Inflight December-January 2011

w w w.inf light.ph

december - january 2011

The Islanders

Living la vida grande in El Nido, Boracay, and Cebu

Top 10 Places to Party in Boracay Fireworks display, all night dancing, and clubbing with celebs Anne Curtis Me and My Travels

PLUS:

El Nido Memories El Nido Resorts’ big boss on early memories of the island

A 36-page pullout Guide to Boracay Restaurants, Bars, and CafĂŠs

PLUS seair launches flights to singapore

INside inflight | december-ja nuary | 2011

IN PLACES 38 INsAndOuts

Bukidnon in a capsule

40 Hot Travel Story

Boracay’s 10 hot places to party

46 Island Life

Three islanders on life in El Nido, Boracay, and Cebu

80 INFocus

Mt. Banahaw by photographer Raymond Cruz

Dress by Mango; sunglasses by Burberry; accessories by AC+632 shoes by Michael Antonio; Location: El Nido Cove Resort

4

| InFlight | december-january 2011

26

INside inflight | december-ja nuary | 2011

IN FRONT

30

34

18

36

10 Editor’s Note 12 INformed

What not to miss in December and January

14 INTheNews

Boracay clamps down on smokers and litter louts; Panglao Resort soon to open in Bohol; plus, more hotel and travel trade news

26 INPerson

Me and My Travels: Anne Curtis

30 INRoom

Island Chic: Sleek and modern rooms, a huge pool, and private beach make Regency Lagoon an island favorite. Plus a look into grand dame Waterfront Cebu

66 INTune

The Dolphins Cry: Protests continue to save the dolphins

IN VOGUE 18 INTheShops

Shimmer & Shine: Wardrobe choices for the holidays

22 InFlight Health & Beauty

Color Me Glam: A holiday make-up trend report

24 INMyBag

El Nido Memories: Leigh Tamagle-Perez, president of El Nido Resorts, talks about her favorite island and everyday travel basics

PLUS:

INFLIGHT LIVING 34 INdulge

Cicou: A little bit of France in Manila

36 INTheFrame

Illustrator May Ann Licudine draws inspiration from dreams and childhood memories

PLUS! AirlinePage

6

| InFlight | december-january 2011

A 36-page pullout Guide to Boracay Restaurants, Bars, and Cafés

Concept by InFlight Photo by Daniel Soriano Art direction by Jocas A. See Styling by Waldo Villados Hair and make up by Aisa Fay Costo Modeling by Camila Sales for Ideal People Model’s attire: Dress and earrings by Mango; bracelet by AC+632 Location: Small Lagoon, El Nido

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

NIKOS GITSIS Giselle Javison Monica G. De Leon Jocas A. See MARGARITA F. FRANCISCO Mike Alcid, Mario Babiera, Joel Garcia, Dan Yusay Harvey, Jeffrey Sonora, Daniel Soriano

Contributing writers

Vicki Aldaba, Catherine Calderon, Lei Chavez, Chip Childers, Freida Dario, cathy tagle-garcia, Jan Lao, Andrea Pasion, Ces Rodriguez, Mari-an Santos

A dv e r t i s i n g S a l es a n d M a r k e t i n g director Sales executives Advertising Traffic and circulation assistant

Margie Defensor cara castillo, Verna Galope WALDO J. VILLADOS

Publishing publisher Publishing director

dornier media international corporation Nikos Gitsis

B oa r d o f A dv i s e r s Seair Chairman PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Editor Director

Iren Dornier Nikos Gitsis Giselle Javison Delza Apostol

General manager

Monica De Leon

Legal Counsel

Atty. Celina Cua

Ed i to r i a l I n q u i r i es telephone e-mail PRESS RELEASES

+632/ 840 2802, 849 0295 editors@inflight.ph press@inflight.ph

A dv e r t i s i n g I n q u i r i es telephone e-mail

+632/ 849 0296 ads@inflight.ph

S u b s c r i p t i o n a n d A r c h i v e I n q u i r i es telephone e-mail

+632/ 849 0296 subscribe@inflight.ph

philippine Copyright © 2011 Dornier Media International Corporation Unit 402, La’O Center, 1000 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, Philippines Tel.: +632 840 2802 • info@inflight.ph • www.inflight.ph

8

| InFlight | december-january 2011

editor’s note

People. Places. Adventures.

B

oracay, one of the major routes of our partner airline Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR), is usually full to bursting with holiday makers from December to January.

The hugely popular island is where you’ll find one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

And some of the best clubs, bars, hotels, and restaurants outside Manila. So you won’t miss the attractions of the city as you while away the days – and nights – in paradise. On Boracay, you get the best of both worlds – a great party place and the romance of a beach holiday.

The latest bar to open in Boracay this year is Epic bar and restaurant, owned by the same owners of Encore, Republiq, Distillery, and the defunct Embassy in Manila. Epic will be putting on a holiday fireworks display and light show for the New Year countdown and flying in DJs from Manila so it might just be worth your while to check it out.

For more party ideas, turn to pages 40 to 45 for the 10 hot places to party in Boracay written by Boracay island resident Freida Dario.

If this is not enough, there’s more Boracay insider tips on where best to go on the island from another Boracay resident, former Victoria Secret designer Elena Fernandez (see page 59).

Fernandez features in a trio of stories on island living (see pages 46 to 65), featuring El Nido, Boracay, and Cebu. We thank Ten Knots Development Corporation president Mariglo Laririt, Fernandez, and Islands Souvenirs owner Jay Aldeguer for opening their doors to us and telling us their island stories.

All of InFlight’s recently published articles will be available to view on www.inflight.ph, our new and improved website, which will soft launch this December.

To celebrate the occasion, we are giving away a holiday package of two roundtrip tickets to Boracay, a two-night accommodation for two, dinner for two at Zuzuni, and a spa treatment for two in a random draw. More prizes will be announced on the website in the next few days.

To qualify for the draw, all you have to do is visit our website and tell us your favorite holiday hideaway and why. For details, click on www.inflight.ph.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at InFlight! ■

giselle javison Editor, InFlight editors@inflight.ph

Epic World Grill and Bar

hot Story

Boracay’s

Boracay’s White Beach starts to come alive with the party vibe soon as the sun comes down

hot places to party t e x t a n d p h oto r e s e a r C h by by Fr e i da V. da r i o

40 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Location: Across Club Paraw, Ariel’s House, the resto-bar of Boracay Beach Club and Ariel’s Point in Batason, Buruanga.

Setting: Ariel’s House feels like an extension of someone’s living room – in this instance, host Ariel Abriam’s living room – with sofas and chaise lounges interspersed with dining tables and chairs, LCD TVs, and comfortable furnishings. There are foosball tables for all guests to enjoy, a desktop computer hooked online, with free WiFi for those with their own portable units.

When in party mode, the lighting is soft; the music is thumping; and for those who need to catch their breath,

up, don’t fret. Instead, book your own private party!

Don’t miSS: Order up the Five Tail Special, a set of five original cocktails for P599 and you get a free T-shirt.

It’s a sin to drop by without having a taste of the lemon chicken, a favorite of TV host and singer Martin Nievera (who had it for dinner and then ordered it next day for lunch to be delivered to his hotel), and chicken fingers, a dish model Marc Nelson cannot live without. contact info: +6336/ 288 4660 or 288 6770, email: boracaybeachclub@aol.com, url: www.boracaybeachclub. com. open daily from 7am to the wee hours; happy hour from 5pm to 9pm (buy one take one on local beers and cocktails)

december-january 2011

photo by daniel soriano

Island Life

“Cebu is always associated with beaches, but ever since the Transcentral Highway was built a decade ago we are able to easily go to the mountains”

| InFlight | 41

cover Story

A Cebuano’s Life Islands Souvenir’s owner Jay Aldeguer talks about his passion for design, Porsches and homelife Story by MAri-An C. SAntoS

“I come home and I’m very thankful to live in a place like this because it’s very quiet,” says Jay Aldeguer, as he ushers us into his one-storey house nestled on the edge of a hill surrounded by a wide lawn and mature trees.

Aldeguer owns Islands Souvenirs, a company that introduced hip, trendy, and colorful T-shirts for tourist destinations in the country in 1992. Since then, Aldeguer’s Islands Group has expanded to include island hopping service, Islands Banca Cruises, and theme park Talima Adventure and Water Park, and the soon-tobe-launched transportation service Islands Taxi, and boutique hotel Islands Stay.

“All of these were brought about by just observing... and frustration that many of the tourists’ needs were not met when they visit the Philippines. There’s a loophole in the tourism service sector. Instead of just complaining and bickering, we might as well do something about it – and make money on the side,” he said.

Aldeguer’s house, which used to be the warehouse in the family compound in Ma. Luisa Park, was converted into a proper house 10 years ago. “It’s about 30 years old.

It took me about two months to convert the warehouse to this. The kitchen was redone a couple of years ago, and the deck and garage were an afterthought. I designed it myself. I’m a frustrated artist and designer,” Aldeguer said.

The layout is simple: a foyer leads to the kitchendining room on one side, and on the other, the living room. Many of the walls facing the lawn are glass, which allows sunlight to flood the interiors.

“It was pretty limiting to design a home with an existing structure. However, it wasn’t too difficult to

60 | InFlight | december-january 2011

10 |

01 arIel’s hoUse

the couches are more than inviting.

Why go: It’s a celebrity melting pot. In its two-year operation, the bar has seen some of the best DJs in the world play at private “by invitation only” parties. The likes of DJs Dennis Christopher, Kuma, Gordon Gecko, Double Down Charlie Brown, John “00” Fleming and Andy Caldwell have all played to a packed house. It’s been a favorite hangout for celebrities to get away from the public eye. Just recently, Hollywood actor Michael Madsen spent every evening at Ariel’s during his Boracay stay. The music is generally progressive tech, electro, mash ups with the occasional hip house and hip hop and is always up-to-speed with the current trend of the Manila clubbing scene. And if the front door shutters are

Bantayan Island

P h oto b y PA u l b A n dAy

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 61

El Nido Resorts’ newest white sand, blue water, green resort in Taytay, Palawan opens this December 1, 2010.

Apulit Island Resort is located in a quiet cove surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs. As part of the El Nido Resorts group, Apulit Island Resort offers numerous eco-friendly land and water activities all within a charming, private island setting.

The resort has a total of fifty (50) water cottages constructed in traditional Filipino architectural style. All the cottages are built on stilts, perched above the sea with an unobstructed view of Palawan’s azure Taytay Bay, surrounding islands, and dramatic limestone cliffs.

For reservations and inquiries please visit www.elnidoresorts.com or email apulitholiday@elnidoresorts.com

INFormed What not to miss in December and January

December

01-12 Little Women

This stage production based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same title, starring Caisa Borromeo, Pinky Marque, Cara Barredo, Lora Nicolas and Miguel Faustman, and directed

by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, sees the lives of the March sisters during the Civil War. “Little Women” is presented at OnStage, Greenbelt 1.

Tel: +632/ 571 6926; url: www.repertory.ph

04

Still MADZ About Love: Here and Now

Catch the Philippine Madrigal Singers in a concert of pop love songs and Christmas carols, singer Jose Mari Chan as guest star, at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas City, 7pm.

Visit www.madzaboutlove.com

10-12

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

This Christmas, Ballet Manila presents Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s daughter Missy Elizalde, alternated by Nicole Barroso and Rizza Mae Camaclang, as the young Masha in the famous fantasy story The Nutcracker. Liza Elizalde, Mylene Aggabao, Elena Chernova and Yanti Martuli alternately play the grown up Masha.

Tel: +632/ 400 0292 or 404 3086. Tickets also available at TicketWorld, tel: +632/ 891 9999

Ongoing-16

January

01-10

Christmas Flea Market: Bazaar for all Seasons

Tiendesitas once again holds a grand venue for you to do your holiday shopping, from fashion items to home pieces to food.

12

| InFlight | december-january 2011

Expressionist Art

View the works of Onib Olmedo, one of the leading expressionist painters in the country, at the Ayala Museum. The exhibit, In My Life: Soul Portraits by Onib Olmedo, features 60-80 paintings displayed for the first time.

Tel: +632/ 757 7117 to 21 local 28, url: www. ayalamuseum.org

20

LMFAO: Live in Republiq

Catch the Grammynominated LMFAO duo’s infectious electro-hiphop party rock sound live at the Republiq, the largest club in the country. Expect to hear songs from their hit singles “Shots”, “I’m in Miami, Trick!” and “La, La, La”. Party starts at 9pm.

Limited slots only. For table reservations and other inquiries, call +632/ 856 0914 or +63917/ 550 8888

R e p ort by M a rgi e F . F r a n c is c o

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

R e p o r t b y M a r g i e F. F r a n c i s c o

r estaur a nts

More restaurants at Ayala Triangle Gardens photo by ferdz decena

Boracay’s main White Beach

t r av e l

Boracay clamps down on smokers and litter louts photo by wack y gochoco

Locals and tourists will now be fined P500 (about US $10) every time they smoke or drop litter on Boracay’s beautiful White Beach.

The local government of Malay, under the leadership of Mayor John Yap, and in cooperation with the Department of Toursim, assigned 20 policemen on the island to strictly enforce the no-smoking and no-littering law. Smoking will only be allowed within establishments’ vicinity and nowhere else in Boracay.

Partners in the program include the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Petron Corp., Petron Foundation, San Miguel Corp., Boracay Island Water Company and Tubi. ■

14

| InFlight | december-january 2011

The newly-opened, two-hectare Ayala Triangle Gardens located at the center of Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas triangle is opening more al fresco food and beverage outlets in the area.

