TFC All Access Vol 2 Issue 3

www.tfc-usa.com/AllAccess

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The ‘On the Wings of Love’ superstars soar higher — way beyond anyone’s (and their own) expectations —and they are simply unstoppable

JAMES & NADINE

FEVER!

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Vo lu m e 2 • I s s u e 3 TFC ALL ACCESS IS PUBLISHED BY

ABS-CBN INTERNATIONAL 150 SHORELINE Drive Redwood City, 94065 USA (650) 508-600

A new year, a fresh start 2015 had been a great year to re-introduce TFC ALL ACCESS to our supporters. When we relaunched TFC ALL ACCESS last September 2015, we saw an overwhelming increase of readers and sharers ever since the magazine went all-out digital. This was a clear sign that our readers are now more open to technological innovation.

Which is why this year, we are fully convinced that more readers will turn to TFC All Access as it provides more compelling reads, exciting stories and inspiring articles that people across different ages will find truly relevant.

For 2016, our first issue gives you access to the private lives of James Reid and Nadine Lustre, the most influential and biggest love team behind the primetime hit On The Wings of Love. Take a peek at their soaring careers and how their unique brand of sweetness and kilig creates an amazing chemistry that keeps their fans in the Philippines and around the world riveted to primetime TV. No doubt, their tandem is a true phenomenon!

And now, with the holidays over, how about getting into your #ProjectFit2016? Check out our experts’ advice on how to kick start your weight loss project. Also learn new recipes so you can prep up for a healthy start.

These are just a few of the many stories we have for you. Read on and start the new year fresh!

Your TFC ALL ACCESS Team

TFCAllAccess

“Like” us on Facebook and get special fan-only surprises!

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49 contents flying high

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tim takes on the world

JAMES & NADINE

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cooking your way towards health

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Flying High An experiment and an unlikely team-up is how some people would describe the pairing of Nadine Lustre and James Reid. Add to the fact that they both deny romantic inclinations towards each other and claim to only be good friends and you wonder how these two could possibly be heating up primetime TV with their unique brand of kilig that is leaving a trail of giddy and screaming fans in the Philippines and around the world.

Photography by DOC MARLON PECJO makeup by jelly eugenio (for nadine) hair by paul nebres (for nadine) STYLED BY JOANNA GARCIA (FOR NADINE) assisted by alby benipayo and gelie manansala hair and makeup by mac igarta (for james) styled by m barretto (for james) SET DESIGN BY JUSTINE ARCEGA-BUMANLAG OF SASO GREENHOUSE DESIGN STUDIO

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Story courtesy of StarStudio Magazine December 2015

MISS INDEP From her earliest years, Nadine Lustre learned the necessity of being strong and tough and standing on her own. At the same time a protector and nurturer, she likes making sure that people around her are okay and happy—and by soaring on the wings of love, she is making a lot of people feel those good vibes

By Ann Manhit 8

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er real name, Nadine Alexis, means ‘hopeful defender’. Indeed, Nadine Lustre’s gentle expression, brown eyes and quiet manner make it seem like she was almost born to play the part.

Born October 31 (yes, on Halloween), Nadine is used to playing the role even in her own family. She prides herself on being strong and dependable, often keeping problems to herself. She doesn’t usually open up, even to her own family. She may look vulnerable, but is independent and strong on the inside. This, we correctly guess, is pretty much how the now 22-year-old actress has managed to survive the tough world of show business.

An only child for her first six years, it was like life

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EPENDENT Dress used as top from Apartment 8, skort and blazer from Forever 21, and Vivienne Westwood shoes from L’Arte at SM Aura

designed Nadine to be this way.

“It’s not that I don’t need people to help me or that I’m pushing everyone away. I just want to feel independent, that I can stand by myself. Hindi mo kasi masasabi eh. What if there’s no one there for you?”

Shifting fortunes

Daughter to Ulysses and Myraquel and now, the eldest of their four children, Nadine is close to her parents, but true to her independent nature, is not the type to tell them everything.

“I’m not naman secretive, but I’m

the kind of person who doesn’t like sharing problems. It’s not pride or ego,” she muses. “I try to be strong for them. Pakiramdam ko kasi, kung ako mag-break, kung ako bumagsak, pati sila ganoon din. I don’t show my family my vulnerable side. Lagi lang masaya.”

Nadine was home-schooled for most of her younger years. Thus, she also grew up not having many friends. She had a few, although no one that she could really tell things to or that she could hang out with regularly. ​“My best friend was my computer,” she shares.

Her mom—who ran a retail business from home—remembers that her eldest was a typical child, malikot and makulit. “Sobrang likot, sobrang kulit. Matagal siyang baby, kaya medyo Daddy’s girl. Medyo boyish, gusto niya laging naka-pantalon, nakashorts. Gusto niya, mga laro na panlalaki: teks, bike.”

Nadine’s father used to have a small trucking business. It was from him that Nadine got her sense of humor and her interest in cars and movies; from her mom, she got her love for organizing things and her nurturing spirit, the part

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of her that makes sure everyone around her is well-taken care of.

“Our lifestyle was different then. I was kind of ​spoiled,” admits Nadine. “My mom and I would go to the mall daily and she would always buy me toys.” ​From preschool to Grade Six, Nadine studied at the Diliman Preparatory School, a private school near where they lived in Quezon City. “School was okay. I had a lot of friends. I wasn’t an A student, pero hindi naman bagsak. Sakto lang.”

Right after her grade-school graduation is when the family’s fortunes began to change. Her father’s business was not doing well, ​so Nadine had to leave for America with her parents, who decided to take their chances ​there. ​ Nadine recalls: ​“​Unti-unti, nagiba ‘yung lifestyle namin. It became different, especially financially.”

Although it hurt to be separated from their two youngest children, Nadine’s parents realized that their chances of leaving as a whole family were slim, so they took only her. Nadine’s two brothers were left in the care of her maternal grandmother.

For the young Nadine, oblivious to the twists ​and turns of the family fortunes, those times were like one long and very fun road trip.

“We went on vacation to Manteca, California where my lolo was,” recalls Nadine. “We would go on five-hour road trips to San Francisco where my lolo would attend prayer meetings.

I remember listening to songs on my MP3, the view, the sun streaming into the car.”

▶

Nadine was—and is—a very pretty girl, but did you know she was supposed to be named Ezekiel? Her Mommy My tells StarStudio: “Nu’ng pinagbubuntis ko si Nadine, akala talaga namin lalaki siya. Two weeks bago ako manganak, nagpaultrasound ako. Doon pa lang namin nalaman na babae pala. Before that, kapag binabati ‘yung tiyan ko at kinakausap siya ng mga lola niya, Ezekiel ang tawag sa kanya. Kulay blue na ‘yung mga nakahandang mga gamit. Pati ‘yung unan niya, may pangalan na Ezekiel.”

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Before long, she would learn that a new sibling was on the way. Her mother became pregnant again. But this time, the family was forced to return to the Philippines so her mom could get proper medical care. They had difficulty getting it in the US because of problems with their papers.

“Nag-try ako magpa-check up,” Mommy Myraquel shares. “Kaya lang mahirap kasi hinahanapan kami ng mga ID. Hindi ko rin maipasok si Nadine sa high school doon, kasi wala kaming documents. After three months, nag-desisyon na kaming umuwi ng Pilipinas.”

Back home

By the time they got back to Manila, it was too late to enroll Nadine in a regular school. “Ayoko na mahuli siya, kaya nag-decide ako na i-home-school siya,” says her mom.

This was also around the time showbiz presented itself as an option.

Nadine—whose morena beauty was beginning to emerge—started going on VTRs and go-sees for commercials, another reason the home school option was deemed better for her.

Thus, Nadine enrolled in the home school program of the Department of Education (DepEd), going to formal school only twice a semester. “Dahil lagi din siyang nag-vi-VTR, lagi siyang absent. Lagi ko siyang pinupull out. Natakot ako na hindi siya makahabol sa klase. Baka ma-bully lang siya. Dahil nagta-talent nga siya, tinuloy na niya ‘yung home school.”

Determined, Nadine stuck with the program and finished it. She only had the modules to guide her through. Nadine would go to school only to take exams. “Awa ng Diyos, natapos naman niya,” says her mom. “Mahirap, kasi walang nagtuturo. On her own siya. Mabuti na lang maganda ‘yung foundation niya for elementary, kaya nakaya niya.”

While it felt good to work her way toward finishing her education, there were things that Nadine missed about attending regular school, like having friends.

“For a time, I regretted it. I felt like I was missing out on a lot of things. Umabot ako sa point na I would ask myself, why am I even doing this? I didn’t really want to be there. Naisip ko, sayang, sana nasa prom ako ngayon.

Sana marami akong friends.”

I s s u e

It was a struggle. But after a while, Nadine got used to the idea of being home-schooled. “I went on with it eventually. I was kind of anti-social before, so the thought of having new friends, new classmates, and (adjusting to) new environments scared me.”

New world

Showbiz most definitely counted as a new environment for Nadine.

But it wasn’t really one that Nadine wanted to enter. She didn’t want to become an artista. Despite her mom’s encouragement, she drew the line there. Doing commercials was fine, but full-time​ showbiz was ruled out. “Show business wasn’t really what I saw myself doing. I watched teleseryes. At that time, (the most popular) was Pangako Sa’Yo with Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales, pero hindi umabot sa point na gugustuhin kong ako ‘yung nandoon. I didn’t want everyone’s eyes on me, ‘yung tinititigan ng maraming tao.”

Yet, fate had other plans for her. She landed a hosting spot for Storyland, a weekly variety show for a theme park.

