WE ARE LEARNING Issue #10 - Travel Edition by Joey Sabio

WAL MAGAZINE'S EDITORIAL TEAM

Letter from the Editor

WAL ISSUE #10 ▪ SEPT 2011

The common denominator amongst us in Learning is that we love to escape, may it be local or international destinations. We are Learning Issue #10 will take you to different places. It will also give you a glimpse on what to see, things to do, and where to eat.

Dear Readers,

On behalf of all the members who took part on this issue, we would like to thank you for having the time to read this quarter’s newsletter. Hope you will enjoy and at the same time learn something new. Aaron Cabigas Project Lead

Editorial

Jose Antonio Fernandez

Sincerely, Jose Antonio Fernandez Editor-In-Chief

Editor-in-chief

Juan Carlos Ramos Associate Editor

Project VIP WAL Magazine Issue #10

Stephanie Amboy Managing Editor

Angeli Marixi Rosales Style Editor

Earl Cyril Perlas Editor At Large – Layout / Design

Art

Renato Ibañez Editor At Large – Photography

Clara Teresa Obmerga Trisha Angelica Rodriguez Jose Leonardo Sabio Graphic Design and Layout

Contributing Writers Aaron Cabigas ▪ Angeli Rosales ▪ Anna Alfonso ▪ Camilla Nacpil ▪ Diana Zialcita ▪ Dimple Ballesteros ▪ Elaiza Aguila ▪ Erika Pineda ▪ Janine Bautista ▪ Joey Sabio ▪ Lyle Magno ▪ Michelle Bongco ▪ Michelle Singh ▪ Nel Briones ▪ Pam Nuguid ▪ Ruby Chavez ▪ Sans Fojas ▪ Steph Amboy ▪ Suzie Abella Contributing Photographers Aaron Cabigas ▪ Anna Alfonso ▪ Elaiza Aguila ▪ Reggie Nagui ▪ Rossanna Fojas

On the cover: Learning's own Operations Manager, Lisette Lizo talks about traveling for work, and other various travel escapades, and misadventures.

LETTER FROM THE

PROJECT LEAD

WAL ISSUE 001 ▪ AUG 2011 There is no more powerful manifestation of speed than time. Everything in this world can be slowed down except time. Your world could be swirling towards the vortex of a cosmic toilet flush, but time does not care. It does not wait or slow down for anybody. It just keeps on moving forward. In this regard, it actually feels like the scenes of my entire Project VIP Lead life are whizzing past me like the view from a bullet train moving at a top speed. The emotion becomes especially tactile when I reflect on the new format of the WAL "magazine" for this year's 3rd quarter. This, in essence, is our much-anticipated special Travel Issue. It can be a bell tolling reminder that time, that restless, ticking bastard, is not on our side, but behind us and breathing down our spine. So why waste time? Squeeze some time out and make the most out of it by traveling, by experiencing different cultures and dishes, by meeting new people. I just learned that when you’re traveling, you start to lose your mind. Well, not really, but you start losing touch with reality — reality A.K.A your everyday routine both at work and at home. And so I thought, why not come up with a mantra to put us in the right state of mind? Eat. Explore. Club! Everything we plan has to include eating good food, having fun, getting lost, and clubbing (or chill drinking at a lounge for that matter). This mantra seemed to have taken a life of its own, hence, the birth of WAL's Travel Issue. With that, I bid you no further adieu, and present to you our 3rd issue of the year. Our very own Learning Domain Lead, Lisette Lizo, gets into character in WANDERLUST by Dimple Ballesteros, photographed by Sans Fojas. It is actually our first time to have someone cover for WAL. Get ready to see our Domain Lead on the cover with this explosive new pictorial that should set the proper tone for 2012 summer getaway.

Contents WAL ISSUE 001 ▪ AUG 2011

THE LEARNING SOCIETY New Faces of Learning. Featured Team. BTOU & BMS Featured Project Teams. The Catalysts Learning from Abroad. On the Other Side of the Curtain: San José (Costa Rica) • Montpellier (France) • Budapest (Hungary) •

IN FOCUS Special Interest. Lomography Group-Travel Management 101. The fundamentals of organizing your own big, budget-friendly, awesome trip International Destinations. • Hong Kong • Beijing • Bali • Singapore • Australia • Barcelona • Rome • Venice • Amsterdam • Lucerne • Wanderlust. An Interview with Lisette Lizo Local Destinations. • Donsol • Camiguin • Vigan • Davao • Batanes • Subic • Boracay • Pampanga •

ON THE RADAR I see that this issue is not just about traveling, but more of celebrating what life is all about. I think creating a mantra can and will give you a better experience in your travels than if you just went in with no mission at all in mind. Maybe everyone should adopt this in their everyday life. We sincerely hope you enjoy reading this WAL issue as much as we enjoyed producing it.

Aaron Cabigas Project VIP Lead

Barangay Hall. AA Outreach. Gawad Kalinga and Dental Day Program WIKI Site Winner.

04 06 10 11

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Learning Societ y

Learning Societ y What are the favorite places you have been to? Intramuros, Batangas beach resorts, Tagaytay, Eastwood City! Name three essentials you can’t travel without. Money, Clothes, and Someone Ü

MA. SUZETTE F. ABELA

ARRIANE VINCENT C. MEDENILLA

SARAH MARIZ DE VEGA

Nickname: Arriane Learning Team/Position: iOS Night/ Oﬀering Practitioner Alma Mater: Miriam College What interests you? Badminton, Nicholas Sparks’ novels, wakeboarding, eating What are the favorite places you have been to? Cebu and Bicol Name three essentials you can’t travel without. Cellphone, beauty kit, and comfortable clothes

Nickname: Sasa Learning Team/Position: iOS Night/ Scheduling Practitioner Alma Mater: University of the Philippines - Diliman What interests you? Cooking, eating, sleeping, watching cartoons (Phineas and Ferb, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Futurama, The Simpsons, etc.), TV Series (Gossip Girl, Glee, The Vampire Diaries, Grey’s Anatomy, 24, etc.), doodling, etc. What are the favorite places you have been to? Sagada, Star City, Agusan Marsh (Field work), Anilao, La Union, Baler, 16/F Cyberone Bldg) Name three essentials you can’t travel without? Cellphone, money, pantali ng buhok

SHARLEEN C. SY Nickname: Sha Learning Team/Position: iOS Night/ Scheduling Practitioner Alma Mater: Entrepreneurs School of Asia What interests you? Travelling What are the favorite places you have been to? Korea and Japan Name three essentials you can’t travel without. Phone, candies and a list of places to visit

WAL Magazine

LINEL U. LAZATIN Nickname: Lines Learning Team/Position: IBM US Web Services/ Web Specialist Alma Mater: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila What interests you? Playing basketball, table tennis, pc/console games, specifically rpgs, and real-time strategy games

What are the favorite places you have been to? Davao and Bohol! :) Name three essentials you can’t travel without. Eyeglasses, mobile phone and (of course) money!

CARMELA LOUISE A. BARTON

Nickname: Suzie Learning Team/Position: EVITA/EVITA Coordinator Alma Mater: UP Diliman What interests you? Anime, manga, k-pop, movies, series (korean, english, thai), local travelling What are the favorite places you have been to? Mt. Banahaw in Quezon, Puerto Galera, Sampaloc Lake in Laguna Name three essentials you can’t travel without. Friends/Family, toothpaste, mickey mouse bag

Nickname: Car Learning Team/Position: Brand ILO Alma Mater: University of Santo Tomas What interests you? Travel, shopping, Hanging out with friends, Trying out new restaurants/food What are the favorite places you have been to? I have a lot in mind... as long as I’ve been to “those places” with my loved ones, I consider it my favorite :) Name three essentials you can’t travel without. Cellphone, Money, Bag

MARY SUZANNE A. SULIT

JONATHAN HALASAN

Nickname: Popsy Learning Team/Position: Brand ILO II/ ILO Specialist Alma Mater: Assumption College What interests you? Movies, Volleyball, Food What are the favorite places you have been to? Hongkong, Boracay, Bohol Name three essentials you can’t travel without. Cellphone, Wallet (with money) and Watch

Nickname: Jay Learning Team/Position: L&K Event Management / HR Practitioner L&K Event Management Alma Mater: Ateneo de Manila University What interests you? Playing Basketball, Playing Computer Games, Watching Movies, Reading Books What are the favorite places you have been to? La Union, Sagada Name three essentials you can’t travel without. Cigarettes, Slippers, and any type of music player

GEROME VEDEJA Nickname: Yom Learning Team/Position: Brand ILO II / Brand ILO Specialist Alma Mater: University of the Philippines What interests you? Reading news, interesting articles online and books, eating out on weekends, personal and food blogging, learning foreign languages (currently self-studying dutch), working out at the gym, being introspective

WAL Magazine

Learning Societ y : Featured Team

BMS LEARNING

Learning Societ y : Featured Team

MICH Michelle Singh One of Mich’s bucket list items is to visit and explore the world’s greatest wonders, capture them in still shots, and make them part of a memory worth reminiscing in the years to come. To be able to experience the best of what all the continents have to oﬀer, go to places rich in history and culture, and discover unexplored wonders would be a dream come true. 1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Passport/Visa ▪ Credit Card ▪ Camera 2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? “I’m here at last!” 3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? “CRIKEY! “

TEAM INTRODUCTION BMS Learning is the second commercial account to Go-live in MDC. It provides Learning Services to employees in UK and North America. The only account to use Plateau as its Learning Management System, BMS Learning offers services such as Enrollments, Roster Close-outs, Scheduling, Reports, Instructor-Led and Online Course creation, and the likes.