Recently opened outlets at the gardens are bakery café Banapple, the all-day breakfast menu resto Bfast by Chef Laudico, the Korean fried chicken chain Bon Chon Chicken, and the Singaporean restaurant Wee Nam Kee. Soon to open are Kanin Club, Pho 24, Amici, Cara Mia, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and MOMO Café.

For the Christmas season, Ayala Triangle Gardens is offering the public a lights and sounds show entitled “Symphony of Parols,” running all weekdays from November 17 until December 23, 6pm to 8pm, with special weekend shows on December 18 and 19. Other events include the “Christmas Serenade at the Gardens” on December 1 and 8 and the Simbang Gabi or midnight masses from December 15-23, every 6pm.

For more information, visit the Ayala Triangle Gardens website at www.ayalatrianglegardens.com. ■

Soothe your

soul

and

senses

at Boracay’s premiere luxury spa

3rd floor, East Wing,

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 15

Boracay Regency Beach Resort • Tel no. (036) 288-6111 local 426

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

t r av e l resorts

Centara takes over Fairways & Bluewater photo by wack y gochoco

Centara Hotels & Resorts, one of Thailand’s leading hotel groups, is now managing The Residences at Fairways and Bluewater, the combined beach and golf resort complex in Boracay.

Under the new contract signed by Centara and New Coast Properties, Inc. (NPI), the developer of the resort-hotel, the property will be renamed Centara Grand Beach Resort and Spa Boracay.

Centara and NPI plan to build additional 250 rooms and 20 luxury villas, a new spa, 10 more food and beverage outlets, gaming and entertainment facilities, a club facility, a wedding chapel, additional meeting and conference facilities, and a marina.

Centara operates 44 properties in Thailand and resorts in Vietnam, the Maldives, Indian Himalayas, Egypt and the Philippines. ■ Visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

Pool party at Liquid Liquid, located Manila’s first pool and lounge party venue, boasting of a 600sqm pool and a dance floor, recently opened on October 23 in Pasay, City.

Managed by Hotel H20, located at the Manila Ocean Park, Liquid offers a clubbing experience, Vegas style, so guests can party the urban club way or the beach getaway style.

Admission fee is P500, inclusive of two free drinks and free use of a locker and a towel.

For inquiries, guest lists and table reservations, email liquidpoollounge@hotelh2o.com. ■

Panglao Bluewater Resort to open in April 2011 The 60-room Panglao Bluewater Beach Resort is set to open in April 2011 in Panglao Island, Bohol.

The resort, which is being built from reclaimed and recycled wood, will have about 10 villas, 46 deluxe rooms, an infinity pool, private sun decks, a spa, six bars, and restaurants offering Asian and European food. ■

16

| InFlight | december-january 2011

Epic Boracay opens in December Epic World Grill and Bar, set to open on December 17 as of press time, promises to be one of the leaders in food and drink and night-time entertainment in Boracay.

The two-storey grill and dance bar located on the same spot as the former Hey Jude Bar will have a resto-grill featuring dishes from Asia, America, and the Continent, according to owner Stephen Ku. In January, Epic will launch “Selecta Gold”, inviting top chefs to sign up and create their own dishes. (Please see page 43 for more on Epic) For reservations and more information, call +63916/ 333 7111. ■

nightlife

Encore opens two more Manila nightspots Two new Metro Manila nightspots, the Distillery Eastwood in Libis and Opus restaurant at Resorts World, Newport City opened last November.

The Distillery Eastwood serves a selection of beer and spirits at affordable prices, targeting everyone, from college students to yuppies, said co-owner Stephen Ku. It also serves fine whiskeys from all over the world.

Opus, a high-end restaurant and lounge, features live performance arts, fashion shows, DJs, and live musicians, with weekly theme nights.

The two nightspots are owned by the same owners of Encore, the popular superclub at The Fort. ■

INVogue in the shops | beaut y |

in my bag

Dress, P3,950, by Tyler

Best to pair with:

Jacket, P4,450, by Blue Mountain; shoes, P2,599,

by Michael Antonio; cuff, P34,000, by Arnel Papa; ring, P379, by Parfois

Shimmer and shine His and hers wardrobe choices for the holidays p h o t o s b y j e ffr e y s o n o r a s t y l i n g b y w a l d o v i l l a d o s

18 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Polo, P4,495, by Randy Ortiz; pants, P4,650, by Dr. Denim

Best to pair with:

Shoes, P9,450, by Tween; jacket, 2,695, belt, P995, and cap, P695, all by Merger

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 19

INVogue

Polo and pants, both by Nico Agustin

Best to pair with:

Shoes, P1,995, and jacket, P3,995, both by Merger; yellow leather bracelet, P1,200, and white leather bracelet, P2,800, both by Arnel Papa

20 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Dress, P4,350, by Tyler

Best to pair with:

Shoes, P8,950, by Stella Luna; clutch, P7,995, by Randy Ortiz; ring, P429, and earrings, P379, both

by Parfois

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 21

INVogue

H e a lt h a n d be au t y

Color Me Glam

Make-up trend for the holidays is bold, intense, with lots of glimmer, glam, and glossies, says Monica De Leon

MAC is wild this season with colors that remind me of Johnny Depp who played the Hatter in the movie Alice in Wonderland. MAC’s A Tartan Tale collection banks on the concept of colliding loud colors and contrasting patterns to create that semi-twisted effect.

Sparkly dazzleglass crèmes and lush lipsticks paired with mineralize tartan striped eye shadows and ornamental satin powder blush are hot. And if these are not enough to make you stand out, add Pearglide Intense Eye Liner and Zoom Fast Black Lash mascara.

My personal favorite, Bobbi Brown, goes bold, bad, and sexy with its Crystal Eye Palette with various metallic shades of blue.

A holiday basic, Bobbi’s Day to Night Cool Eye Palette mixes matte, metallic and shimmering textures in a palette of six, so you can go soft and natural at day time, and use more of the darks and metallics at night.

The Day to Night Warm Eye Palette does similar magic but is more on the brownish side. You can mix either the Day to Night Cool or Day to Night Warm with anything pinkish from the Pink & Gold lip palette or a Kir Sugar Shimmer, one of the three glosses in Bobbi Brown’s limited edition Lip Gloss Trio.

Estee Lauder has been known for its beautiful collectible compacts since 1963, all handcrafted by fine artisans and designed by artists such as Jay Strongwater. This season features 13 new compacts with universally wearable lucidity translucent pressed powder and designs inspired by nature. Among the collections, there are the elegant Golden Sundial and the radiant Royal Moon. Estee also has the latest New Pure Color Eyeshadows that have high impact colors in matte, satin, luminous and metallic finishes. The shadows are formulated to keep them from fading, flaking or creasing easily. The New Pure Color Gloss has 19 bold and seductive shades to choose from, with most colors in the pinkish and purplish side.

Clinique’s Strawberry Fudge, one of the most popular shades of Clinique, will

22 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

definitely make for a fine small present for a girlfriend. Other on-trend products are the Hollywood Red lipstick and the Limited Edition Glitter Eyeliner in gold and silver, both by Bobbi Brown. And for jetsetters, the deluxe travel kit, a small bag with mini compartments to hold all beauty essentials will surely be useful.

Human Heart Nature, known for its organic and all natural products, is launching its first makeup line: the Love Minerals. Created by Filipinos, targeted at Filipinos, Love Minerals

features 100% pressed foundations in such shades as Island Shell, Sand Dollar and Boracay Bronze. Also available are the Tropical Rose blush and Petal Bloom blush, and lip balm in reddish tint called Island Kiss. ■ MAC (+632/ 812 8265), Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder and Clinique are available at Rustan’s Makati. Tel: +632/ 813 3739. Human Heart Nature Commonwealth tel: +632/ 931 5787; url: www. humanheartnature.com. Human Nature also consigns at Sesou, Glorietta

2

1

INVogue

3

In My Bag

Memories of El Nido

I n t e r v i e w b y M a r g i e F. F r a n c i s c o Pr o d u c t s h o t b y D a n Y u s a y h a r v e y

4

5

“The first time I saw El Nido was back in 1987. Vince, my husband, and I were not married then and were both living in New York. He wanted to show me the best of his country so we flew in from the US, landed in Manila, and went straight to El Nido on a small aircraft. I think we flew a 12-seater Beachcomber from Manila to El Nido and came back to Manila on a six-seater. I thought El Nido was just so beautiful; its waters sublime, absolutely pristine; and the diving, spectacular. Come to think of it; it’s been more than 20 years since that first visit with Vince, but we still land on the same airstrip, get inside the same airport terminal – well, a little more upgraded now – then get to the bancas or outrigger boats on our way to the islands.

Back then the only island resort was Miniloc.

There’s been some changes with time, but I’d say El Nido is still very much the same, still beautiful.”

– Leigh A. Tamagle-Perez, El Nido Resorts president www.elnidoresorts.com Things I always take to the islands: 1 TUMI messenger bag (P12,990) 2 Health and beauty kit: Origins Youthopia firming eye cream; Origins Have A Nice Day super-charged moisture cream SPF 15; Body Basics anti-bac hand sanitizer spray (P99) 3 Sanuk (P2,490) 4 Swatch (From P3,500) 5 The Kindle (www.amazon.com) 6 Maui Jim sunglasses 7 Human Nature Body Butter (P99.75) 8 iPhone (P37,499) 9 iTouch 8GB (P12,990) 10 Scarf (P450) 11 Fengshui bracelet (From P3,000) 12 HP Mini 2010 Netbook (P24,290)

24 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Perez indulging in rock climbing at Taraw Cliffs in El Nido

6

7

INPerson profile

Me and My Travels Anne Curtis

Filipino-Australian model and actress Anne Curtis will star in a new ABS CBN TV soap, Green Rose, with actor Jericho Rosales in early 2011.

Curtis who won the Best Actress award for the movie Baler in the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival is also the face of fashion brand Folden&Hung I n t e r v i e w b y M a r g i e F. F r a n c i s c o | p h o t o s b y x a n d e r a n g e l e s f o r f o l d e d & h u n g

Which was your best holiday? It was probably New Year’s Day two years ago with my whole family. We went to Boracay, and it was my Mom’s first time and my little brother’s first time there. I’ve already been there several times. It was so much fun because it was like a virgin island for them. The whole time, we were just there to relax.

What was the best hotel you’ve stayed in? ShangriLa’s Mactan Island Resort & Spa (www.shangri-la.com/ en/property/cebu/mactanresort) is nice. I love Discovery Shores (www.discoveryshoresboracay.com). It’s modern and up to date and the service is really very good. And I remember one time, when I had just won the best actress award for the movie Baler, they put up a banner in my room that said “Congratulations, Anne!”.

At Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu, you’ve got everything and you don’t have to go anywhere else.

What is your favorite resort? El Nido Miniloc. The feeling of having the island all to yourself – that’s what I love about it.

26

| InFlight | december-january 2011

What do you always take with you when you travel? My digicam, my flipflops, my SLR, cellphone and charger, and well-packed toiletries. I do my own packing; I want to make sure that everything’s in place.

Are you interested in photography? Yes, ever since I got my very first SLR a few years back. I didn’t have any lessons at all; it was more of trial and error, fiddling around, until I got around using it properly. Now, I’m into techie stuff, looking at SLRs with interchangeable lens. I always take my SLR with me.

What do you like taking pictures of? Everything. Food, people, places. But I really like taking pictures of people.

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 27

INPerson

there’s an urban bazaar in Rockwell, I’m there. During the holidays, there are so many bazaars you can go to. For only P100, you can buy so much already. It’s also where you can find stuff that are personalized or customized.

What accessories do you like shopping for? For accessories, definitely watch. Even if you don’t have any accessories on, as long as you have a watch, then you’re good. And bags, of course.

Your favorite bag? I refuse to choose one. I love them all!

Your favorite shoes? My Chanel shoes. And my green Lanvin sandals.

Your favorite clothing brand? I like Topshop. It can be affordable.

Your favorite scent? Folded&Hung (Scents: Innocense, Muse, Ingeneu, Stargaze, Partyphile, Black Rose). I also like Eclat d’Arpege by Lanvin and Chance by Chanel.

Christmas is coming up. Do you have any traditions in the family during the holidays? We do the Noche Buena but no opening of gifts. What we do is we open our gifts on Christmas day after lunch.

Where do you want to holiday next? Hopefully, I’ll be able to go to Amanpulo. Usually I treat myself when I know I’ve worked hard or I get a new project.

What do you usually do on vacations? It depends on where I’m going. If it’s purely for relaxation, then I take it easy, go to a spa, just stroll around. At times I go on vacation to do some island hopping. At El Nido, there’s an itinerary set for you so you can go kayaking or diving or snorkeling. I also like that because it’s relaxing, but at the same time I’m doing a lot of stuff.

What places would you recommend for party goers?

Manila. And anywhere where there’s a fiesta or festival because everything is so lively. Of course, Boracay is forever the party place. I hardly go out anymore because of work, but M Café (+632/ 757 3000) is okay on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What is your favorite restaurant? Greenwich. I really like Cantinetta (+632/ 892 9873) on Pasong Tamo for the pastas and pizza. At M Café, they serve Asian fusion dishes. And there’s People’s Palace (+632/ 729 2888).

Where do you go shopping? I love bazaars. Whenever

28

| InFlight | december-january 2011

What was your worst holiday experience? I don’t think I really had any bad holiday experience. Last year my friends and I celebrated New Year’s in Boracay which was good, but we felt we didn’t have as much time as we would have wanted. We had to go back to Manila for work.

What was your biggest packing mistake? I went on holiday for a month and packed far too many clothes, went shopping, and ended up with twice as many clothes for the trip back home.

What is the worst hotel you’ve stayed in? It was one of those hotels in Davao – I can’t really remember the name of the hotel. It’s near a mall and the hotel is just not that great.

