The
ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | FITNESS | EVENTS | TRAVEL | PEOPLE
CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly de Oro
Volume 2 | No. 16 | Cagayan de Oro City | December 9-13, 2013
Growing a Kagay-anon Tradition:
VIP Hotel’s Christmas Village marks 6th year By Mike Baños
Photo by Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy
Full Story and Photos
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December Rhapsody: A Concert
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rhapsody in music is defined as a one-movement work that is “episodic yet integrated, free-flowing in structure, featuring a range of highly contrasted moods, color and tonality. An air of spontaneous inspiration and a sense of improvisation that makes it freer in form than a set of variations.” Thanks to the Paterno Velez Foundation, Inc. and Dame Marinela Neri Velez, classical symphonic music as only a full orchestra can render with the proper pomp and verve equally gratifying for the composer, musician and listener roared back with a vengeance to the hallowed halls of Lourdes College Auditorium last Wednesday, 4 December with December Rhapsody: A Concert. And a rhapsody it truly is, featuring some of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental’s finest in concert with the magnificent Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Arturo Molina and Jeffrey Solares : Vocalist Nena Neri Hernandez, Pianists Ana Maria Velez dela Fuente and Jed Balsamo, and the Lourdes College Junior and College Chorale. The evening’s program was eclectic but meticulously selected to equally please the hard core classicos stepped in this western genre to the very fiber of their genes, to the casual music lovers who would appreciate orchestral renditions of traditional folksongs and Hollywood Christmas pops and movie themes.
The evening’s program started with the MSO’s take on Gingoog City’s pride Jed Caballero Balsamo’s Rurok, CB. 28 (MMXXIII). Commissioned by the Land Bank for its 50th Anniversary gala “Kaagapay sa Tagumpay” (Partners in Progress), it is Jed’s salute to humanity’s constant struggle to reach for better heights and is also his personal tribute to film composers who influenced his musical journey. This was followed by Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 26 in D Major, KV. 537 (“Coronation”) with Jed Balsamo this time on the piano and the MSO under the baton of Maestro Arturo Molina. My personal favourite of the evening, mostly perhaps because of a personal affinity with the piece which I first encountered in one of my late Dad Rene’s vinyl LPs, was George Gershwin’s immortal “Rhapsody in Blue” with what I imagine must be one of the original orchestrations by Ferde Grofé. With Ana Maria Velez dela Fuente on the piano and the MSO this time under Jeffrey Solares, this 20-minute epic originally written for solo piano and a jazz band was my personal favorite of the evening, with its mélange of classical music and jazz. Bravo to Teacher Ana and Jeffrey and the MSO for a truly bravura performance that must have elicited the same amount of enthusiasm from the appreciative crowd when first performed in an afternoon concert long ago on February 12, 1924 by Paul RHAPSODY
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES
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Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Arturo Molina and Jeffrey Solares & Vocalist Nena Neri Hernandez. Photo by Mike Baños
Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Arturo Molina and Jeffrey Solares & Vocalist Nena Neri Hernandez. Photo Courtesy of Lourdes College
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The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 9-13, 2013
METROSPECT
Photo by MIKE BAÑOS
Growing a Kagay-anon Tradition:
VIP Hotel’s Christmas Village marks 6th year By Mike Baños
VIP Hotel’s Christmas Village marks its sixth year of tradition as Cagayan de Oro’s counterpart to the legendary COD Department Store Christmas diorama at Cubao and Avenida in Manila. The VIP Hotel “Christmas Village” was started by the Canoy Family which owns the establishment in December 2008 and has become a tradition every First Sunday of Advent in much the same way that the COD animated mannequin show started over half a century ago, now on its third home at the Greenhills Shopping Center since 2000. "We have made this an annual tradition Kagayanons of all ages can look forward to come the first Sunday of Advent,” said Eileen San Juan, managing director of VIP Hotel. Since its inception six years ago, the “Christmas Village has again been set up by Ma. Theresa "Teza" Canoy-Sambile, youngest daughter of the late Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) Founder Henry and Inday Canoy. The village collection includes selected items from the famous Lemax Village Collection and Department 56 which feature moving figures, lights and music. "The other items such as lights and trees we got individually but we made the bridges and roads ourselves," she added. Lately, miniatures made in China have also made their way into the growing winter wonderland. However, for this year Teza has introduced new twists to the beloved village, such as the pastel colored “Gazebo” for picture taking, (especially for kids), and the Belen which replaced the faux fireplace in that ledge cum mantelpiece next to the stairway to the Mezzanine floor. Another new twist to this year’s village is a contest open to all guests and visitors. The quest is to identify the newest additions to the winter wonderland. “We hope our fellow Kagay-anons bring their children here during the holidays to share a part of their childhood memories similar to what they experienced with the former moving Christmas displays of the old Coca-Cola plant along Osmeña street and the famous COD Dept. Store animated mannequins in Cubao and Araneta Center,” Ms. San Juan said.