With just four members, this team is considered the smallest in the domain but definitely not the minority when it comes to providing client satisfaction since this team has achieved 100% in all its SLAs beginning day one. Doing it right while having fun on the side, that’s the BMS Learning Team for you!

Alexis Kristoffer Manahan

1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Passport/Visa ▪ Money ▪ Camera WAL Magazine

AIRA Aira Mae Lopega

KRIS Kris is not a fan of warm places. His ultimate travel goal is to be able to visit cold places around the world. Activities like skiing in Aspen, Colorado; waking up and seeing the snow capped Mt. Fuji in Japan; bathing in the thermal bath in Heroes’ Square in Budapest during the winter; and taking pictures of the emperor penguins in Antarctica are just some of his greatest fantasies.

4. What will you do if you only brought Peso to another country? Charge everything to my Credit Card, since it’s one of the three things I’ll surely never forget (as seen on question #1 :P )

2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? “Astig!” 3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? “Ulel!” 4. What will you do if you only brought Pesos to a diﬀerent country? Have it exchanged to the applicable currency.

Given the freedom of time and money. Aira would very much love to embark on a journey around the world. It would be a fantasy came to life for her to explore places rich in historical and cultural heritage, to know their people, to observe their way of life, to go sight seeing, to experience the four seasons in diﬀerent places, and the list of her travel adventure plans goes on and on. How she wished she has Alladin’s magic carpet!

3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? “Eow!” 4. What will you do if you only brought Peso to another country? I’ll exchange it with the country’s currency.

CEL Celine Liao Ong Celine’s dream would be to travel around the world. Exploring famous landmarks, eating delicious cuisines, and appreciating diﬀerent cultures are all part of her to-do list. Most importantly, Celine would love to get to know the locals and their way of life. As one of her favorite travel guides, Anthony Bourdain, would say, “The people make the place.” 1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Passport ▪ Cash ▪ Comfortable pair of shoes 2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? “WOW!” 3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? “Hey there!” 4. What will you do if you only brought Pesos to a diﬀerent country? Look for a money changer

1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Cash ▪ Passport ▪ Camera 2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? “OMG!”

WAL Magazine

Learning Societ y : Featured Team

Jose Antonio Fernandez

When travelling to another country... 1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Camera, travel purse, iPod with earphones

As a traveler I make sure that I have enough money with me and that I have an itinerary so that I won’t be wasting time just looking for things to do and places to see. I take the time to know the people of the place and eat their famous dishes.

WAL Magazine

When travelling to another country... 1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Mobile Phone, ID, and Credit Card 2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? “Sarap!” 3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? “Anyare?” 4. What will you do if you only brought Pesos to a diﬀerent country? Go to the Philippine Embassy or look for a fellow Filipino.

When travelling to another country... 1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Passport, cash and credit cards, mobile phone (roaming activated). 2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? Itinerary! 3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? Will say “Hello” back to be polite but in the native language of the country I’m at. 4. What will you do if you only brought Pesos to a diﬀerent country? I will head to the airport’s money changer and have it converted.

Ruby Chavez

Filipinas Torres As a traveler, I’d like to pack light and keep it simple. I’d love to spend as much time as I can to explore diﬀerent places, rather than relaxing in a cozy hotel. I like to do my own research and make an itinerary so no time is wasted getting lost or trying to figure things out. This will also keep me from being lured into taking touristrates for accommodations and souvenir shopping.

2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? “Finally!” (especially if it’s a long flight) 3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? “No habla Ingles” 4. What will you do if you only brought Pesos to a diﬀerent country? Kill myself.

As a traveler, I usually seek guidance from my friends who have been to the same country, I ask for some tips - what should I bring, best places to visit, food to eat, what can I bring home for pasalubong , and most importantly “safe ba”? I also try to contact some friends who live in the country I’m about to visit to get their contact numbers for emergency. I like travelling for the culture, lifestyle, shopping and food that I will discover in a new place.

Andre Dominique Ong

TEAM INTRODUCTION BTOU is responsible for the Leadership Development Programs in all global delivery centers where Global Process Services is present. This team consisting of five members lives for preparing leadership classes, kitting materials and reminding participants to complete their required surveys. In our team, no two roles are alike but the talk of food and fun keeps us united.

Cathy Frias

BTOU LEARNING

I’m a bit cautious when going to another country especially if you don’t know the culture there. I don’t like being taken advantage because of being a tourist, so I do a bit of research first. I am always curious about the food in another country which is what I always look forward to when travelling.

I like travelling because of the culture ad sights of a whole new diﬀerent place. But I make sure that I have a solid itinerary, backup plans and fun companions to guarantee a hassle-free trip. Travelling makes me feel like a little kid again, ooh-ing and aahing at the new wonders that I discover.

When travelling to another country... 1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Passport/Ticket, Cellphone, Appetite 2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? “Thank You” kasi pag baba mo sa plane sasabihin sayo “We hope you enjoy your stay” 3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? 4. What will you do if you only brought Pesos to a diﬀerent country? Credit Card, Pawnshop, Limos, hanapin ang embassy, sumitsit pag lumingon pinoy yun!

When travelling to another country... 1. What are the three things that you will never forget when you travel? Passport and ticket, cash and credit card, cellphone 2. What will be your first word when you arrive to a new country? “Hello <insert name of country/ city here>!” 3. If a hot foreigner approaches you and says, “Hello pohz” what will you say? Smile politely and say “Hi!” 4. What will you do if you only brought Pesos to a diﬀerent country? Go to the nearest money changer to have it converted… or borrow money from my companion. Haha!

WAL Magazine

Learning Societ y : Featured Project Team

WE ARE LEARNING WORDS BY GILBERT MONGE

Since inception, the Learning and Development project team has been a driving force behind the domain’s thrust for excellence. With the new hire on-boarding initiative that provides guidance to every new hire, to the training tracker that monitors practitioners’ progress in the development of their skills, and the process roadshow that increases awareness of interdependent processes between teams; L&D has been everyone’s partner for cultivating growth and enhancing potential.

This is the challenge we face, and we will seize it as an opportunity.

Today, we head full-throttle into the second century of IBM drastically changing the pace of how we do business. The domain is expanding at break-neck pace translating to a bigger mandate for L&D.

This time we will cultivate, we will enhance, and most of all we will ignite progress.

And the team recognizes the need not just for growth, but faster growth. Not just the development of potential, but the identification of niches where skills can have optimal utilization. Not just an increase in competencies for current roles, but deliberate preparation of practitioners for future leadership.

Say welcome to The CATALYST - formerly known as L&D - Your fast track to development.

WAL Magazine

We start by restructuring and assigning a sub-lead for each major initiative to ensure we are focused on each task, and capable of immediate identification and response to every need. We continue by an aggressive revamp of existing projects that is tailored to ever changing demands of the business. And we sustain by fostering awareness of our programs in the domain.

Say welcome to life in the fast lane. Say welcome to your success.

LEARNING ABROAD WORDS BY NEL BRIONES

Many people say that working with others in a totally diﬀerent culture is difficult. For most people, just the thought of talking to them in straight English is already something of a nightmare. However, I am proud to say that our colleagues in other parts of the globe made it a lot easier. For the past issues of We Are Learning (WAL), diﬀerent teams in Learning were already introduced, but what makes this edition special is that we decided to feature our counterparts in

France, Costa Rica and Hungary. Here, they will talk about their personal lives outside IBM and the comical side of once we thought would be the people who will be profound all the time. Having to interact with people from another culture does not mean you need to travel to places X, Y, Z in order for you to know them. Sometimes, it means closing the guidebooks, and ignoring all the things you have read about them and simply taking time to share a couple of beers to a group of strangers.■

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RANCE

osta

Rica

GEORGEANA GONZALEZ SANDOVAL

Age: 25 Position: Instructor-Led Online Training Specialist Hobbies: Eat, Haha (You Can Ask Yvarr Or Tina), All Kinds Of Crafts, Love Animals, So My Dogs Are One Of My Hobbies!!!

KHALID HALLA

Country: Montpellier, France Account: CLP eLab/eLoD

1. What’s your role? And How long have you been with IBM? My role is a team leader on the CIC, FTPs and eLod activities, I am in charge of all the training for manila CLP team, which I have created. I have been working in this department for 18 months but I have worked with IBM Paris, IBM UK for more than 5 years now. 2. What’s your best experience when working with Filipinos? My best experience was the creation and training of 1st level team. They are really hard working and fun to work with. 3. If you weren’t in IBM what would you be? I would be working for Atos origin , HP, Dell, or any company that pays freelancing but the best option would be working with IBM Manila. 4. Where’s your favorite travel spot in your country? I have lived in Paris for 22 years and now I am living in Montpellier which is 700 KM away. When I go back to Paris I take time to visit unfamiliar places. It’s surprising how one can miss out on places when living in a town. 5. What’s your favorite food? My Favorite kind of food is Indian cuisine which I discovered while I was living in London. WAL Magazine

1. What’s your role? And How long have you been with IBM? I´ve been working for IBM since march 2006. 2. What’s your best experience when working with Filipinos? The culture bonding; our cultures are similar so it’s very easy to get to know you and work with you. Very easy going people!!! 3. If you weren’t in IBM, what would you be? A doctor 4. Where’s your favorite travel spot in your country? The beach!!! 5. What’s your favorite food? Mmm, all!, Love chicken, love costarican food (according to yvarr, its very similar to your food, so probably will like your food as well...)