What do you avoid on holidays? As much as possible the big crowds, the traffic, the last minute bookings.

That’s why as early as September I book my ticket and hotel for December.

What do you hate about the holidays? The traffic. The delayed flights. I’m pretty much an organized person and I make advanced plans. Delayed flights wreck those plans. ■

INRoom hotels and resorts

R egenc y L agoon

Island Chic

Sleek and modern rooms, and a huge pool make Regency Lagoon Boracay an island favorite, says Margie Francisco

FIRST IMPRESSION. This is a huge modern resort building with its 120 rooms spread in four floors each with a balcony facing the resort’s 1,200sqm pool. Once inside the resort, you get the feeling of being cocooned from the busy beach life on Boracay’s main White Beach.

Location. In Station 2, away from the hustle and bustle of the island. The resort has a shuttle service to White Beach, about five minutes from the resort. D’Talipapa, where you can shop for seafood and have it cooked the way you like it, is just a three-minute walk away.

Premier room

pool, which has a man-made sand bar and pool bar. And the free WiFi access. Good varied lighting too for a relaxed mood or spot lighting for reading in bed.

Rooms. Clean, crisp and fresh. The rooms are Asian-inspired and have all the modern luxuries including LCD TV. Glass walls separate the bathroom from the bedroom, except for the premiere suites, which are designed for honeymooners where the bathroom doesn’t have a wall, and mirrors are everywhere except the ceiling. The deluxe rooms on the second and fourth floors have single and queen-size beds, and 300 threadcount duvets.

Verdict. A nice place to stay if you want a secluded place. Especially nice for honeymooners, providing an ideal setting for those who want to enjoy romantic moments with their partners or celebrate with friends and loved ones away from the noise of the main beach. ■

FOOD. The Lagoon Café, an al fresco restaurant and the only restaurant in the resort, serves a variety of international cuisine.

Every night, it offers a different full course menu for guests. The dinner is delicious.

Breakfast is an all-you-can-eat affair, offering both American and Filipino, from cereals and fruits to a heavy Filipino breakfast of rice, fried fish, tocino (or cured pork), ham and cheese omelet.

Essentials

Rates start at P6,496 (about US $130)/night for a deluxe room for two Station 2, Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Tel: +632/ 353 7777; +6336/ 288 2828-32 Fax: +632/ 353 7249; +6336/ 288 1010 Email: resort@regencylagoon.com.ph URL: www.regencylagoon.com.ph The resort’s 1,200sqm pool

We like. The quiet location of the resort, its

30 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Your personal playground Get away from the crowds and enjoy some quality family time as Regency Lagoon brings the fun of the beach to a more private setting.

Tucked away from the crowds is this relaxing new oasis, which features its own 1,200 square meter pool.

With its lush water features and relaxing atmosphere, Regency Lagoon is your perfect family escape.

Station 2, Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Tel. (6336) 288-2828 to 32 • Fax (6336) 288-1010 Manila Office: Tel. (632) 3537777 • Fax (632) 3537249 www.regencylagoon.com.ph • resort@regencylagoon.com.ph

INRoom

Wat er fron t C ebu

A Grand Dame

An elegant setting, comfy rooms, and unbeatable city views make Waterfront Cebu a must visit, says Mari-An Santos Photos by daniel soriano

FIRST IMPRESSION. The 561-room Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino is an imposing white castle-like structure standing on a 46,000sqm property in Lahug. Lit up at night, it asserts its presence even more. The grand lobby, adorned with bas relief on the ceiling and elegant lighting, evokes an old world feeling.

Deluxe room

Lobby Lounge

SETTING. The lobby, though enormous, has inviting couches and big, comfortable chairs.

There are retail establishments on the first and second floors, including a Duty Free Philippines outlet on the ground floor. For recreation, a PAGCOR Casino operates ‘round the clock, and Pool Aquiarius. At night, the hotel becomes livelier as musicians perform on the balcony.

LOCATION. Waterfront is conveniently located, just a 15-minute walk from Asiatown I.T. Park, home to various business offices and restaurants. There is a free daily shuttle service for hotel guests going to nearby retail haunts Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu operating throughout the day. Cabs and jeepney are also accessible from the hotel.

FOOD. The complimentary buffet breakfast is served at Uno, which also serves lunch and dinner buffets. But the entire Gourmet Walk serves a wide range of cuisine, from a sashimi platter to ice cream tempura at Mizu Japanese Restaurant, salad and pasta at La Gondola Italian Cuisine, lauriat at Tin Gow Chinese Restaurant, and cakes and pastries at Madeleine. The Lobby Lounge serves a wide variety and large servings of pasta and sandwiches.

ROOMS. I was booked in a deluxe room with a huge bed, cable TV, free WiFi, mini-bar, spacious closets, bedside table, dresser, and a separate table for taking a snack of mangoes.

The view is amazing: the skyscapes of metro Cebu by day and citylights by night, a perfect setting to call for a massage. â–

32 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Essentials

Rates start at P4,300++ (about US $86)/night, inclusive of buffet breakfast Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City Tel: 1 800 10 937 6688 Fax: +6332/ 505 3099, 505 3100-02 Email: wcch@waterfronthotels.net URL: www.waterfronthotels.com.ph

Chicken sandwich from Lobby Lounge

AD V ERTORIAL

Living indulge | in the fr ames

InDulge

Cicou: A little bit of France in Manila

Parisian chef Cyrille Soenen’s two-year old restaurant is a must-visit for a treat, says Ces Rodriguez Photos by Jocas A. See

THE SETTING. Cicou, named after Chef Cyrille Soenen’s childhood nickname, is elegant. Its interiors are in black, silver, and glass, with one glass wall looking out onto the street and letting light stream in, and the other facing Hotel Celeste’s lobby. It is the hotel’s only restaurant. The menu is on plain white paper and dishes are served in delicate white plates.

THE FOOD. Chef Cyrille, who began his culinary career in the Philippines 11 years ago at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila’s highly rated Prince Albert restaurant, describes his food as “honest, simple and tasty.”

One of my favorites was fish fillet stuffed with prawn mousseline and coated in herbed crumbs, with mashed green peas, terrine of glazed carrots and fresh coriander.

The herbed crust broke off delicately; the pompano fillet, delivering the stoutest flavor, was cooked to perfection. The bells and whistles were reserved for the mashed peas and the carrots. The soup was a fireworks display of flavors beginning with the moat of cream of mussels dotted with tiny croutons surrounding a peppery ravioli of mashed watercress. What was extraordinary, however, was a perfect tender bud of oyster with a low whisper of brine at the heart of the ravioli. As the final bite, the oyster was an instantaneously serene counterpoint to the outside din of flavors. The day’s dessert was a monochrome of apples: poached, gelee’d, made into ice cream. Plus, we got our teeth into the

34 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Cream of mussels; above, fish fillet stuffed with prawn mousseline

piquant Kouing-Aman (P350), described as a typical dessert of caramelized laminated sweet dough with salted caramel ice cream.

THE SERVICE. Welcoming but discreet.

WHO DINES THERE. For lunch: businessmen, bankers and expats; dinners: couples, birthday and anniversary celebrants, and 10 or 12 wine and food connoisseurs who dine on a special menu prepared beforehand in consultation with Chef Cyrille. Weekends see families, especially since Cicou retooled its menu to

allow for more crowd-pleasers like sandwiches, salads and pastas.

PRICE. The bestselling hot appetizer Fricasse of French Escargots goes for P800. Pastas are from P350 to P550 (P780 if you want lardons of foie gras thrown in). The bestselling wagyu ox tongue is P580. A six-course menu degustation is P1,500. Champagne by the glass (Champagne Brut, Piper Heidsteck) is P840. A Sauvignon Blanc by the glass is P320, a Pinot Noir P270.

VERDICT. A must try. Next time I’d like to try the soft boiled egg with sea urchin, green pea broth, mashed cauliflower, crispy smoked pork belly (P290) and – because it’s not over the top, it’s exquisite – I’d like it with a bit of that duck liver, please. ■ Restaurant Cicou (At Hotel Celeste) San Lorenzo Dr. corner Arnaiz Ave., San Lorenzo Village, Makati City Tel: +632/ 887 8080 local 242

Living

In The Fr ames

May Ann in Wonderland

Illustrator May Ann Licudine draws inspiration from dreams and childhood memories b y M a r g i e F. F r a n c i s c o

May Ann Licudine, 29, is one of the fast rising stars in the art world, with the coveted Alcala Prize at the 2005 illustrators’ contest under her belt. She has also grabbed the attention of leading advertising agencies, landing several commissioned works.

Her favorite illustration, “The Hole in Alice’s World,” graphite on paper, sold online via her blog on www.nnayam.blogspot.com for $1,900 (about P85,000). She used to say she wanted to price the illustration at a ridiculous sum so no one would buy it. The same work is also featured in Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California. Her first illustrated children’s book, “The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots” written by 2005 PBBY-Salanga winner Nikki Dy-Liaco and published by Adarna House, won her the Alcala Prize in 2005.

“This was one of my most complex artworks and it was one of the biggest challenges I had this year. So it was a great pleasure to be able to create something like this.”

Her style of illustration, she says, “cover many different emotions – part of my work can be whimsical and innocent, then curious and cheerful, then vibrant and funny. The illustrations that have the ‘darker’ themes are mysterious, powerful and have a story-telling feeling.”

Artists who inspire her include Japanese manga artist Hayao Miyazaki, American cartoonist and animator Winsor McCay, American etcher and engraver Helen Hyde and American artist Mary Blair. Browsing through her body of work on the internet, one would find Licudine’s images whimsical, rather like the images in Antoine de St. Exupery’s “Little Prince”, and at times something straight out of a Japanese cartoon. “Live Your Dream,” an illustration commissioned by BBDO Guerrero, is mural-like, bursting with harmonious colors, and showing Licudine’s intensity as an artist.

“A lot of my paintings are from my dreams and childhood memories,” she says.

36 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Above: The Hole in Alice’s World; left: Black forest princess

Before becoming an illustrator, she worked as a freelance face painter, henna tattoo artist, mural painter, caricature artist, prop artist and art teacher for home schooling children.

She also worked as a textile designer for six months, a stint that helped improve her skills in mixing colors, working on details, and coping with deadline pressure.

Licudine’s work is featured by Drawn!, startdrawing.org, Juxtapoz, Artist a Day, NOTCOT.org Live Your Dream, commissioned

by BBDO Guerrero for the Philippines’ Department of Tourism, which was featured in Forbes Magazine, Fortune Magazine, CNBC, and CNN. ■ Licudine is staging an exhibit at Gallery1988, San Francisco, California entitled “Sailing through Shadows” on the fourth and “A Few of My Favorite Things” at Nucleus Gallery, California on the 11th.

For more of Licudine’s artworks, visit her website at www.mayannlicudine.com.

INPlaces ins & outs | hot story | cover story | in focus

Ins & Outs

Bukidnon

R e s e a r c h b y M a r g i e F. F r a n c i s c o m a p i l lu s t r at i o n by r a n dy r e y

One of the most convenient ways to reach Bukidnon by land is taking the bus from Cagayan de Oro. It is approximately one-hourand-a-half land travel straight to Dahilayan, passing through the Del Monte Camp Philips and the pineapple fields. Best to hire cars or vans to Dahilayan. Most vans charge P1,500 (about US $32) from Cagayan de Oro City airport to Bukidnon city proper.

There are regular flights from Manila to Cagayan de Oro. From Cagayan de Oro, take the Davao-Bukidnon Highway to reach Dahilayan, Bukidnon.

STAY. Dahilayan is a fairly new tourist spot with its main attraction, the longest zipline in Asia. Stay at Dahilayan Gardens and Resort, just a hill away from other attractions. Mobile: +63916/ 260 3707; email: dahilayangardensandresort@yahoo.com For beach lovers, visit the Paras Beach Resort on Camiguin Island, where from Cagayan de Oro, you can hop on a Paras Sea Cat ferry for a two-hour ride. Originally built as a private beach house of the Paras family, the resort has become a landmark of comfort and convenience on the island. With a native motif as design, the resort can comfortably accommodate 100 persons. Standard room rates at P1,950/night. Tel: +6388/ 387 9008 or 856 8563; URL: www.parasbeachresort.com

Forest Park

DO. Fly like Superman as you zip through Zip Zone, the longest dual zipline in Asia.

Enjoy 840 meters of the lush greenery and breathtaking views of the mountains of Dahilayan from a launch point at 4,700 feet above sea level. Zip Zone offers a package tour for P1,200 per person, inclusive of zipline rides (150m, 320m, 840m), transportation from Cagayan de Oro to Dahilayan and back, set lunch and light snacks. Rafting and zipline packages are also available. Tel: +6388/ 857 2663 loc. 403/404; url: www.dahilayanadventurepark. com Forest Park attractions range from extreme sports to family activities. Ride the ATVs, take a spin in their Zorb or water Zorb, or jump as high as you can on Bungee Trampolines. Guests can go to Forest Park Café and try out a variety of snacks and delicious meals. Or they can picnic under the pine trees at the Forest Park Zoo with lifesize animal replicas. Tel: +6388/ 856 8562 EAT. Cowboy’s Grill is another restaurant

38 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

in Dahilayan where they serve it up Western style. Among its best sellers are the T-Bone steak, porterhouse steak, and ostrich steak.

They can also offer guests horseback rides.