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES
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METROSPECT
Personality:
The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 9-13, 2013
Erlinda Sivila-Unabia is PCC Awardee for Entrepreneurship
E
rlinda SivilaUnabia (HS’77) is The Outstanding Pilgrimian (TOP) for Entrepreneurship for 2013. Ten outstanding graduates who have made their mark in their respective fields were honored during the Pilgrim Christian College (PCC) Alumni Awards Night held 29 November 2013 at the Maisie Van Vactor Hall. The TOP is an annual search for PCC graduates who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields of expertise which have promoted the vision, mission and goals of the school. Ms. Unabia is a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture graduate of Central Mindanao University. She is the managing director of “Ang Lechon Manok ni Sr. Pedro”, which now has over 300 outlets nationwide. She is also the President/Chief Finance Oficer of Anakciano, Inc., the holding company of the Unabia group of companies.
PCC TOP Awardee for Entrepreneurship Erlinda Sivila-Unabia with husband Rep. Peter M. Unabia (1st District, Misamis Oriental)
TOP Awardee Erlina Sivila-Unabia with husband Rep. Peter M. Unabia (2nd fr left) and sons Christian and Epoy (3rd & 2nd from right). Also in photo are PCC BOT Chair Melzar Labuntog (left) and PCC Pres & CEO Pio Baconga.
Newly elected officers of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro (Mother Club) pose for posterity following their election at the Seda Centrio 5 December 2013: (L-R) Sonny Tiro, secretary; Popo Juarez, vice president; President Elect Luigi Sarraga; Norman Makapugay, treasurer; Dante Sudaria,Dodie Lagrosas and Neil Que, directors. Also in photo are RC CDO Pres. Ferdie Bernasor (right) and PP Caloy Gorospe (left). Photo by Mike Baños, NPM
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES
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LIFESTYLE VIEWS
The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 9-13, 2013
WORDS AND NOTES
The silver lining
A way to share for the Christmas Season
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CABAGUE
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Dressing Up For the Holidays
ust like that and Christmas season is here once again. It’s the time for gift-giving, Christmas bonuses, endless stream of parties and reunions, and lots of fun and food. For ladies, it also means one thing: panic at what to wear to all those parties! No matter how full your closet is, and how many wonderful pieces of clothing you bought recently, every girl looks at her wardrobe and say, “I’ve got nothing to wear!” Don’t worry, we’ve all been there (and still there, most of the time). So to make this season a lot merrier and worry-free, here is a little list of DO’s for this month’s parade of parties. 1. Sparkle! It’s the time for you to step out in all your sparkling glory. Gold sequins? Shimmery tops? Why not? Just remember to keep it classy and not too over-the-top. If you choose to wear a sparkly item, pair it with neutrals which will tone down the overall look and bring attention to that one stunning piece. You don’t want to look like a Christmas tree, don’t you? 2. Breathe! It’s difficult to say no to food during parties, especially if you’re faced with the crispiest lechon skin or the yummiest desserts. To stay calm and comfy throughout the party, skip the skin-tight clothes and allow yourself to eat – and breathe! But you need not forgo style for comfort though. Trendy DUTERTE
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
Editor SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY
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Editorial MIKE BAÑOS NELSON Consultants CONSTANTINO RUEL PELONE ALLAN MEDIANTE CHENG ORDOÑEZ
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Account LAVIE CASENAS JOHN DEL Executives BANDO PINKY DOMINGO CADAVEDO
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Legal Counsels ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI ATTY. ROBERTO A. CANTAGO, JR.
