Roots & Wings Autumn Issue 2013 by Roots and Wings

THE Filipino online magazine in Europe

Roots&Wings Culture

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Roots&Wings

The Filipino Online Magazine in Europe www.rawmags.com We invite our kababayans in Europe to contribute articles on * Cultural Issues * Cultural Events * Places * Travel * Nature * Career Achievement * Business Development * Job & Study possibilities * Life- Enrichment projects , etc * Other relevant articles on books, movies, fashion, design, food *

Please attach high quality photographs in jpg-format We are looking for Bureau Editors in Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, Amsterdam, Reykjavik, Berlin, Edinburgh, Dublin and other cities in Europe Please send materials to our Editor in Chief Rachel Hansen at rachel.hansen@ugatpakpak.com

Stephanie Panlilio Bureau Editor, London Please call our Marketing Consultant: Luz Bergersen (+47) 901 30 871 E-mail: lgb1312@gmail.com / luzbergersen@yahoo.com Home Address: Mortensrudvn 12B, 1283 Oslo, Norway Head Office: G/F Carlyle House, 237 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London England SW1V 1EJ.

Stephanie lives in London and is currently studying French, English Literature and English Language. She enjoys cultural pursuits particularly the theatre, visiting art galleries and painting landscapes in her free time. Stephanie has also taken part in charitable events raising money for Cancer Research in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Race for Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Her family comes from a background of hoteliers in Manila.

A quarterly online magazine for Filipinos in Europe, published by Rachel Publishing Company in Stockholm, Sweden. Its aim is (1) to uplift, create awareness and appreciation of Filipino culture and lifestyle (2) to serve as a bridge to lessen the gap between the expatriate communities of Filipinos living in various parts of Europe (3) to highlight touristic and historical places of interest in our home country in order to encourage and enhance local travel, tourism and commerce.

Roots&Wings

CONTENTS AUTUMN 2013 8

Editorial Board

Dear Kababayans

Careers Corner – Lucita Borbon-Kampa

Artist in Focus – Marida Stubergh

Careers Corner – Catherine Schmettau

Special Feature – Ms Rosario “Chit” Afuang

Careers Corner – Hilda Arenas

The 29th Philippines Barrio Fiesta sa London

Steps to Getting my Scholarship in the Netherlands

Philippine Embassy in Athens

DeLaSalle University Chorale

Unity In Music

52 55

My Memories of Greece

Ásdis Lisa

Semana de Moda Filipina en Barcelona

Careers Corner – Chloris Bolivar Flint

Batanes - Travelogue

Cover: Painting by Marida Stubergh

DEAR KABABAYANS Four years and getting stronger…

EDITORIAL BOARD

Rachel Hansen

John Florencio

Aina Bauer Copy Editor

Jonathan A Coo

Bureau Editor Paris, France

Publisher, Editor in Chief

Associate Editor

Hanna Stenbacka

Milagros F. Viernes

Bureau Editor Stockholm, Sweden

Jenny Hansen Layout Editor

Reneé S.Ikdal

Bureau Editor, Athens, Greece

Representative

Luz Bergersen Associate Editor

Lyndy Bagares Web Editor

Autumn in Europe is late this year. They say that when the weather is plus ten degrees centigrade for five days in a row, then Autumn is automatically declared. You might notice that R&W is also a few weeks late due to technical and personal reasons. But we are happy and proud because we recently turned four years old and we are celebrating it with a Cultural Week Festival in Stockholm, Sweden, where this magazine was founded. There will be an all Filipino six-day Art Exhibition, a Film Festival and a Kundiman & Klasiko Concert. We will share this event with you in the next issue. We gladly welcome Stephanie Panlilio, our new London Bureau Editor, very enthusiastic and very young. Indeed, the future belongs to the youth and we should give them a voice and a platform to express their vision and mission in a world that is getting even more interesting and exciting and at the same time a little bit more scary with each passing day. A thousand thanks to Rebecca Garcia, our former Prague Bureau Editor and Maria Bergersen, our former Oslo Bureau Editor, for their memorable contributions to our magazine over the last couple of years. We wish them all the best of luck as they move on to pursue other awesome challenges.

Desiree Munoz Bureau Editor Ghent, Brussels

McKlien Ross Onoya Web Master

Michael Vincent Ruiz Web Assistant

Stephanie Panlilio Bureau Editor, London

We are surely stupefied with the overwhelming negative trends in world events, with natural and un-natural calamities and disasters coming from all sides and all directions. Some of us express our indignation by venting our frustration with literary eloquence, some of us are stunned beyond words, some of us turn to the Author of Life who promised

us that as long as we keep our faith intact and our hearts open, there is still hope for the future of mankind. A rainbow in the sky will appear as a covenant of grace, a sign that man with the Almighty’s aid will triumph again over all disasters. So let us continue to pursue our dreams and our pursuit of a better future for ourselves and for our loved ones, for the world in general, for our beloved country the Philippines and our beloved kababayans in particular. But now, more than ever, let us exert a little more physical and even spiritual effort and arm ourselves with more compassion and more information about what is going on around us, so that we may act and get actively involved even if we are contentedly living our Filipino life in Europe. Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Rachel Hansen rachel.hansen@ugatpakpak.com 7

Artist in Focus

Philippines, from a family of politicians . She studied Nursing in Manila and at the young age of 19, she had the opportunity of working in Norway where she took further studies related to administration and Information Technology. In Norway, Marida built up diverse work experiences until she landed a job as an Executive Officer in NORAD, The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, a specialized directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Marida Stubergh Flipina-Norwegian diplomat and hobby painter Her second exhibition entitled “Soledad” or Solitude was recently opened at Årnes Kulturhus in Norway

MARIDA C. STUBERGH, FilipinaNorwegian diplomat and hobby painter recently opened her second exhibition entitled “SOLEDAD” (Solitude) at Årnes Kulturhus, Norway. The exhibition was dedicated to her children, and in remembrance of her late husband Nils Stubergh, who passed away last year and whose first death anniversary was 8

on the same day. It was a day of joy and poignant memories for a brave lady whose apparent devotion to her late husband and her children, is mirrored in her art works, words of affection, and prayers. Marida, the second child in a brood of six, is from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro in the

Marida has lived as an expatriate for sometime now, having been assigned to the Norwegian Embassies in Mozambique and Zambia in 2008 and 2010 respectively. This led her to land a job in the Norwegian Embassy in Kathmandu as a diplomatic attaché. Marida and family lived mostly in Norway until she was assigned overseas. She and Nils have two children, 21 and 17 years of age. Marida also writes, she loves to dance and listen to music. When her children were small, she was active as a radio announcer and reporter to a broadcast for Filipinos in Norway, and also in a Filipino organization in Norway as Vice President and Treasurer. In Nepal, she is the current Vice President of the Filipino Community in Nepal (FCN). Marida has also held an exhibition in Kathmandu, Nepal. She speaks and writes the Norwegian language proficiently.

Q&A with Marida Can you share to RW readers your brief background from the Philippines? I was a second year nursing student at FEU Manila before coming to Norway. But I never went to course neither have a formal background on Arts or painting.

How/Why did you come to Norway? I came through family reunion, following my mother and aunt, a nurse who was the first to come here and introduced Norway to the family. Did you do any further studies or studied any special courses when you arrived in Norway? I studied for a year at the UiO, University in Oslo. After that, I took some courses in different schools in Norway. Tell us about your painting career. I should say that painting is a personal interest and hobby for me. It actually started as I child. Not wanting to bother others to help me with my projects in school I trained myself to draw. Perhaps my sense of independence and being a perfectionist, I felt that I cannot expect someone to draw my projects for me and complain when not satisfied when I cannot do it myself. So I taught and trained myself to draw until I got better. But I discovered my real interest in painting when my husband ordered my first painting set sometime in 1996. We were at Sjølyst, Oslo Norway at a Fairtrade exhibit, when there was a 9

Artist in Focus

stall of arts and crafts that caught my attention. Being the loving and attentive husband as he always was, after seeing my interest in painting, he placed an order. Shortly after I received them from the post, I was compelled to paint. Not wanting to disappoint my husband, I painted day and night so I can get better. Before we knew it, our small living room was already filled with my paintings. He then convinced me to have an amateur exhibit. He phoned Bekkestua library and had my first exhibit in 1997. I would not complain with the turnout of the

Artist in Focus

numbers who visited, and I even sold almost everything. Did you study painting formally, who influenced you/your inspirations? To add to the above, my mother says that our old grandfather was also an artist though I am not informed whether he was ever famous on his own. But I guess, each generation on my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side, represents one who has inclination to Arts but no one took a formal training nor education. My passion in arts or paintings to be specific also comes hand

in hand with my moods and emotions. That is where I gather my inspiration. Perhaps that is why, they say I paint with my heart. Can you describe your style of painting? I think my paintings will speak for itself, that I love colors. I play with colors. I love mixing them and the outcome of mixing colors give me joy. Themes and subjects also depend on my mood. As you can see, my latest exhibit â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Soledad- speaks about sorrow of a woman who lost someone so dear. But still hoping and believing

in a brighter future translated with the colorful paintings at the later subjects. You are working with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please tell us about your job and career. If you mean my work- I am honored with my current job at the Royal Norwegian Embassy but I must say that I take pride with all jobs from the past no matter how small they were. Those were the stepping stones to my career. I am going on

my last(third) year as

Artist in Focus

diplomatic attaché at the Norwegian Embassy inKathmandu, Nepal. I work at the administration , taking the full responsibility in the IT and archives at the embassy. I also take pride in holding different positions in different organizations. But nothing can top being the mother of my two beautiful children. Nils Maurice and Christine Marielle. Being called “mamma” is still the best title ever. Are your art works for sale, if yes, where can the reader/public see them

Artist in Focus

after this exhibition? After my first exhibit and sold most of it, I missed my paintings. That’s why on this second exhibit, my main goal is to express myself and show it to people who care and matter. Now, if anyone will be interested I might be interested in selling (depending which one, since some of it are very personal and would love to keep it for myself). But I can consider selling some of them due to space Kathmandu is an exotic place which we only dream about. Please tell us how it is to live and work there.

