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What’s hot... From Donsol’s whale sharks to heritage getaways Me & My Travels Underwater photographer Gutsy Tuason Maxims Hotel “A cruise ship on land”
A tour of artisan shops,
Artists’ Lair from Rizal to Laguna
Inside
i n f l i g h t | a u g u s t- s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 3
special features
in front
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06 In The News
Philippine Travel Mart to lure travellers with exciting special interest tours
Calendar
What not to miss during the first Philippine Tourism Week
10 In Room
Resort review: Maxims Hotel
14 Indulge
Il Duello Ristorante: Classic Italian that won’t break the bank
16 Me and My Travels
Underwater photographer Gutsy Tuason
46 Airline Guide
cove r s tory
20 Slice of art
Monica De Leon takes us on a tour of the Philippines’ artisan hubs, from woodcarving workshops to a shoemaking center
All you need to know about South East Asian Airlines International (SEAIR I), Island Transvoyager (ITI) and Sky Pasada
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36 insider’s guide: What’s hot…
From swimming with the shale sharks to a stop at mystical Siquijor, top operators reveal the country’s best inbound tour packages
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On the cover Master at Work: Woodcarver Paloy Cagayat at his workshop in Paete, Laguna Photo by Ferdz Decena Art direction by Jocas A. See
editor’s note
People. Places. Adventures.
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ELCOME to InFlight magazine’s special Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) edition celebrating the exciting tours PTM has on offer during the three-day mart, set to kick off on September 6 (See story on page 6). Organized by the Philippine Tour Operators’ Association, in partnership with the Philippine Tourism Board, Smart Communications, and Citibank, PTM this year will focus on special interest tours tailored to the local Phillippine market. Two of our major stories in this issue feature just such tours. Our cover story “Slice of Art,” explores tours to artisan hubs in the country, from Paete, home of master woodcarvers, to Liliw, Laguna, hub of shoemaking, where one street is chock full of shops selling and making shoes, a burgeoning industry. Insider’s Guide on pages 36 to 41, showcases some of the hottest inbound tourism packages on the selling block at the mart — from whale shark tours to cultural heritage tours in the north. All eight of the tours featured are handpicked by top travel tour operators in the country. And lastly, don’t miss our Me & My Travels section on pages 16 to 19, featuring underwater photographer Gutsy Tuason. Enjoy your read. Till next issue!
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executive Editor Editor-In-Chief managing EDITOR Art Director ONLINE COORDINATOR
Nikos Gitsis Giselle Javison Monica De Leon Jocas See Ariza Rivera
Contributing photographers
Mon Corpuz, Ferdz Decena, Joel Garcia, Rhonson Ng, Oggie Ramos, Hermes Singson, Jeffrey Sonora, Daniel Soriano, Gutsy Tuason Contributing writers
Jude Bacalso, Freida Dario, Ferdz Decena, Kristine Fonacier, Catherine Kirchhoff, Jan Lao, Fran Ng, Oggie Ramos, Ces Rodriguez, Myra Santigao, Gutsy Tuason
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The Philippine Travel Mart’s Northern Escape Tour includes a visit to Callao Caves (shown here) in Penablanca, and Batanes (right)
Philippine Travel Mart to Lure Travellers with Exciting Special Interest Tours B y M onica D e L eon
The Philippine Tour Operators Association’s (Philtoa) threeday Philippine Travel Mart, starting from September 6, will see the launch of exciting special interest tours tailored to the local market. The mart will be held at SMX Convention Center, Halls 1-4, Seashell Lane, of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Highlighted on the mart’s major selling block are 17 regional packages catering to special interests and activities. The packages include the Northern Escape, a Batanes-Cagayan tour showcasing a visit to the mouth of the seven chamber Callao Caves in Peñablanca, and the culture-rich picturesque towns of Batan in Batanes such as Mahatao, Uyugan and Ivana; the
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Cordillera’s Heritage Warrior Tour, where tourists get to try the actual work done by locals, for example planting; the HeroesCultural Trail that covers Cavite, Laguna and Batangas, places featured in the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards; Palawan, The Last Frontier covering both Puerto Princesa and El Nido, targeted at nature enthusiasts and beach lovers; and the Eastern Visayas Eco Trail, including Samar and Leyte and a tour of its heritage landing sites. Other tours being offered include shopping tours, wellness, culinary, and cultertainment tours — a marriage of culture and entertainment — and theme park tours. The morning of PTM’S opening day,
callao cave photo b y daniel soriano , batanes photo b y jocas a . see
in the news
The First Philippine Tourism Week
September 1 to 8, 2013 will see a weeklong celebration of the first Philippine Tourism Week The week-long event has adopted the slogan “The business of tourism for the people, by the people and of the people,” sending across the message that tourism is not only for those who can afford to buy tours but benefits everyone in the community. Philippine Tourism Week’s calendar of events: September 1: Takbo Sa Turismo (Race for
Change) in partnership with the Alliance of Hospitality, Educators and Pracitioners of the Philippines (AHEP), an organization that promotes and teaches livelihood skills.
September 2-3: First Philippine tourism forum.
San Vicente, Palawan
September 6, is scheduled exclusively for foreign buyers and local corporate buyers, while the afternoon will see the mart open its doors to individual buyers and the public. Philtoa president Cesar Cruz said, “gone are the days when tourists are content with mere sightseeing. Tourists now want experiential tours. And this is where we can be competitive, and give good value for money.” PTM is targeting corporate buyers and mid-range to high end individual travelers, the kind who would not mind spending P20,000 to P30,000 for a holiday. Cruz said this year’s revenue target is P45 million, representing a 20% increase from last year’s figures. Last year’s PTM raked in P32 million worth of sales on site, about 80%
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of the projected P40 million revenue, not bad considering there was a typhoon at the time of the event, and that the mart coincided with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) travel mart. The PTM is the only travel and tourism trade event focused on selling the Philippines to both the domestic and inbound travel buyers, including corporate buyers. PTM estimates that about 70-80% of tourists to top Philippine destinations are domestic travellers. Philtoa is holding the 24th PTM in partnership with the Department of Tourism, through its attached agencies (Philippine Tourism Promotions Board, TIEZA, Duty Free Shop Philippines, Philippine Retirement Authority); Smart Communications and Sun Business Solutions; and Citibank. ■
Day One tackles Asean-regional issues including preparations for the Asean Integration in 2015. Day Two will tackle local issues, including standardizing the hospitality industry service. Talk show host Boy Abunda will be the forum’s moderator.
September 4: Tourism job fair, in partnership
with the Mall of Asia. Seminars on skills needed for the tourism industry, and tips on increasing your chances of getting hired.
