InFlight July-August 2012

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Crossing

Wild Quezon A 3-day drive to perfect beaches & rural life

My Cebu

Insider tips on where to shop, eat, and stay in the Queen City

Me and My Travels

MTV VJ Rich Herrera

Tres Chic

Top 3 new hotels in Manila

Villa Escudero A tour of an

1800s plantation

Inside i n fl igh t | j u ly-augus t | 2012

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04 e ditor’s note 06 in the news Boracay launches pub crawl tours; Kasbah Moroccan restaurant opens a branch in Manila 06 Cale ndar What not to miss in July and August 08 In Room Tres Chic: Manila’s newly-opened deluxe hotels carry heavyweight credentials, from perfect location to eco chic

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12 InDULGE Restaurant reviews: Villa Cafe; Atelier 317 16 ME AND MY TRAVELS Rich Herrera, MTV VJ 20 Vill a E scude ro Oggie Ramos gets a taste of country life in a coconut plantation dating back to the 1880s

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22 cove r s tory Crossing Wild Quezon by Minivan Oggie Ramos and a Kia test drive team go on a three-day marathon drive, crossing three towns and three islands in Quezon, discovering idyllic fishing villages and unspoilt beaches; The Kia Carnival reveals a talent for smoothly accelerating up to 150kph, crossing 60 kilometers of unpaved track and up four mountains

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38 inside r’s guide My Cebu: Fashion designer Cary Santiago on his favorite, secret places in the city 41 INFLIGHT Guide s Destination guides to the Philippines and neighboring countries Airline Guides: All you need to know about leisure airlines South East Asian Airlines and Island Transvoyager A g itin is rV fo

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Crossing

Wild Quezon A 3-day drive to perfect beaches & rural life

My Cebu

Insider tips on where to shop, eat, and stay in the Queen City

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| InFlight | july-august 2012

Me and My Travels

MTV VJ Rich Herrera

Tres Chic

Top 3 new hotels in Manila

Villa escudero A tour of an

1800s plantation

Cover credits: Photo by Jeffrey Sonora Art direction by Jocas See Styling by John Paras for Monsters Production Hair and makeup by Rocky Orejola Modeling by Daria Fediunina for Ideal People Model Management Location: Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon

www.inflight.ph www.facebook.com//inflight.ph • twitter.com/Inflight_travel

editor’s note

People. Places. Adventures.

T

aking a road trip in the Philippines is not for the faint of heart. You’ve got to have the patience of a saint and a sense of humor. The last is most important, particularly if you’re not used to the so-called “driving culture” in the Philippines: the random weaving in and out of lanes, the psychotic tailgating, our penchant for breaking traffic rules, but only because most of us didn’t realise they existed in the first place.

That said, some of my most memorable travels in the Philippines have been long drives to and through the provinces. Land travel shows the country at its rawest, throws surprises at you, good and bad. I still remember the time we set out for Baguio, only to be caught in a killer traffic jam somewhere in the baking emptiness north of Tarlac. An accident surely? But no. It was caused by a farmer drying his rice crop on the road.

Further north, on the terrifying mountain road that loops clockwise from Bontoc to Banaue, we found ourselves at dawn — exhausted and crotchety — at some anonymous roadside stop that consisted of a couple of local women with rice cakes and flasks of coffee. The memory of that coffee, sweet and luxurious, is with me 20 years later. Forget Starbucks. If you want real coffee, head for, well, wherever that was.

Our cover story on pages 22 to 37, is all about the romance of the road trip. We sent contributing writers Oggie Ramos and Tiny Defensor on a three-day marathon drive to three towns and three islands in Quezon, home of some of the country’s most picturesque fishing villages and unspoilt beaches. Their choice of trusty steed was a Kia Carnival, lent to InFlight to test drive. “We saw our fair share of beautiful scenery,” says Oggie, “but more than that, we were on the receiving end of incredible hospitality.”

On page 38 we have an Insider’s Guide to Cebu with fashion designer Cary Santiago giving tips on where to shop, eat and stay in the Queen City of the South.

In our Me & My Travels section, MTV video jock Rich Herrera tells our managing editor Monica De Leon about his work and his travels to the Philippines.

You’ll find our regular hotel reviews on pages 20, this time focusing on a 19th century coconut plantation, Villa Escudero, and three new hotels in Metro Manila.

There’s more. In our city guides sections (pages 41 to 49) we feature key destinations in the Philippines and beyond.

And don’t forget to visit us online at www.inflight.ph.

Until the next issue. giselle javison Editor, InFlight editors@inflight.ph

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editorial

executive Editor Editor-In-Chief managing EDITOR Art Director Writer

Nikos Gitsis Giselle Javison Monica De Leon Jocas See Margarita Francisco

C o n t r ibu t i n g p h o t o g r a p h e r s

Ferdz Decena, Joel Garcia, Ken Go, Rhonson Ng, Oggie Ramos, Hermes Singson, Jeffrey Sonora, Lee Santiago, Daniel Soriano, Gutsy Tuason C o n t r ibu t i n g w r i t e r s

Lei Chavez, Freida Dario, Ferdz Decena, Tiny Defensor, Catherine Kirchhoff, Jan Lao, Oggie Ramos, Ces Rodriguez, Mari-an Santos, Gutsy Tuason Advertising Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing director media representative

Margie Defensor Joyce Ann Moros

P ub l i s h i n g

publisher Publishing director Administrative officer

Dornier Media International Nikos Gitsis André Palma

B o a r d o f A d vi s e r s

Seair chairman Publishing director Editorial director Director Legal counsel

Iren Dornier Nikos Gitsis Giselle Javison Delza Apostol Atty. Celina Cua

I n qui r i e s

Editorial: +632/ 553 7976; Email: editors@inflight.ph; Press releases: press@inflight.ph Advertising: +632/ 553 7978; Email: ads@inflight.ph Subscription and Archive: Email: subscribe@inflight.ph

p h i l ippi n e C o py r ig h t © 2 0 1 2

Dornier Media International Penthouse, Lerose Building, 832 Edades Street corner Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, Philippines Telefax: +632/ 840 2802 • Email: editors@inflight.ph

Erratum Our apologies to Ms. Bianca Araneta-Elizalde.

10 Favorite Philippine Hotels on page 14 of InFlight ’s April 2012 issue mentioned Bianca Araneta-Elizalde’s favorite hotels. There was a confusion with the attribution. Ms Araneta’s favorites include Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa (www.shangri-la.com/boracay/ boracayresort) because of a good playroom that her children love, good restaurants, and a wonderful beach. For short breaks, Araneta and her family go to The Farm in Batangas (www.thefarm.com.ph) because of its vegan restaurant and many fun activities ideal for families with kids in tow. And when abroad, she goes to this sleepy town Ojai, some six-hour drive from San Francisco, where they rent a house and enjoy the town’s quaint cafes and boutiques, orhards, mountains and pink sunsets.

INTheNews t r av e l | l i f e s t y l e | h o t e l s & r e s o r t s | a r t s & fa s h i o n | a n d m o r e

PubCrawl shirt ticket to Boracay discounts Boracay PubCrawl, a barhopping tour of several of the best bars on the island, just launched its PubCrawl Discount Specials. Wear a PubCrawl shirt and get a 10% discount from member food and dining establishments and members offering special activities, including Paradiso Grill, Kaesake, Sa Neh Thai, Japolitaly, La Reserve, Boracay Steakhouse, Pat’s Creek Bar, Titos Resto & Grill, Tilapia ‘n Chips, Nigi Nigi, Red Coconut, Tribal Adventures, Lapu-Lapu Diving Center, Habagat Kiteboarding and Fun Club Water Sports.

For P900 (about US $21.50) you get to join some 30 people in going around five to six participating bars, stopping by at each bar for 30-45 minutes, a yellow PubCrawl t-shirt, a free shooter at each bar visited and at least two exclusive drinks for P100.

Bar stops include La Reserve, Tribal Cafe, EPIC, Nigi Nigi, Coco Bar, Calypso Bar and Azul Bar and Red Coconut. The list of bars changes occasionally. Before the tour, members gather at the beach to play games and meet and greet. Facilitators also schedule games, raffles and competitions at each bar. ■

July

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Drum Tao

Catch Japan’s most celebrated and elite company of martial to 22 drummers, Drum Tao, perform a blend of ancient and modern percussion artistry at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila. This Manila show follows a successful and critically acclaimed sell-out World Tours and No.1 box office smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

For tickets, call Ticketworld at +632/ 891 9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph

Boracay PubCrawl starts every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 8pm at La Reserve. It will be cheaper to buy your tickets in advance at the PubCrawl booth, from promoters, at partner bars, restaurants, as well as from myboracayguide.com.

Morocco is Now in Manila Moroccan restaurant Kasbah in Boracay now has a branch in The Fort, Taguig, Manila, which soft opened in May this year.

Owner Madonna English describes Kasbah The Fort as “a bit more sophisticated” than its Boracay counterpart, but retains the same Moroccan feel.

Kasbah The Fort, set in a 200sqm space, with an al fresco and aircon areas, can seat about 90 people at a time. English says “about 95% of our dishes here are the same dishes we serve in Boracay” like the lamb and chicken tagine, chicken pastilla and the kebabs. Some new items on the menu are beet fruit and feta dip, fillet mignon and desserts like crepe maroc. ■ Visit Kasbah on www.facebook.com/ KasbahTheFort. - - M onica D e L eon

Calendar

W h at no t to mi s s i n J u ly-Augus t

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August

The Wizard of Oz

Repertory Philippines presents the Broadway musical The Wizard of Oz. After a tornado whisks away a young Kansas farm girl, Dorothy, to the magical land of Oz, she starts her quest to find the mighty Wizard of Oz who has the power to send her home. Along the way she teams up with a Scarecrow, a Tin Woodsman and a Cowardly Lion who help her on her journey to avoid the clutches of the Wicked Witch of the West. Directed by Joy Virata. Production runs until December 16.

For tickets, call Repertory Philippines at +632/ 571 6926

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Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Potter Experience

Playing to sold out houses all over the world — Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience — A Parody by Dan and Jeff takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into 70 hilarious minutes. The show runs for one week only at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Makati.

Call Ticketworld for tickets

INRoom Hotels and resorts

Tres Chic

Manila’s newly-opened deluxe hotels carry heavyweight credentials, from perfect location to eco chic, says Ces Rodriguez Best Western Premier F1 Hotel T h e F o r t, Ta g u i g

Why go: Convenient for Opened in travelers doing business within March 2012 Bonifacio Global City.

The narrow no-frills foyer leads to a bank of postage-size elevators. The hotel aspires to a resort feel, evident in the second floor café, where buffet meals are served and which looks out to a kiddie pool and a lap pool. There’s a formal lobby lounge on the fifth floor to make up for the unceremonious foyer. Furnished by Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue, the lounge is minimalist and high gloss, with a retro-futuristic vibe. There are 243 guest rooms in 19 of the building’s 31 floors; the rest are condominium units. Deluxe rooms occupy from 50sqm to 60sqm. The City Suite, with two LCD TVs, and The Fort Suite, which has a separate bedroom, run to 150sqm. The rooms are finished in burgundy, brown, black and olive tones and equipped with individuallycontrolled aircon, two NDD/IDD phones, a

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F1 Hotel’s Deluxe king

work desk with internet access, coffee and tea-making facility, LCD TV, an iPod dock with radio and alarm, and walk-in shower.

Facilities: Aside from the lounge, the pool, and the café, the hotel has an executive lounge with a separate conference room. A buffet counter offers complimentary snacks. It also has three function rooms and a ballroom, and in-building parking.

Essentials: Deluxe rooms start at P9,000 (about US $209), Fort Suites start at P12,600, and City Suites are P10,200 a day.

Tel: +632/ 928 9888 Email: inquiry@bwpf1hotel.com Url: www.f1hotelmanila.com

Cocoon Quezon Cit y

Why go: It’s green, chic, and homey, just like its name and the ‘burbs where it’s located.

Cocoon is responsibly green, using reclaimed wood

Opened in August 2011

for everything, including the floors. The irregularly faceted panels that decorate one wall of the rooms are scraps of wood varnished in differing shades. Repurposed carabao cart wheels, far from looking rustic, line the wall of the high-ceilinged lobby. A Steinway grand from the 1800s, which also sits in the lobby, is an heirloom from the hotel owners. Four Murano glass chandeliers, discarded by the Manila Peninsula during one of their renovations, hang in the lobby and the ballrooms. The pots in the upperfloor swimming pool area are planted to vegetables and herbs. The 39-room boutique hotel offers deluxe and studio rooms, a onebedroom suite, a two-bedroom junior suite, and a two-bedroom master suite. All rooms are non-smoking and beds have memory foam mattresses and 400 thread-count Egyptian cotton linen. Duvets are 90 percent goose down with circle-of-down pillows. In each room there’s a 32” LED Cable TV with USB port for DVD and MP3, coffee and tea service, a mini-bar, a safe, three IDD/NDD phones, and high-speed internet access. The open

INRoom

bathroom set-up allows guests to watch TV while lying in a separate deep-soak bathtub with the audio piped in by an overhead speaker. All rooms are non-smoking.

Facilities: Two ballrooms that can accommodate 100 guests, a kiddie and adult swimming pool, a spa and nail salon, an aesthetic clinic, an exercise room, flower shop, business center, travel agency, partner restaurants, WiFi in public areas, concierge services, day maid services, and 24-hour security service.

Essentials: Published room rates are P7,000 for the Deluxe room; P9,000 for the Studio; P12,000 for the One-Bedroom Suite; P14,000 for the Two-Bedroom Junior Suite; and P17,000 for the Two-Bedroom Master Suite.

Tel: +632/ 921 2706 to 08, +632/ 413 7281 Email: info@thecocoonhotel.com Url: www.thecocoonhotel.com

The Bayleaf

Cocoon’s Deluxe room

Intramuros, Manila

Why go: It’s the only hotel Opened in that’s right in the middle of November Manila’s historic Walled City 2011 with spectacular views of the city, the heritage sights, and Manila Bay’s renowned sunset.

Since its opening, The Bayleaf has already received rave reviews from its guests who singled out the hotel’s excellent staff, modern, comfortable rooms, accessibility to malls, parks, and tourist spots, and amazing views, among other things. There are 57 rooms composed of superior (23sqm), deluxe (25sqm), premier (31sqm), and Executive and Bayleaf Suites. The rooms are predominantly white, using contemporary accents like lime and orange, and features a distinctive cut-out wall panel. Standard room amenities include a 32-inch LCD TV with cable access, WiFi, coffee and tea service, a safe, and a mini bar.

The hotel also offers a daily buffet breakfast, parking, laundry and transportation service, foreign currency exchange, and safety deposit boxes.

Facilities: The Bayleaf has a penthouse restaurant with a panoramic view of the city, a roof deck bar, and a café. There are five meeting rooms and a 300-capacity ballroom.

Essentials: Room rates start at P4,300 net per room night.

Tel: +632/ 318 5000, +632/ 525 6642 Email: contact@thebayleaf.com.ph Url: www.thebayleaf.com.ph ■

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Bayleaf’s Executive suite

Binondo, a district in the City of Manila, is the consummate blend of cultures, spanning across eras.