Another lodging and dining option is the Botanica Gardens where guests can enjoy pasta with herbs freshly picked from the backyard, and feast on the view of pine trees and flowery landscape. Mobile: +63926/ 676 6852 On your way to Bukidnon, stop by Del Monte Restaurant at Camp Philips and try their famous steaks. Camp Philips is home to a vast field of pineapples covering around 9,000 hectares of land with a golf course and a view of Mt. Apo. Just opened in March this year is Bourbon St. Bistro in Cagayan de Oro. Conceptualized by its owners to be at par with the best bistrostyled restaurants in the US, the restaurant serves a soulful creole cuisine and killer cocktails for lunch, dinner and late night.

Bourbon St. Bistro is at Rosario Arcade, LimKetKai, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro. ■

forest park photo by jocas a . s ee

Hot Story

Boracay’s

hot places to party T e x t a n d PHOTO RESEARCH b y F r e i d a V . D a r i o

40

| InFlight | december-january 2011

01 ARIEL’S HOUSE

Location: Across Club Paraw, Ariel’s House, the resto-bar of Boracay Beach Club and Ariel’s Point in Batason, Buruanga.

Setting: Ariel’s House feels like an extension of someone’s living room – in this instance, host Ariel Abriam’s living room – with sofas and chaise lounges interspersed with dining tables and chairs, LCD TVs, and comfortable furnishings. There are foosball tables for all guests to enjoy, a desktop computer hooked online, with free WiFi for those with their own portable units.

When in party mode, the lighting is soft; the music is thumping; and for those who need to catch their breath,

Boracay’s White Beach starts to come alive with the party vibe soon as the sun comes down

the couches are more than inviting.

Why go: It’s a celebrity melting pot. In its two-year operation, the bar has seen some of the best DJs in the world play at private “by invitation only” parties. The likes of DJs Dennis Christopher, Kuma, Gordon Gecko, Double Down Charlie Brown, John “00” Fleming and Andy Caldwell have all played to a packed house. It’s been a favorite hangout for celebrities to get away from the public eye. Just recently, Hollywood actor Michael Madsen spent every evening at Ariel’s during his Boracay stay. The music is generally progressive tech, electro, mash ups with the occasional hip house and hip hop and is always up-to-speed with the current trend of the Manila clubbing scene. And if the front door shutters are

photo by daniel soriano

up, don’t fret. Instead, book your own private party!

Don’t miss: Order up the Five Tail Special, a set of five original cocktails for P599 and you get a free T-shirt.

It’s a sin to drop by without having a taste of the lemon chicken, a favorite of TV host and singer Martin Nievera (who had it for dinner and then ordered it next day for lunch to be delivered to his hotel), and chicken fingers, a dish model Marc Nelson cannot live without.

Contact info: +6336/ 288 4660 or 288 6770, email: boracaybeachclub@aol.com, url: www.boracaybeachclub. com.

Open daily from 7am to the wee hours; happy hour from 5pm to 9pm (buy one take one on local beers and cocktails)

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 41

experience, with its impressive and efficient modern style interior and a VIP area. One can enjoy privacy while still immersing in the electric action.

Don’t miss: Happy hour offers drinks for really low rates. Buckets of ice-cold beer for only P250, rum mixes for P40, and pitchers of cocktails for P450. And what’s more, every seat in the club offers a front-row view of the beach and the glorious sunset. The party really gets going from 10pm onwards, as the resident DJs take turns on the decks and the bar starts churning drink orders.

Contact info: +6336/ 288 6151 Open daily from 9am till the dance floor empties in the wee hours of the morning; happy hour all day from 9am to 10pm

04 COCOMANGAS SHOOTER BAR

Jungle Bar Boracay

02 JUNGLE BAR BORACAY

Location: Lugutan Beach, which you can get to by taking Kingfisher Road.

Setting: The place strives to impart the “untouched vibe” of the old Boracay, with use of natural materials and local arts and craft, some making good use of recycled materials. The owners who call themselves the “Jungle Boys” celebrate humanity through sunset tribal drum sessions, fire dancing, and lose themselves in a tribal trance as they worship nature under a blanket of stars – rain or shine.

Why go: It’s the best place for you to get to know the locals on the island. There are a few characters and eccentrics and the mood is so relaxed you can’t help but shed your own inhibitions.

Don’t miss: Their famous monthly Full Moon Parties which start with sunset tribal drumming sessions with the “Jungle Boys” who really put on a show for their guests, till morning. There’s lots of music, drumming and fire dancing. You can also check out the sunrise parties every Saturday. Their signature cocktail Fuck U Archie is a potent potion for those who dare.

Fridays here are reggae nights; Saturdays are for jamming, the fire show and sunrise parties. Full Moon parties are held every month.

Contact info: +63915/ 615 5644, email: jack_ boracay@hotmail.com, or add them on Facebook (Jungle Bar Boracay) Open daily from 4pm till late

03 CLUB PARAW

Location: Station One, Boracay.

Setting: The newly-renovated Club Paraw is now a two-storey affair, with comfortable native style décor, a nipa-style roof, and a sandy dance floor and a wooden dance floor on separate levels. It has a modern VIP area on the second floor.

Why go: After extensive reconstruction and renovation efforts, the result is a bigger and better clubbing area and

42

| InFlight | december-january 2011

Location: Station One along the Main Road.

You can’t miss it with a constant crowd lining up by the road entrance, on any given night.

Setting: Established in 1987, Cocomangas was one of the first party bars in Boracay, and is now the oldest original running bar on the island at 23 years. It has low lighting with small tube lamps above giant pillow lounge tables that seat up to 16 persons. Best time to go is before happy hour ends at 9:30pm, when cocktails and local beers and spirits sell at two for one.

Why go: Famous for its “Still Standing After 15” drinking challenge, Cocomangas invites customers to prove they can down 15 different shots of assorted booze and still remain standing. Those who pass get a point for their country, a free T-shirt or jersey, and their name engraved on a bronze plaque at the bar’s wall of fame.

The Philippines still rules on the scoreboard, with almost 9,500 still standing. Korea is second with 6,552 and Taiwan third with 2,622.

Don’t miss: The “Still Standing After 15” challenge, of course, or sample the Illusion Shaker, five shots of assorted booze in a shaker, which is yours to keep.

Refills cost P220, or the famous gin and pineapple based cocktail Jam Jars served in a jam jar. Their pizzas are notto-be-missed, baked with homemade dough and spilling with toppings. With three DJs playing every night, Cocomangas plays top 100 hits, mixing the best of hip hop and a little house music.

Contact info: +6336/ 288 6384; for free pizza delivery call 288 4455, url: www.cocomangas.com Open daily from 6pm to 3am; happy hour from 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Hot Story

05 EPIC WORLD GRILL AND BAR

is set to open its doors on December 17, 2010 LOCATION: D’Mall, beachfront, location of former Hey Jude Bar. SETTING: The spacious two-storey resto-grill and bar’s modern beach architecture offers a very airy yet warm setting, with plenty of beech wood, large air-conditioned bathrooms, and modern woven beach furniture which will definitely attract those looking for a chic lounging experience, right smack at the epicenter of the action.

Why go: The menu promises beach grill favorites by culinary Chef Roxanne Castillo, whose menu is simple, honest, and pure in flavor and taste; while a fresh bar concept while you can choose your fresh fruit, muddled with your favorite alcohol. Featured DJs serve up club music every night, from 10pm onwards.

Don’t miss: Come for brunch to sample the salmon eggs Benedict, and for lunch or dinner, the grilled items with 15 sauces to choose from, or the barbecued beef ribs and burgers. If you happen to be around for New Year’s Eve, don’t miss their big bash!

New Year’s Eve countdown: A special dinner buffet will be prepared by Chef Castillo, with House music by Manila’s top DJs from REPUBLIQ featuring DJ Manolet Dario, supported by some of the island’s best DJs, a pyrotechnics with light and sound show at countdown, and specialty drinks will be launched featuring Absolut and Havana Cocktails as well as the introduction to the first-ever Fresh Bar – that’s fresh fruits in your favorite cocktails.

Christmas: Chef Castillo will prepare a special dinner buffet Contact info: +63916/ 333 7111, email: mich. mendoza@hotmail.com Open daily from 11am to 3:30am; happy hour from 5pm to 9pm

06HANGOUT BAR at Hangin Kite Center

Location: Located at the center of Bulabog Beach, a leisurely 10-minute walk from Boracay’s Main Road.

Setting: It’s a hangout place for kiters, locals and tourists who venture out to Bulabog Beach, located opposite the main White Beach. Bulabog is home to wind sport enthusiasts and spectators, ran and owned

by Nenette Graf, a Filipina multi-time kite surfing champion. The bar is built with native materials, with a bamboo platform cum dance floor that comes alive with music and dancing at night.

Why go: What started as the birthday venue of choice for the locals eventually evolved into a party haunt in its own right, for tourists and long-staying transients as well, and has become famous for its theme parties and regular Wednesday foosball nights and poker nights. Resident DJ Salamangkero plays an eclectic but funky mix of electronic music that provides a refreshing change from what one might hear on White Beach.

Don’t miss: On windy days you’ll be able to catch the kiters showing their best tricks right in front of the

two-storey bamboo platform, which is also the perfect spot for stargazing during new moon, or to watch the moon rising during a full moon, or even to simply get away from the crowds, or end the night with a beautiful sunrise.

Contact info: +6336/ 288 3766, url: www.kite-asia. com Open daily from 7am till 12am, longer on Wednesdays and theme parties

Juice Bar

07 JUICE BAR

LOCATION: Plazoleta, near Boat Station 2.

SETTING: The long bar itself is an attraction if you’re walking along the beachfront path. Tables and stools spill onto an open area next to the bar that easily gets full although the party usually heats up from 11pm onwards.

Why go: For five years now, Juice Bar Boracay Island has been the location for unforgettable nights of dancing and fun, with DJs playing to the crowd’s pleasure.

Don’t miss: Flaming cocktails such as the Flaming Waterfall, Tower or Lamp. Along Station 2, southward on the way to Juice Bar, you’ll find Summer Place (+6336/ 288 3144, summerplaceboracay.com), open daily from 12pm to 5am. Try their Mongolian grill for dinner, then make it your last stop for the evening. december-january 2011

| InFlight | 43

Hot Story

sports participants, 7pm to 10pm for dinner, 9pm to 7am to party until sunrise!

Don’t miss: Friday nights powered by DJ Manster, Chippendales Bartenders party on Wednesday nights, and the sunrise “ceremony” with Bolero by Maurice Ravel playing as the sunrise anthem. Try the Special Bulalo by Smoke, and for cocktails, try the B52 and Godfather shots and the Mojitos.

Contact info: levantinboracay@yahoo.com, or add them on Facebook (Levantin Boracay) Open daily from 8am to 7am

Pats Creek Bar

Contact info: +6336/ 288 6917, mobile: +63917/ 723 7582, email: juicebarboracay@gmail.com Open daily from 4pm till late; happy hour from 4pm to 8pm (50% off on house cocktails and local beers)

08 PATS CREEK BAR

Location: At Lapu-Lapu Diving on Station One, White Beach, near D’Mall.

Setting: Pats Creek Bar started seven years ago as your basic bar for hanging out with friends and evolved to be the only acoustic reggae bar by the beach.

Enjoy your sea view and drink while grooving with unusual characters in dreadlocks, and even jamming with the band.

Why go: This is a place to get away from the crowd, sit on the drift wood chairs or laze around on the beachfront with ice-cold beer or your favorite cocktail and relish the cool hippie reggae vibe.

Don’t miss: Pats Power Cocktail (by the glass or by pitcher), Rike Otso (Pats’ version of the Flaming Sambuca) and the refreshing Mangorita. And there’s the friendly poker tournament every other night. On December 18, it’s the bar’s seventh year anniversary, so it’s throwing a Reggae Party By the Bay. Contact info: +6336/ 288 5668, email: pats_boracay@ yahoo.com, or add them on Facebook (Pats Creek Bar) Open daily from 5pm to 2am; happy hour from 5pm to 8pm

BEACH BAR 10 SANDBAR at Discovery Shores Location: Station One, inner beachfront, Discovery Shores Boracay.

Setting: Sandbar is the ideal setting to enjoy the magnificent Boracay sunset from comfortable loungers right on the beach. Order its famous mango and lychee mojitos and traditional margaritas, while enjoying a Boracay pastime – people-watching.

Why go: The signature cocktail Mojito-to-go.

New Year’s Eve countdown: Discovery Shores’ New Year’s Eve party has become a Boracay institution.

Enjoy a night of music and dancing with an “Arabian Nights” themed celebration this year, and the most incredible fireworks display, at P3,588++ per adult and P988++ for children below six years old.

Christmas Eve: Discovery Shores celebrates Christmas with an “All that Glitters” party at P1,250++ per person.

Contact info: +6336/ 288 4500, url: www. discoveryshoresboracay.com Open daily from 10am to 11pm; happy hour from 4pm to 7pm ■

HEY JUDE BAR!

CLUB 09 LEVANTIN (Bar & Restaurant & Beach Resort) Location: Bulabog Beach.

Setting: The owners, Adriana and Bogdan from Romania, said they named the bar after the Latin word Levantin, which means “where the sun rises”. The bar is an understated yet elegant and homey spot to chill out on hammocks during the day, and a party bar and restaurant with very affordable prices, from day to night, to morning. The bar has native-style decoration, comfortable armchairs, hammocks, cozy lighting, and is livened up at night with easy rock and pop rock music from the 60s to the 90s.

