JUAN Philippines Magazine March-April 07 by juanphilippines

YOUR ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE

PHILIPPINES Vol. 2 No. 3

SUBIC

Your Next Vacation Spot

HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA One Fine Day In Clark

Publisher’s Note It’s a start of a beautiful summer. The sun, sandy beaches and Subic. Yes, you read it right, Subic. In this issue, JUAN explores and discovers the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Subic is fast shaping up to be this summer’s best getaway. With its various attractions and long list of activities, it’s like a one stop shop for thrills and enjoyment. Not too far from Subic, we travel to Clark Field to let you experience the recent Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. In JUAN’s Destination, we let you find out what the buzz is about in this annual gathering of everything that flies. We complete our tour of Region III by visiting Angeles, Pampanga. JUAN looks at how the people of Cutud commemorate Christ’s passion and death in the annual Cutud Lenten Rites. The heat is on, take out your summer gear, and let’s go. Experience a hot and sizzling summer in the Philippines. Let JUAN be Your Ultimate Travel Guide.

YOUR ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE

Teddy Cruz, III PUBLISHER

PHILIPPINES Vol. 2 No. 3

SUBIC

Your Next Vacation Spot

CAMAYAN BEACH RESORT It’s worth the trip!

HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA One Fine Day In Clark

On the cover: Subic Bay, Philippines Photo c/o of SBMA TourismOffice 4

Staff Page Publisher Teddy V. Cruz III Editor-in-Chief DJ Tarrosa Editorial Consultant Cori Gillego Photography Director Bopet Gillego Art Director JP Carrillo Contributors Noel Cruz Crickette Canizares Contributing Photographers Lito Quimel, Marlin Cruz, Jon Guerrero Marketing Manager Charo Chavez Advertising Manager Rhoel Gaite

We welcome your views and comments. We want to know your thoughts and how we can be of service to you in delivering information, as well as featuring places and personalities, that are of interest to you. Let us know what you think of our magazine. You can communicate with us through: text JUAN <your name> Ă&#x2C6; <your message> and send to:

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@ email: juanphilippines@gmail.com 5

JUAN PHILIPPINES is published bi-monthly by IDEA BUBBLE MEDIA, INC. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine belong to the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject editorial material. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and artworks will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of Juan Philippines is fully accurate; however, the publisher and the printer assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. Address all correspondence to: Unit 2505 Cityland 10 Tower 1, 6815 Ayala Avenue North, Salcedo Village,Makati City, Philippines 1200 Tel. (632) 867-1082; 812-4203 Fax (632) 810-4244

Travel Tips In the Philippines, it is always advised to bring clothes for hot weather. Bring light clothes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always safe to have thosehandy white shirts around. Like in any foreign country, be careful of pickpockets. Always bring that handy insectrepellant. When shopping, always haggle. Mingle with the locals. They always give the best tips. Be adventurous! Pack light. Bring only essentials like sunscreen, medicine, at least two swimsuits, extra plastic bags, a pair of slippers, one formal clothing (just in case), toiletries, camera and extra money. Plan your outfits prior to leaving to avoid packing too much or too little. Write down all you intend to do to be more organized. Keep your cash hidden in different places just in case you lose something. Make sure you leave some room in your luggage for souvenirs or other purchases. Research about the place before traveling. It's best to be informed about weather conditions, local customs, hangouts, etc.

USEFUL FILIPINO WORDS Hello? Goodbye Thank You Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Welcome Yes / No How much? Sorry Good Morning Good afternoon Good evening Hot Cold Rain Sun

Kumusta? Paalam Salamat Walang Anuman Oo / Hindi Magkano? Paumanhin po Magandang Umaga Magandang tanghali Magandang gabi Mainit Malamig Ulan Araw

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Bread Cheese Chicken Meat Egg Fish Fruit Pork Ice Cream Rice Water

Almusal Tanghalian Hapunan Tinapay Keso Manok Karne Itlog Isda Prutas Baboy Sorbetes Kanin Tubig 6

Table of Contents JUAN’S DESTINATION p.9 One Fine Day in Clark: Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

COMFORT ZONE p.12

Camayan Beach Resort Hotel: It’s worth the Trip!!!

JUAN’S HERITAGE p.14 Cutud Lenten Rites

JUAN’S FEATURE p.17 Subic: Your Next Vacation Spot

PERSONALITY 1-O-JUAN p.22 Juan chats with Administrator Arreza

CALENDAR OF EVENTS p.26 Find out what’s happening this March and April 2007

EQUIPPED p.30

A look at Acer’s Ferrari 1000

DIRECTORY p.34

All the contact information you need to plan that perfect getaway

PARTING SHOT p.38

Send us your photos and we’ll publish it in the magazine

JUAN’S Destination

One Fine Day in Clark By Crickette Cañizares

JUAN’S Destination

or many years now, I’ve been hearing about this hot air balloon festival in Clark. I never really bothered to go until I saw the charming pictures of the colorful hot air balloons as they floated in the sky. After I saw those pictures, I knew I had to go there myself. And so, one Saturday morning, long before the crack of dawn, my friends and I trooped to Clark Field in Angeles, Pampanga. We were surprised to see that as early as 5:00 in the morning, eager spectators had converged to witness the flight of the hot air balloons. It was a good thing that we had our sweaters as it was a bit nippy. As the SUV’s carrying the deflated hot air balloons arrived, photographers with their SLR cameras jockeyed for position to get the best angle for their pictures. 10

