ply the streets of Manila. The e-jeepneys take commuters from Salcedo and Legazpi Village to Landmark Mall.
•
Dine. Vegetarians and healthy-living foodies 34 InFlight I august-september 2010
can try Le Bistro Vert at Fraser Place for its tamarind roasted organic chicken, Gen San tuna fillet steak, grilled marinated vegetables, and sautéed mushrooms. All ingredients used are fresh, locally grown organic produce. Le Bistro Vert also carries malunggay pesto and 70g-pack coffee, grown from the country’s different regions. Tel: 632/ 403 1841; url: www.
lebistro.ph The Upper East on Tordesillas Street,
•
Salcedo Village is a new restaurant that serves American classic and fusion menu, with weekly specials. Try the seafood, sausage and black bean soup, buffalo wings with blue cheese dip, and smoked grilled pork chop.
Url: www.ahaphil.com/uppereast.html At Greenbelt, Filipino restaurant Mesa, Filipino Moderne serves Filipino dishes like
•
laing or gabi leaves and spices in coconut milk, crisp fried tilapia, crispy lechon, and fusion Filipino dishes at affordable prices. Tel: +632/
728 0866
• For P120++, you can get a full meal of rice, side dish and main course served a la carte plus iced tea at Spicy Fingers, Greenbelt 2, at lunch hours. Cocktail drinks are P40-P50 per glass from 12pm-8pm. Tel: +632/ 489 0085 Café La Carmela on Jupiter Street offers chicken and pork barbeque dishes, made more special by its dipping sauce of sinamak or traditional vinegar originating from Cebu. Also try the puso or fermented rice appetizer, an authentic Filipino dish, cream dory fish fillet, and crisp thin pizza Filipino style topped with tuyo (smoked fish), sisig (chopped pork parts) and barbeque. They also deliver for a fee. Tel: +632/ 899 5551 ■
•
Le Bistro Vert photo by Ferdz Decena; Café La Carmela and Papertrail photos by Jocas A. See
Cover Story
theADVENTUREissue
Fear factor
Strapped upside down
in a parachute harness,
plunging 45 meters down a gorge, Chip Childers sees
Bohol in a whole new light
opening Pho t o by jeffr ey sonor a i n s i d e PAGES ' P h o t o s b y F e r d z D e c e n a m a p illustr ations by m a r l on a . see Fashion styling by Waldo J. Villados Hair and makeup by Rocky Orejola Modeling by Mariana Fernandes for Ideal People Model’s clothes by Promod; footwear by Merrell Location: Danao Adventure Park
36 InFlight I august-september 2010
holidays
Cover Story F e a r f a c t o r h o l i d a y s
I woke up from a deep sleep
in the back of a van speeding like a comet towards Bohol’s dark and unappreciated inland center. Sunlight filtered through the window onto my face. It's been a few hours since we left Peacock Garden Resort in Upper Laya, Baclayon at an ungodly 3:30am. As I sat up on my seat, first thing I caught sight of was Bohol's famous Chocolate Hills, perfect Hershey-colored domes. Our van weaved its way between these hills somewhere by Carmen, located in the center of Bohol, on the way to Danao Adventure Park. We are giving the touristy Chocolate Hills a miss this time in favor of wilder pursuits. The small town of Danao, about two hours northeast of Tagbilaran, has been creating a buzz among the more active types. Perched on a lip of a canyon, the park has two zip line cables hanging over the canyon floor, river kayaking/trekking and tubing on Class 2 rapids below, rock climbing and rappelling on the side walls, a cable car gondola for the mellow at heart, hiking trails, canopy walks and tours to historical sites, organic farms and local villages. Danao’s tourism concept, promoted as the impossible to forget tag ‘E.A.T. Danao’ (‘E’ for ecological, educational and extreme; ‘A’ for adventure; and ‘T’ for tour) is creative. If you don't get the acronym, eat is, well, an invitation to savor Bohol's local produce and attractions, with adventure ranking high on the list. My first adventure stop at the park is the Plunge, a type of ‘Canyon Swing’ nestled 200 meters above the ground
This page: InFlight writer Chip Childers gets strapped for the 'plunge', a type of canyon swing, which involves positioning the jumper upside down for a 45-meter free fall, followed by a 100-meter pendulum swing 200 meters above a gorge
38 InFlight I august-september 2010
in a 300 meter wide gorge. I had read about it in a few magazines but still couldn’t wrap my head around it. To increase the surprise factor, I asked the staff at the park not to explain anything to me. The plunge involves inverting the jumper upside down, legs roped in, in a freefall of 45 meters, followed by a pendulum arc of 100 meters. It seemed a bit more dynamic than even the bungee jump, which I had tried years before in other countries. The lead in to the plunge was dramatic enough. There's the ritual of strapping me into a parachute body
Childers lets loose, going full speed at the park's 500-meter zipline called 'suislide'. Bottom right, rapelling 60m down a rocky cliff
Man on a wire: Full speed ahead along a 500-meter zipline harness, marching me out to a ‘walk the plank’-style metal platform, and asking me to lay with my back to the canyon. The drawbridge device was slowly tilted down, drum trucking my inversed legs-up, my feet roped in securely, and then there was the clarion call of “bombs away", and I lurched into the abyss head first, squealing like a little girl in a horror house while swinging like a pendulum, seeing only the canyon bottom zipping by me at mach speed. After five to 10 swings, I came to a slow standstill, and was reeled back in. The rest of the morning was spent sampling a few of the other on-site attractions, such as the ‘Suislide’, a 500 meter long zip line, the Sky Ride, a cable ride suspended over the river gorge, for those just wanting to leisurely appreciate the surroundings in a low-fear manner. The Rappel, right next to the starting areas for the suislide and the plunge, was a great way for a height-sensitive novice to practice giving their trust to the professionals at the park. I tried the rappel, dropping 60 meters down the rocky cliff. I was surprised when I was offered a carabiner and a cable to hook up to my harness and told I would be lifted back up to my starting point. The operator stopped the motor if I had to negotiate some rocks, and fired it up if I was just hanging. That’s ascending in style – none of the long hikes or difficult climbs that are usually the payback of a fun and easy rappel down. A nice climb at the park is the ‘root climb’ up a cliffside wall where a tree and its roots have made the entire wall one big hand hold. This involves hiking down to the river to where the root system of some riparian trees has extended almost down to the river level on smooth granite cliffsides. The roots,
40 InFlight I august-september 2010
