The Filipino Expat Magazine Issue 11 Spring 2015

FILIPINOEXPAT #11 SPRING 2015

TRAVEL&LIVING

ANGEL TRINIDAD on making your DREAMS come true

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Spring in London Best surfing spots in the Philippines The Pinoy flower wizard in Rome #11 2015 | FILIPINO EXPAT MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS

On the cover Angel Trinidad Editor of Holland Herald Photography by Robin Kuijs Makeup by Edson Gonzales Special thanks to Lloyd Hotel

ISSUE 11 Spring 2015 13 Filipino designers join

London’s International Fashion Showcase

14 Expat interviews:

Filipina runs for a

municipal election in the United Kingdom

15 Business: Running a

successful flower shop in Rome

19 Francisco Colayco

talks about choosing the

right school for your kids

22 Cover story: Angel

Trinidad pursues her European dream

REGULAR FEATURES

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06 Readers’ corner 07 Editor’s letter 08 Contributors 09 Events

FILIPINO

EXPAT

TRAVEL 32 The places to go

Publisher and Managing Editor Dheza Marie Aguilar

Editor-in-chief Diana Uy

during springtime in London

37 History and design

Creative Director Robin Kuijs

marry at Lloyd Hotel

38 The best surfing

Contributing Writers: Melissa Legarda Alcantara, Allyn Alda, Marj Akil, Jacquiline de Vega, Kenneth del Rosario, Ma. Glaiza Lee, Carlo Mallo

destinations in the Philippines

42 Discover the perfect

family getaway in Cavite

Contributing Photographers: Marc Joseph Rosales, Pranz Kaeno Billones

amusement and cultural

The Filipino Expat Magazine Published 4 times a year

44 A Filipina finds

similarities in the

Dominican Republic

37

TASTE 48 Philippine-made rum is taking over Europe

50 The triumph of

Filipino pastry chefs at the World Pastry

Competition in Lyon,

The opinions expressed in The Filipino Expat magazine do not represent the views of The Filipino Expat company. While we have exhausted every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, neither The Filipino Expat nor its editors, contributors and staff will accept any responsibility for any omission, typographical or printing errors, inaccuracies or changes however caused. Our editorial and creative teams reserve the right to edit any material submitted at our discretion. All texts, photos and graphics have been used with the permission of the author or artists. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be duplicated or reproduced in a whole in any form or by any means without the publisher’s prior written permission.

France

Comments and complaints should be addressed to:

winning ice sculpture at

The Publisher The Filipino Expat Magazine Lorentzlaan 74 3112KP Schiedam The Netherlands

52 Vicente Cahatol’s

the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie 2015

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Telephone +31 (0) 39311392 Email publisher@thefilipinoexpat.com advertising@thefilipinoexpat.com Website www.thefilipinoexpat.com

SOCIETY 54 Ricky Tuazon travels

down memory lane

57 A Catalan School

embraces Filipino culture and tradition

60 Young Filipino

athletes make their mark in Europe

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READERS' CORNER

GET YOUR FREE COPIES FROM THE FOLLOWING OUTLETS: A Filipino Expat reader shows off the magazine’s 9th and 10th issues.

“I love the magazine. As a European-Filipino I feel I can relate to the content you put out as well as its relevance in today’s society. Even though I help manage my family’s restaurant, I feel that a lot of Filipino-Europeans, are losing touch with our culture. Thank you for helping us back.”

- Eddie Poniente, London

Amsterdam Sunro Remittance Rotterdam Pinoy Village Sari-sari store Carried by LVM and Pinoy Balikbayan Box to clients in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands Madrid Pinoy Central Remittance - Cosmo Cash and Carry Barcelona Cosmo Cash and Carry - Centro Filipino Philippine Consulate - BPI - Mitch Salon Mona Salon London Pinoy Supermarket - Lakwatsa Bubble Tea Lounge Kalesa Restaurant - BPI Europe - The Filipino Channel (TFC) - Manila Supermarket - Tindahang Pinoy Lutong Pinoy restaurant Birmingham Click2Market Filipino store - Fiesta Salon Belfast TEN Foundations Café Brussels Small World Remittance - FilBelge Titres-Services Philippine Embassy Oostende Asia Trade store Rome RCBC Rome - BPI Rome - Megaworld IRemit Remittance - Philippine Embassy Jeepney Travel Rome

Filipino Expat readers in Finland are happy with their copies of our Christmas Issue featuring Finland.