Abound with authentic Chinese gastronomic pleasures, Spanish-Colonial edifices connoting significance, and genuine Filipino hospitality, the world’s oldest Chinatown is the quintessential destination of every traveler who endeavors to live the cultured life.

At its core, is the promise of unparalleled comfort.

Operated by Hospitality International, Inc. and under a license agreement with Ramada Worldwide, Ramada Manila Central is Binondo’s first international hotel. It offers well-appointed, Zen-inspired lodging spaces, and world class amenites: the Plaza Dela Barca Events Hall, Premiere Lounge, recreational facilities and dining options offering signature cuisine. The hotel is beside the 16th century Binondo Church, within walking distance from Manila’s busiest and most diverse shopping malls, and is minutes away from the area’s prime tourist points.

Ongpin corner Quintin Paredes Streets, Binondo, Manila, Philippines 1006 +63 2 5886688 / +63 2 3544151 +63 2 3544152 reservations@ramadamanilacentral.com www.ramadamanilacentral.com

RamadaManilaCentral

for instant booking confirmation,

call us now, 632.3544151

RamadaManila

INdulge restaur ant review

Villa Café

Top Filipino chefs Sau del Rosario and Jam Melchor recreate their Kapampangan family recipes at Villa Cafe with panache, says Lei Chavez P hotos b y jocas see

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HE SETTING. Villa Café is a quaint two-storey 60-seater restaurant in Makati, tucked between commercial spaces in Glory Bldg. on Yakal Street.

Coming here feels like visiting grandma’s house for her hearty homemade meals. Framed pictures of the owners during childhood days and personal messages and reflections on cooking and family life, are hung on walls, and smooth jazz music wafting in the air add up to the homey ambience.

There’s an open kitchen to let you take a peek at how your food is prepared.

THE FOOD. Homemade Kapampangan specialties using family heirloom recipes recreated by owners Chef Sau del Rosario and Chef Jam Melchor. “Everything is locallysourced, organic, and sustainable,” says Chef Jam. The sauces are handmade and most ingredients come directly from Pampanga.

Local specialties are given a twist, like the crispy fried hitu (catfish) floss (P195) and the fresh pacu (local ferns) and prawn salad (P175) served with pineapple vinaigrette.

Diners wrap the hitu floss in fresh lettuce and top it with buru (fermented rice), tomatoes, salted eggs, and onions, while the salad is garnished with colorful edible flowers. The pastel de lengua is boneless crispy pata (pork thigh) served with kare-kare sauce or sauce made from ground peanut. The crispy meat is separated from the sauce to add texture to the dish. The soft lamb shank caldereta (P635), with soft moist meat falling off the

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From top: The cafe’s white clean interior against dark flooring; cozy seating; soft lamb shank caldereta; and fresh pacu (local ferns) and prawn salad soft lamb shank caldereta

bone, is a winner. The quesong puti slice on top mellows the sauce, much like melted butter, adds a finishing touch to the tomato sauce. Mushrooms, olives and dried tomatoes went into the dish instead of the traditional caldereta vegetables like aubergine and carrots.

A crisp cabernet sauvignon complements this dish. And for dessert, try the special halohalo (P300) with corn, pastillas, monggo, leche flan, yam, pandan gelatin, banana, kaong, macapuno balls, cheese, ice cream, and pinipig.

THE SERVICE. Attentive.

Price. A full course meal of appetizer, main course and dessert will set you back about P1,000 (about US $24).

VERDICT. This definitely gets a double thumbsup for good Filipino food. ■

Villa Café Restaurant 7427 Glory Bldg., Yakal St., San Antonio Village, Makati City Tel: +632/ 478 2659 Url: www.villacafe.biz Reservations is a must

INdulge

Atelier 317

Chef Stephanie Zubiri’s Moroccan-spiced lamb caldereta proves to be a runaway favorite, says Monica De Leon P hotos b y D aniel S oriano

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HE SETTING. Atelier 317 is a nondescript restaurant in an old style apartment in upmarket Rockwell, Makati. There is no signage outside and hardly any hint that it’s a restaurant. Inside, it’s a cozy place that can only seat 14 at a time, designed just like a typical home in France, where owner/head chef Stephanie Zubiri lived for six years. The walls are dark blue with a large white-framed window to one side and on another, gold-framed paintings of fruits and vegetables painted by Stephanie’s mom Vicky. Lovely mix and match pieces bought

by Stephanie from flea markets, including some antique pieces she got from Evangelista, Makati, adorn the place. There are marble-top tables, mismatched serving dishes, and tinted drinking glasses. An antique brass organizer holds teapots, teacups, an assortment of drinking glasses and an espresso machine.

THE FOOD. The menu lists FilipinoMediterranean dishes, available for individual serving or group portions. The Moroccan spiced lamb caldereta, tender morsels of lamb in a harissa spiced stew with zucchini, garbanzos and carrots topped with fresh herbs and lemon zest, is a richly textured dish that’s medium spiced, and served with fried Portobello mushroom red rice. The truffle lasagna is a perfect blend of mushrooms — oyster, button and Portobello — with cream and truffle paste, mozarella and parmesan

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Moroccan spiced lamb caldereta

cheese on top. The oyster mushroom in particular has the texture and taste of chicken meat. The pumpkin and ginger cake with cream cheese frosting is heaven, just the right amount of moistness and sweetness.

There are also select quality red and white wines, craft beers and Bundaberg fruit sodas.

THE SERVICE. Because only a small group can be accommodated at a time, the service is prompt, efficient, and friendly.

PRICE. A full course meal will cost about P700 (about US $17) without wine.

VERDICT. I like the restaurant’s hidden gem appeal, ambience and good food. ■

Interior

Atelier 317 Strictly by reservation only. Call a day before to book.

Lunch booking is 24 hours ahead.

Tel: +632/ 384 7064 www.epicurusinc.ph

Me and My Travels

Rich Herrera, MTV VJ I nterview b y M onica D e L eon

P H O T O S co u rtes y of M T V A sia

A

typical day for me in Singapore is getting up early for morning training, which is usually running and/ or swimming. In the evening it’s either weights, yoga or plyometrics depending on time. I practice ultimate Frisbee three times a week and American Football on Saturdays.

I was eight years old. It was total culture shock. I remember how scared I was sitting in the front seat when my kuya (brother) drove us up to Baguio City for the first time. This was before any of the tollways so you had to counter-flow to make any real progress. It was total madness. My cousins could see that I was a fish out of water so they did their best to make me feel better. We played basketball all the time.

In Singapore my schedule revolves mostly around work and studying music and artists.

I love the road trip going north to Baguio.

When I was 18, all of my relatives and I travelled up north and stopped at every spot along the way.

I remember my cousins and I risked our lives and scaled a mountain in Benguet up to this Marcos head statue, which I don’t think is there anymore.

(Visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asiapacific/2612709.stm) My mom thought I was nuts.

Those were fun times..

My favorite bands are Pantera and Fear Factory. The Pantera show at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio was like seeing a bowl of ants swarming a candy bar. Imagine 10,000 people in a mosh pit trying to destroy one another. Chaos.

My current workout playlist includes Stan Bush-Fight To Survive; Fear Factory-Self-Bias Resistor; Pantera-Domination (Live @ Monsters Of Rock); Kjwan-Invitation; Phil Collins-Sussudio; Red Hot Chili Peppers-Freaky Styley (Album Version); Ferry Corsten-Rock Your Body (RenniePlgrem Remix); Slapshock-Point Blank; Mizz Nina Feat. Flo Rida-Takeover; Meek Mill-Ima Boss (Remix).

My mom took me to the Philippines when

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I’d like to visit Palawan again soon. I’m a nature tripper so the Philippines and the rest of Asia are a dream come true. And one of my dream destinations is Monaco to watch the Formula One Grand Prix with my father.

For short breaks, I head back home to do the laundry!

The music and arts scene are always in bloom in my hometown in Dayton, Ohio.

Columbus is just a short drive from two massive theme parks, Cedar Point and Kings Island, which have some of the most ridiculously insane roller coasters you’ll find anywhere.

Try and visit as many art galleries and museums as possible in Europe. It’s the best place in the world to just pack a backpack and get lost in for months.

My mother and father used to take me on cross-country road trips all over the US and Canada. We had this massive powder blue Ford Econoline van with no air-conditioning that my dad would drive nonstop 16 hours a day on every highway and bi-way. There’s so many random things to see in small towns all over the place. I remember we drove through locust swarms in the US State of Montana and the radiator cooked the locusts that flew inside. What a mess it was trying to clean that up!

Every vacation gets crazy one way or another. My parents took me on a cruise to The Bahamas and Jamaica when I was 15. My parents both fell violently seasick and I was too young to drink or go to the casino. And at that time I was still

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Me and My Travels

too smart to go looking for trouble! I do remember the vibe in Jamaica was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

There’s so many good hotels all over but I do have many good memories at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

My favorite travel brand is a Tumi bag that my friend got for me. It’s the same brand that Rocky used in part 4 of the movie [Rocky] when he travelled to Russia to fight Ivan Drago.

I cannot live without a good pair of shades and an iPod. I would love to live without mobile phones and internet again.

Five or 10 years from now, I’ll probably be somewhere saying, “Wow where did the last 10 years go?” because time really flies! I hope to be challenging myself in some crazy new way wherever that may be. ■

My favorite things

Favorite Book: Scar Tissue Favorite Sports: Mixed martial arts, American football and tennis Favorite MTV Shows: Pimp My Ride, Headbangers Ball, Wild ‘N Out With Nick Cannon, Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, MTV Sports with Dan Cortese Favorite Music Videos: Any videos directed by Mark Romanek, “Sabotage” and “Smack My B**** Up” Favorite Music: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Beyoncé, Pantera, Slayer, Korn, Black Sabbath, Armand Van Helden Inspirational People: Mum and Dad Philosophy: Kill it with class ■

VJ Rich Herrera is the new face of MTV Asia. You can catch him on The MTV SHOW on Saturdays at 1pm. On July 14 see more of Rich at the MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia, a crazy show expected to attract 15,000 fans with such headliners as Justin Bieber, Jay Park, Mizz Nina, and KPop Girl Group KARA. Rich is one half of the duo that won the 2010 Amazing Race Asia, representing the Philippines.

More on Rich at http://www.mtvasia.com/mini/vj-rich/

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Special Feature

Villa Escudero Oggie Ramos gets a taste of country life in a coconut plantation dating back to the 1880s Photos by jocas see

Lunch by the waterfalls

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HE Location. Villa Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon, is about two-hour’s drive from Manila.

The estate, founded in the 1880s

by Don Placido Escudero and his wife Dona Claudia Marasigan, used to be a sugarcane plantation, but was converted into a coconut farm in the early 1900s. It still is a working farm, but now serves as a tourist destination.

Rooms. You can book an apartment-style unit or a riverside cottage, both designed using natural materials combined with the usual concrete and metal. We stayed in one of the longhouse apartments that can fit up to nine adults. Its high ceiling, wall openings and electric fans kept the room cool. The river cottages have hammocks in verandas that jut out over the waters of Lake Labasin.

The Gumamela Suites are the only river duplex units with air conditioning (P3,730 per person for a group of four) while the Katakataka are single detached river units with air conditioning (P3,750 per person for a group of five).

Food. Lunch by the waterfalls continues to be a popular attraction. There’s something special about wading in ankle-deep cool water and feasting on inihaw na baboy, manok and tilapia (grilled pork, chicken and fish), and ginataang gulay (vegetable cooked in coconut milk). I was not able to partake of the waterfall special that day and instead had the no-frills cold tuna sandwich and Cafe Americano at the Indigo Café.

Activities. There’s paddling along the small stretch of Lake Labasin, the carabao ride around the villa, the museum tour, swimming.

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The museum

Longhouse apartment

There’s a recreational hall for billiards, table tennis, even ballroom dancing.

I Like. The place being unpretentious, the folk songs and carabao rides, the natural attractions. WiFi wasn’t available when we were there but I didn’t mind.

Verdict. Villa Escudero is perfect for people who want to slow down; for families seeking closer-to-nature bonding activities; ideal place to bring foreign or Balikbayan guests to sample local food and culture; and birdwatchers and nature trippers. ■

Essentials

The longhouse apartments’ rates start at P2,200 (about US $52) per person for a group of six to nine; the air-conditioned river units, P3,370 per person for a group of four.

Day tour packages are at at P1,250 (MonThu), P1,400 (Fri-Sun & holidays); children at half-rates. Prices are inclusive of welcome drink, museum tour, carabao cart rides, use of outdoor recreational facilities and lunch at the waterfalls.

Tel: +632/ 521 0830 Url: www.villaescudero.com

Experience the allure of Philippine country life.

Villa Escudero

P l a n tat i o n s a n d R E s o R t w w w. v i l l a e s c u d e ro. c o m

Manila office: 1059 Estrada street, Malate 1004 Metro Manila te l e p h o n e n o s . ( 6 3 2 ) 5 2 1 0 8 3 0 | 5 2 3 0 3 9 2 | 5 2 3 2 9 4 4 Fax Number: (632) 521 869

•

E-mail: info@villaescudero.com

Cover Story

Crossing wild Quezon by mini van

Oggie Ramos and a Kia testdrive team go on a three-day marathon drive, crossing three towns and three islands in Quezon, discovering idyllic fishing villages and unspoilt beaches

O

ur GPS went on the blink along with the Globe signal approaching San Narciso in Quezon Province six hours into our roadtrip from Manila. The few people we asked along the road assured us we were indeed on the way to San Andres, in southwestern Quezon, our intended

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destination located on the southeastern tip of the Bondoc Peninsula, 366 kilometers from our starting point.

The road, which we will later find out to be a national highway, was deeply rutted in not a few places and more fit for motorcycles and carabaos, putting our loaner Kia Carnival to a rigorous test right from our very first day.

By the time we saw the port town of San Andres with Alibihaban Island in the distance, we have seen three hours worth of rolling terrain, grassland, corn fields and postcard pretty mountain views that contrast against a clear, blue sky. Our three-day roadtrip started with a 60 kilometer detour, not knowing there’s a shorter way.

But what’s a real, honest-to-goodness roadtrip without the meddling of fate, throwing well-planned itineraries out the window. Traffic and road conditions are often unpredictable in this part of Quezon. Tides also affected our schedule, delaying water crossings during the trip.

Roughing it.

Team InFlight put the 2012 Kia Carnival to the test, crossing unpaved country roads on the way to San Andres, Quezon’s beaches and picturepostcard fishing villages

Photos by hermes singson

m a p i l l u s t r at i o n s b y m a r lo n s e e

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Alibihaban Island is home to endemic wild life and sea turtles

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photo by jocas see

Cover Story

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Cover Story

Back to basics in San Andres and Alibihaban Island

W

hile the assignment called for a roadtrip as well as putting the Kia Carnival to the test, we didn’t aim to remain landlocked all the time. Certainly not when there are islands waiting to be explored. The fishing town of San Andres at the southernmost tip of the Bondoc Peninsula is our jump-off point for Alibihaban Island. Arriving three hours later than our schedule, we found a listless sea. Crossing over to the island will have to wait until the morning when the Ragay Gulf simmers down.