MARIA GOMEZ GOICOECHEA

Age: 33 Position: Brand Instructor-Led Online Training Specialist Hobbies: Traveling, reading, dancing, singing Karaoke, swimming, doing outdoor activities. 1. What’s your role? And How long have you been with IBM? I started at IBM 1 year and 3 months as a Customer Service Representative and in April 10th, 2011, joined the ILO team. 2. What’s your best experience when working with Filipinos? Realized that we have a lot of things in common, specially the ones

WAL Magazine

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UNGARY

I admire most of my culture (Kindness, Warmness). Also they share with us some of their traditions and knowledge which has been highly appreciated. Also knowing that I am joining a great team!!! 3. If you weren’t in IBM, what would you be? A Nurse. 4. Where’s your favorite travel spot in your country? I have a lot of favorite traveling spots, but definitely the beach is my favorite (Manuel Antonio, Herradura, Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Punta Uva, etc) 5. What’s your favorite food? Sushi and Gallo Pinto

CARMEN ROMERO ESPINOZA

Age: 27 Position: I am in the process of becoming a Brand Instructor-Led Online Training Specialist Hobbies: Well, what I love the most is spending time with my family (either going out or staying at home with them).

1st Line Operations Manager/ Associate DPE/AXA Delivery

1. What’s your role? And How long have you been with IBM? I started at IBM 4 years ago, as a Recruiting Specialist. I was in charge of the end to end recruitment process of diﬀerent departments in our Delivery Center. In April 2010 I moved to an HR Specialist position—I had to assist Payroll and Compensation for CR, Termination process, including access removal. I also had to support Benefits & Well Being projects and initiatives, Charity and Motivation team, etc. Now, I just joined the transition team for BRAND ILO.

1. If you are not in IBM, where would you possibly be and what would you be doing? If I were not in IBM, I would probably be travelling the world with an immense backpack on my back, trying to see the places that I had previously only ever read about, and some that cannot be read about!

2. What’s your best experience when working with Filipinos? It has been a great experience working with them; they have been very supportive, kind, friendly, and they are really patient! I think we share a lot of things—we are building up a nice team. 3. If you weren’t in IBM, what would you be? A veterinarian, I love animals!

WAL Magazine

TOM STEPHENSON

2. Name 1 place you would not be caught dead going to and why? Blackpool. Cheesy holiday resort in the north of England. Yuck!! 3. Would you be the organizer of a trip or be the follower and just go where everyone is going? Why? I actually enjoy both. Sometimes I like to decide where I will be going and just explore, sometimes I like to put myself in someone else’s capable hands and let them take me to places they think I should see.

4. Where’s your favorite travel spot in your country? Going to the beach during the summer and visiting the mountains during rainy seasons.

4. Name the 5 things in your personal kit that you cannot travel without. Mp3 player. Bug spray. Swiss Army knife. Anti-bacterial gel. Local phrase book.

5. What’s your favorite food? Chicken (in whatever style of cooking)

5. Where in the world is the most memorable trip that you had and what makes it memorable for you? Egypt. Because you never forget your first temple, and the grandeur of the Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Luxor, Abu Simbel and the other locations simply take your breath away. WAL Magazine

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LUDIVINE PARISON

Team Leader, AXA Delivery

1. If you are not in IBM, where would you possibly be and what would you be doing? I would be on a sea side, playing beach volleyball 2. Name 1 place you would not be caught dead going to and why? I would not waste my time attending a ballet course. I don’t like ballet since I am very young. 3. Would you be the organizer of a trip or be the follower and just go where everyone is going? Why? Definitely, I would be the organizer! I really enjoy the preparation and the planning of my trips.

1. If you are not in IBM, where would you possibly be and what would you be doing? I usually spend all my spare time with my family, especially with my little daughter, Emma who is now 17 months old.

4. Name the 5 things in your personal kit that you cannot travel without. 1 swim suit, 1 book, 1 pair of trainers, 1 fancy dress, 1 pair of high heels

2. Name 1 place you would not be caught dead going to and why? I am not sure if there is a place like that, if I have the opportunity to travel, I would consider going anywhere.

5. Where in the world is the most memorable trip that you had and what makes it memorable for you? First back pack trip when I was 18. We ended up in Budapest, spent a couple of days there. At that very moment I decided one day in my life I will live in this city.

DIANA NADUDVARY

Operations Specialist for Learning

3. Would you be the organizer of a trip or be the follower and just go where everyone is going? Why? I could be both, depending on what my intentions of travel are, and who I am going with. If it is with family, I usually organize it together with my husband, if with friends, and then it depends on the company. 4. Name the 5 things in your personal kit that you cannot travel without. Mobile phone, money, some clean clothes, water, comfortable shoes 5. Where in the world is the most memorable trip that you had and what makes it memorable for you? I love travelling to England, which is my favorite country, and I also had my honeymoon there which was memorable. We also visited a football match (Manchester City - Newcastle), which pleased my husband a lot, and then we went to the Beatles museum, but my utmost favorite is Oxford.

WAL Magazine

OLIVER FORGACH

ANDREA RIBICZEY

EViTA Team Leader

1st Line Operations ManagerISSC Hungary

1. If you are not in IBM, where would you possibly be and what would you be doing? I will be running a sports bar somewhere in Spain.

1. If you are not in IBM, where would you possibly be and what would you be doing? I would be an interpreter or event organizer.

2. Name 1 place you would not be caught dead going to and why? Afghanistan. What’s there to see?

2. Name 1 place you would not be caught dead going to and why? There are no such places... I’m not really keen on staying for a longer time example in Dubai, as apart from the luxury and beach there are not really much to see or enjoy.

3. Would you be the organizer of a trip or be the follower and just go where everyone is going? Why? I would be the organizer, as I want to have an influence on where I am going and what I want to see. 4. Name the 5 things in your personal kit that you cannot travel without. Smartphone, Swiss pocket knife, suntan lotion, MasterCard, Camera 5. Where in the world is the most memorable trip that you had and what makes it memorable for you? Cyprus because it was 2 weeks of partying (if I remember correctly)

3. Would you be the organizer of a trip or be the follower and just go where everyone is going? Why? I will be the organizer. I like organizing things and I like it when people around me for example, my guests, feel good because of my organizational work. 4. Name the 5 things in your personal kit that you cannot travel without. A good book/interesting magazine, water, camera, apple, umbrella 5. Where in the world is the most memorable trip that you had and what makes it memorable for you? Egypt because of the beautiful sea fauna (corals, fishes); Sardinia because it was my honeymoon; Madagascar as it was the first time for me on another continent, enjoying the summer weather in around January/February. WAL Magazine

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FRIEDMANN HERZOG

Associate Project Manager; Project/Transition Support

1. If you are not in IBM, where would you possibly be and what would you be doing? Sales and Marketing Development at Apple 2. Name 1 place you would not be caught dead going to and why? Mountains since they are never the same 3. Would you be the organizer of a trip or be the follower and just go where everyone is going? Why? Organizer

JUDIT ARVAI

4. Name the 5 things in your personal kit that you cannot travel without. Knife, tissues, language book, my iPod, headset

1. If you are not in IBM, where would you possibly be and what would you be doing? I like to learn new languages, travel and spend my time with my friends. And to watch horror movies ....waaaaaaaaaah

5. Where in the world is the most memorable trip that you had and what makes it memorable for you? Norwegian fjords

2. Name 1 place you would not be caught dead going to and why? I would love to see the Taj Mahal once in my life. The story of the mausoleum is very beautiful.

Project Manager, Learning

Training Enrollment Team Lead

3. Would you be the organizer of a trip or be the follower and just go where everyone is going? Why? I love to organize trips but sometimes it is good and relaxing just to follow my friends. 4. Name the 5 things in your personal kit that you cannot travel without. My purse, phone, make-up, cigarette, ID card 5. Where in the world is the most memorable trip that you had and what makes it memorable for you? My favorite country is Italy. I love Firenze, Venezia, Roma...wherever I travel in that country it just makes me really happy. My top favorite though is the crazy Napoli!!! The people are very friendly and open-minded, you can see the volcano Vesuvio from all part of the city, the sea is beautiful, and Capri island is just the paradise. And yes, the Neapolitan pizza is the best!!! WAL Magazine

OLIVER BOSZE

1. If you are not in IBM, where would you possibly be and what would you be doing? During my free time, it would be a high chance to find me in a local art gallery or exhibition room in my hometown or wherever I travel. I have been inspired by contemporary art. 2. Name 1 place you would not be caught dead going to and why? Well, one thing I would definitely skip is to lie on a beach for two weeks and do nothing just sunbathing.

3. Would you be the organizer of a trip or be the follower and just go where everyone is going? Why? I usually plan the trips by myself and some friends would join. Some things would just happen anyways by going oďŹ&#x20AC; the beaten track. 4. Name the 5 things in your personal kit that you cannot travel without. Maps, iPod touch, corkscrew, party-shoes and, I guess, my passport. 5. Where in the world is the most memorable trip that you had and what makes it memorable for you? The most memorable trip for me was my trip to Mongolia that took place back in 2003. The peaceful view of never ending highlands, the hordes of goats and sheep on the hills, the lake in a dormant volcano, my only horse-ride ever and staying in the yurt of my friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family is really memorable.

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Lomography JPOH ABIPD What is it? What’s so interesting about it? These Learning folks are ready to share some lomo love.

♥

PHOTOS BY ELLE AGUILA, ANNA ALFONSO & REGGIE NAGUI

Lomography

Fisheye2 (also known as Peeshy) – My first love! Supersampler (also known as Spam), Blackbird Fly TLR (also known as Peacock), Spinner 360, Vivitar 600, Polaroid Land Camera. I always dreamed of having an underwater camera that I can bring for my dive trips. But for now, I will stop buying and enjoy these babies first!

Anna Alfonso

How many cameras do you have in your collection? What's your next one?