Her mom would also bring her to VTRs. Even though she didn’t really want to, Nadine went to all the go-sees. Pretty soon, she was doing showbiz full-time.

She also began attending workshops in ABS-CBN. She went through all the rigors of the showbiz grind—maybe partly also to please her mom—but Nadine now confesses that her heart wasn’t fully into it.

“I felt like I was missing out on a lot of things. I didn’t have time to have friends or do things that other kids did.”

One day, Nadine, by this time entering her teens, was invited to an audition for a new performing group that was being formed. “My mom just told me na may audition for a group, sasayaw daw. Pagdating doon, pinakanta din ako.”

It was a quick audition. Before she knew it, she was already signing a contract with Viva Entertainment. “I was surprised. Nag-audition pa lang ako ngayon, pipirma na ng kontrata bukas? I really didn’t realize what I was getting myself into. They were already grooming us, training us. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Oh my gosh, pa-showbiz na ba ’to?”

The answer to her question was a resounding yes.

Nadine was launched by Viva

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Entertainment as part of Pop Girls, a teen girl group. She didn’t want to become an artista, but it seemed fate had other plans.

Nadine relates: “After several years of being with Pop Girls and performing every Sunday for (then GMA-7 Sunday variety show) Party Pilipinas, TV5 got us for a teen series called Bagets. I had a drama soap and variety shows too.

Then, it all stopped.”

At what she thought was the peak of her career, everything came to a sudden stop. In February of 2012, all the shows she was part of got cancelled.

Second chance

After several years of being a reluctant star, it may seem that the forced ‘vacation’ from showbiz (​when her shows were cancelled)​ would be a welcome change for Nadine. With no showbiz career to keep her busy, Nadine decided to go back to school.

“I went to Colegio de San Lorenzo in Congressional Avenue. I took Communication Arts, major in Film.

Even during my first year, I already knew I wanted to get into film,” says Nadine.

“I enjoyed it kasi I met new friends. It was a bit scary, but it was a nice kind of different.”

While it would seem that she got exactly what she wanted, Nadine actually missed her job and regretted not taking it seriously.

“Just when I was starting to like it, doon nawala. I realized na sana pala sineryoso ko ‘yung trabaho ko para hindi nawala. Sayang. Kasi my attitude when I was doing Bagets and P.S. I Love You was, basta gawin na lang natin ‘to. I didn’t really take it seriously. It felt like I was still playing around.”

Even though Viva would still give her small projects now and then, Nadine felt that her career in the industry was at its end.

She wanted to give up, but Viva Entertainment top honcho Vic del Rosario would tell her not to. In him, Nadine found someone who believed in her and knew that if she hung on long enough, something good would turn up.

Says Nadine: “Boss Vic is like my lolo.

Whenever I felt like giving up, he’d tell me, ‘Hindi ‘yan. Antay lang.’”

Despite his reassurances, Nadine felt it was a long shot. “I lost hope na, so I focused on studying and making other plans already. I was thinking, lalapit ako sa Viva and see if I can get a job behind

the scenes.”

She had to do so for a good reason.

“I was the breadwinner, so I was expecting myself to be the one giving the funds, like the household budget and my siblings’ tuition fees. It was the thought that I could no longer help my family financially that really got me down.”

So Nadine turned to God and prayed hard to have her job again.

The prayers were answered soon enough. One day, Viva called her in for a project. She was going to be cast in a movie called Diary ng Panget.

Nadine had no idea where the project would lead, but she was determined to make it work. “It was different na. It was a second chance,” says Nadine. “I wanted my career back, so noong bumalik sa akin, I took it seriously. I realized that, ‘​Hey, maybe this is for me’​. Maybe I’m made for this.

Maybe I’m meant to do this. Baka ito nga talaga ‘yung path ko.”

Destiny fulfilled

The movie, unexpectedly, ​became a hit. ​Suddenly, the name Nadine Lustre was thrust into the spotlight. People began to talk about her, and about her promising new partnership with another newcomer, James Reid.

E​ach follow-up project became​ equally successful. And even more now, it h ​ as been her team-up with James—heating up primetime TV in On the Wings of Love nightly— that catapulted the formerly reluctant artista to the top of the showbiz heap.

With her career given a second lease on life, Nadine is more grateful, more careful, more focused. She has learned to welcome each opportunity as a gift, and takes time to enjoy the work that she has. This time around, Nadine is able to see how her talent is a source of inspiration, of happiness and, at times, of healing.

“I’m enjoying it, really. I like seeing people happy. I like hearing them laugh.

During the premiere night of Diary ng Panget, I could hear everyone in the cinema laughing. Knowing that I was part of that happiness felt great.”

In spite of her current success, Nadine remains simple and down-toearth. At home, she is not a spoiled princess, her mother volunteers.​ “Sabi ng Daddy niya, sa bahay, walang arti-artista. Lahat tayo dito, pare-pareho,” says Nadine’s mom.

“

I wanted my career back, so nu’ng bumalik sa akin, I took it seriously.”

“Marunong si Nadine sa bahay. Siya ang nag-aayos sa kwarto niya, sa gamit niya. Independent talaga siya.”

Nadine is an ate to three younger siblings, aged 16, 15, and 9. She speaks of each one with fondness, clearly proud of each sibling’s unique personality. “’Yung sumunod sa akin, he’s quiet and likes computer games. The one after him is more malambing and really creative,” she says.

Both are boys and are not present for the shoot. Joining Nadine this afternoon

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is her only sister Naomi. According to Nadine, Naomi “is like a mini-me. She’s very mature, for some reason,” shares Nadine. The two apparently enjoy doing things together when they can, or when Nadine has free time; if you run an Internet search using the terms “Nadine Lustre’s sister”, one of the links that will turn up is a YouTube video of them ice skating with their cousin in a mall rink.

“Whenever I have time, I try to spend time with them and take them out. I’m not really the kind of ate who would force you to share. If you need help or if you want to tell me something, you can. If you don’t, it’s okay. I ask them what they want, but as much as possible, ayokong pakialaman sila. They tell me what they need, and I try my best to give it to them.”

Nadine is a very caring sibling, says her mom. She takes her role as an ate seriously, whether with Naomi or the boys. “Maalaga talaga si Nadine sa mga kapatid niya. Ngayon, since may trabaho siya, may TF siya, nabibili niya ‘yung gusto niya para sa mga kapatid niya.”

And this is one reason why Nadine has thrown herself into her work with

renewed vigor, prompting her mom to caution her about working too hard. “Hindi naman tayo palaging okay araw-araw. Napapagod din siya,” explains her mom. “Akala niya kasi kayang-kaya niya. Pinapaalala ko nga sa kanya na kumain, uminom ng vitamins, at matulog.

Sabi ko sa kanya, kapag hindi niya inalagaan ang sarili niya, sayang ang pinagpapaguran niya.”

Nadine realizes that she is becoming a workaholic, but she has learned to value and love her career more. “Kahit nakakapagod, I’m enjoying,” she smiles.

“I had a change of heart towards show business. Kahit sunod-sunod ang trabaho, I now choose to do this.”

With her busy schedule, it becomes harder and harder to find time to spend at home with her family. “Minsan maaga siyang aalis, tapos madalingaraw na makakauwi. Matutulog na lang siya, tapos aalis na naman,” shares her mom.

Sleep is now a luxury that she can rarely afford, thinking of all the opportunities she might miss.

Says her mom: “Sacrifice talaga, pero ang kapalit nu’n, ‘yung napo-

TRIVIA Nadine’s choice dish: Seafood Pasta

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provide niya.”

Recently, Nadine had their family house renovated. She was hands-on with the design and choosing the furnishings.

“It was my lola’s house. It’s a really old house, built in the 1970’s pa,” says Nadine. “I’m pretty sure that if she was still here, she’d be happy that we got it fixed. But to a certain extent, I regret having it renovated. I’ve lived my entire life in that house, and now it doesn’t even look the same anymore. The only pictures that I have of it are in my head, memories na lang.”

​Highlights, Lowlights​

Nadine’s career has gone through some major ups and downs, and it isn’t that easy dealing with the changes. Her personal life hasn’t been spared either.

And yet, there is plenty to be happy about. Last Christmas, one of Nadine’s biggest gifts to her family and herself is time. She is looking forward to the time off.

She remembers their Christmas celebrations as being fun, even if they were spent in different places. “We used to spend it in three different houses,”

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She doesn’t have that much free time these days, so it is always a joy when Nadine can find the time to bond with her youngest sibling (and only sister) Naomi, who came to the shoot and helped her ate with a plate of pasta. Although there’s a significant age gap between them—Nadine just turned 22, while her sister is nine—it doesn’t make a difference in their relationship.

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With a Twist For a literally fun ‘twist’ to your table, why not try this Seafood Pasta recipe? It will provide just the right touch

Seafood Pasta

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp minced garlic 1 tbsp chopped onion 10g diced red bell pepper 10g diced green bell pepper 20g button mushrooms 120g seafood pack with shrimps, salmon and mussels 1 tbsp brandy 180ml marinara sauce 150g spaghetti salt and pepper to taste Procedure: 1. On heated pan, add oil, sauté garlic, bell peppers, mushrooms and seafood pack.

2. Stir in brandy.

3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pan of water until just tender, drain.

4. Add marinara sauce.

5. Combine cooked spaghetti, sauce, salt and pepper to tasteor cooking oil. Saute the garlic and onion.

3. Add the tuna flakes, all-purpose cream, mushrooms and olives. Mix together.

4. Pour the sauce on the pasta and mix it.

Make sure that the sauce is spread evenly.