A little after 6 am, the flag ceremony began. It was a different kind of flagraising for, instead of just having the national flag drawn, three skydivers, one of them wielding a giant Philippine flag, jumped from a helicopter. We just stared at the skydivers in amazement while the national anthem played in the background. Not long after, as the sun was rising, the hot air balloons began their ascent. First to go was the Festo blimp. Then, one by the one, the others followed. The flight of the hot air balloons was a sight to behold. It was then we understood why the festival has attracted so many spectators and participants. The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is an annual event held every February in Clark Field. As the country’s biggest aviation sports gathering, sky-diving enthusiasts, kite

JUAN’S Destination

fliers, hang gliders and hot air balloon pilots from all over the world join forces to deliver a great flight show. This year’s event was dubbed as the “Weekend of Everything that Flies.” True enough, we saw just about anything and everything that could fly. Aside from the hot air balloons, people can witness and enjoy skydiving, daily flag jumps, small planes fly-bys and fly-ins; remote controlled airplanes exhibitions; aerobatics; light airplane balloon bursting competition; ultra-light formation flying and bomb dropping exhibitions; helicopter fly-ins and exhibitions; an air rally from Clark to Vigan; rocketry demonstrations; kite flying exhibitions; and races between ultra lights and motorcycles. In between the scheduled activities, we went around and looked at the

different booths and planes on display. We listened to some lectures by K-9 experts and soldiers who showed us the different paraphernalia and gear used during combat. We grabbed the chance to try them on and have our pictures taken. We were shocked to learn the weight the soldiers had to carry as they engaged in combat. We saw a lot of things and we learned a lot of things. Since our day started really early, by noon, we were ready to fall asleep. We could no longer wait for the Night Glow Fly-in, which was supposedly another breath-taking sight. Well, there’s always next year. Maybe next time, we’ll get to ride the hot air balloon. Crickette Canizares is a diver and nature-lover working as a freelance consultant in Makati.

Comfort Zone

Camayan Beach Resort Hotel: It’s worth the Trip!

ocated amidst the exquisite and tranquil waters and forest of Subic Bay, Camayan Beach Resort Hotel offers a relaxing way to spend the weekend. Upon reaching the resort, the clear blue waters and powdery sand will greet you, enticing you to just throw your cares away. Just steps from the water, Camayan Beach Resort Hotel is perfect for those who love to swim, snorkel or gaze at the sea. It has 12 beach view rooms and 12 ocean view rooms. All rooms have air-conditioning, 2 queen size beds, colored TV with CATV, telephone, toilet & bath, and ceiling fan. The rooms can easily fit a group of 4 so it’s perfect for family or barkada outings. Tired of staying inside the room, you can relax on the beach in one of the cabanas while sipping your favorite drink from the hotel’s bar. Of course, right next door is Ocean Adventure, Southeast Asia’s first and

only open-water marine park. Here, the animals live and play in a natural setting of clear water teeming with marine life, coral reefs, and a lovely white sand beach. It features dolphin and whale shows against the awe-inspiring view of the open sea, and the funny antics and tricks of the well-trained sea lions. You can even try swimming with the whales. Whether you’re alone, with friends or with family, it’s a must try if you’re in Subic. While it is quite a distance from the entrance of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, about 20 minutes to be exact, the experience that awaits you is definitely worth the trip. For more information you may contact (047) 252 8000 or the Manila Sales Office at (02) 6382281 or 633 4185. For Ocean Adventure you may contact (047) 252 9000. Camayan Beach Resort Hotel is located at Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

JUAN’S Heritage

Cutud Lenten Rites: Reliving the Passion and Death of Christ By Noel B. Cruz

ith their innate religiosity and deep Christian roots, Filipinos commemorate the Lenten Season with a passion all their own. Every little barangay has its pabasa where old ladies take turns reading the story of Christ. Every town has its Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), where penitents reflect on the stations of the Cross. In other areas, penitents carry wooden crosses or flagellate themselves, to ask for forgiveness of sins committed or to express gratitude for favors granted. The people of Cutud, however, take it a notch higher. As if remembering or reflecting on Christ’s suffering is not enough, the people of Cutud

physically emulate Christ’s passion and sacrifice, culminating with the actual nailing of at least three flagellants to wooden crosses atop the makeshift Calvary. On the morning of Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, local residents reenact the Via Crucis fittingly clad in Roman centurion costumes and the peasants’ garb of Biblical times. The reenactment starts between 10am and 11am after which the people move off to trek about 34 kilometers to Golgotha, the stage for the crucifixions. Penitents flagellating themselves trail a “Christ”, a Filipino penitent, who bears a heavy wooden cross during the trek.

JUANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Heritage

At least three penitents per year, sometimes reaching a dozen, are nailed to makeshift crosses by their hands and their feet. Eight-centimeter steel nails are doused in alcohol before being hammered into their hands and feet. Once fixed, the penitents are hoisted upright upon their crosses for minutes at a time. The crosses are lowered, the nails are wrenched out, and penitents either walk, or are carried off to make way for a new set of crucifixes.