I started investing in Lomography cameras back in December 2007, inspired by my parents that were into photography when they were young. I use both digital and film cameras, however they each serve a different purpose for me. I find film cameras extra exciting not knowing how your pictures will turn out. It takes more work and patience having to wait three to five days for it to be developed to see results. Even when digital photography gained its popularity, I still get fascinated with the characteristics of lomography because there are no rules! It has a different and fresh perspective into seeing things... like a hodge podge of over-saturated colors, vignettes, light leaks and “happy accidents”. Lomo is love. ♥

What got you interested? Yo was the first one to introduce me to analogue cameras. I liked the dreamlike effect of his Holga but find it very plain. So he looked for a very stylish camera with almost the same feature, radiant color-dripping lens, soft-focus surprises, all-plastic body, dead-simple shutter. On top of that, brand new pinhole and endless panorama features were added into the mix.

How many cameras do you have in your collection? What's your next one? I have 4, namely. Candy (Diana), my first ever lomo camera (Diana F+) which I named Candy. Candy was one of the different types of Diana that was manufactured in 1960's, the first red plastic-bodied box camera. Jack (Supersampler), I just love spontaneous shooting! Supersampler lets you shoot

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Bobby (Fat Lens), I was planning to buy a wide-angle lens for my Diana but it will cost more than this charming wide-angle camera and guess what? This uses 35mm film which is more convenient! Oscar (Fisheye), when I visited the Lomography Shop in HK, I laid eyes on this special edition camera, Fisheye Ripcurl. Hip and chic colors for all of my adventures. I am saving up for another toy cam, the LC A+ white edition or the Zorki 1. The Zorki 1 was originally designed as a copy of the Leica II which was manufactured after the WWII. One of the Russian cameras in Lomography, which is very classic and gives you the feeling that you're really capturing something from the WWII.

If you were given a once in a lifetime chance to travel the world, which/ what camera would you bring? I would probably bring LCA+ white edition camera, I need to buy one first though. Haha! This is inspired by the graceful beauty of the traditional Japanese stone garden, Karesansui. Some of the few things I love about this toy camera are the aperture settings, MX, expanded film ISO settings, cable release thread for shake-free nightime and indoor shooting and the new hinge for easy interchangeability between film back and LC-A Instant Back+. How can you resist all of this in just one cam?

Reggie Nagui

Elle Aguila What got you interested?

Very tricky, each camera has its own quirks and characteristics! But I'd probably bring my Polaroid so I can just shoot and go.

your object (moving or nonmoving) into four panoramic panels. Pull, aim, click and voila!

If you were given a once in a lifetime chance to travel the world, which/ what camera would you bring?

What got you interested? Because a DSLRs is too expensive and common, and lomo pictures are unique and artsy. I started Mid year 2010. I got inspired when I saw some awesome photos taken by some of my colleagues here in IBM. I borrowed a camera from a teammate and liked the outcome. From there I bought my own camera.

How many cameras do you have in your collection? What's your next one? I only have one, but would love to buy a new one (if my budget permits). My camera is called Golden Half, you can take 2 pictures in one slide of a film, pretty cool and handy because it's really small. Quality of the photo is okay, this is recommended for those who want to start in lomography.

If you were given a once in a lifetime chance to travel the world, which/ what camera would you bring? My handy Golden half ofcourse, and borrow a camera to add to my arsenal so that I can take many pictures in diﬀerent films. Would be great to travel the world and document it using lomography. ■

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WORDS BY SUZIE ABELLA

GROUP-TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 101 The fundamentals of organizing your own big, budget-friendly, awesome trip

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While some people prefer to travel alone to find peace and serenity, which I find boring, the usual soul-searching moment or maybe, a journey of finding their soulmates– I prefer to skip that drama and choose to travel with a bunch of noisy, lunatic people I call friends. I just love traveling with a huge crowd. But when it’s time to organize the trip, everybody is just soooo busy with something else to care about the details while I’m already overflowing with excitement! Ever since then, I knew what I was destined to do. I started organizing get-togethers way back in High School when I volunteered as the “organizer” of our reunions and initiated get-togethers every semestral break and holidays. Later on, it became a habit for them to text me whenever they feel like doing something together, as if they’re paying me to do that. But that’s the start of my career as the official “event organizer” of the group.

From simple town-hopping in the province, I started organizing trips that has longer duration, with more complex itinerary and more participants, around 10-20 people, and involves larger amount of money- from foodtrips to roadtrips to Beach get-ways and mountain adventure. It’s a big challenge to organize such big trips, while working on a budget. I know it would be a lot easier if our parents can still sponsor us just like during schooltrips or maybe one of us is an heir of a big corporation who has a big heart for his friends, but really, we are just a bunch of regular yuppies earning a regular salary, with a huge dream of conquering the world! And therefore, we decided that all trips should be budget-friendly until we find that filthy rich friend who can sponsor us. I am not yet an expert, but based on my experiences so far, I can share with you valuable tips which you may find handy when your moment comes! ■

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01. Choose your Destination

03. Create an awesome team!

This should always be decided as a group. Create an event page on facebook to hear out all their suggestions or do text brigades. But FB is a much better option because you can’t get away with the people who don’t reply at all, but you can easily find them on facebook, harvesting their plants on Farmville. After consolidating everything, you need to filter out the ones that are not feasible… like Mars. If you’re also working on a budget, start locally because it’s one way of showing your big love for our native land and yeah…because, you still can’t afford to go outside the Philippine’s area of responsibility, unless there’s a ticket sale. After finalizing the options, decide it through an election. After all, we’re a democratic country.

Don’t be a hero. You don’t have to do everything on your own. Find some people in your group to help you with logistics and publicity- meaning the people who can contact the place where you will stay and haggle for the price and the person who can do the invitation and the update of participants. You also have to tap the talented people in your group when it comes to PISO-fare, P88-peso fare and Zero-fare and other ticket sales. These are rare opportunities that you should maximize. My friend is such an expert, she booked sixteen of us in a trip to CDO for a P567 roundtrip ticket. According to her, it’s all about focus…and a high-speed computer, a good internet connection, a credit card, and a list of names and birthdays. Take it from her.

02. Provide an Overview of the Trip. Sometimes, this should be done first before choosing your final destination because people may decide based on the details. How many days are you going to stay there? What are the places to look forward to? How much will it cost and so on. The answers are just one or two clicks away! With all the blogs and testimonials on the internet, you can easily find the details you’re looking for- estimated budget, accommodations, itinerary, must-see-sites, etc. It is highly suggested to read real blogs of real people and not a site put up by the owner of a hotel as part of their marketing strategy. One difference is that the real people comments about the restroom. Well, restroom says a lot about the whole service anyway so better listen to these people. They have real stories to tell.

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04. Know your participants. With the powers of the event page on facebook, you can easily know the people who are as excited as you that they will click the “attending” button right away. Then, there are “maybeattending” people and the non-attending people, which will challenge your convincing powers later on. But the real test will be the “drawers”. They are the people who says “Of course I am coming!” with so much excitement, then cancels on the last day before the trip by sending a text message. In order to address this, a rule should be implemented. Remember that you have worked hard for the reservation and also, that involves money. The rule is that they can only cancel their slot if the accommodations were not reserved yet and this is most of the time three weeks before the trip. After that duration, you have to pay for the full accommodation and food contribution if you want to cancel, unless you

can find a replacement. In my group, anyone who ignores this rule will be banned from joining the next trip unless he accepts his role as the slave of the whole group on the next get-away.

And one more important thing, the bargaining power of a big group is relatively higher, so again, maximize!

07. Know when to do it. 05. Always send reminders. Always remember that you are the mother hen and you are responsible for your chicks. If the mother hen will not remind them to bring their own utensils, or make sure to bring extra clothes, or wear rubber shoes for the trekking, they will simply tell you, “you haven’t said so” when in fact, you have said it a couple of timesthat’s a chicken-egg argument so better avoid that and try to be more…motherly. Remind them on the important things that they should know, or bring, especially on the last day before your departure. Make sure that you’re phone is fullycharged and loaded, because you need that for the people with a broken alarm clock (at least that’s what they say).

06. Make it budget-friendly. Review the details of your expenses and identify the things that you can control. Most of the time, it’s food, unless you’re going on a foodtrip. Remember that having a big group can help you cut-off some expenses, like accommodation and transportation if you have a private car. You can divide the gasoline expenses and collect a food contribution. Don’t just put five people in a room that can accommodate 10! The key is to maximize. For instance, when we went to Puerto Galera, we opted to bring our own food and do the cooking ourselves. We only spent P250 each for 4 meals, plus, we get to bond during the cooking time! Don’t limit yourselves with canned goods because you know you deserve better than that! Don’t be afraid to be more creative.

I know that impromptu trips are suuuuper awesome! But most of the time, it can only work for a 1-day trip. If you’re planning to go to Sagada for 4 days, you really need some planning. One challenge you will encounter is the weather so make sure to do some sundance especially during months of June and July. You can plan as early as 2 or 3 months before the trip, depending on how excited you are. Just make sure to reserve your accommodation 3 weeks or 1month before the trip.

08. Lastly, have fun! This is the most cliché advice you will ever get, but really, take it to your heart. You are not their mother. You can’t just sit somewhere and tell your kids “don’t go there” or “do not eat that, it’s dirty”. Some organizers fall into the pit of controlling everyone, every detail and every action. Don’t do that! It will spoil all the fun. Just let them be. Let them explore and learn and for Pete’s sake, they’re too old for that. Join them and have some awesome moments together! ■

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THE ROAD TO HONG KONG Travelling Off the Beaten Path HONG KONG▪BEIJING▪SYDNEY▪MELBOURNE BALI▪BARCELONA▪ROME▪VENICE▪AMSTERDAM LUCERNE▪DONSOL▪CAMIGUIN▪VIGAN▪SUBIC DAVAO▪BATANES▪BORACAY▪PAMPANGA

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WORDS BY ANGELI ROSALES

Where to stay?

What to eat?