Food styling and recipe by Dolcelatte TFC ALL ACCESS V o l u m e

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“

Gusto ko lang makatulong sa pamilya ko. Gusto

recalls Nadine. “We’d spend it in our house, then with my dad’s side of the family in my tita’s house, then with my mom’s side in my lola’s house. I get emotional thinking about it, because it’s been a while since we were all together.”

One of the Christmas traditions that Nadine holds dear is giftgiving.

“My favorite is opening Christmas gifts at midnight! I used to shake the gifts to figure out what was in the boxes. One of the gifts that I remember getting was this Barbie jeep from my lolo.

Before kasi, I had a lot of Barbie dolls, and at that time, my lolo lived in the States and he got me that jeep. It was light purple and pink, and it really worked!”

Now that she’s older, Nadine has graduated from being receiver to giver. She looks forward to buying gifts for her family. She finds joy in being able to give them the gifts that they really want.

“There was this one Christmas that I got my dad shoes. I knew that he wanted this certain brand, and I was able to get him two pairs. I was really excited to get him those. The funny thing is, he hasn’t worn them until now! Tinatago niya kasi ayaw niya daw maluma.”

The irony of it is, while she has an ever-growing Christmas list in mind, Nadine has yet to go shopping. “I haven’t shopped yet.

No time talaga,” she worries.

Nadine is still working on what to give her onscreen partner James as well. “I’ll give him a hug,” Nadine jokes. “Honestly, I don’t know what to give him yet, kasi he’s not materialistic. Pag-iisipan ko pa.”

For herself, Nadine has simple wishes. “Gusto ko lang makatulong sa pamilya ko. Gusto ko na may napapasaya akong mga tao, like our supporters and fans. ‘Yun lang, okay na ako du’n.”

With the fame (and yes, the fortune) that she is currently enjoying, Nadine can make all those dreams come true—her own and hers for other people close to her heart. It’s the way every person wants their story to turn out.

Nadine Lustre is lucky, indeed, to have hers end just the way she would have written it.

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supporters and fans.

‘Yun lang, okay na ako du’n.”

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DREAM GUY James Reid has had his ups and downs, but now he’s soaring high above the clouds and living the life he dreamed of but never thought he’d have

By Maan D’Asis Pamaran

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t is the day of our photo shoot with James Reid and Nadine Lustre of On the Wings of Love. There is a flurry of activity as style teams rush about, carrying outfits to and fro. In one corner of the living room, another team is busy setting up a Christmas tree and decorating it with colorful ornaments. From the kitchen, the delicious smells of holiday dishes come wafting through the air.

It’s the middle of October and a weekday afternoon at that, but it doesn’t seem to matter: everyone is firmly in the grip of a holiday mood.

On cue, Nadine and her family arrive first, followed by James and his brother Tom. Having family around heightens the feeling of celebration—and with this good-looking and happy crew around us, there’s no better time for one than right now.

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White coat by M Barretto, button down shirt and skinny fit jeans from H&M

Complicated childhood

James, now 22, settles down for the interview in a casual outfit, wearing faded jeans, a tee, and boots. He sinks into the soft couch, stretches his legs out, and calls up memories recent and distant.

“My brother Tom is the one staying with me now,” he begins, glancing over to where the styling team is busy getting Tom, 25,​ ready for the camera.

It’s the first time Tom has agreed to be photographed for a magazine feature with James.

The OTWOL star has no whole siblings; all of them are half-siblings.

There are seven of them in all, all

share the same dad, but not the same mother. Only the eldest three—Andrew, Robbie and Jenny—share a mother and are full Australian. The other four all have different mothers, and all of them are Filipina. Tom, who James recalls loves sports and spent a lot of time on the basketball court, came to the Philippines and is keeping James company for now, getting acclimatized not just to life in these parts, but this strange new world of showbiz that his brother now moves around in.

Two of James’s other siblings, Lauren and Jack, have also spent time in the Philippines. Lauren is older than James, while Jack, who is trying to carve out a

showbiz career of his own, is younger.

The two have just left for Australia, so it’s Tom that is here for now.

James’s family was constantly on the move in Australia, as their fortunes changed dramatically from a very comfortable life, to one fraught with struggles.

“We moved a couple of times. It was confusing; nobody would tell you what the situation is, because they don’t want to scare you or anything. Before we knew it, we moved from eating at really expensive restaurants to staying at home and eating scrambled eggs because we couldn’t afford it.”

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Something big

When he arrived in Manila in 2009 he was a shy teenager. “My dad got sick and he decided to move here because he loved the Philippines. I was 16 at the time,” he recalls. It was a period of adjustment for him. “My brothers and I are the same, we just like to hang back, and we have small groups of friends.

I was always content to stay in the background, even in Australia.”

This was the reason why he chose to be home-schooled instead of attending regular classes. “I felt that I would not fit in if I did,” he admits.

The words he uses to describe

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himself at that time are “adrift” and “alienated”. Says James: “I was very happy that my dad started feeling better, but I was also starting to feel depressed.”

His father Malcolm, probably sensing that James needed to come out of his social shell, suggested that he enter the Pinoy Big Brother house. “It was a dare, actually, and my relatives on my mother’s side were always encouraging me to go into show business, saying that I had the looks for it, because what they called the half-half (half-Filipino, halfother nationality) look was in.”

He took on the challenge, but instead of aiming to be the Big Winner, he had only one goal in mind: to make friends.

“I mean, I didn’t think I had any talent.

I couldn’t sing or dance. The only thing I knew to do was to play the guitar, something that I had learned to do on my own.”

He planned on staying for only a few weeks. “I didn’t think it would go that far,” he recalls, rooting instead for Devon Seron to win. “I felt that some people needed it more.”

Ironically, James’s laidback attitude might have helped him win, and he found himself gaining a group of fans who called themselves the “Kehrbears”, a name owed partly to James’s Australian accent and to something he said while in the PBB house about not caring (the statement came out sounding like “I don’t kehr!”) The “Dashing Dude from Australia”—as James was billed—fulfilled his goal of making good friends, finding them in the persons of Korean Ryan Bang and American Bret Jackson.

Because of that, he came out perfectly content. “I was happy in there, I enjoyed the experience. Even if I were not called out as the Big Winner, I felt like I had already won.”

Crash and burn

ruefully.

“All that time, I was coasting along. I couldn’t sing, dance, or act. All I thought about was, ‘Ok, I will ride along until I get bored. It was just all fun for me,” he bared. Soon enough, all the money was gone. “Before I knew it, I spent it all, I was relying on the mall shows for my income. By 2013, I was really broke, I was living alone with my dad,” he says.

But instead of letting his situation defeat him, James decided it was time to get his groove back. “I felt I had to learn how to perform because of that.

It was formerly something that took me out of my comfort zone. In Australia, if you were the Big Winner, you get your winnings and go back to your normal life. Here, I found myself in mall shows and ASAP numbers.”

Hitting rock-bottom made him realize something that Kuya told him while he was inside the PBB House.

“Dream Big,” he was advised. “I felt that I had to learn how to perform,​because of the mall shows I did to sustain my income,” he reveals. He started to take his singing more seriously and found out that he loved it.

“I started going up to people, telling them that I wanted to be more successful. That’s when I went to Viva.

I talked to Boss Vic (del Rosario, Viva Entertainment’s big boss) about coming up with an album. He said yes, with the condition that I also learn how to act,” he says. “It took me one year before I landed Diary ng Panget. That year was really stressful. I did a solo album Even when he was younger, James already had that infectious smile. He remembers that he “wasn’t spoiled as a kid” and managed to be happy even if his growingup years saw the Reid family’s fortunes change dramatically, from okay one moment to not-so-okay the next.

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He says, “I actually went to a school in the Bush, an inland area of Australia which is very different from the seaside home where I lived until I was about 10 years old.”

In an interview after exiting the PBB house, James told the press about the “financial troubles” they had back in Australia. “We lost a court case and had our house taken away.

My family was living off government allowance for at least five years because we didn’t have any money.”

Making ends meet was a struggle for the Reid family, which found ways to survive. For James, that meant wearing hand-me-downs.

“I would get Tom’s old clothes and his shoes. He only found out about it recently and he remarked, ‘Really, it must have been terrible because I would only throw out my shoes if there were holes in them’, and I said ‘Yeah, I’d walk to school in these shoes,​ and there were holes in the bottom,​and it would rain and my socks would get wet.’”

Instead of looking at this phase of his life as him missing out on things, James says the tough times helped shape his character.

“I had friends in Australia, both rich and poor. I had been to the Philippines, and I saw the real problems here. In Australia, those who were considered poor are still considered better off than those here in the Philippines, where I saw how bad it can be. I think it helped me appreciate what I had. I didn’t care about having the latest shoes or the newest Playstation, even though when I was a kid I could have had any of those had I just asked for them. I wasn’t spoiled as a kid, and when I was growing up (in a different situation), I didn’t care.”

As Pinoy Big Brother’s grand winner, he took home a P1 million cash prize, a condo unit worth P3 million, a waterrefilling franchise worth P1.5 million, an Asian trip for two, and a 46-inch LCD TV. “I had a lot of money,” he reminisces. “I was 17 years old, and I didn’t know what to do with it.”

On top of all that, James was making even more out of endorsements and mall shows. He spent all of it, in a big way. “I bought a car, I bought a lot of clothes that I don’t even see anymore. It now seems like such a waste,” he smiles

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“

I knew I had potential. I needed the passion, and I was proud of myself that I set my goal and was able to achieve it.”

You’re Dead and Para sa Hopeless Romantic. Their On The Wings of Love trends practically every night on Twitter.

He has sobering thoughts on his success. “If I Iook at myself as a kid, as that 16-year-old, I would never have imagined that I would be here now. I was too shy, I had stage fright.

I was shy in general, that is how my brothers are. I just wanted to be alone.