Nepal is a poor country and quite late in civilization. Though poverty is everywhere, people are still some of the nicest ones you can meet. Despite their hardship in life people are honest, there’s still lesser crimes compared to other struggling countries. I always feel safe. Nepal still preserves its culture. It has a beautiful nature making it famous to tourists for trekking and mountain hikings. Who wouldn’t resist the beauty of Mt. Everest and Himalaya. What are your career plans for the future? I wish I can plan the future now, but unfortunately it may not be easy. I guess I need to make use of autumn to reevaluate things in my life. After my posting, whether to come back in Norway or apply for another one, I have to prepare myself on being alone. One thing is sure though, I will always welcome all the changes or challenges in life with open arms. And I am always grateful because despite of it all, I know I am blessed.

trials I have encountered, but instead I thank Him and seek for more guidance and understanding. My message to our kababayans who are just starting with their journeys, just have faith and believe in yourself. Never give up, sooner or later through hardwork , you will reach your dreams. For the rest, us, who are still walking through the journey, be grateful for whatever we have, never forget our roots and even our undertakings, they are part of who we are. Try to continue on learning and developing ourselves. We Filipinos are known for lots of special traits, being talented and patience is one, so make use of it. Be humble but always take pride that we are Filipinos.

What are your other hobbies, interests? Aside from painting, I love to shop, dance and listen to music. And one of my biggest dreams- to be able to write. Your special message to the ‘kababayans’ in Europe, or anywhere in the world? I think, after what I have been through during the last years, I am still a firm believer that life is beautiful. Never for once have I questioned Him about the 12

Artist in Focus

Special feature

Tête-á-tête with Ms Rosario “Chit” Afuang

Our Tourism Attaché in Europe With Luz Bergersen “Chit” as she is fondly called by associates and friends graciously shares with us insights into her extensive and enduring career as the Philippines’ Tourism Attaché for the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece and the Scandinavian countries. “Chit” also shares generously with us vignettes of her personal life.. 18

How is Philippine tourism developing in Europe in particular? Our target has been increased to 10 million tourists in 2016. This is attainable! With the strong support from our government in terms of budget, strong leadership, the proper implementation of tourism projects, the effective tourism campaign, the 30-day visa free entry of tourists to the Philippines, the return of our national carrier Philippine Airlines to Europe and infrastructure in place, I see brighter prospects for Philippine tourism in the years to come.

cooperate with the UK and European tour operators, media, airlines and other key industry players and support them in the sales of tour packages to the Philippines.

What do you consider as the proudest achievement in your career, so far? The proudest achievement so far is when I took over the job in October 2010. By the end of the year 2011, and for the first time - the tourist arrivals from the UK reached over 100,000 figure (104,466), a 7.78% growth rate over the 2010 figures. In 2011, the Scandinavian countries posted a total of 53,726 arrivals registering an average growth rate of 13.49% over the number in 2010.

We also make sure to participate and attend major travel trade shows like Destinations Holiday and Consumer Show, Dive Shows, Birdwatching Fairs, World Travel Market in London, UK; Feria Internacional de Turismo (FITUR), Dive Travel Show in Madrid, Spain; Borsa Internationale de Turismo (BIT) in Milan, TTG Rimini, Italy; TUR Gothenburg, Sweden; MATKA in Helsinki, Finland; Ferie & Fritid i Bella in Copenhagen, Denmark; Travelmatch and Reiseliv in Oslo, Norway and many more such events.

I am sure your scope of work is vast and immense. Can you tell us what you and your colleagues at DOT head office in London are doing to sell the Philippines in Europe? As mandated, we at the Philippines Department of Tourism - London Office, are tasked to promote and generate an increasing influx of tourists to the Philippines from our areas of jurisdiction in the Northern and Southern Europe. We

This may not be an easy job, but with our unique archipelago of 7,107 tropical islands, its natural wonders, colourful and rich history, powdery white sands and pristine beaches, breathtaking mountains and dive sites, and topping it all - the warmth and friendliness of its people, the Philippines can easily be promoted to the Europeans.

We bring in groups of performers from the Philippines on road shows to promote the country in the UK, Scandinavia and other European countries; conduct seminar-workshop to the British and Europeans briefing them on what to expect in the country when visiting the country; conduct training workshops for the staff of UK and other European tour operators keeping them abreast/updating 19

Special feature

them on new tourism development in the country, etc. We also attend Filipino community events and festivals all over the UK; support and provide the consulates and embassies with flyers, brochures, posters and other promotional materials, We conduct familiarization trips for the product managers of major tour operators as well as media representatives in our areas of jurisdiction in cooperation with the airlines; assist travel writers and journalists with needed information for their articles and books, etc. How long have you been working with the Department of Tourism? I joined the Board of Travel and Tourist Industry (BTTI) in Iloilo City in 1971. This was a semi-government office then, which

Special feature

is now called the Department of Tourism. (I will be in government for 42 years this coming November 2013)! While working at BTTI, the Doctors College in Iloilo introduced tourism as part of their curriculum and I was called by the Dean to teach tourism subjects. That was a nice experience for me. My students were brought to the actual learning areas like hotels and resorts and beaches. This gave them first-hand experiences to be tourists themselves: they visited Boracay and other beautiful places in Iloilo for ocular inspections, this taught them how to promote and market the destinations. It allowed them to observe receiving guests and tourists while at the hotel and resort properties. It gave assignment to research on places in Iloilo with tourism potentials, as well as explore and read about other tourist

destinations in the world. I have retired from the government service last October 2011 but was asked to continue managing the day to day operations of the office while the department awaits for the new set of officers to be assigned in the DOT London Office. Tell us about your first foreign assignment After the EDSA revolution in 1986, almost all overseas tourism officers were recalled to Manila. I was then tasked to prepare the appointments of the 13 overseas tourism offices, composed of the tourism attachés and public relations officers. After being posted, Osaka and Sydney offices were asking me to work for them as Administrative Officer. My then director Yvonne Pascual instructed me to prepare my appointment for Sydney, Australia as lady tourism attaché was new to the department and she thought my experience would complement her expertise. That assignment was not meant for me! Accreditation by the host government posed a problem. The then tourism attaché Edu Jarque of London asked that I join him here and I did! We were recalled after 10 years (19891999) and was reposted to the same post in 2004. I am proud to be active and still working with DOT London.

The Mabuhay Strikers Bowling Team 20

After DOT London, I may go back to the Philippines and work on consultancy basis with my former boss Domingo

Ramon Enerio III who now heads the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB). Plans are still in the air although there are lots of opportunities on offer! Please tell us a little bit about your personal background... Well, I was born in Molo, Iloilo City on 18 October 1946. My mother is a native of Miag-ao, Iloilo while my father is from Molo. Both are deceased now. I have two sisters and eight brothers. Kamuntik na nag isang docena! (My mother had two miscarriages, so dapat 13 kami!) We grow by the dozens. I finished college with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Accounting at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City. (consistent honour student). “Iiyak pag may line of 7, dapat 85 and above ang grades”! to be in the Honour Roll. Even before finishing my college course, I was asked to work at the University Radio Station as Secretary. I continued in this post as a regular employee after graduation. At the same time, I was given teaching loads at San Agustin from 1967 to 1971, that is after before and after office hours. I had taken postgraduate studies, Masters of Science in Macro Economics, but was not able to finish it because I was asked to teach regularly in the Commerce Department of the university. At prep school, my cousins and I enrolled at the ’caton’ or Spanish phonetics. Our teacher was a very strict Filipina who, in fairness, is very fluent in Spanish. We 21

Special feature

enrolled ourselves in first grade without any help from our parents. So, I started my grade studies very independently, did my homework alone, and strived hard to learn as fast as I could. (“eleven ba naman kami, kaya natuto mag-aral ng sarili! Eh di madaling natuto...”) Do you have a family? I got married late as I was so much engrossed with my career, then I met my husband who was also with the Department of Tourism. I met him when I was called to DOT Manila in 1981 for a promotion, exactly ten years after working with the Iloilo office. We don’t have children. Oh no, but we have! Our children are the tourists! We’re happily married for 30 years now. What do you do to relax and unwind? My favourite hobby is bowling. I always look forward to waking up early morning on Saturday and Sunday to ready myself to play ten pin bowling. I join the Mabuhay Strikers League bowling tournament every Sunday at the Heathrow Airport Bowl. Do you have a special message to Filipinos in Europe? Yes, I have a message to both parents and their children. It is essential for parents to take the initiative in teaching their children the love of country, culture, customs and traditions, language, etc. so that they can immerse and will be able to communicate 22

Festival

and interact with other children back home. With the parents’ right guidance, our young children will take pride in our rich heritage and culture. They will not experience ‘cultural shock!’ When spending holiday in the Philippines, after doing the rounds of visiting family and relations, parents should give their children a chance to see places for better appreciation of the country’s natural beauty, local colour and the varied tourist attractions that they do not see abroad.