several inches in diameter, offer ample hand and foot holds. With helmets and proper belay setups, climbers are able to climb up several hundred feet of roots. I’ve yet to see anything like this offered anywhere else. A contrast to all the adrenaline-fueled (well the sky ride is mellow, as is the tour to the organic garden) activities is the hiking tour to the caves where Rebel Dagohoy, who led the strongest rebellion in the 1800s against the Spaniards that lasted some 85 years, hid from his enemies. Local tales have it that Dagohoy used amulets in his battles. The tour also takes you to the neighboring villages, to get a glimpse of local life outside the park. Day two in Bohol involved touring the boardwalk on the Baclayon waterfront, where getting a barbeque and a puso or two of rice (tiny heart-sized serving of rice wrapped in leaves) in the shadow of one of the oldest churches in the country ain’t such a bad thing. The area is especially nice around sunset, but we were headed up up the hills, in dune buggies, which put a big evil grin on the face of a grown up little boy like myself. I tried out the beast; and all was good. I took Ferdz as my nervous passenger. I was focused on hooning down the trail like a madman. They knew I was crazy — they had seen my stunt the previous day when I had dedicated myself to wearing a Peacock Garden robe (they really are the most comfortable robes of any hotel I’ve ever tried on) for the whole assignment. That stunt met opposition and defeat from a restaurant doorman. At the wheel of the buggy, I felt my passenger’s nervousness as we headed from the pier up to the hills above the town, revving up the engine and attempting sliding donuts when I had the space. At one point, my passenger alighted and prodded us to
F e a r f a c t o r h o l i d a y s Cover Story
hoon, two degrees from being out of control, around corners and down roads. “Kick up more dust, go faster,” they shouted. Yeehaw, this is work? Bring it on. Little boy grown men-find your way to the dune buggies, and have our man tour you on the roads above Baclayon – your trip won’t be in vain or forgotten, even if the rest of the trip was in vain. Have your resort book the details for you, or stop by the tourism center at the Baclayon Pier from where all Pamilacan trips leave to get more details. The tourism center has one-and-a-half-hour buggy rides to the upland barangays, and shorter or longer trips by arrangement. I suggest you go with the longer trip. The tourism center also has a plethora of toys to spice up your vacation, from kayaks, to pedal boats. On our third day in
42 InFlight I august-september 2010
F e a r f a c t o r h o l i d a y s Cover Story
More play in Baclayon in Bohol. This time, kicking up dust in a dune buggy
Bohol it was time to stop looking wistfully at Pamilacan Island’s reflection in the Peacock Garden’s infinity pool, and arrange for a banca with guides to show us around the waters off of Baclayon Town. Pointing the bow towards Pamilacan, the early morning calm was perfect for a little bi-species interaction, and it wasn’t long at all until our boat was surrounded by one of the biggest pods of dolphins I’ve ever seen, including some Frasier’s and bottlenose dolphins, gracefully churning the calm seas into a hyperkinetic early morning fresh tuna breakfast. I made my way to the tip of the bow, wrapped my knees around it to keep myself from falling out of the boat, and peered into the deep clear waters. With its position locked in a prime cetacean channel,
august-september 2010 I InFlight 43
Cover Story F e a r f a c t o r h o l i d a y s
generations of Pamilacan inhabitants have hunted whales in these waters, supplying the island with meat, oil and the manifold byproducts of the world’s largest mammals, creating an intimate bond between man and animal. With the changing times, whaling decreased in its value for survival, and legislation was passed to protect marine mammals. When ecotourism began to blossom, Pamilacan was an obvious prime destination, as there’s hardly a destination with such a massive number of cetaceans, as well as variety (over 15 types of whales and dolphins have been spotted in the waters around Bohol, including, killer and sperm whales, and such as around the time of our stay, the occasional blue whale). An avid dolphin or whale watcher couldn’t ask for better guides for locating and interacting with these denizens of the deep. While some times of the year are better than others for spotting whales and dolphins (the calm months of April and May have high sighting rates), several species can be seen almost all year round in the waters off of Southern Bohol. ■
For adventure tours offered by E.A.T. Danao, call at +6338/ 510 0033 or +63921/ 759 4403, email eatdanao@ymail.com, or visit www.eatdanao.com. For buggy inland/upland tours, contact the Center for Tourism of Baclayon at +6338/ 540 9474 or 540 9373. For dolphin and whale watching tours in Pamilacan, contact +6338/ 540 9279 or +63919/ 730 6108. The Peacock Garden Luxury Resort & Spa can also help arrange the tours for its guests. To book at Peacock Garden, call +6338/ 539 9231, 416 0483 or +63917/ 326 9000, email relax@ thepeacockgarden.com, or visit www.thepeacockgarden.com All in a day's work: Childers going out to sea to snorkel, a massage on the beach, and yes, a spot of dolphin watching
44 InFlight I august-september 2010
n e x t pag e : E ss e ntia l s & Oth e r a dv e ntu r e s to try
Cover Story F e a r f a c t o r h o l i d a y s
essentials How to get there SEAIR flies to Cebu City, from where there are fast and easy Fast Cat boats to Bohol capital city Tagbilaran.
you a different side of Bohol that you aren't expecting. Peacock Garden Luxury Resort & Spa is in a good location and offers luxurious rooms and a spa.
Visit www.FlySeair.com or call +632/ 849 0100 to book SEAIR
Call +6338/ 539 9231, 416 0483 or on the number +63917/ 326 9000; email relax@thepeacockgarden.com; visit www.thepeacockgarden.com
Getting around Bohol is an easy island to get around to EXPLORE, with a well-maintained 161km coastal road circumnavigating the island; you can usually arrange a comfortable van for you. It's also easy to flag down a jeep or bus. Best to arrange boats through your resort or at the tourism center. There are regular boat trips to such islands as Pamilacan. Where to stay Bohol offers a wide variety of lodgings, luxurious to basic. most are in Panglao, but there are plenty of other places that may show
46 InFlight I august-september 2010
Who to talk to The Tourism Center in Baclayon is amazingly switched on, and can arrange most trips, from dolphin and whale watching tours that have made the area famous, to buggy and kayak trips.
Call +6338/ 540 9474 or 540 9373 The Danao Adventure Park
Call +6338/ 510 0033 or +63921/ 759 4403; email eatdanao@ymail.com; visit www.eatdanao.com
Next time, make sure to try...