“I am always thrilled to read the Filipino Expat magazine. Every issue makes me proud of the Filipinos outside the motherland. The tips and stories motivate me to be a better person wherever I may be. Thank you, the Filipino Expat magazine, and keep doing what inspires us all.”

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Paris Arbilo Gallery, Amihan Travel Odense Asian Store and Balikbayan Box Berlin Philippine Embassy - MA Transworld Remittance Oslo Asean World Travel The Filipino Expat Magazine also sends complimentary copies to all Filipino embassies and consulates in Europe. We also have an increasing number of subscribers.

- Dennis R., Amsterdam

TheFilipinoExpatMagazine

Sardinia Philippine Consulate

Follow us on Twitter : @filipinoexpat

Be one our partner distributors and enjoy free advertising placements.

Email publisher@thefilipinoexpat.com

EDITOR'S NOTE

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

T

hat basically sums up the story of Filipino expats anywhere in the world. No matter how hard and lonely life abroad becomes for us, we strive on to survive and make the best of our situation. After all, there are families to feed and kids to send to school back home in the Philippines. For some, there is a dream to pursue.

This spring issue, which begins the quarterly release of the magazine from hereon, highlights realizing your dream, of taking charge, and overcoming fears to be where you want to be. The journeys of our featured Filipino expats started out like so many of our kababayans: taking a chance and meeting some challenges, before finally reaping the rewards of victory and success.

Our cover girl Angel Trinidad, for instance, did not let anything stop her from reaching her goal of living in Europe. It only took a Swedish indie music for the editorin-chief of Holland Herald, the inflight magazine of KLM, to get herself started in imagining and pursuing life this side of the world. Believing in her capabilities, talent, and smarts, Trinidad applied for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship. She got rejected the first time, but that didn’t deter her from trying again the next year. And she got in finally. Long story short (read more on page 22), she is now taking command of a European magazine, brainstorming with her Dutch colleagues, and enjoying fika with her Dutch boyfriend every chance she gets.

A hopeful candidate for the municipal elections in May in the United Kingdom, Cynthia Alcantara Barker is braving the path that only the daring takes. We can be sure though that the Filipino community will rally behind her to ensure her victory. Bayanihan is a Filipino trait, is it not?

Arranging flowers was only a budding interest for Efren Daniel Dordas when he arrived in Rome. But his

employers and future clients noticed the incredible talent and skill he has in the craft. Encouraged by the positive reviews and increasing demand for his work, Dordas put up his own flower shop aptly named, Dordas Flowers.

Dordas had hope, and he had a dream. Today, Italian clients christened him “Mago Dei Flori Filippino” or “The Filipino Wizard of Flowers.”

Back home in the Philippines, Rizalino Mañas, Bryan Dimayuga, and Vicente Cahatol are still hung over by their unexpected victory at the prestigious Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon, France. The trio’s beautiful dessert creations and good team work placed the Philippines on the 12th spot, out of 21 other competing countries, in overall ranking. But the icing on the cake was Vicente Cahatol’s triumph in the ice sculpture competition. The native of Paete, Laguna won the country first prize for his impressive creation of a hunter and his prey. Mind you, that was the first time in the history of the competition, and after a decade-long wait, that the Philippine team finally earned a slot to showcase their talents on the world stage.

Hope does spring eternal in the human heart, driving and encouraging one to pursue a dream however unreachable it seems. Filipinos, whether they are abroad or in the Philippines, have repeatedly shown the world the incredible power of hope. It is what feeds their strength, resilience and determination. Not even the worst of calamities could take that away from them. Our fellow kababayans are indeed living testimonials to that belief that when one is hopeful and driven enough, nothing is impossible.

Spring is here and let’s enjoy it.

All the best,

Diana Uy Editor-in-chief

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CONTRIBUTORS

Marj Akil used to write full-time and sing part-time for a living in the Philippines.

Now based in the UK, she pens her travels, cultural observations and essays while honing her photography skills on her blog Chinwags and Tittle-Tattles. She pays her bills and the taxman through her day job in the luxury fashion business. When knackered and stressed, she indulges in a cup of Nespresso ristretto, some power nap, “me” time, and red lipstick.