Why go: Good value for money, excellent and friendly service, signature shooters, Mojitos and the coldest beer in Bulabog Beach. Best times to come: daytime for water

44

| InFlight | december-january 2011

Recently closed down after 10 years of operation, Hey Jude is still looking for a perfect spot to reopen its doors,according to Christopher “Jude” Lee, owner of the defunct bar. Lee however is still very much part of the Boracay party scene, organizing events and parties, the most recent of which was the successful Halloween weekend. He is also busy with his Boracay Bookings company (bookingsboracay@yahoo.com). ■

Live Music and performances For those looking for entertainment, drop by Fridays Resort for their cultural shows on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Kasbah Bar & Restaurant for live acoustic performances and miniconcerts by legendary artists; and if you wish to sing along to live local folk/rock music, drop by the Hobbit House at D’Mall or Charles Bar at the beachfront by Station 2

by Fr e i da V. Da r i o

KASBAH BAR & RESTAURANT

FRIDAY’S BAR AND RESTAURANT

Get a front-row seat to Boracay’s glorious sunset and enjoy happy hour at Friday’s expansive beachfront bar, especially if you enjoy soulful and breezy acoustic music by live singers daily from 5pm to 9:30pm.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, guests can watch live ethnic dance presentations of the Fridays’ Dance Collective who performs indigenous folk dances from the Philippines, followed by a fire dance show. The bar is stocked with the most extensive selection of wines from the old and new world, served straight from their temperature controlled wine cellars, as well as spirits and cigars from Cuba, Dominican Republic and the Philippines. A must-try is their Absolut Pinoy cocktail.

New Year’s Eve countdown: Friday’s always welcomes the New Year in the classiest way and this New Year promises to be the grandest of all, with a grand buffet by the beach, free flowing wines and drinks, entertainment by Sabor Latino – the country’s hottest Latin and salsa band, a dazzling fire dance show, a spectacular fireworks show, party hats, noisemakers, and champagne to toast a perfect evening!

Contact info: +6336/ 288 6200-08, email: info@fridaysboracay.com, url: www. fridaysboracay.com Open daily from 6am to 11pm; happy hour from 3pm to 6pm (two drinks for the price of one on local cocktails, local beers, local spirits, sodas, iced and canned juices)

Located in Station One, the atmosphere is vibrant and relaxed, with a North African souk setting inspired by the colors, flavors and energy of Moroccan culture and cuisine. The restaurant provides a unique Moroccan dining experience, and has been consistently voted as one of the top dining places, currently ranked third by TripAdvisor, out of 87 establishments in Boracay. Try the slow-cooked stew lamb tangine or the Moroccan kebabs.

Some of the country’s legendary musicians such as guest performers Noli Aurillo, Emee Fortuno, Tribo Manila, the Rockoustic Blues Movement, and DJs Manster and Steven, have performed at Kasbah. Sunset to evening sessions are spiced up with free tapas to go with signature cocktails such as Rock The Kasbah, Seven Spirits of the Sahara Desert and Morrocan and the sounds of the Afro-Latino and tribal music percussion group, Island Rhythm Force, plus musical jams with special guests every Saturday.

Contact info: +6336/ 288 4790, email: kasbahboracay@gmail.com, url: www. kasbahboracay.com Open daily from 11am till late

HOBBIT HOUSE BORACAY

The legendary bar created by Jim Turner who was so inspired by Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings that he founded a bar called Hobbit House, which is entirely staffed by midgets. Since it opened in 1973 along Mabini Street in Malate, Manila, the bar has become so famous that it has since opened a branch at D’Mall in Boracay. Known for high-powered live music which is an interesting mix of folk, rock, and blues plus a bit of jazz and reggae, their Malate stage is home to Pinoy rock legends such as The Jerks, Freddie Aguilar and daughter Maegan, and top rated acts such as the Blue Rats and Marc Velasco. That same spirit is alive and well, with homegrown artists at the Boracay branch, delivering world-class performances every night. The bar features an extensive array of liquors and spirits, but a must-try is the local coconut liquor known as lambanog. Beer lovers will enjoy a variety of over a hundred beers from around the world. But that said, the main attraction here is definitely the friendly and feisty “little people” who will charm you to no end! You will gladly find the smallest waiters in the world, gamely posing for yet another round of photos with tourists and travelers, giving folks back home something to talk about.

Contact info: +6336/ 288 6687, email: hobbit_house_1973@yahoo.com, url: www. hobbithousemanila.com Open daily from 11am to 2am ■

Kasbah Bar & Restaurant

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 45

Model Camila at El Nido’s famous Small Lagoon

46

| InFlight | december-january 2011

Cover Story

Island Life We talk to three people about everyday life in El Nido, Boracay, and Cebu, and see the islands through their eyes p h oto s by da n i e l s o r i a n o m a p i l lu s t r at i o n s by m a r lo n a . s e e

Styling by Waldo Villados; makeup by Asia Fay Costo; modeling by Camila Sales for Ideal People; clothes and accessories by Mango

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 47

Island Life

“She spent her days in her ‘office’ — bobbing along in the waters of Palawan or speeding by outrigger to Miniloc Island to take an inventory of the trees and wildlife” MARIGLO Laririt welcomes us at El Nido Airport in Palawan and proceeds to inspect our footwear.

“Are those Havaianas?” she asks the photographer’s assistant. “And yours?” She turns to me. “That’ll do,” she says of my rubber slip-ons.

The fury that was Typhoon Juan had brought unseasonal rains to El Nido and Laririt was worried our footwear couldn’t take the muddy, slippery trek to her home at the foot of a mountain.

“But if you can’t make it, I can have someone carry you to the house,” she added. I began to laugh until she reassured me, “No, really.”

Laririt plans and solves problems for a living. It goes with her title of president of Ten Knots Development Corporation, the landholding company of those beautiful El Nido Resorts – Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort. Ten Knots is also set to open Apulit Island Resort in Taytay, Palawan in December.

Her job has also allowed her and her family to become the real-life Wild Thornberrys of El Nido.

Like their animated counterparts, a family who roams the world making wildlife documentaries, the Laririts ditched their jobs as teachers to haul two babies to the backwaters of a tiny town in northeastern Palawan.

“I was tired of the politics of the university,” Laririt recalled of her decision to say goodbye to a job she had learned to love well. For five years, she and her husband, Angelo, taught Biology and Zoology at the University of the Philippines.

But the vagaries of what she had to put up with to get to what she loved best had become a case of diminishing returns. It was time to set her sights elsewhere.

48 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Cover Story

School Daze Mariglo Laririt and her husband Angelo gave up the buzz of Manila for the quiet life of El Nido.

Little did they know what the town had in store for them Story by ces rodriguez

Entalula Beach

Photo by Jocas A. See

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 49

Island Life Elsewhere turned out to be El Nido. The new job?

Resort biologist for Miniloc Island Resort, which was then ran by forward-thinking Japanese businessmen who were keen on developing their holdings with an eye on the environment.

In the beginning, Laririt would shuttle to El Nido and back to Manila a few times each week. But they were punishing commutes. Her bosses then asked her to move to the pretty little town of El Nido, where they would furnish her with an office-home.

“You have to imagine El Nido in 1999,” she said. In the town, power was on only from 4pm to 12 midnight.

There was no cellphone reception. The lone calling center was a small room where people stood in line, listening to the conversation of the person before them.

Outside the town, “it was nothing, darkness,” she said.

But, relocating 400km away from Manila, across straits and seas, with no hospitals (El Nido still doesn’t), and to take on a “very absurd-sounding job of resort biologist” was an opportunity to examine marine life for real instead of observing it in jars.

In El Nido, Angelo worked for a local NGO, which trained fishermen and their wives about ecology; while she spent her days in her ‘office’ — bobbing in the waters of Palawan and speeding by outrigger to Miniloc Resort, some 30 minutes away, to take an inventory of the trees and the wildlife.

Bare-bones island life suited them. It was, the couple figured out, going to be their “experimental year”.

By the time their year came to a close, Laririt had begun training the resort staff in much the same subjects her husband was: the importance of the environment.

Today, her early forays into ecological consciousness have borne fruit. El Nido Resorts has been recognized time and again for their “greenness”, from Conde Nast Traveler Magazine to ASEAN’s Green Hotel Standard.

El Nido had gotten under their skin and when their year was up, instead of hauling their daughter back to the big city to enroll in a private school, they made the most “profound” decision of their lives: they would build their own.

“We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into!

This was 2000. If we knew half of what we were going to go through, we wouldn’t have pushed through.”

Potter’s Place – “God being the potter, molding, molding” – opened in a thatched hut the company boatman had lent her in exchange for refurbishments to the place. After hiring a teacher from the University of the Philippines to teach their first kindergarten class and an enthusiastic campaign to get the community fired up for the new school, she waited for enrollees to pour in.

“We had two. Two children! So that was an eye-opener for us. Here we were, having such high hopes! We wanted to save the world.”

But they soldiered on, shuttling kids from remote barangays to school in a Volkswagen that served as a school bus. This was a place that, at that time, was cut off from the rest of the world because there was no road system.

Each school year saw changes. They had to add

50 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Cover Story

The interior of Laririt’s El Nido home -- simple and sparcely furnished.

Opposite, clockwise from top, Laririt doing local shopping. Buying local products is one of the advocacies she supports; knickknacks found in her home; and a book that Laririt authored

a guide to the birds of el nido Photo by Jocas A. See

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 51

Island Life another grade, hire new teachers, ensure the continuity of the school. Angelo quit his NGO job and worked on the school full time, becoming its director. He took a crash course in diesel mechanics in order to run and repair the generators they had acquired. He taught himself electrical and plumbing work.

Some of the skills the couple learned have been put to good use in the home they eventually built on the slopes of a mountain, just a few paces past rows of freshlypainted classrooms where children could be heard answering in unison to a teacher’s question: “Class, is the popcorn hot or cold?” “The popcorn is cold!” the kids replied. In English.

Like their lives and their surroundings, the Laririt home is unnervingly open. Built in 2007 and completed a year later, the house is shaped like an inverted U and sits on a rise surrounded by forest. A raised wooden deck edges the front of the house and there are sliding glass doors all around. The doors slide open to bring in wind, bird sounds, bees and butterflies. Here, far from Manila, the seasons are marked by different bird calls and the fruit that bows the trees.

Laririt’s favorite spot is the dining table where she likes to drink her coffee and sneak in some work. It is also where she joins Angelo for breakfast after she’s had her daily 5am run because she wants to meet the sun just as it’s rising. During summer, she can be up as early as 5:30am because days start early in El Nido.

Then it’s off to office work in town or in the resort and then a blur of meetings. She tries to end her day at 6pm but “tries” is the operative word.

A few times a year, the family leaves their bucolic surroundings and hazard “short, short stays in Manila” (three days, tops), where Laririt’s parents still live. In the city, “the kids get antsy,” she said. They get cabin fever and head for the malls where they hole out in bookstores to spend their allowance. Before their Manila trip is done, the kids often get sick, downed by “all sorts of hating hating (sneezes).”

Laririt helps herself to “proper cereal like muesli” but is hard-pressed to name anything else she stocks up on while in the city. “We’re very conscious about food miles,” she explained. “When it comes to food, we try to source locally because that’s also another advocacy of ours.”

Their El Nido house is lovely, but I can’t help but think that Laririt’s heart belongs elsewhere: a few meters down the slippery slope to the rows of classrooms that now lie empty.

“When you think about it, at end of day, there are so many lives inextricably linked with yours, and people’s dreams. It’s not something you can just walk away from.

No matter how crazy it becomes, sometimes you just have to keep on and trust,” she said.

Potter’s Place has now become a brand, recognized in Palawan’s capital city of Puerto Princesa 230-odd kilometers away. Laririt now plans on opening Potter’s Place in other areas of the island.

“That’s one thing about knowledge, when it clicks in your head, it can’t stop,” she said. “We want to give (the children of Palawan) that itch.” ■

52 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

73 Real Street, El Nido, Palawan +63918/ 908 1204 www.elnidocoveresortandspa.com

Tabuan “I hardly shop in El Nido but as a sustainable menu advocate – think locally, buy locally – I try to make it to the twicea-week farmers’ market called Tabuan.

Ingredients are just ingredients. What makes them interesting is the process of creating what we call food” Relax Miniloc Island Resort “Miniloc Island Resort relaxes me. It’s my favorite breakfast place. While on Miniloc Island, I try as much as I can to go to the Big and Small Lagoons to kayak and renew the spirit of awe. In fact, drop me off at any island in Bacuit Bay and I can relax”

El Nido: my list

by Mariglo Laririt

Eat Art Café “Art Café serves good food. I like the fresh lumpia and tom yum soup.

Complete and yummy. Their service is consistent and the live bands and dance nights definitely make it a happy place” Sirena Street, Buena Suerte, El Nido, Palawan +63920/ 902 6317 www.elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com El Nido Cove Resort and Spa “It’s a quaint 10-room charmer slightly north of Lio Airport, consistently serving great food, topped with breathtaking sunset views. I highly recommend Chef William’s alugbate soup and kinilaw”

Our thanks to El Nido Resorts’ Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort for hosting the InFlight team during our editorial coverage of El Nido and interviews with Mariglo Laririt.

For information on El Nido Resorts, visit www. elnidoresorts.com; or call +632/ 894 5644.

Dolarog Beach Resort “My friend Edo does a good job keeping his resort together. The highlight of any stay is the extravagant display of colors at sunset” 5313 El Nido, Palawan www.dolarog.com Explore “Underwater. Diving is always fun; but I am a biologist, so I cannot help but check out coral reef health and compare them across different sites. Diving heightens my awareness because I can be there only on limited time – an hour or an hour and a half – and there is so much to learn from the creatures around me” ■

Miniloc Island Resort

miniloc island resort Photo by Jocas A. See

Cover Story

Laririt with husband Angelo with their two dogs, Maggie and Oris, in their El Nido home

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 53

Cover Story

From New York to Boracay Designer Elena Fernandez gave up life as a jetsetting designer 13 years ago in favor of an idyllic island life S to r y by Cat h e r i n e A . Ca l d e r o n

54 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Island Life

Puka Beach

It was a clear day when I first met Elena Fernandez in one of the guest rooms she designed for Punta Rosa resort in Boracay. There was a knock at the door and I opened it to this petite, brown-skinned woman with long straight hair, in a white t-shirt, denim mini skirt, black slippers, and backpack, an altogether chic and laidback look. She’s slim, something she attributes to the long trek up the steps to her hilltop house in Bulabog. Perhaps. But it just might be down to good genes.

