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May 19 - June 1, 2013 Vol. XXXI No. 17

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THE PHILIPPINES’ FORUM FOR INTERNATIONAL READERS SINCE 1981

Diplomatic Row Spills Over in Taiwan

By JACQUELINE ONG

T

aipei, Taiwan—Here in Taiwan, a walk in the park, a visit to the hospital, or even just a short stop at the market, and one would see a familiar face—Filipinos accompanying either an elderly, carrying a baby, holding carts of fresh produce, or taking a Sunday break from a week-long work. According to the National Immigration Agency 2013 statistics, there are 170,918 Filipino residents all over Taiwan, mostly laborers who have found better jobs and pay in this island nation.

The recent issue caused by a fatal incident in disputed waters has strained not just bilateral relations between the two countries, as hiring is temporarily frozen, but has also spilled over to a nationalistic rage felt by the common Taiwanese against the unsuspecting Filipino worker. Most Filipinos cannot understand Chinese, which is the main language of information in Taiwan news, so they wouldn’t have known about the gravity of the issue until they receive personal unfavorable

treatment.

Last May 15, the United Daily News published a photo taken in a traditional wet market in central Taiwan city of Changhua, where one of the vendors has a signboard posted by its stall (We don’t sell pork meat for Filipinos to eat). Another vendor who sells fish has a printed sign behind him, expressing a similar sentiment (Th (This is stall does not sell fish fish for Filipinos). He reiterated that the fish that he sells comes from southern Taiwan and would not have possibly swam in Philippine waters. The news also included a report of the same city terminating a contract to rent its arts center which the local Catholic group uses for Sunday masses for Filipino migrant workers.

The Oriental News in Taiwan also reported a number of calls handled by the Taipei City Labor Office from Filipinos facing early dismissal from their employers and other unfavorable treatment in the streets. There were complaints that they get spit on page 15 along the streets or get shouted

ALL ABOARD FOR SOUL OF A CITY. The Makati Tourism Foundation, Inc.’s Board of Directors aboard Jeepney Tours’ jumbo jazzed-up jeep, from left Dr. Elton See Tan, Christian Pirodon, Vinchu Lapid, Adel Majaba, Agnes Macapia, Alex Willats and Farid Schoucair. The foundation spearheads the project called “Soul of a City”, a city tour project showcasing the city’s historical and modern landmarks, heritage sites, and prime shopping venues was launched. This is in line with its thrust to further promote the city as one great tourist destination.

1.27M Tourists for First Quarter of 2013, Up by 23%

T

he “It’s More Fun” slogan by the Department of Tourism (DOT) rang true in the first quarter of 2013 as tourist arrivals for this period reached 1.27 million, a 10.76 percent increase from last year’s 1.15 million for the same period.

This marks the second time that foreign tourist arrivals breached the one million mark in the first quarter, setting the pace for the DOT to reach its 5.5 million arrivals target for 2013. The first quarter performance accounts for 23 percent of the target arrivals for the year.

Korea remains the leading visitor market, which captured 25.83 percent of the total inbound traffic with 328,454 arrivals, followed by the United States with 186,065 or 14.63 percent of the overall visitor volume. The Japanese market contributed the third biggest arrivals with 114,269 or 8.99 percent. Rounding up

the top five visitor markets for the first quarter are China with 98,242 and Taiwan with 53,867 visitors. The Korean market rose by 23.93 percent, the highest among the top five major markets.

Other key markets contributing significant volume of arrivals include Australia with 53,679; Singapore with 41,524; Canada with 38,486; Hongkong with 36,005; United Kingdom with 32,475; Malaysia with 27,212; and Germany with 22,491.

Double-digit gains were recorded by the Russian Federation (26.9 percent), Hongkong (25.04 percent), Korea (23.93 percent), India (22.1 percent), Singapore (15.42 percent), Australia (12.65 percent), and Malaysia (11.86 percent). The ASEAN source markets grew 14.82 percent while East Asia increased by 14.15 percent.

Visitor arrivals for March 2013 also saw a double-digit increase of 11.28 percent with 417,392 visitors compared to the previous year’s volume of 375,083. For the fourth consecutive month since December 2012, the country has been surpassing the 400,000 visitor arrival mark.

“Month after month, we bear witness to a steady upward performance and new record highs. This only means that the efforts of the department and its partners are bearing fruit.

To achieve our 2013 target of 5.5 million and 2016 target of 10 million, the department and its industry partners are actively working on stimulating greater demand overseas, while infrastructure agencies have committed to step up our convergence programs to facilitate entry and access to the different destinations in the country,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jime-

nez Jr. said.

He added that the expansion and development of secondary gateways could ease the volume of traffic in the primary gateways of Manila and open the country to more visitors by bringing them closer to their end destinations. Significant investments in the air transportation, as well as in the accommodation sector, are seen to beef up capacities in the years to come.

“With key policy reforms such as the lifting of significant security concerns by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the rationalization of the Common Carriers Tax (CCT), the focus is shifted to the tangible areas such as connectivity and improvement of tourism products,” Jimenez concluded.

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DASOLAND FAMILY ADVENTURE PARK:

Text and photos by ASTRA C. ALEGRE

Rewarding Visitors with Nature’s Simple Thrills

Sweet and succulent mangoes for lunch A vibrant and robust mango tree in Dasoland

W

hen was the last time you picked a fruit from a tree? I found the invite quite intriguing. It asked if I wanted to join an ecotour in Dasoland Family Adventure Park. I was told that the main activity of the trip would be mango picking.

I love mangoes. And being a city girl from Manila, I rarely get the chance to spend time with nature. So I was excited to go on the trip.

Located in San Vicente, Dasol, Pangasinan, Dasoland is owned by GMA-7 TV network’s Menardo Jimenez and his wife Carolina.

In 1959, Nards, as Menardo is fondly called, inherited the land. Back then, the property only had four mango trees. It currently has close to 4,000 mango trees. What was originally a 30-hectare property has now expanded to 408 hectares. In 2011, Dasoland was opened to the public as a tourist destination.

As a family adventure park, Dasoland offers an eclectic mix of attractions, in addition to the main attraction, which is the mango orchard. You will want to spend some time in the gardens, as we did, particularly the Japanese Garden and the Flower Park. There is also The Cactus House with different species of cacti. I found the Bamboosetum one of the most interesting areas in the property, where varieties of bamboos such as the iron bamboo, machiku, paser, Thailand bamboo and yellow bamboo are found. Before my visit, all bamboos looked alike to me.

I did not know there were so many different kinds.

The park also has a butterfly garden where different species of the delicate winged creatures freely fluttering around.

In another area called Zoo-

land, I saw an herd of sheep running around.

I also saw a few other animals such as horses, an ostrich, a deer, a snake, and various kinds of birds. Kids, and even kids at heart, will surely enjoy this area in the park, aside from the playground and the swimming pool, of course.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing things visitors will notice in the park is the authentic Ifugao House, standing right there among the flowering plants. There's also a museum showcasing various artifacts such as traditional Ifugao clothing, statues and jars.

Another very interesting area is the outdoor display of traditional farm implements such as a plow, a harrow, a pestle and mortar.

Next to this dispay stands a very colorful traditional kalesa or horse drawn carriage. I suppose you can’t get more rustic than that.

In another part of the park, you will be transported back to World War II as you view the American jeepneys, trucks and helicopters on display. You get another blast from the past when you go to the museum which houses the Jimenez family's private collections of old photos, magazines, vintage pens, typewrit-

A sorbetes cart on display

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EXPAT NEWSPAPER Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Carolina Jimenez picking mangoes

One of the antique beds in the villa

An authentic WW II helicopter

An herd of sheep running around in Zooland

ers, old coins and many other items.

Or you may opt to explore the Spanish styled villa—two-floor structure filled with antique furniture. It's like a miniature house with a dining area, a kitchen, a sala and several bedrooms on the second floor.

There is so much to see in the place that you might decide to stay overnight. Should you want to, they offer comfortable accommodations.

The highlight of our visit, and without a doubt the crown jewel of the property, is the mango orchard. After a short lecture about the mangoes that are grown in the property, we were brought to the orchard to see the mangoes for ourselves. It was certainly delightful to see so many mangoes hanging from the trees. And to make our experience even more memorable, we were each given a pangsungkit or long wooden rods with a net attached to it for us to use to harvest the mangoes straight from the trees. I did not realize that picking

mangoes from trees could be such hard work.

But great fun it is indeed. When we arrived at the farm, the mangoes on the trees were still green, but that did not stop us from picking some anyway. Later, we were served ripe yellow mangoes during lunch. They were truly succulent and sweet.

We had a chance to do some pasalubong shopping before heading back to the city, and I bought an extra basket of mangoes to bring home. Paired with the bottle of bagoong that I bought from Dasoland's souvenir shop, it was an instant hit from everyone who got to get a taste of it. Who would have thought that you can have so much fun from the experience and even get to bring some back home to share, from a mango orchard?

(The tour was made possible by the Management Association of the Philippines [MAP] through Corazon PB Claudio, Ph.D, chair of the MAP Committee on Climate Change)

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American Dance Envoys The Art of Limited Space Teach ‘Mixed Abilities’ Dance

By JV RAMOS

A

merican dance artists from DanceAbility International, an organization that seeks to bring people with and without disabilities together through dance, arrived in Manila to share their experience teaching “mixed abilities” dance with Filipino dancers, artists and teachers last May 14 to 18.

In partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and with funding from the US State Department’s Arts Envoys Program, the US Embassy is planning several workshops to share the DanceAbility method with Filipinos, both with and without disabilities.

Alito Alessi, artistic director and founder of DanceAbility International, and Karen Daly, a DanceAbility teacher, cancer survivor, and wheelchair-user, also conducted a oneday workshop for students and young artists and a four-day orientation for teachers, choreographers and dancers at the CCP’s Bulwagang Amado Hernandez. Participants traveled from Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, and Marawi in Mindanao; Bacolod, Bohol, Dumaguete, and Iloilo in the Visayas; and Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Isabela, and Metro Manila in Luzon.