September 5: Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), a trade event for foreign buyers. This follows the foreign buyers’ series of familiarization tours from August 31 to September 4 September 6-8: 24th Philippine Travel Mart ■
san vicente , palawan photo b y mon corpuz
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INroom
Maxims Hotel Maxim Hotel’s signature suite. Right, Resorts World Manila’s Impressions, a French restaurant
Whether you’re after a Manila staycation, or hard-partying, Maxims offers luxury and topnotch entertainment By Kristine Fonacier
F
IRST IMPRESSION. Maxims is part of Resorts World Manila, an all-in-one entertainment concept — think of it as “a cruise ship on land,” and you’ll understand what’s in store for you. On the first few floors are high-end retail shops, a performing-arts theater (one of the best in the metro), restaurants, cinemas, a spa, and a casino — everything you’ll need for a city-based vacation. Rooms. Maxims is the all-suite luxury hotel property of Resorts World Manila (to
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complement the Mariott, built for business travelers and families; and the Remington, for budget travelers). There are eight suite categories, of which the 600sqm Mansion is the pinnacle — it has its own pool, a jacuzzi in the bathroom, a private massage room, and a garden. The signature suites are mid-range, with an outdoor jacuzzi and
a small garden. FOOD. The 400-seater Passions restaurant, which serves Cantonese cuisine, was the most authentic restaurant I got to try during my stay. Go for the popular dim sum buffet and try a bit of everything. Aside from the numerous dining options
INroom
in the mall, there’s also Ginzadon, for Japanese and Korean food; and the French restaurant Impressions. View of the jacuzzi area of one of Maxim Hotel’s suites. Right, one of Resort World Manila’s state of the art show venues
We Like. The rooms are spacious, and so comfortable that you’ll never want to step out — though the plethora of entertainment choices in the complex will inevitably lure you out. Not So Keen. While the 24-hour in-room dining service is surprisingly inexpensive, the food itself leaves a lot to be desired. Stop at one of the late-night eateries in the complex or at the casino’s 360 bar. Comments. The Resorts World complex is perhaps best known for its casino, but the family-friendly entertainment options are well worth visiting. Check out the shows at the performing arts theater, and the cinemas.
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Verdict. Whether you’re a local looking for a Manila staycation, or a hard-partying visitor, Maxims offers comfort, luxury, and a wide range of entertainment. ■
Essentials How to get there. Maxims Hotel, located at Resorts World Manila, Newport Blvd., Newport City, Cybertourism Zone, Pasay City, is a five- to 10-minute drive from the Manila International Airport. RATES AND BOOKING INFO. Rates start from P14,000++ (about US $344) for a Maxims Suite and go all the way up to P252,800 for The Mansion. Rates include breakfast for two, 24/7 butler service, and complimentary parking and spa service. Url: www.rwmanila.com/hotels-atresorts-world-manila/maxims-hotel Tel: +632/ 836 6333
INdulge
Il Duello Ristorante
Classic Italian that won’t break the bank By Monica De Leon
Il Duello Ristorante’s main dining. Right, polpo con salsa or octopus cooked in tomato sauce
Photos by jocas a. see
S
etting. Il Duello Ristorante is an intimate Italian restaurant with a New York industrial-inspired look — white-painted brick walls, bare concrete floor, LED pin lights, hardwood-top tables, leather cushioned chairs, and a black upholstered couch on one side of the restaurant. A large sliding door opens to an intimate dining room. The restaurant’s centerpiece is the open kitchen facing the dining area.
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FOOD. Classic Italian. Its menu is a conglomeration of classics from the different regions of Italy. Menu decisions, on top of the mainstays, are based on seasonal food. Fresh herbs and vegetables are bought from a local supplier of organic produce. All dried herbs and spices are flown in from Italy while fresh produce are bought daily from the market. This rainy season, for appetizer, try the polpo con salsa or octopus cooked in tomato sauce, olives, capers, cherry tomatoes, garlic and onions. The aglio olio with seafood is your good old garlic and olive oil based pasta served with shellfish, squid and shrimp. The pizza margherita, a mainstay and bestseller, has basil strips and cherry tomatoes sprinkled over a generous spread of cheese. Other bestsellers include the fresh arugula salad; linguine alla amatriciana or pasta cooked with pancetta and tomato sauce; and the four cheese pizza. service. Warm and accommodating. The restaurant has a staff of three — a little tight but they get by admirably with the
owner/chef hands on even at the dining area. The kitchen also takes in special requests provided ingredients are available. Who dines there. Dating couples; friends on Fridays and Saturdays; families on Sundays; Cocoon Boutique Hotel’s guests; actors since the place is close to ABS-CBN studios; the A and B crowd. Prices. A full course meal excluding drinks costs about P800 (about US $19) per person. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, daily except Mondays. Verdict. Value for money ■
Essentials Il Duello Ristorante G/F, Cocoon Boutique Hotel, 61 Scout Tobias corner Scout Rallos Streets, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City www.facebook.com/ilduelloristorante Tel: +632/ 921 6857
m e & m y t r avels
Gutsy Tuason
Unde r w ate r ph o t o g r aphe r Interview by Cielo Flores
My idea of paradise is being underwater. I feel more comfortable underwater than on land. There’s a certain freedom. My favorite resorts are El Nido Resorts (www. elnidoresorts.com), Bacon Beach Resort and Dive Center in Bacon, Sorsogon, Peacock Garden (www.thepeacockgarden.com) in Bohol, Rock Inn and Café (www.rockfarmsagada.com) in Sagada, and Mount Data Hotel in Banaue. At El Nido’s Miniloc resort, there are lots of activities even if I’m not diving like kayaking, rock climbing and snorkeling in the lagoons. Bacon is a little gem. It’s a place for chilling, but it’s also less than two hours away from the whale sharks in Donsol. At Peacock Garden, they have good German beer and the food is excellent. I like Mount Data Hotel because first of all it is not crowded, and second it’s twice as high as Baguio and twice as cold. I think it’s the only hotel in the Philippines where they ask if you want a heated room. I usually go there on the way to Sagada, where I stay at Rock Inn. The first time I went to Rock Inn I didn’t have enough money to pay the bill and they said I could stay anyway.
northern tip of Cebu. I saw four mantas, five thresher sharks and three devil rays, all one after the other. And all the sharks were coming close over my head. You don’t get that all the time. My nightmare dive was when I was 12 years old at Cathedral Rock in Anilao. I ran out of air at 20m deep. I panicked and it was pretty scary. My dad was with me. He put the regulator in my
been there almost every year since. It’s just a reef in the middle of nowhere and so you live on a boat. The first time I went changed my life because before then I had always been diving in Anilao. Since I first went, Tubbataha has improved. It’s been taken care of and there’s more stuff to see. Just last week, we saw a shark-ray [half shark, half sting-ray], a very odd looking creature. I still enjoy Anilao because I get to do a lot of macro work. And in Malapascua, I like the thresher sharks and the giant mantas.
“I’ve been doing a lot of night dives in the middle of nowhere with the water below me up to 4,000 meters deep. I put a line down and hang there. I get to see really strange stuff that you don’t normally see”
If I’m not flying I take my dogs so the place always has to accept them. My greatest dive was in May 2010 at Monad Shoal near Malapascua, an island off the
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mouth, then accidentally dropped his camera. We went up really fast and my dad was coughing up blood. Favorite places to dive in the Philippines are Tubbataha, Anilao and Malapascua. I went to Tubbataha for the first time in 1983 and I have
I learned to dive in Anilao when I was eight years old and used to ride on my dad’s back with the other regulator.
I’ve been doing a lot of night dives in the middle of nowhere with the water below me up to 4,000 meters deep. I put a line down and hang there. I get to see really strange stuff that you don’t normally see. There’s a lot of preparation. We secure the lines and the lights and then we wait about 20 minutes because we want the marine creatures to get attracted to the lights. Usually I go with a safety diver just in case something big shows up and we’ve got to get out of the water. The most famous person I’ve met on a dive is Peter Benchley. I met him on a Mexico trip in 2004 when we were looking for great white sharks. He’s the author of Jaws — the book that scared everybody out of the water.