The 29th Philippines Barrio Fiesta sa London 25 July 2013 The biggest yearly event in the U.K. attracted more than 90,000 visitors By Ms Rosario (Chit) R Afuang,Tourism Attaché, UK and Nordic Countries Photos courtesy of Philippine Centre UK

I have no children of my own but I am amazed how the children easily get the accent of a foreign language! Unfortunately, when they go on visiting their folks back home, they have difficulty in understanding their parents’ native tongue. They are laughed at and they become the centre of joke! To the young Filipinos in Europe today It is not your fault if your parents do not have the time to teach you our way of life in the Philippines but you can strive to learn on your own. There are so many reference books available for reading. Your parents may be pre-occupied with so many things, such as earning a living and supporting their families back home. You are all so lucky to have parents who are working hard for you, supporting you just to go through higher education and sustain you until the time when you can stand on your own. Show them your respect and gratitude and live up to their expectations!

The 29th Philippines “Barrio Fiesta sa London” last 20-21 July 2013 was a great success and has seen yet another increase year on year with more than 90,000 Filipinos attending both days. The event was held in a humongous private farm at Apps Courts Farm in Walton-on-Thames, United Kingdom. Kababayans and foreign friends alike have flocked the festivities to enjoy the

entertainment hosted by TFC of ABS CBN, the staple fair-ground with lots of fun activities, real estate and ‘balikbayan’ services and most importantly, that oh-so delicious Filipino summer food such as halo-halo, ube, cheese and macapuno ice cream, B-B-Q on a stick, among others. Mr. Vince Samson observed the Fiesta and said, “the heat wave in the past days did not hinder the throngs of Filipinos 23

Festival

to attend the event, creating a sea of humanity with cars occupying every inch of the parking lot and forming the worst traffic that Kingston has probably seen. The traffic jams caused is comparable to a rainy Friday night along EDSA.” Vince is the Vice President for Marketing and Special Events of the Asian Journal Publications and the Philippine Media Representative of The Wall Street Journal (Asia). I agree 100 per cent with Vince’s observation as he purposely came to the U.K. to attend and observe the biggest Filipino gathering in Europe. Barrio Fiesta has always been a catalyst for families to re-unite, kids to enjoy, eat all the Filipino food and just have that two days of

Festival

feeling that you are in the Motherland. People pitched their tents enjoying time with family, the community, develop camaraderie, see some “Artistas” and enjoy the Philippine weather. Yes! We had a whooping 30+ degrees celcius during the weekend and you can see all the umbrellas while people walk. That’s one time in the UK where no one will tell you off for hiding from the sun! Vince further added, “The growing market of Filipinos here in London and its environs is a testament that their presence is now being recognized by the Mainstream community as a major ethnic group not only in the UK but all over Europe”.

The barrio fiesta was organized by the Philippine Centre in partnership with ABS-CBN Europe/TFC to bring the Filipinos together in one venue. Years have passed and the event, now on its 29th year, not only brought the Pinoys in one gathering but has been successful in attracting British nationals and curious tourists to the fiesta grounds. The Philippine Embassy came to support the fiesta by offering its services from visa information, passport, dual citizenship, PAG-IBIG and SSS inquiries and tourism related queries. The Department of Tourism’s (DOT) brochures went like hotcakes as well as the discount vouchers which were intended for our homecoming Filipinos under the “Balikbayan Program” of the DOT. Hoards of crowd gathered and stood for hours near the stage to see their favourite celebrities perform live at the huge stage in the middle of the grounds. It was an event fully packed with entertainment! Great singers Angeline Quinto, Yaya Doris, latest heartthrobs Kim Chiu and Xian Liam performed to the anxious crowd who patiently waited for them on Saturday, 20 July. Highlights on Sunday, 21 July were Maja Salvador, Richard Gomez and Vice Ganda and a repeat performance from Angeline Quinto.

Department of Tourism booth were offering unique services and opportunities for growth to the Filipino youth as well as those interested to learn advance information technology and other training programs. As the Philippine Centre Chairman Esther Limot-limot puts it, “It’s been a wonder how a team of volunteers are able to carry on the legacy of the Barrio Fiesta spirit away from the Philippines!” The support from sponsors like ABSCBN, TFC, Lebara Mobile, Western Union, My Remit, BPI Europe, LBC, Globe, AyalaLand, Resorts World, Greenfield, Megaworld Century Properties, Planet Philippines and the various Filipino organizations in the United Kingdom contributed to the huge success of the barrio fiesta. This was well-supported, too, by the Embassy of the Philippines in London and all its attached agencies.

This is one event that the Filipinos all over Europe including the United States look forward to each year! Visitors to the Philippine Embassy– 24

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Exhibition

Philippine Embassy, Athens

presents the best of the Philippines in Greece Text and photos by Miles Viernes For the second time in two years, guests at the diplomatic reception of the Philippine Embassy in Athens were treated to a visual delight with the Embassyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibit showcasing Philippine products made of indigenous materials. 26

This is part of the series of activities that the Embassy has embarked upon aimed at introducing the best of the Philippines in Greece. In 2012, the exhibit featured antique and modern pieces of furniture from indigenous materials which 27

Exhibition

showed the ingenuity and artistic talents of the Filipino designer. This year the exhibit titled “Sigay, Pilak at Habi” or “Shells, Silver and Wovencrafts,” displayed Philippine shell craft, accessories and home furnishings made of indigenous weaves and fabric. Most of the silver plated home decors were handcrafted creations of Arden Classic, a Filipino company based in Cebu. The exhibit was set up at the foyer of the Ledra Marriott Hotel during the diplomatic reception in observance of the 115th Independence Day. As usual, the guests were struck by the beautiful and elegant designs of the home decor and fashion wear that blended traditional and contemporary designs. Many of them seem to look forward to attending the receptions of the Philippines, where they get one-of-a-kind experience, the exhibits which are unique segments of diplomatic receptions. The guests were also pleased to see the colorful, leaf-shaped rice –wafers called

Exhibition

“kiping” at the ballroom where the reception was held. The “kiping”, which was flown directly from the Philippines were assembled by the Embassy staff to form sunflowers and a chandelier-like formation called “arangya.” These are usually seen in the houses in Quezon province every 15th of May during the feast of St. Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Prior to the commemoration of the 115th Independence Day, the Embassy hosted a cultural and informative program dubbed “Meet My Country: The Philippines” at the Ambassador’s residence on 29 May 2013 for the ladies of the Women’s International Club (WIC) of Athens. The ladies included Ambassadors’ spouses, spouses of Greek government officials and business people, as well as key personalities in the Greek cultural and social strata They were treated to Filipino music, popular Filipino cuisine and native delicacies. A video on “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” featuring important

landmarks and exciting vacation spots in the Philippines was shown to entice them to visit the country. The ladies were awed by the female Embassy staff who were dressed in traditional Filipino attires such as Maria Clara. Each one of them wanted to try on the modern and colorful ‘wraps’ produced in the Philippines by the designer Dita Sandico Ong. They were surprised that such beautiful designs were woven from banana, abaca and pineapple fibers. Some of them even wanted to buy the items! After the short program, the ladies toured the residence and were impressed

by the fine craftsmanship of Filipino furniture such as the rocking chair made of molave wood, the mother of pearl table and the divan lounge chair made of dated wood. The various Ambassador’s collection of paintings made by Filipino contemporary artists such as Manuel Baldemor and Rufino Gomez. The ladies had nothing but praise for the experience. “What a wonderful country”, “What a lovely country with a lot of culture, art and exceptionally nice people!” “ Beautiful things to see around the house and on film. But most beautiful the heart of your people who made us so welcome!” These were just a few of their remarks.

Music

an auditory feast for the senses. After the first number, I heard thunderous applause from the audience, confirming that our collaboration was a success. As the show went on, the energy from the musicians slowly filled up the room and every piece drew more excitement from the crowd. The applause lingered even after we exited the stage, and the steady beating of palm against palm cemented the success of Talent 2013.

The Talent Project

Representing the Philippines in Talent 2013 were members of UP Diliman’s Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino, a music and dance ensemble formed by professor Pedro “Edru” Abraham, Jr.

When the organizers of Førde Traditional and World Music Festival, also known as Førdefestivalen, started the Talent Project, they had a vision of fomenting the most promising music students of Norway to explore and develop their talents while collaborating with students

from diverse music backgrounds. The Talent Project is Førdefestivalen’s most experimental annual offering during the 4-day fest, and always showcases emerging musicians from Norway as well as musicians from two other countries. This year, the Philippines was picked as one of the collaborators for Talent Project 2013. Talent 2013 was composed of Elisabeth Ellingsen (vocals), Sivert Holmen (fiddle), and Ole Nilssen (accordion) of Norway, Nendar Kusnadi (kacapi), Reka Nopiyandi (suling, kendang) and Yani Isidiani (kacapi rincik) of Indonesia, and Jaimar Palispis (kulintang), Shadin Kitma (hegalong, dabakan), Bernadete Canay (dabakan) and Sabrina Tan (dance - Igal) of the Philippines. The artistic leaders

Unity in Music The Talent Project - A unique musical collaboration with Filipino musicians at the Förde Traditional & World Music Festival in Norway Words and photos by Ma. Bernadete L. Canay The theater was still when we finally settled in our places on stage. The lights prevented us from seeing our audience, and the shadowy faces made me feel more anxious of how they would react to us. The first piece we played was the fruit of collaboration among the countries involved in the show: Norway, Indonesia 30

and the Philippines. Beluk began with slow, ritual chanting from Indonesia. A sonorant reply was supplied by a vocalist from Norway. This was followed by a crescendo of instruments from the Philippines and Norway to the tune of Pols, a 3-beat music from Norway. The result is a shower of sounds that was

Philippine Talents with Steinar Ofsdal (right) during rehearsals in Sunnfjord Folkehøgskule 31

Music

and directors of Talent 2013 were flutist, composer and Norges Musikkhøgskole professor Steinar Ofsdal and Sambasunda leader, Indonesian College of Arts (STSI) teacher and all-around musician Ismet Ruchimat.