If you’re on a tight budget, Hop Inn at the Tsim Tsa Tsui area is a good place to stay. The rooms are all individually decorated by local artists. A definite plus is that it is walking distance from the Tsim Tsa Tsui MTR station, plus it’s clean, cheap, and has free in-room wifi.

Food tripping in Hong Kong is a must. There are a lot of street food stalls to choose from. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Hong Kong is also the home of my favorite authentic Xiao Long Bao (steamed soup dumplings) — don’t go home without having a taste of it.

What to do? How’s the nightlife? Hong Kong will surely tire you out from all the clubbing and partying. There are countless bars and night spots to choose from. Try to drop by the Lan Kwai Fong area if you’re in a clubbing mood. Tsim Tsa Tsui also has a couple of chill bars, if you’re into something more low-key, as well. Hong Kong has something for everyone.

If you’re into amusement parks, a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland is a must. It has its own MTR station, so it’s really easy to get there. Make sure you stay for the fireworks at night, they’re awesome. A trip to Hong Kong’s Night Market at Mongkok is also quite an experience. If you’re looking for cheap “pasalubong” or unique finds,

you’re sure to find it here. Get ready to haggle to your heart’s content, too. Be careful though, because the people are aggressive, and will do just about anything to get a sale.

Why go here? If you want to shop to your heart’s content, eat ‘til you drop, and party like a rock star—HK is the place to be.

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How’s the nightlife? I was not able to scan the area for the best bar experience but Chinese locals say that No.52 Bar is one of the best in Chaoyang District. It is called No.52 bar because there are 52 kinds of cocktails from around the world, the whole year is divided into 52 weeks, so customers can taste a different cocktail every week for a whole year. Amazing, isn’t it? Another one is the Havana Café. It serves fine rum cocktails and lively samba/salsa tunes that are great for filling up the dance floor. Havana Cafe also offers a beer garden and wonderful barbeque lunch specials of South American inspiration. This is certainly among the best nightclubs in Beijing due to its unique Latinostyle and wide selection of perfectly concocted drinks, cigars and tapas.

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Where to stay?

What to eat?

Beijing is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and motorways passing through the city. It is also the destination of many international flights arriving in China. Thus, finding a place to stay is important. Make sure you stay near the train stations or bus stops.

Peking Roast Duck - Peking Duck has the reputation of being the most delicious food Beijing has to offer. While some find it a bit too greasy, others get hooked after just one bite.

Luxury Hotels * Raffles Beijing Hotel - This hotel is a few minutes from the mystical Forbidden City, historical Tiananmen Square, the Silk Market and other famous sights. It is also a short 15-minute walk from Beijing railway station and less than five minutes from Wangfujing subway station.

* Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski - Set amid the peaceful and green mountains near the Shuiguan section of the Great Wall, the 8 square kilometer development is a private collection of contemporary architecture designed by 12 Asian architects.

* Sofitel Wanda Beijing - Located at the central business district of Beijing, it offers easy access to the Exhibition Center, subway and major attractions such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The deluxe Sofitel Wanda Beijing boasts fast access to the Beijing Capital International Airport and the Beijing Railway Station.

Budget Hotels * Super 8 Hotel - Wangfujing - Located in Jinbao Street is in the famous remaining Hutong Area and right in the Heart of downtown Beijing. A short two-minute walk from the bustle of Beijing's vibrant city life, The New Dragon Hostel offers very close proximity to the main sightseeing and shopping attractions in Beijing's downtown core, including Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and Beijing's ultra-modern stores and older, traditional open-door, streetside shops and stalls. Only 1.5 kilometers from Beijing's main railway station and a 32-kilometer taxi or bus ride from the airport.

* Courtyard View Hotel - Located at the east of the Forbidden City and near to Wang Fu Jing walking street is one Chinese traditional courtyard house inn. It's very convenient from here to the Forbidden City, Jing Shan Mountain, the Lama Temple, Bei Hai River, Shi Sha Hai River and Hou Hai River Bar street.

BEIJING WORDS BY

Hot Pot - Beijing winters can get very very cold. When I was there last February, the weather was around -10 degrees Celsius. So hot pot is one of the natural favorite for tourists like me and even for local people. Dou Zhi - This is strange-tasting, greenish-grey, fermented bean porridge, and if you can manage to eat a whole bowl of it you will earn great respect from your Beijing peers.

What to do? Night Markets in Beijing are crazy!!! Wangfujing Snack Street is the most famous and popular snack street among Chinese and foreign visitors. Starting from about 5 in the afternoon, vendors line up their stalls and start selling foods from all parts of the country. You can have an entire meal walking from one end of the street to the other, sampling some exotic and more typical everyday items. For those who love shopping, Silk Market is the place to go to. A 28,000sq.m. shopping mall located at Silk Street (North of Jiangguomenwai Dajie) and 1,500 stalls in the market. Commodities mainly sold are shoes, bags and cases, leather, famous brands, casual wear, fashion clothing, cowboy series, sports leisure attire, knitted dress, kid's clothing, tie, silk handkerchief, silk wax printing, craft table cloth, handicraft, jewelry, antique, calligraphy and painting, Beijing roast duck and traditional snack. You name it, they have it! Tip: Whenever you see an item you like, ask for the selling price first. Don’t ever take their offer just yet. Cut them by at least 80% and stay firm. They will then bargain with you. When you start to walk away, they will grab your arm. Wait for them to give more discounts until they give in to your price. And if you do not budge, you might just get the item for more than half the price they are selling it.

Warning: Never bargain for an item if you do not intend to buy. That will be rude for them. WAL Magazine

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ANNA ALFONSO

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SURF'S UP! BALI WORDS BY

The Land Down Under:

AUSTRALIA

JOEY SABIO

Where to stay?

What to do?

If you're looking for a budget friendly hotel, Masa Inn is a very good option. The rooms are very nice and spacious. Add to that, the hotel is just 5-10 minutes away from Kuta Beach.

For beach lovers, visit the KutaLegian Beach, which is a very popular beach for tourists. It`s a great place to go surfing. It isn’t a problem if you don’t know how because you can even get some surfing lessons there. Various restaurants and shops are just across the road from the beach. Definitely a place I would recommend to visit.

Words By Elaiza Aguila

“Melbourne & Sydney are Australia’s most cultured city with its Victorian-era architecture, museums, galleries and lavish parks/gardens.

”

Australia is one of the tourist-friendly countries in the world with its efficient transit system. You can go around the city for FREE with its City tram or you can catch a train or bus to take you Bondi Beach in under an hour from Sydney city. This is where you can take surfing lessons, meet some backpackers, and mingle with surfers and sun-worshippers. Another way to explore Australia especially for water babies like me is to visit the famous Sydney Aquarium where

you can discover spectacular marine species from all over the world. You will find sharks, dugongs, rays, penguins and much more! Lastly, aside from having a laid back lifestyle, I also find the Aussies to have lively passion for FOOD and WINE. Just head to Macedon Ranges or Yarra Valley to have a taste of all sorts of chardonnay and vinos. And for carnivores like me, head to Crown Hotel for a taste of juicy Australian steaks and seafood. ■

How’s the nightlife? Kuta-Legian is the center for young people's partying and nightlife. Check out Beach Lounge and M Bar Go. Both are throbbing music dens which oﬀer various food and drinks along with a diﬀerent experience in socializing. Just go out there and enjoy.

What to eat? For authentic Balinese and Indonesian Cuisine, the Pond which is located in Ubud, is a very good option. Their Deep Fried Duck and Nasi Goreng are among the most sought after dishes. Truth be told, Ubud’s duck is the best we’ve tasted so far. It was cooked perfectly and it wasn’t oily. To summarize, the people, the service, the ambience and the food were AMAZING.

Another beach worth visiting is located in Uluwata, called the Blue Point and Padang-Padang Beach. At Blue Point, the beach was great but the shore was covered with water due to the high tide. Although it still had an awesome view from the top. As for Padang-Padang, the place had nice, fine sand and the crowd was mostly composed of Australian nationals.

Why go here? Bali is definitely an island destination because of its great beaches, activity hub, and entertainment playground.

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BARCELONA, Spain Why you should go:

the narrow alleys away from shops, trattorias, and hotels.

ROME & VENICE, Italy

Views to kill for:

The mildness of the climate Why you should go: is just one of the arrows in this ancient but rapidly changing city's quiver. Even in winter, while cities in less fortunate climes shiver under mantles of snow, Barcelona lies resplendent in precocious spring sunshine, its beaches lapped by the scintillating Mediterranean.

The Great Escape:

EUROPEAN LIGHTS Words By Aaron Cabigas

“time stops and the word amazing doesn't even describe it ” Time waits for no man, but it stands still for a city. There is no price for what I have seen and experienced from sunrise to sunset. Time stops and the word ‘amazing’ doesn’t even describe it. Sometimes there truly is something to the clichés. As the aircraft loses altitude for its final approach along every city – in Europe that I’ve been to so far – waterfront toward the airport, the panorama is just stunning. The change of scene and exposure to another culture even for a brief moment is simply breathtaking. Only in traveling does one experience that immediately.

Everytime I travel it gets me feeling alive and thinking that there’s something to look forward to – a new place to experience, new people to meet. Being limited to just one place is the last thing one would ever wish to feel, well at least for me. I have pinned down five on-the-radar destinations where the past is palpable and the tourist load is heavy, but escapism is still attainable. ■

Modern art, manic architecture, fine food, seething nightlife, and a certain metropolitan dynamism are only some of Barcelona's trump cards. A medieval city surrounded by gothic cathedrals, baroque quarters, and by the finest Spanish Art Nouveau (of Gaudi), Barcelona is a place to go in Spain for a chic city beak.