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at FICCO Bldg., Lapasan Hiway, with the editorial office at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St.,Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Permit No. 17211 with TIN No. 311-982-549-000 | Tele/Fax #: (088) 856-3344, (08822) 74-53-80 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES email us at Editorial: thecagayantimes@gmail. com, Advertising: cagayantimes@yahoo.com.ph Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)
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I
f there is a list of people I wish I could be, this man is one of those I would list on top. His wisdom and courage brought down a policy that bred hate and discrimination, his personality and quiet grace empowered people to move, his charisma was a force to reckon with. Nelson Mandela, a true icon of democracy; the revolutionary activist and first black President of South Africa proved to the modern world that there is no room for racism, prejudice and inequality. He has gained worldwide attention for his passion to free his people from the painful chains that bound them for years. He became the inspiration for many. Sadly, he passed away unable to see the entire world completely stripped from the very social ills he tirelessly fought for. Poverty, greed, oppression, corruption and racial discrimination are still very much alive even to this very day in many corners of the world. If we allow these to continue, his dreams for humanity will surely vanish in vain. We all need people like Mandela who can inspire ordinary citizens to see the real beauty of everyone around us. We long for more leaders like him who can inspire not just a nation but the entire human race. For us Filipinos, we may not have had the chance to meet him or to get to know him that well but we JAEN
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by DR. MARY JEAN LORECHE
Publisher CAGAYAN TIMES General Manager ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA,Ph.D.
Photographer GLENN PALACIO
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A guy named Nelson
HEALTH IN FOCUS
The
Art Director & RONALD MASTAIL Layout Artist
by Owen Jaen
by Janey Montebon Duterte
by DEBBIE CABAGUE
t seems like yesterday when I had the privileged to join a musical playing a major role but guess what I never considered myself to be a front stage person during my childhood days. I am always at the backstage preparing things as far as I can remember, I love to experiment with sound effects for our classroom plays and I like to direct a lot. It was seldom that I was on stage. Looking at it now, life has its ways of turning things around from being a backstage person to the spotlight. Even though these days I’m on stage mostly to sing I can’t still help myself to do back stage work whether I’m in church or in school. True enough I am given the privilege to direct a pre- school musical in Two weeks time. Yes the preparation is tiring but I really don’t mind. Rather I love it because it makes me think a lot and use my other skills aside from singing. This is the other thing that gives me joy and satisfaction even without getting paid for such. Teaching these little ones with simple Christmas songs in tunes of nursery rhymes is a good way of sharing to them the story of Jesus and the real meaning of Christmas. Perhaps by doing this play they would somehow understand that Christmas is not about material things but the greatest gift that was given to humanity: Jesus Christ.
ala mode
J
ust recently, my daughter texted me, voicing out her fears of contracting Chikungunya. Accordingly, in their College, 4 of their faculty members were diagnosed as such. I assured her that Chikungunya is not deadly, unlike Dengue where circulatory collapse, shock and organ failure are possibilities. Brushing aside the disease, I never thought I would be a victim! Whoever said Doctors are immune to getting sick! Chikungunya is mosquito borne, of the family Aedes, similar to the carrier of the virus causing Dengue. It’s outbreak coincides with that of Dengue, during the rainy months. I tried to recall where I must have been exposed the past days. Knowing the incubation period, which ranges from 1-12 days with an average of 2-3 days, it was easier for me to trace my whereabouts. I was with a team, inspecting a swampy site for future location of a training centre. I noticed the fever, which
Experiencing Chikungunya was high grade (39-40 C), for 3 days and the body malaise, overlapped with the muscle and joint pains that movement seemed to be such an effort! I also had rashes on my upper trunk, which made me diagnose myself initially as Dengue Fever. But, on doing the Complete Blood Count, Platelet count, except for the slight increase in the white blood cell count with lymphocytic predominance, nothing in the result really pointed to Dengue fever! What made Chikungunya the most likely diagnosis was the severity of the joint pains. I even kidded myself into thinking that maybe my age is getting the better of me, and that I might be suffering from arthritis, on top of a viral disease. Diagnosing Chikungunya will require a good patient history taking and a clinical eye. Though there are laboratory tests that can definitely say that it is Chikungunya, it may take days or weeks, before the results are out, depending on the method. Isolating the virus is the ideal test and most definitive.