The Kulintang

On our first day in Førde, all of us introduced ourselves and our instruments and performed a short piece for the rest of the group. We performed a kulintangan piece inspired by Maguindanaon kulintang music traditions. The kulintang or graduated metal gong is a quintessential instrument from southern Philippines with variations found all over South East Asia. Our version melded traditional beats with freestyle playing, showcasing the musician’s flexibility in playing and musicality in forming a new sound using basic patterns. This introductory performance astounded our Norwegian audience and drew pos-

Music

itive feedback from our Indonesian counterparts who were familiar with the instrument. After the introductions came the most difficult part of the Talent Project: the collaboration.

Beluk, Binalig and Madenda

Creating a new music piece is difficult in itself - apart from organic unity, a piece must conjure positive emotional reaction from the audience to be called a success. The musicians of Talent 2013, led by their artistic leaders, had to contend with differences in musical backgrounds as well as training before they could even begin to compose a new piece. Changes in playing styles had to be made and differences overcome before any form of unity was achieved. Working with young musicians made this adjustment period possible in such a short time. It also helped

that some instruments and music were adaptable and accommodating of other instruments and playing styles. After just two days, Talent 2013 collaborators came up with three unique pieces that well-represented each country’s music and dance traditions: Beluk, Binalig and Madenda. One of the Project’s goals is exposing the musicians to various cultures through music. Comprehending and acknowledging the complexity of unique musical traditions through collaboration with musicians not only expands a person’s perspective of the world. These also help a person improve his or her sense of self and value as an artist. Each piece we created during the Festival would not have been as poignant and as complete were one of the contributing musicians absented from a performance. Each one of the Talents played an important role, and a loss meant the crippling of a piece.

From shock to admiration

Philippine Talents with Hilde Bjørkum of Førdefestivalen 32

All in all, the musicians of Talent 2013 performed several times to a very receptive audience. Reactions ranged from shock to admiration, and a number of audience members have complemented on the delicateness of the pieces and the clarity with which each instrument was played. Anne Moberg, Head of International Projects of Concerts Norway and one of the minds behind the Talent Project, was amazed by how far the Talents have gone with their music after just a few days of brainstorming and rehearsals. Hilde Bjørkum, Artistic and Managing Director of Førdefestivalen, was proud to have such enthusiastic and focused musicians this year and proud that Talent

2013 has far exceeded expectations. The Talent Project, as demonstrated by everyone who collaborated under Talent 2013, once again fulfilled its aim of inculcating virtuosity among musicians not only in their craft but in their ability to commune with fellow artists of unique backgrounds.

Music connects people

In retrospect, the Talent Project is a gamble willingly made by Førdefestivalen for the sake of posterity. Only after the job is halfway done does the organization begin to see the fruits of its labor: ten young musicians, erstwhile strangers to the other, becoming close friends and music collaborators in the span of a few days. The experiences the musicians have picked up in the crash course known as the Talent Project will be central to their careers and lives. As one of the collaborators, I am proud because the achievements we have made musicwise, though short-lived, have opened doors and windows in the minds of our audiences and gave them a glimpse of other worlds and cultures. I am doubly proud because I have represented my country well, and have done so by means of music -- that Filipino tradition that is seldom seen in and outside of the Philippines. Music connects people -- it draws us in like moths to a flame, tugging at an inner consciousness that transcends age, race and background. Regardless of who we are and where we come from, music is the language that speaks to our hearts. 33

Ásdís Lisa Karlsdóttir of Reykjavik wins Mutya Ng Pilipinas Overseas 2013 title By Marvi A. Gil raintribe@gmail.com

the Miss World, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Asia Pacific and Miss Tourism International beauty pageants. It has yet to be decided what international competition Ásdís Lisa will be sent to. Ásdís Lisa qualified to compete in the beauty contest as her mother Penny Labandero is from the Philippines. Her father Karl is Icelandic.

Ásdís Lisa Karlsdóttir of Reykjavik, Iceland was crowned Mutya Ng Pilipinas Overseas 2013 ( Pearl of the Philippines Overseas 2013). Her newly bestowed title makes her the official Philippine representative to international beauty contests participated in by Filipino communities outside the Philippines. She will also represent the Philippines as an Ambassadress of Goodwill. Mutya Ng Pilipinas is a long-running beauty contest that sends winners to 34

In the question and answer portion she was asked what moment in life she remembers most. Her answer, “ The way my family raised me. They taught me how to be warm, kind and hospitable,” was lauded for its honesty and sincerity. Showing spark and confidence, Ásdís Lisa was an early favorite in the competition. She won the People´s Choice award in an online poll and placed in the top five in the formal Filipiniana gown competition. It is also worth mentioning that two other Filipinas from the Nordic countries shined brightly during the pageant. Kirby Ann Basken from Norway was one of the emcees and Nazita Guevarra Reyhanian from Sweden was on the top ten, amongst thirty other candidates. 35

Careers Corner

“It is important to have a direction and a goal” of taxation and as such, is the key contact to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs for Harrods. Knowing her impressive credentials and career path, one would think that she has attained this position naturally and effortlessly. Not so. She shares with us her journey, which had been beset with personal difficulties that she has had to overcome with courage, dedication, resourcefulness and pure determination.

Chloris Bolivar Flint

Head of Group Tax, Harrods By Stephanie Panlilio

“Be who you want to be…” inspirational words indeed and easily believed when it comes from meeting Chloris Bolivar Flint, Head of the Tax Department in one of London’s most iconic establishments, Harrods. This remarkable Filipina has an intrinsic gift of inspiring those whom she meets. Chloris is a prominent figure in the London business scene, with diverse 36

interests, and is an active member in the Filipino community in various organizations and charitable events. She is, however, best known for her role in Harrods. Essentially, the Harrods Group is a conglomeration of 42 companies ranging from Retail, Banking, Aviation, Insurance, Real Estate Agency, Property Management and Property Investment. Chloris’ primary responsibility is to provide advice to the Group in all areas

Her story begins in Kalibo, Aklan where she attended the Roxas Memorial School of Arts and Trades. Graduating as the Class Salutatorian, she then spent the next five years enjoying her life at the University of the Philippines studying Mathematics, Statistics and Business Management whilst being active in the Student Council and various extra-curricular activities. Anticipating her future career, Chloris studied in the UK - in the evenings and weekends, while working during the day, for her professional qualification in The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Her career has allowed her to travel extensively within the Philippines, in Nigeria, the US and the UK. In the latter, she has worked in various industries ranging from the Railways, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Banking, Insurance, Real Estate and Retail. In recent years, Chloris has become

interested in the science of the mind and furthered her studies by taking a Masters in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) accompanied with Hypnotherapy. Her ethos in life which she shares with her children, Shaun (21 years) and James (14 years), is that success is within everyone’s reach especially when it is ingrained early in life through education, hard work and good financial management. Her passion has now taken her to organizing events to help educate the youth on financial freedom, hoping to empower them for their future careers and prosperity. She will also be inviting guest speakers, women with a WOW! Factor, to share their experiences at Women of Wealth (WOW!) Events in London. Chloris is a great believer in investing in people and in investing time to educate people to help them reach their goals. What was your motivation to come to Europe? I left the Philippines in 1984 to work as a Financial Analyst in Nigeria. From Nigeria, I came to London to live with my husband and our baby girl who unfortunately passed away in 1987. Even though I have encountered many obstacles, it has taught me how to be strong and salvage what I can in challenging situations. Everybody has difficulties, but do you sink or swim? Do you drown and suffocate? Or do you rise to the challenge and seize opportunities? Arriving in the UK, I decided to further my education by taking the ACCA professional exams so 37

Careers Corner

I could be competitive in the job market in London, and it certainly opened doors for me. What was your first job? My first job was in a Manufacturing Company as an Accounts Assistant. My role was to record transactions that took place each day. However, I took the liberty of going beyond my duties to create the Balance Sheet and the Profit and Loss statement. This was quickly noticed by the Proprietor. He then gave me additional responsibilities which led to an increase in my salary. A valuable lesson learnt was, if you make the effort and put in the hard work, you will be rewarded eventually; this is the Law of Reciprocity. What do you do in your leisure time? Usually, I enjoy dancing and reading a

Careers Corner

wide selection of books that will broaden my knowledge. I also love meeting new people with diverse interests. If I have the time, it relaxes me to cook for family and friends. Do you take part in any Filipino community activities? Nowadays, with my busy work schedule in Harrods, I do not have as much time as I would like, to participate in Filipino Community activities as I have done in the past. For example, I used to be active in a Filipino religious group called Banal Na Pag-aaral which had started in the Philippines and has spread to several countries. The group focuses on the spiritual development of individuals through retreats, meditation and group sharing. I am also a life-time member of the Filipino Women’s Association (FWA). The Association holds numerous events

Chloris Flint with the author 38

and fund-raising projects for charities in the Philippines. In 2009, I was invited by the Chairman to represent the Philippines in The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-UK) Business Forum. The main objective of AUBF is to enhance bilateral relations between the UK and the ASEAN region. This is achieved through corporate seminars, presentations, delegation visits and government sponsored programmes. I give pro-bono time to this group as the Vice-Chairman because I envision that this is an opportunity to meet investors for our country. I am promoting the Philippines as a tax friendly country to foreign investors through my tax consultancy as part of the advisory service. We review various real estate developments and recommend them to our investors, to provide the best fit for their needs. There are investors who are interested in “arm-chair investing” and normally, I would suggest a condotel for this. Sta. Lucia’s Condotel Project in Mactan, Cebu is highly recommended. Also, I have invested in these projects myself as I believe that they are sound investments. We should be proud of the Philippines because according to Philippine Star, the Philippines has surpassed its economic growth forecast by 7.8% in the first quarter. It has been recognised as the fastest growing economy in Asia for that period. This growth was achieved while maintaining consumer prices at 2.9%.