Rome is magnificent and brutal at the same time. Being a showcase of Western civilization with astonishingly ancient sights and a modern vibrancy, it is deemed as Italy's political capital, the capital of Catholicism, and the center of the ancient world, littered with evocative remains. If Paris is an urban garden, Rome can be coined as a magnificent tangled forest. Venice, on the other hand, shimmers in the middle of a huge lagoon. It's a floating city built on wooden piles on a series of mud flats and islets.

Things you must do:

Get close to Gaudi's unique and colorful works, which turn Barcelona into a living artwork, providing a surreal interpretation of the nature that surrounds it.

Dine well at least once. Stuff your face at trattorias with the most plebian cuisine in the world. However, this doesn't mean insipid nor poor, but rather quite the opposite. Roman and Venetian cuisine are full of flavors, distinct and colorful, but very "rustic".

After absorbing the opulence of the city's gothic cathedrals and forcing your credit cards to sing "chi-ching, chi-ching", complete your touristaesque image with some sinful pleasure – tapas and cerveza.

Views to kill for: Put your legs to the test by climbing to the top of Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and the stunning botanical gardens. It simply offers the best views of the city.

Take an early evening Dolce -Vita-Stroll down Via del Corso with Rome's beautiful people; and an after-dark walk from Campo de' Fiori to Spanish Steps, lacing together Rome's Baroque and bubbly nightspots. In Venice, save your romantic (and overrated) gondola ride to explore some canals spanned by bridges. Also, you may want to lose yourself in

While in Rome... Longe by the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) while enjoying huge scoops of gelato. Put your game face on and pose with the “Gladiators" for some photos at the Colosseum. Wander around St. Peter's Basilica, one of the greatest Churches on earth, and around the Vatican Museum to learn something eternity. Here you would find the story of creation bright as the day it was painted in the restored Sistine Chapel. While in Venice... Simply take a water taxi down the Canal for the best view of the city.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands Why you should go: Amsterdam is a work of art. A museum in itself packed with monuments, statues, museums, and some of Europe's finest 17th and 18th-Century architecture. The following are what makes Amsterdam an amazing and interesting place to explore: its culture and history, liberalism, some of the world's greatest art collections, winding canals and cobbled streets, cannabis, sex museums, fascinating old buildings. What the endless lists of Rembrandt and red lights, wasters and waterways can't adequately convey is the

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atmosphere of the place – its laid-back, unhurried feel; the warmth of welcome oﬀered by its locals; the eyelids-unbatted tolerance and nay, acceptance of all kinds of everything.

Things you must do: While Paris is known for highfashion, haute couture, and luxury designer merchandise (hence, the saying "shop til you drop"), here in Amsterdam, you may watch til your eyes pop. Afterall this is what this place is known for: the Red Light District and other hottest nightspots. Enjoy a lazy bike ride around the enchanting city of Amsterdam, then make a pit stop at the Het Molenpad or Café Nol for some of the best brewskis in Northern Europe.

Views to kill for: Being coined as the Venice of the north, aboard a glass-roofed launch and cruise the ancient canals of Holland's Golden Age including the gabled houses and humpback drawbridges (via Canal Cruises). But unlike Venice, which is a museum with relatively little to sustain itself in the modern age, Amsterdam is a thriving city that's alive in all respects.

LUCERNE, Switzerland Why you should go: One of Switzerland's finest cities nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by clear mountain water of the River Reuss. Enjoy vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers. Painfully pretty, Lucerne is predominantly pedestriansonly in the foothills of the Alps.

Things you must do: A grand selection of activities completes the day: take a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis; cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, shop for that very Swiss watch and chocolates. You may also want to swing by north of the town and there you'll find, in the words of Mark Twain, "the saddest piece of rock in the world" – a dying lion carved out of sheer sandstone. At night, lounge at Hotel Astoria. From the terrace of the Penthouse bar, enjoy the breath-taking view over the rooftop of Lucerne lakes and mountains. Before the clock strikes midnight, transfer to Pravda Club, located along Hotel Astoria. Exquisite, urban ambiance derived from unique color and material compositions convey a club feeling not yet found in Switzerland. Together

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with the private bar area as a "soft-sound hideaway", Pravda accommodates the needs of a diversified community. Party the night away with top-class national and international DJs.

Views to kill for: By day, paddle-wheel steamers ply the arms of lake Vierwaldstättersee, where white swans waddle out of the water right onto the sidewalk. By dusk, saunter with the locals across Kappelbrücke (Europe's oldest bridge) towards Rathuasquai, a riverside promenade of cafés with unlimited stock of schnitzel, cheese and chocolate.

SINGAPORE LAH

WORDS BY MICHELLE SINGH

Where to stay?

What to eat?

On a budget - Victoria Hotel It’s close to Bugis street, which is known to be a popular shopping place (tiangge style) open 24 hours, and near other popular tourist destinations such as Little India and open food courts, and easily accessible via MRT (there are 2 stations close by).

There are a lot of restaurants around the city that offer the best cuisine, but if you want to have a real taste of Singapore, skip the fancy restaurants and opt to dine in food courts. These can be found scattered on every corner of the street. They offer a wide variety of dishes, from native Singaporean to Malay, Thai, Chinese and Bombay, without the expensive price tab. Some are even open 24-hours. So if you are suddenly craving for Chicken Satay or Chilli Crabs, it’s the best place to go.

Where to stay? This city definitely knows how to party. In fact, on Sundays, businesses are open late, to give way to people who’ve enjoyed themselves the previous day/night. It is the only city that serves McDonald’s breakfast until 11 AM, because every where else in Asia and the Western hemisphere, McDonald’s breakfast ends at 10:30 AM. Most people go to Clark Quay for a fun night out. It boasts of a wide array of restaurants, bars and clubs, some with unique themes. Prepare your wallet though, because night life in Singapore can get pretty pricey.

all ages. The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are also places to enjoy if you are an animal lover and are up for an adventure.

Why go here? There’s just something for everyone in Singapore. If you’ve already been here, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back because there’s something new to try or something you want to do again.

What to do? Singapore may be a small city but it is packed with lots of things to do for everyone. As the shopping capital of Asia, a list of places is no longer needed as you can easily find a place to shop. Universal Studios and Sentosa is definitely a must, especially when you are travelling with your family. Both oﬀer exciting activities and thrilling rides for

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WANDERLUST An interview with LISETTE

LIZO

The term originates from the German term wandern (to hike) and lust (desire). Placing these two words together, translated: “to enjoy hiking”, although it is commonly described as an enjoyment of strolling or wandering. So why do some people have this undying love of travel? Why do some people have this wanderlust? Let’s take a look at one individual in particular who is a very familiar face to all of Learning: none other than the Learning Delivery leader herself, Lisette Lizo-Panaligan.

Lisette has been with IBM since 2004. “I was actually part of the P&G group that transferred to IBM that year,” Lisette adds. When she was still with P&G, she used to be part of the Travel and Expense team. And then in 2006, she transferred to Learning and the rest, as they say, is history. Her love for travelling actually started when she was with IBM. According to her, she realized she had wanderlust because of a previous boss. “I had an Indian boss before in P&G, he would often ask me what are the best places in the country he and his family can visit. I had to rack my brain for answers because I haven’t travelled that much during that time. Right there and then, I promised myself to travel around the Philippines so I can tell everyone how amazing our country is.” There are several reasons why people love travelling. First, there’s meeting new people. Locals love talking with travelers and tourists and this is a fun way to increase the people in your social circle. Next, the delicacies. Some people, try as much as possible to avoid known food chains like McDonalds and KFC and would much rather try the local food and drinks when they travel. Another reason why people love to travel is because of finding exciting attractions and learning new languages. The excitement of being in a place far away, marveling at the attractions, and learning the dialects add fun and good memories to your trip. For Lisette, she makes sure that when she had business travels, she also squeezes in time to do touristy stuff. She always tries as much as possible to extend a couple more

days for pleasure travelling, sightseeing, and experiencing the local culture of the places she goes to. Her business trips include those in Guangzhou, Newcastle, Atlanta and Budapest. But her wanderlust trips that don’t include any form of business at all are some places in the Philippines like Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, and Baguio. She has also experienced the exciting trips to Singapore, London, York, California, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Rome, Paris, and Vienna. When asked about her very recent trip and how she liked it, Lisette reminisced, “My most recent trip was in Europe. I always thought that I was born in the era of castles, Lords and Ladies so it was great to be back. This time I got to travel to other places like Hungary, Italy and France.” Of course, not all trips are all fun and exciting. Stress comes in as well, like losing luggage, or getting mugged, and Lisette was not spared from these unfortunate events. “I may have lost my stuff during the trip but seeing the Colosseo, Pantheon, Eiffel Tower, etc and being with good friends made the trip memorable.” The rush, the excitement, the freedom, and the simplicity of just being able to walk about in a foreign place and quenching your thirst for traveling is enough to make one’s wanderlust a truly unforgettable experience. ■

WORDS BY DIMPLE BALLESTEROS PHOTOHRAPHED BY ROSANNA FOJAS STYLED BY ANGELI ROSALES & MICHELLE BONGCO MAKE-UP BY CLARA OBMERGA

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DONSOL WORDS BY

CAMILLA NACPIL

How’s the nightlife? Villa JoLee had a few beers stocked up in their refrigerator but I would recommend that before you do a drinking spree in Donsol, go firefly watching first. Hire a boat to cruise you along Donsol River and enjoy the beauty of the fireflies’ lights.

What to eat? You should try pinangat or laing, one of Bicol’s mostly-bragged specialty. For those who do not eat vegetables, I suggest you do just this once. You should also try Villa JoLee’s Bicol Express. They’re the best I’ve ever tasted.