“For too long, many people have viewed those with disabilities through a prejudiced The Joint Forces quartet

lens of what they cannot do,” said Robin Diallo, Public Affairs counselor at the US Embassy in Manila. “As so many people with disabilities have proven, and as DanceAbility teaches, we all have the ability to create beauty, no matter our constraints in life.”

The US Department of State chose DanceAbility for its Arts Envoy program because of their cutting edge dance techniques and the way that their unique form of dance helps celebrate diversity. They are the first participants in the Arts Envoy program to come from a “mixed-abilities” dance company (integrating dancers with and without disabilities.) Other stops on their itinerary include Indonesia and Mongolia. The Arts Envoy Program of the US State Department is a selective and prestigious program with a mission to “share the best of the U.S. arts community with the world and foster crosscultural understanding and collaboration.”

In addition to the opportunity of sharing DanceAbility with new audiences, Alessi and Daly are also looking forward to promoting cross-cultural artistic collaboration. “The DanceAbility method has arisen from people on several continents,” said Alessi. “I’m excited to both take this information to three new countries and add the wisdom of more cultures to the DanceAbility method.”

DanceAbility International is a nonprofit organization based in Eugene, Oregon.

It celebrates the beauty of diversity by bringing together through dance people with and without disabilities.

For more information, please visit http://www. d a n c e a b i l i t y. com/.

Themed Wine Events at Wine Story Eric Kahn (middle) receives his Certificate of Participation from Carla Santos (left) & Eunice de Belen (right).

W

ine Story successfully held its 1st Asian Food & Wine Pairing Workshop at their stunning, modern art gallery-inspired branch in Serendra, Taguig on April 12, 2013. The workshop stayed true to its objectives, to educate partakers on what works (and what does not) and to guide them as they explore pairing well-loved Asian dishes with four wines that are not only perfect dimsum, dumplings and sushi partners but also best to beat the summer heat.

Resident expert Carla Santos, WSET Level 3 Advanced-certified, enlightened the participants with the basic rules of thumb for matching food and wine plus stories from the wines’ chateaux.

Gyoza, Shanghai Spring Rolls, Salmon Shake Sushi, and Dynamite Rolls among others delighted the participants during the fun-filled evening. The standout pairs were Alsatian Hugel Riesling 2011 with Fried Shanghai Spring Rolls and the German Dr. Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese with the fruity California Roll. In general, the participants agreed that their best bets as the most versatile wines to pair with Asian food are Hugel Gewurztraminer 2011 and Dr. Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese 2010, the wines they will truly remember when dining out in Chinese and Japanese Restaurants.

Attendees were incredibly pleased with their experience and were all thrilled to hear about Wine Story’s forthcoming pairing workshop, The Wine Story Got Cheesy, a wine and cheese pairing workshop that’ll change the way you look at wine and cheese.

Discover the mystery of pairing wine and cheese on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Wine Story Serendra, 7:30 p.m. For bookings, visit Wine Story Serendra (02) 846-6310 or e-mail info@ winestory.com.ph.

F

or more than 20 years, The Artists Village (TAV), a Singaporebased art group has been pushing the boundaries of art by supporting experimental and alternative forms. Recently 10 of its members exhibited in one of Manila’s cutting edge spaces, Kanto Artists-Run Space. Entitled Small Singapore Show, this group exhibition proved that spatial limitations do not hinder creativity’s content.

Artists Jeremy Hiah and Shengen Lim came up with works that encouraged viewers to participate. The former produced Cattoelick, a painting that refuses to alienate art viewers, while the latter did an archaeological excavation-inspired work, which invited people to make their own dummy grenades using Yakult bottles, sand, duct and masking tape.

Chand Chandramohan, Gilles Massot and Natasha Wei explored abstract concepts in their works, such as death, home and the overcoming a traumatic experience. Wei’s playful-looking series of mixed media is perhaps the catchiest of these. Through colors and meticulous arrangement, the artist very well captures her faith in life’s beauty.

Some TAV artists kept it simple by contributing works that seem to be pulled out of a literary narrative. Ben Puah created Doorkeeper, a small black cat sculpture that’s meant to be placed nowhere else but near the entrance; and Andree Weschler came up with a photograph of peas, which takes its inspiration and title from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale, The Princess and the Pea. A simple piece that captures one’s attention is Jason Lee’s Seeking the otherwise of the busy streets. Though ordinary terms of art form (digital printing), his work is nevertheless out of the ordinary as it expresses an oxymoron – the emptiness of busy streets.

Last and probably the most memorable pieces are those of Arif Ayab and Urich Lau. Through performance art, Ayab showed how

methamphetamine, the most used illicit drug in the Philippines, affects an individual. Here, the artist used glass objects to show the violence caused by the drug and his stand against chemical drugs. Lau, on the other hand, applied haematography, the technique of writing or drawing with one’s blood, to change the way viewers look at small images versus small text.

All in all, the exhibition was unexpectedly exhilarating. TAV did well in transforming physical and psychic spaces, while giving us a preview of how the contemporary art scene is like in Singapore.

The Small Singapore Show is said to be the beginning of a long-term collaboration between TAV and Kanto Artists-Run Space.

Kanto Artists-Run Space is a collectively managed art space that’s dedicated to the full exploration of various disciplines, often challenging the established.

Lau's Print File: Haematography

Bridging Cultures Thru Gastronomic Delights

By JV RAMOS

W

hen one speaks of salmon, there are two things that come to mind. First, that the fish is loaded with nutrients; and second, that best kind comes from no other place but Norway.

For the last five years, the consumption of Norwegian salmon in the Philippines has rapidly increased. Such is due to Filipinos becoming more and more health conscious.

It is for the salmon’s increasing demand that the Norwegian Seafood Council, in colChef Lovold

laboration with the Philippines Norway Business Council, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Snorre Food and I’m Angus Steakhouse launched Norwegian Gastromonomic Delights with Chef Adrian Lovold. From May 10 to 18, Lovold, a young and very talented Norwegian chef, promoted the freshness and incomparable high quality of Norwegian salmon and other seafood from his country with his stellar dishes at I’m Angus Steakhouse.

How were Chef Lovold’s creations received? Let’s just say: It is one thing to know that the best seafood comes from Norway, and another thing to actually experience eating it. Furthermore, it’s already a given that Norwegian seafood is mouthwatering. What more when it’s prepared by a chef whose style and depth has been influenced by the legendary chefs Eyvind Hellstrom of Bagatelle and Thomas Keller of The French Laundry.

Philippines Norway Business Council President Capt. Ivar Thomasli described this week of gastronomic delights as “an excellent opportunity to promote Norway to the Philippines.”

Through Norwegian seafood, Filipinos can get to know more about Norwegian culture. Counsellor Knut-Are S. Okstad from the Royal Norwegian Embassy shared that his country was built in seafood. “The history of Norwegian seafood goes way back. Norway, in its early days, was a poor country and basically fish was the easiest thing to get. “ He added, “I am a diplomat, I work in Manila…We are eating a lot of Filipino food, so I feel a little bit Filipino. I hope that you will start enjoying a little bit of Norwegian food and become a little bit Norwegian.”

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Cebuana Named New Norwegian Consul

By RICHARD A. RAMOS

tuition, jobs, and allowances; while the ship owners have provided the technical expertise and training.

Gotianuy also holds an executive function at the Cebu Technical School (CTS), a technical-vocational institution. She likewise heads the CTS’ medical arm composed of two hospitals; the St. Vincent General Hospital in Sambag II, Cebu; and the upcoming University of Cebu Medical Center, or UC Med, a multi-specialty hospital situated at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Ivar Tomasli, president of the PhilippinesNorway Business Council, proudly declared that the UC scholars are among the best crewmen in the country due to their rigid training

Philippines Norway Business Council President Capt. Ivar Tomasli, Honorary Korean Consul in Cebu Atty. Augusto Go, Ambassador of Norway Knut Solem, Incoming Honorary Norwegian Consul in Cebu Candice G. Gotianuy, Elizabeth Gan-Go, Outgoing Honorary Norwegian Consul in Cebu Sabino Dapa

N

orwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Knut Solem recently appointed Candice Gotianuy as Honorary Norwegian Consul in Cebu for the provinces of Cebu and Negros Oriental.

Gotianuy is the incumbent Chancellor of the University of Cebu (UC) with four campuses; namely UC Main, UC Banilad, UC Maritime Education and Training Center, and UC Lapulapu-Mandaue.

In his speech, Ambassador Solem pledged a functional consulate office that will aid Norwegians in the Philippines, reinforce business relationships between the two countries, pro-

mote Norwegian values and public diplomacy, and add support in the processing of consular requirements such as passport, visa and maritime certificates.

He urged Candice to travel more around the Philippines to explore the various business and trade opportunities that await his country instead of relying on the resources of the capital city.

For her part, Consul Gotianuy cited the nearly two-decade fruitful linkages forged between the Norwegian ship owners and UC. These ties have financed the education of nearly 1,000 maritime scholars yearly, inclusive of

in UC. He also wished Gotianuy good luck on her new post, saying that she well deserves her new position due to her exemplary personal and professional qualifications.The Royal Norwegian Consulate in Cebu is located on the second floor, UC Banilad Building, Governor Cuenco Ave., Banilad, Cebu City fronting the Gaisano Country Mall. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The office also helps expedites visa applications to Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Estonia and Finland.

For more information, contact (02) 2391044, 260-0520; or e-mail at norwayconsulate. cebu@gmail.com.