Its drawback is that, it will take 1-2 weeks for the result to be out and only laboratories with a Bio-Safety level 3 are allowed to perform the examination. A less tedious examination, with results being out in 3 days utilizing ELIZA will detect C Specific IgM levels. Short of having these diagnostic tests, I had to rely on the temporal profile of what I was experiencing. Treatment was symptomatic. Vaccine is not yet IN, as of this writing. And, whether co-infection with Dengue can occur with Chikungunya is something that we might have to consider in the coming days. Should this happen, treatment and one’s recovery may be longer than if one were affected singly. Recovery varies with age. Considering the immune status of the patient will likewise affect his/ her prognosis. Prevention is still the rule rather than the exception. Protecting one’s self against contact with disease carrying mosquitoes, and destroying their breeding places is less expensive than being afflicted with the disease ...
AROUND NORTHMIN
The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 9-13, 2013
5
Benasa Elected RCCDO President for RY 2014-2015
C
ommunications Executive Alvin d. Benasa has been elected president of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro for Rotary Year 2104-2015. Also elected during the regular weekly fellowship of the RCCDO were the following: Paul Clarence R. Juarez, vice president; Sonny Tiro, secretary; Norman Makapugay, treasurer and the following as members of the Board of Directors: Dante M. Sudaria, Dufel Lagrosas, Michael Mendoza, Neil Que and Paul Ferrer. Benasa is a long-time resident of Cagayan de Oro and started as sales head for Bayan Telecommunications before eventually rising through the ranks to become regional sales head for ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. He is currently serving as the club’s vice president for Rotary Year 2013-2014. Inducted as a member of the RC CDO in 2008, Rtn. Benasa gained prominence as the Team Building Facilitator of TEAM EXCEL. During his first year to the club, he became a Chairman /CoChairman/and Active Committee Member of different signature projects of the club including Career Guidance, Workplace Tour and others, winning the 100% Attendance Award during his first two years with the Club. He was awarded as Rookie of the Year of RCCDO for RY 2008-2009 and became Club Service Director CABAGUE
during his second year during the term of Past Pres. Manuel “Manny” Along (Rotary Year 2009-2010). During the same year he headed the club’s Youth Month Celebration as Chairman of both the New Generation Forum and Rotary Youth City Officials. He introduced to RC CDO the “New Graduates Boot Camp” which serves to guide graduating college students in their readiness for searching for a job. This project has since become one of the club’s signature projects. For his active participation in various club projects such as the Cataract Mission in Camiguin, Workplace Tour and Interplast. Rtn. Benasa was recognized as “The Most Outstanding Rotarian of RCCDO for RY 2009-2010.” During the following RY 20102011 he served as Club Secretary under Past President Dietmar V. Schug and was cited with a Presidential Service Award for his unwavering support contributing to a successful Rotary Year. He was also recognized as one of the Most Outstanding Club Secretaries of District 3870 during the Governorship of Jaime P. Semaña (RY 2010-2011) A Paul Harris Fellow, Rtn. Benasa headed the construction of the CalaCala Water Piping as one of the Community Projects of the Club (RY 2010-2011).