For me, it’s so scary. It is terrifying to think, that I almost did not become who I am.”

He has become larger than life, it seems, but at the same time he tries to be the same.

“Because of who I am now, my dad keeps me grounded, my friends keep me grounded. My friends don’t care who I am, they like me for who I am.”

Financially, he has learned his lesson, he says. He stays more solvent these days, when it comes to money matters. “Now that I have my second wind, I’ve brought my brothers here and my sister here. I’m so tempted to buy a sports car, but I’m saving money,” he laughs.

Christmas cheer

and I was promoting it. I was doing mall shows and promoting it myself—and here, you know, you don’t get paid for doing promotions. I was getting by on singing and guestings and stuff. All the time, I was trying to climb my way back up again.”

“Then came Diary ng Panget. It was an unexpected success,” he smiles. “It was really experimental. I am grateful to Viva for giving me a chance on that big experiment.

We were told that it broke records for pre-screening ticket sales. The red carpet premiere was the happiest moment of my life,” he reminisces.

His thoughts on the moment that they heard they grossed almost P120 million were ecstatic. “I was just proud of myself. I came from no money and a dream, saying I want this. I knew I had potential. I needed the passion, and I was proud of myself that I set my goal and was able to achieve it.”

His tandem with Diary ng Panget costar Nadine Lustre—christened ‘JaDine’ by fans—became successful and went on to star in two other movies, Talk Back and

James still has no idea what to give his onscreen partner​Nadine for Christmas. “In Australia, we don’t panic over gifts as early as here in the Philippines,” he observes.

“Since Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, instead of winter snow on Christmas night with a chimney fire in the kitchen, wearing a sweater or something like that, our Christmases are all about barbecues by the beach or by the poolside.”

He says he only gets a short break this year, owing to shooting schedules for their teleserye which has been extended until February 2016. He plans to just go out of town for a few quiet days of R&R with Tom. What he does remember about Christmases past is how there was always food and family around the table, just the way they used to celebrate back in Australia.

“All my stepmom’s friends from the Filipino community in Australia would come over to celebrate. We would have dishes like schnitzel (a dish that traces its roots to Austria, it is boneless meat, usually pork or chicken, coated with flour, beaten eggs and bread crumbs),​ spaghetti,

barbecue, chicken and all our favorite food from my mom,​ and the mom of our little brother Jack’s cooking.”

They hung up stockings and all that, too, with Santa paying them a visit on Christmas Eve. “We grew up with Santa, he gives us gifts even up to now,” James says with a smile. “The gift I remember Santa giving me as a kid was a giant water gun when I was around six or seven years old. It was a really fun Christmas,” he enthuses. Tom, who has joined the conversation, says. “I remember that! Yeah, it was fun.”

The relationship between the two brothers has not changed over time and distance, it seems. Tom shares that he is very proud of his kid brother.

“My family doesn’t have The Filipino Channel (TFC) in Australia, but I started watching James whenever I could. For the last three to four years, I thought James was just some actor around here. We really couldn’t talk that much back then.

I’m really happy for James that he is doing great,​and that all these girls are running and screaming after him.”

James chuckles, “It’s a very weird situation…”

Living apart from his brother was initially difficult for Tom. “I was really sad when I learned that he had to go here with our dad,” Tom volunteers.

“I moved out with my mom, but I would see him (James) twice a month. I really wanted to move here with him. I was sort of just used to having him around and all that. When he was growing up, I did not have to play protector or anything. ​He was just hanging around with me, and we played a lot of sports. James remembers playing with Tom as kids.

“He always made me the bad guy!” he accuses playfully. “Now that we’re together here, we are both busy.

When we have time, we just hang out, maybe get a drink or play online games,” he says.

But no matter how big James’s onscreen persona gets, to Tom he will always be the ‘little brother’. Star or not, screaming fans or not, family will always be at the core of this relationship, just as it should be.

When you are surrounded by people who love you, that’s when you discover what life—and not just Christmas—is all about.

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Long fit white shirt and apron from H&M.

TRIVIA James’ favourite dish: Chicken Schnitzel

What a dish these two make!

James with his older brother Tom. When Tom, 25, was still in Australia (where they did not have The Filipino Channel), he would think of his brother. “I thought he was just some actor here,” he says. When he finally got here and saw for himself how the fans reacted to James, screaming his name and running after him, Tom got the surprise of his life. James says with a laugh, “Yes, it’s a very weird situation…”

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Double Delight Here’s something to share with family or a special person this season: Chicken Schnitzel with Mushroom Sauce and some tasty Potato Salad on the side for a delightful dinner

Chicken Schnitzel

Ingredients Four pieces chicken breasts, pounded evenly to inch or desired thickness 2 cups buttermilk 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup bread crumbs 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated A pinch of salt A pinch of white pepper 2 pieces eggs, beaten 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice Procedure 1. In a bowl, place the chicken breasts, buttermilk and garlic. Marinate for an hour or preferably overnight.

2. In another container, mix the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.

Season with salt and white pepper.

Remove excess buttermilk and garlic from the chicken.

3. Dip the chicken breasts into the egg mixture and coat evenly. Dredge each chicken breasts in the breadcrumb mixture.

4. Pat the breadcrumb mixture to make sure that the chicken is coated completely.

In a non-stick pan, heat the olive oil to medium-high heat or until the oil reaches 176C. 5. Fry each side of the chicken breasts until golden brown, about 3 minutes each side.

6. Place the chicken schnitzels over paper towels to remove excess oil.

7. Drizzle lemon juice over the chicken schnitzel before serving.

Optional: Sprinkle with minced parsley leaves before serving.

Mushroom sauce Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 can button mushrooms, sliced ¼ cup chicken stock 1 cup heavy cream A pinch of salt A pinch of white pepper Procedure In a pan, melt the butter. Add garlic and mushrooms. Sautee the mushroom for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the mushrooms starts releasing its water. Add the chicken stock and cream. Simmer for about five minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.

Potato Salad (side dish) Ingredients 1 kilo potatoes, cut to desired size 2 tablespoons salt 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons lemon juice A pinch of salt A pinch of white pepper ½ cup bacon, minced ½ cup parsley, minced ½ cup dill, minced ½ cup red onions, minced ½ cup celery, minced Procedure In a pot, place the potatoes and cover with cold water. Add the 2 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat to simmer for 15 minutes. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt and white pepper. Drain the potatoes and while still hot, toss the potatoes with the dressing. Add in the minced bacon, parsley, dill, red onions and celery.

Optional: Add sugar if the dressing is too sour to the taste. Also, red wine vinegar could be used instead of lemon juice.

Food styling and recipe by Carlo Matic Yalung and Adrianne Janelle Ngo Tan TFC ALL ACCESS V o l u m e

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On The

Wings of Stardom In an industry where countless love teams are competing for viewers’ attention, James Reid and Nadine Lustre have risen to become one of the most successful pairings in recent TV history—and to think that this almost didn’t happen

By Grace C. Diez

C

all it happenstance.

James Reid thought his star was fading after enjoying insta-fame following his Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash 2010 win. On the other hand, Nadine Lustre tried everything from joining a pop group,​ to starring in youth-oriented shows,​but success seemed elusive. She was at that point where she was thinking of quitting showbiz altogether.

Then in 2013, the two of them were paired in the music video for“Alam N’ya Ba”, a song on James’s first album. It was one of the first things that James requested from the Viva Entertainment bosses when he agreed to sign with them.

Pairing the Fil-Aussie James with the very morenalooking Nadine was an experiment that no one was sure would work. At the outset, it was clear to everyone involved that this was going to be a hit-andmiss thing.

And at the time, neither James nor Nadine had a clue on how instrumental they would be to each other’s future success.

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Birth of a phenomenon

A year after the music video was completed and released, Vic Del Rosario, the big boss of Viva Entertainment, broached plans for another project for James and Nadine: a movie with an unusual title. It was to be called Diary ng Panget, and was a big-screen adaptation of a Wattpad novel. (Wattpad is a website where aspiring writers can publish their works, free of charge).

The movie resonated in a major way with its mostly young audience. It was a sleeper hit, earning almost P120 million in its four-week theatrical run. It surprised Viva, Nadine and James. “It was an unexpected success. It was really experimental.

It was a movie with names no one had ever heard before, using me as a star, when I had a hard time speaking Tagalog. They gave me a chance on that big experiment,” James now says.

Nadine was equally surprised when the movie became a hit. “I was about to give up na but Boss Vic would tell me, ‘Antay ka lang diyan, may darating na project para sa iyo. ‘Pag dumating ‘yung project, tuloy-tuloy na ‘yan.’ I didn’t really

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believe him kasi parang wala na. I lost hope (already). I didn’t know Diary ng Panget was going to be that big. After that, everything changed,” Nadine confesses.

The first day on the set, they felt awkward. Although both were from Viva, Nadine and James had never really worked together, so there was no instant chemistry or anything of the sort. They didn’t know what to say to each other, or how to behave around one another.

“Hindi kasi kami talaga magkakilala, tapos love team (agad) kami,” says Nadine. They didn’t find this to be a problem, though, because their Diary ng Panget characters Eya and Cross were supposed to be at odds anyway, so it actually helped them act it out.

Eventually, James and Nadine developed a close friendship and also became friends with co-stars Andre Paras (son of actor and athlete Benjie Paras) and aspiring actress Yassi Pressman. “We became friends na.

Lalo na kami ni James kasi lagi kaming magkasama,” says Nadine.

Following Diary ng Panget’s performance at the box-office, James and Nadine’s popularity soared.

Their onscreen partnership was then christened ‘JaDine’.