Pesta Indonesia Makes an Impact

I

By AGNES M. ABRAU

ndonesia did make an impact when 16 tour and travel agents and operators displayed their best fare—offering holiday packages to Indonesia’s tourism attractions. Dubbed Pesta Indonesia which took place recently at the Rigodon Ballroom of Manila Hotel’s Fiesta Pavilion, the spotlight was focused on this massive multi-cultural tourism wonder in Asia.

Indonesia has all the works of a complete destination ranging from family recreations and tourist attractions, water sports to exotic natural wonders and much more. Tourism authorities in Indonesia put much effort to promote Indonesia to the global tourists.

Though Indonesia is already a prominent

tourism center in Southeast Asia, Indonesian operators are keen to develop the tourism sector even further, putting extra efforts for promotional tours and fairs.

All 16 operators who flew in from other parts of Indonesia are dressed in their native wear, displaying goodies truly unique from Indonesia and displaying the best of tourism fare that included the country’s destinations, hotels, resorts, spas, convention centers, among others. Filipino tour and travel operators mingled and chatted with their Indonesian counterparts, exchanging business contact and linkages—all in the spirit of promoting tourism on Indonesia.

Indonesian Ambassador Dr. page 13

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outside the lines

By TIMOTHY JAY IBAY

N E W S PA P E R

The Sports and Life Parallel of Fickle Perception

The Philippines’ forum for international readers since 1981

Murray Hertz Editorial & Publishing Consultant Butch C. Bonsol President & Managing Director Agnes Marie G. Abrau Managing Editor Carmencita H. Acosta Associate Editor Jv Ramos Assistant Editor Astra C. Alegre Timothy Jay Araneta Ibay Richard A. Ramos (Cebu) Writers/Reporters Leah Egamino-Palaña Advertising Coordinator Vicky G. Soto Advertising Consultant Dominic De Vera Classified Ads Eleanore Fern B. Pagaduan Design & Layout Our Headquarters: Lower Ground Floor, Legaspi Towers 100 148 Legaspi St., Legaspi Village, Makati City Our telephone numbers: (+632) 840-2996 or (+632) 812-0987; Fax (+632) 840-2988 You can also reach us at: whatsonexpat@yahoo.com expatmag@gmail.com and for sales and advertising: expatcomsales@gmail.com Cebu Mailing Address: MJ. Cuenco Avenue cor. C. Mina St., Mabolo, Cebu City Telefax: (032) 412-8000

In the wake of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s second round playoff exit, there will certainly be those that will have something to say about Durant’s inability to lead his team further into the postseason. There will be narratives about how Durant is finding out how LeBron James felt during his playoff shortcomings in Cleveland, or how he shot under 40 percent from the field in Games 4 & 5 (5/21 in the Game 5 loss). But that’s nothing if not normal in today’s world of 24/7 news cycles and social media.

But, there is one glaring difference between how the media portrayed their respective playoff exits. If you were following the NBA from 2009-2012, you knew how much public vitriol spawned from the media’s “LeBronathon.” He’s a choker. He doesn’t have what it takes to win a championship.

He quits on his team. There were even nasty rumors that circulated about his mother. Anything and everything to criticize the greatest athlete in the past 20 years was thrown out there. The media’s point was—he’s not all that.

Durant, on the other hand, has always been portrayed as the good guy. The pub-

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Weddings at The Peninsula The Peninsula Manila launched its newest, most exclusive and most exciting wedding package to date—The Luxe Wedding Package. Designed to please the extravagant and exclusive package caters to a maximum of 100 guests, includes a five-course gourmet dinner, a glass of Dom Perignon for each guest, event styling, a Rolls Royce limousine, a stay at The Peninsula Suite, a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes for the bride and a La Mer facial bridal spa party for 10. For inquiries, email weddingpmn@peninsula.com Meetings Made Easy at InterCon Valid until June 30, InterContinental Manila offers Meeting On Us Room Package. For a minimum of 10 guestrooms booked at a special rate on a twin-sharing basis with buffet breakfast for two at Café Jeepney, a complimentary full day meeting package good for 10 persons can be availed. The package includes complimentary use of a meeting room, choice of morning or afternoon snack and three-course set lunch with one round of iced tea for each participant. Email manila@ interconti.com

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the continuously dwindling attention spans.

Shortly before the recent Philippine elections, there were memes circulating about the ineptitude of Senator-elect Nancy Binay.

Sure enough, the bandwagon was boarding in full force, accepting even those with the faintest knowledge about politics or Binay’s history. They saw the memes, and now judgment has been passed. So you could just imagine the uproar when Binay (as of this writing) was the fifth leading vote getter in the senate race.

The supposed “educated” part of the electorate who condemned the millions upon millions of “illiterate” people who voted for Binay were laughing it up on newsfeeds everywhere, spreading jokes and countless memes mostly on account of Binay’s dark skin. These, while many less laughable, but equally frightening elected names have been left much unnoticed in the wake of this bourgeois social media campaign against Binay. But that’s just the way it is when your computer screen encourages you by asking, “What’s on your mind?” You eat up the train of thought that’s already there, click “Like” and “Share.”

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lic lauded him for sending out a tweet to announce his contract extension with the Thunder, as opposed to LeBron’s “The Decision” (people used to call it a public relations disaster, but the numbers prove otherwise— after “The Decision,” the league enjoyed a vast increase in TV ratings and public interest). He’s an elite player focused on winning and not building his brand, pointing to his choice to play for a small market as evidence of this. He was a likable guy that we all should admire…or at least that’s how it was spun.

But that’s just a microcosm of how the media influences public perception. This isn’t to say Kevin Durant isn’t a class guy. He is, and even as he struggled in his last two games this postseason, you could see the fight inside of him never once waned. But just look at how much it’s changed for LeBron James. After winning that elusive title last year, he’s now considered as the undisputed best player on the planet, and after winning his fourth MVP this year, narratives about him being possibly the best to ever do it after he hangs up his Nikes are in abundance.

That’s just the fickleness of the combination of the Interwebs, the social media, and

Makati Shangri-La Opens Spa Makati Shangri-La Manila launches Spa at the Shangri-La, the hotel’s very own spa featuring massages and treatments. A signature treatment is the Philippine hilot, a timehonored treatment that relaxes the body and mind with soothing massage strokes using local ingredients such as the virgin coconut oil and banana leaf. Other massage treatments include the Aroma Wellness Massage, a combination of the healing elements of Swedish Shiatsu and Reflexology, Fitness Massage, Shiatsu, among others. Email healthclub. slm@shangri-la.com

EDSA Shangri-La Celebrates Luau Style

M

etro Manila’s premier city-resort hotel since 1992, Edsa Shangri-La, Manila treated its guests and corporate clients to a luau party in appreciation of their support and loyalty for more than 20 years. A favorite urban oasis among business executives because of its lagoon-shaped pool that is surrounded by lush greenery, the hotel held its luau-themed cocktails at the Poolside.

It was complete with reggae music, hot off the grill dishes, a variety of seafood specialties, refreshing fruit juices and tropical cocktails.

Bringing the vibrant and fun scenery of the beach to the hotel guests, the party was a perfect summer activity to make the guests enjoy the season and forget the pressures of the corporate world. For a more relaxing evening, guests were pampered with a head and back massage by skilled therapists from Edsa

Shangri-La, Manila’s CHI, The Spa. Newly appointed General Manager Patrick Schaub led the hotel’s team of chefs, service staff, guest relations officers and sales executives.

(From left) ADB’s Mary Anne Antonio; ADB's Unit Head of Assets Management and Commercial Services, Hendy Widjaja with Edsa Shangri-La's General Manager Patrick Schaub and Edsa Shangri-La’s Director of Sales Aris Ote

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EXPAT NEWSPAPER

A Bigger and Bolder 2nd Philippine International Improv Festival

By JV RAMOS

Members of SPIT

T

he Philippines’ leading improvisational group, SPIT, which stands for the Silly People’s Improv Theater shows no sign of slowing down after a decade’s worth of spreading laughter in the local and international scene. For its 11th anniversary, SPIT will be holding another improvisational theater festival in Manila, which is set to be bolder than the previous one.

To be held on June 25 to 30, the 2nd Philippine International Improv Festival will be bigger in terms of participants, content and audience. As of this month, eight other improvisational groups have signed up for the event.

These are: 3 Dudes Improv and People’s Liberation Improv from Hong Kong; Beijing PLUS ONE and Beijing Improv from Beijing City, China; Taichung Improv from Taichung City in Taiwan; Xiamen Improv from Xiamen City, China; ZMACK from Shanghai City, China; and Switch from Manila, Philippines. Along with SPIT, these groups hope to increase appreciation for the genre of improvisational theater.

Apart from the group showdowns, the 2nd Philippine International Improv Festival has workshops lined up for masters and aspiring actors of the craft, as well as for those who seek to apply improvisation in other fields besides performing.

To be held on June 25 and 26 is the Applied Improvisation Network Conference, wherein Paul Z. Jackson of Applied Improvisation Network, Kay Ross of People’s Liberation Improv and Curt Mabry of ZMACK will be sharing their ideas and practices on how improvisation aids in presentation skills, leadership, creativity and innovation. The workshops for professionals and rookies are scheduled on June 28 to 30.

SPIT-PETA Collaboration One of the major highlights of this event is its collaboration with one of the country’s leading theater groups, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). SPIT has chosen PETA’s Black Box or PETA-PHINMA Theater as the festival’s performance space.

More than being able to have more viewers, this choice of venue is fitting. SPIT founder and artistic director Gabe Mercado refers to being in the Black Box as “their way of coming home” as PETA is the first group in the Philippines to apply improvisational principles.

PETA, on the other hand, fully embraces

SPIT. “My favorite thing is the coming together of theater companies. We will always be stronger when we work together as one big cultural movement,” expresses PETA artistic director Maribel Legarda. “I’m so thankful to have you (SPIT).”