What to do? Swim with the whale sharks!!! It’s an experience you should not miss out! Sadly, though, the whale sharks do not show up much in May so it’s better to go Donsol on March or April. People tell me that you’ll get to see around 10 to 12 whale sharks during these months. This May, however, we only saw 3. Nonetheless, it was still a blast. Floating and scrambling in the deep sea to see and swim with the biggest fish in the world was crazy. Another activity worth doing while you’re in Donsol is snorkeling in the waters of San Miguel Island, an island in Ticao. It is one hour and a half away from Donsol by boat. The area is a proclaimed dive spot, so it wouldn’t disappoint you. The corals are alive and the fish are plentiful. Other sea creatures like sea horses, sea snakes, and eels also thrive in the area. After snorkeling (or diving, if you have a license), it wouldn’t hurt to hang out on the shores of San Miguel Island. There are no resorts or anything else here. The sand is white, the water is ultimately clear, and the rocks by the beach are magnificent. The mountains surrounding the beach truly made this place a wonder of nature you would want to take care for the rest of your life. WAL Magazine

Why go here?

Where to stay?

Because the whale sharks are incredibly awesome! Also, it is here where you can experience, interact, and be one with nature as it really is.

Paras Beach Resort. By boat, it is three minutes away from White Island. More than that, the resort is neat, clean, and it has a very good view of the sea. Most importantly, it is budgetfriendly.

Where to stay? There are numerous places where you could stay at Donsol. The popular resorts are the ones near the Tourist Center, where everyone flocks to experience the much-renowned whale shark interaction. If you are on a very tight budget, there are also plenty of homestays you could choose from. After a tedious search of budget friendly accommodations, I stumbled upon Villa JoLee Resort. It was cheap - P1500 per night but with a discount we only paid P1200 per night. The rooms were simple and clean, and it was just a walking distance of three minutes from the Tourist Center. I highly recommend this place because of the comfort it brings – the airconditioned rooms, the food, and the hospitality and care of Kuya Ronnel, the resort’s caretaker. He was so accommodating and he was really concerned about the wants and needs of his visitors.

How’s the nightlife? There is a bar in the resort, which, by the way, closes early at night. There is a nearby restaurant-bar though called Luna Ristorante. The place is known for their good pizza and they had this live band playing while we were having dinner. The band played slow, interesting songs like Realize by Colbie Caillat, Terrified by Katherine McPhee, and some others of the same genre. They didn’t fail to entertain.

What to eat? Again, try Luna Ristorante’s pizza.

CAMIGUIN WORDS BY

CAMILLA NACPIL

What to do? Camiguin is known to be an island that is packed with adventure. There is a lot to be done here, like swimming in its numerous hot and cold springs. If you want, you could also try snorkeling at the Sunken Cemetery. I am not sure as to what you’ll see underneath – probably graves or bones (kidding) – but give it a try and tell us about it. Here is a list of must-see’s and must-do’s in Camiguin Island: * Feel the wonder of swimming in the Katibawasan Falls * Swim in waters fresh from the mountains. Go to the Sto. Nino Cold Springs, Soda Swimming Pool (its water tastes like soda), and Ardent Hot Springs. * Take time to see the Sunken Cemetery and the Old Church * Go to the White Beach. This is a must. Snorkel if you want. * If you have the money and the time to spare, visit Mantigue Island. * Try trekking on Mt. Hibok Hibok * Bike around the island and enjoy its provincial charm

Why go here? Because Camiguin Island is cool and action-packed!

Also, try the fresh sea urchins sold at the White Island. Each costs P10. We had more than a dozen, and it served as our breakfast. I liked it. It tasted like crab and the sea combined, and it works well with vinegar and calamansi.

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What to eat?

Imagine yourself stepping out to a street made of cobblestones – wouldn’t that feel amazing? Hence, I suggest that you stay in hotels in the Heritage Village, or near it at least.

What else, but their specialties – bagnet, pinakbet, and longganisa! Café Leona (along Calle Crisologo) has a plate with all these. Try Uno Grille’s (in front of Grandpa’s Inn) poqui poqui too. It’s an omelette made with eggplant. You wouldn’t go wrong with that.

We stayed at Grandpa’s Inn. It wasn’t along the famous Calle Crisologo, but it was so near it. It was a stone’s throw away from the site. It was a Spanish house owned by the Donato Family, which was converted into an inn in 1979. It has a very homey feel to it and its interior screams 1970. If you’re travelling as a group, try their calesa room, which has beds made out of calesas.

How’s the nightlife? We had a serene nightlife in Vigan. We arrived there at around 10pm and we had Calle Crisologo all to ourselves. It was empty and quiet. Yellow lights flooded the streets. It was just us and the old Spanish houses. We had history all to ourselves.

What to do? Ride a calesa while touring the nearby hotspots in Vigan. It will cost you P150 per hour. Here’s a piece of advice though: do not ride the calesa if you’re visiting far places, like the Baluarte zoo. The calesa goes slow; it will rip off your wallet. Here is a list of must-see’s in Vigan: * Heritage Village and Calle Crisologo * Bell Tower * Pagburnayan (Try molding some pots. It doesn’t sound appealing at first, but when I tried it, it made me really happy. It was fun.) * Crisologo Museum, which

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PAMPANGA

CAMILLA NACPIL

Where to stay?

WORDS BY

used to be the home of Congressman Floro Crisologo and his wife * Ayala Museum, which used to be the home of Father Jose Burgos (closed on Mondays) * Baluarte Zoo, which is owned by Chavit Singson Vigan has preserved much of what our country was like during the Spanish regime, so please do not forget to visit the historical sites and the museums. Getting in touch with our past will give you a very enriching experience.

Why go here? To get a taste of how the Philippines was during the Spanish regime and to experience Philippine history – firsthand

Where to stay? First, maximize your network. If you’re planning for a budgetfriendly travel in Pampanga, it is best if you can find a friend who’s living there, and ask him/her to adopt you or your friends for awhile. But there may be issues like space and noise, especially if you like traveling with your large circle of friends so better look for a back up hotel/apartment if you’re planning to stay for more than a day. There are so many places to explore so mobility is expected most of the time. You can pick a place to stay-in according to your destination like for instance, Clarkson Hotel in Angeles or Fontana. But hotels are a little expensive, so really… stay with your friend’s house or do everything in one-day and go home really late. It will still be worth it, for sure.

How’s the nightlife? Nightlife is pretty much about bars in Angeles City but if you’re not into these things, it’s better to rest and sleep

SUZIE ABELLA

to save energy for the next day. Or you can try the eating places on the road which serve grilled food and other Pampanga delicacies.

What to eat? Why is Pampanga called the Culinary Capital of the Philippines? That’s for you to find out! You have to try the Original Pampanga sisig, karekare, and their desserts and delicacies such as pastillas (milk candies), turonnes de casoy and buro. But of course, the whole eating experience wouldn’t be complete without tasting the exciting EXOTIC FOOD! Don’t miss trying out Betute Tugak or the stuffed frog and kamaru or crickets cooked adobo style.

What to do? The idea for a fun and exciting Pampanga adventure is definitely a combination of Roadtrip and Foodtrip! Create your itinerary and visit places like Everybody’s Cafe, for a delicious breakfast with their hot chocolate and tamales. Try

kare-kare (Oxtail in Vegetables in Peanut Sauce), adobong kamaru (mole crickets in adobo style) and bringhe in Aling Lucing’s restaurant and desserts and delicacies at the Crossing in Henson Street, Angeles City. You can also visit historical churches like San Guillermo Church in Bacolor and Betis Church known as “Sistine chapel of the Philippines” in Guagua, Pampanga. Also, spend some time in San Fernando Heritage District where you can enjoy a calesa ride while looking at the ancestral houses.

Why go here? If you enjoy eating and trying out different delicacies, this is one of the greatest places to be. Pampanga is very rich in culture so your adventure will also make you appreciate this wonderful heritage.

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How’s the nightlife? Where to stay Davao City is known for having beautiful beach resorts and affordable hotels and hostels. Beach resorts like Chemas, Paradise Island, Blue Jazz Resort, Camp Holiday, Eden Park, and of course, the famous Pearl Farm come to mind if you’re looking for places to stay, have fun, and enjoy. If you want to experience luxury, and if your budget allows you to, you can stay at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Lanang, Davao City.

The nightlife in Davao is pretty much the same as in Manila, but of course, a whole lot cheaper! Davao City is full of clubs which youngsters go to. If you’re into the party scene, you can check out Metro Bar, Club Liquid, Club Halo, Club Autoshop, Eagles Bar, and The Venue which is a cluster of bars where you can sit outside, enjoy aﬀordable beer, and listen to party music, chill music, reggae, or anything that suits you. Davao’s lively night scene oﬀers diverse wholesome entertainment and fun destinations such as restaurants, cafes, dance clubs, music lounges, videoke and piano bars. Davao’s popular night spots are mostly located in dining and entertainment enclaves such as The Venue (Quirino Ave.), Matina Town Square (Matina), Rizal Promenade (Rizal St.), Victoria Plaza Mall (J.P. Laurel Ave.), Fountain Place (Agdao), Damosa Gateway (Lanang) and Jack’s Ridge (Shrine Hill). Favorite night spots of high rollers are the Casino Filipino (Grand Regal Hotel) and Casino Filipino VIP Club (The Apo View) where they spend hours of fun gaming and amusement.

What to eat? When someone says “Davao” there’s only one word that comes to mind: Penong’s. Penong’s has the tastiest most savory chicken plus they have the rice-all-you-can too! Delongtes Seafood and Grill is also one place where you can eat delicious food. The city is known for delicious seafood like lobsters, crabs, and “bulad” or “daing” (dried fish). And of course, Davao will not be Davao if you have not tried the fruit it’s known for: durian! Some people say that it smells like hell but it tastes like heaven. You have to try it for sure.