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m e & m y t r avels
Before diving I check all my gear and make sure all batteries are charged, my memory cards are okay, and all rings on cameras and other equipment are lubricated properly. I do these things while having my morning coffee. I get up a bit earlier than everybody else, like five in the morning. The first dive is usually at seven. I never travel without my camera, my iPhone, my headphones and my laptop. It takes me two days to pack. I am a slow packer and I don’t have a checklist. I’m quite disorganized. There are times that I forgot an equipment. Back in the day when I used to shoot film I used to forget my film because I kept it in the fridge. One time I called a friend and said ‘my film’s in the fridge; go to the airport and try to get on the last flight.’ I’m not much of an underwater gadget guy; just bare essentials to get the job done. I usually buy my dive gear in
my own store, Squires Bingham (www. squiresbingham.ph). I also get little bits and pieces from the two dive shows I attend every year. I go to ADEX Asia Dive Expo (www.asiadiveexpo.com) in Singapore and to DEMA Show (www.demashow.com), which is in Orlando this year. My favorite beach is near Bacon in Sorsogon. I forgot the name, but it’s about 10 kilometers from Bacon. There’s a rock formation that forms a natural pool. I also love the beaches around Coron, Busuanga Island, in northern Palawan. Keep away from organized tours. I like to explore myself. Always take your camera, take lots of pictures. I keep a very detailed journal jotting down even the food and people that I saw and met. My favorite restaurant is People’s Palace
(www.peoplespalacethai.com) at Greenbelt,
Makati. I like the kangkong, crispy catfish with green mango salad, tom yum soup and phad thai noodles. My favorite food if
I had to eat something for the rest of my life would be spaghetti with tomato sauce Italian style. My mom does really good pasta sauce. Places I’d love to go are Tawi-Tawi and Jolo in Mindanao because I’ve never been to those areas. I’d love to check out the diving there. ■
About Gutsy Tuason
Scott “Gutsy” Tuason (www.scottgutsytuason. com) is an underwater photographer and journalist. He won the World Grand Prize for Books at the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images in Antibes, France for his coffee table book Anilao, which he co-authored with Eduardo Cu-Unjieng. He also collaborated with Filipino watercolor artist Rafael Cusi on the book Philippine Coral Reefs in Watercolor. He has worked with WWF Philippines on whale shark and coral reef conservation, and on several Department of Tourism (www.tourism.gov.ph) campaigns. ■
Swimming with the giant manta ray in Malapascua, Cebu. Left, from top: Favorite hotels, Rock Inn in Sagada, and, bottom left, Mt. Data Hotel; “The most famous person I’ve met on a dive is Peter Benchley (extreme left), author of Jaws;” beach in Bacon
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Cover story
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Monica De Leon takes us on a tour of the Philippine’s hubs — from woodcarving workshops to a shoemaking center featuring p22 Liliw: Shoe wonderl and p24 Lumban: Tr aditional embroidery p26 Paete: master woodcarvers p30 Angono: Art for art's sake
photos by ferdz decena
map illustrations by mark david a. see
Clockwise from top left, this spread: Shoe molds; lamp making in Talim Island; religious image woodcarving in Paete; tools of the trade — chisel and paint palette; Lumbanembroidery; Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs; and master woodcarver Angelo Baldemor
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Cover story
Liliw: Shoe wonderland
L
iliw, a quaint little town located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw in Laguna, is the Philippines’ biggest shoemaking secret. Marikina City in Manila reigns supreme when it comes to the production of closed shoes like loafers and pumps but Liliw is the star manufacturer of trendy wedges and the classic espadrilles.
The birth of Liliw’s shoe industry Municipal tourism officer Exequiel Magcase attributes the birth of shoemaking in Liliw to Nicasio Pisuena, who, back in the 40s after the World War, experimented with coconut husks to make slippers, which he sold to his neighbors. It was a hit. He opened
Shoemaking in Liliw. Right, clockwise from top: Writer Monica De Leon shopping for wedges and espadrilles; Liliw shoemaker Maruth Peñaflor; espadrille sneakers and boat shoe for men; and the criss-cross front slippers, a Liliw signature
a store in Quiapo, Manila, and his footwear became known as “Dimasira” (unbreakable). He got rich and passed on his craft to the townsfolk. The rest, as they say, is history. These days, Gat Tayaw Street, a long narrow stretch flanked by footwear stores, attests to the town’s burgeoning trade. Liliw footwear patrons Liliw manufactures shoes for some of the branded products in Manila’s fashionable shopping centers. Some big brands commission work for up to 1,000 pairs of shoes a week. Liliw made wedges (three-inch to six-inch) are from P350-P400 (about US $8-$9); espadrilles from P250; flat sandals for women, from P160; flat pumps, from P230; slippers, from P100.
m a n i l a t o l i l i w, l a g u n a v i a s o u t h l u z o n e x p r e s s h i g h way ( s l e x ): 10 0 k m , 1h r 3 8 m i n s
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Where to shop
• Zhooz Enterprise. This shop designs their own shoes, offering a unique collection. Tel.: +6349/ 503 1197, Mobile: +63917/ 801 0282; www.facebook.com/zhoozfootwear • Entrada. Perhaps has the most stylish shop in Liliw, similar to the shoe stores you’ll find in malls in Manila. Tel.: +6349/ 563 1084 • L’Chica. Sells a mix of Lumban designs and its own design. Located in front of Graciano’s Kitchen • Ai-She. One of the most established shoe stores along Gat Tayaw Street selling its own manufactured products. Tel.: +6349/ 573 2627, Mobile: +63927/ 702 6303 • Ness C. Retailer. Wholesaler. Manufacturer. Producer of a few popular shoe brands that sell nationwide. As retailer, their store may not be as orderly as the other stores but they have a huge collection. Its shop is located in the center of Gat Tayaw Street • Cheryll Footwear. This shop designs their own slippers. Located on Gat Tayaw Street • Edna’s. Sells traditional criss-cross front slippers for men and fully beaded slippers for women, another traditional Lumban product that’s hard to find these days. Near the municipal building along Gat Tawaw Street
Who to tap to start a shoe business
• Marieta “Maruth” Peñaflor. Maruth has been making shoes for almost 20 years now and has earned a reputation for the quality of her work. She has one of the biggest backyard production of shoes, employing up to 50 workers during peak season, supplying top shoe brands across the country. • Ai-She Factory. One of the biggest shoe factories in Liliw, with a more structured system of operations. They also produce for big, Manilabased brands, including an exporter of shoes made of exotic Ifugao-made fabric. The municipal tourism office of Liliw can connect you to Penaflor or Ai-She. Call Exequiel Magcase at +63917/ 396 7950 or Raymond Panaglima at +63920/ 276 8652. ■
Lumban: Where Traditional embroidery is a thriving craft
L
umban, a quiet town in Laguna, is famous for its scenic Lake Caliraya, a man-made reservoir built in the 1940s, and as the embroidery capital of the Philippines. Embroidery was introduced in the country by the Spaniards in the 1500s and is alive and well in Lumban, with most families passing this on from generation to generation. Lumban’s hand embroidery covers hundreds of embroidery style from the traditional scallop; sulsing ambon, which are like raindrops; manika, doll shape; rose; buko; and calado, a Lumban technique that separates the thread of the piña (pineapple) fabric, creating a net like effect on the cloth. Lumban has also kept most of its age-old design patterns, and are still using them today. Hand embroidery in this town is still very much a way of life, apparent in the sight of bastidors or bamboo frames, used in stretching embroidered piña fabrics, left in front of houses to dry after washing. There are thousands of traditional burdaderas (hand embroiderers) in Lumban against an estimated 250 machine embroiderers. It’s almost a given for a burdadera to teach her child or grandchild or niece the craft at an early age. In some barangays like Wawa, you see women, children, and even men bundled under a tree in their front yard, embroidering. House of LEA In 2008, a group of Lumban embroiders formed the House of LEA or Lumban Embroidery Association Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LEAMPC), which aims to promote the craft and find productive and sustainable ways to improve the industry. Stationed in front of the public market of Lumban, the airconditioned office of the coop is also a shop selling readymade embroidered products, ranging from barong Tagalogs to dinner accessories. You can place orders for bespoke pieces. In a month, the coop is able to produce about 3,000 pieces of garments applying traditional embroidery, and about 5,000 pieces using embroidery machines. Recently, the coop has received commissioned work to supply embroidered sofa covers for a Lebanese businessman supplying