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DUTERTE
Hearing them joyfully sing Happy birthday Jesus even though their tired already from practice gives everyone the inner strength to continue and finish the play well. Hopefully this simple Christmas musical can make a difference in their hearts by sharing what they have rather than asking for more toys this Christmas. This is my way of sharing this special season. Share yours, now. JAEN
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should be grateful for his contributions to upholding democracy, his feat has inspired nations to consider their policies and defend the rights of their people. We as Filipinos ache for an icon such as him who is truly selfless in serving the people and whose only intention is to uplift lives and nothing more. I hope that his death will not become the end towards making the world a better place to live in but a reminder that we all need to put more leaders like him wherever we are across the globe that will continue to fight against the injustices that our fellowmen are enduring every day of their lives. What Mandela did is just the beginning of the long road towards social equality. May we the people of today uphold the values of Mr. Nelson Mandela and support the many “Nelsons” of this generation. They are our only hope that his admirable legacy will forever endure. Thank you Tata (Father) Nelson Mandela, you will never be forgotten. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES
Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez pushes for the restoration/ increase of the budgets of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies including the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense and the Philippine Veterans Affair Office. Rep. Rodriguez sees the important role that these agencies play in ensuring the safety of the lives of the Filipino people and protecting our sovereignty.
Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez pushes for the increase of the budget of the Office of the Ombudsman during the recent budget hearings. Rep. Rodriguez expresses his full support for the restoration of the P133 million for the MOOE and the P30 million for the administrative and operational expenses of its area/sectoral/regional offices. He is also urging the Committee on Appropriations to find ways in order to legally allow the Office of the Ombudsman to be able to use a portion of their income to defray the expenses of their daily operations.
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pieces such as trapeze shirts, skater skirts with garterized waist, oversized tops and sweaters, and flowy dresses will do the trick. 3. Hello, Dressember! Dresses are fabulous. They are classy, effortless, super feminine, and elegant. Most of all, they’re quite a no-brainer and don’t require a lot of mixing and matching. So if you want a no-fuss, easy-peasy, posh look, just grab a dress and you’re good to go. Fashionable dress styles this season are strapless, sweetheart neckline, off-shoulder, maxi, dark florals, plaid/tartan, houndstooth prints, and full-skirted dresses. 4. When in doubt… There’s always the Little Black Dress. The classic LBD is every girl’s BFF. It’s the epitome of easy but elegant dressing. The best part? If you have the perfect LBD (fits right, has a great cut, well-constructed, made of a good material, and in a style that suits your body shape), you can style it dozens of ways to wear in different events and no one will be the wiser. 5. Sweater Weather. Sweaters are so in right now that it got a lot of girls wishing for colder weather here in our hot little spot on Earth. But worry not, there are sweaters in lighter materials
and off-shoulder styles that we could don without racking up a lot of sweat. For colder nights though or for party venues where the aircon is blaring, lovely knitted sweaters are great. You can pair it with shorts and heels and you’re ready to strut in style! 6. Shades of Gray… Blue, and Green. These colors are in the height of glam this season. Choose outfits in this color palette or infuse it in your OOTD (outfit of the day) by wearing teal high heels, or by throwing in a green coat over your pretty dress. Being in style and looking your best does not mean being vain or superficial. After all, looking good means feeling good, right? Besides, wouldn’t you want to be looking glammed up and pretty when you bump into your former puppy love and see the shocked look in his eyes when he realizes how gorgeous you’ve become? You don’t have to spend lots of cash to look your best though. With creativity, eye for detail, happy attitude, killer confidence, and a good dose of je ne sais quoi, you can look like a million bucks even if you’re just wearing your mom’s old clothes (or ukayukay, for that matter). So, have fun, and enjoy the holidays! Cheers!