Panglao Island
Wahig River
Other adventures The Crocodile Park offers crocodile, snake and butterfly watching, wildlife encounters, educational tours and adventures like night safaris, with recreational facilities for both adults and kids. Free entries or discounts to the Crocodile Park, Zip City, The Butterfly Park, Tribu Ka Mindawan, River Walk Café, the 183 Bar, and the Maxima Aqua Fun at Samal, home of the insanely popular ‘Abyss’ giant water slide, are afforded those who buy a seat on one of Davao Wild Water rafts. Prices range from P1,500 to P2,000, depending on the number of people in your group. Visit www.psdgroupph.com for more info See Bohol the way it was meant to be seen, and pick up the paddle and head out on kayaks. Contact Abatan River Kayak Rowers and Bohol Xtreme Outdoor Equipment for trip descriptions of the Nipa forests along the Abatan River or the postcard perfect islets around Getafe and Tubigon. Mobile: +63909/ 222 3589
Other attractions Panglao is many Bohol travelers' focal point, and for good reason — it’s high concentration of quality
Bohol's tarsiers
resorts and lodgings, as well as restaurants, and its mix of beach coves that run the gamut from ‘all-night night life’ sections to hidden coves. Its inland area has spas and gems such as the bee farm, a must visit. Call Bee Farm at +6338/ 502 2288 or +63917/ 304 1491; email vickywallace@boholbeefarm.com; visit www. boholbeefarm.com Sierra Bullones’ attraction is river trekking. Starting at the trailhead, about 20km from the Town Hall, the trek is a leisurely 3km hike that follows the Wahig River through canyons, and agricultural areas. Trekkers get picked up at the mouth of the canyon. Ask the tourism officials at Sierra Bullones about other offerings, such as the amazing caves that gave Bohol its name (‘boho’ means ‘hole’ in Visayan) and international attention. Contact the Mayor’s Office in Sierra Bullones at +6338/ 527 1001 for more info Corella is where you should go if you are truly interested in tarsiers, which are fascinating creatures to watch, especially in their native habitat. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation and Sanctuary in Corella is about a half hour drive from Tagbilaran. ■
Pangalo Island and Tarsier photos by Mike Alcid; Wahig River photo by Jocas A. See
august-september 2010 I InFlight 47
insider’s guide
50 InFlight I august-september 2010
Professional surfer Luke Landrigan on why his northern hometown is fast becoming an international favorite St ory by C ather ine C a lderon pho t os by Joel H. Ga rci a
Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan
august-september 2010 I InFlight 51
Urbiztondo has good surfing for beginners and pro
Pindangan Church Ruins
Our Lady of Namacpacan Church
Freedom Park/Heroes Hill
52 InFlight I august-september 2010
L a Union
insider’s guide
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Hike to the Bolikewkew Rice Terraces in Burgos or get a thrill at Tuddingan Falls where people jump from the top of the falls down 70feet to the water base. And if you love biking, Luke says Capitol Hill in San Fernando City is the best place to go. “Most of the bikers use that trail for practice for competitions because of its zigzag road and it’s uphill then downhill,” he said.
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There’s also the La Union Botanical Garden in San Fernando to enjoy the different flowers and plants sourced from various countries.
About Our insider Luke Landrigan, winner of 2009 Aloha Boardsports Longboard Pro Invitational, gave InFlight an insight on how surfing started in La Union, and tips on where the best waves are and the best places to stay. Landrigan's father, Brian, is one of the pioneers of surfing in the country. During the days when La Union had an air station, Brian and his surfer friends would pack their surfboards, head for Urbiztondo in San Juan, La Union, and ride the waves. It was not long before the locals and other tourists followed suit. The elder Landrigan settled in La Union, and set up San Juan Surf Resort in the early '80s. Luke, who was born in Australia, grew up in Union, and as expected, with a surfer Dad as teacher, easily took to surfing. Luke set up the Billabong Surf School in 2003.
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Live music and bonfire nights on the beach are held every month. These tend to be organized regularly during monthly surfing competitions. Ask your resort for details. Visit historical spots La Union's history told of Japanese, Chinese and Moro pirates invading its shore and leaving a trail of destruction. Pindangan Church Ruins in the City of San Fernando is testament to this. When the pirates came to Pindangan (Ilocano term that means a place where meats are salted and hung to dry) sometime in the 1800s, they pillaged the place and burned down the church, built in 1764. What remains of the church now are the brick walls, the flying buttresses and an old well made of corals and bricks right by the left wing of the church.
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Why go now If you like surfing, July to February is the best time to visit, with waves at their strongest and highest. Having said this, you can surf year-round. BEST SPOTS FOR SURFING Poro Point and Bacnotan are good for beginners. But Urbiztondo is the only place with the surf resorts by the beach, and it's best for both beginners and pros. You can also try bodyboarding, skimboarding, scuba diving and snorkelling. Said Luke: "The Surfing action here actually kicks off in January for the Manila Surfer’s Cup, followed by the Mabuhay Longboard Cup in February or March, which is the longest running international surfing competition in the Philippines, then the Surfing Break between October and November in time for the short school break, and topping off the year’s surf activity is the Rimat Ti Amianan, a month-long Expo in December with surfing as its highlight. It’s open to all local surfers and you’ll get to see the best of the best surfers. At night, there’s also the beach party.”
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St. Catherine Parish in Luna, built by the Augustinians in the 19th century, is home to the miraculous Our Lady of Namacpacan, which draws devotees from all walks of life.
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Capitol Hill and the Freedom Park/Heroes Hill, the seat of the local government, where the governor holds office, has the best view in town. The Romanesqueinspired building sits on top of a hill and from its
GET YOUR BEARINGS La Union is flanked by Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in the North and Pangasinan in the south. Although La Union used to be mainly a jump off point to Vigan, Ilocos Sur or the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan, it is now getting its share of the tourist market, thanks to surfing and the local government's promotion of the Botanical Garden, the Pebble Beach and Baluarte Watch Tower, and Ma-Cho Temple among others. THINGS TO DO Hike along the Arosip Eco Trail in Bacnotan. It's also a good place for 4x4 rides and dirt bikes. There are waterfalls like Balay Anito Falls in the town of Santol, and Lon-Oy Springs in Barangay Lon-Oy and Bayabas in San Gabriel. In the dry season, you can camp in Tappuakan River in Cares, Pugo Town.