Plan B means spending the late afternoon hours exploring Long Beach with our local host, Dina Lopinac Dela Torre, a school teacher. Towards sunset, the shoreline recedes some hundred meters, exposing areas planted to mangroves. Fishermen were hauling in their fresh catch of small sapsap (slipmouth/ pony fish), my favorite, which ended up on our dinner table, fried to a delicious crisp and paired with pinakurat (local vinegar made from fermented coconut water). We had a quiet dinner in the open air dining area of Dina’s house under a huge mango tree. There was no shark or ray available

due to the weather but there was kinunot na isda (fish cooked in coconut milk). Ahh, the simple joys of visiting a place untainted by commercial tourism.

We repaired to the only lodging house in the poblacion, ADC Lodging House and Restaurant and got ourselves billeted in two aircon rooms, which weren’t fancy but clean. The house was just a few streets away from the shoreline. We woke up before sunrise to cross over to Alibihaban Island, 15 minutes away, on a small motorized banca. We got glimpses of the simple life on the island mainly populated by families of fishermen. School children come to school either by banca or walking through patches of mangroves as the men sail to shore with their catch. The school house has an enviable location, right under a canopy of trees with the beach as its backyard. There’s something wild and unspoilt about the place. The island itself, all of 430 hectares, has been declared a wilderness area. It is also part of Ragay Gulf, home to endemic sea creatures with regular sightings of sea turtles. It was tempting to stay longer to swim and snorkel. Maybe even buy fresh catch, slack off and enjoy the laidback pace. But we had to get back early enough before the gulf waters get any rougher.

MANILA

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N

Muntinlupa City

Laguna Bay

Sta. Rosa City

San P Calamba City

Daily life at Alibihaban Island’s fishing village.

Clockwise from bottom left, left page.

Long Beach scenes: Local fishermen; kids playing; and InFlight writer Oggie Ramos with San Andres local guide Dina dela Torre

writer with local guide and man showing off fish photos by jocas see manila to san andres to alibihaban island

CatanaunCatanaun

ALIBIHABAN ALIBIHABAN ISLAND ISLAND SAN ANDRES SAN ANDRES

Lucena City Lucena City

Pablo San City Pablo City

San Francisco San Francisco

Sambacogon Sambacogon Bay Bay july-august 2012

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Cover Story

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“Borawan Island has wonderful coves and hidden beaches, hemmed by limestone cliffs�

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MANILA MANILA Laguna Laguna Bay Bay

Muntinlupa Muntinlupa City City

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NN

Sta. RosaSta. CityRosa City CalambaCalamba City City

San Pablo San City Pab

blo City

Cover Story

Going northwest to Padre Burgos and Borawan Island

W

e’re now on our second day in Quezon and we were intent on avoiding the lengthy detour on our first day, passing through the

smoother provincial road of San Francisco enroute to the municipality of Padre Burgos, some four to five hours’ drive northwest of San Andres, passing through nine towns.

When we arrived at Tayabas Bay, the weather was far from ideal — there was a strong gusty wind, and the waters were choppy, spewing out white caps. We thought we’d wait this one out and decided to go to Vista Playa Restaurant for a late lunch of tulingan (mackerel tuna in coconut milk) and chami (egg noodles with sweet sauce) From where we were we could still hear the waves pounding. It was becoming clear that crossing over to Borawan Island, like our hop to Alibihaban, will have to wait until next morning.

Plan B calls for exploring the rugged coastline of Vista Playa Resort while waiting for the sunset. The view is not lacking in poetry with late afternoon fishermen sailing to and from baklad (fish fences) that lie in the distance framed by the silhouettes of the islands of Pagbilao Chika and Pagbilao Grande. Vista Playa seemed like a converted resthouse than a real resort but its claim to fame is its location — close to the jump off point to nearby islands. Vista Playa is one of the few places in town where you can get a

From left, this page: Vista Playa Resort and Restaurant’s ginataang tulingan or tulingan cooked in coconut milk; and views from the resortrestaurant. Left page, hidden gems: Two of Borawan’s creamy sand beaches face the east and witness beautiful sunrises

decent meal of fresh seafood cooked the local way.

The bay was still a bit temperamental when we set out for Borawan Island before five the next morning but we went ahead and sailed anyway. The island has a wonderful stretch of pocket beaches hemmed by limestone cliffs that called to mind the karst formations of Palawan. On the easternmost end, there were basic cottages for daytrippers and overnight guests. The water is clear, tempting us to take a dip and swim in the two hours we were there. If it weren’t for our planned itinerary, this would be a nice place to stay for the whole day or overnight, chilling out and doing nothing but soak in the sun, swim, eat and sleep.

san an d r es to pad r e b u rgos to bor awan is l an d

Buenavista

PADRE BURGOS

ALIBIHABAN ISLAND

Catanaun

SAN ANDRES Lucena City

BORAWAN ISLAND Tayabas Bay

San Francisco

Sambacogon Bay july-august 2012

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Cagbalete Island off Mauban. It’s closer to Manila at only less-thanfour-hour-drive but still without the maddening crowd

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Cover Story

Setting out for Mauban and Cagbalete Island

T

he closest we got to following our itinerary was on our third day when we traveled further northwest to Mauban, just three towns away from Padre Burgos and close to Lucena City, the capital of Quezon Province. Arriving early ahead of schedule, we had time to look for a place to have pancit habhab (fried noodles laced with pork ideally eaten with pinakurat, a strongly-flavored vinegar made from fermented coconut water), the quintessential Quezon dish. We had the local noodles in a nondescript eatery.

There are two boat trips going to Cagbalete daily, one at 10:30am and another at 3:30pm. We took the latter, boarding a large boat that sits anywhere from 75-100 passengers. The trip was splash-free and dry save for the time to board off in Sabang as the water has receded far from shore, necessitating a ride on a flat-bottom boat and wading near the shore.

The western side of Cagbalete is littered with houses and various commerce mainly run by migrants from the Visayas who have made the island their home. Making our way to the home of our host, a retired judge of Mauban, we had to weave through an assortment of houses, sari-sari stores, bakeries and shops. As it was already nearing sunset, we contented ourselves with walking along the fine sand shore accompanied by friendly

All in Cagbalete Island.

Clockwise from bottom left, this spread: A souvenir shop; a local fisherman managing a fishnet; boat ride to Cagbalete; on a hammock at Villa Cleofas in Cagbalete; kayaking to get to the other side of the island

neighborhood dogs, talking to the locals, and engaging the fishermen who were getting their boats ready for the next day.

Electricity comes on at 6pm and lasts until 10:30pm, that is, if the community generator does not falter. Our place has its own generator but electrical connection problems meant enjoying our feast of local adobo cum binagoongan (pork cooked in oil laced with fish sauce), crabs laden with aligue (crab fat) and inihaw na pusit (grilled fresh squid) in the flickering light of an emergency lamp. Our kind host, Coco Llamas, offered us lambanog (strong liquor made from coconut water) but we decided to pass it up (I’m a teetotaler to begin with), preferring to prepare for the next day and catch up on sleep. When the lights went off past midnight, it seemed the

MANILAMANILA Laguna Bay Laguna Bay

MuntinlupaMuntinlupa City City

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NN

Sta. Rosa City Sta. Rosa City Calamba City Calamba City

San Pablo San City Pa

ablo City

“We weren’t able to stay long enough to see the sand patterns...

But having kayaked the shallows to the mangrove areas, I thought I’ve seen enough to want to come back” sea breeze also came to a standstill. It took awhile before I dozed off to the sound of waves lapping the shore.

We woke to a bright, clear morning. Fueled by a hasty breakfast of coffee and peanut butter cookies, we hiked 20 minutes through grassland to the eastern side of the island.

Emerging from the windbreak rows of sheoaks (trees that resemble pine trees but grow in drier land), we found a shoreline littered by seaweeds and a deserted stretch of beach with fine, fair sand all to ourselves.

It’s a good place to snorkel, but you have to have your own gear.

We combed the shore and went resorthopping finding only caretakers and workers.

We wanted to see the undulating sand patterns exposed at low tide on this side of the island so we thought of hanging around, finding things to do.

At Villa Cleofas, we watched the copra

workers as they went about their business, shucking coconut and preparing them for drying. After an hour, we went for the hammocks by the beach to watch the birds and survey the empty beach. Restless and finding something to do, I rented out a kayak to get to the next resort, MVT Sto. Niño, which is on the other side of the island separated by a river that runs to the sea. We weren’t able to stay long enough to see the sand patterns, ride a horse along the beach or venture to Bonsai Island, a sandbar with stunted trees that emerge at low tide, as our boat going back to Mauban was leaving at 1pm. But having kayaked the shallows to the mangrove areas, I thought I’ve seen enough to want to come back.

Epilogue: Passing through Lucban on the way home As if waiting for us to conclude our

assignment, the rain fell long and hard as we were leaving Mauban. We passed by Lucban and had a late lunch at Buddy’s pancit habhab along with Lucban longganisa (local sausage) and a quick stop at nearby Pavino’s Bakery for broas (lady fingers) and pancit miki (egg noodles for pancit habhab) as well as uncooked Lucban longganisa from the shops at the back of the church to take back home.

Over three days, we’ve traveled more than 800 kilometers to visit three municipalities and have hopped to three islands. Fate and weather may have altered our original plans but the detours and on-the-spot changes have made the roadtrip more interesting. We’ve seen our fair share of beautiful sceneries but more than that, we’ve been on the receiving end of incredible hospitality. All these make the trip, long and arduous as it may seem, well worth it. ■

pa d r e b u rgos to m au ba n to cag ba le t e is l a n d

CAGBALETE ISLAND Lopez Bay Buenavista

MAUBAN

PADRE BURGOS

ALIBIHABAN ISLAND

Catanaun

SAN ANDRES Lucena City

BORAWAN ISLAND Tayabas Bay

San Francisco

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Cover Story

ESSENTIALS Going to and staying in San Andres • Car hire will set you back about P11,814 per 12 hours’ use of a van, inclusive of fuel and driver. Overnight use of the vehicle will incur an additional P5,907 charge. Succeeding days’ rate is P6,666/day. Call Carfield at +632/ 853 5331 to book.

• To commute, take the SuperLines bus on EDSA-Kammuning. Land travel takes seven to eight hours costing P460 one way. From Lucena (three- to four-hour travel time), hop on a commuter van for P270 per way.

• There’s only one lodging house in the municipality, ADC, which has two air conditioned rooms and three fan rooms. Contact +63999/ 494 2803. Homestays can also be arranged. Contact Dina Lopinac Dela Torre at +63999/ 470 7934.

• To get to Alibihaban Island, big bancas can be rented at P1,300 for the whole day; smaller bancas at P200/way.

Going to and staying in Padre Burgos • Car hire will set you back about P10,810 per 12 hours’ use of a van, inclusive of fuel and driver. Overnight use of the vehicle will incur an additional P5,405 charge. Succeeding days’ rate is P6,666/day. Book at Carfield.)

• Or hop on a bus bound for Lucena such as the JAC Liner. In Lucena, take a Unisan bound bus and alight in Padre Burgos town proper.

• Stay at Vista Playa Resort, which has two air conditioned rooms good for four (P2,500) and several fan rooms with dormitory-style accommodation (P300/pax). Call Beverly at +63906/ 242 3945 for reservations.

• For island hopping to Borawan Island, Vista Playa offers boat rentals (one boat can accommodate eight to 10 persons at a time) to nearby islands including Borawan. Borawan and Dampalitan/two-island trip costs P1,200; single island trip to Puting Buhangin/Kuwebang Lampas costs P2,000; and a three-island trip on the same day is P2,200. Entrance fee of P20 (day trippers) or P30 (overnight guests) is charged in Borawan Island; special rate of P15 for students, senior citizens and people with disability. Take with

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Villa Cleofas

you supplies especially water since there are no stores on the islands.

banana chips in Camohagin and fresh seafood in the coastal towns like San Andres.

Going to and staying in Mauban • Car hire will set you back about P10,810 per 12 hours’ use of a van, inclusive of fuel and driver. Overnight use of the vehicle will incur an additional P5,405 charge. Succeeding days’ rate is P6,666/day. Book at Carfield.

• ISLAND HOPPING Puting Buhangin Beach in the Pagbilao Grande area is about an hour-and-a-half boat ride from Mauban. Its highlights include a stretch of white sand beach and Kwebang Lampas, a natural cave formation. Dampalitan Island, just 20 minutes by boat from Mauban, has a longer stretch of beach than Borawan. Polilio Island in Lamon Bay has a wealth of natural wonders for hikers and spelunkers.

• Take a bus from Manila bound for Lucena City where you can take a bus at the terminal or vans at SM Lucena bound for Mauban.

• Fiesta Royale Apartelle located along the National Road in Sitio Sabang offers basic accommodation. Call +6342/ 784 1099, 784 1104. Room rates tart at P950. The town’s Cagbalete Island also offers four huts that each can house eight people at a time, costing P2,000 per hut per night. Day trippers can visit for a P50/ head fee. Villa Cleofas has cottages from P2,000 (two to four persons) to a dorm room good for 25-30 people (P5,500). Call +63939/ 838 2589.

MVT Sto. Niño Resort has 24 rooms; aircon rooms are from P2,000; fan rooms at P150; huts for five persons at P1,000; call +63921/ 727 5398.

• To get to Cagbalete Island, you can catch either of the two boat rides daily from Gat-uban port: 10:30am and 3:30pm at a boat fare of P40 per way. Travel time from the pier takes about 45 minutes.

Next time, try: FOODTRIP Pancit habhab is a must-eat in Lucban. Same with their garlicky longganisa (native sausage).

Try uraro (Arrowroot) cookies in Catanoan,

• SPELUNKING In Atimonan, visit the Quezon National Forest Park, 984 hectares of waterfalls, hills, and natural cave formations. For those more inclined to travel farther, Puting Bato Island off Polilio boasts of limestone cliffs that resemble those of Palawan and beautiful caves.

• HIKING For those inclined to get muddied up and dirty, 1,875 meter Mt. Banahaw de Lucban offers a challenging multi-day hike from Lucban.

Wrapped in the mist of myths, 1,470 meter Mt. Cristobal, is another reason to keep hiking starting from either Brgy. Kinabuhayan in Dolores or Brgy. Cristobal in San Pablo. ■ Our thanks to our hair and makeup contributing stylist Rocky Orejola for recommending off-the-beaten places in Quezon. Our thanks also to generous Quezon locals for extending assistance to the InFlight team: Judge Virgilio Alpajora (for housing the team in his resort on Cagbaleta Island) and Coco Llamas of Mauban; Cely Rances and Playa’s Beverly of Padre Burgos; and Dina dela Torre of San Andres

v i l l a c l eo fas p h oto by j o cas s e e

Review

2012 Kia Carnival

The carnival minivan reveals a talent for smoothly accelerating up to 150kph, crossing 60 kilometers of unpaved track and up four mountains, says Tiny Defensor

D

riving Kia’s 2012 edition of its Carnival minivan around Quezon province’s Bondoc Peninsula was expected to be an eye opener for me but not in the way that events unfolded.