Allyn Alda is a junior fellow in the UN Women Training Center in the Dominican Republic. Born and raised in Tacloban, she took her MA in European Languages at the University of the Philippines, and studied her MA in International Cooperation at the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, Spain.

Edson Gonzales is a certified MAC Cosmetics make-up artist. While he is not busy making his clients more beautiful for their weddings and events, he works in a bed and breakfast in Amsterdam. He loves flying his drone over the Sin City of Europe or belting out tunes and impersonating his idol Mariah Carey.

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Glaiza Lee became a writer because she loves being able to escape into imaginary worlds she created through words.

But her travels are not limited to make-believe places. In reality, she can rough it up. She loves backpacking to different interesting destinations, eating exotic food and experiencing life to the fullest.

Jacquiline de Vega loves spending her days off walking around Rome, always fascinated by the new things she discovers in the Eternal City. She is currently torn between baking a new cheesecake recipe and trying to grow some flowers.

Melissa LegardaAlcantara studied English and Comparative Literature at Goldsmiths University of London. Shortly after graduating, she founded a marketing and PR company, Bake Creative.

Melissa has insatiable wanderlust and loves to explore. In her spare time, she blogs about her travels (illumelation. com), debating pop culture, and perfecting her adobo. Connect with her on twitter at @melissalegarda.

Carlo P. Mallo is a freelance writer who wants to shrug off the harshness of reality with a glass or two of Moscato while yearning for a simple life on the farm in Davao, Philippines.

He is currently based in Manila as it is more convenient for his random trips around.

EVENTS

EUROPEAN EDUCATION FOR FILIPINOS

by Kenneth M. del Rosario

O

ne of the reasons students continue to seek education outside the country is because they not only learn the academics behind their chosen line of study, they get to know the host country’s way of life—language, culture, beliefs—in the way that can never be taught inside the classroom.

Based on the number of visitors during the European Higher Education Fair 2014, held late last year at the Intercontinental Manila in Makati City, it is clear that interest among Filipino students in discovering Europe is at an all-time high.

A total of 1,746 students, faculty, academicians, and education enthusiasts— the largest attendance so far in the annual event—from all over the Philippines visited the day’s event, which started with a ribbon-cutting and the ceremonial beating of the gong to formally launch the event. Traditional dances performed

by Filipino artists helped set the energetic mood for the day.

“It is fair to say that no other continent can offer the mix of diversity and quality of higher education establishments that Europe can. Whether it is cutting-edge campuses in the heart of our bustling cities or ancient campuses in magical towns steeped in history, Europe can offer it all to the Filipino students,” said European Union Ambassador Guy Ledoux, who graced the event.

Ledoux cited the excellence, quality and diversity offered by the higher education institutions from the European Union.

The theme of the fair was “Expanding Horizons,” aptly capturing the desire of many individuals to broaden their knowledge, reach, and experiences in the ever competitive world today.

Activities like this present many opportunities for individuals inclined in furthering their studies. Those with inquiries get direct and immediate answers from relevant people stationed in their respective booths. Many Filipinos who had travelled and studied in Europe were also there to share their experiences.

The fair attracted 12 participating European countries that included Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and United

Students inquire about opportunities to study in Europe at one of the EHEF booths.

Kingdom. Belgium and Denmark joined for the first time.

“We’ve had an increasing number of Filipino students coming to Italy—and to the rest of Europe. For other students who want to study in Italy, I don’t think they would experience any homesickness. Not only are there thousands of Filipinos there, there are a lot of similarities between our cultures,” said Massimo Roscigno, the Italian ambassador to the country.

During the one-day event, one couldn’t help thinking there was a shopping bazaar going on as people excitedly hop from one booth to another, meticulously “shopping” for the right school and country for them.

The increase in number of attendance in last year’s event was coupled by a rise in institutions which participated, too. When the EHEF started in 2012, there were only 24 institutions who joined. The following year, in 2013, there were 34. Last year, 44 enlisted their support, nearly doubling the number of participating institutions in two years’ time.

In attendance were ambassadors and representatives from EU member states namely, Gilles Garachon (France), Massimo Roscigno (Italy), Asif Ahmad (United Kingdom), Jaroslav Olša, Jr., (Czech Republic), Luis Calvo (Spain),

Chargés d’affaires Pia Heide Salman (Denmark), Deputy Ambassador Ruth Emmerink (Netherlands), Deputy Head of Mission Michael Hasper (Germany) Deputy Head of Mission Spyridon Pagkratis (Greece), and Counsellor Michel Villar (France).