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insider’s guide L a U n i o n
From left, this spread: InFlight writer Cathy Calderon in Thunderbird Resort's deluxe suite room; San Juan Surf Resort's apartment type rooms; and the resort's surf shop
verandah, which is also a view deck, you can see the city of San Fernando and the China Sea. Just right outside the corner of the building's east wing is Freedom Park or Heroes Hill. Walk up the hill's 100 steps to see the busts of Filipino heroes. CHECK IN The San Juan Surf Resort is a cluster of two threestorey buildings, a bungalow for the Surf School, and the thatched-roof restaurant across the beach, all adjacent to one another. Rooms cost from P890 (about US $18) for a bungalow aircon to about P1,660 for villas. The resort has a restaurant/bar, a shop that rents out surf boards and kayaks, and sells swimming and surf outfits. The Billabong Surf School is located within the resort and is run by Luke himself. The school offers a daily P400 per hour lesson, which includes rent for the surf board; and if students want to extend for longer it can be arranged. Location: Barangay Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union Tel: +6372/ 720 0340; fax: +6372/ 242 0822 Mobile: +63917/ 880 3040 Email: sanjuansurfresort@yahoo.com URL: www.sanjuansurfresort.com
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For big spenders, the Greek-inspired architecture of Thunderbird Resorts - Poro Point situated in a 65 hectare peninsula overlooking the South China Sea is the best choice. Thunderbird has a 24 hour casino, golf course, and its own beach and boardwalk. All 36 luxury rooms are equipped with cable TV, iPod dock, pantry with coffee and tea making facility, mini bar, in-room electronic safety box, IDD/NDD phone and free WiFi access. Deluxe room starts at P7,225, deluxe with jacuzzi at P7,750, and the four suites cost up to P19,646 a night. It has the Olives Restaurant and the Cabana Bar inside the main hotel. Location: Poro Point Freeport Zone, San Fernando City, La Union Tel: +6372/ 888 7777; Makati office tel: +632/ 886 5555 Email: pororeservations@thunderbird-asia.com URL: www.thunderbirds.com
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“It’s that kind of resort that’s very ideal for family vacations. It has a child-friendly swimming pool and a bar and restaurant.” China Sea Beach Resort has a tropical garden setting with 20 deluxe aircon rooms with hot and cold shower, cable TV and intercom at P1,665 a night with free breakfast, or standard room at P1,450 with free breakfast (free breakfast is good only between June 1-October 31). The resort has a swimming pool and a restaurant called Seaview Bar & Restaurant. Location: Paringano, Bauang, La Union Tel: +6372/ 607 6607; mobile: +63917/ 540 6607 Email: richiemarielandrigan@yahoo.com URL: www.chinaseabeachresort.com.ph
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The Sea and Sky Hotel and Restaurant has 39 aircon rooms with hot and cold bath, cable TV and telephone. Located in the city center, it has a swimming pool, a sundeck and a restaurant that extends to a balcony that has a panoramic harbor view of San Fernando Bay. Single rooms start at P1,000, a sea view double room at P1,500, and family suite for P2,350. Location: Pagdaraoan, San Fernando City, La Union Tel: +6372/ 607 5579 to 81 URL: www.seaandskyhotel.com
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Situated in the heart of Urbiztondo Beach, Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa is a cul-de-sac of Balinese inspired cottages that peer out onto San Juan’s popular beachfront. With an infinity pool and clubhouse that juts out onto the beach, Kahuna provides the idyllic setting for chilled and relaxed evenings, watching the sun set on the surf. Room rates start at P4,000 with the 29 rooms and one suite all with queen size bed, equipped with cable TV and WiFi. Location: National Highway, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union Tel: +6372/ 607 1017 Email: aburianyk@gmail.com URL: www.kahunaresort.com
54 InFlight I august-september 2010
august-september 2010 I InFlight 55
River Farm Seafood Restaurant
Halo Halo De Iloko
Lola Nanny’s Surf Retreat & Restaurant
S.O.U.L Café
56 InFlight I august-september 2010
Halo Halo De Iloko photo by Jocas A. See; S.O.U.L Café photo by Ferdz Decena
L a Union
DINING AND DRINKING IN LA UNION River Farm Seafood Restaurant The only floating restaurant in La Union can be found along the Baroro River in Barangay Baroro in Bacnotan, right under the bridge. There are cabanas that can sit around 10 people in a long table with the view of San Gabriel mountain, which is already part of Ilocos Sur. Their specialties include inihaw na tilapia that costs P60, kilawin na tuna or blue marlin at around P150. Other must-try dishes include the veritable Ilocano dish pinakbet at P160, the River Farm hot pot with assorted seafood like tuna, shrimps, crabs, squids and vegetables in sinigang broth at P290. They also have what’s called the "River Farm medley", which is an assortment of grilled tilapia, bangus and liempo with steamed okra and seaweeds at P270. Prawns and lobsters must be ordered one day ahead to make sure of its availability. Location: Km282, Barangay Baroro, Bacnotan, La Union Mobile: +63908/ 998 7132, +63921/ 433 9131 Email: ces_craftsmen@yahoo.com.ph
insider’s guide
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Halo Halo De Iloko For all-day dining, serving such dishes as the typical sinigang na baboy, pinakbet, kamote tops in bagoong sauce, to the innovative like the Ilocano express where the famous local mainstay, bagnet, is cooked in coconut milk and chili ala Bicol express. During the surfing season, surfers come in groups to sample the pork binagoongan. Also try the dinakdakan, which is cooked like sisig with minced pork cheeks, ears and brains and come with soy sauce dip. The Halo-Halo, with typical sweetened sweet potato, boiled banana, yam, sago added with yema, corn flakes, coconut, ice and milk, is the signature dish, and always in great demand. Location: Branch 1 is on Corner P. Burgos and Zandueta Streets, San Fernando City; Halo Halo de Iloko 2 Modernorte is along National Highway, Barangay Carlatan (in front of Shell gas station), La Union Tel: +6372/ 700 2030, 603 1430; mobile: +63919/ 388 3145 Email: reivax69@yahoo.com
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Lola Nanny’s Surf Retreat & Restaurant Located right in the middle of Urbiztondo Beach, this homey restaurant/resort with an eclectic décor, is owned and operated by the well-known Lola Nanny, Luke's mom. Her specialty are meat pies, chicken cordon bleu at P210, open burger at P160, and Korean ribs at P190. If Lola Nanny’s not around to personally cook your meal, her assistant cook and all around girl Emar is there to happily serve you. Open from 7am until dawn during surf season but closes at 8pm on off season. Room rates start at P500. Location: Barangay Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union Mobile: +63915/ 418 4034 Email: buskay613@yahoo.com
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S.O.U.L Café A Luke favorite. "I really love S.O.U.L. Café in Rosario. I love the aroma of coffee as soon as you enter the place and you can also smell the herbs. Since I always drive from La Union to Manila, I always stop by S.O.U.L. Café. They’ve got a lot of dishes there like rib eye and the osso buck." Location: Camp One, Rosario, La Union Tel: +6372/ 712 1190 Other places to try Visit the local market in San Fernando for fresh fruit and local delicacies, seafood and meat. Midway Grill in Carlatan serves pulpog, an Ilocano dish made of pig’s brain, bits of pork and chopped pepper. Nuval's at the Poblacion Wet Market in San Fernando serves jumping salad, a bowl of live shrimps you drizzle with calamansi or local lemon. The shrimps start to jump once the calamansi or vinegar is added. You are supposed to take off the shrimp's head and dip in vinegar right before you relish it. ■
n e x t p a g e : O t h e r p l a c e s of i n t e r e s t
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insider’s guide L a U n i o n
Other places of interest Centennial Tree The Centennial Tree is reputed to be the biggest tree with the most expansive branches in the country. It's located in Carcaman Elementary School in Barangay Carcaman. Rent a vehicle for a good 20-minute drive to the site from the main town of Bacnotan. Pebble Beach and Baluarte Watch Tower Brightly colored pebbles of all shapes and hues are found at Pebble Beach in Barangay Darigayos, Luna Town. Locals who live along the coastline sell to tourists clear bottles filled with colorful pebbles for P30-P50. Also along this beach is the Baluarte Watch Tower, which used to be a vantage point for civil guards on the look out for pirates. La Union Botanical Garden and Science Centrum This 20 hectare land in Brgy. Cadaclan is a center of environmental education, scientific research, biodiversity, conservation, and recreation in La Union. The garden features unique areas like Bambusetum where you will find overgrown bamboos, the Orchidarium, the Japanese garden with a zen-like layout, and a zoo that houses birds, monkeys and serpents. The Science Centrum within was built in September 2005 as an interactive laboratory, complete with a tour guide. Entrance fee is P10 for adults and P5 for a child.