Going on a road trip to help uncover the Bondoc Peninsula’s long-kept secrets, was certainly not expected to be a piece of cake for vehicle and writer. Sure, I’ve been doing this thing which I loved to do before and not in the recent past — which is why I grabbed the chance when the opportunity presented itself.

I also knew that the 2012 Kia Carnival was a facelifted version of the earlier model, albeit quite well executed contrary to similar efforts of other car manufacturers. Still, I knew that its 2.9 liter diesel would require a different driving style despite having a turbocharger to give it more grunt.

You see, diesel engines tend to have gobs of torque at the penalty of not enough horsepower. This is not always bad especially for lorries and tractors where the ability to haul a load around is more priced than the speed it can move about.

So, imagine my surprise when Kia’s latest minivan revealed a talent for accelerating to 120kph, staying there, and then stabbing through excursions to 150kph when some other highway user needed to be passed.

This performance was achieved without the

gnashing of gears or any other busy engine noises we learned to accept with oil burners.

Noise levels at speed were on a real world at par with petrol engine minivans.

As for riding comfort — another revelation.

Kia got it right this time around. I remember the bone-jarring Besta and sofly wallowing Pregio suspensions of a decade ago. No more.

The Carnival is sprung softly enough to cushion the washboard surface of Batangas’ Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, or the STAR Tollway, and yet was firm and well setup to maintain its composure in the twisties of the Bondoc Peninsula’s mountain passes. I was very tempted to push it into some high speed oversteer and some rally-style tail hanging but caught myself in time. After all, it’s a minivan without any pretentions to being some kind of high performance vehicle. But, while I hesitated to test its limits at controlled slides, spirited driving was certainly the order of the day and here the 165hp of turbocharged diesel power proved that it could help turn even an idiotic driver in one with a modicum of competence. Curves both uphill and down are easily dispatched by second and third gears — the former providing the accelerating kick, and the latter delivering an almost endless dose of everincreasing torque.

And then, after savoring about 270 kilometers of paved road, we took the wrong turn on our way to San Andres town at the southern tip of the Bondoc Peninsula. Still, our route took us to our destination but in the process we had to brave 60 kilometers of unpaved track — some bad enough to make a water buffalo wince. It was a route that didn’t exist in Google Map, or any GPS map but it took us up and down four mountains.

And if the views didn’t take our breath away, we were scared breathless by the scarred fifth class road where something with feet would feel more at home than anything with wheels, let alone a low-riding minivan. To its credit, the Carnival’s floor pan only touched ground three times, thanks to a suspension that kept its composure, passengers that would collectively lift themselves from their seats (as if to make the thing lighter), and ahem, some astute driving.

As we rumbled down into San Andres’s town proper and paved tarmac once again, we were left to contend with the results of the Kia Carnival’s baptism of fire. We inspected it for any damage from the unintentional ordeal we all went through and we came to one sorry conclusion.

It got dirty. ■

specifications

Kia Carnival EX 2012 Engine: 2.9 liter turbocharged diesel, common rail direct injection Transmission: Five-speed manual transmission, front wheel drive Max Power: 165bhp /343 newton-meters Max Speed: 180kph Acceleration: 12sec 0-100kph (0-62mph) Fuel: 8 liters/100km actual test drive consumption or about 12.5km per liter Verdict: This is a passenger van for the owner who enjoys the drive with an engine that is always eager to oblige most passing maneuvers Price: P1,115,000 (about US $26,000) Visit www.kia.com.ph. Or like Kia on Facebook: facebook.com/kiainthephilippines

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Insider’s Guide

My Cebu

Fashion designer Cary Santiago on his favorite, secret places in the city. Jude Bacalso reports About Our insider CARY SANTIAGO, a native of Cebu, was past president of the Clothes for Life Foundation, and one of Mega Magazine’s 20 Global Filipinos for achievements in fashion design. Catch Santiago this October at the Red Cross Ball in Manila, where he is the only fashion designer to showcase his collections. In December, join him at Cebu City's Stilo Suboanon for his 75-piece fashion show, part of the city's 75th anniversary celebration

C

ebu offers the full spectrum in anyone’s definition of fun. This month’s fat pickings include Cebu-wide sales.

The sale season kicks off with up to 70% off on international and homegrown brands at the Ayala Center Cebu (www.ayalamalls.com.ph). At Ayala Center, shoes and bags' sale is from July 13-16,with a special buy-two-get-third pairfree and buy-one-get-second pair at 50% off promotions. Mall-wide Midnight Madness sale is on August 31. At SM City Cebu the mallwide sale is on for three days, from July 13.

Looking for unpublished discounts?

Cebu’s world-famous furniture brands offer annual sample sales of up to 50% off on selected items. But you need to set an appointment to view. Visit the main factories of Kenneth Cobonpue

(Interior Crafts of the Islands, 3A General

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Clockwise from left, this spread: Radisson Blu; Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino's presidential suite; furniture designers Vito Selma's Delilah and Kenneth Cobonpue's parchment dresser; and Nuestra Senora Patrocinio de Maria church in Boljoon

Maxilom Avenue; +6332/ 2334045, www. kennethcobonpue.com), Vito Selma (Don Sergio Suico St., Canduman, Mandaue City; +6332/ 422 1676, www.vitoselma.com), Clayton Tugonon (Classical Geometry, Tingub, Riverside, Pagsabungan, Mandaue City; +6332/ 343 9691, www.classicalgeometry. com), or Dedon (Zone 7, Birds of Paradise, Riverside, Canduman, Mandaue; +6332/ 344 3600, www.dedon.de) where special discounts can be arranged. Cebu, famous as the Costume Jewelry hub of the country, has export overruns from world renowned Avatar Accessories sold at factory prices at The Bellavista Hotel (ML Quezon Highway,

Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, +6332/ 340 7821, www.thebellavista-hotel.com) gift shop.

Cebu Trivia Night (CTN), the trivial pursuit board game come to life with beer served in chosen venues, is an exciting new way to spend time, with a video screen, a live host, and interactive media enhancing the game. CTN is held at Sprockets Café

on Tuesdays, at Alejandro's Crispy Pata on Wednesdays, and the Emerald Isle Irish Pub and Restaurant on Thursdays.

Game starts at 9pm, with no registration required. (Facebook page: www.facebook.

com/cebutrivianight)

Mdm B. Niyaan is an hour-long intermedia display by performance artist Russ Ligtas. Donning the persona of the archetypal crazed abandoned lover (the title is a play on the Cebuano word biniyaan, or abandoned), Mdm B. Niyaan incorporates elements of Butoh (Japanese style of movement done with body makeup and exaggeratedly hyper-controlled motion), music, video art, and audience participation.

Catch it at Alternative Contemporary Art Studio (D. Jakosalem St. on July 12, 8pm); Handuraw Events Café, (Gorordo Avenue, July 13, 8pm); and Café Elysa (Pari-an District,

July 14, 8pm. Visit www.russligtas.com)

Liloan Trail Adventure Run will take the runner across muddy trails, obstacle courses,

and the steep hills of the Municipality of Liloan, 45 minutes North of Cebu City via the Cansaga Bay Bridge. The run will be held on July 22 at Cabancalan, Jubay Liloan Cebu.

Those interested to join may contact race director Ralph Pilapil (+63932/ 211 1481).

Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 is all set on August 5 with an exciting route that traverses the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu City, Talisay and back to Lapu-Lapu.

Attracting 1,700 athletes, 40 percent of whom have flown in from different countries, the run will be supported by a strong 10,000-crew, and is now shaping up to be one of the biggest draws for the month of August.

STAY A WHILE The first Radisson Blu (Sergio Osmena

Blvd., corner Juan Luna Avenue Extension; tel: +6332/ 402 9900, www.radissonblu. com) in the country is a spanking new five star city convention hotel right next to

B o l j o o n CHURCH p h o t o b y e r w i n l i m

the International Port, perfect for leisure and business travellers needing links to Ormoc, Dumaguete, and Bohol, among key neighboring destinations. The hotel is also 11 kilometers away from Mactan International Airport.

The hotel's location is also enhanced by its proximity to SM Cebu, linked to it by a walkway. Radisson Blu is all of 21 floors with 400 rooms with panoramic views of the Mactan Channel and Mandaue, Lapulapu, and Cebu cities from its exclusive Radisson Club Lounge.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino

(Salinas Drive, Lahug; tel: +6332/ 232 6888)

is a favorite night-time haunt, with the hotel lobby lounge a good place for drinks and people watching. The newly refurbished Grand Lobby adds modern elements into its arsenal. The first automated wine dispenser inside a hotel is in the center of its two new lobby bars. Buy a pre-paid card, insert it into the slot, and push the buttons for a

variety of wine choices and serving sizes (to taste, half glass, and full). “I like sipping hot chocolate while buried in their couches,” said Santiago.

DRIVING SOUTH “I love driving down South from the city with my baby Farrez,” said Santiago, referring fondly to his shih-tzu. “We usually head to the coastal town of Boljoon (pronounced bolho-on) to see the church, and dip my feet in the seawater fronting it.”

A scenic two hour drive from the city, the church is officially known as the Nuestra Senora Patrocinio de Maria, and is considered the only remaining original stone church in Cebu. Built as a fortress-church in the 18th century from coral stone, it was declared by the National Museum in 2000 as a National Cultural Treasure.

WHERE TO EAT “When I am with intimate friends, I always

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Insider’s Guide

take them to Abaseria (32 Pres. Quirino St., Villa Aurora Subd, Kasambagan, Cebu; tel: +6332/ 234 4160, 412 4196; 9am-9pm daily except Sundays 11am-7pm), a modern sundry shop and restaurant selling native delicacies from across the country, from organic spreads from Guimaras to dried fish from Cebu, as well as export overruns from jewelry to wooden utensils (the shop supplies the wooden components of Rafe New York bags), and other handmade brica-brac.

“I come here for planned dinners. My personal favorite is their dinuguan (blood stew), which I order a day before,” said Santiago. He usually books the long wooden table that sits a dozen guests comfortably, tucked in an ante-room for privacy. “I order steamed vegetables, and their bestseller, the boneless bangus (milkfish) belly,” he said.

"The restaurant, hidden in a residential area, is difficult to find, which adds to its appeal.

It’s not the usual restaurant in the mall, and most people come here because they know the owner (Lalay Jurado-Lava) and like that they get personalized service.”

Rica’s Café (Maria Luisa Drive, Banilad,

Cebu, beside The Spa at Cebu; tel: +6332/ 236 3562; 10am-11pm daily), a chic blanc

et noir nod to a French bistro, has the best calamares in town, according to Santiago.

The traditional breaded squid dish is cooked karaage-style with a secret batter recipe and placed on top of a bed of vegetables.

Santiago's must-try suggestion? “Definitely the paella.”

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Clockwise from top left: Zubuchon; Rica's Cafe; and Cafe Laguna's Coco Prawns

Café Laguna (Level 1, The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, +6332/ 231 092; and Upper Ground floor, SM Northwing, SM City Cebu, +6332/ 236 4132; www.cafelaguna.com) began in the 80s as a small carinderia or holein-the-wall called Mother’s Best, serving what was then a novelty — Tagalog food including lumpiang sariwa (fresh spring rolls) and kare-kare (oxtail stew). It is now a multi-million peso catering and restaurant business, which includes such restaurants as U Kitchen, Laguna Xpress, Laguna Garden, and Lemongrass. “Lately I’ve been craving for this incredible balbacua (a Cebuano signature dish: rich and gelatinous stew made of boiled cow’s skin, oxtail, hooves, and crushed peanuts) which I tried at a roadside carinderia called Dicong’s (corner

of Kingswood Subdivision, Lipata, Minglanilla, Cebu). I never used to eat that, but I can finish two bowls of their version,” said

Santiago. Although the queue for their halohalo (crushed ice dessert) and barbecue is legendary, this specialty Dicong is great food adventure. Who’s counting calories?

And lastly, you can never leave Cebu without trying baboy inasal, spit-roasted whole pig, described by Anthony Bourdain as the best. The organic version from Zubuchon (Unit 4, One Mango Avenue,

General Maxilom Avenue; +6332/ 239 5697; 10am-11pm daily) is the only one that can

claim this singular honor. Developed by food blogger Joel Binamira a.k.a.

MarketMan (www.marketmanila.com), the chicos-fed, backyard-raised pigs make all the difference. ■

My Cebu writer Jude Bacalso is editor-at-large of Cebu Daily News’ Delicious section, out every other Tuesday of the month. In 2011, he was the country’s nominee to the PATA Gold Awards for Travel Writing

City Guides

bacolod // Batanes // bor ac ay // Cebu // Clark // davao // el nido // iloilo puerto princesa // tacloban // Bangkok Hong kong // kota kinabalu // Singapore

Updated Every Issue

p42 Destination guides

p50 Airline guides

Marina de Bay, Puerto Princesa

photo by jocas see

m a p i l lu s t r at i o n s by m a r lo n s e e

july-august 2012

| InFlight | 41

InFlight City Guides

Bacolod jeepneys routes: Banago-Libertad, MandalaganLibertad, Bata-Libertad, Shopping-Libertad routes.

BACOLOD CITY

Where to eat

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Country code: +63 Area code: 34 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

From the airport • Car Hire: Nyala Tours provide chauffeur driven sedans, SUVs and vans for daily rates starting at P1,800 for the first 10 hours.

Tel: +6334/ 434 4589 • Taxi: Air-conditioned taxis can be found outside the aiport.

• Jeepney: Jeepneys are common modes of transport within the city. There are four major

• Nena’s Beth at Manokan Country. Known for its grilled chicken known as inasal. Tel: +6334/ 433 8830 • Bascon Café. Quiet, elegant and serves moderately priced but delicious food. Traditional fares like callos, lengua estofado, steaks make up the menu. Tel: +6334/ 433 4096 • Jacopo’s. Serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Their dishes are for sharing. Try their pita bread with three dippings: baba ganush, hummus, and chili. Tel: +6334/ 457 3007

Where to stay

• L’Fisher Hotel is a landmark in Bacolod, has been servicing tourists for more than 20 years.

After undergoing renovations in 2009, the interiors of the hotel showcase Negrense ingenuity with the use of locally produced furniture and fixtures.

Tel: +6334/ 433 3731-39 • O Hotel has 53 fully-air-conditioned rooms and suites, all designed and furnished with warm and cold showers, safety deposit box, telephone, refrigerator, cable TV and WiFi internet access.

Tel: +6334/ 433 7401-04 • Check Inn Hotel Bacolod is located in the heart

of Bacolod City, right beside the Bacolod City Hall. It has 91 fully air-conditioned rooms with hot and cold shower, with a 24-hour stand by power generator. Rates range from P650 to P1,750.

Majority of the guests prefer the rooftop rooms because of the scenic garden in the center of the area. Tel: +6334/ 432 3755 Things to do

• Visit Balay Negrense in Silay. It's a museumlike house showcasing the 19th century home of a sugar baron. It has a horse-carriage entrance at the back of the house and the rooms all have huge windows and doors.

• Visit The Ruins and see how the rich sugar haciendero Don Mariano Lacson and his wife Maria Braga lived. A walk into the mansion will show the intricate designs that tell their love story and the wonderful life that the family has led back then.