“The EHEF provides a very good option to Filipino students as they prepare to become more globally competitive,” said Commission on Higher Education (CHED) official Minella Alarcon, who opened the event with a meaningful speech.

Recognizing that boosting one’s language proficiency is essential for any Filipino who would want to study abroad, the five biggest EU Cultural Institutes— GoetheInstitut Philippinen, Alliance Française de Manille, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, Societa Dante Alighieri and the Philippine Italian Association—held language classes for the visitors during the day.

Partners of the European Higher Education Fair 2014 included The Filipino Expat, Philippine Star, and BusinessWorld.

For more information, visit eeas.europa. eu/delegations/Philippines or www.EHEFPhilippines.org. Check out the Facebook pages: EU Delegation to the Philippines and EHEF Philippines. ←

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EVENTS

FOOD

MADRID FUSION April 24-26 Manila

Organized annually since 2003, Madrid Fusión is the most important Spanish gastronomy congress bringing together the most prestigious and innovative chefs from all over the world.

Part of the “Visit the Philippines Year 2015” activity, Madrid Fusión is envisioned to showcase the shared history between Spanish and Filipino chefs dating back more than 300 years.

For more details, visit www. madridfusionmanila.com.

FILM

ROSITA

April 16 Denmark

A Filipina named Rosita enters the lives of a father and a son living in a small fishing town in Denmark. Ulrik, the father, and Johannes, the son, eventually become drawn to Rosita, both falling in love with her. Ultimately, Ulrik, marries Rosita, unmindful of the consequences it will befall the relationship.

ART

VENICE ART BIENNALE May 9 – Nov 22 Venice

After 51 years, the Philippines will return to the Venice Art Biennale this year. Patrick Flores will present his curation entitled “Tie A String Around the World,” as the official Philippine participation in the 56th Venice Art Biennale 2015.

For more information, visit www.labiennale.org/en/

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TRAVEL

KEUKENHOF GARDEN

March 20 – May 17 Lisse

It is exactly 125 years since the famous post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh died. Keukenhof honors the artist through a flower show inspired by his image and paintings. Don’t miss the 250-sqm flower mosaic of Vincent van Gogh made up of thousands of tulips and grape hyacinths (muscari bulbs). The flower show in the Orange Nassau Pavilion presents the wonderful combinations of his paintings and thousands of flowers. New in 2015 is a wonderful garden inspired by the self-portraits of Van Gogh, presented in a modern setting. For more information, visit www.keukenhof.nl

COMMUNITY EVENTS

FILIPINAS KONG MAHAL CONCERT TOUR KUDYAPI SUMMER CONCERT

May 9 Barcelona

Be the first to greet the summer heat with some swinging and groovin’! Grupo Concierto Filipino and Grupo Kudyapi together with Centro Filipino for Returning Migrants proudly present the Retro Summer Concert featuring the Kudyapi Childern’s Choir: Janette Rotor, AC Saulog Molera, Llum Colomer Bau, Núria Lluna Giralt and J Marina Goméz. Let’s take a trip down memory lane on May 9, 7:30 pm at Ateneu Barcelonés, Barcelona, Spain.

April 25 Neuilly-sur-Seine

French-Filipino talents showcase Philippine arts, culture and history in a concert. For more details, visit www. facebook.com/FKMfilipinaskongmahal

MUTYA NG PILIPINAS May 2 Manchester

The Mutya ng Pilipinas United Kingdom (MPUK) is an affiliate of the Mutya ng Pilipinas Organization (MPO). The MPUK supports the promotion of Mutya ng Pilipinas Organization to Beauty Tourism within Asia and West Pacific with the direct and key participation of the Overseas Filipino Communities around the globe including in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Year 2015 MPUK will start sending delegates to participate in MPOs annual pageant event.

For more details, visit www.mutyaunitedkingdom.com.

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS Filipino communities all over Europe will be celebrating Philippine Independence Day on the following dates: June 6 in Spaarnwoude (Netherlands), Kastrup (Denmark), Newcastle (United Kingdom), June 13, Youngstorget, Oslo (Norway) and June 14, Piazza Ankara, Rome (Italy).