What is it like being the Head of Group Tax for Harrods? It is quite exciting especially as I have learnt that I can influence others through collaborative interaction. My position permits me to deal with various departments at senior level in the Group. Most customers are only familiar with the Department Store however, there is also Harrods Bank, Harrods Aviation, Harrods Estates and Genavco Insurance. My interests are eclectic so I enjoy the diversity of my role. What are the main Tax issues affecting your company? V.A.T. Refund to Foreign customers makes up a huge part of our tax activity because Harrods’ customers are based mostly overseas. We have extended our services dedicated to this area. Since there are many on-going capital projects such as store refurbishments, I ensure that the tax relief (referred to as Capital Allowance) is maximised. What advice would you give to a Filipino wishing to pursue a career in Europe? Through personal experience, I believe that it is vital to study and continue educating yourself, through formal professional qualifications such as Accountancy, Nursing, Engineering or Law. It is best not to rely on any qualifications from the Philippines as they may not be recognised abroad to the same degree as they are back home. You need to be very dedicated and persistent. Persistence is a key factor to success. But one thing that is imperative 39

Careers Corner

is that people must have a written goal so they know where they are heading. We may change our goals as we progress in life. They can always be adjusted, but it is important to have a direction and a goal; that is the secret to success. What is your most memorable moment in your career? The best moment of my career was when I received a 10-year Achievement Award from Mr. Al Fayed. I guess on a dayto-day basis, when one enjoys one’s job, it becomes fun, and each day creates wonderful memories. In Jim Collin’s book – “Good to Great” – he mentions “The Hedgehog Concept” where each of the three circles of “The Hedgehog Concept” has an analogous question when it comes to you individually. Answering the three questions honestly and striving to do work at the intersection is how you apply “The Hedgehog Concept” to your personal life. Business version: What can we be the best in the world at?

Careers Corner

Personal version: What can you do better than other people? I recommend people to read his book and look for the ‘Hedgehog’ in the middle: A job that you love, a job that pays you well and a job that you are an expert in. So how and where do we start to achieve this? I would say, Passion. Find the fire in your belly and become an expert in that area and eventually the financial rewards will come. We should infuse this passion with focus and determination, resilience and self-belief in order to arrive at your ‘Hedgehog’. How would you compare Mr. Al Fayed with the new owners of Harrods? Mr. Al Fayed was very passionate; he loved his employees and looked after them very well. He was a retailer at heart. In May 2010, the Royal Family of Qatar through their investment vehicle, Qatar Holdings, bought the Harrods Group. They have not changed the Management of the Company. The Harrods Mission and Vision Statements are the same so we have not changed course even with the new owners. We have the same Managing Director, who is a great visionary and who has great plans for Harrods. The Mission statement of Harrods is: “To be the number one department store in the world for luxury branded merchandise, maintaining an unprecedented level of retail standards, expertise and profitability.” There are exciting times ahead for Harrods - watch this space!

Lucita Borbon-Kampa Soll und Haben, Germany From putzfrau to chief accountant

I arrived in Germany in 1988. With the help of a German-Filipina friend, I was promptly paired off with a German gentleman who I eventually married. At that time, the most common question from kababayans I met was “ Nurse ka ba?“

The challenges in my new life started immediately when I noticed that it was almost impossible to get an office job without any knowledge of the German language. One kababayan I met lamented that after five years, she is still working as a „putzfrau“ or charwoman. Nothing 41

Careers Corner

“Get the right training, combine it with hard work, resilience, faith”

wrong with that but I was interested in something else.

marks per hour. The more you work, the more you earn.

I have a Business degree from the Philippines. I had worked as an Accounting Clerk in a government hospital in Cebu City. I had wished to continue working with this kind of job in Germany inspite of all the difficulties I knew I was going to encounter. I knew I needed to master the German language and get more skills to enhance my education.

Aside from my cleaning job, I also assisted disabled children by picking them up from their home, taking them to school and picking them up after school. It was only a part-time job but I really learned a lot from this particular system of my adopted country’s social policy. After bringing the children safely to their respective homes, I rushed again to Kindergarten and did the cleaning job.

So I enrolled at the „VHS“ or Volkshochschule in Stuttgart and started to study German. After two years of studies, I had the opportunity to take a course „Frauen wieder in den Beruf“ which was a training course for women who would like to do office work again. This course really helped me a lot to gain more self-confidence and gave me enough knowledge in various German office practices. But after awhile, I discovered that my bachelor´s degree in Business Administration major in Accounting from the Philippines, was still not enough to qualify for the office job I really wanted in Germany. What a big disappointment! So I found myself having no choice but to get the job that did not require much qualification. I became a putzfrau or Charwoman. I needed a job to earn money to pay for my studies and to support my parents back home. The earnings was not bad at all. Between 15 to 20 German 42

I have nothing against cleaning job really, one can make money from it, but I knew God has better plans for me, so I kept on working towards my goal, more education and more practice, without giving up, just continue without hesitation. After three years of hard work and studies, I finally dared to apply for an office job. I wrote a Letter of Application in German. This effort landed me a job in the Accounting Department of the International Oil Trading Company in Stuttgart. It was enjoyable working side by side with other accountants even if I was the only Oriental looking person in the office, and would sometimes be mistaken for being Japanese or Chinese, but I was always happy to tell them that I am actually a Filipina! Because of family reasons, in 1996, I had to move from the south to the north of Germany. But my work experiences and qualifications gave me enough self-

Careers Corner

confidence and courage that it will not be impossible form e to get a new job in a new place.

German husband I was able to balance and organize our life, always feeling lucky and thankful.

I was jobless for only two weeks. A small International Shipping & Towage Service Agency which was founded in the year 1925, surprisingly hired me as their Chief Accountant. I guess it was also a matter of being at the right place at the right time. Because of my flexibility and willingness to do any kind of assignment, I was sometimes given the job of the Secretary and during holidays I had to manage the whole company, making decisions on my own. It felt good to be accepted and trusted in my adopted country, especially when I look back at those earlier days when all seemed so impossible.

My former employer, who was my mentor for many years, influenced me a lot in my career, so that it gave me the confidence to set up a Home Office where I could be flexible enough to do my job and at the same time take care of my family. Since 2005, I am a freelance advisor on credit and financing specializing on female clients.

After almost 10 years of being Chief Accountant, the company had to close down, there were sad circumstances behind it, but my experiences were unforgettable and invaluable for me. I have learned so much during those years and felt proud and contented with my achievements. During all these time, I was also able to study on a part-time basis additional courses in Business and Economics at the University of Bremen. After finishing the four semesters curriculum, my life took a new direction with the arrival of our adopted son from the Philippines. Now I had to balance between raising a family and managing a career, another new challenge. But with the full support of my

Nowadays, I am a satisfied person, enjoying reading, socializing with friends, singing karaoke, travelling alone or with my families. I am also actively involved in charity events and my own charity project is selling dried mangoes, and the proceeds of which we send back to the Philippines to support various projects there. I also try to actively support German-Filipino community activities as much as possible. Thanks to my freelance work, I have now more time to take care of my family and do further studies. If ever given the chance in the future, my dream is to work as personal financial mentor specializing on Financial Literacy for our unpriveleged kababayans back home. The right training and education plus hard work, resilience, faith in the goodness of others, these qualities helped me to reach my goals and to try to improve my knowledge and skills even more. 43

Careers Corner

Careers Corner “Take your Filipino traits with you, hospitality, respect for elders, always pleasant and sunny disposition..” kinds of people coming from all parts of the world. In 1995, we decided to try living in the Philippines and we settled down in Quezon City. After three years, we were blessed with a baby boy. But we made another big decision by moving back to Costa Brava after one year and six months. We missed our life and our restaurant business in Spain.