Not surprisingly, there was an immediate clamor for a follow-up project, which turned out to be another Wattpad movie, Talk Back and You’re Dead, which also starred Yassi and Joseph Marco. It earned

P79.8 million, a respectable box-office take for a sophomore project. This was followed by Para Sa Hopeless Romantic, where James and Nadine worked with Kapamilya teen stars Inigo Pascual, son of Piolo, and Julia Barretto, daughter of Marjorie and niece of showbiz royalty ​ Claudine and Gretchen Barretto.

In August 2014, James and Nadine signed with ABS-CBN,​and went on to star in their first TV project, My App Boyfie, for the Wansapanataym series.

The pilot of the nine-episode series trended on Twitter worldwide.

But things were just about to get better. On August 10, James and Nadine made their TV primetime debut in On The Wings of Love. The show’s episode featuring the couple’s romantic kiss (#OTWOLMostApprovedKiss) earned an estimated two million Tweets. ​ ​

Feeling the magic

On The Wings Of Love (OTWOL) is not exactly a formulaic, boy-meets-girl romance. It touches on other subjects as well, particularly the plight of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and the reality of Filipinos coping with life in America.

Set in San Francisco, California, OTWOL follows the story of Leah Olivar (Nadine) who wants to follow in the footsteps of her mother and pursue her American Dream. Her wish is granted, but visa woes lead her to Clark Medina (James) who she has to marry, so she can secure a green card. The situation turns complex when their fake marriage turns into the real deal, and their mutual hatred of each other turns into romance.

Directed by Antoinette Jadaone (That Thing Called Tadhana) and Jojo Saguin, the show also stars Cherry Pie Picache, Albie Casiño, Joel Torre, Nanette Inventor and Bianca Manalo, among others.

Considering it was James and Nadine’s first time together to grace the small screen, the effect they had on Kapamilya audience and viewers of The Filipino Channel (TFC) was remarkable. OTWOL is currently the most-viewed TV show on iW​antTV​and TFC websites, registering 3.7 million views in September 2015 alone. Branded merchandise of the TV show has been consistently sold out at the ABS-CBN Store. The JaDine-OTWOL official scrapbook published by ABS-CBN Publishing was an instant bestseller, selling 10,000 copies,​and is on its way to TFC ALL ACCESS V o l u m e

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Photos from Ricky Lo’s Twitter account, www.abscbnpr.com, Czarina Ablaza-Syquia and WeLoveJadine fan group

a second printing to accommodate demand. When the scrapbook was launched at Fairview Terraces, some 7,000 screaming fans showed up (estimated by the security marshals present that day), and even when it rained, no one left. They all stayed to finish the show.

On social media, they are also a certifiable phenomenon. Both James—with 1.3 million—and Nadine, with 1.3 million followers, are a top draw.

OTWOL, as the show is called by loyal fans, trends almost every day on Twitter, along with their hashtags. #OTWOLMostApprovedKiss, the episode where James and Nadine’s characters kiss, was the most-talked about OTWOL hashtag among fans, who have since called themselves OTWOListas.

And these fans are not just your usual ones.

They include the TV-watching masa, of course, and professionals, high society, students, and employees.

The lead stars remain incredulous of the show’s success. “I didn’t expect it to be big. No talaga! We didn’t imagine that even the lolas…my lola watches OTWOL! Kinikilig. I’m really happy. It’s making a lot of people happy kahit ‘yung mga may sakit. There are people who tell me na, ‘My lola has cancer but she’s happy whenever she watches your show.

Feeling namin gumagaling siya,’” Nadine shares.

“Parang everything’s going so fast. Parang my body and mind can’t cope with this. Until now, feeling ko nananaginip lang ako,” she adds in disbelief.

James, for his part, can only be grateful for the opportunity. “It’s my first time being cast as the lead star in a teleserye so it’s a big deal​,” he says with a shy smile.

“I have to thank the writers. OTWOL is a very light romance from the start. It stays on a high from Napa Valley and it only felt slightly sad when Leah had to leave Clark,” he adds.

In an interview with The Philippine Star, Jadaone attempted to explain why the show was received warmly on the primetime block. “’Yung loveteam ang unang-una na nagdadala.

Kapag napapanood ko, built-in talaga ‘yung chemistry nilang dalawa. Hindi mo sila kailangan i-direct sa kilig, kailangan mo lang sabihin kung ano ang gusto mong mangyari. Sila na bahala sa timing, tamang moment,” the director said.

“Fresh faces ang dalawang ‘to. Wala silang regular thing sa TV (before OTWOL)​so feeling ko nakatulong ‘yun na nu’ng lumabas sila sa TV, ‘yung mga tao iniisip, sino ang dalawang ‘to? Bakit sila binigyan ng show? So pinanood nila to find out (​ bakit),” Jadaone further explained.

The woman director was being modest. Jadaone was also being rightfully credited for the success of the show. It was largely due to the creative team led by Jadaone herself that the show was able to gift the viewers and OTWOL followers a number of memorable scenes.

These scenes include the cute meet of Clark and Leah in the streets of San Francisco, the breathtaking scenery of SanFo as showcased in the show, the fake

On Nadine: Top from Apartment 8, skirt from XXX On James: Button down shirt and skinny fit jeans H&M

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Total Impact Different voices, from veteran entertainment journalists, mentors, to fans, share anecdotes, opinions and reasons and take a shot at why JaDine has made a big impact Ricky Lo, veteran entertainment columnist and Entertainment Editor, The Philippine STAR A keen observer of trends in showbiz, Ricky is an institution in the world of entertainment journalism. His widely-followed column, Funfare, in The Philippine STAR, is usually the first to score big stories and scoops about stars. He is also one of the most well-traveled entertainment journalists in the business, having interviewed Hollywood stars along with local celebrities.

The JaDine tandem on OTWOL is cute, lovable and exciting. I guess kinikilig sa kanila ang mga viewers young and old; men, women and lesbians, and gays. The tandem is so fresh, so honest, so positive, delivers good vibes and is so sincere in their performance of characters that are believable. So it is easy to identify with them. Swak ang team-up nila, they’re perfect for each other, and that’s what makes them phenomenal.

Czarina Ablaza-Syquia, businesswoman and socialite Co-owner of the Ablaza chain of pawnshops, Czarina, 44, is one of the tandem’s fans from high society.

A certified OTWOLista, she has a growing collection of merchandise including Clark and Leah pillows, t-shirts, autographs, mugs, the OTWOL official scrapbook and other items given to her by “supportive friends”. Czarina tells us that even her doctor-husband Jofe (he’s an orthopedic surgeon) is supportive of her love for JaDine.

I liked JaDine since Diary ng Panget. Si James, hindi ko pa masyadong napansin sa Pinoy Big Brother (PBB); he was so payat pa. But I thought Nadine was a good actress. I bought the DVD of the movie, and when Talk Back and You’re Dead came out, and there was no one to watch with me, I brought my yaya.

I love watching On the Wings of Love because parang every episode, may lesson, may hugot. At nakaka-addict ang kissing scenes! Ang feeling ko, real sila. I sleep with my Clark and Leah pillows every night. I love them so much that I’ve turned down invitations to social events so I can stay home and watch OTWOL—and because of that, I’ve lost weight! (Not as many society dinners as before.)

Some of my friends have also become addicted to OTWOL and JaDine. Vitamins namin ang OTWOL. Pampabata namin ‘yan!

Photos from Ricky Lo’s Twitter account, www.abscbnpr.com, Czarina Ablaza-Syquia and WeLoveJadine fan group

Ethel Ramos, veteran entertainment columnist and talent manager Better known as ‘Tita Ethel’, she is acknowledged as the ‘Dean of Entertainment Journalism’ not just by younger colleagues but by practically everyone in the business. She is also a talent manager and a member of PAMI, or the Philippine Artists Managers, Inc. (she handles the career of Angel Locsin). Tita Ethel also writes several entertainment columns in various publications. An OTWOLista, she likens the JaDine tandem to the loveteam of Guy and Pip—or Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III back in the 70s.

Lady Aiziel M. Danseco, fan She is the Head Admin of WeLoveJaDine, one of the official JaDine fan groups.

WeLoveJaDine has almost 61,000 followers on Instagram and 75,000 followers on Twitter.

Ang JaDine, they call a spade a spade. Wala silang gusto sa isa’t-isa.

Parang Bea (Alonzo) at John Lloyd (Cruz).

For me, they are the new Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III. Kaya ka makikilig sa kanila, dala ng istorya, actually ‘di ba, very truthful?

Kasi tagahanga din ako ni Antoinette Jadaone, kaya ang gandaganda, plantsadong-plantsado ang performance nila sa show.

Palagay ko kasi, most everybody, lalo na women, can identify with Leah, and then everybody also dreams na mahalin ng isang Clark, na magkaroon ng Clark sa buhay niya na guwapo na, sobra pang mapagmahal.

Sobrang kinikilig po sila (fans) sa OTWOL kasi simpleng titigan lang nila (James at Nadine), or hawak ng kamay, malakas na ang impact sa amin kahit alam naman po namin na “Just friends” lang sila.

What makes them a phenomenal loveteam is the fact that what they have is all genuine and pure. They are not only very open and honest towards one another, but to their fans as well.

Lileth L. Lundag, fan Lileth is the Admin of the Elites, a For us, they are not just phenomenal, but a game changer as well. Wala silang formula na sinusundan, pero pasok pa rin sa panlasa ng JaDine fan club with almost 41,000 tao. They are very open to the fans that they are just friends from the beginning, hindi sila pa-‘hopia’ (they don’t give false hopes) just to please their fans. It’s very rare to find this kind of love team that gives us that spark and connection naturally. followers on Instagram

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BY THE NUMBERS

wedding of Clark and Leah, the prom surprise of Clark to Leah, the “almost kiss” at Napa Valley, the first kiss of the characters and even to their breakup punctuated by the poetic monologue of Juan Miguel Severo, that awkward shirtless scene of Albie Casiño and James, and now that the show took the romance of Clark and Leah all the way to the Philippines, the list of OTWOL favorite scenes just keeps growing, especially since the show has been extended up to February 2016.