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The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 9-13, 2013
BILLBOARD
The SM Store Donates P4.5M to Loboc Children’s Choir and St. Peter The Apostle Parish Church in Loboc, Bohol T
he country’s top retailer, The SM Store has donated P 4,000,000 for the rehabilitation of the St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church in Loboc, Bohol which is considered one of the country's "National Cultural Treasures". The Church was heavily damaged when the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Cebu and Bohol provinces on October 15, 2013. The amount is the biggest donation received from the private sector to date for the rehabilitation of Bohol Churches severely damaged during the earthquake. This significant donation to Loboc Church was announced at the end of a Thanksgiving Concert by the Loboc Children's Choir held at the SM City Cebu Northwing last Sunday, December 1st. The Thanksgiving Concert was part of SM City Cebu’s 20th year anniversary celebration, “Celebrating 20 and Helping Rebuild Communities". At the same event, The SM Store also handed a donation of P 500,000 to Loboc Children’s Choir to assist in the choir’s scholarship programs, allowances, and other needs. The Loboc Church is the "home" of the Loboc Children's Choir. The Loboc Children’s Choir under the baton of school teacher, Alma Fernando Taldo, was founded in 1980 and its RHAPSODY
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Whiteman and his Palais Royal Orchestra, dubbed An Experiment in Modern Music at the Aeolian Hall in New York City with no less than Gershwin himself at the piano. After a 10-minute intermission (mostly needed to move Lourdes brand new baby grand from the center to the sidelines) the MSO was back with Jeffrey at the helm with an Overture of Philippine Folksongs that many classical newbies in the crowd must have welcomed for their familiarity. Next in line was our Tita Nena Neri Hernandez, who sang a trio of famous Hollywood film songs from The Happy Ending (“What are you doing for the rest of your life?”), The Promise (“I’ll never say goodbye”) and Summer of ’42 (“The Summer Knows”) with all-new arrangements and orchestrations by Jed Balsamo and Chino David. To sing with a symphony orchestra was a lifelong dream of Tita Nena whose budding singing career under Danny Holmsen of Sampaguita Pictures while studying music at the Philippine Women’s University was cut short when she had to come home to manage the
members are students of the Loboc Central Elementary School. In 2001 the choir was the National Champion in the category of Children's Choirs during the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA). In 2003, the choir was presented by the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in a series of concert tours in Europe dubbed "TUBO: A Musical Journey for Heritage and Peace." The choir has also garnered two major awards at the 6th International Folksong Choir Festival & the Europe and Its Sings 2003 Cup held in Barcelona, Spain in September 2003. The amounts donated came from a nationwide fund-raising campaign of The SM Store held from October 21-31, 2013 to assist earthquake victims and the rehabilitation work required. For every P1000 purchase, P10 went to the campaign. Earlier, SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy handed over a check for P5 million each to the City & Province of Cebu to help in the rehabilitation efforts after the earthquake bringing to a total amount of P14.5 million donated by the SM Group to Cebu and Bohol in the aftermath of the October 15th earthquake.
family’s “Ang Katarungan” newspaper. In the spirit of the season, the MSO still under Jeffrey’s baton next swung into three songs by John Williams from the movie “Home Alone” (Somewhere in my Memory, Star of Bethlehem, and Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas). Maestro Arturo next took up the baton for a pair of Filipino Christmas favorites, “Payapang Daigdig” by Felipe P. de Leon, Sr. with text by Brigido C. Batungbakal and Eduardo P. de Leon, and “Simbanggabi” by Lucio D. San Pedro with text by Virginia Palma-Bonifacio this time with the Lourdes College and Junior Chorales. For the grand finale, Jeffrey again took up the baton for that all-time Bisayan favorite Christmas ditty: Carol Vicente P. Rubi and Mariano Vestil’s “Kasadya” this time with Tita Nena and the two Lourdes choirs segued into Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes’ “Kumukutikutitap”. Maestro Arturo obliged the crowd’s shouts for an encore with Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, the signature song of the Boston Pops Orchestra first recorded in 1949 under the baton
SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s Vice President Marissa Fernan together with The SM Store’s Senior Vice President Evelyn Lim turns over the cheque to Loboc Children’s Choir represented by Alma Fernando and Lutgardo Labad.