Clockwise from top, this spread: A manually made embroidered piece pattered after a traditional design; embroidering on a piña silk, the second best piña fabric; full calado kimona for women and piña orig coin purse, must buy products; House of LEA facade; and hand painting on a fabric
li li w to lu m b a n , l ag u n a v i a M ag da l e n a R oa d): 2 8 .4 k m , 31mins
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furniture to the Middle Eastern market. According to House of LEA chairman Marivic Gordovez, the client asked them to create a sample and in just two days they were able to deliver. Patronage from the giants A lot of big names have been patronizing Lumban’s embroidery including Tesoro’s, the country’s leading barong maker; Onesimus, a formal clothing line; Kultura Filipino; Filipino designers such as Rajo Laurel, Randy Ortiz, Paul Cabral, who styles for Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino, and New Yorkbased Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino. Getting to know Lumban-embroidered fabrics The priciest fabric used in Lumban embroidery is the piña original or piña orig, as locals call it, a crosshatch fabric, colored ecru, with yellowish tone, sourced from Aklan, a prime supplier
Cover story
Lumban Stars
InFlight identifies the town's skilled burdaderas or embroiderers available for commissioned works • Monica De Ramos. She started embroidery at the age of seven, and is Lumban’s longest practicing and oldest burdadera in town. She now has her own team of hand embroiderers, and gets on with the work of designing her pieces. Monica has posed for Neil Oshima for a coffeetable book entitled En Barong Filipino where she’s called the “Laguna Superstar.” One of her loyal clients for decades now is Tesoro’s. Contact her at +6349/ 501 4895 • Rosalina Rivera Anonuevo. One of the oldest embroiderers of Lumban at age 83. She caters to direct clients from Manila. Contact her at +6349/ 501 7556
of piña fabric in the country. Next in line is piña silk, lighter in shade compared to piña orig with horizontal pattern in its weaving. The piña cocoon, which comes from Thailand, follows, then the jusi, the cheapest fabric, which comes from China. Piña jusi is the term used for piña fabric that has been dyed. Barongs (the national Filipino costume for men, the equivalent of the tuxedo or black tie) costs from P1,200 (about US $28) for piña jusi to about P5,000 for piña orig. Ladies gowns are from P15,000; dresser set from P1,100; cocktail set, from P700; purses from P150; and handkerchiefs from P100. Recommended pieces to buy are the full calado kimona for women for formal events; the Chinese collar top with colorful embroidery for dressing up; and the purses. Contact the House of LEA for appointments and orders at +6349/ 501 4895 or visit their shop at National Highway, Lumban Market Site, Brgy. Lewin, Lumban, Laguna.
• Maxima Divina. She's 70 and has been embroidering for 35 years now. Contact her at +63927/ 654 6824
• Marivic Gordovez. Her shop called Eversince La Burda de Filipina Tatak Lumban, employs 30 workers, and has been operating since 1994. Personal clients include Rajo Laurel (since 1995), New York based designer Oliver Tolentino, and Bettina Ocampo, owner of Celestina New York Maynila — soon to launch in Greenbelt — who outsources embroidery for shirts she designs and sells in New York. Contact her at +63917/ 331 4147 ■
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Paete: Home of master woodcarvers
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aete, a charming inland town in Laguna, located about 113km from Manila, is known for its exceptional woodcarving dating back to the 16th century Spanish era. The first Paetenian woodcarvers first carved retablos or overhanging altar backdrops and religious images for churches and have continued to do so to this day. With the Philippine population largely Roman Catholic, and with commissions from abroad, work for such carvings have not dried up for Paete’s skilled artists. Walking along the public market located at the heart of the main poblacion, you’ll find pieces of woodcarved images of all shapes and sizes. The real gems of Paete, however, lie in the hands of a few Paetenian master woodcarvers, who have all contributed to Paete being declared Woodcarving Capital of the Philippines in 2005. Justino “Paloy” Cagayat, Jr. master woodcarver of religious images Paloy Cagayat does bespoke wood carving using batikuling wood — a soft wood with a natural wood scent that termites and bukboks (woodworms), chosen for its abundance in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range — and occasionally the pricier Philippine hardwood narra or kamagong. Cagayat has perhaps Paete’s biggest open air workshops right within the compound of his home. His work station faces his workers, and is beside his showroom where he receives guests, many belonging to the local who’s who. Some of the works that Cagayat has done include the mould that the Philippine hero Ninoy Aquino’s papier mache was patterned after in celebration of his 10th death anniversary, a work commissioned by former Philippine President Corazon Aquino; image of San Pedro Calungsod, brought to Rome in October 2012 for the canonization rites of the second Filipino saint; and a woodcarving of a famous personality's two kids sitting on a carabao. Other recent works include a commissioned image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a life size detachable carving of the Blessed Virgin Mary that will be shipped all the way to Germany. He has also carved the rather daring image of “Machete,” the mythical woodcarved figure that comes to life, used in the local movie Machete starring Cesar Montano in 1990, and Gardo Versoza in a remake in 1993. Cagayat is his family’s third generation woodcarver, taking up the trade in 1983, not long after completing his engineering degree in Manila. He trained under his father, and is now
training two of his three children, helping make sure the woodcarving craft does not die out. For inquiries, call +6349/ 557 0641.
Luisito “Luis” Ac-ac PHILIPPINE FOLKLIFE WOOD SCULPTOR Luis Ac-ac is one of the few woodcarvers in Paete skilled in the fine art of wood sculpture. He is famous for depicting rural Filipino scenes and subjects — arm wrestling, children playing luksong- tinik (jumping over thorns), serenading in the woods, rural livelihood, tribal woman breastfeeding her child — and the use of such medium as batikuling, molave and narra wood. Ac-ac’s sculptures are distinguished by their intricate detail, making them almost life-like, as well as the natural beauty of the wood as medium, with the artist preferring not to paint over most of his pieces.
Top, Paloy Cagayat, the master woodcarver to book for bespoke religious images. Left, one of Cagayat's skilled woodcarvers
l u m b a n t o pa e t e , l a g u n a v i a C a l i r aya - C av i n t i R o a d a n d N at i o n a l H i g h way: 2 2 .7 k m , 2 7m i n s
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One of the most celebrated works of Ac-ac is the giant Jubilee Cross that stood in Manila during the World Youth Day in 1995, a project led by the late Pope John Paul II. The cross bore stories from the Holy Scriptures depicted through woodcarving. His other works include a four-foot tall sculpture of Pope John Paul II erected in Eastwood, and commissioned works from Forbes Park and Ayala Alabang residents, as well as churches from Pembo, Makati to as far as Tagum in Davao. Another work Ac-ac takes pride in is a commissioned piece for a collector — the fivefoot tall Lapu-Lapu Versus Magellan that fetched P600,000. Ac-ac has been sculpting since 1979. After finishing Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, he became an illustrator for Kayumanggi Press, and for a year, an apprentice to Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts, sculptor Napoleon Abueva. In 2009, he was nominated for the National Artist Philippines Multi Award. He has done tons of exhibits here and abroad, including Philippine Folklore Folklife 2008 held in San Francisco, California, USA. His first solo exhibit in 1988 was held at the Vizcarra Gallery in Ermita, while his second and succeeding one man shows were under the tutelage of Gallery Genesis. A simple piece that’s less than a foot in height costs about P15,000; a four-foot tall piece starts from P45,000; while 10-foot tall painted sculptures are from P130,000 to P150,000. For inquiries, call +63906/ 432 4907. Visit www.luis.acac.com.