Promoting a New Kind of Comedy Mercado shares with Expat how improvisational theater is like in the Philippines and in other countries. “Usually, the members of improvisational groups are Caucasians – which tell us that they are expatriates, not locals from the country they are based in. SPIT is differ-

ent when it comes to this aspect; our members are Filipinos.” As a result, SPIT is the only bilingual group – their performances use the English and Filipino language interchangeably.

He points out how improvisational theater differs from mainstream Filipino comedy. “Filipino comedy as it is now thrives on making fun of people, so there’s a meanness factor wherein you pick on somebody. You won’t find this in improv. There are internal rules wherein I always have to make my co-actor to look good. In improv, we help each other out and keep the scene moving forward.”

“The only ‘picking on’ that happens here is when the audience challenges the performers.

The harder their suggestions are, the better because it challenges us performers.”

With this, everyone is invited to watch and challenge the improvisational groups in the 2nd Philippine International Improv Festival.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld or the PETA Theater Center. For information regarding tickets and inquiries, contact Meann Espinosa of PETA (02)410-0822 local 14 to 15 or (0906)211-5003.

SARAH JESSICA PARKER IS SM’S NEW FACE

Style Icon Shares Fashion Tip: ‘Be Yourself’

M

cKinley Parkway was all abuzz when the SM Aura Premier opened its doors to the city’s fashion elite. All roads led to the stylish, redefined SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City creating a traffic jam.

The buzz turned to pandemonium news about international actress and style icon Sarah Jessica Parker's gracing the opening of the country’s retail giant mall in BGC—an event which Manila’s high end style set eagerly looked forward to.

Parker appeared buoyant, poised and gracious when she met select members of the media and gamely shared her fashion tip to women.

“Be yourself. Make your own choices. You can’t leave the house trying to please a person…,” she said matter-of-factly which was received approvingly by the audience.

Perfect Fit Parker’s collaboration with SM in its “Love to Shop” campaign is considered a perfect fit, also ushering in the beginning of SM’s new generations of stores geared toward the stylish and upmarket, fashion-conscious Filipino consumers.

Parker, who played Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO television hit series Sex and the City for six years, was dressed in an all-black pants ensemble has been known to be experimental in her fashion choices ranging from elegant designer gowns to casual street fashion and even sportswear.

According to SM, Parker’s Carrie character –who has been described as someone who lives for fashion—as well as her own incredible personal style make Parker the perfect guest for the store opening.

She is thrilled to tour the page 15 place after the grand launch. “I’m

Watch out for Expat Travel and Lifestyle's summer issue featuring New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore on the cover, and everything from warm weather fashions and far-flung destinations to festival fever.

Visit us on expatph.nowplanet.tv Like us on Facebook.com/Expat.Travel.and.

Lifestyle.Magazine Follow us on Twitter @expatphils

By AGNES M. ABRAU

8 > DINING

MAY 19 - JUNE 1, 2013

EXPAT NEWSPAPER

Philippine Cuisine is like a Diamond

By CARMENCITA H. ACOSTA

Oxtail Kare Kare (stew with peanut sauce)

B

ut why? You may harangue us with the question of why Philippine cuisine is like a diamond. Well, we will give you a straightforward answer. And by “you” we mean you, the tourists and expatriates who can afford to float around Metro Manila. Various hotels had held food festivals in past months but these have focused either on foreign cuisine or regional ones. Possibly you have tasted Pampango food or Ilonggo cuisine, and so forth. But you have had to go out of your way for this. Indeed, foreigners wishing to have an experiential knowledge of Philippine gastronomy have to go to the provinces to sample the real thing. That is why partaking of Philippine cuisine in just one upscale spot is like putting on a diamond as your bejeweled accessory. And now, here's good news.

Diamond Hotel, a five-star establishment, has upped the ante by presenting Philippine

cuisine with flair. Yes, the regional ones are all packed therein with the buffet table being a cross-section of the gastronomic art not just of one region but of almost the entire country. In other words, it showcases the Philippine national buffet. Aptly titled Cocina Filipina (Philippine Kitchen). Chef Bruce Lim, a celebrity of the Asian Food Channel, is the creator of the spread. He has opened several restaurants. Metro Manilans are familiar with Chef ’s Lab, located at Burgos Circle in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Meanwhile, Diamond Hotel’s Corniche Restaurant is highlighting the country’s local dishes infused with international flavors.

The buffet will feature Chef Bruce’s unique twists on the all-time Philippine favorites.

To mention a few–Kinilaw na Tanigue (raw fish in vinegar) with Grilled Liempo (pork belly) and Grilled Corn, Stuffed Ampalaya (bitter melon) with Salted Eggs and Prawns, Sisig Pasta, Pinangat na Liempo with Aligue Cream Sauce, Lobster Palabok (Filipino rice noodles), Tuyo (dried fish) with Caramelized Onions and Sundried Tomatoes, and desserts that include Queso de Bola Cheesecake, Calamansi Meringue Pie, Chocolate Tablea and Barako Coffee Mousse and more.

To add more excitement, guests availing of the buffet will get a chance to win roundtrip tickets to Cebu with accommodations, and other exciting prices which includes an overnight stay at Diamond Hotel. Cocina Filipina is ongoing until May 25 at Diamond Hotel, Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Malate, Manila with landline (02) 528-3000 local 1121.

Village Tavern Marks 1st Year with New Fare

A

year after opening its doors to the celebration of classic American fare, Village Tavern at Bonifacio High Street Central treats its patrons with a slew of new items certain to stir the palates of gourmands abundant in the metro.

Following a strong first year that certainly piqued the city-dwelling foodies’ interest, Village Tavern continues with its penchant for rustic twists, that while subtle, elevates their dishes nonetheless. With the list of new additions barely a month into its launch, a few have already emerged as early favorites such as: Crispy Clams with Spicy Lemon Dip (equally ideal as an appetizer or bar chow), Shrimp Balls with Cilantro Lime, Ox Cheek with Truffle Mash and Poached Onions, Cod Fish (pan seared Atlantic cod cooked with Spanish chorizo and garlic, served on a bed of salt roasted potato), and the Tomahawk (a massive 35-ounce steak).

With Village Tavern being a chef-driven restaurant, it yet banks on the creative passion of corporate chef Josh Boutwood, and his constant drive for innovation.

Other must-try’s from the new menu additions include: Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings (again, as good a choice for appetizer as it is an accompaniment for drinks), Roasted Bone Marrow (served with sourdough bread and apple cider vinegar dip), Salmon Hot Pot (classic combination of salmon, dill and fennel topped with mashed potato and grilled to perfection), Fully

By TIMOTHY JAY IBAY

Loaded Romaine Heart (freshly cut romaine lettuce served with crispy bacon, red onions, tomatoes and topped with bleu cheese dressing), Braised Beef (slow braised beef short pate with red wine jus and served with choice of rice pilaf or mashed potato), and Lapu-Lapu with Pick de Gallo (served on a bed of potato wedges and spinach), among other classic comfort fare.

The restaurant carries on with its adherence to utmost freshness and quality, importing US based ingredients, creating wheat flatbreads from scratch, and trimming and aging its beef with precision—little things that, while escaping the eyes of its patrons, does not elude their discriminating palates.

It’s an approach that has marked their first year with success, and if you haven’t ventured into this BGC rendering of the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-rooted chain, it awaits as a brilliant choice in laid back dining with fine American favorites.

Roasted Bone Marrow with sour dough

A Paseo to India

O

ne of Manila’s top business hotels spices things up, literally. The Mandarin Oriental brings in Laxminarayan Ray a young, inventive sous chef from India to add some South Asian flavor to their dining outlets. Chef Laxmi works out of his very own special Indian kitchen, complete with tandoor oven, and uses only the freshest ingredients and finest Indian spices, to come closest to traditional techniques and taste. The Indian dishes, which are all guaranteed halal, are available in a special ala carte menu at Paseo Uno and in the hotel’s in-room dining menu. A collaboration between Chef Laxmi and Executive Chef Rene Ottlik, the new Indian menu offers diners a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.

Expat was treated to an exclusive dinner at the private dining room of the Mandarin Oriental’s Tivoli, attended by a who’s who of foodies and experts on India. Who best to give his blessing to the feast but Indian Ambassador Amit Dasgupta himself?

The diplomat is known to be pretty handy around the kitchen himself so his approval was quite an endorsement. Singaporean Ambassador Hirubalan VP and his wife Mano, both of Indian descent, were also in attendance and expressed their great appreciation for the repast. Our tastebuds were first prickled by papadums, chutneys and relish as we rode the taste train captained by Chef Laxmi.

Among the subcontinental delights sampled were Murgh Malai Tikka (chicken morsels marinated with cream, cheese and yoghurt, flavoured with cardamom), Tandoori Prawns (Tiger prawns marinated with cream, saffron and dill leaves), Gilafi Seekh Kebab (Minced lamb skewers marinated with cream, saffron, and dill leaves), Murgh Tangri Kebab (Chicken drumsticks marinated with cream, cheese, yoghurt and saffron), Chicken Tikka (morsels of chicken marinated with cream, saffron and dill leaves). Chef Laxmi also proffers vegetarian options, namely: Paneer Tikka (Cottage cheese marinated with Indian tandoori spices), Subz Ki Seekh (minced vegetable skewers with Indian spices), Vegetable Pulao (Basmati rice cooked with vegetables and In-

By C. JUDE DEFENSOR

ian spices), and Vegetable Samosas. Local herbivores will be pleased to know that the veggie selections are just as delicious as they are extensive, garnering quite the buzz at the table. It was a veritable Bollywood musical of a meal, long, colorful and bursting with exotic pleasures, from the textural to the olfactory.