While this spectacle may not be for the squeamish and the weak of heart, the drama of the ritual brings thousands to the reenactment. This Holy Week tradition has become a tourist attraction. Despite the commercialism, however, it is still in essence a religious ritual, a peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt to be closer to their God. To the participants, it is an expression of faith, a sign of repentance and the fulfillment of their panata. For further info, contact San Fernando City Tourism Office (Pampanga) at Tel. No. (6345) 961-6640 loc. 211

Art Scene

The Peranakan Legacy Damian Domingo: The First Great FIlipino Painter

The Peranakan Legacy, a loan exhibition from the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, highlights outstanding samples from the gilded age of the Peranakan. In the Malay language, the term Peranakan means ‘child of’ or ‘born of’ and refers to persons of mixed ethnicity. It is perhaps most commonly applied to the mixed Chinese-indigenous communities that developed in the trading ports of Melaka, Singapore, and Penang. Drawn by the lively commerce, which passed through the Malacca straits, Chinese traders began migrating into the area at least as far back as the 15th century. The exhibition will showcase the distinctive material culture of the Peranakan Chinese community. Such objects include jewelry, beaded slippers, gold and silver ornaments, ceramics, garments, textiles, and some furniture. China Gaze: Works by Valeria Cavestany

China Gaze: Valeria Cavestany, Maria Clara, 2006

China Gaze: Valeria Cavestany is an exhibition of recent work that includes light boxes and acrylic portraits. These two mixed media exhibits provide the contemporary commentary on the theme of identity within the Chinese Diaspora. Damian Domingo: The First Great Filipino Painter This exhibition is a pioneering attempt to bring together works that highlight the artist as a master portaitist, art founder and director, an officer, and a gentleman. Recent studies reveal that he was also a Chinese Mestizo. Religious images from the Ongpin collection (previously unseen), portrait miniatures, and an album of Philippine costumes will be on show. This exhibition is on long term loan from the Heirs of Luis Ongpin, Sr. and Heirs of Jaime V. Ongpin Collection.

Claudine Sia, Detail from Evidence Bags, 2007

For more information, visit www.ayalamuseum.org

JUANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Feature

SUBIC: The Perfect Getaway By DJ Tarrosa

hen summertime beckons, the urge to take a break precedes everything else. We dream of that perfect destination to break the monotony of our daily routine. To some, it is a place to rest their weary souls and just lounge around on the beach. For others, it is a place where they can rough it up for some adrenaline rush. Different folks, different strokes. Whatever kind of break you need, however, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to go far to get that dream vacation. For a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Manila, go to Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ). Located on the west coast of the main island of Luzon about 110 kilometers north of Manila, Subic offers an extraordinary variety of experiences. This is where you can find adventure activities as extreme and challenging as you care to attempt, or as relaxed and enjoyable

JUAN’S Feature

as you want them to be. With lush tracts of preserved tropical forests, white sand beaches, impressive dive sites, abundant flora and fauna, amidst world class facilities, Subic is definitely a vacation haven. WHAT TO DO: The main tourist draw of Subic is its eco-tourism tours or jungle trail walks. Despite the commercial and industrial facilities located in the Freeport, Subic has managed to preserve its forest. Trekkers and campers in search of adventure can enjoy the Pamulaklakin Forest and Apaliin Trails, Mangrove Park and Jungle Environmental and Surviving Training Camp (JEST). Here, you can walk through an authentic rainforest and get a crash course on

jungle survival techniques. During the tour, Aeta guides provide an outdoor orientation on basic mountaineering, fire building, trap making, wildlife identification, and other wilderness survival techniques. In JEST, you can also visit the Mini Zoo and discover Subic’s diverse biological resources or see how the butterflies live and flourish at the Butterfly Kingdom. See the various species of birds, bats, monkeys, butterflies and insects that nestle in Subic’s forest. When in Subic, do not miss the chance to see Hill 394, a secret helipad built 394 feet above sea level. Found in the eastern part of Ilanin Forest, Hill 394 is home to 51 species of birds and 151 species of trees. It offers a spectacular view of the legendary Mount Natib and Subic Bay. Perfect for picnics, trail

JUANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Feature

ride, mountain biking, camping and bird a spectacular coral garden at Nabasan watching, the hilltop is accessible by a Point while Grande Island has some four-wheel drive vehicle or is a 45-min- worthwhile wall diving. ute trail hike. For diving aficionados, Subic has You can also visit the Bat Kingdom and magnificent wreck dive sites which Bat Highway and see the largest and should not be missed. Adjudged among smallest bats in the world. the best dive sites in Asia, Subic has 19 known wreck dive sites, some of which For the water enthusiast, beach resorts date back to the Spanish and American are all around the area and you can take eras. Among the more notable ones are your pick among the many fine beaches the USS New York, the El Capitan and of Subic. You can stay in Grande Is- San Quentin. land and enjoy the amenities of a beach resort in an island setting or sunbathe in Subic likewise offers a wide array of wathe undeveloped shores of the Redondo ter activities. Adventurous individuals Peninsula. with the need for speed can try jetskiing and parasailing. You can also try your Water babies and marine enthusiasts will hand at sailing or, kayaking or fishing have a wonderful time snorkeling and at the designated fishing areas at the scuba diving in the tranquil waters of Malawan Pier, or take a peek at SBSubic Bay. Triboa Bay, in particular, has MAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seaport Operations.

JUAN’S Feature

Visitors to Subic can also enjoy its theme parks, Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari. Ocean Adventure is the only marine exploratorium in the country showcasing some of the world’s most amazing sea mammals like dolphins, false killer whales and sea lions in their inherent habitat. One of its attractions is the chance to swim and frolic with the whales.

Park and the anti-aircraft battery bunkers at Grande Island. If you just want to relax, have a picnic and enjoy the outdoors, you can stroll in Subic’s Centennial Park and Camachile Park.