We sat at the verandah where there is a view of the breathtaking White Beach. This is Fernandez’s first interview and she is a reluctant participant. Nevertheless, she is warm and friendly.

Fernandez and her family left their native Puerto Rico when Fernandez was 10 to move to New York. She did not speak a word of English, but like most kids quickly adapted. She went on to study Fashion Design at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York, which eventually landed her a job as a designer for a firm that made clothes for big name brands like Victoria’s Secret, Christian Dior and Next. Work also required that she travel all over Asia to speak to buyers and look after the different manufacturing plants. As quotas continued to increase, the company set up shop in the Philippines, a place she found easy to relate to. The culture and lifestyle was similar to the South Americas. “This is the only Asian-Latino country that I could relate to,” she said. She did not need any interpreter in dealing with business as everyone spoke English. As she hopped from one Asian country to another, Manila became her base from 1977 and as a respite from her demanding and stressful job, she would spend weekends touring around the different islands in the Philippines, traveling on a small plane owned by a friend.

She recalled that they once landed in Caticlan and took a tiny pump boat that she said was “as big as my hips” to get to this beautiful island with a white sand beach. She didn’t know the name of the island. After two years, she was back, a trip that was totally unplanned.

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 55

Cover Story

Inside Fernandez’s hilltop house. Shown below is her verandah that overlooks her infinity pool (top right, this spread)

56

| InFlight | december-january 2011

Island Life

Chairs from India make up Fernandez’s dining set.

Above are small artistic items that she has collected

Her friends said they were taking her to this beautiful island of Boracay and she went along, only realizing on arrival that this was the same island she found so enchanting. Her trip with friends to Boracay became more frequent, traveling on board the now defunct airline they called “Pacific Scare”.

“You didn’t know if you would land safely, and there was no airstrip so you land on the grass,” she said.

On the island, Fernandez and her friends would play their stereo music, powered by car batteries. “There was no electricity, no resorts or restaurants, just cottages; and we would look for fishermen to buy fish from and we would have grilled lapu-lapu (grouper). We also pumped water from the well and drank from there; it was the most spectacular place to be” she fondly recalls.

Thirteen years ago, when the Philippines became too expensive a manufacturing base and her company moved to India, Fernandez decided to stay. She was first based in Manila running a boutique hotel business, Bianca, an 11-room, Spanish architecture-inspired property in Malate, Manila, and then she finally moved to Boracay where she first set up shops called True Foods, an Indian restaurant, and True Homes, a boutique resort designed in a Spanish colonial style. She eventually sold off both businesses, going off to build bar Luna Negra and sold it off again. People on the island would call her to ask for help in setting up their own shop and other businesses and she was always there to help. “I’m the Boracay yellow pages,” she says.

Life these days is managing the Punta Rosa Resort in Station 1, which she also designed and helped build for a good friend. She is also looking after a friend’s diamond shop called Gem Talk and Gem Suites as well as a clothes boutique, Fashion Talk at D’Mall in Station 2.

In the afternoon she welcomed us to her house which she shares with her Swiss boyfriend, Peter, a retired diplomat. Her house is a steep haven she built “plank by plank” for a year and a half. She had earlier warned us that we would be trekking to reach her house and go up “many stairs,” 126 steps to be exact. Sure enough we were all panting by the time we reached her door and Fernandez was ready with glasses of water.

Fernandez’s living room had a breathtaking view of Bulabog Beach and an infinity pool. It’s a serene house designed with furniture and knick knacks from all

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 57

Cover Story

Punta Rosa Boutique Hotel

Gem Talk

CafĂŠ Del Mar

58

| InFlight | december-january 2011

Island Life

“I wake up to the beauty of Boracay every day. This is my million dollar view. And when it gets crazy down there – referring to the construction frenzy in Boracay the past six years – I stay right here” over Asia like the intricate dining table from India, the doors from Thailand and Indonesia, the cabinet from Pampanga, the three-way life sized mirror made in Manila that Imelda Marcos rejected. All these had to be lugged all the way up to the house.

The only personal things from Puerto Rico were a small hand-carved shell cover of a fruit, which she leaves hanging in one of her bathrooms, and the voodoo doll that her grandmother had made for her. “Well, actually it’s not a voodoo doll. It’s a doll to protect me from bad spirits wherever I go,” she hastens to add.

Her home is uncluttered and as we move from one room to the other, the breeze follows us, blowing in from the sea through to the big open doors and windows.

As we stood in the living room looking at the view of Bulabog Beach and a passing sailboat, Fernandez waxes lyrical: “I wake up to the beauty of Boracay every day.

This is my million dollar view. And when it gets crazy down there – referring to the construction frenzy in Boracay the past six years – I stay right here.” ■

Elena Fernandez is an alias since interviewee prefers to keep her identity hidden.

Our thanks to Nenette Graf of Hangin Kiteboarding for recommending us to Elena Hernandez.

spacious rooms and friendly atmosphere” Northern end of White Beach close to Boat Station 1 +6336/ 288 6740 puntarosebora@yahoo.com.ph Asya Premiere “For great beach, nice rooms, and swimming pool” Sitio Cagban, Barangay Manoc-Manoc +6336/ 288 1790 Sales.asyapremier@gmail.com www.asyapremier-boracay.com

Boracay: my list

by Elena Fernandez

Eat Cowboys “A new restaurant with good food that’s inexpensive and with very friendly atmosphere” Angol +632/ 521 8143 Dos Mestizos “For Filipino-Spanish food, happy atmosphere, where you can down plenty of sangria” Sitio Manggayad, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan +6336/ 288 5786 D’Talipapa Market “Best place to get fresh seafood on the island” (It’s wet-market style, so you can have the restaurant cook your just-bought fresh seafood the way you want it)” Stretches 400 meters from White Beach to the Main Road Shop Whatever Shop “For nice dresses with good price” D’Mall, Station 2 Gem Talk “The only place in the island where you can find diamond engagement rings!”

D’Mall, Station 2 experiencegemtalk@gmail.com Stay Punta Rosa Boutique Hotel “Boracay’s hidden secret, with wonderful views of the beach, good food, very nice

Boracay Beach Resort “Is centro (center), with nice rooms and friendly atmosphere” Between Station 1 and D’Mall, beachfront +6336/ 288 3208 info@boracaybeachresort.com www.boracaybeachresort.com Relax & Explore Mandala Spa “Is beautiful, quiet and relaxing with spa therapies, yoga and natural foods” Station 3, along Main Road, 10 minutes by foot from White Beach +6336/ 288 5858 reservations@mandalaspa.com www.mandalaspa.com Balinghai “Is the original Boracay. Your lunch comes down in a basket! [You have to take a tricycle to Balinghai resort, from where you have to descend from an ingenious staircase carved off from the rocky cliff for you to get to the cove.] Go for Sunset Sailing away from it all” Northern tip of the island, Balinghai Beach (can best be reached by riding an outrigger boat from White Beach) +6336/ 288 3646 balinghai@hotmail.com www.balinghai.com Puka Beach “Has a spectacular beach without the tourist horde” Northern end of the island directly facing Carabao Island Mt. Luho “Is the highest point of the island with a spectacular view of all Boracay” In Sitio Bulabog, about 30 minutes by tricycle from from D’Mall ■

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 59

Island Life

“Cebu is always associated with beaches, but ever since the Transcentral Highway was built a decade ago we are able to easily go to the mountains” “I come home and I’m very thankful to live in a place like this because it’s very quiet,” says Jay Aldeguer, as he ushers us into his one-storey house nestled on the edge of a hill surrounded by a wide lawn and mature trees.

Aldeguer owns Islands Souvenirs, a company that introduced hip, trendy, and colorful T-shirts for tourist destinations in the country in 1992. Since then, Aldeguer’s Islands Group has expanded to include island hopping service, Islands Banca Cruises, and theme park Talima Adventure and Water Park, and the soon-tobe-launched transportation service Islands Taxi, and boutique hotel Islands Stay.

“All of these were brought about by just observing... and frustration that many of the tourists’ needs were not met when they visit the Philippines. There’s a loophole in the tourism service sector. Instead of just complaining and bickering, we might as well do something about it – and make money on the side,” he said.

Aldeguer’s house, which used to be the warehouse in the family compound in Ma. Luisa Park, was converted into a proper house 10 years ago. “It’s about 30 years old.

It took me about two months to convert the warehouse to this. The kitchen was redone a couple of years ago, and the deck and garage were an afterthought. I designed it myself. I’m a frustrated artist and designer,” Aldeguer said.

The layout is simple: a foyer leads to the kitchendining room on one side, and on the other, the living room. Many of the walls facing the lawn are glass, which allows sunlight to flood the interiors.

“It was pretty limiting to design a home with an existing structure. However, it wasn’t too difficult to

60 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Cover Story

A Cebuano’s Life Islands Souvenir’s owner Jay Aldeguer talks about his passion for design, Porsches and homelife Story by Mari-An C. Santos

Bantayan Island

P h oto b y pA u l b a n day

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 61

Cover Story

The croissant sofa shown here in the Aldeguer living room is a Kenneth Cobonque signature piece. Cebu furniture designer Cobonpue, who shot to fame when Brad Pitt bought his furniture, is a good friend of Aldeguer

62 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Island Life

Aldeguer with his three kids

Ballers from Islands Souvenirs

Transcentral Highway, Aldeguer’s favorite for long drives

Black and white photos taken

by Aldeguer adorn the hallway

establish the orientation of my place since I live on the ridge of a mountain overlooking the ocean. Early on, I was certain that I wanted my home to optimize the view of the trees and the ocean, so the use of a lot of glass.

I also like the feeling of the sunlight seeping through almost every portion of the house. It was important that the house felt fresh and clean. Some of the wood of the furniture and doors were salvaged from our ancestral home, which makes the pieces more meaningful and at the same time, adds character to the house. I just wanted clean lines and a few accessories,” he said.

Aldeguer has several furniture by renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue, who is also a good friend of his.

“Kenneth and I go a long way. We were schoolmates.

Even before Brad Pitt bought his furniture... I have always believed in his craft.” There’s a red Yoda at the foyer. I ask why he chose this particular piece. “I’ve never been one to analyze. I judge pieces based on the visual impact – either I like it or I don’t like it,” he says. It’s the same criteria he applies to other works of art that adorn his walls.

On the wall of the foyer are huge black and white photos that he took while on travels abroad. One wall of the kitchen is almost covered in framed black and white photographs of the London Eye, the Oakland Bay Bridge in San Francisco, a boy shooting a basket into a makeshift hoop somewhere along the Transcentral Highway in Cebu City, and a boy with a toothy smile in Boracay taken some seven or eight years ago. “He must be grown up by now. He must be a boatman by now,” Aldeguer laughs.

Artworks by Lindsley, Mia Herbosa, Tito Cuevas, and Elmer Borlongan are on the walls, on a chair.

A wide bookshelf covers one wall of his living room.

There are books on travel, design, non-fiction, and some fiction books. But there are also miniature cars and furniture pieces. Sculptures by Herbosa, a friend who’s based in New York, and Ramon Orlina are displayed prominently. A Cobonque croissant sits in a sunny corner of the room, where Aldequer loves to lounge and read.

“If not for the fact that my children are growing up so fast, I wouldn’t have minded living at my present home for a long while. But we will soon be moving on to a new home.” The family property extends up to the foot of the hill. “I’m building in a couple of years.” He envisions his new house to be in the same mold as his present home, only bigger to accommodate his family.

“I still want to keep the clean structure with clean lines and use a lot of glass, highly inspired by modernist architects Philip Johnson and Mies Van Der Rohe. The house will be built on the fringe of the mountain and will be surrounded by large trees.”

Aldeguer has three children: Anton, Andrea, and Ariana. “I spend a lot of time with my kids because they are growing up really fast! We enjoy having meals together. We alternate between a nice fancy restaurant

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 63

Island Life

and a hole-in-the-wall, cheap barbeque stand – so that they’re exposed to different types of food. They’re not the picky type.” Aside from eating, traveling is a favorite Aldeguer family activity. “We travel a lot together, as a group or individually. The dynamics are very different when you go one-on-one.” So one day, he’ll take Anton and Ariana, who like roughing it up, to Bohol or Bantayan. On another trip, he’ll take Andrea around the city. “Abroad, they like to go to Tokyo (“for the food and very considerate people, which you don’t come across very often these days”) and Hong Kong (“just because it’s very familiar and accessible”).

“We go on long drives a lot, during weekends and the afternoons,” he says of bonding time with them. “I come home early from work and if they’re not too busy, we go for a short drive. One of my favorite places is the Transcentral Highway.” The road cuts through most of Cebu and is a perfect way to enjoy Cebu’s mountainside.

“We buy corn and vegetables there. There’s also a flower plantation along the way. The whole drive is very picturesque.”

I ask Aldeguer about his car collection, which happens to consist of only Porsches. “I really like cars, and I like driving them a lot. I started collecting about 13 years ago. My first was that white 1974 911S.” I count eight cars from vintage to contemporary. “I’m biased toward Porsche. It’s a hardy car, especially for Cebu since our roads are not the best in the world. They’re rugged but great performers on the road.”