Angelito “Angelo” Baldemor three-dimensional still life artist Angelo Baldemor, brother of renowned Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts Manuel Baldemor, has made a name for himself, specializing in paintures, mixing the art of painting and sculpture. His house in his native Paete town is also his studio. Among the pieces on show are three dimensional paintures, furniture pieces carved and painted, and some of Baldemor’s works when he was into modern art and cubism. The subject of his paintures are rural harvests — bananas, corns, fruits, vegetables, delicacies like smoked fish, and colorful flowers, particularly santan, lotus, anthurium and birds of paradise. But what stands out and has been his signature are his rice sculptures — rice grains on a winnowing basket; golden rice grains with chaff still intact in woven containers. “Marami akong trabahong nakay Secretary Butch Abad” (Most of my works are with Department of Budget and Management secretary Butch Abad), Baldemor says when asked to name a patron of his work. Baldemor has also done a sculpture of two kids playing, now displayed at the Serendra lobby at The Fort, Taguig City. When asked who inspired him in his craft, he said, “My brother Manny.” Baldemor has been honing his craft for more than 30 years now. Coming from a poor family, he persevered and tried to be self-sufficient in high school by accepting carving jobs after school. He finished Fine Arts at FEATI University. In 1998, he was the Philippine representative in the Indian & Southeast Asian Tribal & Folk Arts in Bhopal India, and in 2003, at the Inami International Wooden Sculpture Camp in Toyoma, Japan. Currently, he’s a member of Guhit Artists and Paete Artist Guild, done 11 one-man exhibitions, and participated in dozens of exhibitions. He regularly exhibits at Gallerie Y at SM Mega Mall. Prices of Baldemor’s pieces vary, depending on the intricacy and size of work. For inquiries, call +6349/ 557 1875.
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This page, Luis Ac-ac and his hunter sculpture. Next page, clockwise from bottom left: Rice and flower painture or paint and sculpture by (top photo) Angelo Baldemor; members of Paete Artist Guild; Mario Baldermor's work entitled "Sukob" or to take shelter; and "Obese," the driftwood artwork of Ben Dailo
More Paete rockstars
Here are other Paete sculptors and their specialties
• Ben Dailo. Specializes in driftwood art or wood carving using driftwood. Surreal style, dealing with subjects such as fairies. Call +63915/ 530 6684 • Mario Baldemor. Subjects are local lifestyle, beliefs, rituals as seen in his work “Tuli” or circumcision and “Sukob” (take shelter) done on a slab of a tree trunk, leaving the edges raw. A decorative piece for hanging on a wall. Call +63917/ 344 1743 • Doy Baldemor. Does decorative pieces for hanging on a wall. One of his works, a pack of horses running, has a patchy texture creating depth and maintaining the uneven color of the wood. Call +63919/ 715 1090 • Peter Paraiso. Specializes in altars and retablos or altar backdrops. He has done the retablo of St. John Mary Vianne and St. Anthony of Padua both in Antipolo, and the retablo of the church in Canyugan Pasig, the tallest in the Philippines. Call +63917/ 816 3647 ■
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These days, Angono is home to several intimate art galleries, ran by some of the town’s prominent artists. This thriving art scene is no surprise at all. The Blanco Family The Blanco Museum is a family’s committed love affair with the arts. The late Jose “Pitok” Blanco, his wife Loring and seven children set up and opened the Blanco Museum to the public to showcase each Blanco Family member’s paintings and canvasses inspired by their travels to different parts of the country and abroad. The museum stands in a 1,200sqm property with the gallery enclosing a landscaped garden. Visitors are greeted by giant papier maches at the museum’s lobby. The gallery tour starts by presenting the works of the youngest member first and ends with the works of Pitok, known for his murals. Pitok's works from 1962 showed favor to lots of dark browns and the use of thick brush strokes while his stylized approach in the 70s merged warm and cool colors. Two of his outstanding works are the Angono Fisherman Festival, a mural that took two years to make for he actually painted about a hundred real locals from Angono; and the rather dark and evocative Burning of Angono painting. Blanco Family Museum, 312-B Ibanez Street, Brgy. Vicente, Angono, Rizal Tel.: +632/ 651 0048, 651 3230; Mobile: +63926/ 673 0805
Angono: Art for art's sake
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ngono in Rizal is dubbed the Arts Capital of the Philippines because of its thriving arts scene. Two great Filipino artists hailed from this town — National Artist for Visual Arts Carlos “Botong” Francisco, highly regarded for his murals depicting Philippine traditions, myths, folklife; and National Artist for Music Maestro Lucio San Pedro, a great Filipino composer.
Nemiranda, known for depicting local mythical figures. Right, clockwise from top: Michael Blanco presenting a work of his late father Jose "Pitok" Blanco; and shows off his own work to writer Monica De Leon; a bunggan or an upside down fish representing the Blancos' logo
pa e t e , l agu n a to a n go n o, r iz a l via M a n i l a E ast Roa d: 62.6 km, 5 8 mins
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Nemi R. Miranda, Jr. “I paint purely from the imagination,” says respected artist Nemi Miranda. Miranda is one of Angono’s art soldiers, who, for the past decades, has lead various art causes. He co-founded the Angono Ateliers Association, dedicated to molding upcoming artists; established the Angono Visual Art School, the first school of painting in Angono, in 1991; and the Nemiranda Arthouse, where he showcases his works and that of Rizal’s artists. Miranda has done over 50 exhibitions in various parts of the world. Some of his notable works are the relief sculpture of the “History of the Philippine Army” in Fort Bonifacio, the EDSA Shrine Mural, his People Power I painting, and EDSA II relief sculptures. In September, watch out for Miranda and four other respected visual artists as they gather together at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery for an exhibit entitled “Re-view” or bagong tingin. Nemiranda Arthouse, #6 Dona Elena Street, Dona Justa Village, Phase I, Angono, Rizal Tel.: +632/ 451 1580; Mobile: +63926/ 720 0404 (look for JR)
Botong and Totong Francisco See the house where Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts Carlos “Botong” Francisco grew up in, now restored, and, while
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“I try to evoke more positive things in my work — women, harvests, new beginnings, nature,” says Totong Francisco Totong Francisco at the home-cumgallery of his late grandfather, Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts Botong Francisco. Right, Angono's Wonder Boy, multi artist Orville Tiamson
no longer housing his paintings, still is a treasure trove with memorabilia of the late artist kept organized in a glass enclosed container at the gallery kept in his honor. The house has valuable keepsakes such as sketches of the master and his easels. But more than seeing “things Botong,” another reason to stop by this place is to meet and greet the grandson of Botong, Carlos Francisco II or Totong, who now runs the place, and is an artist himself, his style leaning towards “organized abstract.” “I try to evoke more positive things in my work — women, harvests, new beginnings, nature,” says Totong. Totong’s last exhibit was held in 2011 at the Ayala Museum entitled “Pitch Black.” Dona Aurora Street, Brgy. Poblacion Itaas, Angono, Rizal
Orville Tiamson Orville Tiamson is Angono’s “Wonder Boy.” Having an artist for a father and a musician for a mother has helped him do various art media altogether — he draws, paints, composes, performs, and patronizes various movements from traditional to new age.