• Enjoy Mambukal Mountain Resorts where tourists can go boating, climb the seven waterfalls, or swim in the cold natural pool or their sulfur hot spring. There are also bats to see, red sulfuric mud you can put on your skin, and lots of Bacolod food to eat in their Ikea Cafe.

photo by oggie ramos

Batanes Owners and Drivers Association (BATODA) at +63906/ 697 0679 or +63929/ 703 8404. Rate within Basco proper is at P30. itbayat island

Where to eat

batan island

sabtang island

Country code: +63 Area code: 78 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

From the airport • Car Hire: For car and van rentals, contact Ivatanya c/o Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA). The hire costs P2,200 per day. For more information, call BCTA at +632 635 4810 or email ccivatanya@yahoo.com.

• Tricycle: Tricycles can be found along Lizardo Street, Barangay Kayhuvukan in Basco. You can also call the 24-hour service of Basco Tricycle

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• Therese Coffee Shop serves Ivatan dishes. Try their perfectly grilled cow ribs. Mobile: +63916/ 114 2632 and +6921/ 404 0567.

• Brandon’s Restaurant serves sandwiches and fruit shakes and some Ivatan specialties.

Located along National Road and Abad Street.

• Casa Napoli’s Pizza or Pasta serves good homemade pizzas and pasta dishes.

Mobile: +63999/ 990 7553.

Where to stay • Batanes Resort is nestled atop a hill, facing the South China Sea. A typical cottage here has two rooms with ensuite bathroom, airconditioning, and hot water. Rates are about P1,800 a night.

Mobile: +63999/ 990 7554 • Batanes Seaside Lodge and Restaurant. This 12-room lodge is popular for celebrities. There is TV, free WiFi, aircon, and hot shower. Rates start from P1,600. Mobile: +63921/ 229 0120 or +63915/ 940 4823 • Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge is a boutique hotel perched on top of a hill and has had

The cliffs of Viang, just 20 minutes from the airport

good reviews. Rates start at P4,000, inclusive of set breakfast and roundtrip airport transfers. (www. fundacionpacita.ph). Mobile: +63920/ 272 7836 • For more on places to stay in Batanes, visit www. inflight.ph

Boracay Road with alleys leading to White Beach. Tricycle fare starts from P10. Chartered rates for tricycles range between P75 (from Cagban to Station 3) to P200 (from Cagban to Yapak). Tricycles also offer island tours for up to a group of four for P300 per hour. For more information, call the Boracay Land Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BLTMPC) at +6336/ 288 3090 or 288 3271.

Where to eat

• For a list of the best Boracay restaurants, read

our InFlight Guide to Boracay at www.inflight.ph

• Real Coffee is a good place for breakfast

Country code: +63 Area code: 36 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

From the airport • You can fly to Boracay via Caticlan Airport and Kalibo Airport. From Caticlan, a shuttle bus takes you to the jetty port where you ride a boat to take you to Boracay Island in five to 10 minutes. From Kalibo, it’s another two-hour land travel to Caticlan jetty port on air-conditioned shuttle bus or coasters.

• Tricycles: Tricycles can drop you off on Main

and a nice cup of coffee. Try their freshly baked brownies, banana walnut and calamansi muffins, and oatmeal cookies. Tel: +6336/ 288 5340 • If you’re into Moroccan cuisine, try Kasbah’s lamb tajine, a stew slow cooked in the traditional tajine, a glazed terra cotta casserole with a funneled lid. Tel: +6336/ 288 4790 • Aria is best known for authentic Italian cuisine.

It’s a good place for pasta, salad and pizzas cooked from wood-fired oven. Tel: +6336/ 288 5573 • Zuzuni serves delectable Greek cuisine. Try their moussaka or baked layers of eggplant with ground beef and béchamel sauce, souvlaki or skewered

meat, garides saganaki pasta and the Mati chocolate sin for dessert. Tel: +6336/ 288 4477 Where to stay

• Boracay Regency Beach Resort is a

Mediterranean-style, 285-room property with excellent facilities and amenities. Tel: +6336/ 288 6111 to 17 • Punta Rosa Resort is a resort in a secluded area in Station 1, with seven types of accommodation, each with its own verandah that overlooks White Beach, en suite bathroom with rain shower, and fixtures made of native materials, ideal for couples. Tel: +6336/ 288 6740 • Discovery Shores Boracay has 88 spacious guestrooms all exuding luxury, combining traditional fabrics and furniture with modern amenities. Its two-level clubhouse has the resort's restaurant, bar, function room and spa.

Tel: +6336/ 288 4500

Nightlife • Epic for celebrity spotting and some of the best parties on the island. Visit www.epicboracay.com • The Sand Bar for watching fire dancers and enjoying a drink by the beach. Visit www. thesandbarboracay.com or call +6336/ 288 3161

BATAAN

BULACAN

InFlight City Guides

Cebu Where to eat • Anzani is highly-rated restaurant that served affordables European food.

Tel: +6332/ 232 7375 • CNT Lechon serves the best lechon or roast pig in Cebu City.

Tel: +6332/ 254 4249 • Golden Cowrie for Filipino food and Cebuano dishes.

Tel: +6332/ 238 1206

bantayan island

cebu island

CHINA

HONG KONG

mactan island

Where to stay

• Cebu City Marriott Hotel features 301 rooms

and 23 suites equipped with aircon, cable TV, mini bar, high-speed internet access, and with luxurious beddings.

Country code: +63 Tel: +6332/ 411 5800 Area code: 32 URL: www.marriottcebu.com Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43) • Marco Polo Plaza Cebu mixes Western comforts and Asian hospitality, comprised of 329 guest rooms (some with a view of the mountain or From the airport sea) and suites.

• Car Hire: Call any of Cebu Trip Rent-a-Car's Tel: +6332/ 253 1111 24-hour numbers +6332/ 262 4697 or +63917/ URL: www.marcopoloplazacebu.com 320 5688.

• Taxi: Metered taxis are lined up outside the • Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has 561 MALAYSIA arrivals' terminal. Fares down town to the city rooms with two casino floors open 24 hours. proper are about P150.

Tel: +6332/ 232 6888

SINGAPORE

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URL: www.waterfronthotels.com.ph Nightlife • Formo is a resto-lounge frequented by Cebu’s young professionals.

Tel: +6332/ 420 7070 or 236 7700 • Vudu is the place for after-dinner drinks and dancing.

URL: www.vudu.com.ph

MACAU

photo by jocas a. see

Golden Cowrie

photo by erick liongoren

Clark Where to eat • Pampanga's capital, San Fernando, just 20 minutes from Clark, is home to Everybody's Cafe serving local dishes.

• Angeles City is the birthplace of sisig (chopped grilled pork cheeks) and make sure you taste the original at Aling Lucing's. Call +6345/ 888 2317 or +63918/ 212 6461.

clark

Where to stay

• Mimosa Resort. Situated in a 175-hectare

pampanga

Country code: +63 Area code: 45 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

From the airport • Car Hire: MLS VIP Rent A Car has daily rates from P800. Call +6345/ 892 6216 or +63918/ 906 7265.

• Taxi: Taxi stands are located in the arrival halls of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) and the fare is metered.

• Jeep: Public jeepneys areCHINA available outside the airport. Rates start at P8.50.

Davao

landscaped property, Mimosa offers both standard hotel rooms and villas. Rates start at P6,600 per night. Tel.: +6345/ 599 7000 • Wild Orchid Resort A property nestled along A. Santiago in Balibago, Angeles with 55 clean, fully-equipped airconditioned rooms, and in-house dining that serves good Filipino dishes. Rates start at P3,900 per night. Tel: +6345/ 892 0134 • Holiday Inn Clark. A local favorite, the Holiday Inn has air-conditioned rooms and WiFi. Private garden villas are also available for families and groups. Tel: +6345/ 599 8000 Things to do

• One of the activities in Clark is horseback riding at El Kabayo Riding Stables.

• For P3,000, tourists can enjoy a dip at the

Aling Lucing's sisig

Puning Hot Spring.

• Omni Aviation offers Mount Pinatubo Sky Tours overflying Mt. Pinatubo for P5,500 per

person in a four-seater Cessna 172 aircraft.

Tel: +6345/ 892 6664 or 599 5524 • If you're a high-roller or just looking for some fun, the Clark area has several casinos including Casino Filipino Angeles, Casino Filipino Mimosa, Fontana Casino and Hotel Stotsenberg's Casablanca Casino.

For more information, call the tourism office at +6345/ 599 2854

HONG KONG davao del norte

0445 or 234 1360 or 235 1784

cotabato davao city

south cotabato davao del sur

Where to eat • Jack's Ridge, located just across the Santo Nino Shrine, serves delicious Filipino cuisine in a venue that overlooks the city. Tel: 6382/ 297 8830 to 31 • Harana offers great food at reasonable prices.

Try their tuna panga or tuna belly. Tel: +6382/ 227 3937 or 227 5615 • Riverwalk Grill. Located right next to the famous Crocodile Park, Riverwalk Grill is for the adventurous eater, serving crocodile meat, ostrich meat and egg, and pangasius fish.

Where to stay

Country code: +63 Area code: 82 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

• Mictrotel Inns & Suites Davao has fully fitted

double rooms and suites, all designed to for a comfortable stay. It's right in the Damosa Gateway Complex and IT Park, Davao’s major business and commercial hub, and about a 10 minute ride From the airport away from the airport. Mamay Road, Lanang, • Car Hire: Ecotrans Car Rentals provides point to Davao City. Tel: +632/ 899 7171. Visit www. point and charter service. Car hire are on per hour,

per day, per week or pick-up and drop-off basis.

MACAUmicrotelphilippines.com Rates start from P500.

• Pearl Farm Beach Resort lies in a secluded cove on Samal Island off the coast of Davao City.

• Taxi: The simplest way to get around is by taxi.

It's perfect for a romantic getaway, for diving Fares start from P40. A typical trip can cost about and snorkeling. This 11-hectare resort was once P70-P95. You can call Mabuhay Taxi directly to a pearl farm, thus the name. Kaputian, Island have a cab driver pick you up. Tel: +6382/ 233

Garden City of Samal. Tel: +6382/ 221 9970 • Eden Nature Park & Resort is a mountain resort

surrounded by lush forests and overlooks the city and the gulf. Great for camping, nature hiking, bird watching, and horseback riding. Matina Town Square McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City.

Tel: +6382/ 299 1020 or 296 0791

Things to do • Visit the Davao Crocodile Park, a breeding center for saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.

Visit www.psdgroupph.com for schedules of crocodile shows • People's Park along Legazpi Street showcases a mini forest, interactive fountains, ponds and waterfalls, a durian dome, a shady and open plaza, a statue of a gigantic Philippine eagle and a fantasy-themed park with large sculptures made

by Mindanaon artist Kublai Millan.

• Davao Wildwater Adventure across Davao River. The three-and-a-half-hour wild water rafting starts from Barrio Tamugan in Calinan, and ends at the lowlands. Tel: +6382/ 221 7823 • The Xcelerator is the third longest zipline in Asia at 720m long, with the zipline suspended 200ft above ground. Choose to slide along the zipline either sitting down, superman style or the extreme inverted position. Tel: +6382/ 221 7823

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InFlight City Guides

El Nido • Bus: Two bus companies operate regularly between Puerto Princessa and El Nido, stopping in Roxas and Taytay. Departures are daily at 5am, 6am, 7am, 8am both from El Nido and Puerto Princesa. Travel time is six to eight hours with a fare of P350 per person.

Country code: +63 Area code: 48 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

From the airport • El Nido Airport serves South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) and Island Transvoyager, Inc. (ITI).

• Van Rental: From Puerto Princesa Airport, van company Fortwally Shuttle Service has daily shuttles to El Nido. Fare is P600 per head. Private tours range from P2,800 to P3,600, inclusive of food. Travel time takes about five hours.

Where to eat • The Alternative Center has an extensive menu of delicious vegan cuisine from soups to entrees plus exotic teas. Meat dishes are also available.

Tel: +63917/ 896 3408 • Artcafe for freshly-baked pastries, pizza and pasta. They are known for their pancakes, fresh muesli and homemade yoghurt. Tel: +63917/ 560 4020. Visit www.elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com • Vista Beach Resort in Corong-corong is known for their lemon pepper tuna or Cajun maya-maya. www.elnidostunningvistas.com • An institution in itself, Balay Tubay on Real Street serves Filipino and European cuisine. Local musicians regularly perform.

Where to stay

• For a private, luxurious experience, El Nido Resorts has premiere resorts on Lagen and

Miniloc Islands. Visit www.elnidoresorts.com • Marina Garden Beach Resort at the center

of El Nido town offers native-style cottages with basic facilities for budget travelers and concrete country villa rooms with air-con and hot showers.

Visit www.marinagardenelnido.multiply.com or call +63917/ 624 7722 or +63908/ 884 3711 Things to do

• Rock climbing & walking. The western side of El Nido town lies in the shadow of an impressive sheer cliff face which is just the visible portion of an even more impressive headland. There are organized walking treks to the top of the headland.

• Bacuit Bay has islands with limestone cliffs, ideal for climbing, diving, and swimming.

• Explore the island on foot. After a 14 kilometer ride from El Nido Town proper, you can go on a one-hour trek to Nagkalit-kalit Falls in the town of Pasadena. Five kilometers from the waterfalls is the undeveloped Makinit Hotspring, open only for sightseeing. Bulalakaw Falls in Villa Paz, 15 kilometers from El Nido town, is about a two hour hike. Seven kilometers from El Nido town proper is Ille Cave with its archaeological artifacts dating back 10,000 years. The waterfalls are best visited during the rainy season by tricycle. Fares from P600-P800. For more info on El Nido contact El Nido Tourism Office at +63926/ 993 8803 or email info@elnidotourism.com or elnidotourism@yahoo.com

Iloilo Where to eat

• Tatoy’s Manokan & Seafood is the most

iloilo city

popular, and described by Philippines Travel Guide author Jens Peters as the best, native restaurant. Known for its native lechon manok, tourists and locals alike trek to the restaurant just to eat their tasty chicken.

Sto. Nino Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo City • Breakthrough is a native-style restaurant popular among visitors and locals for its fresh and affordable seafood. Tel: +6333/ 337 3027 • Ted’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy serves diners the original La Paz batchoy. Tel: +6333/ 320 1945 Where to stay

Country code: +63 Area code: 33 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

From the airport

• Car hire: Bench Transport offers a wide

selection of newest models of sedans, AUVs/ SUVs, and vans, with rates starting from P2,200, inclusive of driver and fuel. Tel: +6333/ 336 6190 • Taxi: Taxis are found at a terminal outside the airport. Flagdown rate is P40 for the first 500m, with P3.50 surcharge thereafter.

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• Eon Centennial Plaza Hotel has 46 rooms that are fully air-conditioned and have private toilet and bath with shower and tub, cable television, and mini-bar. They’re also furnished with a coffee/ tea maker, hair dryer, and daily newspaper.