Executive Chef Rene Ottlik explains the Mandarin Oriental’s motivation to bring in the genuine flavors of India with the growing number of travelers from India and Indian food lovers in the Philippines. This justified their savvy investment in their own Indian chef and kitchen. Chef Laxmi has worked in several notable five-star hotels throughout India, including the Oberoi Cecil in Shimla, Movenpick Hotel and Spa in Bangalore, and the Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, before finally joining Mandarin Oriental, Manila in December 2012. But it’s only now, with the kitchen properly set up and the right ingredients sourced, that the Mandarin decided to show off their latest culinary trump card. Going by the satisfied murmurings at the debut dinner, it was definitely worth the wait.

Chef Laxmi prepares a dish from Mandarin's new Indian menu

PEOPLE < 9

MAY 19 - JUNE 1, 2013

EXPAT NEWSPAPER

Lawrence Wee: No Other Career But This!

F

or someone who has been in the hospitality industry for almost 40 years, you’d expect that Lawrence Wee always pictured himself to work in a hotel.

This isn’t the case however as The Linden Suites general manager was still undecided about his career path when he graduated.

“The first job introduced to me was in a hotel,” he shares. “I entered just for the experience. Once you join, you already get hooked.

You don’t look at any other career.” What appealed to Wee about working for Hotel Phoenix Singapore back in the seventies is it allowed him to meet lots of different people and learn about their respective cultures. “I felt I didn’t want to have any other career. This is the only job that allows you to be entertained and exposed.”

Wee’s fondness for learning about different cultures resulted to his working for several hotels in Singapore (Holiday Inn, York Hotel, The Meritus Mandarin and Goodwood Park Hotel are among these), as well as hotels outside his country. Since the year 1994, Wee has been “a vagabond with a home” – from his stint in Indonesia (Mayang Sari Beach Resort), he has work experience in Vietnam (‘The Lien’ Westlake Resort and Hanoi Horison Hotel), Thailand (Swissotel Le Concorde) and in the earth’s paradise, Maldives (Best Western Madoogali Resort & Spa). He expresses, “Each country and each hotel is totally different.”

For Work vs. for Holiday The Singaporean shares with Expat some of his realizations as an expatriate. “It’s very different when you go to a country for a holiday and when you stay there for work.” If it’s the latter, one is able to see how people are brought up and their work principles and habits. Though Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are all from the ASEAN region, Wee saw differences in the way the staff from these countries worked. One nationality exhibited great computer skills, one functioned best when a foreigner would lead them and another is very cautious about outsiders. The cultural differences molded Wee to be a better leader. “You can’t just bang your head against the wall when you experience something bad, you know. This has made me learn patience.”

Regarding his time in Maldives, Wee again stresses that going to a place for work and for vacation are very different. Because Maldives is an isolated atoll paradise, working for a resort there feels like a routine. “You’re stranded on an island with sun, sand and sea. You have nothing much to do… Evenings there can be monotonous.” Despite this, he is thankful that he went through the experience and regards Best Western Madoogali Resort & Spa as one of the highlights of his career.

Manila and The Linden Suites Prior to his current post, Wee was a resident manager at The Heritage Hotel Manila.

Marriott Manila Names New General Manager

M

arriott Manila named Bruce Winton as its new general manager. A honed hotelier with 23 years of impeccable service, awards, and achievements handling mostly Marriott brands and properties, Winton is known for his excellent management skills and ability to lead diverse groups of professionals achieving and exceeding business goals and creating exceptional guest experiences.

Formerly the general manager of Marriott Cebu prior to his appointment, Winton was recognized for continuing Marriott Cebu’s dominance, raising the hotel’s market share from 175 percent to 205 percent from 2010 to 2012, along with a remarkable increase in the Guest Satisfaction index rating from 74 percent in 2010 to 82.7 percent in 2012. Due to his solid food and beverage (F&B) background, Winton led the team in increasing the hotel’s F&B revenue by 6.3 percent in 2012 while renovating all their meeting space during the same period.

Recently, in recognition of those stellar performance, Winton was awarded General Manager of the Year for Marriott International’s Asia Pacific Region, adding up to the roster of awards he has received throughout his career, most notably the 2009 Operations Excellence Award for Marriott International’s Asia Pacific Region and Manager of the Year for JW Marriott Hotel Washington D.C. in 2000.

Winton started as a commis chef, waiter, bartender, sommelier, and chief steward before working as a cook in his first Marriot property, the Hartford Marriott in Farmington, Connecticut in 1989. Each job enabled him to gain knowledge and perspective of how the whole hotel operation works. He is also known for his proficiency in managing large convention hotels spending 11 years at the Boston Marriott Copley Place and JW Marriott in Washington DC. Winton was also a very active community and business leader during his post at Marriott Cebu. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Cebu, Board Member of AMCHAM and VP External (American Chamber of Commerce Cebu Chapter) since 2012, and Director in the Board of the Hotel, Resort & Restaurant As-

sociation of Cebu, and very active in the Ayala Business Club of Cebu.

An avid golfer since his high school days, the native of Scotland served as Chieftain of the St. Andrew’s Society of Korea from 2009 to 2010. His multi-cultural social activities truly make him a citizen of the world.

Akin to his love for cultural diversity is his love for history, travel, playing tennis, and of course food & beverage, always making sure he would have the combination of all and more on his free time. Happily married to Chistina, a Filipina and native of Manila, they have two children, Alex, 9 and Colin, 8.

As new general manager of Marriott Manila, Winton looks forward with optimism to working with another set of diverse associates, embracing each other’s differences while performing in unity towards one direction.

Bruce Winton

By JV RAMOS

When he came to Manila The Linden Suites GM Lawrence Wee in 2009, the biggest adjustment he had was to deal with traffic. “The traffic here was a shock for me. It’s the first time I experienced sitting in a car for 1 to 2 hours, just doing nothing.” But that’s okay because it has taught me to plan.” He now leaves extra early for his appointments.

When asked what his fondest memories are in the Philippines, Wee simply answers, “Meeting people.”

He regards Filipinos as very friendly. “And it’s not just in the workplace. When asking for directions, they are accommodating. Filipinos are very friendly and very hospitable. Of all the countries I’ve been to, I really enjoy it here.”

In The Linden Suites, he is experiencing a very homey atmosphere. “We are like family in here… The owners are fantastic. They are people-caring. They are willing to spend money to make their employees haping their products and services. The first three py and this produces good results and loyalty.” renovated floors have already been completed The Linden Suites continuously receives good and the rest should be done by the end of the feedback and online reviews and has become year. one of the top choices under 4-star hotels.

“We are all extremely excited with the fresh How are they responding to the boom look and to boast our newly refurbished rooms of the hotels in the country? The well-loved, and service upgrade.” tried-and-tested, The Linden Suites is improv-

10 > EVENTS

MAY 19 - JUNE 1, 2013

EXPAT NEWSPAPER

EU Celebration Goes Green

T

he environmental issue of climate change was the theme of the recent Europe Day celebration. As guests entered the ballroom of the Mandarin Hotel, they were greeted by placards on climate change.

On one part of the ballroom, an entire wall had a very colorful infographic entitled “EU will reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020.”

On stage, a tarpaulin with the words “Europe: 1.5 Million Carbon Credits Generated Annually in the Philippines,” was displayed.

In his speech, European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux remarked that the EU is often perceived to be a major contributor to climate change. In reality, EU only contributes a little over 11 percent in greenhouse gas emissions. CO2 emissions in EU has decreased by 18% since 1990. Ambassador Ledoux shared, “These trends are the result of aggressive policies in place in the Union. EU leaders have committed a few years ago to transform Europe into a highly energy-efficient, low carbon economy.”

Ambassador Ledoux also noted the enduring relationship between the European Union and the Philippines. He shared, “Last

November, President Aquino had a meeting with President Van Rompuy and President Barroso, the leaders of the two EU institutions. In the past six months we have seen a flurry of visits from European leaders including the French Prime Minister, the German Foreign Minister, the Czech Foreign Minister, the British Minister of State for Trade and Foreign Investment, the Irish Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to name a few.”

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes reiterated this strong relationship by acknowledging that the European Union is the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner with US$9.6 billion in lateral trade in year 2012 or an 8.5 percent share of the total Philippine trade. He also extended his thanks to the European Union’s 10 million euros assistance during the typhoon Pablo last year.

The European Union, which was founded by six countries, currently has 27 members.

Croatia will become its 28th member on July 1, 2013.

Ambassadors of European Union member countries

European Union Amb. Guy Ledoux delivers his speech as Apostolic Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto and DFA Usec. Jose Brillantes look on

Head of Contracts and Finance Section, EU Delegation Willem Verpoest and wife Voranut

Text and photos by ASTRA C. ALEGRE

Indonesian Amb. Kristiarto Legowo and Argentinian Amb. Joaquin Otero

British Amb. Stephen Lillie and Israeli Amb. Menashe Bar- On

Commercial Attache of the Austrian Embassy Isabel Schmiedbauer, Austrian Amb. Wilhelm Donko and Deputy Head of Mission of the Austrian Embassy Gabriele Australian Amb. Bill Tweddell, Pakistani Amb. Mohsin Razi and Iranian Amb. Zobi Kratschmann Ali Mohammadi

Head of Trade Section, EU Delegation Andrea Fennesz

COLUMN < 11

MAY 19 - JUNE 1, 2013

EXPAT NEWSPAPER

Windmills Soon to Go Up in Puerto Galera

The province of Oriental Mindoro will be the site of the country’s next wind farm once the 48-megawatt wind energy power system of the Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems, Inc. (PHESI) is completed. Headed by its chairman and chief executive officer Armando “Andy” de Rossi, PHESI will build the wind farm— covering an area of 1,296 hectares—in three phases in the mountain village of Baclayan, overlooking Puerto Galera’s scenic resorts and coves. With each phase having eight wind turbines or towers, standing 78 meters above the ground and capable of generating 16 MW, the Puerto Galera facility is seen to dwarf the Bangui wind farms in Ilocos Norte. More power to PHESI! We will wait with great anticipation!