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One of the projects that Tiamson is working on at the moment is mixing abstract and figurative painting. His abstracts are almost three dimensional, a notch edgier compared to metalscape. His line drawings clearly present the subject matter. Tiamson has represented the Philippines in various art events abroad. He graduated with a Fine Arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas. Tiamson Art Gallery (aka Atelier Orville D.R. Tiamson), Pag-asa, Binangonan, Rizal (less than a minute away from Angono). Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Saturdays and Sundays are by appointment +63917/ 661 3522; orvilletiamsonstudio@gmail.com
Don’t miss During the last week of November, check out the Angono Higantes Festival and Town Fiesta, a vibrant parade of giant papier maches and local devotees wearing colorful costumes or fishermen’s clothes carrying the image of San Clemente, patron saint of fishermen. ■
Cover story
The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs. Below, its museum
Must-visit:
Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs The oldest Philippine artwork
The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, one of the only two petroglyphs found in the country, featured etchings on one side of large rock that dates back to 3,000 BC, according to archaeologists. The etchings, which are like tribal sketches, are not yet deciphered to date but are believed to be artworks carved out by people who lived in the stone age. Studies are ongoing for experts to be able to assume a better probability on the age of the petroglyphs that can be key in defining the kind of tribe who lived in the area at that era and their lifestyle, and hopefully lead to the interpretation of the etchings. And it’s only but fitting that Angono-hailed National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco discovered the etchings in 1966 when he was out in the area camping with friends. A museum is now erected on site, which shows further information about the Petroglyphs. Entrance fee is P20 for adults and P10 for students. The petroglyphs can be viewed from a viewing deck, a few meters away from the etchings. Contact the National Museum Central Office at +632/ 527 4192 or email nm_ asbmd@yahoo.com. ■
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essentials
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Must buy:
Bamboo crafts
Talim Island has an abundance of bamboo, making bamboo craft a thriving livelihood in the area
Go to Talim Island in Binangon to buy Bamboomade crafts at affordable prices Talim Island in Binangonan, the town next to Angono, has an abundance of bamboo trees in the whole of its island making bamboo-made crafts a major livelihood of the island, alongside fishing. In Barangay Sapang, go to Rizal Exporters & Manufacturers Association run by Tibiriade Community Foundation to buy lamps, dividers and decors like candle holders, all made of bamboo. Desk lamps are from P450-P1,000; four foot lamps are at P2,000 each; five foot lamps are P2,500 each; three-panel dividers are at P2,500 while the four panel is at P3,000. Rates here are cheaper by up to 50% percent compared to market price. Moises Mesa has been making furniture out of bamboo for more than 30 years now. He sells a sala set — one sofa, two singles and a center table — for P900, which sells in the market from P2,000 to P2,500. The bamboo-made crafts of Talim Island are sold in Manila bazaars and trade fairs, Montalban in Rizal, Laguna and Cavite. To get to Talim Island, take a commuter boat from the Pier of Brgy. Libis, Binangonan. The cost to transport pieces from Talim Island to the pier is P50 and a hired help to carry the furniture to the boat for you is P20 per set. Call Rizal Exporters & Manufacturers Association at +63999/ 684 4063. Call Moises Mesa at +63918/ 359 1954. ■
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Cover story
Essentials
Cocoon
Calle Arco
Philtoa (www.philtoa.org) offers the Rizal/ Laguna Arts and Crafts tour, a 10-hour tour that includes visit to Laguna towns such as Paete and Liliw, and a couple of Rizal towns.
rooms that have comfortable bed and a huge toilet and bath. It’s a good basecamp if you're touring Rizal. No.61 Sct. Tobias corner Sct. Rallos Streets
Getting there • Laguna is about two hour’s drive from Manila, via Rizal, north of Manila. It is best to take this route if visiting Paete and Lumban since the two towns are close to each other. If traveling separately to Liliw, it’s best to go via Sta. Cruz. Hop on any Sta. Cruz bound bus from Buendia or Cubao in Manila. From Sta. Cruz bus terminal, there are jeepneys that ply to Liliw.
Where to eat • Calle Arco (www.facebook.com/pages/ Calle-Arco-Restaurant/150933330411), about five-minute drive from Lumban’s House of LEA, serves various meat dishes, snacks like pasta and sandwiches, and crepes at affordable prices. Try their Filipino style cheesy spaghetti, and any of their crepes. No. 57 Rizal Street, Pagsanjan, Laguna
• It’s advisable to take a privately hired vehicle when visiting these towns of Laguna to avoid getting lost and the hassle of public transport.
• Arabela (www.facebook.com/ArabelaLiliw) in Liliw is a quaint restaurant that serves authentic Italian dishes and delicious cakes and pastries. Rizal Street, Liliw, Laguna
• Rizal is about an hour’s drive — or more, depending on the traffic — from Makati, and about 30 minutes or more from Quezon City by car.
• Never miss a chance to eat at Angono’s Balaw Balaw restaurant (www.facebook. com/pages/Balaw-Balaw/122289674505861). It serves “folk food” in its artsy ambience. No.16 Dona Justa Subdivision, Phase I, Angono Rizal
Where to stay • In Liliw, the Apartelle (+63920/ 290 6873) beside the municipal office has four semi-furnished apartments, each with its own dining area and utensils for in room dining. It just opened in February this year so everything’s in mint condition. • Book a night at the cozy Cocoon Boutique Hotel (www.thecocoonhotel.com) in Quezon City, which has spacious well-appointed
calle arco photo by jocas a . see
Our thanks to those who assisted the InFlight team during coverage: Joel Barreto of Paete Municipal Tourism Office, Ronnie Aben of House of LEA, Lumban, Exequiel Magcase and Raymond Panaglima of Liliw Municipal Tourism Office, Special Programs and Events for Binangonan chairperson Rhea Ynares-Reifel alongside Councilor Jesus Anis and Arnel Rivera of Binangonan Municipal Tourism Office, and Nicole Tecson of Angono Municipal Tourism Office. ■
Balaw Balaw
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insider’s guide
What’s hot... From swimming with whale sharks to a stop at mystical Siquijor, top operators reveal the country’s best inbound tour packages B y M o nica D e L e o n
Our Insiders: Philtoa and Trips Travel president Cesar Cruz, Intas Travel chairperson Teresita Henderson, and Blue Horizons inbound operations manager Gigi Jamiro
Whale sharks in Donsol, trekking at Mt. Mayon in Legazpi Highlights. A chance to swim with Donsol’s whale sharks. Join Donsol’s whale shark tour where the gentle giants are left pretty much in their natural environment, prohibiting hand-feeding. If you’re lucky, you can spot 18-25 of these mammals some 18 to 20 meters away from the boat. You also get a chance to swim with the whale sharks, provided you don’t get too close or touch them. A maximum of 50 tourists per day are allowed on site. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature identified about 280 whale sharks in Donsol in May 2009. They are known
to inhabit the Donsol area from January to July. The best chances of sightings are from March to May. Also part of this itinerary is the Mt. Mayon climb, beginning from the base of this volcano in Legazpi. If climbing is not your thing, you can just enjoy the sights, taking in Mt. Mayon’s “perfect cone” shape. www.intas-travel.com. From about US $350 (about P15,000), a four-day, threenight Donsol-Mt. Mayon tour package includes breakfast, lunch, whale-watching tour, and a beach holiday at Misibis Bay, Cagraray Island, Legazpi City.