Tel:+6333/ 337 2277 • Sarabia Manor Hotel is 40 minutes away from the Iloilo Airport and 15 minutes away from the seaports. It has 187 fully air-conditioned spacious rooms equipped with high-speed internet access, satellite and cable television, a working desk, personal refrigerator and complete bathroom amenities. Tel: +6333/ 335 1021

• MO2 Westown Hotel offers a range of stylish designed rooms which are fully equipped with modern facilities and amenities. Each of the 90 rooms has flat panel television, high-speed LAN internet access, electronic safe, fully stocked miniref, down comforters, cotton pillows, and hot and cold showers. Tel: +6333/ 508 3838

Things to do

• Hunt for authentic antiques at the different

antique shops in Iloilo. There are various collections of Philippine colonial sculptures, wood, stone, and ivory saints, Chinese porcelain wares and other artifacts at reasonable prices.

• Take home famous delicacies like pinasugbo (banana brittle), barquillos (local wafer), and biscocho (buttered toasted bread) from Jaro district. Try Panaderia de Molo and Biscocho Haus.

• Watch women weavers as they make delicate

jusi, piña and hablon fabrics of elegant designs.

Buy finished products at Sinamay Dealer near Arevalo Plaza.

Puerto Princesa • Multicabs: Multicabs and tricycles have standard routes. The fare around the city starts at P8 per person.

Where to eat

puerto princesa city

palawan

Country code: +63 Area code: 48 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

From the airport • Car Hire: Ellen’s Travel and Tours offers van rentals in Puerto Princesa City. A three-hour city tour costs P1,500 plus P300 per succeeding hour. Call +6348/ 434 7052 • Jeep: Available 24 hours and covers most of the city. The usual cost for a jeepney ride is P8 for the first three kilometers.

• Kinabuch’s Bar & Grill serves grilled squid, grilled blue marlin steak, baked mussels, and the local delicacy tamilok, a wood worm.

Tel: +6348/ 434 5194 • KaLui serves only seafood and vegetables and the menu varies according to the catch of the day.

There’s also a vegetarian option.

Tel: +6348/ 433 2580 • La Terrasse has a delicatessen offering organic produce, homemade by local entrepreneurs. For sale are dried fish called dilis, bread, chorizo, smoked bacon, yoghurt, cheese and vegetables.

Tel: +6348/ 434 1787

Where to stay

• Marina de Bay, located 20 minutes from

Puerto Princesa Airport, has 12 air-conditioned villas surrounded by mangroves and landscaped gardens. Each room has a balcony with a view of the Puerto Princesa Bay. Tel: +6348/ 723 1754 • Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa has 96 spacious guest rooms and suites; all are tastefully furnished and decorated in a contemporary Asian

style with local touches. Tel: +6348/ 434 1449 • Balay Inato Pension, a three-year old guesthouse near the airport with 14 fully airconditioned rooms, equipped with cable TV, intercom, hot and cold shower, and private lanai.

Also offers free Wi-Fi. Tel: +6348/ 433 8595 Things to do

• Underground river tour. Book at least two

weeks in advance to be assured of a place in the tour. Tel: +6348/ 723 0904 or 434 1509 • Visit The Gypsy’s Lair. Apart from being home to local artists and musicians, the lively café features an eclectic menu consisting of Filipino, Asian, Spanish and Western cooking.

Located at Mercado de San Miguel • Honda Bay island tour. The tour offers white sand and blue seas on any number of small islands in the bay. Average cost P1,100 per person, inclusive of transfers, lunch, and entrance fees to some of the islands

Tacloban tacloban city

leyte

Filipino lunch and dinner buffets (five different selections, rice, iced tea and desserts) or their budget meals. Live music is every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tel: +6353/ 325 8808 • M’la Kin Tian Restaurant. Serves Japanese food at a very low price. They also cook Filipino style. Tel: +6353/ 325 1821 • San Pedro Bay Seafood Restaurant. Located at the marina, this specialty restaurant serves available seafood as caught from the San Pedro Bay fronting the resort property.

Tel: +6353/ 325 5587 Where to stay

• Hotel Alejandro is a five-storey structure having

Country code: +63 Area code: 53 Currency: Philippine Peso (US $1 = about P43)

From the airport • Car Hire: Duptours Shuttle Service offers vans for rent per day starting at P3,000.

Tel: +6353/ 523 8107 • Jeepney: Jeepneys can be found outside the arrivals terminal in Tacloban City. Fares start at P8.

Where to eat

• Julio’s Buffet and Jazz Point. Enjoy their

a total of four executive suites, 25 standard rooms and 36 deluxe rooms. The fifth level is the roof deck where parties are mostly held as it can accommodate up to 200 persons. Tel: +6353/ 321 7033 • Welcome Home Pensione has 30 guest rooms that can accommodate from one to seven persons per room. It offers a range of affordable budget, standard and suite rooms when staying in Tacloban. Free internet access is available at their cottage and lounge areas. Tel: 6353/ 321 2739 • Leyte Park Resort Hotel was built by former First Lady Imelda Marcos in 1979 and is now a

major tourism and convention complex with its six-hectare parkland nestled on a hill overlooking beautiful San Pedro Bay. Tel: +6353/ 325 6000 Things to do

• Sto. Niño Church. Considered the main church

in Tacloban City, this house of prayer is home of the Señor Santo Niño that believed to be miraculous.

• San Juanico Bridge, about 15 minutes away north of Tacloban City, is a 2.16-kilometer long S-shaped span connecting the islands of Leyte and Samar.

• Inzomnia Bar is a big nightlife hotspot in Tacloban, where parties are being held nightly.

Featuring the newest hip music with the club DJs, good food and drinks at reasonable prices.

Tel:+6353/ 321 1588 • A visit to the Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum will give you an idea how the Marcos clan lived. A guided tour for up to five persons costs P200.

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InFlight City Guides

Bangkok Where to eat

• Bed Supperclub is Bangkok's trendiest address

Country code: +66 Currency: Thai Baht (US $.032 = THB 1)

with its contemporary, all-white, tubular design, serving modern Asian cuisine. Try the roast duck and mushroom risotto with foie gras cream and dried shallots, and the BSC Burger, wagyu beef, gorgonzola, smoked bacon and hand cut fries.

26 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoeynua, Wattana. Tel: +66/ 2651 3537 • Hidden in Talaat Mai in "Trok Itsaranuphap" is Hong Kong Noodles, famous for its wheat-andegg noodle soups. Come for breakfast or lunch, but prepare to wait for a seat.

136 Trok Itsaranuphap, Th Charoen Krung • You'll find Thai and Chinese street food at Soi 38 Night Market. Try the famous flame-fried phat thai and divine mango sticky rice. Soi 38, Th Sukhumvit

From the airport • Bangkok Skytrain: Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) operates from 6am to 12mn everyday with two main lines – Sukhumwit and Silom lines. The fare ranges from 15 to 40 Thai Baht (THB 15-40).

• Taxi: Finding a taxi is not a hassle, especially around hotels, shopping malls and other tourist attractions. The fare starts at THB 35 for the first two kilometers, and THB 2 per kilometer thereafter.

Where to stay • Wendy House is a good-value budget choice.

A brightly colored coffee shop and reception greet visitors. There's internet, laundry and business services. 36/2 Soi Kasemson 1, Rama1 Road, Patumwan. Tel: +66/ 2214 1149 or +66/ 2214 1150 • The Sukhothai is surrounded by lush, tropical gardens and decorative pools, close to shopping, entertainment and historical sites, and the Suvarnabhumi Airport. The hotel features 210

thailand laos

bangkok

cambodia

contemporary Thai guestrooms, three restaurants, a swimming pool, health club and spa. 13/3 South Sathorn Road Tel: +66/ 2344 8888 • The Peninsula Hotel has 370 guestrooms and 60 one-bedroom suites, each with state-of-the-art electronic system for access to features at the touch of a button, modcons, luxurious furniture, bespoke accessories, and a large balcony that overlooks the city and Chao Pharya River. 333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan. Tel: +66/ 2861 2888 Shopping

• Chatuchak Weekend Market is where to go

for antique pieces, beautiful plants, hand-woven textiles and ceramics. Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak • Flower Market is one of the most interesting places in Bangkok. You can fill up an entire car with orchids and spend only $6 maximum. Chak Phet Street, Bangkok • Gem shops are ubiquitous in Bangkok – and many of them will rip you off. David Glickman at Lambert Holding Co. offers a cash-back guarantee with no time limit; if you change your mind about a purchase, you can return it, no questions asked. 807 Silom Road. Tel: +66/ 2236 4349

Hong Kong china

hong kong

Country code: +852 Currency: HK Dollar (US $1 = HKD 8)

From the airport • Train: The MTR (Mass Transit Railway)-operated Airport Expresscan get you to Kowloon in just 21 minutes and Hong Kong Island in 24 minutes.

It also operates a complimentary shuttle bus service from the stations to most major hotels. The platform is located within the terminal building, connected to the Arrivals Hall, and is clearly signed. Return fare is HKD 160 (Kowloon) or HKD 180 (Hong Kong). It is also possible to purchase

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MACAU2012 | july-august

tickets that include unlimited use of the MTR for three days, which are very good value for money.

• Taxi: Upon arrival, make your way to the Taxi Station via the left-hand ramp outside the Arrivals Hall. Taxis are color-coded but red taxis will travel to most areas, including Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula. An approximate taxi fare to Central is HKD 290 and to Tsim Sha Tsui is HKD 230.

Where to eat • Yung Kee is a local favorite and has been awarded a Michelin star in 2010. Famous are its roast meats, especially the goose, seafood and dim sum. Address: 32-40 Wellington St., Central Tel: +852/ 2522 1624 • Ajisen Ramen serves affordable and satisfying noodle soup and curries and bento boxes served in a traditional Japanese setting, with over 30 outlets across Hong Kong. Address: Shop 5, 4/F, Langham Place, 8 Argyle St., Mong Kok, Kowloon Tel: +852/ 3514 4396 Where to stay

• Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. Located in

Central near the major business landmarks that’s an ideal place to stay if visiting for shopping.

With 501 guestrooms, 67 of which are suites, all

overlooking Victoria Harbour and the surrounding cityscape. Operates 10 restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-starred Pierre and the threestorey Mandarin Spa. Rates start from HKD 7,600.

Address: 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong Tel: +852/ 2522 0111 URL: www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong • The Peninsula Hong Kong. Hong Kong's grand old dame that features rooms with high ceilings and classical proportions, all spelling luxury. Rates start from HKD 4,160. Tel: +852/ 2920 2888 Visit www.peninsula.com/Hong_Kong • Park Lane Hong Kong offers 805 fully equipped guestrooms and suites with the view of the famed Victoria Harbour and Park ideal for business and leisure travellers alike. Rates start from HKD 2,470. Tel: +852/ 2293 8888 URL: www.parklane.com.hk • W Hong Kong has 393 rooms and specialty suites featuring interesting infusions of wood, fire, earth, metal and water and modcons in each room.

Rates start from HKD 3,300. Address: 1 Austin Road West Kowloon Station Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Tel: +852 3717 2222 URL: www.whotels.com/HongKong

Kota Kinabalu RM 220 for a whole day’s use if traveling within Kota Kinabalu. Call Kinabalu Heritage Tours & Car Rental at +6088/ 318 311. kota kinabalu

Where to eat • @mosphere Restaurant (Tel: +6088/ 425 100) for its oven-roasted Australian beef tenderloin and a selection of sorbets and ice-creams for dessert.

• First Beach Café (Tel: +6088/ 268 546) serves Borneo favorites like curries, noodles and a Sabah sushi called hinava.

mt. kinabalu

• Kampong Nelayan Seafood Restaurant macau

Country code: +6088 Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (US $1 = RM 3)

From the airport • Taxi: A taxi costs around RM 25, and takes only 10 minutes to the city center, situated eight kilometers away.

• Bus: There is a minibus terminal outside the airport that can take you to the city center. The bus costs RM 1.50.

• Car rental: A car for hire, excluding driver, costs

balconies with views of the Pantai Dalit Beach.

Room rates start at RM 640 per night. Call +6088/ 792 888 • Novotel Borneo is a four-star hotel with 263 rooms and suites, each with LCD satellite TV, internet access, in-room safe, coffee and tea making facilities and a flexible workplace. Rates start at RM 195 per night. Call +6088/ 529 888 Kinabalu Heritage Tours For a wide range of travel and tour packages, call +6088/ 318 311

(Tel: +6088/ 23 003) for its prawn dish, Sabah vegetable with garlic, ostrich meat with spring onions and ginger and steamed saltwater grouper in sauce.

Where to stay

• The Jesselton Hotel is a 32-room hotel with

a colonial house feel. It has a cozy lounge, and a restaurant that serves international and Asian cuisine. Room rates start at RM 160 per night. Call +6088/ 223 333 • Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort is a five-star hotel with 420 guestrooms in soft earth tones and intricate panel carvings. All ground floor rooms have private lanais while upper rooms have private

Novotel Borneo

Singapore • Bus: A trip will cost you between 60 cents and SG$ 1.20. Buy a copy of TransitLink Guide available at most bookstores for a comprehensive guide on bus time-tables, routes and fares, sold at SG$ 1.50.

• Taxi: A taxi stand is located outside the departure hall of the airport. A taxi from the airport to the city has a SG$ 3 surcharge but there is no surcharge when you travel from city to the airport.

A trip from Changi airport to the city costs about SG$ 13, excluding surcharge.

Where to eat

• 49 Katong Laksa. For authentic Peranakan

Country code: +65 Currency: SG Dollar (US $1 = about 1.30 SGD)

From the airport Getting around Singapore on foot is a pleasant and hassle-free way of seeing the center of the city, but when you want to venture slightly farther or dart between different districts, then a bus or train is the fastest and most economical option.

• Car Hire: San’s Tours and Car Rentals charges daily rates between SG$ 100 and SG$ 150.

Call +65/ 6734 9922.

specialty Laksa. Tel: +65/ 6344 5101 • Jumbo Seafood. Known for its black pepper beef short ribs, sweet and sour prawns, and Yangshou fried rice. Tel: +65/ 6442 3435 Where to stay • The Scarlet Hotel Singapore is an 80-room “lavish” hotel set in a four hectare property at the center of Singapore, close to the Thian Hock Keng Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, and Raffles Place. It’s designed in modern Moulin Rouge style. Room rates start from SG$ 220.

Tel: +65/ 6511 3333

New Majestic Hotel

URL: www.scarlethotelsingapore.com • New Majestic Hotel offers 30 exclusive and unique rooms that incorporate the 1920's style with being state of the art, with modern luxurious amenities. Rates start at SG$ 260.

Address: 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Road, Chinatown Tel: +65/ 6511 4700 URL: www.newmajestichotel.com • Wanderlust is a left-field and totally experimental boutique hotel set to draw madcap voyagers and curious travellers to its doorstep. Located in Little India, the hotel has four thematic levels with 29 rooms created by award winning Singapore designers. Rates start at SG$ 235.

Address: 2 Dickson Road Tel: +65/ 6396 3322 URL: www.wanderlusthotel.com

july-august 2012

| InFlight | 49

AirlineGuide Airbus 319

Dornier 228

South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR)

Island Transvoyager (ITI)

Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR) is the second oldest airline in the Philippines.