Other facilities within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone include: go-kart and car race tracks, a 22-lane bowling center, In Zoobic Safari, children are sure to 18-hole golf course, mini-golf, equesenjoy interacting with the tigers, mon- trian center, swimming pools, tennis keys, ducks, eagles and its other exotic courts and basketball courts. animals. A visit to Zoobic Safari would not be complete without taking the sa- What’s more, Subic has different kinds fari ride, the best way to get up close and of accommodations and facilities to fit all kinds of travelers and tourists. personal with a fully grown tiger. Along with excellent beaches and water As you can see, the possibilities are endsports, Subic also offers historical land- less. This is the only place where you marks like the Spanish Gate, Tappan can find a whole plethora of activities

JUANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Feature

in one self-contained locale. Where else can you find yourself swimming in the beach one minute and playing a game of golf in the next? You can try go-karting one second and trekking, the next.

Air-conditioned buses also provide passengers regular transport services to and from Olongapo City terminal.

By Sea: From Manila you can take a relaxing ferry trip that will cut your travel No matter what kind of vacation you are time substantially. Leaving Manila from looking for, Subic has it all. Visit Subic the Philippine Cultural Centre pier on Roxas Boulevard, the trip takes about and enjoy! 50 minutes, but do note in bad weather the service will not operate. HOW TO GET THERE: Subic Bay is easily accessible from Ma- By Air: Flights from Manila to Subic nila and can be reached by road, ferry International Airport or Cubi Airport, take about 35 minutes. The Subic Bay or plane. International Airport has regular direct By Land: With the completion of the international scheduled and chartered new North Luzon Expressway, traveling flights. from Manila to Subic has never been so easy. From Manila, take the North For more information, log on to www.sbma. Luzon Expressway; exit San Fernando com or call the SUBIC BAY TOURISM OFtoll plaza towards the Olongapo-Gapan FICE/ TEL (6347) 252-4242, 252-4123, 252-4154. Road and on to Subic Bay Freeport. 21

Personality-1-O-JUAN

ubic Bay Freeport Zone has become the destination of choice of many travelers. With its rare combination of nature and industry and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)’s aggressive marketing strategy, Subic Bay has emerged as one of Northern Luzon’s top tourist attractions. This is due in large part to the fresh and dynamic ideas of SBMA’s administrator, Armand C. Arreza. In this issue, JUAN chats with SBMA’s youthful leader to learn more about his favorite vacation spots. 1. What is your favorite place in the Philippines and why? My stint as former Tourism undersecretary has given me the opportunity to see and appreciate up-close the many great

vacation spots in our country. But without a doubt and for obvious reasons, Subic is my favorite place in the Philippines. From the very first time I set foot on it and until now, my fondness for the place has never diminished. Subic has its own magical charm that grows on you. Its dramatic natural backdrop of mountains, forests and bay can easily captivate even a mere day tourist or jaded city dweller. Yet amidst its natural splendor and high quality environment, pulsating at the core of Subic is a vibrant business and industrial center that has attracted more than 700 local and foreign investors who have made Subic their second home and a melting of various cultures and races from Asia, America and Europe. I consider all these as contributory to the unique lifestyle and indescribable experience that everyone finds in Subic.

Personality-1-O-JUAN 2. What is your ideal vacation? Describe to us your most memorable vacation in the Philippines. My ideal vacation will have to be a weeklong summer getaway in a tranquil, unspoiled environment like Subic where I can spend quality time and fun moments with my family and friends. 3. Given P2,000, what can you do in your favorite place? Surprisingly, P2,000 can go a long way in my favorite summer getaway – SUBIC. In fact, with just this amount, I can avail of any of the exciting tour packages offered in Subic Bay, which range from P599 to P1999. With these packages, I can get to experience Subic’s lush jungles, breathtaking sceneries, the beaches and a variety of topnotch recreational amenities. 4. How many times do you travel in a year? I average around eight (8) local and foreign trips a year. 5. What food should visitors try in your favorite place? Being once an idyllic coastal village where fishermen relied on the bounties of Subic Bay for their livelihood, seafood is a must when visiting the place. In Subic Bay itself are restaurants offering Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, American, Italian and other Asian/continental cuisines, most of which feature delectable seafoodbased culinary delights.

6. What site or spot is a must visit place for you in the Philippines? Every region in the Philippines has its unique tourist attraction/s. The diversity and richness of our culture make one’s visit to the country truly a memorable and fascinating experience. One common denominator though --which keeps tourists coming back for more --- is the innate warmth and hospitality of the Filipinos. For me, every region in the country is a must-visit destination. Aside from Subic, Palawan and Boracay are two of my favorite spots. 7. Where else in the Philippines do you want to go? Given Subic’s vast area, consisting of some 63,000 hectares, I would like to explore every nook and cranny of this abundantly blessed place. As a matter of fact, Subic is so huge and its natural endowments so varied that it continues to amaze me. 8. Who do you like traveling with? My family and close friends. Also, being the Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, I get to enjoy traveling with the other officials of the agency. 9. What are your travel essentials when traveling in the Philippines? My laptop and mobile phone, of course, which make everything and everyone easily accessible from wherever I may be.

YOUR ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE

PHILIPPINES JUAN is YOUR ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE. The first and only magazine of its quality and kind in the Philippines, JUAN Philippines is a young and dynamic publication which celebrates the beauty and richness of the Philippines and its culture. Published bi-monthly by Idea Bubble Media, Inc, JUAN Philippines aims to promote the best the country has to offer, not only in terms of tourist attractions, but also all the other essentials for enjoying one’s stay. Distributed for FREE in various airports such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals 1 and 2, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark) and Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and other strategic locations around the country, JUAN gets your message across. And because it’s FREE, purchase price is not a hindrance to your ads reaching potential customers.