Lava vein ATVing at Mt. Mayon Highlights. Bicol’s all-terrain vehicle or ATV Lava vein climb, and Misibis Bay. Explore the lava vein of Mt. Mayon in Legazpi City, driving through a volcanic dirt road in an ATV accompanied by a trained guide. Volcanic debris at the foothills of Mt. Mayon was the result of the volcano’s eruption in 2006, spewing lava and creating a mudslide. In Bicol, spend a night at Misibis Bay (www. misibisbay.com), a tropical hideaway built facing a pristine stretch of beach on the southern tip of Cagraray Island in Albay. A tour of Bicol takes tourists to Naga, the capital of Camarines Sur, home of the country’s famous wakeboarding center CWC, and the shrine of the Virgin of Penafrancia, whose feast day in September attracts a huge number of devotees both from
the Philippines and abroad. In Legazpi, about an hour’s drive away from Naga City, the main attraction is the majestic Mayon Volcano, and its fascinating landmarks, the Cagsawa Ruins and Lignon Hills. A culinary tour and lava vein adventure onboard an ATV are optional tours but are a must try. www.philtoa.org. From about US $525 per person for a group of two. Cost per person from $272 for a group of 30++. The price is cheaper if you have more people in the group. The five-day, fournight Bicol Express tour package includes overnight stay in Naga and two-night stay in Legazpi, roundtrip train or public aircon bus transfers from Manila to Naga, breakfasts, meals and activities indicated in the program, private transport for tours, English-speaking local guide.
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Mt. Mayon
ph o t o by ansbert bid o l
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Dumaguete’s Twin Lakes, top, and Siliman University. Right page, top, a glorious Guimaras Island sunset. And bottom, Hapao Village in Banaue
Nature and countryside in Iloilo, Bacolod, Sipalay and Dumaguete Highlights. In Bacolod, the attraction are its sugar plantations and the train ruins called the Iron Dinosaur. In Iloilo, it’s seeing the old churches and a day trip to sleepy Guimaras Island, home of beautiful beaches and the Philippine mango. There’s also a stop at Sipalay, popular among the Swiss. The tour includes an overnight stay at the Swiss-owned Artistic Diving resort for snorkeling, and island hopping at Campomanes Bay, the second deepest bay in the country. In Dumaguete, there’s a stop at the Twin Lakes and Siliman University, which has a very interesting marine laboratory housing an assortment of underwater specimens including whale bones, and aquaculture of giant clams and groupers. Siliman University is regarded as a hub for education in the Visayas Region. If you happen to be touring in Dumaguete during their market day on Wednesday, then you’ll be lucky to witness curious scenes: cows and hogs being sold and physically examined on site to see if they’re healthy or not; auctions of vegetables, goats, and chickens.
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Spanish Heritage in Vigan and Paoay, Ilocos
In Dumaguete, you get the option to go to Siquijor, famous for its image as a mystical island, hub of sorcery and witchcraft, but also home to beautiful pristine beaches. Rustic Coco Grove Beach resort has a beautiful secluded sandy beach. www.bluehorizons.travel. From about US $1,000, the eight-day, seven-night Visayas Islands Holiday package includes fullboard accommodation, lunch for whole day tours, sightseeing tours and entrance fees, transportation within the destinations and a guide. Excludes roundtrip airfare from Manila. Additional $70-$80 per night for a sidetrip to Siquijor.
Highlights. This cultural tour of the North is great for historical buffs and those interested in seeing some of the remaining Spanish era architecture in the Philippines. Vigan in Ilocos Sur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best preserved examples of a planned Spanish colonial town in the whole of Asia. Tour Kamestizoan District in a horse-drawn carriage, passing by ancestral houses with ancient tiled roofs, ballustrades and azoteas in Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architecture. In Paoay, Ilocos Norte, you can find the Paoay Church, a Gothic-Baroque-Oriental-style church that took over a century to build, from 1704 to 1894. The church is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Another stop on the tour is a visit to the coralstone bell tower that served as an observation post of the “Katipuneros” or Filipino revolunaries back in the Spanish Colonization Era. www.intas-travel.com. From about US $4,000, the six-day, five-night Philippine Jewels Journey tour package includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tours of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, and of Paoay and Pagudpud, both in Ilocos Norte.
twin lake ph o t o by reynan alibuy o g , siliman university and guimaras island
insider’s guide
Palawan’s Subterranean Cultural immersion River and idyllic beaches in Banaue, Sagada and Baguio Highlights. This tour includes a visit to a World Heritage Site and one of the 7 New Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, which runs for eight kilometers through a limestone cave before flowing into a lagoon separated from the sea by a beach. El Nido is haven for beach lovers. The town is known for its towering limestone cliffs, countless white sandy beaches and hidden coves with gin-clear, marine life-rich waters, perfect for diving and snorkeling. Popular among honeymooners, one can have a picnic on one of the uninhabited beaches of El Nido, or weather permitting, take a boat to the Big and Small Lagoon.
www.philtoa.org. From about US $688 per person for a group of two. Cost per person deflates — can go as low as $438 per person for a group of 30++ — as more tourists join the tour. The six-day, five-night Palawan, the Last Frontier package includes two-night accommodation in El Nido, two-night in Sabang, one night in Puerto Princesa, breakfast, private transport for the four day tour, an English speaking local guide
Highlights. The Banaue Rice Terraces, a World Heritage Site, and testament to the early Filipinos’ incredible engineering, carving terraces on mountain slopes by hand to allow for irrigation in farming their ancestral land. The seemingly endless rice terraces, believed to be 2,000 years old, create fluid, graceful patterns, with colors changing from green to golden during harvest season in August. It is a delight to walk these fields, and stop by the Ifugao woodcarving sites and the local school in Bangaan Village if your tour falls on a weekday. The Banaue Rice Terraces is best viewed from Barangay Viewpoint. www.bluehorizons.travel. From about US $800-$900, the five-day, four-night Northern Roundtrip package includes fullboard accommodation, tours, entrance fee where needed, transportation and a guide.
ph o t o s by allan barred o , hapa o village in banaue ph o t o by carl o s legaspi
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insider’s guide
White Beach, Boracay Island at sun down
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b o racay ph o t o by ansbert bid o l
Divisoria
Visit top beach destinations Highlights. There are countless tour packages available to the country’s eight top beach destinations — the famous White Beach of Boracay Island; Puerto Galera’s equally famous white beach, a favorite of divers; Palawan’s San Vicente beach, still pristine and largely undeveloped, and El Nido, known for its small hidden coves and uninhabited islands; and northern Palawan, offering some of the best diving this side of the planet; Nasugbu in Batangas south of Luzon, is great for family days out, being just a few hours from Manila; and the beaches of Bohol and Cebu, great for diving
and snorkeling. www.philtoa.org. The Boracay, a Haven package includes a one-time, one-hour body massage. It costs US $175 per person for a group of two. Suruy Suruy Cebu has the Island Escape package, including a stay in a Mactan Island resort. It costs $294 per person for a group of two. Rustic Bohol includes a full day tour of the Chocolate Hills, including lunch and the Loay River Cruise and the option to stay in a Panglao Island resort, which costs $214. For each tour, the cost per person is cheaper the more people join the group.