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With their off-the-charts and sizzling chemistry together, one can’t help but wonder about the possibility of them turning from reel to real lovers. However, seemingly learning from the John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo school of platonic loveteams, the two insist they’re just friends.

James offers: “Nadine and I are really just friends. We’re in a love team—we’re actors and we make people believe in love, make people feel love. That’s our job. But Nadine and I are very close because we’re alike and we both came from nowhere. We learned so much about each other along the way and we depended on each other.

We give each other support.”

Nadine supports this decision to remain friends with James. “Okay na kami eh. Baka mamaya kapag dinagdagan namin ng isang factor, it might ruin everything. Baka mamaya konting away lang, konting tampuhan, hindi na kami makapagtrabaho nang maayos,” she tells StarStudio.

But their chemistry is effortless. “We really don’t try. Like now, we haven’t talked the whole day. Nagbatian lang kami. Normal lang talaga how we deal with each other,” the young actress remarks.

The winsome onscreen couple may rule out romantic possibilities for now but everyone knows that’s how their OTWOL characters Clark and Leah began. Clark and Leah dismissed the possibility of a romance when they first got to know each other, but later fell in love.

Who knows? Someday, there might be hope for a future where James and Nadine just might find themselves exchanging these words with each other for real as proof that they will always be there for each other, the way their characters Clark and Leah promised to each other: “Kung mahal ka, babalikan ka.”

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INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

Highest number of tweets

Just friends

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25.7%

On the Wings of Love Highest recorded ratings: August 17, 2015 episode

M I L L I O N Hashtags with the highest number of tweets:

#OTWOLMostApprovedKiss #OTWOLTheAminanNight

1.3 1.3 M M @nadzlustre

@jaye.wolf

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Behind the Magic If there’s anyone on set that can comment with authority on the chemistry between James Reid and Nadine Lustre, that would be their On The Wings Of Love directors Antoinette Jadaone and Jojo Saguin. They work closely with the actors and they understand the psyche behind the craze.

Jadaone admits that even as their director, she can feel the kilig that the pair gives off.

“Kapag take, kinikilig ako. Kapag nag-eedit ako, kinikilig ako. Pag pinanood ko na with music and all, kinikilig pa rin ako. Wala silang pinipiling age, gender o social class eh.

Nakakakilig lang talaga sila,” Jadaone says.

Direk Jojo feels pretty much the same. “Kinikilig ako, especially kapag sa mga scenes na may tender moment sila. Hindi lang ako, pati staff around the set. Kinikilig lahat,” Saguin notes.

Jadaone, a romantic comedy specialist, thinks that TV played a major part in turning JaDine into a phenomenon.

“I think On The Wings of Love came at the right time for them. For a long while, they have been making people kilig in movies but never sa TV. Sa TV, it reaches more people— it’s free TV and you can get people hooked on it every day.

OTWOL really helped JaDine reach more people,” she says.

The chemistry is hard to explain, but it’s there. It exists.

The fans can feel it, they can feel it, almost everybody does.

“Meron silang something na hindi ko ma-explain eh. And that’s something na hindi nila madadaya. It’s either there or it’s not. Eh sa kanila, it’s so there. Kaya ang mga eksena, natural ang kilig ‘pag sila ang ‘andun. Of course, they’re also passionate actors. They help each other as a love team sa mga eksena. Lalo ngayon na sila na si Clark at Leah, alam na alam na nila ang characters nila, may sarili nang buhay ang characters nila,” Jadaone continues.

Direk Jojo, who first worked with JaDine on My App Boyfie, credits James and Nadine for their acting skills and the way they project themselves.

“I guess nag-work ‘yung pagiging natural sa kanila ‘nu’ng ginagawa nila. Being true to themselves and giving the Clark and Leah characters the treatment as normal people, ‘yung pwedeng maka-relate ang viewers sa kanila, that makes them unique as a loveteam. Approachable kasi ang dating nila eh.

Pwedeng sabihin ng fans na “Ay, totoong tao sila!” Saguin theorizes.

They were expecting some appreciation, and good ratings, but nothing like this. “Siyempre at first, hindi namin in-expect na kakagatin agad sila. Kasi first major soap nila ang OTWOL. But after watching the first week pilot episode, we thought na mag-click ito. Ang ganda kasi ng story na light plus maku-kwento pa ang plight ng OFWs at struggles nito. I’m very proud of this project and sa JaDine,” Saguin says.

Notwithstanding James and Nadine’s insistence that they’re both just friends and the possibility of a real-life romance is remote, the OTWOL directors believe it will work to the loveteam’s advantage.

“Nag-work pa nga sa kanila ‘yung friends sila kaya mas madaling umarte as partners kasi walang ilangan. Parang natural na natural sa kanila ‘yung kilig button,” Saguin remarks.

This observation is seconded by Jadaone.“I think nakakatulong na hindi sila sa totoong buhay. In real life, they’re just friends. I think may effect ‘yun kapag nasa harap na sila ng camera. It’s pure work so kapag nakasalang na sila, they just get into the characters of Clark and Leah and they make us believe they’re really in love. Kumbaga, ‘yung fantasy ng mga tao na sana sila sa totoong buhay, hindi mawawala. May aabangan ka, may hino-hope for ka,” Jadaone reflects as she attempts to explain the magic behind the new screen sweethearts of primetime TV.

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Even OTWOL directors Antoinette Jadaone and Jojo Saguin aren’t immune to the charms of Clark and Leah OTWOL directors Jojo Saguin and Antoinette Jadaone

“

Okay na kami eh.

Baka mamaya kapag dinagdagan namin ng isang factor, it might ruin everything.

Baka mamaya konting away lang, konting tampuhan, hindi na kami makapagtrabaho nang maayos.”

—Nadine on her relationship with James

On James: Button down shirt and skinny fit pants from H&M On Nadine: Top and skirt from Topshop

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everyday dinners

Cooking Your Way Towards Health Healthy, low-calorie food can be delicious, satisfying, and easy to prepare.

Story courtesy of Food Magazine 2015 Issue 3

Recipes and styling by NaNcy DizoN-EDraliN Photography by Paulo ValENzuEla Text by GiNNy Mata

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n a city rife with fast food, all-you-can-eat buffets, and endless options for all manner of fattening things, it can be challenging to try to eat more healthfully. But as prominent cookbook author Mark Bittman will say, “cooking solves everything.” It’s best to cook your own food, so you can control exactly what goes into it. The freshness and quality of the ingredients you use is also important. If possible, try to source your vegetables directly from the organic farms that produce them, which also deliver directly to your doorstep (such as Down To Earth, Healthy Carabao, etc.), or from stores that specialize in selling organic produce like Echo Store, Ritual Shop and Café, Got Heart Foundation. There are also online grocery stores from which you can order organic goods, including The Healthy Grocery, The Green Grocer and Paleo Manila. For more information, go to onthegreenlist.com

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Stuffed Eggplants with Mushrooms

Eggplants are low in calories, at just 35 calories per cup.

They have no fat, and their high fiber content can help you feel full. But they can be rather oily when they are fried, so we’ve opted to partially bake them here as “shells” instead.

Besides being healthier and less calorific, these baked eggplant shells also have a wonderfully smoky flavor that pairs very well with cheese, mushrooms and fresh basil.

Instead of eggplants, zucchini or red bell pepper can be used. And in place of ricotta cheese, you can also use yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese or marinara sauce.

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Prawns in Red Curry Sauce

Coconut milk often gets a bad rap for being high in cholesterol, but new studies have shown that foods that are high in fat have little bearing on one’s cholesterol levels, as long as they are eaten in moderation. But if you want to lessen the calories to this dish, just replace the prawns with chicken, and the coconut milk with yogurt.

These prawns need to poached in the curry sauce gently, over low to medium heat, because they become tough and rubbery when they are overcooked. After deveining and butterflying, you can rub a little salt and pepper on the inside of each prawns. This is to ensure that all the prawns are seasoned properly.

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Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These healthy low-calorie wraps are very versatile: the breast meat here acts as a blank slate which takes in the flavors of its marinade.

The dish’s accompaniments (cucumber, green onions) are also interchangeable with other cruciferous vegetables that you might have on hand, like carrots or jicama, depending on your chosen flavor profile. For Asian soy-based flavor, it’s best to go with green onions and cucumbers; for more Western flavors, like honey mustard, Fuji apples would be good as well. You can also use thinly sliced beef tenderloin or sliced tofu instead of chicken.

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Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Red Wine Sauce

For those on a high-protein diet, eating beef is de rigueur. It is best to pan sear the beef tenderloins then place in the oven for the desired doneness. Pan searing the meat keeps it moist and tender. You can serve this with mashed potatoes, roasted mixed vegetables, steamed vegetables, or with your favorite salad.

The residue left at the bottom of the pan after the steaks have been seared is liquid gold. These are umami flavor bombs that need only to be deglazed with wine and beef stock, then simmered down to make a richly nuanced jus.

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Baked Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

In any healthy diet plan, including fish is always a given (unless you’re a vegetarian).

To keep the fish fillet from drying out in the oven while it’s baking, you may also choose to cook it in en papillote, or sealed in parchment paper or aluminum foil, so that it gently poaches in its own juices, together with the spices and the herbs.

You can use any white fish (cream dory, cobbler or sole) for this recipe. You can also substitute mango with avocado or pomelo.