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March 2007 SUNDAY

TUESDAY

NEO FILIPINO: Espana Extension (CCP Theater); ALAY feat. Victor Noriega (Little Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410

PINTADOS DE PASI FESTIVAL (Passi City, Iloilo; 2nd Sunday of March) A festival depicting the history of Passi through “pintados.” Contact: Tel.# (033) 311-5087; CP 09203114286

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL (La Trinidad, Benguet; March 18) Satisfy your palette in this biggest Strawberry Butter Cake and Agri-Trade Fair. Contact: Tel. # (074) 44226-01

TANGHALANG PILIPINO ANNIVERSARY (CCP Theater); COME DANCE WITH US (Little Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410

MONDAY

SES’LONG FESTIVAL (T’boli, South Cotabato; March 5-16) Portrays the gathering of people as they barter goods and highlights the indigenous songs and dances of South Cotabato’s indigenous groups. Contact: Tel. # (083) 2283447

KAMAYADAN FESTIVAL (Norala, South Cotabato; March 6-10) Coined from an Ilonggo term “MAYAD” which means “GOOD,” this celebration is the people’s way of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. Contact: Tel. # (083) 2283447

“SAN BENITO” MARADJAW KARADJAW FESTIVAL (San Benito, Surigao del Norte; March 2021) A town fiesta celebration highlighted by street dancing and other festivities. Contact: Tel.# (086) 231-9271

MANNALON FESTIVAL (Marcos, Ilocos Norte; March 27) This town is purely agricultural area dominated by farmers and farming is their main occupation. Contact: Tel. # (077) 7720467

Calendar of Events WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

TOBACCO FESTIVAL (Candon City, Ilocos Sur; March 28-29) Street dancing competition in tobacco-inspired costume. Contact: Tel # (077) 7426644/ 7426136

PARADE OF FESTIVALS (Muntinlupa City; March 1) Decorated floats make a grand parade around the city in a display of the different festivals celebrated by all the barangays of Munitinlupa. Contact: Telefax # 5430820

FRIDAY SATURDAY

NEO FILIPINO: Espana Extension (CCP Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 8321125 loc. 1409 - 1410

PPO CONCERT SEASON VII “The Next Generation” (CCP Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 8321125 loc. 1409 - 1410

PINILISA FESTIVAL (Jones, Isabela; March 17) A thanksgiving celebration for the abundant harvest of Pinilisa - a red upland rice variety. Contact: DOT-Region 2:Tel. # (078) 856-2435/8441621

BANTAYAN FESTIVAL (Guimbal, Iloilo; March 15-19) Celebrates the birth of a new history and culture of the people of Guimbal. Contact: Tel. #: (033) 5120011/ 3155288

VIRTUOSO STRINGS (CCP Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410; Barbie Almabis & Kitchie Nadal Concert (Araneta Coliseum)

ALIMANGO FESTIVAL (Lala, Lanao del Norte; March 22) The celebration of “Araw ng Lala” features a display of different sizes of Alimango (crab). Contact: Tel. # (063) 3415467

Philippine Idol Final 12 Concert (Araneta Coliseum)

PANAAD SA NEGROS (Bacolod City; March 24 to April 1) A grand celebration that brings together the 10 cities and 22 municipalities in a showcase of trade, tourism, commerce and industry. Contact: Tel. # (034) 4349039

5TH TERRY LAR RAZABAL BIKE FESTIVAL (Ormoc City, Leyte; March 29-April 2) Held in honor of the late Ormoc City mayor, the event aims to promote cycling as an adventure and exhibition sport. Contact: CP # 09175380768

COMPANY XY (CCP Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410

FIRST EASTER MASS CELEBRATION (Butuan City; March 31) A commemoration of Magellan’s landing and planting of the cross on March 31, 1521 at Mazaua, Butuan to signify the celebration of the first Easter Mass on Philippine soil.

April 2007 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL (Baguio City; April) Come appreciate the artworks of Baguio’s best artists in this month-long exhibit. Contact: Tel. # (074) 442-38-88; PINK TOES AMAZING 20 (CCP Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410

PAHIMIS FESTIVAL (Amadeo, Cavite; April 15) Streetdances and costumes interpreting the themes and colors of the various stages of coffee production celebrate the abundance of coffee in this town. Contact: Tel. #: (046)-413-3010

LILIW GAT TAYAW FOOTWEAR FESTIVAL (Liliw, Laguna; April 22-30) The parade of floats features the agricultural and industrial products of Liliw. Contact: Tel. #: (049) 5631001

BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL (San Jose, Antique; 4th week of April) Held to commemorate the landing of the ten Bornean Datus. Contact: Tel. # (036) 520-0657; Telefax (036) 540-9765

MORIONES FESTIVAL (Boac, Gasan and Mogpog, Marinduque; Holy Week) One of the most popular Holy Week festivals features Morions, colorfully garbed and masked soldiers and centurions. Contact: Tel. #: (042) 332-1018 ARAW NG KAGITINGAN (Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan; April 9) Japanese and American WW II veterans trek to Mt. Samal to participate in annual rites honoring the bravery of the soldiers who fought for the defense of Bataan. Tel. # (045) 961-2665/2612

PANAAD (Camiguin; Holy Week) Devotees from the neighboring municipalities, cities and provinces in Visayas and Mindanao take their annual trek to Camiguin’s Walkway, the Region’s famous Holy Week site. Contact: Tel. # (088) 3871097

Calendar of Events WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY SATURDAY

PHILIPPINE PEDIATRIC SOCIETY DIAMOND JUBILLE GALA NIGHT (CCP Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410

BANGKERO FESTIVAL (Pagsanjan, Laguna; April 19-23) A flotilla of boats decorated with the colors of the vintas and the bright hues of summer with gorge are paraded downstream at the Pagsanjan River. Contact: Tel. # : (049)-808-3544

CUTUD LENTEN RITES (San Pedro, Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga; Good Friday) A re-enactment of Christ’s passion and death complete with a passion play and culminating with actual crucifixions atop a makeshift Mt. Calvary.