SEAIR was founded in 1995 by Capt. Iren Dornier, Capt. Nikos Gitsis, and Tomas Lopez, starting operations from Manila to Rodriguez and Busuanga, Palawan. In 1996, it started the Caticlan route, servicing Boracay bound passengers.

SEAIR now flies to domestic destinations such as Kalibo (Boracay), as well as to international routes Singapore, Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and Bangkok in Thailand.

In August, SEAIR will start direct flights from Manila to Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Tacloban (Leyte), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Iloilo and Bacolod.

Island Transvoyager, Inc. (ITI) is the airline that operates to prime tourist destinations El Nido and Taytay, both in Palawan, offering as much as daily flights from Manila.

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 using the 19-seater Dornier 228-212 aircraft. 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 in 2008.

Destinations • Bacolod • Cebu • Clark • Davao • Iloilo • Kalibo (Boracay) • Manila

• Puerto Princesa • Tacloban • Bangkok (Thailand) • Hong Kong • Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia) • Singapore

Fleet • 4 Dornier 328 • 1 LET 410 UVP-E • 2 Airbus A-319 • 3 Airbus A-320

Booking and Ticketing • Book online at www.flyseair.com or www.tigerairways.com • Makati: Unit 202 La O' Center Building, 1000 Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) corner Makati Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 849 0100 • Cebu: SEAIR Cebu Office, YMCA Building, Jones Avenue, Cebu City Tel: +6332/ 341 4879 • Clark: Unit 166, SM City CSEZ, Clarkfield, Pampanga Tel: +6343/ 499 0258-59 • All airport destinations

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| InFlight | july-august 2012

Destinations • El Nido (Palawan) • Taytay (Palawan)

Fleet • 3 Dornier 228

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, 851 5667 Email: info@itiair.com URL: www.itiair.com

CHINA

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

BHUTAN

PAL

NA

SEAIR International Route Map

REPUBLIC OF KOREA TAIWAN

HONG KONG

BANGLADESH MACAU MYANMAR LAOS

PHILIPPINE SEA

LUZON

PHILIPPINES CLARK, ANGELES

SOUTH CHINA SEA

MANILA

THAILAND VIETNAM

Kalibo AKLAN

BANGKOK

CAMBODIA SULU SEA

ANKA KOTA KINABALU

CELEBES SEA

MALAYSIATAIWAN

HONG KONG SINGAPORE MACAU SEAIR Domestic and ITI Route Map

OS

Basco BATANES

SEAIR low cost flights from Manila ITI flights

INDONESIA PHILIPPINE SEA SOUTH CHINA SEA

PHILIPPINES EAST TIMOR

LUZON CLARK, ANGELES MANILA

LAND VIETNAM

Caticlan

Taytay

CAMBODIA

VISAYAS

Kalibo

AKLAN

El Nido

Tacloban

ILOILO BACOLOD CEBU

PALAWAN Puerto Princesa

SULU SEA

MINDANAO DAVAO DEL NORTE Davao City DAVAO DEL SUR

AUSTRA

CELEBES SEA

BRUNEI

july-august 2012

| InFlight | 51

Mission Dream A d v e n t u r e s o f a n Av i a t o r

Around

the

World

in

a

Do-24

Fly ing

Boat

Now Follow Iren Dornier, grandson ava ilable of the legendary aircraft as an engineer Claude Dornier, on his eBook! journey around the world in the Do-24 flying boat. Read how the adventure comes together in this spectacular picture book with over 470 pages, containing more than 250 photographs in colour and duotone.

You can download a free sample and buy this book here: www.dornierbooks.com.

Read “Mission Dream” on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.

“This book contains my ‘Diary of a Dream’ — a true, biographical account which I hope will inspire and encourage you to believe in your own dreams. Give the naysayers and doubters who try to stop you no chance. If I had listened to all those people who tried to convince me that my idea of rescuing an old flying boat, made by my grandfather Claude Dornier, from a museum, of restoring it and flying around the world in it, was nothing but a pipe dream, then this book, these wonderful photographs, all the stories of my adventures on the world trip with the Do-24 would not exist.

I believed in my dream — and that is why it could come true.

This is what I learned from my grandfather: not to give up too easily, especially when I wanted to make my dreams come true.

They can come true, with a bit of luck, the right spirit, and if you are prepared to invest the right amount of effort.

Success is all too often measured in terms of money. But for me, true success is to be found in our inner values.

That was our premise: not just to fly around the world for fun, but to collect donations for UNICEF, with which school and training programmes could be financed in the Philippines, my second home.

Children and young people are the hope for the future — and so we must share what we have with them, be it money, knowledge, luck or happiness.

Join us on our tour of the world — I wish you a safe and an exciting journey!”

Iren Dornier, grandson of the legendary aircraft engineer Claude Dornier, first sits in the cockpit of the Do-24 as a young 12 year-old boy. He decides then, that he will pilot this flying boat himself one day. A great dream, especially since the machine will be taken out of service, ending up as an exhibit in a museum.

Iren Dornier managed to buy her back and went on to prove that the virtually impossible really can be achieved if we set our minds to it.

In risky conditions he makes this unique example of a type Do24 flying boat flyable once again and sets off with it around the world. Whether landing on the Hudson River, the Copacabana, Lake Constance or on the Rhine, the silver beauty wins the hearts of everyone who sees her. The photographs of its journey come together in a spectacular picture book, an ode to aluminium and to the courage of a modern flying pioneer, who is constantly driven by the most important lesson taught him by his grandfather: never to give up if he wants to fulfill his own dreams.

When Iren Dornier tried to retrieve the disused flying boat from the museum, no one thought he would ever manage to get this machine to fly again. But he achieved the impossible, and the reborn Do-24 set off to discover new pastures.

On their world tour at the beginning of the 21st Century, which followed the historical route once taken by Claude Dornier with his gigantic Do-X in the 1930s, pilot and crew hold their own in daring adventures, and thrill spectators young and old with their landings on water.

No wonder, with all that technical perfection. Beauty, power and grace in one. After all, the Do-24 has three engines, a wingspan of 30 metres, is a good 22 metres long and can take off with up to 14 tonnes in weight.

“Mission Dream” recalls this world tour with a collection of spectacular photographs, and tells the unique story of a modern explorer and aviator who had the vision to fulfil his own great dream.

A mission which, as we can see, was a total success.

Latest news about “Latina”: In October 2011 Iren Dornier’s Do24 “Latina” got the VVZ (permission to fly) from the LBA (the German Federal Aviation Administration).

On Friday, November 18th at 11:25 am “Latina” had her first flight after more than two years and her first flight with German registration after more than 27 years! “Latina” was doing a great job again and is back in the air — where she belongs.

Her first public appearance took place on May 18th, 2012 with a spectacular water landing piloted by Iren Dornier on Lake Constance

in front of Friedrichshafen — her virtual birthplace — and watched by about 10,000 enthusiastic spectators.

It was the first splashdown after two years of restoration and the first water landing with a German registration for 28 years.

Stay in contact with this fascinating project: www.do-24.com Also follow Iren Dornier’s activities here: www.dornier-timepieces.com www.iren-dornier.com The journey continues: Mission Dream part 2 is in progress! Aviator Iren Dornier will be setting off on the epic “Flight of Dreams” expedition in a revolutionary two-seater Dornier S-Ray 007. Leading scientists, journalists and wildlife documentary film makers, such as Alby Mangels (www.albymangels.com) will be joining Iren on different legs of the flight. Live video feeds streamed online, and film for TV and movies, will give a worldwide audience intimate access to the daily trials and joys of flying. Satellite uplinks and interactive media will link real-time flying to real-time audiences around the world.

The ultimate amphibious trainer: The Dornier S-Ray 007 single-engined amphibious aeroplane, has a glass and carbon composite structure for high fatigue and corrosion resistance, and an electrically driven tricycle landing gear, which can be lowered in the water to enable the aeroplane to ‘drive’ up or down a slipway. In addition, it has a water rudder to enhance the aircraft’s control and manoeuvrability even at slow speed in the water, and a main wing that can be pivoted 90 degrees for easy transportation and storage in a shipping container or even a garage!

Iren Dornier‘s “Flight of Dreams” with his S-Ray will become a world tour to be remembered: unique in its own right whilst at the same time bearing tribute to his own heritage, long since established as part of the German spirit of invention.

inflight promotions

Asian Eye: More Diagnostic Rooms and a Lounge in Rockwell The country’s leading eye care service provider Asian Eye has expanded its eyecare facility in Phinma Plaza, Rockwell with the addition of a new section housing four new diagnostic rooms, an optical shop, and a waiting and refreshment lounge next to a diagnostic room. The expansion covered a 200sqm space of the eye center’s facility on the 8th floor.

Asian Eye launched early this year the Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), which uses the technology of reshaping the cornea to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness and astigmatism. Specially designed contact lenses worn for several hours while sleeping reshape the cornea, and when removed, results in a clearer vision for at least 24 hours, according to Asian Eye. This leading eye center also pioneered the Supracor, a laser treatment for presbyopia launched early in 2012. Presbyopia is the natural degeneration of the eyesight of people aged 40 or above. The platform allows people in their 40s the ease of not having to deal with a pair of reading glasses.

Asian Eye Institue also has branches at TriNoma mall and SM Mall of Asia.

Visit www.asianeyeinstitute.com.

Prudential Guarantee, Ally of Philippine Red Cross

New Filipino Restaurant Opens in Boracay Insurance company Prudential Guarantee signed an agreement to be the official accident insurance provider of all members of Philippine Red Cross across the country, totaling to about 1.2 million.

Red Cross members’ membership fee paid to Red Cross automatically includes a premium for an accident insurance.

Visit Prudential Guarantee at www.prudentialguarantee.com. Visit Philippine Red Cross at www.redcross.org.ph.

54 |

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| july-august 2012

Mesa — Filipino Moderne recently opened its doors in Boracay.

During the event, Mesa’s signature dishes such as crispchon (short for crispy lechon or roast pork, a Filipino delicacy, done and served either deep-fried or stir-fried in chili garlic), pan-fried apahap (seabass) with latik (coconut milk curd), and crispy boneless hito (catfish) were served to the guests.

Mesa is located at Boracay Regency, Boat Station 2, Boracay Island, Aklan

A Guide for visiting Pinoys

food special

Hot Places for Soup Chef Sau del Rosario on where to get the tastiest Pinoy soups ‘New York City is My Office Now’

Pinoy Getty Images photographer Dia Dipasupil on life as a paparazzi and transgender

Key Pieces for Rainy Days

From nylon trench to Fedora hats j u ly - a u g u s t 2 0 1 2 | B a k a s y o n

55

Contents

A G u ide for v isiting P ino y s

editorial Editor Managing editor Art director

Giselle Javison Monica De Leon Jocas See

Contributing photographers Mark Aiven Antang, Ferdz Decena, Rhonson Ng, Oggie Ramos, Lee Santiago, Jeffrey Sonora, Daniel Soriano Contributing writers Lei Chavez, Freida Dario, Tet Defensor, Marifi Jara, Jan Lao, Oggie Ramos, Ces Rodriguez

Advertising Sales and Marketing Director

Margie Defensor

Media representative

Joyce Ann Moros

Publishing Publisher Administrative officer

Dornier Media André Palma

Board of Advisers Iren Dornier Nikos Gitsis Giselle Javison Delza Apostol Atty. Celina Cua

Inquiries

62

Editorial: +632/ 553 7976 Email: editors@inflight.ph

food special

58 Seven of the best: Soups The tastiest heartwarming soups as chosen by celebrity chef Sau del Rosario

Advertising: +632/ 553 7978 Email: ads@inflight.ph

TRAVEL & LEISURE

60 Smart Rain-proofing

From nylon trench coats to fedora hats, fashion stylist Charmaine Palermo lists affordable rainy season essentials

philippine Copyright © 2012

58

COVER STORY

62 ‘New York City is My Office Now’ Pinoy Getty Images photographer Dia Dipasupil on life as a paparazzi and transgender

Dornier Media International 4F, Lerose Building, 832 Edades Street corner Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, Philippines Telefax: +632/ 840 2802 Email: editors@inflight.ph

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B a k as y on | j u ly - a u g u st 2 0 1 2

Food special

Seven of the best: Soups The tastiest heartwarming soup as chosen by celebrity chef Sau del Rosario Interview by Monica De Leon

Leslie’s

Villa Cafe’s pork bulanglang

nilagang lapu-lapu with boiled potatoes so it’s light and easy to eat. It’s also best eaten with a steaming cup of rice. But the meat in itself is already very good.

Milky Way url: www.cafe.milkywayrestaurant. com; tel: +632/ 843 4124

Villa Café and Abe

Milky Way’s sinigang na salmon

Milky Way

Recommended: Sinigang na tilapia sa miso (snapper in sour, miso-based soup; miso is thick fermented paste of cooked soybeans, salt and grains) I think this is the best — not too acidic, balanced, and the miso is served on the side just like wasabi. Some prefer to eat it with a strong miso flavor, some don’t. If I’m sick I always order this. Milky Way has a branch in Rockwell with main branch on Arnaiz Avenue, Makati.

Recommended: Nilagang ulo ng lapu-lapu (boiled grouper head) Just the same as any nilaga (stock), and just as yummy, cooked with leeks, cabbages, string beans and onions, and I think with a little ginger. The nice thing about this dish is the ingredients. Milky Way gets the best fish available in the market. They’re very consistent with the taste. You can have the

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B a k as y on | j u ly - a u g u st 2 0 1 2

Recommended: Pork bulanglang (pork in guava soup) Bulanglang is basically sinigang (sour soup) using guava, and has string beans, radish and tomato. It’s Villa Café’s (in Makati) bestseller, done using guava puree so the soup is thicker and the guava flavor is stronger, served with patis or fish sauce and chilli. Abe’s style is very simple with more diluted soup. You can eat the bulanglang on its own or as a main course with steamed rice, not with fried rice or any rice with oil.

Villa Cafe URL: www.villacafe.biz; tel: +632/ 478 2659 Abe url: www.ljcrestaurants.com.ph/abe/; Serendra branch tel: +632/ 856 0526

Kainan Au Gusto

Recommended: Tinolang manok (chicken cooked in ginger-flavored soup) Kainan Au Gusto’s tinolang manok is very yummy, cooked using native chicken, papaya instead of sayote, ginger and onion with lots of malunggay. Kainan Au Gusto is a hole-in-the-wall in Pasig, beside the upmarket Cafe Juanita restaurant, put up to cater to drivers of Cafe Juanita’s diners as well as budget diners, and eventually became well known. Everybody’s Cafe serves frog tinola cooked with upo, garlic and miswa noodles.

Cafe Augusto is on United St., West Kapitolyo, Pasig

Recommended: Bulalo (slow-boiled beef shank) Leslie’s in Tagaytay City still serves the best bulalo in town although they have some problems with consistency (at least the main branch). Sometimes the beef is tough that I’m forced to send it back to the kitchen.

That’s the problem with keeping such a big place. But the secret is to go to their smaller branch in Silang. Leslie’s bulalo is a whole, big, chunky beef shank complete with bone marrow that’s super tender. The beef they use is from Tagaytay or Batangas so it’s really good.