Catherine Schmettau

Costa Brava, Spain - Autonomo Manager at Angel’s Café-Bar I graduated in Bachelor of Science and Commerce, major in Banking and Finance at Saint Michael’s College, a Catholic school in Iligan City. After my studies, I helped my parents in our family business while at the same time engaging myself in the buying and selling of ready to wear apparels. I even had a short stint at the Hotel Nikko Manila Garden during the 80s and had attended the hotels workshops and seminars. While visiting my sister in Germany during the 90s, I met a German gentleman. To make a long story short, we fell in 44

love, got married and migrated to Spain, settling down in the picturesque town of Lorret del Mar in Costa Brava. During my stay in Germany, I went to school to study the German language for three semesters and felt ready to start working. But I did not have to look for a job very far as my husband had a thriving restaurant business and there was work to do all day long. Running a restaurant is not exactly a bed of roses. Running a restaurant is one of the toughest jobs in the world. With very long hours and very little free time, but I also found it very rewarding and a lot of fun meeting all

We started operating Angel’s Café-Bar which is located in the strategic tourist area. I literally ran the business with the help of two workers, and we catered mostly to tourists who flock to Spain from all corners of the world. While running the restaurant business I was proud that I was able to mentor and train 12 restaurant personnel until they became professionals and they were able to move on to other careers in the restaurant industry. It was my parents who inspired me that hard work is the key to success. While I am determined to continue the challenging business that I learned from my husband, I still make sure to find time to visit the Philippines regularly and doing my very best to support the small family business which was started by my parents in Iligan City There are times when I dream of getting employed in an international company somewhere in Europe. My desire is to

widen my professional horizon and to contribute with my creativity and international experiences. For obvious reasons, I like cooking and baking, as well as interior decorating. My home, my husband and son, and my family in the Philippines are very important for me. I strive to be resilient and trustworthy. I really wish to get more involved in Filipino community activities more often, but where I live, it is very seldom that we have events. Oftentimes, I have to go the nearest big city like Barcelona, where there are many Filipinos and many social and cultural happenings. Knowing our priorities, what is important in our life, respect to parents and elders, getting a good education, these ingredients are necessary to lead a good working life. One should not be afraid to make some mistakes, for one can start all over again, much wiser and stronger. Because of the nature of my job, which is meeting people from many parts of the world, I am now multi-lingual. Spanish and German I speak fairly well, but also Catalan, French, Italian, Dutch, Japanese I can communicate and understand, plus of course English, Tagalog and other dialects. And of course, body language is universal. I am happy that I still have my natural Filipino traits with me - hospitality, respect for elders and a pleasant and sunny disposition. 45

Careers Corner

children at that time). How am I going to survive here? ADAPT is what my father said to me and that I did fast (as I didn’t want to be known as ‘billy no mates’ – British slang - A person with no friends). I adapted to the change quickly by living there and then, going with the flow and never looked back. Of course it didn’t happen overnight, tears were shed along the way, great and bad memories on this journey that kept and still keeps me grounded to this day. “It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the One that is most adaptable to change.” Charles Darwin

With daughter Kyna

Hilda Arenas – Dublin, Ireland

Changing careers smoothly from Oil & Gas company executive, to Travel & Tour operator, to Global Senior Recruitment Manager It was summer of 1988, soon after my High School graduation at Dominican School in Dagupan City; when my brother Gerald and I left Philippines for London, UK to join my father Benjamin Arenas. Scotland became our new home with my other two brothers Germie and Gerwin who joined us a year later. 46

Culture Club’s Boy George UK single ‘No Clause 28’ was an underground acid house hit in June 1988, while we got hit with ‘Culture Shock’ - what with the Scottish English, cuisine, culture, landscape and most importantly the weather! 14 Filipinos (including my family, we were the only full-Filipino

With the guidance of my father Benjamin, I finished my education in Business Studies in Scotland where it has served me well professionally to-date. I started my career as a Quality Control Executive at McDermott’s International (Oil & Gas company). From here on I had a taste on what the Oil & Gas industry was about so I ventured further afield and found myself in Aberdeen with Schlumberger (another Oil & Gas company) where I saw myself in the Personnel Department – dealing with international personnel pushed me to go after my passion in ‘travelling’.

is no looking back now….onwards and upwards… travelling from one resort to the next (destinations Mediterranean to the Caribbean spots); I got to understand and learned different cultures, values, knowledge passed on by the locals, sample local cuisine and delectable drinks, meet new friends and partied – yes, I have worked hard too (from managing resort offices to third party suppliers and airport duties to cruise liner operations in resort). Nine countries (Spain, Ibiza, Tenerife, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Mexico, Jamaica, Cuba) and 14 resorts later, reality of ‘I’m not getting any younger’ and the living in and out of suitcases even with the appealing lifestyle of Sun, Sea and Fun, staying in the most sought after resorts and hotels has taken its toll….and due to continuous geographical moves there was limited opportunity to make a long term career. So on that note, at Havana Airport, Cuba - I bid ‘Hasta que nos encontremos de Nuevo mis amigos’. Attending the President of Ireland Inaugural Party

No sleepless nights wasted in making a decision ‘to pursue my passion in travelling’, so I got myself a job with a British Tour Operator. First stop, Ibiza – all I could think of was how lucky am I to have landed this job and there 47

Careers Corner

European Scholarship Tips

“Do not forget your roots while spreading your wings” ’Travelling is the best form of education’, from personal experience, I could not have learned the valuable new skillsets I gained from my travels in a textbook and on a personal note I am truly grateful that my travels turned into a powerful journey. One must never forget his roots while spreading his wings. ‘One door closes, another one opens’ this time settling back home in the UK and with the combined education and life experiences I had to date, I was able to slot back in easily in my chosen career in the field of business sales and marketing for various international companies. Again, a career move took me to Ireland where I grew professionally where I am currently a Senior Recruitment Manager (Global) for an international recruitment company.

specific Filipino community group / organization, I actively promote the Philippines and community events (under discretion) on Irish national event listing. Instilling the value of culture and education at home by our now late parents and grandparents together with their unconditional love for my siblings and I, is the platform that made me the person I am today. So it is no surprise that family plays an important part in my life. There is always time for Noel and I to enjoy our little baby girl Kyna Anne. We keep a healthy balance between work and family by communicating and supporting each other. This above all; to thine own self be true – by William Shakespeare

The icing on the cake was meeting new circle of friends who have inspired me to make a difference. Last year, I represented the Philippines at the annual International Charity Bazaar Dublin (www.internationalbazaar.ie is an Irish Charity run by the diplomatic and local communities in Ireland. Our mission is three-fold: Fundraising for Irish Charities, Promoting multi-cultural awareness in Ireland and Promoting community support and co-operation). This year, my remit is extended as I have been appointed to manage all Events for ICB. Even though I am not a member of a 48

Sitting on a chair at Dublin Castle

Steps to Getting My Scholarship in The Netherlands By Desiree Munoz

Dutch Scholarship Prelude

1. Plan. Mine was to study masters abroad with a Public Policy course. I knew what I wanted and I knew what I was looking for. 2. Why? Because of my education background and work experience, plus the budding career path idea I was toying with in my head. I saw myself eventually working in the government. 3. How? I don't have money to study abroad! 4. What then? Find a school that offers Public Policy, scout for possible funding i.e. scholarships. Google became my bestfriend, still is! 5. Where? I heard good things about The Netherlands. I searched online and found this Public Policy course in International Institute of Social Science (ISS). It took tons of clicks before I got into the ISS website, by the way. Keywords: patience and determination. And again, I knew what I was looking for. 6. Show me the money! I found links for funding on the website of the ISS school, which led to more scholarship websites. Once you start, the leads will flow from one point to another, trust me. Stay focused but keep going! I then found the Netherlands Fellowship Program

(NFP) website and read thoroughly the requirements for a scholarship application. All in the web, you see. 7. Decisions, decisions. Simple, I believe I met the requirements of ISS and NFP so I began my application. Another thing, keeping the fighting spirit within you is quite handy all throughout the process.

European Scholarship Tips

Formal Application Timeline

Process

European Scholarship Tips

My background is in development. I finished my undergraduate studies in BS Community Development at UP Diliman, I was doing work in microfinance, all of which are related to the masters in Development Studies with specialization in Public Policy & Management I was applying for. I was an average student, my grades were okay but not exemplary. In other words, you don’t have to be a cum laude, just work on making your application fit. I. The requirements for an admission in ISS are in their website www.iss.nl. Take note that I needed to be accepted in ISS first before I can apply for a scholarship. By September 2009, I've sent my completed application documents to ISS online. Here is the list of requirements needed for admission: 1. Copy of Academic Degree / Diploma