Manila shopping Highlights. Shop ‘till you drop at some of Manila’s budget markets and shops, including Tutuban in Divisoria, Binondo in China Town, Greenhills in San Juan, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, and Greenbelt at the Ayala Center, Makati. Tutuban sells trendy clothes at half the retail price at regular shopping malls. At Divisoria Mall, must buys are fashion accessories and Swarovski crystals. Binondo sells gold jewelry at competitive rates and is the place to go to for good authentic Chinese food. Greenhills in San Juan has malls carrying signature brands, a lifestyle center Promenade with its array of restaurants, shops and cinema, and a large bazaar. Greenhills is also the best place to shop for Philippine pearls — from costly south sea pearls to the more affordable fresh water pearls — as well as accessories made of semi-precious stones, and the usual
divis o ria ph o t o by daniel s o rian o
mobile and other technical gadgets. The SM Mall of Asia or SM MOA, one of the largest malls in the world, carries high end signature brands and Philippine made handicraft. The best part is if you’re part of Philtoa’s Shop Till You Drop touring team, you get a discount of up to 20% from SM MOA shops. Greenbelt at the Ayala Center in Makati carries collections from esteemed Philippine designers like Randy Ortiz. www.philtoa.org. From US $125 per person for a group of two. Cost per person decreases — can go as low as $55 per person for a group of 30++ — as more people join the tour. The full day Shop Till You Drop tour includes private aircon transportation, entrance fees where required, meals as indicated and service of an English-speaking guide as may be required. ■
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Promotions inflight
The Farm at San Benito To Hold the Art of Silence Course
The Farm at San Benito will offer the Art of Silence Course from August 29 to September 2. The course, which prohibits talking, is designed to enhance relaxation, and covers the second and final part of The Farm’s The Art of Living at The Farm at San Benito program. The course costs P23,500++ per person and includes overnight fullboard accommodation, wellness activities and course fee. ■Award-winning health and wellness resort The Farm at San Benito is a 90-minute drive, south of Manila. Visit www.thefarm.com.ph.
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deception engulfs everyone in a tumultuous and maddening whirlpool of envy, incest, greed, destruction, and death. The characters’ struggle for and against their desires forces us to ask ourselves, “How far will we go for pleasure?” The Artistic Team DUP’s production also features Ang Dukesa ng Malfi as translated into Filipino by Palanca awardee Allan Palileo. The play is adapted and directed by theater icon and DUP Founding Artistic Director Tony Mabesa, well known for his staging of world and Filipino classics. New York-based Obie award winner Clint Ramos and Eric Pineda collaborate for the set and costume design respectively; Choreography by Peter Alcedo, Jr., Lights design by Meliton Roxas, Jr., and Sound design by Jethro Joaquin. The Stellar Cast
This September, Dulaang UP continues its tradition of bringing world classics to the Filipino audience through the first major Philippine production of John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi. Dark and visceral, The Duchess of Malfi is widely held as the greatest of Webster’s works and the most gripping of the Jacobean tragedies. It has mesmerized and shocked audiences since it was first staged 400 years ago in 1613.
The cast is headlined by some of theater’s biggest stars and supported by some of its most promising actors. Banaue Miclat, Liza Dino, and Adriana Agcaoili alternate as the defiant Duchess. Richard Cunanan, Neil Ryan Sese, and George de Jesus take turns playing the twisted Bosola. The Duchess’ malevolent twin brother, Ferdinand, is given life by Jacques Borlaza and Allan Palileo. The corrupt Cardinal is played by Menggie Cobarrubias and Brian Tibayan. The production also stars Carlo Tarobal, Dax Alejandro, Issa Litton, Ces Aldaba, and the Dulaang UP ensemble.
About the play
Performances and Ticket Inquiries
The Duchess of Malfi is renowned for producing what could probably be theatre’s most compelling female protagonist and two of its most twisted villains.
The Duchess of Malfi/Ang Dukesa ng Malfi runs September 11- 29, 2013 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman. For sponsorship and ticket inquiries, please contact the Dulaang UP Office at 926-1349, 981-8500 local 2449 or 433-7840 and look for Ms. Camille Guevarra or Ms. Samanta Clarin.
The play follows the story of a recently widowed duchess as she decides to go against her scheming brothers by secretly marrying her personal steward. The discovery of her
AirlineGuide Dornier 328
South East Asian Airlines International (SEAIR I) SEAIR International (SEAIR I), founded in July 2012, is one of the country’s youngest airlines. From the spun out Turboprop division of SEAIR (now known as Tigerair Philippines), it was established to continue services to some of the Philippines' remote destinations and missionary routes. Staying true to the vision of the original SEAIR, SEAIR I aims to chart the path in discovering the country's hidden gems, developing the next Boracays. On November 24, 2012, SEAIR I started its domestic cargo services from Clark to Cebu, and from Manila to Clark using its Boeing 737 freighter. On December 7, 2012, it launched its flights from Manila to Basco (Batanes), its first official scheduled operation, using the Dornier 328. In addition to offering executive charter services, SEAIR I intends to establish a hub and spoke system in Puerto Princesa, Palawan that will allow for inter-Palawan flights. In the fourth quarter of 2013, SEAIR I will launch a revisionary premium passenger service to Boracay via direct flights to Caticlan. SEAIR I was founded by aviation veterans and pioneers Iren Dornier, Tomas Lopez and Nikos Gitsis.
Destinations • Manila • Basco (Batanes) • Boracay
Fleet • (3) Dornier 328 • (1) Boeing 737 200 series • (1) LET 410
Airline Booking and Ticketing • Book online at www.flyseair.com • Makati: Unit 202 La O’ Center Building, 1000 Arnaiz Avenue (former Pasay Road) corner Makati Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 849 0100
Aircraft Charter Services Tel: +632/ 553 0550 Email: charters@flyseair.com, charters@kingairfbo.com
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Dornier 328
Island Transvoyager (ITI) Island Transvoyager, Inc. (ITI) is the airline that operates in Palawan, a prime tourist destination in the country. El Nido flights depart from Manila with frequency of up to three regular flights daily. ITI is the official carrier of the upmarket El Nido Resorts that operates three resorts in El Nido and one in Taytay. Both El Nido and Taytay are known for having stunning limestone cliffs, white sandy beaches, and highly diverse eco systems. ITI is also engaged in air taxi services and air charter operations. It is committed to protecting the environment and conserving the natural resources and beauty of El Nido, and is the first airline to establish a program to offset carbon emissions starting 2008.
Destinations • El Nido (Palawan)
Fleet • (1) ATR 42-500
Booking and Ticketing • ITI Hangar No. 5-03-127, Andrews Avenue (near PAL Medical Center), Domestic Airport, Pasay City Tel: +632/ 851 5664; 851 5674 Email: info@itiair.com URL: www.itiair.com
Route HONG KONG
LET 410
Map
SEAIR I flights
TAIWAN
ITI flights
Sky Pasada flights
MACAU Basco BATANES
LAOS
CAGAYAN Tuguegarao Maconacon
Cauayan
SOUTH CHINA SEA
PHILIPPINE SEA
Palanan
ISABELA
PHILIPPINES
LUZON
Sky Pasada
MANILA
THAILAND
SKY PASADA, dubbed the "aeronautical highway of the North," was established in 2008 as the airline and charter business of local aviation school WCC Aviation Company. In 2008, Sky Pasada started servicing the provinces in the northern part of the Philippines covering Batanes, Baguio, Palanan (Isabela) and Maconacon (Cagayan), with flights departing from Tuguegarao and Cauayan (Isabela). In 2012, Sky Pasada started operating direct flights from Manila to Basco (Batanes) and other Manila-bound flights. The airline, which is the brainchild of Sky Pasada president and CEO Capt. Ramon V. Guico III, is under the conglomerate of World Citi Inc., which also operates World Citi Medical Center (in Anonas, Quezon City), World Citi Colleges (Antipolo, Quezon City, Caloocan and Nueva Ecija), and several resorts in Batangas and Antipolo.
VIETNAM
Caticlan
Kalibo
VISAYAS
AKLAN
El Nido Taytay
CAMBODIA
PALAWAN
SULU SEA
MINDANAO
Destinations • Batanes • Cauayan • Maconacon (Cagayan) • Manila (to operate soon) • Palanan (Isabela) • Tuguegarao
CELEBES SEA
BRUNEI
Fleet • (2) LET 410
Booking and Ticketing
MALAYSIA
• Tuguegarao Airport, Brgy. Pengue Ruyu, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Tel: +6378/ 304 1054
SINGAPORE
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