LGBT UK CHARITY BALL March 28 London

Fil-LGBT-UK holds a charity ball to raise awareness and funds for the activities of the Filipino LGBT-UK and to support Home of the Golden Gays. Visit www.facebook. com/groups/FilipinoLGBTUK/ for more information.

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EVENTS

Advertisement

GREAT BRITISH FESTIVAL

The British Embassy brought the UK to Manila with the opening of the Great British Festival in Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City recently.

The festival area occupied a kilometre of the high street.

Booths were neatly clustered into sections, ending at the main stage that served as a platform for performances that presented the best of British creativity and innovation mixed with Filipino talent and ingenuity.

The festival kicked off with a fashion show featuring the latest summer line of participating British brands. The Philippine premier of the comedy short film ‘Titanic Love’ was screened after the fashion show. Capping the first night was the much-anticipated Great British Rockaoke contest.

The crowd cheered on a dozen contestants belting out British songs to win the grand prize.

Guests gamely posed with the selfie-worthy “UK in miniature replicas” that included famous landmarks such as Balmoral Castle, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge, as well as pop culture icons like the Tardis (Dr. Who), Sherlock Holmes’ door to Baker Street, the Iron Throne (Game of Thrones) and the mythological Loch Ness Monster.

Students wishing to pursue a British education gathered at the education pavilion. Car enthusiasts marveled at the innovation and heritage behind sleek British rides.

Another interesting exhibit was “Cities of the Future”, where British firms showcased their expertise in urban planning, sustainable engineering and construction, and low carbon technologies and innovations. One of the most popular booths was the UK visa and information booth, where visa officers gave useful advice. A welcome addition to the festival was the food and drink sections.

PROST! MABUHAY GERMANY 2015 Mabuhay Germany 2015, once again, gave Filipinos a taste of German trade and culture during its 7th year celebration at the Bonifacio High Street in Fort Bonifacio, Manila.

With the theme “Connect Now,” Mabuhay Germany introduced Filipinos to German businesses and opportunities while giving them another sample of their food products, fashion, tourism, cars, industrial technology and other services.

Among the attractions included a main tent decorated with a replica of the famous Brandenburg Gate, food booths, 12 FILIPINO EXPAT MAGAZINE | #11 2015

interactive games from the participating companies and partners, and concerts from German bands and students.

Visitors also got to experience “Frühschoppen,” a German tradition of drinking beer in the late morning; and a marching band depicting a German Karneval.

Other activities included a symposium dubbed “Tara na sa Germany – Learn German and work in Germany,” which highlighted the advantages of learning the German language.

The Dual Training Forum was held afterwards.

Meanwhile, the German European School Manila hosted a “Run for Schools” fun run the second day of the event. Raffle prizes and a get-together for exhibitors capped the festivities.

Mabuhay Germany is an annual event, organized by the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) in cooperation with the German Embassy, Goethe Institut, and GESM.

FASHION

NEW TALENTS Text and photos by Marj Akil

U

pcycled beads from plastic bottles resembling underwater marine life turned into bags, cuffs, and capes. Structured hand-painted wooden bags in the shape of skulls embellished with repurposed bathroom fixtures, recycled bullet shells, nuts and bolts. Cuffs made of century-old Philippine hardwood and fallen trees. Headpieces constructed from cables, drinking straws, and tree bark. Laser-cut capes and dresses fashioned out of indigenous materials such as banana fibre, pineapple silk and silk cocoon. These were just a few of the pieces that emerging Filipino designers presented at the recently concluded International Fashion Showcase 2015 held at Brewer Street car park in London.

The Centre for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in London, spearheaded the participation of the Philippines in this year’s International Fashion Showcase (IFS).

Conceptualised in 2012, during the London Olympics, it has evolved into the largest annual public fashion exhibition in the world. Presented by The British Council and British Fashion Council, the IFS currently hosts nearly 30 countries and more than 100 emerging talents in the global fashion industry.

Handpicked to represent the Philippines were John Herrera, Renan Pacson, Tony Evan, Michelline Syjuco, Ken Samudio, and Jaggy Glarino. Samudio, a marine biodiversity biologist, and Glarino, a US registered nurse, highlighted Filipinos’ versatility, natural ability to reinvent one’s self, and push the envelope.