He was instrumental in turning Cobonpue onto vintage cars as well. “About five years ago, Kenneth was curious about cars and he took one [of mine] out for a spin. He got hooked. That’s when we founded PACE.” PACE stands for Performance and Classics Enthusiasts, a very small club of car enthusiasts. “Our main common denominator is that we like to drive, we don’t just park our cars...we drive them inter-island.” They have taken driving trips all the way to Bohol, Boracay, Iloilo, Dumaguete, and Leyte...all via RORO. “It’s pretty convenient,” he says.

We walk to the adjacent deck where a huge langka tree provides shade. A balcony provides a nice view of the mountainside. “This is my favorite part of the house. I spend a lot of down time here,” Aldeguer says. “This is where I work early in the morning, where I take meals. I also grill here.”

“I enjoy the businesses I get into. My businesses are almost a hobby for me.” I ask how his day usually goes.

“There’s nothing typical about me. Like today, I came from the office in shorts.” He has set aside a few hours for this interview, but he plans to go back to do more work at the office. “There are days when I go straight to Mactan Island to inspect a banca that we are about to acquire, or visit an island that will be part of the island hopping tour that we offer, or there are days when I go to the mall to check on the stores. So there is no typical day for me.” ■

64 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

excellent! I like their Abaca Burger as well.

Their cheese platter is pretty good” Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City +6332/ 495 3461 and 236 0311 Nonki “Nonki, a Japanese restaurant, that’s also a favorite” 219-A. S.Fortuna St., Bakilid, Mandaue City, Cebu City +6332/ 422 3159

Cebu: my list

Tinderbox “We always have their Big Breakfast” Archbishop Reyes Avenue cor. Bauhinia Drive, Banilad, Cebu City +6332/ 234 1681

b y j ay a l d e g u e r

Matias BBQ “The barbeque at Matias is excellent” Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Talamban, Cebu City

Eat Rica’s Cafe “Just down the road is Rica’s Cafe. Their pasta’s good, their cheese fritters are good. I like the Angus beef tapa with sunnyside up” 1 Paseo Saturnino, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad, Cebu City +6332/ 236 3562

Chill Formo “I hardly go out, but when I do I end up going to Formo. It’s a nice place where a lot of Cebuanos converge” Cebu Banilad Town Centre, Banilad, Cebu City +6332/ 416 1990

Rica’s Cafe

Abaca Restaurant “We go to Abaca a lot. I don’t know if it’s on the menu, but the onion rings are

Relax & Explore Transcentral Highway “I take my kids for drives along the Transcentral Highway, anywhere from a short distance to a two-hour leisurely ride.

You pass by towns and it cuts through Cebu” Bantayan and Malapascua Islands (located north of Cebu Island) “I’ve had several memorable experiences in Bantayan Island – from traveling with friends to going there with the kids to racing in a triathlon. We’ve had fantastic meals there. Every visit is unique and familiar at the same time” ■

Our thanks to sales and marketing director for Vudu, Formo, and BigSEED Media & Marketing Solutions Jaja Chiongbian-Rama for helping make this coverage possible

Cover Story

Taking pride of place is Aldeguer’s latest Porsche

Aldeguer and his collection of Porsches

An all-white modern kitchen in the Aldeguer home

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 65

INTune s av i ng t h e pl a n e t

The Dolphins’ Cry Protests continue to save the dolphins Last October 14, groups of protesters rallied in front of the Japanese Embassy in Manila urging the Japanese government to stop the killing of dolphins in Taiji, Wakayama every September. Since the early 1600s, the village has been hunting dolphins and whales near its shores. It calls itself “Whale Town” and has a massive pair of whale statues looming over the street.

Taiji hunts about 2,000 dolphins every year for meat and to sell to aquariums.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, the government has been issuing 23,000 permits a year to coastal communities to kill dolphins of several species.

Some 5,000 protesters joined the Earth Island Institute and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), gathering in front of the Japanese Embassy on Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City to focus media attention on the dolphin killings in the hope of putting a stop to it.

After the Academy Award winning documentary “The Cove” was shown in theaters worldwide, demonstrations against the dolphin killings have increased. The documentary refers to Taiji and its dolphin cull as “a little town with a really big secret” but in truth, there is nothing to hide. The people in Taiji known about it as the water nearby turns red during the hunt. The actual killing is done in a concealed area for reasons that it was unpleasant to look at.

A.G. Saño, a 34-year-old Filipino artist has started his own personal protest, touring provinces and painting dolphin murals to show his protest. In October, Saño was in Subic where he painted the walls of Lighthouse Marina Resort, an iconic establishment inside Moonbay Marina Complex, and drew converts to his cause.

This was in protest against Ocean Adventure in Subic Freeport, where it is said that the establishment draws families to shows featuring performing dolphins, sea lions and killer whales. According to Saño, “What Ocean Adventure is doing is not out of love. It’s for profit. If Ocean Adventure truly loved these sea mammals, then they’d use their resources and set them all free, back to their natural habitats.”

On the coast of San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro, Carl Andrei Leuterio alerted authorities to a beached dolphin stranded on the coast. Members from Bantay Dagat and

66 |

InFlight

| december-january 2011

Top and bottom right, a bottlenosed dolphin saved by fishermen in Mindoro. Bottom left, a rare deep sea shark caught near Donsol

Municipal Fishery Management arrived at the scene to find the dolphin weak; its eyes red; and its skin with heavy secretions.Three hours later, the dolphin was guided to deeper waters and released.

Teri Aquino, a dolphin and whale expert from WWFPhilippines, said that Leuterio was an environmental hero for saving the dolphin. “It’s inspiring to see a kid bring that kind of honor,” Aquino said. “While dolphins are killed in other parts of the world, here we have a hero who chose to do the right thing.”

According to Aquino, small cetaceans such as porpoises and dolphins fall outside the protection of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which has been attempting to manage the commercial hunting of whales since 1946.

WWF-Philippines opposes the Taiji dolphin drive hunts chiefly because they are not conducted for either subsistence or cultural reasons. It believes that a switch from hunting to dolphin- and whale-watching would be the best recourse. The fishing town of Donsol in the Philippines has successfully replaced the hunting of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) by commercially-successful whale shark eco-tours. In just over a decade, the once sleepy sixth class municipality transformed itself into a prosperous first class municipality due to its whale shark tours. ■

P h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f W W F P h i l i pp i n e s

INdex

store directory

2

1

iNVogue

INVogue in the shops | beaut y |

in my bag

Dress, P3,950, by Tyler

3

In My Bag

Memories of El Nido

Best to pair with:

I n t e r v I e w b y M a r g I e F. F r a n c I s c o P r o d u c t s h ot b y da n y u s ay h a r v e y

4

Jacket, P4,450, by Blue Mountain; shoes, P2,599,

by Michael Antonio; cuff, P34,000, by Arnel Papa; ring, P379, by Parfois

5

Shimmer and Shine

ThiNgs i always TakE To ThE islaNds: 1 TUMI messenger bag (P12,990) 2 Health and beauty kit: Origins Youthopia firming eye cream; Origins Have A Nice Day super-charged moisture cream SPF 15; Body Basics anti-bac hand sanitizer spray (P99) 3 Sanuk (P2,490) 4 Swatch (From P3,500) 5 The Kindle (www.amazon.com) 6 Maui Jim sunglasses 7 Human Nature Body Butter (P99.75) 8 iPhone (P37,499) 9 iTouch 8GB (P12,990) 10 Scarf (P450) 11 Fengshui bracelet (From P3,000) 12 HP Mini 2010 Netbook (P24,290)

his and hers wardrobe choices for the holidays photos by jeffrey sonor a st yling by waldo vill ados

18 | InFlight

AC +632

| december-january 2011

“ThE firsT TiME i saw El Nido was back in 1987. Vince, my husband, and I were not married then and were both living in New York. He wanted to show me the best of his country so we flew in from the US, landed in Manila, and went straight to El Nido on a small aircraft. I think we flew a 12-seater Beachcomber from Manila to El Nido and came back to Manila on a six-seater. I thought El Nido was just so beautiful; its waters sublime, absolutely pristine; and the diving, spectacular. Come to think of it; it’s been more than 20 years since that first visit with Vince, but we still land on the same airstrip, get inside the same airport terminal – well, a little more upgraded now – then get to the bancas or outrigger boats on our way to the islands.

Back then the only island resort was Miniloc.

There’s been some changes with time, but I’d say El Nido is still very much the same, still beautiful.”

– Leigh A. Tamagle-Perez, El Nido Resorts president www.elnidoresorts.com

24 | InFlight

Perez indulging in rock climbing at Taraw Cliffs in El Nido

6

7

| DeceMBer-JANUArY 2011

2/F, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 758 2564

Mango

G/F, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 752 7671

Randy Ortiz Available At Myth

Adora Department Store

Merger

Sanuk

2/F, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City

G/F, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 894 5342

Arnel Papa

Michael Antonio

Sesou

Burberry

Nico Agustin

Mobile: +63916 259 9945

1/F, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel: +632/ 817 7431, 728 9573

Nullah

Tumi

(Blue Mountain, Dr. Denim, Stella Luna, Tween And Tyler)

2/F, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 729 0181

Available at all leading department stores nationwide

Firma

G/F, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 757 4009

Hp

2/F, SM Mall of Asia, Bay City, Pasay City Tel: +632/ 556 0814

Available at Anthem 2/F, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City

2/F, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 757 0162

2/F, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia Bay City, Pasay City Tel: +632/ 556 4558

1/F, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel: +63915/ 514 7534

Swatch

Doña Consolacion Building, 122 Jupiter St., Brgy. Bel-Air, Makati City Tel: +632/ 897 6016

1/F, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City www.tumi.com

Parfois

2/F, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia Bay City, Pasay City www.watsons.com.ph

G/F, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City Tel: +632/ 501 3180

Power Mac Center

2/F, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel: +632/ 729 7128

Watsons

World of Feng Shui

1/F, Retailer Area, Serendra Piazza, Mckinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel: +632/ 909 7080

Pants by Mango; necklace by Joyce Makitalo, and ring by Lucas Jack, both available at Firma; shoes by Michael Antonio

w w w.theinf light.com

december - january 2011

the islanders

Living la vida grande in el nido, boracay, and cebu

top 10 Places to Party in Boracay Fireworks display, all night dancing, and clubbing with celebs anne curtis me and my Travels

PLUS:

el nido Memories el nido resorts’ big boss on early memories of the island

A 36-page pullout Guide to Boracay Restaurants, Bars, and Cafés

PLUS Seair LaUncheS fLightS to SingaPore

Missed an issue? Subscribe now!

Call: +632/ 849 0296 or email: subscription@inflight.ph

to Boracay

Photo by Jay Alonzo

The small guide for the big trip

Our InFlight guide to boracay has a 78-page resort listings, featuring some of the hottest resorts and hippest hang-outs, plus a valuable insider’s guide to where to eat, where to go, and what to do on the island. Packed with intelligent information, it’s not small where it matters.

B u y a c o p y n o w ! C a l l + 6 3 2 / 8 4 9 0 2 9 5 t o 9 6 o r o r d e r o n l i n e a t w w w . F l y S e a i r. c o m

AirlinePage

Jet airplane landing at sunset photo by Stephen Strathdee/ iStockphoto

SEAIR iti news route map

december-january 2011

| InFlight | 71

AirlinePage

SEAIR

Close connections to Asia's great destinations At a time when travel seems all too harried and service impersonal, Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR), the Philippines' premier leisure airline and one of the oldest carriers operating in the country today, offers passengers quality, convenience, and personal service to the regions' most beautiful destinations.

It flies to the beach destination of Boracay, home to the finest white sand beaches this side of the planet, departing from Manila and Cebu; to the recently appointed gateway city, Clark, in Pampanga; to the northernmost idyllic destination

History 1995 Iren Dornier, Nikos Gitsis and Tomas Lopez founded South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) with two nineseater DO-28 airplanes flying from Manila to Caticlan, and Taytay and Busuanga in Palawan.

1996 SEAIR took delivery of its first LET410 aircraft, a 19-seater Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft, ideal for the small runways of Palawan and other destinations where bigger commercial aircraft could not land.

1996 to 2003 With the success of the first LET410 aircraft operation and the commitment of SEAIR to fly on a regular basis, SEAIR gradually increased its fleet from one LET410 to nine.

1999 SEAIR embarked on a nationwide expansion program. It opened regional hubs in Cebu and Zamboanga and became the only airline to interconnect the premier destinations in Palawan with its Manila-Busuanga-El Nido-Puerto Princesa service.

2001 to Present SEAIR established a base in Zamboanga in Mindanao. It continues to operate flights to remote Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo.

2002 and 2003 SEAIR was awarded “Best Airline of the Year” consecutively by the Philippines' largest ‘Consumers Excellence Award.’

72

| InFlight | december-january 2011

of Batanes, famous for its unspoilt, pastoral landscape; and to Romblon, home to some of the most beautiful marine sanctuaries and virgin beaches in Asia.

SEAIR, founded by pilots Iren Dornier, grandson of aviation legend and pioneer Claudius Dornier, Nikos Gitsis, and Tomas Lopez, has been operating for 15 years in the Philippines, with an eye to providing world-standard domestic and international airline and aviation-related services.

2003 SEAIR’s Quality Management System was certified ISO 9001:2000 compliant by the TÜV Rheinland Group.

2004 SEAIR reached the 1 million passenger mark. SEAIR also acquired its first Dornier 328, launching the “Fastest Flights to Boracay” campaign.

2006 SEAIR acquired its fourth Dornier 328. Its fleet size allowed it to operate up to 30 flights to Caticlan daily.

SEAIR introduced its online reservations and e-ticketing system, the first and only on-line system to offer e-tickets from Manila to Boracay and Busuanga. E-ticketing services later expanded to include Cebu, Clark, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa. By December 2006, SEAIR’S transactions through its online reservations system reached a record high in Philippine e-commerce.