2. Certified Copy of Academic Transcript 3. Motivation Statement 4. Three (3) Reference forms 5. Statement of Proficiency in English II. Since I already knew the requirements for the NFP scholarship, I prepared ahead of time that I only needed the admission letter from ISS and I’m all set. The admission letter comes later, in my case, it arrived by mail towards the end of January 2010. It takes time, relax. The deadline for the NFP scholarship was end of March so it is important to work on the NFP application ahead of time. Always work ahead of time. III. First week of February 2010, I sent my application for the scholarship through email. If you go to the website of The Netherlands Embassy in the Philippines (www.philippines.nlembassy.org), you will find all the most recent requirements and criteria to qualify for an NFP

scholarship. They will implement NFP II beginning 2014 so keep yourself updated. For my application in 2010, I sent the following: 1. Copy of admission from the Dutch institution 2. Copy of Academic Degree / Diploma 3. Certified Copy of Academic Transcript 4. Motivation Statement 5. Three (3) Reference forms Notice that ISS and NFP almost have the same requirements and this makes the preparation manageable. This further gives you an idea to produce at least 3 copies of your school documents (e.g. transcript, diploma, etc.) so you don’t have to go back to the registrar and request twice for the same document. I had to write two different motivation letters for each but both basically have the same theme. IV. Around July 2010, I received the email from the Embassy of The Netherlands in the Philippines that I got the funding with the Netherlands Fellowship Program. V. August 2010, ISS sent me the instructions, followed by the plane ticket to Amsterdam. My Visa was arranged by ISS, too, so all I needed to do was go to the Dutch Embassy in Makati to show my passport and provide an ID picture. VI. September 3, 2010, I arrived in The Netherlands. I had my own room in the students’ dormitory just across the school building. I received a monthly allowance. We were even given a clothing allowance to shop for winter clothes! Everything is

paid for by the scholarship, including the monthly allowance to dedicate all your time to study. It was worth all the hardwork and determination and effort, even more. And the adventure just got started. Now, if you think the whole process looks doable, try it and you will see how correct you are! If you’re curious enough, here are some websites that may interest you in your search: www.studyinholland.nl :Find out more about the fellowship I got here. www.iss.nl : The school where I went to. www.fordfoundation.com :They award scholarships too. www.opensocietiesfoundation.org :More grants, funds, scholarships! www.mundusmapp.org :Talk about awesome. Get this if you can! Keep in mind that there are very limited slots available for thousands of applicants so you really have to focus, be serious and put your best foot forward. Never be late, submit even before the deadline and submit only if you are 101% pleased with your application documents. It’s gonna be rough sometimes, take some needed inspiration by looking at your passport from time to time. And lastly, do not forget one basic rule: if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Send me your questions through deswie@gmail.com, I’ll be more than happy to cheer you on. Try it, go for it, nail it! 51

Music

these were the native Tagalog folksong “Paru-parong Bukid” and the Ilocano folksong “Dungdungwen Kan To”, which gained a loud applause from the audience especially the Ilocanos. After the concert, the audience gave a standing ovation in awe to the choir.

DeLaSalle University Chorale

Harvesting awards in their European tour while bringing pride and joy to the Filipino communities around Europe

The DLSU Chorale offered the concert after winning in various competitions here in Greece. These are the 17th International Choir Festival “Antonio Vivaldi” in Karpennesi where they won First Place in the Chamber Choir category and the International Competition of Sacred Music in Preveza, Epirus where they won 8 golds, 2 silvers, 2 Grand Prizes and one special award. Professor Rodolfo Delarmente, the conductor of the DLSU Chorale acknowledged that all their achievements were gained through constant prayer. “Kasi dasal kami ng dasal, tuwing magcocompete nagdadasal kami. Rehersal pa rin and hard work. You know, we depend so much on God’s grace and I think that’s

the number one factor. For the past three months, sa dami ng pinuntahan namin, eto na yung the best kasi very historical ,” he said. “Ibang experience po sya kasi it’s the first time that we’ve had full Filipino audience. Iba po yung feeling na people from home po yung kinakantahan nyo and the reactions on their faces, it’s really a different feeling for us”, said one of the choir members who enjoyed performing before her “kababayans”. Lorenzo Ravalo, another choir member said, “Greece was a truly splendid experience, quite a change of pace when looking back to the start of our adventures here in Europe. Greece’s picturesque site, Karpenissis’s mountains, Preveza’s deep blue bay and Athens’ majestic Parthenon, to name a few, highlighted our stay not only because of their pure beauty but because of the surreal feeling surrounding their very existence.” Aside from the competitions here in

Words by Wilhelmina A. Mendoza, Photos by Miles F.Viernes Enchanting, mesmerizing voices and breathtaking performance filled the St. Dennis Catholic Church, Paleo Psychiko here in Athens as the De La Salle University Chorale performed at a mini concert for their “kababayans”. Hundreds of Pinoys filled the church, enjoying the sweetness of every melody coming from the angelic 52

voices of the choir. They filled the air with some religious songs and modern songs such as “We Are The World” and the all-time favorite Titanic theme song, “My Heart Will Go On”. But what thrilled and amazed the audience was when the choir sang some Filipino folksongs which Filipinos abroad seldom hear. Among 53

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Greece, the group also participated in other competitions in different countries in Europe where they brought pride to Filipinos there. In the Kaunas Cantat International Choir Competition in Kaunas, Lithuania where 10 choral groups from different countries competed, DLSU Chorale won the Audience Award, Gold Medal for Polyphonic Category, Gold Medal for Folkloric category, Gold Medal for Adult Chamber Choir Category and Grand Prix Winner. In the 41st Festival of Songs Olomouc in Olomouc, Czech Republic the Choir was declared the Absolute Festival Winner and won Gold Medal for Spiritual, Gospel, Pop Category, Gold Medal for Adult Chamber Choir Category and Gold Medal for Folkloric Category. The De La Salle University Chorale was established in 1987 as the official choral group of the De La Salle University in Manila. Not long after its formation, the group began competing in various local and international choral competitions. According to Ms. Menerisa Pascual, the

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Tour Manager, the tours and participation in various competitions are made possible by sponsors. Usually, a year before they embark on the tour/competition they hold fund raising concerts. The Parent Teachers Association of the University, private companies and their parents also contribute to the fund. And for their shelter during their stay in the cities abroad, they seek the help or assistance of the Embassies and Filipino associations. "We are blessed because all our sponsors abroad are hospitable and supportive. The Philippine Embassy in Athens was very welcoming," Ms. Pascual said. As for the Filipinos who were able to witness the superb performance of the choral group, the concert served as stress and homesickness remover knowing fully well that every song they heard has a sweet taste of victory and triumph coming from the De La Salle University Chorale. After their concert here in Athens they went to the US for more concerts.

My memories of Greece By Zha-Zhalyn G. Catbagan Living in Greece for six years has provided me with heaps of memories that will forever be inscribed in my heart. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a glimpse of the beauty of Greece and its islands that I will miss, and I am sure will make you wish you were here. Santorini The romantic getaway in Greece made me more fascinated with Love and Romance. The breathtaking view to the

sea and the fabulous caldera villages really make this island a unique. Athens The Acropolis makes a visit to Greece complete. It is located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the ruins of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance. The most famous of these structures is the Parthenon, a temple built in honor of the maiden 55

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goddess Athena, considered by the people of Athens as its patron deity. Zakynthos Zakynthos is amazing with its wonderful golden sandy beaches and caves. Delphi Regarded as the center of planet earth, to be more precise "the naval of the universe", where might be the end of planet earth? Churches Greece is a profoundly religious country with several religious denominations. Among them are the Greek Orthodox

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Church and Christianity. One is fascinated with countless examples of holy sites such as churches and historic monasteries scattered in the many islands. Exceptional architecture of these churches reveal an unwavering faith to the Holy One. Sunrise and Sunset If you want to go to a place where everything is wonderful, in perfect harmony with nature; where you can see the most beautiful sunrise and sunset of your life, where the sea has magic colors and the mountains are near, Greece should be in your list.

Fashion Show

Designer Bing Cristobal with models

Semana de Moda Filipina en Barcelona

Kay unit) and Unified Bicolanos in Barcelona (UBB). Great!

coordinator fell on Louie, who did an excellent and admirable job.

The Barcelona Exposure Club´s two photographers Karen Salvador and Ian Pring did the first photo session with the models which proved to be interestingly productive. Karen not only had to juggle with photography work for the catalogue and video editing for media marketing, but at times, she even had to pitch in as hairdresser and make-up artist, proving that she was an invaluable asset to our project.

Our first date was at the Philippines Club, with a teaser fashion show, which served as an opener for the whole week series of activities. It received good reviews and gathered some guests from the garment business and from Barcelona modeling agencies. It even got our ever supportive Honorary Consul, Jordi Puig, inspired, and began talking about the Fashion show for next year.

Because most of the organizers were at work and could only dedicate their time partially, the job of the over-all

The big day was on Saturday, the 22nd , with the main fashion show in a 4-star hotel, that featured 3 sets of Bing’s collections – cocktail, formal, and

Fanciful, fascinating festival of Filipino fashion Words by Maria Victoria Madarieta Backstage photos by Ian Pring and Monina Discaya Models photos by Elton Sebastian The very first “Semana de Moda Filipina en Barcelona” took place last June 21-29 in Barcelona. It was a dream come true for us in the community to finally get the chance to showcase the very best of Filipino artistry and talent through high fashion. Thanks to Louie Simbe who managed to get a big “yes!” from Manila fashion designer Bing Cristobal to come to Spain to show his creations. 58

The question came up: Can we really take the huge challenge of producing a Fashion Show, with all the hard work, money and time involved in the process? Luckily five associations subscribed to be part of the organization: Asociacion Bisayan ug Mindanaoan en España (ABME), the Barcelona Exposure Club (BEC), S.I. Kabagis Barcelona, Unidad Sonrisas de Asia (Grace Valerozo´s Mary

Monica Ortega Madarieta

Paula Ortega

Angel Hentschel 59

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Filipiniana. Excitement began to rise backstage as Grace V. and Karen S. started putting on make-up on our (mostly) very young Filipino models, while the Spanish national TV (Television Española) filmed close by. Arcille Napone´s group that assisted Bing and assistant, Justine, with the wardrobe seemed not to mind the constant ins-and-outs of our 30 male and female models, while Louie gave them last minute instructions. At the Hall, Helen Salvador and Cesar Senense’s group did their best to accommodate everyone, as the audience expectantly waited for the show to start. Finally our young female models came out in their innovative convertible gowncocktail dresses. No one would have ever guessed it was a first time for some of the models, because they all elegantly

cat-walked through the show like experienced professionals. Louie could not be prouder that his modeling classes had served their purpose. While dinner was being served, Mariz Molina, Maria Sagana and the children’s choir entertained the guests, while Cristina Sanchez emceed the show. Anticipation rose as the male models came out in elegant suits, followed by the female models in “spectacular gowns” (repeating the TVE producer’s reaction), and the audience appreciatively clapped through each creation. However, when our models came out in their colorful barongs and Filipiniana gowns, there was no doubt it was the highlight of the show. There were 2 other fashion shows slated for the week, but between them we

Fashion Show

once again met at the Philippines Club for our Mary Kay make-up demo and the hairstyling showdown of Barcelona Filipino hairstylists, Ada Laya, Arvin Pagas, Amber, and with the special participation of our very own Karen Joy Salvador.