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EvERyday dinnERS Stuffed Eggplants with Mushrooms Serves 4 6 medium-sized eggplants 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling kosher salt and black pepper, to taste 1 medium onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half 1 cup white button mushrooms, coarsely chopped 1 cup basil leaves, chopped 1 cup cottage cheese 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded 1. Preheat oven to 300°F. 2. Slice eggplants in half lengthwise leaving the stem intact. Scoop out half of the eggplant flesh with a teaspoon and set aside. Brush the eggplants with olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper.

Place the eggplants in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

3. While waiting, heat the remaining olive oil in a nonstick pan. Add onion and cook until soft. Chop the eggplant flesh and add it to the pan.

Add garlic and tomatoes and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add mushrooms and basil.

Season with salt and pepper.

4. Remove eggplant shells from the oven. Add mushroom mixture to the eggplants shells. Top with cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese.

5. Return to oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Prawns in Red Curry Sauce Serves 4

3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons onion, chopped 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste, or as needed 1 cup coconut milk 1/4 cup chicken stock 2 teaspoons Thai fish sauce (nam pla) 1 kilo large prawns,

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peeled, deveined, heads removed, tail on 1 teaspoon lime juice 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon spring onion, chopped 4 stems cilantro, for garnish 1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then add onion and garlic. Mix in red curry paste, coconut milk, chicken stock, fish sauce and bring to a boil.

2. Add prawns and lime juice.

Cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until the prawns are cooked.

3. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and spring onion.

Garnish with cilantro stems. Serve over basmati, jasmine or plain rice.

Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps Serves 4

marinade: 5 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 5 tablespoons dark brown sugar 3 tablespoons dark sesame oil 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, or to taste chicken: 1 teaspoon cornstarch sugar, to taste 6 chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless, sliced 2 tablespoons canola oil 12 Bibb lettuce leaves 2 cups Jasmine rice, cooked 2 English cucumbers, sliced round 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 6 stalks green onions, sliced 1/2 inch diagonally

1. In a medium bowl, combine the marinade ingredients.

Add the chicken slices to the marinade and refrigerate for an hour. After 1 hour, remove chicken from the marinade.

Set aside the marinade.

2. Add cornstarch and sugar to the reserved marinade.

Mix well until it dissolves.

3. Heat a skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add canola oil and swirl pan to coat. Add chicken slices and cook 2 minutes on each side or until done.

Remove chicken from the pan and transfer to a plate.

4. In the same pan, add the marinade mixture, simmer and reduce to half, then transfer to a serving bowl.

5. To plate, top each lettuce leaf with 2 to 3 tablespoons rice, chicken slices and 2 cucumber slices. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with sauce on the side.

Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Red Wine Sauce Serves 4

2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 4 garlic cloves, minced 4 beef tenderloin steaks, 4 to 5 ounces and 1-inch thick each, trimmed 1 teaspoon canola oil 1/4 cup red wine 1/4 cup beef stock 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 1. In a small bowl, combine black pepper, salt and garlic. Rub evenly over tenderloin steaks.

2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add oil and spread evenly on pan.

Place steaks in the skillet and reduce heat. Sear and cook each side for 4 to 5 minutes or until desired doneness.

Remove steaks from pan.

3. Add wine and beef stock to pan. Simmer until reduced to half.

4. Transfer steaks to a serving plate. Drizzle with sauce.

Sprinkle each steak with fresh thyme. Serve with roasted marbled potatoes and steamed asparagus, if desired.

Baked Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa Serves 4 4 white fish fillets, 6 ounces each, like cobbler, cod, mahimahi, snapper, bass, trout 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon Spanish paprika 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 4 small pitas fresh cilantro, for garnish mango salsa: 1 ripe mango, large, peeled, pitted, diced 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, minced 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice salt and ground black pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Arrange fish fillets in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper and paprika.

Sprinkle with garlic and parsley.

3. Place fish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 25 minutes or until cooked.

4. To make the salsa, in a large bowl, combine mango, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro and jalapeño pepper. Add lime juice and lemon juice, and toss well.

Season with salt and pepper.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

5. Put fish fillet on pita bread.

Top the fish with mango salsa or serve on the side.

Garnish with cilantro.

| 2015 Issue 3 1/28/16 11:13 AM

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Time for a closet makeover

It’s not as hard as you think! Interior stylist Marilen Faustino-Montenegro shares practical tips on purging, cleaning and organizing your wardrobe closet

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Story courtesy of Working Mom December 2015-January 2016

1

Purge and let go of old clothes, shoes and bags. If you

have not worn something in six months, then you should consider letting it go.

Anything that does not fit and have not been altered in the last three months should go, too. Worn-out shoes, outdated bags and clothes from the past decade (unless valuable and vintage) should have no place in your closet.

written and styled by marilen faustino-montenegro assisted by athena fregillana shot on location at crate & barrel, sm makati clothes, shoes, and accessories from sfera

K

eeping things neat and simple has tremendous benefits. The same goes for your wardrobe. Just a few key pieces in various colors and cuts will enable you to go from day to night, from office to dinner dates. You eliminate not knowing what to wear when you have key reliable pieces and can still look like a runway model with just a few fashion layering techniques.

Are you one of those women who loves to shop but don’t have space to keep your new finds? I am reminded of an aunt of mine who kept her shoes under the bed because she had no place to store them. I always say if you buy new things and have no place to keep them, then you probably don’t need new ones, or you should let go of some old ones first.

Keeping your closet wardrobe simple and organized is not as hard as you think if you follow these simple life-changing steps: TFC ALL ACCESS V o l u m e

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The best way to store jewelry is flat so that you preserve its form and structure. It makes things easy to see, too.

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Organize and sort your clothes according to purpose and color. I like to sort my clothes

according to purpose and group them accordingly in one shelf or drawer. All casual tops in one shelf, all workout clothes in another, etc. After you’ve sorted your clothes according to purpose, go a step further by arranging things by color for a neat outcome.

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Invest in storage boxes if you do not have enough closet space. Little decorative boxes

come handy for storing accessories like belts, scarfs etc. Grouping things together makes it easier for you to find what you need. I don’t hav e a walk-in closet, so storage is limited. I solved this by purchasing decorative boxes. I have one for my winter wear, another for beach clothes, and smaller ones for accessories like jewelry and the like.

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Use only one type and color of hanger for all your clothes.

This is often overlooked and underestimated but using one kind of clothes hanger will not only make things look neat but will save space, too.

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Take care of your handbags by storing them on horizontal shelves. The best way to store

handbags are still on shelves so that they do not deform. You can also easily see what you are looking for when bags are displayed appropriately. Since most women like to shop, we will all benefit from doing a spring cleaning quarterly.

This is also a good time to do a general cleaning of your closet area because even if closet doors are closed, dust still manages to penetrate. Keeping things orderly will allow you to see the things you have and need. It also proves to be quite fulfilling.

OUR EXPERT Marilen Faustino Montenegro is an interior stylist, who has completed numerous residential and commercial projects in her 15 years of practice. She is also a model and TV personality, having appeared in shows such as Tahanang Pinoy, Houselife, and Extreme Makeover Home Edition Philippines as part of the design team. Follow her on Instagram: @marilenph, Twitter: @marilenmonte and Facebook: facebook.com/marilen.ph. You may also visit her interior design and lifestyle blog: marilen.ph for inspiration on home and design.

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MS\DESTINATION Story courtesy of Metro Society May 2015

Tim takes on the World

A life on the move is an everyday thing for writer and TV personality Tim Yap, which is why he tries to get his quiet time while traveling

by ELIZABETH S. TIMBOL photographs by JC INOCIAN other photographs courtesy of TIM YAP

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ry following Tim Yap on Instagram and you could get caught up in the flurry of activity that is his life. It almost seems like he is hosting a party in one of Manila’s hottest clubs one night, taping a TV show the next, and then jetting off to some exotic destination after that. Yet it is a life that Yap thrives in and uses to affect the lives of others in a positive way. In the midst of all that, he creates pockets of time to allow himself to see what the world has to offer.

Yap’s passion for travel began when he came up with the concept of “serendipity travels.” “I would bring out a map and a pencil. I’d close my eyes and then bring the pencil down onto the map. Whatever place it is that the tip lands on is where I’ll go first,” he explains.

It all started when he started taking trips alone. “I used to get fazed and when I am in a new place, I wonder, ‘where do I go?’ So I decided to leave it to chance and go where the Universe wanted to take me; that’s where I’ll flow. It was in those small experiments and getting lost (in those places) that I had the most amazing and unforgettable experiences and met the most awesome people,” says Yap. What is most interesting for Yap is the process of moving forward with each of his trips. It is when he is able to come up with his next big move, whether it’s in his career or his personal life. “I get most of my realizations while traveling. All of my next chapters are planned, visualized, and partly realized. It’s all in my mind. I get to think about the things I don’t normally have the time to think about.” He returns with a fresh perspective and a renewed energy to make his dreams come true. Of course, the long hours on the plane gives him a chance for “me” time, as Yap catches up on movies and shows.

Yap has a different take on travel essentials, talking about the things he has learned from years of heading out to see the world: * Always have an open mind. “Be ready for the lessons that life has to offer. Travel is the best time and place to learn these things. Also, always find quiet time, so you can connect with yourself—body, mind, and spirit. * Travel light! “Because it is much easier. I never used to travel light! It spares you the trouble of excess baggage and gives you more options. Lately, I’ve been exploring the oversized baggage.”

(Explained by the huge African mask hanging by his staircase).

It can be said that Yap still has many more years ahead of conquering the world.