PPO CONCERT SEASON VIII “Bruckner” (CCP Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410

LENTEN FESTIVAL OF HERBAL PREPARATION (San Antonio, Siquijor; Black Saturday) Herbalists from Visayas and Mindanao go to San Antonio, Siquijor to participate in a ritual known as ”Tang-Alap”. Contact: Tel.#: (035) 344-2074

UNOY FESTIVAL (Tinglayan, Kalinga; April 20-22) The Tinglayanons noble Peoples’ Feast is a grand celebration marking the passage of one person and his family from common folk to nobility status in the community. Contact: 0916-338-93-33

A SUMMER WORKSHOP RECITAL (Bayanihan Phil. National Folk Dance Company) (CCP Theater) Box Office: 832-3704 / 832-1125 loc. 1409 - 1410

BAGUIO LIBERATION DAY (Baguio City; April 27) This historical festivity traces Baguio’s liberation from the Japanese during World War II. Contact: Tel. #: (074) 446-5793/ 4421007

IMBAYAH FESTIVAL (Banaue, Ifugao; April 28-30) Ethnic way of thanksgiving highlighted by cultural fair and ethnic games. Contact: Tel. #: (074) 3864052

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The Acer Ferrari 1000: A Real Speed Champ If it’s speed, ultra-portability, and highquality performance that you want in a notebook, then you need not go any further. Acer’s Ferrari 1000 brought the word “portable” and “power” to the core, matched by blinding PC notebook performance that’s at par with the rest of the world’s fastest notebooks.

The Ferrari 1000, aesthetically, truly lives up to its name, its compactness not sacrificing performance, a quality that would surely make the Italian company truly pleased with the partnership. Acer made sure that all the qualities inherent in every Ferrari: speed, style, and performance are all embedded in every Acer Ferrari 1000, and much more.

Equipped At the heart of it all is the powerful 1.8GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 dual core processor, coupled with a 1GB 667MHz RAM, an integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 graphics card for spectacular viewing pleasure, and a massive 160GB hard disk drive that spins at a dizzying 5,400 RPMs. All these packed in an ultra-portable stunning black carbon-fiber case, with the prancing horse logo of Ferrari prominently displayed at the center of the casing, proudly saying that this product IS a Ferrari, minus the wheels, of course. At 1.6 kgs., the Ferrari 1000 is light enough to carry around the office, the park, the coffee shop, or just about anywhere else. Superb viewing pleasure is maximized despite ultra-portability in size, with a 12.1-inch screen coupled with a 1280 x 800 resolution for more video sharpness and clarity despite the small screen size. On top sits a 1.3-megapixel Web camera that rotates up to 225 degrees, a versatile addition since it gives you the ability to take pictures at the front, the back, or above.

expansive selection of connectivity options. And though an optical drive is not builtin, there’s an external double-layer DVD burner that comes with every purchase. But what makes the Ferrari 1000 a truly impressive buy is its “attention-grabbing” features, like the matching Ferrari travel mouse and the ingenious Bluetooth VOIP phone that can be parked in the PC card slot when unused. What’s more, Ferrari 1000 comes with the trademark Acer e-Management software which empowers Acer users to manage their software applications and other tools correctly, to fully maximize the Acer Ferrari 1000’s awesome power. So if you’re looking for a handy yet powerful notebook, Ferrari 1000 is a great choice. With its capacity and sleekness, busy travelers and picture happy photographers need no longer be without their laptops.

There’s also a lot of other multimedia and connectivity features for the Ferrari 1000 like the VGA-out, FireWire connectivity, plus three super-fast USB 2.0 ports. There’s the mic-in, line-in, plus headphone jacks for better audio pleasure. The Ferrari 1000 also comes with a 5-in-1 card reader and a Type II PC card slot (SD, MMC, etc.) for expansion purposes, an internal modem, Gigabit Ethernet 802.11n, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for a truly

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATION

CIAC

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Fast Facts GENERAL INFORMATION The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.). Main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours. CLIMATE March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%. POPULATION There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos as of the latest national census in May, 2000. Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population. LANGUAGES Two official languages --- Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education. Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense. Filipino is that native language which is used nationally as the language of communication among ethnic groups. Like any living language,

Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and nonnative languages for various situations, among speakers of different social backgrounds, and for topics for conversation and scholarly discourse. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects. RELIGIONS Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Moslem. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist. UNIT OF MEASURE The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions. ELECTRICITY 220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels. CURRENCY The Philippines’ monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.