Fashion Show

the satisfaction of a project achieved, as important has been the satisfaction of getting an insight of Bing Cristobal, not only of the designer, but the person. He generously gave his time, his creations and adapted to everything without any further ado. Despite a fulfilled career and his success as a designer, Bing has remained down to earth, humble and unpretentious. Thank you, Bing.

The last Fashion show at Casa Asia, on the 25th was packed and others had to stand. With such a massive reception we would have loved to show the whole collection, It still is a long way till next year, but we but time only allowed a selection of the do hope to see you again. entire wardrobe. Nevertheless we were able to give an overview of Philippine For more of the Fashion show: music variety while the models changed, vimeo.com/69072863, and we featured two young and upcoming thanks to Marco Pajo. Filipino artists, Christian Angelo, who Bing Cristobalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s atelier is in Don Alejandro sang in English and Darrel Magboo, Roces Avenue, Quezon city. who sang in Tagalog. The local television also came to broadcast the show live. The Casa Asia Director not only praised the show but also the Filipino communityÂ´s involvement in the propagation of Asian culture, pointing out that all of the Philippine shows at Casa Asia have always proved to be very commendable and a success. Bing Cristobal may have gained a good insight of Barcelona with his visit, but we, the organizers have gained much more. As an organizer, aside from Mandela Oyeleke Gabriela Ortega 62

Fashion Show

Monica Ortega

Monica Ortega 64

Fashion Show

Mikaela Gines

Alleson Rodillas

Dani Puig

Clara Lino

Paula Ortega

Alison Lopena

Axcel Rose

Shemie Joy

MikaelaGines

Juanlino 65

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Planning your trip

First important tip: have a flexible schedule. Because of the strong winds in Batanes and only small aircrafts can fly into its airport, flights get cancelled or delayed. There are only two carriers that fly to Batanes. SEAir has been more experienced in flying to Batanes while Air Pasada is a new one. Air Pasada also flies to Laoag and Baguio from Batanes. SEAir sometimes cancels flights due to "technical reasons." They do this a few days prior to departure. Make sure to call the airlines before flying out to ensure that the flight is not rescheduled. If they do, the option to reschedule the

return flight is also possible without additional charges. Make sure to inform the hotel as well though they are used to this already. The airfare is quite pricey though for a domestic flight. However, when one arrives in Batanes, all the hassle of delayed flights and expensive airfare will be forgotten. The majestic Mt. Iraya welcomes all visitors to the glorious beauty of Batanes. Second tip: schedule the trip in advance and buy tickets during the Travel Expo in February. SEAir provides a significant

Batanes

- a place of breathtaking beauty Words and photos by Alemberg Ang

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, the Ivatans has kept Batanes immaculate and serene. It's a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Manila's chaos. A time to relax, meditate and wonder at nature's enchanting beauty. The enchantment of Batanes becomes tangible as one breathes in its lush greenery perfectly draped over mountains with the rolling seas beneath their feet. The wind, depending on the time of year that one visits Batanes, can be as gentle as an angel's breath or as powerful as an eagle's wings. But contrary to what most think, Batanes is one of the least typhoon-ridden province in the Philippines. 66

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discount to patrons of the Travel Expo. It's also good to hire a good tour guide. There are a few notable ones and hotels may have their list of favorites. We hired Ed Delphin who came highly recommended by our friends who have been to Batanes. He works for the Indigenous Peoples Commission in Batanes, an agency working with indigenous people and the preservation of their culture. He is very passionate about Batanes, being an Ivatan himself. He can definitely add color to any visitor's experience with his extensive knowledge

of the history and culture of Batanes. He is also quite well known in the island.

Where to stay

Imagine this: you are staying in a place where one hears the crashing of waves and the charming songs of the birds amidst a beautifully manicured garden. Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge is the best place to stay in Batanes. Home of internationally-acclaimed artist Pacita Abad's artwork as well as other local artists' masterpieces, Fundacion offers beauty within and without. After the death of Pacita, her brother, current

Secretary of Finance, Butch Abad, opened Fundacion to visitors sharing the legacy of Pacita as well as continuing the foundation she has established to develop young Ivatan artists. Aside from Fundacion, which is located away from the town proper, there are other places to stay. These places are much cheaper than Fundacion and is more accessible by jeepneys and other modes of transportation.

Modes of Transportation

Our tour guide hired us a van. It can easily fit 8 people. For the more adventurous ones, taking the jeepney is very easy to get around the main island. And for the extremely adventurous ones, you can

actually hitch a ride on a motorcycle and pay the rider a small fee. We have seen a number of tourists do this. If we didn't hire a van, we probably would've tried it as well. Getting around the different islands is also easy but limited. Aside from the main Batan island, another interesting place to visit is Sabtang. There you will experience how the Ivatans lived in their original stone houses. Our guide was also able to set up a catered picnic along the white beach in Sabtang. However, to get there, you must brave traveling by boat in open seas. The boat leaves Basco early in the morning to avoid the waves and leave right after lunch to get back to

A Batanes lighthouse 68

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Basco. Still, we experience some pretty massive waves on our trip back as it actually left some of us very seasick. So here's my next tip: when riding the boat, go last so you get to sit outside. One may get a little bit wet, but the fresh air makes the trip a little more bearable and actually fun and exciting. If time permits, one may opt to spend a night in Sabtang to experience a night of quietness and stillness that the Ivatans experienced.

Places to Visit

Tours around the main island of Batan is usually divided into north and south. From the north, we visited the Valugan Bay. Connected to the South China Sea, one can see the waves crashing on the huge boulders on the shore. A quick hike

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over leveled steps makes the shore quite accessible to visitors. We also visited Japanese built World War II tunnels and bunkers. We were able to enter these holes carved into the mountainside. Not surprisingly, there are a number of lighthouses to visit in Batanes. Some are accessible to visitors to climb up to its peak. We also went to the Vayang Rolling Hills where the wind is so strong that it felt like we're being blown away. It's a very cool place to hang out. From the south, we were taking to the San Carlos Church, Ivana Church and the Honesty Store. The Honesty Store seems like any ordinary sari-sari store except that no one is manning it. There is a price list and a dropbox. Customers

get to choose whichever product they like and then leave the money in the dropbox. The store is the brainchild of retired teachers who believed in the honesty of the Ivatans. We also taken to Payaman which is fondly called Marlboro Country because of its sprawling grasslands where locals use for grazing. Its rolling hills facing the Pacific Ocean are a sight to behold. Other places of interests in the area are the Paderes and Chawa Viewing decks and the Windmills system of the island.

Dining

Our favorite dining place is Ivatan Pensionne. It offers a number of local viands that showcase Ivatan's delicacies and Batanes's fresh meats and vegetables.

Batanes has its own slaughter house so the beef here are very fresh. Another local dish is the coconut crab is also a must to try. My personal favorite dish is their kilawin (fresh fish in vinegar, like a ceviche,some sort of Philippine sashimi). During our last night, our guide was able to arrange for us to have dinner at the lighthouse catered by Ivatan Pensionne. It's only P500 per person serving us tons of seafood and grilled delights. The portions were so generous that we had to stop the Pensionne staff to stop cooking. Endless bounty of seafood whilst under the lighthouse with nature surrounding us in its embrace was a fitting finale to our wonderful trip.

Fundacion Pacita Batanes Native Lodge 70

Fernvale Living and Leisure Subdivision Poblacion 6, Coron, Palawan, Philippines

“ Closer to Paradise”

HLURB Lic. To Sell # 26563

A Landmark Development A 1st managed community in Coron With Perimeter wall Village gate with Security station With direct access to sea; with kayak basin Future dev’t.: boat dock exclusive for homeowners Location: 10 minutes from Coron town 30 minutes from Busuanga airport 25 minutes from Coron sea port Walking distance to PSU-Coron campus Almost opposite Coron Westown Resort and Coron Hilltop view Resort

The town of Coron

A scenic getaway flanked by steep mountains and deep waters. This town is the tourist hub of Busuanga and the center of trade and business in the Calamian group of islands. A Diver’s Paradise - coral reefs & WWII shipwrecks Lush rainforest Beautiful beaches Mountains and hills for hiking Cool caves in different islands around Coron Hotsprings – fresh water and salt-water springs Calauit Safari – a slice of African Savannah north of Busuanga

Owner-developer: Jesus Vicente & Malu Fernandez Contact: Pops delos Santos, licensed Real Estate Broker popsantos143@yahoo.com; http://filrealtor.com/