Centennial Tree
Ma-Cho Temple Built in 1975, this Taoist temple located in Brgy. 2, San Fernando City, was named after the Chinese deity Ma-Cho, believed to be the counterpart of the Virgin of Caysasay in Taal, Batangas. Many devotees come to make a wish or to ask the deity a question using joss sticks, a traditional Chinese way of communicating with the deities for guidance in making an important decision.
Ma-Cho Temple
n e x t p a g e : E s s e n t i a l s a n d l a u n io n m a p 58 InFlight I august-september 2010
Baluarte Watch Tower ruins that look out to Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach and Baluarte Watch Tower photo by Jocas A. See
august-september 2010 I InFlight 59
La Union Botanical Garden
Tapuakan River)
Dried fish
Abel Factory
60 InFlight I august-september 2010
La Union Botanical Garden, Tapuakan River and Abel Factory photos by Jocas A. See
L a Union
insider’s guide
essentials Florida bus operates deluxe trips daily from Earnshaw Station in Manila to La Union. Rate is P360 per person to San Fernando, and P370 to San Juan. Both destinations have an estimated five-six-hour travel time. Call +632/ 781 5894. For Manila-bound travellers,
Map illustration by Marlon A. See
there are daily aircon buses that ply 24/7 from the terminal near the Capitol building in San Fernando. But for a more comfortable trip, take a bus to Baguio where there are Victory Liner deluxe buses bound for Manila for P700 per person. Call +6374/ 619 0000. For car or van hire, book Carfield. Rates
average P9,500 per day for car hire, and P12,000 for van hire. Rates include driver, gasoline and toll fees. In La Union, tricycles are aplenty and are relatively cheap. Otherwise, you can resort to car hire for use within La Union. Sea and Sky Resort can help arrange for your transportation.
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62 InFlight I august-september 2010
Lo v i n g t h e p l a n e t
Detox your house
A young mom chucks out chemical household cleaners and launches her own eco-friendly brand, says Margie F. Francisco
Green Housing photo by MJ Photography / iStockphoto
august-september 2010 I InFlight 63
inTune D e t o x y o u r h o u s e
House cleaning without hurting the planet
Make your own cleaning products using inexpensive, easy-to-use natural ingredients In the kitchen • Mix 2 tablespoon (tbsp) of baking soda and 1tbsp of white vinegar to make an all-purpose cleaner • Clean refrigerators using warm water and soap, then wipe with vanilla essence. An open packet of baking soda in the fridge will absorb odors • Cloudy drinking glasses will be sparkling again if you soak them in warm white vinegar for an hour
Messy Bessy staff at work
ounded in Manila in November 2007 by Krie ReyesLopez, green cleaning brand Messy Bessy is gaining a foothold in the market and is now sold in Rustan’s Flower Shop, Legazpi Sunday Market and organic shops in Manila. Messy Bessy aims to give consumers a healthier alternative to chemical based products, using natural cleaning agents such as baking soda, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and other essential oils, distilled white vinegar, water, and most other ingredients you can find in your own kitchen cupboard. In the olden days, baking soda was used as an all-around cleaner, deodorizer and stain remover, distilled white vinegar as nature’s great degreaser and disinfectant, and essential oils such as tea tree oil also as a disinfectant. “We’re not organic,” Messy Bessy founder Lopez said. “But we are all natural, meaning all our ingredients are derived from nature. Our product goes down the drain and back to the rivers without harming the environment.” Among the first Messy Bessy products are Minty Orange Blossom Surface Cleaner and the Eucalyptus All Purpose Scrub, both best sellers. New additions
64 InFlight I august-september 2010
include specialty cleaners such as the Squeaky Clean Window Cleaner, Tea Tree Mold and Mildew Spray and Jasmine Carpet Cleaner, disinfectants and deodorizers, kitchen sink mates, Messy Baby, Laundry Mate, a coconutbased, lavender-infused laundry detergent for hand and machine wash, and bug controllers. The brand’s bug controllers, patchouli-based Anti-Roach Spray and Insect Repellant with andiroba oil, do what they are meant to do without polluting the air around you. “I really believe that there is a need for a local line of green cleaners. If you have to wear gloves and a mask to handle a cleaning product, surely it’s not good for you? So why use it in your house? Reyes-Lopez said. Lopez said that it was also her goal to provide a means of rehabilitation for disadvantaged youth through HOuSE (Helping Ourselves Through Sustainable Enterprises). A large part of income generated from selling Messy Bessy helps in sustaining the program. ■ Messy Bessy is available at Rustan’s Flower Shop, Beauty Bar, AC+632 at Greenbelt 5, Legaspi Sunday Market, Echostore at Serendra, EcoMarket at Metro Gaisano Market! Market!, Healthnest at Hi-Top Supermart and GreenStream Organic Shop in Marikina. For more information, call +63917/ 830 3003, visit www.messybessy.com or email messybessycleaners@gmail.com.