of the late great Arthur Fiedler. Established in 1926 by Viennese conductor Alexander Lippay, the MSO is one of Asia’s first orchestras It is now based at the St. Scholastica’s College School of Music and is composed of 60 committed musicians under the musical direction of Prof. Arturo Molina. Many members the orchestra are young music students who are also enrolled in the various colleges and conservatories of music in the Metro Manila area. Many have won in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and represented the Philippines in various international music festivals and workshops. MSO is committed to nurturing young talent. Its Orchestra Academy and its linkage with the Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS) has produced a steady stream of highly trained instrumentalists who are now in various leadership positions in various orchestras and other music development programs locally. Some of these instrumentalists have established active performing careers abroad. The MSO also shows its commitment
to the youth by making itself available and affordable for student recitals, giving young soloists an opportunity to performing with an orchestra. Its outreach performances in schools, churches, malls, and town plazas have helped develop an appreciation for classical music among various sectors of society. Time was when the then Cagayan de Misamis was considered the cultural center for Misamis region with virtually a piano in every home. Dame Girlie aims to bring back those glory days with her P10-million grant for the Marinela Velez string program for Lourdes College starting the summer of 2014. “I dream that someday we will have an orchestra like the MSO in Cagayan de Oro,” she said. Sooner than later, I hope. I am looking forward to hearing Teacher Ana play Sergei Rachmaninoff ’s immortal Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 with the Lourdes College String Orchestra in my lifetime, and I am sure it will be sublime. Thank you Dame Girlie, for helping us dream again, at least, for an evening. Encore!
Photos Courtesy of Lourdes College
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES
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FEATURE
The Night Stalker:
The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 9-13, 2013
7
Tisay Kambingan: Sugba, Tola, Kilaw, Lechon & BBQ in Buena Oro
D
Kalderetang Kanding the way it should be done.... home cooking style...
Adobong Kanding...
Tisay Kambingan is now open for business daily from 9AM-9PM
The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES
Photos by Rich Neri Concepcion, Rochie Lang and Mike Baños
espite the “accidental” nature of their new enterprise, Tisay Kambingan certainly doesn’t lack in taste and amenities compared to its earlier counterparts. Located just across a concrete products maker along the Macasandig road at Buena Oro, Aluba, the place is cool, nestling under the shelter of two huge Mahogany trees. Lino Dy and his partner Nikki Along started Tisay as a livelihood project for one of their newlywed employees. However, when they checked up on the place some two weeks after it ostensibly started construction, they found out nothing had been started and so decided to take over themselves. Not knowing a thing about running a restaurant, the partners turned their friends as their lifelines and fortunately for them, the place is now attracting a steady clientele of salesmen and detailmen, students, government employees and quite a cross section of society who just wish to enjoy eating dishes made from goat’s meat (called chevon or mutton when the meat comes from adults and cabrito, capretto, or kid when it comes from young animals). “Our cook for our goat’s meat dishes hails from Alubijid (Misamis Oriental), our sutokil (sugba, tola, kilaw) chef from Surigao, our lechon manok specialist we found working with a local bus company and our litsonero comes from Camiguin,” said Lino. Because they had to outsource their cuisine preparers, they had to turn to the one aspect of running the restaurant they knew they could deliver: their taste. As long as the dishes pass their taste test, then it is fit to be served in Tisay Kambingan. For their “Litson Manok Bisaya” for instance, they had to go as far as Iligan, Davao and Bacolod, the country’s acknowledged mecca of litson manok, but couldn’t find the taste they wanted until a friend told them about this carenderia which had been serving unbelievable litson manok Bisaya for years in relative anonymity. No longer. “While manok Bisaya is celebrated for its taste, the toughness of its meat is also almost universally cursed,” Lino said. “But people who have tasted our litson