Former Italian ambassador Luca Fornari and PHESI chief financial officer Samuel DalSanto

At the ground-breaking ceremony held in Barangay Tabinay were (from left) Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems, Inc. (PHESI) chairman and chief executive officer Armando de Rossi, Oriental Mindoro governor Alfonso Umali, Oriental Mindoro representative Rodolfo Valencia, and Occidental Mindoro representative Reynaldo Umali

Former Energy undersecretary Jay Layug (fifth from left) with the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ormeco) members: (from left) board director Alfredo Abante, Jr., secretary Engr. Emmanuel Garcia, treasurer Platanos Suarez, general manager Romeo Cuasay, president Audel Arago, vice president Clarito Aclan, and legal counsel lawyer Grogorio Bobos

Summer Escapade in Boracay Summer is the most-awaited season here in the country as this is the perfect time for families and friends to relax, chill out and have fun. What better way to enjoy the summer season than to go to the island paradise of Boracay. With its crystal clear waters and powdery white sand beaches, this world famous vacation spot continues to charm people from all walks of life. Having a perfect Boracay getaway means choosing to stay at the island’s first triple A-rated resort, Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa headed by the brilliant Henann Resorts Group chairman Henry Chusuey.

Guests will experience first class treatment as the resort’s highly-efficient staff is always ready to take care of their needs. The resort’s splendid amenities on the other hand, are designed to make guests feel that luxury and convenience is just right around the corner. For those with an active lifestyle, the resort’s Gym and Fitness Center is the best place to have a good sweat. Those who want to relax and unwind will definitely fall in love with the resort’s prime wellness spot, the Kai Regency Spa that offers different spa services. Meanwhile, guests can have a refreshing dip in any of the resplendent pools, strategically located at each of the resort’s three wings. Indeed, everyone can look forward to a one-of-a-kind Boracay getaway experience courtesy of Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa. For inquiries and reservations, call the Manila office at (02) 523-1234 or visit www.boracayregency.com.

The highly-efficient Boracay Regency team (from left) Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa resort manager Dindo Salazar, assistant Helena and Eugeniusz Procak from to the president Alfons Chusuey and Boracay Grace Palma-Tiongco and Dolly Guanzon sweating Australia having a relaxing day at the it out at the resort’s Gym and Fitness Center Regency’s Laylanie Gragasin VIP Lounge

Father and son Brad and Stephen Atley from Australia having a refreshing dip at the Boracay Regency’s magnificent pool

Maila Garcia and Marje Syjuco trying out one of Kai Regency Spa’s famous massage

Former undersecretary Jay Layug, Jr. is flanked by Zyrene and Nico Valencia

Team ‘Best Dressed’ The plans are all ready for the much-awaited 2013 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines charity ball to be held at the Makati Shangri-La’s Rizal Ballroom. The annual September affair was conceptualized to raise funds for the benefit of the Philippine Cancer Society (PSC) which has been at the forefront of research to raise cancer awareness in the country. This year’s organizing committee is comprised of (seated from left) Sandie Poblador, Jayelles’ Roselle Rebano, Best Dressed event chairperson Angola consul a.h. Helen Ong, Tanzania consul a.h. Betty Chua, Mabel Abaño, (standing from left) adviser to the committee Johnny Litton, Gambia consul a.h. Agnes Huibonhua, fashion designer Roy Gonzales, PSC chairman Dr. Roberto Paterno, and PSC executive director Dr. Rachael Marie Rosario. For sponsorships, call Zeny Avila at (02) 734-2126 to 27, or Roselle Rebano at (02) 811-1260 or (0918) 906-1256.

12 >> CLASSIFIED CLASSIFIED 12

2013 MAYMAY 19 -19-JUNE JUNE 1,2, 2013

EXPAT EXPAT NEWSPAPER NEWSPAPER

REAL ESTATE

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ARTS & CULTURE < 13

MAY 19 - JUNE 1, 2013

EXPAT NEWSPAPER

cultural calendar Compiled by CARMENCITA H. ACOSTA

Spanish Zarzuela Zarzuela is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular song, as well as dance. Spanish tenor Enrique Viana, one of the leading men in Spanish zarzuela, and Spanish pianist Daniel Oyarzabal arrive in Manila for a performance to showcase Spain’s music theater which was adopted long ago by the Filipinos as sarswela. The event is open to the public and presented in collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Embassy of Spain and Instituto Cervantes de Manila. The performance is a recital leading audiences through the Zarzuela and Spanish culture

of the 19th and 20th century’s theaters. Through illustrative productions, anecdotes and brief remarks on the lyrical genre, Enrique Viana and Daniel Oyarzabal open the curtains to the world of Enrique Viana Spanish Zarzuela. 8 p.m., June 11, CCP (Aurelio Tolentino Little Theater), Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila; call (02) 526-1485 or 832-1125 local 1601

Flamenco!

Spanish flamenco dancer and choreographer Eduardo Guerrero returns to Manila to perform De Dolores, a stunning flamenco concert which mesmerized Manila audiences last year. Guerrero took his first dance steps at the early age of six. He studied Spanish dance at the Conservatorio de Danza de Cádiz and later completed his contemporary and classical training with David Greenall and Monserrat Marin. Flamenco is rooted deeply in the cultures of Spain; though it is mostly centered in Andalusia, yet flamenco is included in almost every social event in both European and Spanish countries. The event is presented in collaboration with the Cultural Center

of the Philippines, the Embassy of Spain, Instituto Cervantes de Manila and Bench; 8 p.m. June 14 and 15, Cultural Center of the Philippines (Aurelio Tolentino Little Theater), Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila. For more information contact the Embassy of Spain at (02) 817-6676 local 112

The Elixir of Love Met operas on film presents L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love), an opera by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. It is a funny melodrama in two acts. Felice Romani wrote the Italian libretto. This was the most often performed opera in Italy between 1838 and 1848 and has remained continually in the international opera repertory. Screenings are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., May 28, CCP) (Aurelio Tolentino Little Theater), Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila; call (02) 832-1125

ma for the Filipino Youth music program will also take on mentoring duties at the camp. They are Suh Jin Hee (cello), Lexter Deo Santos (drums and percussions), Arnaldo Custodio (bassoon and oboe), Beverly Shangkuan Cheng (conducting), Katherine Asis (sight-reading) and Nepthalie Villanueva (French horn). Artists will train delegates aged 9 to 19 years old in performing solo and in an ensemble or orchestra via one-on-one master classes.

The camp runs from May 19 to 27 at the Eugenio Lopez Center (ELC) in Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, Rizal. Concert dates are on May 19, 24 and 25. Guest conductors include music greats Oliver Ochanine and Gerard Salonga. Graduation recital concert is on May 25. For tickets, call (0920) 9201351; for enrollment (0915) 1949760

the South Side of the CCP Main Theater Building. Featured artists include Ramon Orlina (Philippines), Bro. Joseph McNally (Singapore), RedzaPiyadasa (Malaysia), Gregorius SidhartaSoegijo (Indonesia) and Awang bin Sitai (Brunei Darusslam) during the last ASEAN Sculpture Symposium held at the CCP in 1989. Ongoing until June 9, CCP (Juan Luna Main Gallery and Guillermo Tolentino Hallway Gallery), Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila; call (02) 832-112 local 1504/1505 or 832-3702

powers are beyond our ability to do anything. Ongoing until May 23, La Fuerza Compound, Warehouse, 2241 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila; call (02) 392-7797

Virgin Labfest One-act plays that are unpublished and never before staged are given “bare bones” staging by professional directors and actors. The play festival has earned a solid reputation for its exciting and provocative line-up of one-act plays from both emerging and established playwrights. Presented twice in a day at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on May 30; June 26, 27, 28, 29; July 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; CCP (Huseng Batute Studio Theater), Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila; call (02) 832-1125 International Opusfest Artists and talented young classical performers from around the world attend an open-air camp where they are to perform and teach, as well as observe and learn different international techniques. These include violinists Francisca Mendoza (Chile), Micha Haran (Israel) and Mitsuko ( Japan), bassoonist Richard McIntyre (Australia), concert pianists Chong Lim Ng (Malaysia) and Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz (Philippines), among others. The wind, brass and percussion faculty of Siste-

Site and Space A presentation of modernist directions in sculpture from the Visual Arts Collection (VAC) of the CCP. It includes works by artists who have marked important junctures in modern and contemporary Philippine art, particularly in the last four decades of the 20th century. Included in the exhibition are works by national artists Napoleon Abueva, Arturo Luz, and J. Elizalde Navarro, the first CCP Director Roberto Chabet, as well as by Eduardo Castrillo, Rey Paz Contreras, Alan Cosio, Edgar Doctor, Lao Lianben, Julie Lluch, Pablo Mahinay, Nelfa Querubin, Paz Abad-Santos, Solomon Saprid, Francisco Verano and Roberto Villanueva. Also included are a set of scale models of sculptures created for the Liwasang ASEAN at

Fearless Photo exhibit featuring the works of Alex Baluyut, Claro Cortes, Luis Liwanag and Veejay Villafranca emphasizes the value and power of visual reportage in photojournalism as an agent in showing the truth and often, the need for change. Ongoing until May 30, LRI Design Plaza (Art Prints Alley), Nicanor Garcia Street, Bel Air II, Makati City, Metro manila; call (02)8368799 or 475-5682 Labor of Love Rene Paras creates artworks out of recycled materials. Rodrigo Aniag paints about his joyous growing-up years in Tondo, Manila. Maria Concepcion Talinao considers her art of painting to be of therapeutic value. Together, the three artists present to the public their talent and eye for beauty.