In the bathroom • Pour two cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it soak overnight. Clean with toilet brush, warm water and vinegar the next day. Repeat twice a week • Coke, yes your favorite drink, can remove toilet bowl stain and limescale if left for a few hours before brushing and flushing • Clean your floor and wall tiles with a spray made from half a portion vinegar and half water with a few drops of tea tree oil In the living room • Spray the Jasmine Carpet Cleaner (P285) on carpet or rug before vacuuming. The jasmine essential oil in the cleaner effectively removes stains • For windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces, use the Squeeky Clean Window Cleaner (P285). Spray on surface then wipe with a cloth or newspaper • Slight scratches on furniture can be removed by rubbing them with a freshly cut walnut. Use a chunk of white bread to remove finger marks from wallpapers In the bedroom • Use Messy Bessy’s Laundry Detergent (P300) for your linen. The coconut soap granules deep cleanses the cloth, and the lavender oil helps relax your skin. The detergent is good for both machine and hand wash • Messy Bessy’s Lavender Linen Spray (P240) softens fabrics like curtains, bed sheets, upholstery and fresh laundry. Can also double as a room spray
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• Aloha Boardsports
(For Dakine Backpack) Km 12 East Service Road, South Super Highway, Western Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: +632/ 837 0118
• Clover Cups Vegan Treats www.clovercups.multiply.com Tel: +63927/ 347 0276
• EchoStore
(For Messy Bessy hand sanitizer) Ground Level Serendra Piazza, McKinley Parkway Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel: +632/ 901 3485
• Healthy Options (For Nature’s Gate Spring Fresh Deodorant and Stevia Sweetener sachets) Greenbelt 5, Phase 2 B1-11, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel: +632/ 729 6104
• Life Force Clinic
(For Quantum Science Fusion Excel Flask) 1608 Makati Medical Plaza, Amorsolo corner Dela Rosa St., Makati City Tel: +632/ 751 6607
in the shops >in my bag
Women’s Chameleon Arc Pure, P3,995, from Merrell; XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX,P7,990, from Salomon; Chameleon3 Ventilator Mid GORE-TEX, P5,595, from Merrell; Men’s Ultra 105 GTX XCR, P5,690, from The North Face; Men’s Raveneous Omni-tech, P6,490, from Columbia Sportswear
• Luminox available at Rudy Project • Merrell G/L Market!Market!, Bonifacio High Street, Global City, Taguig Tel: +632/ 836 1560
theADVeNtUReissUe
• Oakley 1A 12 – 1A 13, Quadrant 1, Bonifacio High Street, Global City, Taguig Tel: +632/ 856 2639 SOUTH E AST ASIAN AIRLINES ON - BOARd mAGA zINE
december - january 2009
• Powerbooks
FeelGood Holidays
(For “The Secret Life of Water” by Masaru Emoto) 2/L Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel: +632/ 757 6428-29
Sun, sea, & spa in Boracay
Plus a G u i d e t o w e l l n e s s c e n t e r s
www.seair-inflight.com • www.flyseair.com
Give your kids a break Top 10 days-out for the moppets
(For Apple iPod Video 80gig) 2/L Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel: +632/ 729 7128
NEWS FLASH
SEAIR STARTS FIRST INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO KOTA KINABALU
island life Fruit bats, turtle hatchlings, and a luxury stay in Club Paradise
PLUS
• Promod
AUGUsT-sEPTEMbER 2010 I InFlight 17
june - july issue ‘09
inMyBag
Mona L isa Ne uboe c k M y t r a v e l l i s t:
i n t e rv i e w by M a r g i e F. F r a n c i s c o
G/F, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel.: +632 729 9716
seair noW flies direct to boronGan, samar
december - january issue ‘09
pho t os by Jeffr ey sonor a pr o d u c t r e s e a r c h a n d s t y l i n g b y Wa l d o J . V i l l a d o s
• Power Mac Center
Where to Go for live music A hot list from cool people
4 days in boronGan Hiking, caving, and surfing in Eastern Samar’s capital town
the latest in outdoor style, whether you’re off to a tough adventure, or just biking round the corner
august - september issue ‘09
• R.O.X (For Columbia, Nalgene, Pacsafe, Phiten, Salomon, The North Face, Victorinox) B1 Bonifacio High Street, The Fort, Taguig City Tel: +632/ 8564638
“i always do a quick checklist a few days ahead of my trip especially if i’m off to an outdoor destination. i want to make sure there will be no regrets over forgotten essentials! i try keeping it light, using travel-size containers, and hardly ever taking more than one extra pair of shoes” Mona Lisa neuboeck is a Filipina-Austrian artist and yoga practitioner. After living and studying fashion design in Salzburg, Austria, she moved to Manila to pursue a career in commercial modeling. A passionate outdoor person, Neuboeck’s also a runner, surfer, stand-up paddle boarder and ocean swimmer
1 Dakine backpack (P4,495) 2 Quantum Science Fusion Excel Flask (P8,000) 3 Virgin coconut oil (P110) “Only two tablespoons a day boost my metabolism and aid digestion. And it is a fantastic, inexpensive all natural makeup remover with anti-aging properties”
visitinG an olD Dame A stay at the 100-year-old Baguio Country Club
“I always carry my own snacks with me like fruits, raw nuts or this tasty vegan, low fat, high fiber, sugar free muffin”
9 Stevia Sweetener sachets (P359) “Sugar is bad; artificial sweeteners are worse! Stevia is an all natural calorie free, diabetic safe alternative and these practical sachets come super handy on the go”
10 Apple iPod Video 80GB (P14,990) 11 Messy Bessy hand sanitizer (P60) 12 Spalding pedometer (P375) “This comes with a stop watch, time mode, a calorie counter, a distance counter, and a very handy backside clip which I attach to my shorts or running gear. It’s an easy tool for monitoring my daily physical activity” ■
05
06 08
to dive for
real bite Enjoy genuine burritos and top tequila at Bolero
october - november 2009
to dive for
www.seair-inflight.com • www.flyseair.com
“The ideal shades for running. They are comfortable and don’t bounce or slip off my nose when I sweat”
8 Clover Cups Vegan Treats (price ranges from P90-P165)
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(For Virgin Coconut Oil) SM Mall of Asia, G/F North Parking Bldg., Bay Blvd. Roxas Blvd., Pasay City Tel: +632/ 833 4514-17
F o r sto r e lo cat i o n a n d c o n ta c t d eta i ls, t u r n to
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20 InFlight I AuGuST-SEPTEMBEr 2010
• Sprinto Sports Gear Eyewear
b o r ac ay
2/L, Landmark Department Store, Makati Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 810 9990
th e D o r n i e r m u s e u m o p e n s i n F r i e D r i c h s c h a F e n , G e r m a n y
october - november issue ‘09
11
07
• SM Hypermarket
baGuio Still cool after all these years
t h e
“The perfect outdoor shoe! Ideal for countless outdoor activities including running, trekking, yoga and even water sports”
6 “The Secret Life of Water” book by Masaru Emoto (P705) 7 Sprinto Sports Gear Eyewear (P1,900)
2/L Glorieta 3 Ayala Center Makati Tel: +632/ 816 6351
the supernatural 10 eerie places from Aklan to Siquijor
ta k i n G
5 Vibram FiveFingers (P4,450)
02
• Rudy Project
october - november 2009
“This deodorant has a pleasant scent and is free of aluminum, parabens, and any other carcinogens or irritation-causing ingredients”
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south e ast asian airlines on - board maga zine
pho t o by JeFFr ey sonor a
4 Nature’s Gate Spring Fresh Deodorant (P269)
december - january issue ‘10
february - March issue ‘10
• Toby’s Sports (For Spalding pedometer) 3/F, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel: +632/ 815 1793
to subscribe past issues from our archive, call:
+632/ 8402803
• Vibram Fivefingers Power Plant Mall Level R1, Bridgeway Kiosk, Rockwell, Makati City
Top photo by Jeffrey Sonora Fashion styling by Waldo Villados Hair and makeup by Rocky Orejola Modeling by Mariana Fernandes for Ideal People Model’s attire: Clothes by Promod; backpack by Salomon available at R.O.X.