Leslie’s url: www.lesliesrestaurant.multiply. com; Diversion Road, Cavite branch tel: +6346/ 438 7089

Everybody’s Café

Recommended: Paksiw na bangus (milkfish cooked in vinegar-based soup) Everybody’s Café in Pampanga uses really big milkfish bought from neighboring Dagupan so it’s meatier and less bony. And it’s good to eat not just the meat but also the fish eyes and brain. The bangus is cooked in vinegar, ginger and green chilli, unlike the recipe from other regions that include bittermelon, eggplant and ginger. The paksiw can be served together with bagoong or small fermented shrimp sauteed with lots of garlic, chilli, oil and a little sugar. The fish is cut diagonally in three and in a typical Kapampangan household the father always gets the head, which is the chunkiest, least bony part. Sapsap or banak fish can be an alternative to the milkfish.

Everybody’s Café’s tel: +6345/ 860 1121.

Everybody Café also participates at the Salcedo Saturday Market in Makati every Saturday

Ilonggo Grill

Recommended: Batchoy (mami noodle soup originating from Iloilo) I’m such an easy to get for this but Ilonggo Grill’s batchoy is good [Ilonggo Grill is stationed in most food court fastfoods]. It is mami noodles cooked in chicken stock, shredded chicken, pork, liver — which I’m not a fan of — and spring onions. I like mine served with egg and chicharon (cracklings). There are also many good batchoy hole-in-the-wall places along Taft Avenue in Manila, near La Salle University.

Ilonggo Grill url: www.ilonggogrill.multiply. com; SM Megamall branch tel: +632/ 633 6352 ■

Visit our piece of paradise!

Soon to open: Fridays Boquete, Puerto Galera See you in beautiful Boquete!

For reservations and inquiries, contact our Makati Sales Office at +632.8929283 or email us at reservations@fridaysboracay.comwww.fridaysboracay.com

Shopping

Smart Rain-proofing From nylon trench coats to fedora hats, fashion stylist Charmaine Palermo lists affordable rainy season essentials photo by Mark aiven antang

Tote Bag “Arm yourself with a bag that has enough room to carry all your rainy day needs”

Pashmina scarf (in an assortment of colors), P129.75, available at the SM Department Store

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B a k as y on | j u ly - a u g u st 2 0 1 2

Unisex fedora or beanie, P199.75-P249.75, from SM Department Store

Rain Boots “No need to worry about getting cold feet; rubber rain boots are essential for protecting your feet from getting wet”

Nylon Tote Bag, P499.75; nautical canvas tote, P299.75, both available at the SM Department Store Url: www.smdeptstore.com; Makati branch tel: +632/ 810 7777)

Scarf “A colorful scarf is a great way to brighten up a gloomy day”

Headgear “Wear a stylish hat to protect your hair from getting wet”

Zebra and floral print rain boots, P499.75, available at SM Department Store

Rain Coat “The perfect shield to protect your outfit from getting drenched” Women’s black nylon trench coat, P499.75; guys’ nylon jacket with hoodie, P499.75, both available at the Surplus Shop (SM Makati branch tel: +632/ 892 1029)

Umbrella “The ultimate accessory for the rainy season” Fibrella Umbrellas (floral print for girls, solid primary colors for guys), P399.75, from SM Department Store

Pinoy Success Story

‘New York City is My Office Now’ Pinoy Getty Images photographer Dia Dipasupil on life as a paparazzi and transgender

T

Story by Cristina DC Pastor published for thefilam.net

wo major changes in Dia Dipasupil’s life happened one after the other. She wanted to shift career from IT to photography, and also yearned to change her gender.

Today, she is a much sought-after celebrity photographer for Getty Images — a true New York paparazzo.

She has also completed gender reassignment and has fully transitioned to female.

“I transitioned in order to survive,” she said of her condition described by psychologists as ‘gender dysphoria.’

Dia, 46, was born in the Bronx, one of five children of Diosdado and Olivia Dipasupil. Her father, who introduced her to photography, was a pediatrician, and her mother, a registered nurse. They came to the US in 1964. Diosdado is now deceased but Olivia is retired and living in Florida.

Dia has never been to the Philippines, and would love to visit to “learn about my heritage.”

In an interview with The FilAm, Dia talks about a life chasing celebrities and becoming a transsexual. She is recently divorced and has two children.

TF: How did you become a celebrity photographer?

DD: When I started professionally, I mostly shot sports for a wire service. Looking for more freelance work I responded to a Craigslist ad looking for celebrity photographers. I gave them a call and in a few days I was out on the street doing paparazzi work for a small agency. I had

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some good initial success and was getting my work published in a short time. It was exciting work, but it was inconsistent and didn’t pay the bills.

One day while shooting Justin Timberlake on a film set in TriBeCa, I met a managing editor from Getty Images. One thing led to another and I signed on with Getty as a contributing photographer. It was definitely a welcome change to paparazzo work.

TF: Do you like being called a paparazzo?

DD: I don’t consider myself a paparazzo anymore. I like to think of myself as an aspiring photojournalist.

TF: Where are your photos published?

DD: My images have appeared in People magazine, Us Weekly, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, Vogue, Glamour, Elle, Life, Time, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, NY Times, NY Post, NY Daily News, and many others.

TF: What’s a regular day for you? Are you on call and sent on assignment to, say, Rome at a moment’s notice?

DD: On a busy day I could start with an early assignment (7am) at a radio station morning show, then shoot someone after lunch at the top of the Empire State Building, and then finish up with an evening red carpet for a movie premier. However, three or more assignments in a single day is not usually the case — except maybe for Fashion Week or one of the film festivals like TriBeCa. I should mention that it’s not all shooting.

Each assignment needs to be edited, captioned and posted as soon as possible.

That can consume a lot of time, especially if you’ve got a large shoot with hundreds of images.

Most of my assignments are in the New York metropolitan area. I don’t typically travel for shoots.

TF: How do you like your job?

DD: Every day is different. Always fresh and interesting. It’s very gratifying to shoot an event and then see your work published in a newspaper or magazine the next day. I lived the 9-to-5 office life in the past and I don’t think I could ever go back to that. New York City is my office now. Some days can be tiring when you’re burning the candle at both ends like a late-night shoot followed by something in the morning. I don’t mind. I like to keep busy.

TF: Do you like shooting film celebrities, politicians, athletes, regular folks and why?

DD: Entertainment photography is exciting, even though I’m not a star-struck kind of person. However, if I had a choice I’d probably focus more on news coverage.

I love the spontaneity and action. Street photography is my other love. Observing and documenting everyday life with regular folks is one of my passions.

TF: What is the common misconception about the paparazzi?

DD: There’s usually a negative perception.

Most people think they’re disrespectful and ruthless, which is somewhat accurate.

There are definitely some who are like that, but not all of them. It’s a very competitive industry and the allure of a big sale of an exclusive image can drive people to do some crazy things. Some will do whatever is necessary to get that shot even if that means waiting outside someone’s house for an entire day or chasing down someone in a car.

However, there are many paparazzi and

wire service photographers who operate as true professionals. As for money, that’s definitely a misconception. We’re not all millionaires. Far from it. There are some who’ve made it big, but I think the days of the big paycheck are few and far between.

Digital technology, social media and the Internet have changed the game.

TF: What is the most expensive photo you’ve sold?

DD: One of the most lucrative photos I’ve licensed (in a single instance and with cumulative multiple usages) has been an image of Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher on a red carpet in New York. The shot was not really my personal favorite or best work, but it was very relevant at the time.

Plus, they were wearing a certain designer’s clothing and someone needed photographs of that.

TF: How do you deal with uncooperative or combative celebrities?

DD: When a celebrity won’t give me eye contact or ignores me, I don’t pester them.

Instead, I just try to get creative and capture something candid. Sometimes the best shots are not always the ones where you’re getting direct eye contact. Candids can tell a much different story than a posed shot.

If someone doesn’t want their photo, I don’t argue. It’s likely I’ll see that celebrity at another event in the future and there’s no need to cause trouble. That said, some photographers do take a shot when they’ve explicitly been instructed not to. It’s disrespectful. Not my style.

TF: You’re quite open about your gender reassignment. What triggered the decision?

DD: From the age of four or five I knew I was born in the wrong body. It was confusing and uncomfortable for me, especially since I had no idea why I felt that way. I learned quickly that it wasn’t something that I should talk about so I kept it a secret for many years well into adulthood.

TF: You kept it a secret that long?

DD: Not being able to talk about it with anyone was very painful. I always thought it was something that I could cure myself of, but my feelings would always win.

It wasn’t until my early 40s that I hit a breaking point. If I didn’t address my gender dysphoria I would have committed suicide, something I considered many times in the past. I transitioned in order to survive.

TF: What was the reaction from family and friends?

DD: It’s difficult for some people to understand the pain and discomfort

Getty Images photographer Dia Dipasupil

transsexual people endure. One analogy that resonates with people is the thought that if you were to wake up tomorrow morning in the body of the opposite sex, but still were the same person mentally, how would you feel? Probably not very good. People need to understand that it’s not a “lifestyle choice.” Transsexuality is something you’re born with. Fortunately, it can be addressed via gender reassignment.

Since I went public with my story in 2010, I’ve had support from most friends and family. Sadly, there were some who chose to exit my life, but I knew that would be the case. I still hope that some of those people will come back around, but I can’t wait for them. I move forward with my life with or without them.

TF: I know they’re quite young, but do your kids know?

DD: I have two sons, six and 10, and they have quite an ethnic background. From their mother’s side they’re Irish, Italian, Scottish, and Norwegian. From my side they are Filipino, Spanish, Chinese, and Brazilian.

Their mother and I introduced them to my gender reassignment early in the process. In general, they’ve been accepting, but I know there are times when they miss their dad.

They do know that the love we share has not changed. I’m a loving parent to them, regardless of my gender. ■ Cristina DC Pastor is the founding editor of The FilAm (thefilam.net), an online magazine for Filipinos in the New York area

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CityEscape

A cebu supplement

featuring:

Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

Cebu City Marriott Hotel

Mango Park Hotel

Cebu is an island at the heart of the Visayas in Southern Philippines.

Cebu City, located on the central eastern part of the province, is one of the most vibrant cities in the country, known for its good food and dining, interesting shopping, wide array of attractions, old and new.

Parian Monument, Plaza Parian, Cebu City

Parian Monument photo by oggie r amos

july-august 2012

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On the spot

Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

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here it lies.

Plantation Bay Resort & Spa is 20-minute drive from MactanCebu International Airport and about 30 minutes away from Cebu City.

The resort experience.

Plantation Bay Resort & Spa offers one of the largest privately-owned waterways in the world. It’s a tropical lagoon resort with a design inspired by a Caribbean plantation village. From the balcony of the room, the lagoon can make you feel like you’re at your own private estate.

Indulgence.

Every night, Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

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offers a unique dining experience. There are nightly themed buffet dinners: Rockin USA, Hawaian Luau, Filipino Fiesta, Viva España, Sahara Nights and Cebu’s first-ever Brazilian Fever.

At the center of the resort surrounded by the freshwater pool is Kilimanjaro Kafe that offers international cuisine. Savannah grill serves gourmet burgers, sausages and steaks at the Savannah Park. Fiji Restaurant serves Pacific rim cuisine in a location that overlooks the sea. And Palermo Café offers light breakfast, coffee, Spanish tapas and Italian pasta for dinner.

Spending the night.

The rooms are adorned with “plantation style” furnishings, oil paintings and accessories, with standard hotel modcons, and spacious toilet and bath. Plantation Bay has

a Water’s Edge Room, Lagoon Side Room, Lagoon View Room, Poolside Room, Family Room, 1 Bedroom Suite that has a master’s bedroom and with beach access; 2 Bedroom Suite; Riverboat Suite that’s a two-bedroom cottage with open air living room built on stilts; Penthouse Suite, a two-bedroom suite built on two floors and with open air lounge and sitting area; and Spa Indulgence Room, a zen-inspired room right inside Mogambo Springs’ 18th century Japanese village setting.

Keep tab.

Url: www.plantationbay.com Email: inquiry@plantationbay.com, rsvns@plantationbay.com Tel: +63 (32) 505 9800 Fax: +63 (32) 236 4821 ■

On the spot

Cebu City Marriott Hotel

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here it lies.

Centrally located, within Cebu Business Park, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel sits right next to the Ayala Mall and the Terraces, close to Cebu’s shopping and nightlife venues. Nearby are offices, banking centers, an exclusive sports club, convention centers and the Asia Town IT Park.

Indulgence.

Cebu City Marriott Hotel offers international flavors by award winning executive chef Brendan Mahoney. The hotel has three bars and dining outlets. The Garden Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and is known for its Seafood Buffets and Prime Rib Dinner Buffets; The Palm Lounge for coffee, light snacks and evening cocktails with live entertainment; and the Pool Bar for a la carte menu and themed barbecue dinner buffets.

suites and a luxury suite. Amenities are complimentary coffee, tea and mineral water, cable TV, mini bar, electronic safe, iron and ironing board, voice mail telephone system, radio, alarm clock and high speed internet access. Executives have the option to stay at the hotel’s topmost floor where guests enjoy an exclusive access to the executive lounge that serves complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon snacks and cocktails.

The resort experience.

Cebu City Marriott Hotel features a warm modern-contemporary design keeping in mind the conveniences business travelers nowadays seek. The hotel’s charming Al Fresco and Pool Bar, conveniently tucked inside the Cebu Business Park, allow for a private getaway experience.

Spending the night.

Each of the 301 rooms offers the Marriott signature plush and comfortable beddings and pillows, offers views of the Busay Hills and Cebu Strait, and boasts of artwork created

by Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala and Philippine made interior accents. Room types include deluxe rooms, business suites, executive

Keep tab.

Url: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cebphcebu-city-marriott-hotel/ Facebook: facebook.com/cebumarriott Twitter: MarriottCebu Tel: +63 (32) 411 5800 Fax: +63 (32) 411 5801 ■

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On the spot

Mango Park Hotel

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here it lies.

Located right in the heart of Cebu, Mango Park Hotel is walking distance to some of Cebu’s famous tourist landmarks as well as to Cebu IT Park, Ayala and SM malls, and night party district Crossroads.

The resort experience.

Upon checking-in, you instantly know that you’re in it for function, with its modest parking area and lobby. The pool and adjacent lounge area are ideal for a

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drink or snacks while taking in the view of the city. Inside, it’s cozy enough for tourists and convention participants who frequent the hotel. Mango Park Hotel has a boutique concept dedicated to the old Cebu.

Indulgence.

Ser Jos Native Resto-Bar offers Filipino cuisine from 6:30am-11pm daily but there’s also room service. Bestsellers are gambas, lechon kawali (fried pork) and sinigang pasayan (shrimp in sour soup). Drinks include typical island favorites: fresh fruit shakes and fresh coconut juice.

Spending the night.

The hotel has 48 rooms – standard, deluxe, suite – the latter with a bathtub – distributed on six floors. Standard to all rooms are aircon, cable TV, hot and cold shower, NDD/IDD telephone and WiFi. Keep tab.

Url: www.mangoparkhotel.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/mangpark Tel: +63 (32) 233 1511-14 Telefax: +63 (32) 233 5695 ■