Directory EMBASSIES Australia Level 23 Tower 2 RCBC Plaza Ayala Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 757-8100 Austria 4th floor Prince Building, 112 Roda St. Legaspi Village, Makati City (63-2) 817-9191; (63-2) 817-4992 Bangladesh 2nd floor Ayala Wing BPI Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas cor. Perea St. Legaspi Village, Makati City (63-2) 817-5010; (63-2) 817-5001 Cambodia Unit 7-A7th flr Country Space Bldg. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 818-9981 Canada Level 6 to 8, Tower 2, RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 867-0001; (63-2) 867-0002 Chile 17th Floor, Liberty Center Building 104 H.V. de la Costa corner Leviste St. Salcedo Village, Makati City (63-2) 810-3149; (63-2) 810-3687; (63-2) 810-3820 China 4896 Pasay Road, Dasmarinas Village Makati City (63-2) 844-3148

Colombia 18th floor Aurora Tower Araneta Center, Quezon City (63-2) 911-3101 Cuba Penthouse, Cacho Gonzales Building, 101 Aguirre cor. Trasierra Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City (63-2) 817-1192 Czech Republic 30th floor Rufino Pacific Tower Ayala Avenue Makati City (63-2) 811-1155 Egypt 2229 Paraiso Cor. Banyan St. Dasmarinas Village, Makati City (63-2) 843-9220; (63-2) 843-9232 Finland 21st floor BPI Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 891-5011 to 17 France 16th floor Pacific Star Building, Sen Gil Puyat cor Makati Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 8576900; 811-1001 to 04 Germany 25/F Tower 2, RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Ave. Makati City, Metro Manila (63-2) 702-3000; (63-2) 702-3015 India 2190 Paraiso St. Dasmarinas Village, Makati City (63-2) 843-0101; (63-2) 843-0102

Indonesia 185 Salcedo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City (63-2) 892-5061 to 68 (63-2) 818-4441 Iran 37 McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City (63-2) 888-4757 to 59 Israel 23rd floor, Trafalgar Plaza, 105 H.V. Dela Costa St. Salcedo Village, Makati City (63-2) 892-5329 to 32 (63-2) 894-0441 to 43 Italy 6th floor ZETA Building 191 Salcedo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City (63-2) 892-4531 to 34 19091012200 (Visa) Japan 2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City (63-2) 551-5710 Korea 10th floor Pacific Star Building Sen. Gil Puyat cor Makati Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 8116139 -44 Kuwait 1230 Acacia Road, Dasmarinas Village Makati City (63-2) 887-6880 to 84 Libya 1644 Dasmarinas Village, Makati City (63-2) 817-7331 to 32

Directory Malaysia 107 Tordesillas St. Salcedo Village, Makati City (63-2) 817-4581 to 85 (63-2) 817-4551 to 53 Mexico 2157 Paraiso St., Dasmarinas Village, Makati City 1222 (63-2) 812-2211/12/13 (63-2) 812-2225 (Consular) Netherlands 9th Floor, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Court Building I 2129 Don Chino Roces Avenue (formerly Pasong Tamo) Makati City (632) 812-5981; (632) 811-2512 New Zealand 23rd floor BPI Center Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 891-5358 to 67 Nigeria 2211 Paraiso St. Makati City (63-2) 843-9866 (63-2) 843-9868 (63-2) 843-9870 Norway 21st floor Petron Mega Plaza Building, 358 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 886-3245 to 49 Pakistan 6th floor Alexander House, 132 Amorsolo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City (63-2) 817-2772; (63-2) 817-2776 Portugal 17th floor Unit D Trafalgar Plaza, 105 H.V. Dela Costa St.

Salcedo Village, Makati City (63-2) 848-3789 to 90

(63-2) 887-5222; (63-2) 887-5223

Qatar 2056 Lumbang St. cor. 1398 Caballero St. Dasmarinas Village, Makati City (63-2) 887-4944 to 45

Sweden 16th Floor, Equitable PCI Bank Tower 2, Makati Avenue corner H.V. dela Costa Street, Makati City (63-2) 811-7900

Russian Federation 1245 Acacia Road, Dasmarinas Village, Makati City (63-2) 810-9614; (63-2) 893-0190 Saudi Arabia 389 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 890-9735 Singapore 35th floor Tower I The Enterprise Centre, 6766 Ayala Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 751-2345; (63-2) 751-2646 South Africa 29th Floor Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 889-9383 (Trunk Line) Spain 5th Floor, ACT Tower 135 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue 1227 Makati City (chancery) 818-5526; 759-2971 (Embassy) 818-3561; 818-3581; 7592970 (Consulate) Sri Lanka 2260 Avocado Avenue Dasmarinas Village, Makati City

Switzerland 24th Floor, Equitable Bank Tower 8751 Paseo de Roxas 1226 Makati City 757-9000; 757-9001 (Visa) Thailand Royal Thai Embassy Building 107 Rada Street, Legaspi Village Makati City 815-4219 to 20; 816-0696 to 97; 810-3833; 817-4262 (Consular) Turkey 2268 Paraiso St. Dasmarinas Village, Makati City (63-2) 843-9705; (63-2) 843-9707; (63-2) 887-6373 United Arab Emirates 22nd floor Renaissance Building, 215 Salcedo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City (63-2) 817-3906 United Kingdom 15th to17th Floors, L.V. Locsin Building 6752 Ayala corner Makati Avenues, 1226 Makati CIty United States of America Chancery Building 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila Tel: 528-6300 Fax: 522-4361