august- september 2010 I InFlight
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seair
Vision To provide world-renowned domestic and international airline and aviationrelated services following the highest safety standards. Mission To satisfy customer needs and surpass their expectations and requirements. • To fulfill the requirements of shareholders, business partners, employees and suppliers, following ethical business practices • To foster an atmosphere of team building through commitment and dedication to employees’ welfare and to achieve the highest sense of company identity • To be a benchmark model in the application of Quality Management System in the aviation industry • Our philosophical outlook is to support environmental conservation and community empowerment through educational awareness and direct involvement Quality Policy To provide excellent, safe, and reliable air transport that exceeds customer requirements through continual improvement of the established Quality Management System. Basic Facts and Figures South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) is a pioneer in Philippine aviation. Since 1995, we have been flying passengers to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Consistency, quality and reliability characterize SEAIR’s operations. • Awarded “Best Airline of the Year for two consecutive years (2002 and 2003) by the Philippines’’ Consumers Excellence Award • Serves a total of 15 destinations nationwide. We fly the most number of flights to Palawan and offer the fastest and most number of connections to Boracay • Employs over 200 people ready to provide excellent service to our passengers • Our fleet is made up of four Dornier 328s and six LET 410 UVP-E aircraft for use in scheduled and chartered flights. 66 InFlight I august-september 2010
Competitive Advantage EXPERIENCE. SEAIR has been a pioneer in aviation, flying foreign and local tourists to the most remote tourist destinations in the Philippines since 1995. MODERN FLEET. SEAIR operates one of the youngest fleet of aircraft in its segment in the industry. FASTEST FLIGHTS. Our state-of-the-art aircraft allow us to offer you the fastest flights in selected routes, including Caticlan (Boracay) in 35 minutes. HIGH LEVEL OF ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT. SEAIR is an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) authorized third-party repair station. Its services include maintenance service for airframes, power plants, avionics and aircraft interiors. INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS. We continue to innovate in customercentric products that will make traveling more fun and convenient. Other Services Leisure Escape Packages (LEP) We offer one-stop shopping for your next vacation. Hassle-free and competitively priced, our fully packaged vacations include accommodation and air fare. Call us and book now at: Tel. +632 843.7308 E-mail: packages@flyseair.com Charters Our aircraft may be chartered for special corporate and group travel. Our charter specialists will assist you in planning and arranging your special travel. For inquiries call us at: Tel. +632 849.0200 E-mail: charters@flyseair.com Cargo We ensure a safe, secure and reliable delivery of your freight and parcel. For inquiries call us at: Tel. +632 851.5555 E-mail: cargo@flyseair.com.
milestones 1995 Iren Dornier, Nikos Gitsis and Tomas Lopez founded South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) with two nineseater DO-28 airplanes flying from Manila to Caticlan, and Taytay and Busuanga in Palawan. 1996 SEAIR took delivery of its first LET410 aircraft, a 19seater Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, ideal for the small runways of Palawan and other destinations where bigger commercial aircraft could not land. 1996 to 2003 With the success of the first LET410 aircraft operation and the commitment of SEAIR to fly on a regular basis, SEAIR gradually increased its fleet from one LET410 to nine. 1999 SEAIR embarked on a nationwide expansion program. It opened regional hubs in Cebu and
Zamboanga and became the only airline to interconnect the premier destinations in Palawan with its ManilaBusuanga-El Nido-Puerto Princesa service. 2001 to Present SEAIR established a base in Zamboanga in Mindanao. It continues to operate flights to remote Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. 2002 and 2003 SEAIR was awarded “Best Airline of the Year” consecutively by the Philippines largest ‘Consumers Excellence Award.’ 2003 SEAIR’s Quality Management System was certified ISO 9001:2000 compliant by the TÜV Rheinland Group. 2004 SEAIR reached the 1 million passenger mark. SEAIR also acquired its first Dornier 328, launching the “Fastest Flights to Boracay” campaign. 2006 SEAIR acquired its fourth Dornier 328. Its fleet size
allowed it to operate up to 30 flights to Caticlan daily. • SEAIR introduced its online reservations and e-ticketing system the first and only on-line system to offer e-tickets from Manila to Boracay and Busuanga. E-ticketing services later expanded to include Cebu, Clark, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa. • By December 2006, SEAIR’S transactions through its online reservations system reached a record high in Philippine e-commerce. 2007 SEAIR celebrated its 12th year in aviation, the longest running airline, next to Philippine Airlines. SEAIR now offers up to 41,000 seats a month throughout its network and flies up to 20,000 passengers to Boracay a month. 2008 SEAIR launched its first regional flight to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia in November. SEAIR also started flights to Tablas in Romblon, Daet in Camarines Norte, Baler in Aurora, Batanes in northern Luzon and Borongan in Eastern Samar.