Ongoing until May 26, JGA Art Gallery, 559 Boni Serrano Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila; call (0918) 6621227 Still Life and Death Artist Eric Guazon bids us to imagine ourselves before enduring pictures whose

Eduardo Guerrero

Art, Function and Fantasy from Fired Earth The show features the pottery work of Erika Arroyo, a New York based Filipino artist who creates thought-provoking stoneware pieces glazed in a painterly style. Her works include assymetrical plates, half arcs and half-shell sun-green swirl bowls. Ongoing until June 3, Pinto Art Gallery, Silangan Gardens, 1 Sierra Madre Street, Grand Heights, Antipolo City, province of Rizal; call (02) 697-1015 Two Exhibits Eugenia Alcaide shows her art works in thread in her exhibit entitled Fragments at the Main Gallery and Lu Medina presents her visual art in Ascent at the Big Room, both until June 10, Art Informal, 277 Connecticut Street, Greenhills East, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila; call (02) 725-8518 Young Artists for NAMCYA The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the country’s leading orchestra, accompanies the upcoming virtuosos and winners of the National Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in their performance. 8 p.m., July 3 CCP (Aurelio Tolentino Little Theater), Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila; call (02) 832-1125

Pesta Indonesia Makes an Impact… from page 5 Johanes Kristiarto Legowo and his wife Caecilia were on hand to welcome the guests and the Indonesian tour czars. Guests were impressed at the rich variety of Indonesian culture showcased in the fair’s décor as well as the traditional costumes of Indonesian ladies.

Following its successful first Pesta Indonesia last May 2012, the 2nd Pesta Indonesia was filled with Indonesian color, displaying its cross-cultural appeal to Filipino and international audience.

Guests from 16 hotel properties/chains in Indonesia enjoy Indonesian-inspired food, flowing wine and Indonesian gourmet coffee.

It also featured a bazaar selling Indonesian crafts, furniture and food, as well as entertainment, games, photo booth, and raffle of prizes.

This year's participating hotels/hotel chains from Indonesia are: All Seasons Legian Bali, Champlung Hotels and Resorts, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, Grand Istana Rama Hotel, Grand Royal Panghegar, J Boutique Hotel, Jogjakarta Plaza Hotel, Kokonut Suites,

Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana Hotel, Santika Indonesia Hotels & Resorts, Sun Island Hotels, The Haven Bali Seminyak, The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa, The Vira Bali Hotel, Villa and Hotel Management Group.

Also seen at the event were Turkish Ambassador Hatise Isik and her husband, Prof.

Ersoy Isik.

The fair not only showcased the myriad attractions of the country but guests were able to sample the varied Indonesian cuisine as well.

Lending big support for the event were Garuda Indonesia, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Singapore Airlines/Silk Air and other airlines with service to Indonesia were also represented to disseminate information about their flight schedules, frequencies, special fares and promotions.

Pesta Indonesia was organized by Aneka Kartika Tours based in Surabaya, Indonesia and Vernon Prieto is its official representative.

14 > NEWS

MAY 19 - JUNE 1, 2013

EXPAT NEWSPAPER

Cebu Pacific Air Drums Up Contest

By CARMENCITA H. ACOSTA

A

nother contest is in the offing, this time by Cebu Pacific Air with the cooperation of GMA TV Network.

The competition is open to Filipinos who are in Dubai and are subscribers to GMA International Channels. These subscribers are to get the chance to come home to the Philippines for free on Cebu Pacific Air’s inaugural Dubai-Manila flight. They are to enter the official Cebu Pacific Air Facebook page and then access the100 Lucky Juans app, posting their answers therein. GMA TV International is to promote the contest so that there would be many contestants.

Those outside of Dubai may also join but additional transportation costs in going to and from Dubai airport are to be shouldered by the winners, as well as any additional baggage flight allowance of 20 kg. Terminal fees out of Manila for provincial winners are also to be paid by them.

The question up for reply is as follows: “How will I make my homecoming in the Philippines fun?” Answers may be in the format of a photo collage, a two-minute video or an essay of 200 words or less. Entries are accepted until August 18, 2013. Judging is based on creativity, adherence to the theme, and the number of “likes” it will be given to it by Facebook subscribers. Then contestant’s length of stay in the Middle East will also be a factor in the results.

Participants may send as many entries as they want, but may only win once during the entire promo duration.

The winners, a total of 100 in number, are to be announced weekly beginning June 3 until September 2. They are to fly back to the Phil-

ippines on October 7, 2013 on the inaugural flight of Cebu Pacific Air’s direct service from Dubai to Manila and can use their return ticket to Dubai anytime until Bonifacio Day, November 30, 2013. Once launched in October, Cebu Pacific Air will be the first Philippine carrier to fly directly from Manila to Dubai. It will operate direct daily flights between the two cities.

Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) located within the emirate of the same name. The emirate, one of the seven that make up the UAE, is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. It has the largest population in the UAE and the second largest land territory by area after Abu Dhabi, the national capital.

UAE ranks second to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in terms of number of land-based new hires and rehires.

PHLPost-DHL Partnership

A postal-logistics collaboration looks to cope with the demands of the times

By TIMOTHY JAY IBAY

D

HL Express, one of the world’s premier express service providers, recently announced its partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost)—a collaboration that is projected to expedite PHLPost’s plans to expand its international service offerings by providing more shipping options to its clients.

Under PHLPost’s present agreement with its 59 postal organization partners, there is a set limit of 20 kilograms for goods and parcels.

The recent partnership with DHL allows them to provide express delivery service for goods and parcels above the set limit, while also being able to take advantage of DHL’s extensive network of over 220 countries worldwide.

“This (partnership) will enable us to be more globally competitive, and ready to serve the increasing demands of our customers,” said Josefina dela Cruz, PHLPost CEO and Postmaster General Manager, also citing the ability to cater to businesses as opposed to being limited to individual clients, thus enabling them to tap into the business potential of being

in the logistic service industry.

The service will initially be available at 12 PHLPost locations nationwide, with plans to roll out to more locations the following year.

The current PHLPost locations include: Ortigas, Greenhills, Cebu City, Legaspi City, Davao City, and central post offices in Manila, Quezon City, and Makati. Customers will be able to ship internationally to over 220 countries and territories by registering their documents and packages at the said post offices. The partnership with DHL also entails a 24/7 customer service hotline, as well as track and trace capability from pickup to delivery.

“International trade is a key driver of economic growth. Increasingly, we are seeing our efforts by both the public and private sectors working hand-in-hand to revitalize the logistics industry in the country,” stated DHL Express Southeast Asia senior vice president Yasmin Aladad Khan. Adding, “Our experience in working with some of Southeast Asia’s national postal offices will allow our local team to share best practices with PHLPost.”

Kultura Celebrates Three Years of Crafts for a Cause

K

Lance Gokongwei (left), Cebu Pacific president and CEO with Felipe Gozon, GMA chairman and CEO.

ultura Filipino celebrates three years of Crafts for a Cause this May with new partners, new products, and new ways of making a difference.

It has, after all, been three years of “life enrichment” as Crafts for a Cause brings together products from livelihood programs of partner non-profit organizations. These products are made by underprivileged members of society trained by various foundations through programs aimed at enriching their lives and making them self -sufficient.

Crafts for a Cause began with 16 pioneer foundations manufacturing products showcasing the skills of local artisans as far north as the Cordillera region and as far south as Basilan. And for its third anniversary, it welcomes three new partners – Kamay Crafts Foundation, the Paper for Now Foundation, and the Circle of Friends Foundation.

As it has been with other Crafts for Cause

partner foundations, their partnership with Kultura Filipino aims to open opportunities to sustain and expand their livelihood programs, resulting in increased productivity and income for the foundations.

Other Crafts for a Cause partners include Kabisig ng Kalahi, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Claret Samal Foundation, Gawad Kalinga, the E. Zobel Foundation, Gifts and Graces, May Pera sa Basura, the Invisible Sisters, the Sr. Teresa of Santo Nino Center; Kabalikat sa Pag Unlad MultiPurpose Cooperative; the Ginto Foundation, Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran sa Baseco; Philippine Christian Center, the Berdaseco Foundation, and NNJ Crafts.

Kultura Filipino stores are located at SM Makati, SM Megamall, the Block at SM City North EDSA, the SM Mall of Asia, SM City Cebu, and at selected SM Stores.

New Chairman for British Chamber

T

he British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) has appointed Roger Lamb as chairman of its Board of Directors following the chamber’s Annual General Meeting, May 2. He was vice chair last year.

Lamb is the managing director of Satona Consulting (Asia) Inc., a corporate member of BCCP. “I welcome the opportunity to serve as chairman of the British Chamber’s Board of Directors and look forward to working with the new board as well as the chamber’s executive team in delivering on the mission and goals of the chamber,” Lamb said in accepting his appointment.

Lamb takes over from Michael Whiting who has agreed to serve as vice chairman this year. Four new Directors were also accepted into this year’s board of directors, namely – Simon Bewlay, chairman of the British School Manila; Steve Burns, client services manager

of Triple I Consulting; Katerina Hickey, senior adviser, European & Australasian Desks of BDO Unibank Inc., and Wick Veloso, president & CEO of HSBC Philippines.

The BCCP is the recognized voice of the British business community in the Philippines promoting its members’ interest with government and business bodies in the Philippines and Britain, in collaboration with the British Embassy Manila, UK Trade & Investment and other strategic partners.

British Ambassador and patron of the BCCP Stephen Lillie welcomed Lamb’s appointment.

“The British Chamber has an important role in generating improved trade between the Philippines and the UK. At a time when the Philippine economy is enjoying such robust growth, we want to see more British companies showing interest in the Philippines and the BCCP can play a very positive role in supporting them,” he said.

Inquiring Photographer… from page 16 Ramon Vicente Berenguer Filipino Senior Copywrtier

No. There are far more damaging illegal activities that are continually perpetrated during election time in this country. All the religious groups blatantly violate the law of separation of church and state and I guarantee that there will be massive fraud, vote-buying, assassinations, and tinkering of ballots in many parts of the Philippines. All of these, the Comelec is constantly amiss in addressing. I guess there would be more merit in abolishing the Comelec.