Directory Venezuela Unit 17 A, Multinational Bancorporation Center, 6805 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1227 (632) 845-2841; 845-2842 Vietnam 670 Pablo Ocampo St., Malate, Manila; 521-6843; 525-2837; 524-0364 European Union 30/F Tower II, RCBC Plaza 6819 Sen. Gil Puya cor. Ayala Ave., 1200 Makati City; 859-5100 TRANSPORTATION AIRLINES Air Philippines R1 Hangar ATC, Gate 1 Andrews Avenue, Nichols, Pasay City Tel (63-2) 855 9000 Fax (63-2) 851-7922 Asian Spirit Domestic Road cor. Andrews Avenue, Pasay City Tel (63-3) 851-8888 Fax (63-2) 851-1804 to 05 Cebu Pacific Air 16/F Robinson’s Equitable Tower ADB Avenue cor. Poveda St. Ortigas Center, Pasig City Tel (63-2) 636-4938 Fax (63-2) 637-9165

Philippine Airlines G/F Philippine Airlines Center Legaspi St. Legaspi Village, Makati City Tel (63-2) 855-8888 Fax (63-2) 853-7725 SEAIR 1020 2/F Dona Concepcion Building, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City Tel (63-2) 884-1521 Fax (63-2) 844-3813 SHIPPING COMPANIES Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation (SUPERCAT) SuperCat CUper Terminal, Pier 4 North Redclamation Area, Cebu City Tel (63-2) 232-4511 Fax (63-2) 412-9564 Negros Navigation Company Pier 2, North Harbor, Tondo Manila Tel (63-2) 245-5588 Fax (63-2) 247-7427 WG&A Superferry 12/F Times Plaza Rower cor. U.N. and Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila Tel (63-2) 528-7100 Fax (63-2) 528-7107 BUS LINES Baliwag Transit 199 Rizal Avenue Extension, Caloocan City Tel (63-2) 364-0778 Fax (63-2) 364-0078 New York St. cor EDSA Cubao, Quezon City Tel (63-2) 912-9132

BLTB EDSA, Malibay Pasay City Tel (63-2) 833-5508 Phase II Bus Terminal Ali Mall Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City Tel (63-2) 913-1526 Philippine Rabbit 1240 EDSA, Balintawak Tel (63-2) 364-3477 RENT – A- CAR Avis 2/F Guevent Commercial Center 54 LIbertad St. Mandaluyong City Tel (63-2) 533-0861 (63-2) 714-4060 to 61 Fax (63-2) 533-0785 Budget Nayong Pilipino Compound, Pasay City Tel (63-2) 888-6513 Fax (63-2) 851-0931 Nissan UPRC Building 3, 2289 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City Tel (63-2) 816-1808 HOTELS Discovery Suites 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Tel (63-2) 635-2222 Fax (63-2) 683-8333 Dusit Hotel Nikko Ayala Center, 1223 Makati City EDSA Shangri-la Hotel 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

Directory Tel (63-2) 633-8888 Fax (63-2) 631-1063 Grand Boulevard Hotel 1990 Roxas Boulevard, Manila Tel (63-2) 526-8588 Fax (63-2) 524-2526 Hyatt Regency Manila 2702 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City (63-2) 833- 1234; (63-2) 833- 5913 Makati Shangri-La Hotel Manila Ayala Cor. Makati Avenue Makati City (63-2) 813- 8888; (63-2) 813- 5499 Mandarin Oriental Manila Makati Avenue, Makati City (63-2) 750-8888; (63-2) 819- 9659 Manila Diamond Hotel Roxas Boulevard cor. Dr. J. Quintos St. Manlia (63-2) 526- 2211; (63-2) 526- 2255 Manila Hotel One Rizal Park, 1099 Manila (632) 527- 0011; (632) 527- 0022/24 New World Hotel Pasay Road, Makati City (63-2) 811- 6888; (63-2) 811- 6777 Pan Pacific Hotel M. Adriatico St., Gen. Malvar St. Ermita, Manila (63-2) 536- 0788; (63-2) 536- 6220

The Peninsula Manila Ayala cor. Makati Avenue Makati City (63-2) 810- 3456; (63-2) 815- 4825 RESTAURANTS FILIPINO Bistro Remedios 1911 M. Adriatico St. Remedios Circle Malate, Manila (63-2) 523-9153 Gerry’s Grill Jupiter St. Makati (63-2) 897-9698 Libis, QC (63-2) 421-2948 to 50 Tomas Morato, QC (63-2) 415-9514 Alabang (63-2) 678-8987 Grilla Libis, QC (63-2) 632-9691 Kalayaan Ave, QC (63-2) 899-8775 Antipolo (63-2) 678-8987 / 678-4464 M Café Greenbelt 4, Makati (63-2) 757-3000 Old Manila The Manila Peninsula, Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave., Makati City (63-2) 819-34-56 CHINESE Summer Palace 2nd Floor, Shangri-la’s

EDSA Plaza Hotel 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Pasig (63-2) 633-88-88 Superbowl of China Mega Strip B, Megamall Mandaluyong City (63-2) 634-7831; (63-2) 687-7767 Shang Palace Makati Shangri-la Hotel Ayala Avenue cor. Makati Ave (63-2) 814-2528 JAPANESE Nanbantei of Tokyo Polaris St. Bel-Air Village, Makati (63-2) 896-68790 Sugi G/F Greenbelt 2 Ayala Center, Makati (63-2) 723-9496; (63-2) 725-0208 Tempura Misono Hyatt Regency Manila 2702 Roxas Boulevard Pasay City (63-2) 833-1234 Wasabi Bistro and Saki Bar The Olympia Building 7912 Makati Avenue cor. Sto. Tomas St. Makati city (63-2) 840-4223; (63-2) 752-0632 CEBU TOURIST GUIDE Leila Beltran-Eldian DOT Accredited Tour Guide 0921-2338767 / 0927-7086508

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Pacita Abad Museum Batanes

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