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DAVAO DaWOW WORDS BY

DIMPLE BALLESTEROS

What to do? Once you’re in Davao, you have to go to places it’s known for like: People’s Park which is probably one of the city’s most popular recreational destinations; Davao Museum of History and Ethnography; The Crocodile Farm, the place where they breed crocodiles and they also have a bird sanctuary here; DECA Wakeboard Park which is considered to be the biggest wakeboarding park in the Philippines, oﬀering the best venue for extreme water sports like wake-boarding and water-ski; Japanese Tunnel, a tunnel that the Japanese created in the time of the Japanese Revolution. 200 meters remains of the original 1 km of tunnels. Admission is 50 pesos for adults; Lon Wa Buddhist Temple, the biggest Buddhist temple in Mindanao is set in environment of candle trees and bamboo with an imposing statue of the Buddha and his life depicted in wood carving; Eden Nature Park, Philippines Eagle Center, and go river rafting at Davao River.

Why go here? What makes Davao City diﬀerent from other cities in the Philippines is that it is a typhoon-free zone and enjoys good weather all year. It is also ideal for outdoor activities because of the stable weather condition. It is a good season for adventure and sports anytime of the year so one is not limited to just the summer months. Davao City also is one of the safest destinations. You don’t need to worry about being mugged or having one of your things stolen. Davao City has one of the lowest crime rates in the world averaging at 0.8 in every 10,000 persons per month. The Davao City Police Office has consistently been chosen as the Best Police Office in the entire country. Lastly, Davao City has more value for your money. All world-class products remain aﬀordable and accessible to everyone on a daily basis. In Davao, the high quality of life does not come at a high cost.

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Proud to be an IVATAN WORDS BY

NEL BRIONES

Where to stay? Batanes Resort Tel 9229621 local 327 or 332 (Ivatan Center in Quezon City) Single Bed P550.00 per day Double Bed P672.00 per day Triple Bed P764.00 per day Cottage P1,528 per cottage per day Capacity: 6 cottages, 12 rooms - 36 persons capacity Batanes Seaside Lodge and Restaurant Tel 0981-993613 (phone is located at the hotel in Basco) Ivatan Lodge One person per room, per day costs P100. Two or more persons, maximum of 6 costs P400 per day. Shanedel's Inn and Café Per head costs P150 per day. Lodging including meals costs P450 per day. Pension Ivatan Per head,per day costs P980. Or if you are one of my friends, you can just stay at our house.

How’s the nightlife? Not like your ordinary Boracay nightlife, Batanes has a limited number of activities during the night. You can go to Vatang Resort to enjoy a little booze before you hit the sack.

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What to eat? Uve’- Batanes-version of the UBE in Tagalog. The only diﬀerence is that the color is white. Flying Fish called “Dibang” (known locally as Durado)- A large fish that is very delicious especially when fried. Yellow Rice- A famous Ivatan staple food made up of common rice and the yellow color is the result of the addition of ginger and pork. Sweet Potato (Kamote)- Ivatans call it “Wakay”. They commonly substitute this food for rice. Uved- A unique food in Batanes made up of banana trunks and extract with a mixture of pork or fish to add flavor. Day-old Daing- Dried Fish for most of the Filipinos. When there is an abundance of fish that was caught during the day, Ivatans would usually cut the fish into half, preserve it in salt, and let it dry for at least a day.

Why go here? If you want to get away from the city life, the noisy night clubs, traffic, pollution and desire a place to flee—to clear your thoughts, drive away worries from your mind, and leave all the stress behind, then Batanes is the dream destination that only offers serenity and tranquility, fresh air and never-ending panoramic views. From the words of Douglas McArthur, I assure you that you will definitely say—“I shall return”.

Lobsters and Coconut Crabs – Ivatan’s call it “Payi” and “Tatus” respectively.

What to do? If you cannot live without Jollibee, Mcdo and KFC or cannot even last a day without visiting malls like SM, then Batanes is not the place for you. There are no malls or restaurants in this province—only breathtaking views. You can explore the beauty of the mountain scenes of Payaman, Mahatao View Deck and the Batanes Lighthouse; relax in the white, virgin beaches of Nakbuang in Sabtang and Chadpidan Beach in Batan, keep your integrity in check by dropping by Honesty Coﬀee Shop, go back thru memory lane by visiting the oldest churches around the island, protect your head from the heat by wearing a vacul, visit the stone houses in the House of Dakay, and most especially experience the friendliness of the people who will greet and welcome you with a lot of smiles.

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BORACAY WORDS BY

What to eat?

Astoria – This is a good hotel to stay in if you want to be closer to the shops and restaurants in Station 2, and to the night spots in Station 1. Astoria is a beach front hotel with pool and free wi-fi. They even offer buffet-style meals also open for non-guests.

Don’t forget to try and bring home the famous Calamansi Muffins from Real Coffee – the small restaurant in Aga Muhlach and Anne Curtis’ movie (near Yellow Cab and Astoria).

How’s the nightlife?

Try their newest activity – Zorb.

What to do?

Happy hour which starts at 3pm – best place to go to is at Sur (located in Station 1). This place gets packed with the most beautiful girls and boys come 3pm onwards!

Why go here? Why not go here? You’ll never run out of things to do in Boracay

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is one of my favorite places to go for a vacation

STEPH AMBOY

Where to stay?

Your Boracay experience won’t be complete without the night life. There are lots of places to go to depending on your mood. If you want to go drink and party all night, Boracay has Cocomangas, Guilly’s Island, Club Paraw, Juice Bar, Epic (former Hey Jude). If you just want to chill, there’s Bom Bom bar.

SUBIC , also known as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone If you're on a tight budget consider staying at the Eco Workshop. The place follows a dorm-style setting – bunk beds and a common bathroom for some rooms. It’s best to come here during the oﬀ-peak season for a more peaceful and quiet stay. If you prefer to stay at a hotel there are a lot to choose from along Waterfront Road. There is the Subic Park Hotel, Subic Boardwalk Inn, Seo Ra Beol and many others. The prices and the inclusions vary so it’s best if you go around first then make your decision. If you’re traveling with 3 or more people it’s better to stay at a hotel and share the expenses. That way, it’s more comfortable and you save money too.

How’s the nightlife? At night, the area has a more relaxed vibe compared to Metro Manila. Most of the establishments open at night are restaurants and a couple of bars. People mostly eat and hang out with family and/or friends.

What to eat? Let’s start with Texas Joe’s. The best part is that the food tastes so good and they just opened last year. They serve delicious ribs, chicken and beef with diﬀerent kinds of sauce to choose from. It’s a bit pricey though but really good. Meat Plus is also a famous destination in Subic. From tasty hamburger steaks, baby back ribs and grilled salmon to mouthwatering cheesecakes and apple pies, you’ll have a wide variety to choose from. Although similar to Texas Joe’s, it is also pricey. One of my top favorites is Darwin’s Tavern, an

authentic Italian restaurant that serves really good pasta and brick-oven pizzas. Lastly, a visit to Xtremely Xpresso is a must! Coﬀee is their specialty but their other dishes are worth trying as well – breakfast food, appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, main courses, gelato, and their famous 22-inch pizza “Big Ben”. So far we have not ordered anything here that we did not like.

What to do? The Camayan Beach Resort is a place for both adventurous and laid-back travelers. Guests can engage in snorkeling, forest biking, kayaking and shipwreck diving activities. On the other hand, those who want to relax can stay in the beach cabanas and have a massage. They are also known for their open-water marine park, Ocean Adventure. For some action, try the Zoobic Safari and Treetop Adventure. I have never been to either but heard about it. The highlight in Zoobic Safari is the tiger safari. Visitors may purchase chickens for the tigers to feed on – and you will witness this right above you while inside a caged vehicle – very exciting indeed! One day I will gather the courage to see it for myself. Treetop Adventure is known for their trekking and tree-drop adventures. The tree-drop is done by rappelling down a 60-foot tree in conventional, spider or Australian face-first style.

Why go here? If you want to enjoy a road trip, relax, eat good food and go on an adventure in one vacation then Subic is the place for you!

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AA OUTREACH

04.21.2011 ▪ 16th Flr. Pantry WORDS BY

Gawad Kalinga and Dental Day Program

ANGELI ROSALES

This year's Strategic Planning was held together with the first quarter barangay hall last May 21 in the 16f Pantry. Brand ILO I and II were the hosts of this event. A kiddie party was held to celebrate the achievements for the first quarter, and to celebrate the upcoming activities and initiatives for the rest of the year. There were balloons, games, ice cream, cotton candy, and face painting for everyone. The key values that the center will be upholding for the year were cascaded. MOVE– which stands for Mastery of our processes to achieve greater results and stronger controls posture; One global team achieving high-caliber and consistent performance; Value to our clients' and IBM's business growth through innovation; and Enablement of IBMers with tools and trainings for smarter work. Various awards were also presented to recognize the achievements of our practitioners. ■

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KATHY TRINIDAD

Last summer, AA team and members of other Learning teams participated on Gawad Kalinga and Dental Day Program. In the GK event, the group showed how Bayanihan makes things faster. It was a tiring but very meaningful event knowing that the hours spent carrying bricks and mixing cements helped other families to have a roof over their heads. Everyone is hopeful we'll get to build the Learning Village soon. Following the success of the GK outreach, is the Dental Day with KUMPAS. Dental checkups and dental kits were given to hundreds of cute little kids of KUMPAS Summer Playschool. AA sponsored the said event, but it won't be possible without the help of other teams who wholeheartedly donated some of the items needed for the activity. It was an amazing experience that made us see how lucky we are with all the blessings that we have. We still have a lineup of other programs in the future and we are encouraging everybody to join us.

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