2007 SEAIR celebrated its 12th year in aviation, the longest running airline, next to Philippine Airlines. SEAIR now offers up to 41,000 seats a month throughout its network and flies up to 20,000 passengers to Boracay a month.

2008 SEAIR launched its first regional flight to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia in November. SEAIR also started flights to Tablas in Romblon, Daet in Camarines Norte, Baler in Aurora, Batanes in northern Luzon and Borongan in Eastern Samar.

2009 SEAIR was given the People's Choice Seal of Excellence Award for Most Outstanding Airline.

2010 SEAIR was awarded Gold Brand by the Gold Brands Council Philippines for brand image appeal and trust and market acceptance.

Operations SEAIR operates about 18 flights daily from Manila to Caticlan during peak season and 10 flights daily off peak.

It also operates flights from Cebu to Caticlan three times weekly. Other SEAIR destinations include Clark, Batanes and Romblon.

• Dornier 328 The Dornier 328 is a German-built, new generation aircraft with 32 passenger seats. It is one of the fastest and most advanced jetprops in the world.

Specifications Make: Dornier Powerplant: PW 119B Length: 21.28 m (69 ft 10 in) Wing Span: 20.98 m (68 ft 10 in) Height: 7.23 m (23 ft 9 in) Seating Capacity: 32 + 3 crew Number of planes: 4 Max Take-off Weight: 13,990 kgs (30,843 lbs) Speed: 325 knots

• Dornier 24 ATT No airport required! Let our unique amphibian aircraft bring you and your 15 closest friends to your choice of 7,107 islands in real style. For the latest update on this spectacular aircraft and its progress around the world, visit www.do-24.com

• FALCON 10 Specifications Make: FALCON 10 Powerplant: 2x Garett TFE 731-1-2-1c on engine, 14.65 kN (3,230lbf) thrust each Length: 13.86 m (45 ft 5.75 in) Wing Span: 13.08 m (42 ft 11 in) Height: 4.61m (15ft 1.5 in) Seating Capacity: 7 + 2 crew Max Take-off Weight: 18,740 kgs Speed: MACH + .85 Max Range: 1700 Nautical Miles Ceiling: 45,000 ft Inflight Entertainment: VCR Video; Flight Watch; Satellite Phone

Services TripleStar Travel and Tours - Leisure Escape Packages (LEP) We offer one-stop shopping for your next vacation. Hassle-free

and competitively priced, our fully packaged vacations include accommodation and air fare. Call us and book now at +632/ 843 7308; email packages@flyseair.com Charters Our aircraft may be chartered for special corporate and group travel.

Our charter specialists will assist you in planning and arranging your special travel. For inquiries, call +632/ 849 0200; email charters@flyseair.com Cargo We ensure a safe, secure and reliable delivery of your freight and parcel. For inquiries, call +632/ 851 5555; email cargo@flyseair.com Basic Facts and Figures • South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) is

a pioneer in Philippine aviation. Since 1995, it has been flying passengers to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Consistency, quality and reliability characterize SEAIR’s operations.

• Awarded “Best Airline of the Year for two consecutive years (2002 and 2003) by the Philippines’’ Consumers Excellence Award.

• Serves a total of 6 prime destinations nationwide, with the most convenient and most number of flights and connections to Caticlan (Boracay).

• Employs over 200 people ready to provide excellent service to our passengers.

• With fleet made up of four Dornier 328s and six LET 410 UVP-E aircraft for use in scheduled and chartered flights. december-january 2011

| InFlight | 73

AirlinePage

ITI

Close connections to Asia's best kept secret Island Transvoyager, Inc. (ITI), the official air-carrier of El Nido Resorts, flies guests daily between Manila and the island paradise of El Nido in Palawan, known for having one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, for its beautiful beaches, stunning limestone cliffs, and clear waters.

History ITI was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 2, 2002 and was granted permission to operate by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on November 25, 2002. In December, ITI was granted an Air Carrier Operating Certificate by the Air Transporation Office (ATO).

On March 26, 2003, ITI bought its second Dornier aircraft from Uniair Airlines Taiwan, ferried from Kaoshiung, Taiwan and landed at the Clark Airfield in Pampanga. In an effort to help the environment, ITI supported the Watershed Rehabilitation Treeplanting program of the municipality of El Nido, signing a Memorandum of Agreement with El Nido’s local government unit in September 2008.

Its third Dornier aircraft was acquired in May 2010 after acquiring it from Sita Air of Nepal.

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.

ruggedness. The aircraft is ideal for carrying both passengers and cargo.

Capt. Henry B. Panares (PN) ret.

Specifications Make: Dornier Powerplant: 2 X 583 W (776 SHP) Garrett TPE-331-5A-252D Length: 16.56m (54 ft 4 in) Wing Span: 16.97m (55 ft 7 in) Height: 4.86 m (15 ft 9 in) Seating Capacity: 19 + 2 crew Max Speed: 432 km/h Max Range: 1,730 km Ceiling: 29,600 ft

Mr. Ernie E. Bautista

Company Mission and the people behind ITI The ITI Team is totally focused on realizing its vision “To be an excellent aviation company that will satisfy the needs of our customer in a safe, reliable, and cost effective manner, therefore ensuring our viability and profitability.”

• General Manager

Operations ITI operates three times daily from Manila to El Nido using three Dornier 228-212 aircrafts.

The DO 228 is renowned for its reliability, versatility, economy and

74

| InFlight | december-january 2011

Mr. Raoul S. Pérez • Chief Pilot

Capt. Angel G. Syjuco • Maintenance Manager

Col. Antonio A. Villaverde (PAF) ret.

• Quality Assurance Chief Inspector

• El Nido Airport Manager • Flight Safety Officer

F/O Jimmy Z. Guansing • Manila Terminal Manager

Ms. Maris F. Macahilig Services ITI accepts both local and international charter flights. All flights are handled and dispatched by licensed flight dispatchers and aircraft and maintenance documents are closely monitored to meet Air Transportation Office requirements. For more information, call +632/ 851 5667 Basic facts and figures ITI is the only aviation company in the country with the only fixed wing operator accredited by both Shell and ExxonMobil.

In 2004 and 2005, it has received back to back Certificates of Recognition from the Air Transportation Office for implementing its aviation safety program.

In 2009, ITI received a “Three Years Goal Zero” safety award from Shell.

news

AirlinePage

News

Batanes flights now two a day

Seair and Tiger Airways set up first "Partner Airline" programme with tigerairways.com South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) today announced that it has become the first Tiger Airways Partner Airline in the region, through a marketing arrangement with "tigerairways.com" that benefits customers across the Asia Pacific region. The first jet services to be offered by SEAIR will start in December with services between Clark and Singapore. Additional routes operated by SEAIR using these new jet aircraft will be added to the programme over the coming months.

Using an initial fleet of two Airbus aircraft leased from Tiger Airways, SEAIR will commence jet aircraft operations next month. Seats will be marketed and distributed using Tiger Airways' established internet booking system, tigerairways.com. The resulting operational and cost efficiencies will ensure more low fare seats are available and contribute to the growth of SEAIR and the Clark gateway, benefiting customers in the Philippines and across the Asia Pacific region.

Avelino Zapanta, SEAIR's President and CEO, said, “With this new collaboration with Tiger Airways, we will also be able to serve more international visitors to the Philippines by offering more destinations with great value, low fares. In addition, the introduction of these new jet services will create a welcome boost to the Philippines tourism industry and create more high calibre local jobs."

Chin Sak Hin, Chief Financial Officer of Tiger Airways Holdings Limited, said, "We are very excited to be working with SEAIR as the first "Partner Airline" of tigerairways.com. Besides the cost advantages resulting from basing aircraft and crew in Clark, SEAIR's extensive experience and brand recognition will ensure that more customers in the Philippines and internationally can access the same low fares offered by Tiger

Airways when using the leading regional travel portal "tigerairways.com". Together with Tiger Airways' strong marketing and distribution platform in Singapore and across major markets in the region, it will be a powerful combination that offers unbeatable value and fares to even more travellers.

Tiger Airways Holdings President and CEO, Tony Davis, said "the creation of our new "Partner Airline" programme is another way that we, together with SEAIR, can offer even more low fare seats to even more customers. Making flights operated by SEAIR available on the Tiger Airways website will ensure that customers can easily access more routes and destinations with the same low fares currently offered through www.tigerairways.com".

Patrick Tan, Chief Operating Officer of SEAIR said, "We are delighted to be distributing our new jet services through www.tigerairways.com, the number one airline website in Singapore, which has consistently more visitors than the website of any other airline. SEAIR has earned strong recognition as the leader in domestic leisure travel in the Philippines, having been awarded the Philippines' Best Airline award in 2009 and also being recognised as a national ‘Gold Brand’."

Approval from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) of the Philippines has already been obtained for Tiger Airways to lease two Airbus aircraft to SEAIR. To support its continued growth, Tiger Airways has advanced the delivery of two aircraft to the financial year 2011/12, from their original delivery dates in the financial year 2015/16.

For more info on SEAIR, visit www.flyseair.com; for more info on Tiger Airways, visit www.tigerairways. com.

South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) has increased its flights to the northern island of Batanes to two times a day, from the usual one, to meet the projected increase in traffic during the holidays.

Batanes, a visual feast of rolling hills and green pastures, is the only place in the hilippines that experiences four seasons – spring from March to May, summer from June to August, autumn from September to November and winter from December to February. Its close proximity to Taiwan brings the temperature down to as low as 7°C from December to February.

The island has historical stone houses, lighthouses guarding immaculate shorelines, and rocky beaches.

For inquiries and reservations call +632/ 8490100 or book online at www.FlySeair.com. For packages, call SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at +632/ 843 7308 or +632/ 851 9876. Join SEAIR Facebook Fan Page for updates on promo

Watch out for SEAIR online Christmas promos SEAIR will be regularly announcing discounts a day before the start of each selling period. To keep posted, visit www. flyseair.com.

The travel periods are for selected months in 2011 and will feature all the routes of SEAIR: Manila-Caticlan and back; ClarkCaticlan and back; Cebu-Caticlan and back; Manila-Batanes and back; Manila-Tablas and back; and ManilaTaytay and back.

SEAIR offers the fastest flights to Boracay and is the only airline that takes passengers directly to Boracay via VIP Transfers from Caticlan Airport to Boracay and vice versa.

For promo announcements, visit www.FlySeair.com. Join SEAIR Facebook Fan Page for SEAIR updates december-january 2011

| InFlight | 75

AirlinePage

Route Map BASCO, BATANES

seair www.flyseair.com

ITI (island transvoyager) Tel. +632 851.6664

+632 851.5674

+632 851.5667

Makati Ticketing Office Tel. +632 849.0100

Laoag

TIger airways Tel. +632 849.0111 +632 884.1524

SM Clark office Headquarters DMIA, Hangar 7224 Tel. +6343 499.0258 +6343 499.0259

La Union

Philippine Sea Baguio

Luzon

Baler CLARK, ANGELES

Cebu Ticketing Office Tel. +6332 341.4879

MANILA

Boracay Caticlan Airport Tel. +6336 288.7360

Daet

Marinduque

Philippines

MINDORO

Tablas, Romblon

Busuanga Boracay

TO SINGAPORE

CATICLAN

SAMAR Masbate Borongan

Visayas

PANAY

EL NIDO

TAYTAY

Iloilo CEBU

PALAWAN

South China Sea

Siargao NEGROS

Puerto Princesa

Camiguin

Cagayan de Oro

Mindanao

Balabac

Sulu Sea

Cotabato

Jolo

Malaysia SARAWAK

Borneo

76

| InFlight | december-january 2011

SABAH

Davao

Zamboanga

Kota Kinabalu

BRUNEI

Pagadian

Tawi-Tawi

Celebes Sea

General Santos

w w w.theinf light.com

december - january 2011

the islanders

Living la vida grande in el nido, boracay, and cebu

top 10 Places to Party in Boracay Fireworks display, all night dancing, and clubbing with celebs anne curtis me and my Travels

PLUS:

el nido Memories el nido resorts’ big boss on early memories of the island

A 36-page pullout Guide to Boracay Restaurants, Bars, and CafĂŠs

PLUS Seair LaUncheS fLightS to SingaPore

Missed an issue? Subscribe now!

Call: +632/ 849 0296 or email: subscription@inflight.ph

INFocus inflight | december-ja nuary 2011

View of Mt. Banahaw from Sampaloc Lake one windy afternoon p h o t o b y l a n d s c ap e p h o t o g r ap h e r Ra y m o n d C r u z

Cruz is creative consultant for PDR Technology Asia. In 2009, he won the Photographer of the Year award from Digital Camera magazine.

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II Lens: 17-40mm F/4L Aperture: F/4.0 Shutter speed: 1/400 sec ISO Speed: 1000

80

| InFlight | december-january 2011

PEARL OF THE PACIFIC, Boracay Island, Balabag, Malay, Aklan Booking Office: (R & G Tirol Bldg, 831 Edsa cor Eugenio Lopez St QC) Tel (632) 9260162 . 9244480/83 Fax (632)9244482 Email: reservation@pearlofthepacific.ph, sales@pearlofthepacific.ph

AISAKU YOKOGAWA TRIO SIKAT SANDRA & JFK SOLD OUT PEARL JAM Jan 1 Dec 26 & 27 Dec 28 & 29 Dec 30 & 31 Dec 24 & 25

December 24, 2010 to January 1, 2011

PEARL NIGHTS

Pearl of the Pacific Boracay