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fleet
Dornier 328 The Dornier 328 is a German built, new generation aircraft with 32 passenger seats. It is one of the fastest and most advanced jetprop in the world. specifications Make: Dornier Powerplant: PW 119B Length: 21.28 m (69 ft 10 in) Wing Span: 20.98 m (68 ft 10 in) Height: 7.23 m (23 ft 9 in) Seating Capacity: 32 + 3 crew Number of planes: 4 Max Take-off Weight: 13,990 kgs (30,843 lbs) Speed: 325 knots
Do-24 ATT No airport required! Let our unique amphibian aircraft bring you and your 15 closest friends to your choice of 7,107 islands in real style. For the latest update on this spectacular aircraft and its progress around the world, visit www.do-24.com.
FALCON 10 Make: Dornier specifications Make: FALCON 10 Powerplant: 2x Garett TFE 731-1-2-1c on engine, 14.65 kN (3,230lbf) thrust each Length: 13.86 m (45 ft 5.75 in) Wing Span: 13.08 m (42 ft 11 in) Height: 4.61m (15ft 1.5 in) Seating Capacity: 7 + 2 crew Max Take-off Weight: 18,740 kgs Speed: MACH + .85 Max Range: 1700 Nautical Miles Ceiling: 45,000 ft Inflight Entertainment: VCR Video; Flight Watch; Satellite Phone
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Falcon 10 photos by Cyrene Leicht
route map Basco, Batanes
reservations Laoag
makati Ticketing Office Tel. +632 849.0100 La Union
Sales Office Tel. +6302 849.0201 to 18 +6302 849.0219
Philippine Sea Baguio
Luzon
Metro Manila Domestic Terminal Tel. +6302 851.5555 Fax +6302 891.8711
Baler CLARK, ANGELES MANILA
SM Clark office Headquarters DMIA, Hangar 7224 Tel. +6343 499.0258 +6343 499.0259 Fax +6343 499.0329
Philippines
Marinduque MINDORO
Cebu Ticketing Office Tel. +6332 341.4879
Tablas, Romblon
Busuanga Boracay
Sales Office Tel. +6332 254.9337 +6332 255.0801
South China Sea
Daet
Caticlan
Borongan
PANAY
El Nido
Visayas
Iloilo
Taytay
Boracay Caticlan Airport Tel. +6336 288.7360 +6336 288.7272 Fax +6336 288.7163
SAMAR Masbate
CEBU
PALAWAN Puerto Princesa
Camiguin
Mindanao
Sulu Sea
Cotabato
Davao
Zamboanga
Kota Kinabalu Jolo SABAH
Cagayan de Oro
Pagadian
Balabac
BRUNEI
Siargao
NEGROS
General Santos
Tawi-Tawi
Island TransVoyager, Inc. (ITI)
Malaysia
Celebes Sea
SARAWAK
Borneo
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news
SEAIR to acquire more Dornier 328s SEAIR, the Philippines' premier leisure airline, is adding two more 32-seater Dornier 328s to its fleet by the latter half of this year to meet the growing passenger demand for flights to Batanes, Boracay and Romblon. The Do 328 is a turboprop powered regional airliner, designed and engineered by Fairchild Dornier in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. It is ideal for short take off and landing, and comes with large seat pitch enabling the feel of a big jet.
To book SEAIR flights, call 632/ 849 0100 or book online at www. FlySeair.com. For packages, call SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at +632/ 843 7308. Join SEAIR Facebook Fan Page for SEAIR updates.
See Batanes by bike SEAIR and adventure tour operator Red Rock Travel is offering “Batanes By Bike” tours, an exciting new way of exploring the island. Those interested to join the tour can take their own bikes or rent bikes in Batanes. Tour rates vary, depending on the number of passengers booked. For a group of two-three on a three-day tour, the rate is P12,600 per person, including airfare and guided bike tours. Bike rental starts at P300 per day for entry level bikes (mountain bikes with all terrain tires). Batanes is the only place in the Philippines with four seasons – summer from June to August, fall from September to November, winter from December to February, and spring from March to May. With green pastures overlooking the sea, windmills on sprawling countryside, lighthouses guarding immaculate shorelines, and temperate weather, Batanes is most often likened to European countries like Ireland and Scotland.
To book SEAIR Batanes By Bike Tours, call Red Rock Travel at +632/ 211 2931 or +63917/ 792 3516 or checkout “BATANES BY BIKE” on Facebook. For more information on SEAIR, visit www.FlySeair.com. For best deals online, visit www.FlySeair.com
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SEAIR increases Cebu-Caticlan flights SEAIR recently increased its flights between Cebu and Caticlan to six times daily, from three times weekly. The increased frequency started on June 24, following increased demand on the route. One-way airfare from Cebu to Caticlan and vice versa is now at P1,235++. SEAIR offers the fastest flights to Boracay via Caticlan and is the only airline that takes passengers directly to Boracay via its complimentary transfers from Caticlan Airport to Boracay and vice versa.
For inquiries and reservations, call +632/ 849 0100 or book online at www. FlySeair.com. For packages, call SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at +632/ 843 7308. Join SEAIR Facebook Fan Page for updates on promos.
Lean season promos now on for Manila-Romblon SEAIR is offering up to 40 per cent discount for flights between Manila and Tablas, Romblon, to P1,735++ one way, from the regular P2,735++. The promo is valid until October 15, 2010. Flights from Manila to Tablas and back are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using the Dornier 328 aircraft, flying from Manila to Tablas in 30 minutes. Romblon is a cluster of 20 islands with Tablas as the largest. The province has some of the most beautiful unspoilt white sand beaches in the country.
To book flights to Tablas, Romblon, call +632/ 849 0100 or book online at www. FlySeair.com. For Romblon packages, call SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at +632/ 843 7308. Join SEAIR Facebook Fan Page for updates on promos.
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Mon’s Clark All fired up and ready to go. Landscape photographer Mon Corpuz shot this scene at 4am as participants at the 12th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon festival held in February of last year in Clark, Pampanga, north of Manila, lit up burners for pre-flight checks. Some 100 hot air balloons colored the sky during the event, a must-see for locals and tourists. Corpuz is president of the Pinoy Photography Organization Photo Club, lecturer on travel photography and social documentaries, and teaches basic photography at University of Sto. Tomas College of Fine Arts. He also teaches at De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts and is the program director for Black Pencil Project Organization (www.blackpencilproject. org), which helps in providing pencils and other school materials to public elementary schools in remote barangays across the country. -- Margie F. Francisco For more of Corpuz’s work, visit www.flickr.com/photos/mmncrpz and www.moncorpuz.com
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark II Lens: 17-40 L F/4.0 Aperture: F/4 Shutter speed: 1/400 sec ISO Speed: 1000
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