BUSINESS < 15

MAY 19 - JUNE 1, 2013

EXPAT NEWSPAPER

economy & business

By CARMENCITA H. ACOSTA

Too Much Dependence on Crude Oil Disturbing is the thought that even petroleum may decrease dramatically in quantity or even disappear gradually. Why so? In layman’s terms, petroleum comes from the Greek word petro, which means stone and the Latin oleum, which means oil. Petroleum is a naturally occurring flammable liquid formed when large quantities of dead organisms are buried underneath sedimentary rock and undergo intense heat and pressure. Oil drilling is done by man’s machines so that different kinds of crude oil can be extracted for his purposes.

Now, these manmade machines and the manner by which petroleum is extracted from the rocks that give rise to worries that in the near future there would not be enough rocks nor dead organisms to provide man with the much needed oil he needs to live in a metropolis fully dependent on oil. Extraction, before it is done, requires a lot of study and analysis. The oil is refined and separated into a huge number of consumer products, such as gasoline, kerosene, asphalt and chemical reagents used to make plastics and pharmaceuticals, and so forth. Oil players estimate that the world consumes some 90 million barrels each day.

Petroleum’s Negative Impact The use of petroleum can have a negative impact on the biosphere of earth because pollutants and greenhouse gases are emitted into the air. And ecosystems are damaged when there are oil spills. Thus, there is now universal concern over the depletion of the earth's reserves of oil, and the effect this would have on today’s man who is absolutely dependent on it. Dependent, because he was made so by the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s which saw the eventual relegation to the background of agricultural methods used in the olden days. Animals no longer were the beasts of burden helping man. Tractors and newfangled things began to be used. These were the same things that

hastened the environmental changes affecting the health of man.

Man’s mansion, place of business, studio, gym, limousine, train, jet and other mega contraptions such as the elevator, escalator, television, computer and ad infinitum all depend on the availability of oil.

ATM machines would be unable to spew out cash. Even a battery-powered cellphone cannot operate when cell towers lack the electricity to run. To an ultramodern man, a collapse of the power grid means a collapse of the economy. Distressing is the fact that to him, complex systems such as the power grid remain well beyond his understanding, despite how much he depends on them. Lack of crude oil would not matter so much if all of us were not so utterly dependent on electricity for our homes, businesses, communications, transportation and even data processing. As so many people over the years have said: “We don’t just use these tools. We can’t do without them.”

Agricultural Economy But will man’s pride make him turn back to good old agricultural economy where electricity is not indispensable? Where man wakes up at the crack of dawn and exerts more effort? Where farmers and fishermen are the heroes? Where no violence is done to the environment?

It must be remembered that agriculture is the source of livelihood for far more than half of the earth’s population. Some nations have more than four-fifths of its people support themselves by farming. But this is not so in the industrialized countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom where the proportion ranges so much lower to some two or three percent.

Above all, let it be kept in mind that a continuous level of agricultural or farm surplus is one of the mainsprings of commercial growth.

Style Icon Shares Fashion Tip… from page 7 particularly interested about the shoes,” she laughed. Asked about her impression of Manila, “I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen.

I feel very honored to be here, being in a place that I’ve never been. I love to see all the women, you all look different and you all look amazing,” she declared.

US$100K Donation An advocate to charitable causes, Parker donated US$100,000 to the less fortunate

children in Taguig thru the SM Foundation.

Parker currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the New York City Ballet and is a UNICEF ambassador. In November 2009, the Obama administration elected her to be a member of President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. In April 2012, she adopted the Martin Luther King, Jr. School in Portland Oregon for the Turnaround Arts Initiative.

Bottoms Up for RP Economy

By RICHARD A. RAMOS

W

hile traditional job generation models start from the top down, a topnotch Cabinet official has introduced a novel approach that promises even more success in inclusive growth, resulting in better wealth distribution and higher qualitative standards of living especially in the countryside.

Instead of beginning at the top, Secretary Rene Almendras announced that the government has begun investing at the base of the pyramid in order to stimulate economic growth and directly benefit the less fortunate sectors of society.

“We wanted to change the business model.

And we have proven that investments in the countryside have resulted in far-reaching effects to the poor. The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), has yielded fruit since we monitor the circumstances on how it is availed and used,” he said.

He added that the CCT has benefitted 3.8 milion families nationwide and has produced numerous alternative careers.

“CCT figures for this year stand at Php40billion mainly in the rural areas. Here, the people plant root crops such as coffee and spend their allocations on the retail stores while waiting for the harvest. Result is a bonanza in retail trade spending and the number of establishments which have sprouted,” he explained.

Also on the rise is spending for education since more students have chosen to enrol in their local educational institutions which have mushroomed in the area instead of migrating to city-based colleges and universities.

More proof of the CCT success is the num-

ber of electrification projects in 2012 which outnumbers the total implemented in the past 10 years at half the cost.

“Manny V. Pangilinan of PLDT is also investing in housing in Davao Oriental and the Compostela Valley to support his business interests in telecommunication, hospitals, real estate, and more,” Almendras revealed.

He clarified that the CCT is temporary in nature and serves as a transition to more stable employment opportunities as the government continues to invest in health programs, housing, agriculture and trainings in the countryside.

“Other government agencies have also joined in the circle due to their increased budgets. For example, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) budget has risen more than fourfold from Php13.26 billion in 2009 to Php56.13 billion in 2013. While the Department of Education or DepEd has nearly doubled from Php177 billion in 2009 to Php293.36 billion in 2013,” he pointed out.

Speaking during the Philippine Business for Social Progress-Cebu chapter meeting, Almendras hinted that the usual approach of private sector investments involves the generation of employment opportunities mainly for the schooled and urbanites, but with indirect effects in the rural areas. “The government will continue to invest and reach out to those who need it most in the rural areas where inclusive growth is more felt, the wealth generation is more evident, and the lasting effects is more permanent,” he affirmed.

Diplomatic Row Spills Over in… from page 1 at by the locals expressing anger and dissatisfaction over the pending resolution of the issue.

The minority cabinet, the Democratic Progressive Party, has urged the Taiwanese to refrain from diverting anger at the Filipino workers in Taiwan, when this is an issue between nations and not people.

On Monday, protesters burned Philippine flags outside of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the representative diplomatic body of the Philippines to Taiwan, in Zhongshan District, Taipei City.

Unsatisfied As of press time, Premier Jiang Yi-huah remains unsatisfied with the measures done by the Philippine government. Despite of a statement issued by the Philippine government extending condolences and compensation to the victim and a statement by MECO Representative Antonio Basilio expressing deep regret and personal apology for the unfortunate event, Minister of Justice Tseng Yung-fu said that an in-depth investigation is still neces-

sary and a national compensation is required as this is an incident caused by a government body and not a random individual act.

According to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Manila office, a total of 14 Taiwanese investigators sent by the Taiwanese government arrived in Manila, May 16 to conduct probe into the incident.

A high-level national security meeting was held last week among Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, Basilio, and Foreign Affairs Minister David Lin. Raymond Wang, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the Philippines, returned to Taiwan last night while Basilio is set to return to the Philippines May 16.

Last May 9, a 65-year-old fisherman named Hung Shih-Cheng was shot dead by the Philippine Coast Guard after his boat strayed into disputed waters which apart from the Philippines and Taiwan, is also claimed by China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

A Philippine official said the Philippines “has gone the extra mile” in dealing with the demands of Taiwan.

16 > INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER

MAY 19 - JUNE 1, 2013

EXPAT NEWSPAPER

During the just concluded Philippine polls, the liquor ban would have been extended to five days before election day but the Supreme Court ruled it should be kept to the usual two-day ban. Do you think that enforcing measures such as banning the sale as well as the consumption of liquor prior to election period result or merit a more peaceful and orderly elections? Why or why not?

Carl Ottersen Norwegian/ Irish Business Consultant and Director No. Those who want it, knowing it's banned, will simply buy it beforehand or buy it on the black market that is immediately created by such a ban, while controlling consumption is almost completely unenforceable. Plenty of examples of this in history (and at soccer games).

Lars Hammerskotter Filipino-German Student, University of San Carlos, Cebu I see their reasons for imposing the liquor ban. But I don’t think it was effective.

The people found ways to drink anyway. And the ban is not going to stop them from drinking.

Claire Heslop English Retired teacher

Maria Cristina Ignacio-Alberto, MD, DPPS Filipino Doctor

I don’t know enough of the political situation in the Philippines. I have no idea if the liquor ban was effective or not. I didn’t notice much difference in the peace and order situation.

We were in Dumaguete at that time, a smaller and more peaceful place compared to Cebu.

Definitely, no. As medical interns would say meta analysis showed that banning liquors during the election season produces no significant change in the peace and order situation. Furthermore, those who want to do evil and spread chaos are not under the influence of alcohol but rather under the influence of their political lords.

Dean Harrison Australian Retired

Steve Ellis British-Canadian Retired

I don’t really know if the ban was effective or not.

What I did was buy one week’s worth of liquor beforehand, all 20 bottles of wine. Almost everything was closed then which was bad for business. Bars were too scared to even serve foreigners. But half the people were still drunk and couldn’t even give out envelopes properly. It’s the silliest piece of legislation.

I wouldn’t know. I didn’t see any difference and the situation was pretty much the same. I did not experience anything unusual. I have not been in the Philippines that long. Personally speaking, the ban was a good idea because things can get out of hand when people drink.

Edmund Afzelius Jr. Filipino Content/Communication Specialist, X- Play Online Games

Mia Marci Filipino Online Content Developer

Definitely not. People can simply stock up on alcohol days before. All the effort enforcing this should be placed instead in informing the public of the best candidates out there.

No. There are bigger threats to security in the elections, such as private armies. Alcohol still poses dangers of its own, but only in excess. Maybe it is more effective if they actively enforced “moderate drinking” rather than an outright liquor ban. page 14