He is excited by that possibility and of

seeing even more great and beautiful things. He says, “I’m such a control freak, in a way, but I’ve learned to let go during my travels. I think travel is my way of conversing with my god. It would bring me to places that I never thought I would go to and it would just make me ask ‘why am I here? Wow!’” Yap values most the lessons he has gotten from traveling. Travel “has taught me so much and opened me up. It’s helped me realize so many things. It puts me outside my comfort zone, and I would conquer these fears.”

Above: Yap has found magic, mystery, and sheer beauty in the ruggedness of Africa.

Opposite page: Yap had the most amazing and unforgettable experiences when he decided to leave travel to chance and go with the flow.

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Where To Stay Of all the places he has traveled to, Yap has found magic, mystery, and sheer beauty in the ruggedness of Africa. He says, “Africa will test you and really bring out the traveler in you. You have to be hungry to see things, to go out and explore the game reserves and nature that is in abundance over there.”

SAFARI DREAMIN’

In Africa, the main allure is the chance to interact with the animals in the game reserves.

And to be surrounded by the sheer beauty of nature. “Your jaw will drop with how beautiful the world is. It affects you in a different way inside,” says Yap.

IN ZAMbIA AND ZIMbAbwE: THE ROYAL LIVINGSTONE HOTEL. “The animals are just within your reach. You walk to your room or your villa and the giraffe is eating at the tree right outside. During sunset cocktails, you’ll see the zebras walking in front of you. They coexist with human beings. It’s like you’re in the wild but the polished wild.”

The main point of visiting this part of Africa is to see the Victoria Falls. When you stay at the Royal Livingstone, you see it just across from you and it is breathtaking.

IN KENyA: THE COTTAR 1920S CAmp (Nairobi).

“You will always have a maasai mara warrior guide with you during your stay. It is also an eco-friendly hotel that runs on minimal energy. For you to even use the hairdryer, they have to turn off all the power just to supply your villa. prior to us, Brangelina was staying there. At least there were no paparazzi.”

Above: Yap gets most of his realizations while traveling, planning, visualizing, and realizing all his next chapters.

Below: A standard tent at the Cottar 1920s Camp, situated near the Maasai Mara game reserve.

IN TANZANIA: THE SINGITA SABORA TENTED CAmp. The 1920s style tented camp is located in the midst of the Grumeti Reserves in Northern Tanzania. It has nine tents which feature decor that is nostalgic of the era.

Guests can spot zebras, maasai giraffe, and elephants, to name a few, during their stay.

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Wildly luxurious accommodations can also be found at: 1) The 12 ApOsTles hOTel AnD spA (Cape Town) 2) BushmAns KlOOF WilDerness reserVe (Clanwilliam, Western Cape) 3) BirKenheAD hOuse (hermanus, Western Cape) 4) One AnD Only (Cape Town) 5) pAlACe OF The lOsT CiTy (sun City)

I went bungee jumping for the first time and I asked the guide, “Why should I jump in this spot?”

And he replied, “Because you will be jumping into a rainbow.”

In Africa, the main allure is the chance to interact with the animals in the game reserves.

African Adventure http://www.africaboundadventures.com/sites/default/files/images/Okavango%20Delta(1).JPG

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Africa is known as a land of adventure, as you venture out on a safari and face the majesty of nature. Yap shares his favorite activities while visiting the continent.

Why did it take me so long to do this? it was so much fun. i asked the guide, “Why should i jump in this spot?” And he replied, “Because you will be jumping into a rainbow.”

* GO BunGee jumpinG into Victoria Falls (Zambia)!

“During the most recent trip, i went bungee jumping for the first time—111 meters of free fall into Victoria Falls. i told myself that before i jumped, i would visualize a better version of me… but before i could do that, they made me jump! i don’t think i’ve ever screamed so loud in my life. But i had a wonderful time!

* TAKe A sAFAri GAme DriVe through Kruger national park – Considered one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa, the park is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species. it also gives you a chance to see part of Africa’s history through archeological sites and native art.

* WhAle WATCh in hermanus – Best during the months of August and september. * TAKe A Wine TOur. south Africa has built a global name for itself as a wine-growing region. sample a selection as you drive through the stellenbosch and Franschhoek region in Cape Town. * TAKe A riVer Cruise.

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is on the unesCO World heritage list and is one of the major protected wildlife areas in Africa.

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MS\DESTINATION Clockwise from right: Victoria Falls is a waterfall in southern Africa on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe; the Potluck Club serves a collections of tapas sized plates; Bungee jumping for the first time—111 meters of free fall into Victoria Falls.

eve r I d on’t think I’ve in my life. ud sc re a me d so lo e rful time! d on w a But I ha d me so long e k Why did it ta as so much to d o this? It w fun.

Exotic Eats As South Africa is a land with a culinary culture that is defined by the land and the surrounding wildlife, it can be expected that there will be exotic items on the menu. Perhaps the question to be asked is “Are you brave enough?” Yap pointed out that being in the middle of a game reserve does limit fine dining options. “The hotels are prepared to provide you with all your meals. When you go on safari, you’re all in the wild.”

BaBylonstoren (Drakenstein Valley) – “Organic food at its best!” the tasting room (Franschhoek) – “Amazing degustation.” le Petite Ferme (Franschhoek) – “Best rustic lunch.” the test Kitchen (Cape Town) – “Nouvelle Latin cuisine. You have to book at least three months in advance!”

Pot lucK cluB (Cape Town) – “Asian fusion tapas.”

Artifacts, artwork, and others Fans of native art pieces, large wood carvings, unique charms, printed fabrics, and things that sparkle will like the shops and markets in south africa. Just don’t forget your baggage allowance.

Jewel aFrica (cape town) – “For diamonds and tanzanite” sunday Flea marKet at the old Biscuit mill (cape town) – “For vintage and eclectic finds!”

V & a waterFront (cape town) – “designer haven!” aFrica noVa (cape Point) – For traditional african artifacts and contemporary designs. luVey ‘n rose – For antiques and artworks by south african artists.

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Clockwise from right: One of the most impressive sights of Victoria Falls—the lunar rainbow; Jewel Africa showroom in Cape Town—for diamonds and tanzanite; South Africa, a land with a culinary culture defined by the land and the surrounding wildlife, exotic items can be expected on the menu; Le Petite Ferme—a rustic fine-dining restaurant using local produce with a global twist.

Metro Society Recommends

things to see

hoteLs flowing from the hotel towards the sea. Book any of the 88 junior suites, eight senior suites, eight villas or the presidential villa; with all suites oriented towards the Indian Ocean and each a mere 15 meters from the shore.

ConstanCe tsarabanjina: Tsarabanjina Island, Helville, Madagascar. The unique, serene resort is located on the idyllic islet of Tsarabanjina with 25 private villas fenced by tropical plants and overlooking azure blue waters. Enjoy fresh seafood and specialties from the Malagasy region in the sand-floored restaurant or go diving and discover what lies beneath the amazingly calm sea.

ConstanCe Le PrinCe MauriCe: Choisy Road, Poste de Flacq, Mauritius. Situated on the northeast coast of Mauritius, the luxury villa resort is a gem in a lush tropical setting. It was designed by architect Jean Marc Eynaud and designer David Edwards. Stay at any of the hotel’s 89 lavish suites and book a signature massage at the elegant U Spa, which is set in a tranquil corner of the gardens.

PaLais faraj: Bab Ziat Fez Medine, Fes, Morocco. Overlooking the old medina of Fez, this boutique hotel reflects the aesthetic of times gone by with its stucco laces, marble floors, and royal arches. Book one of the 25 suites for a romantic stay in Morocco and enjoy the fine dining on site at the L’Amandier restaurant, sampling traditional Fassi cuisine, with stunning views of old Morocco.

ngorongoro serena safari Lodge: Crater Rim Ngorongoro, Arusha, Tanzania. Hanging over the rim of the ancient Ngorongoro crater, this lodge provides trips to the “cradle of mankind,” Olduvai Gorge, an authentic Maasai village, and a number of safaris.

ConstanCe LeMuria seyCheLLes: Anse Kerlan, Praslin, Seychelles. On the northwest coast of Seychelles, the hotel enjoys access to three gorgeous white sand beaches and turquoise sea. The hotel’s swimming pool has three levels,

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Mt. KiLiManjaro nationaL ParK: It is one of Tanzania’s must-visit destinations, and a trip to this area is incomplete without gazing in awe at Africa’s highest snowcapped mountain along the equator.

Trekking up Kili’s Uhuru Peak is not for the faint-hearted; come prepared and consider adding one extra day onto the “standard” climb itinerary. the ViCtoria faLLs: On the Zambia/Zimbabwe border is one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls, with the two-kilometer wide Zambezi River dropping more than 100 meters. Walk across the footbridge for close-up views of the Eastern Cataract, the spectacular plunge, and the abyss below the Zambezi bridge.

The falls also play host to a number of adrenaline pumping activities such as white-water rafting, abseiling, bungee jumping, river-boating, jet-boating, among others. the Cairo MuseuM. Boasting the most complete collection of Egyptian art in the world, the museum

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holds objects from the Tomb of Tutankhamun. johannesburg art gaLLery: With works by El Greco, Picasso and Monet, just to name a few, the art gallery has the best collection of European paintings in the continent. the great Migration.

Tanzania. With more than a million wildebeest and over several hundred thousand zebras making their annual migration, the year-round event is a sight to behold. Catch the animals as they move from Ngorongoro Reserve in January, up through the Seregenti in June, and then Maasai Mara in September. tabLe Mountain:South Africa.

Take a cable car ride to the top of the mesa and take in a fantastic view of a Cape Town sunset. sossusVLei dunes: Namibia’s most outstanding attraction, climb these dunes to take in fantastic views.

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