manok Bisaya remark about the juicy and tender meat which they have never encountered before anywhere.” Part of the secret could be in the enclosed oven cum griller that Lino fabricated after observing how juicy and tender the meat from a similar facility tasted in far-away China. “I think the smoke from the uling is concentrated by the enclosure so the fragrance of the wood smoke is embedded in the meat of the litson,” he noted. The same grill cooks the resto’s barbecue, sinugba and grilled fish, giving them a unique taste and texture. The menu is plain and simple, which is what probably makes it a winner with its customers. All goats’ meat dishes are uniformly priced at P75 per serving: kilawin, paklay, adobo, kaldereta and sinampalokang kanding (soup). Tola manok (soup) is P60 per serving, while sinugbang bangus (sourced from marine bangus of the Balingasag Mariculture Park) is P140. Pork barbecue is very affordable at only P6 per stick. The litson manok Bisaya is priced at P220 (whole) and P110 (half). “You can’t buy litson manok Bisaya at this taste and quality for less than P290 (whole) in other places like Gensan, Davao and Cebu, and do so far we’re the only ones who offer it in Cagayan de Oro.” Native free range chickens are purchased by a comprador who exclusively buys them from backyard raisers to ensure only organically grown, free range chickens are used for this specialty. Their litson baboy is P3, 000 whole but can also be ordered at P60 per serving of 100 grams. The native pigs are similarly sourced from backyard raisers, as are the goats that are purchased by a comprador who goes around the city and the province to ensure only fresh and healthy pigs and goats are used for the resto’s dishes. The facilities are Spartan: ten plain tables inside which can accommodate up to 80 persons and another ten outside under the shade of the spreading trees where smokers can enjoy their poison in peace. Want to enjoy a delicious, healthy and affordable meal? Tisay Kambingan is open every day from 9:00AM to 9:00PM.
Lechon manok Bisaya done soft and tender.... for only P220 but you can also order a half for P110....garantisado ang kalami!
Sinuglaw
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8
The
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly de Oro
December 9-13, 2013
The Night Stalker:
Simply Irresistible with Seda Centrio’s Banquets T here’s just no other place quite like Cagayan de Oro’s Seda Centrio to experience a truly memorable Holiday Party. Only the City of Golden Friendship’s self-styled Urban Lifestyle Hotel offers you not one, or two, but three (!) complete worry-free banquet packages for all occasions you may choose to celebrate in the city’s best party venue this December. “Let us take out the stress and worry about planning a party from you and allow you instead to enjoy the occasion,” said Lorenzo Tang, hotel manager. The Noel Package for 30 persons includes a buffet dinner, one round of iced tea, waived corkage for five (5) bottles of wines and spirits, 30 pcs. complimentary invitation cards, and one (1) gift certificate for an overnight stay for two in a Deluxe room with breakfast for two (2) at Misto. All this for only PhP 45,000 nett. For bigger parties there’s the Wonderland Package for 60 persons which covers your sumptuous buffet dinner, one round of iced tea, 60 pcs. complimentary invitation cards, and one (1) gift certificate for an overnight stay for two in a Deluxe room with breakfast for two (2) at Misto. All this for only PhP 70,000 nett. And for those looking for a truly extraordinary experience, there’s the Kris Kringle package fro 60 persons which includes one round of iced tea, one round of beer, 60 pcs. complimentary invitation cards, and one (1) gift certificate for an overnight stay for two in a Deluxe room with
breakfast for two (2) at Misto. All this for only PhP 80,000 nett. All packages include use of the function room for five (5) hours, basic sound system, LED projector and screen, and stage platform. All rates are inclusive of service charge and taxes. Seda Centrio celebrates its 1st year anniversary on 29 December with a special intro rate of P3, 450 nett only for bookings made on this day. The hotel will hold a small cocktail reception for its hotel guests for that day. Styled as “The Urban Lifestyle Hotel”, Seda Centrio redefines the concept of urban living, daring to delve into uncharted territory. It has carved its own path in creating the ultimate luxury haven, constantly striving to surpass even the most demanding of tastes and standards. “We have achieved the impressive feat of balancing the best qualities of boutique, chain and business hotels in our accommodations, offering a sanctuary that capably suits your savvy lifestyle,” Mr. Tang noted. Situated astride the central business districts of Cagayan de Oro, Seda sets its guests closest to the most exciting destinations. With its attractive qualities of stylish spaces and prime location, you’ll be hard put in finding a more lavish retreat. Call in your reservations today at (63) (88) 323-8888 or email cdo@sedahotels.com. Hurry! Limited seats only!