Each designer’s art work was set against a backdrop of age-old mythical creatures and legends in Philippine folklore. Gino Gonzales, a renowned set and costume designer, curated the Philippine exhibition area.

Samudio took home the first runner-up award in the best designer category, besting 108 other participants.

Colombian Julia Manisto bagged the top prize, while the Nigerian team was adjudged best curator.

Samudio has also caught the eye of the editors at Vogue Italia. Last year, he was invited to participate in the Vogue Talents for Accessories 2014 exhibition in Milan. To top it all off, he is the first Filipino to be featured in Vogue Italia, coinciding with the fashion bible’s 50th anniversary.

From one major exhibition to another, he flew to Milan afterwards to launch his collection at Vogue Talents Corner 2015 in Palazzo Morando. One of only 12 selected designers from around the world, he rubbed elbows with the likes of Suzy Menkes, Vogue China’s Angelica Cheung, and most important, buyers in the competitive luxury fashion industry. ←

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EXPAT INTERVIEWS

GETTING INTO THE LOCAL POLITICS

C

ynthia Alcantara Barker is running for a municipal election in Elstree and Borehamwood, UK in May. The Filipino Expat gets to know more about the aspiring politician.

Please tell us how you came to live in the United Kingdom.

I went to the UK to join my family. My mother came here in the ‘70s as an OFW. She will always be my hero. She was a school teacher who had to leave her family, including five young children. She made the same sacrifice that most OFWs make, sent all her money home while she worked long hours to ensure that the family was well-fed and educated. We now have four generations of family in the UK. How has Britain changed you?

Britain has been good to me. Since landing in the UK, I have always found the opportunity to find work easily, do further studies and explore the country. I feel blessed that I came to the UK strong and armed with Filipino values instilled in me by my parents. Those gave me the strength to adapt to the new environment.

I was brought up in the Philippines, so I was used to just keeping to myself and not speaking up unless I was asked to. I was quite insular before and I only went out with fellow Filipinos. That gradually changed as I continued my studies here. I started making new friends from different communities and realized we are all the same, people wanting to protect our country by becoming involved with our local community.

As I got to learn more about the country, the citizens, the culture and the law of the land, the quicker I fully integrated myself into the British society. I became more patriotic as well. I have gotten used to Western ways and got accustomed to the British way of life.

How did you get involved in the community and become a member of the Conservative Party?

I have always been curious about everything that happens in our local town of Elstree and Borehamwood.

I was a member of our residents association, supported our Catholic church, St. Nicholas school, where I am a school governor.

I am the chair of trustees of Elstree and Borehamwood museum.

I was also the past president of Rotary Club and other charitable organisations such as the NSPCC. I also support the local Chamber of Commerce, Hertsmere Connect.

I knew that politics is important. I like the way the town is run by the Conservative party and have always supported the party’s campaigns in the past before I even became a full member. Because of my track record in community involvement, I got selected to run for both the town of Borehamwood and the borough’s Potters Bar Furzefield ward at the next general election. Our borough of Hertsmere has been voted as the happiest place to live in the county of Hertfordshire hence my enthusiasm.

How do you think your candidacy will impact the Filipino community here and in other parts of the UK? I hope that by running for the Conservative party, I will inspire other Filipinos to get involved in politics. If I am successful in this, I hope that Filipinos will be encouraged and take an active part in the

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Cynthia Alcantara Barker hopes to inspire other Filipinos to take an active part in their local community and the whole of the country.

community and the whole of the country. It is important to be a part of the political machinery – the British are open and they embrace us.

But we Filipinos need to make the first step and adapt.

In the past, for example in the ‘70s, the Filipino community in the UK was a hidden community. It was during the arrival of qualified nurses in the UK that we became recognized as a community.

What tips would you give to Filipinos about living and working in the UK? Get involved with the local community. You can either offer your time or share the skills you have by volunteering with local charity organizations because there is something spiritual about charity work and volunteering.

It is important to retain our Filipino values but at the same time, use that as the foundation for adapting to the British values.

Most Filipinos in the UK have families – use whatever network you can, not only with Filipinos but with the wider community as this will give you more confidence when applying for jobs. It will also help you foster an understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

We need to reach out to the Filipino community and equally, to other communities. It is always enriching to meet other communities and help them or learn from them.

If you want to get involved in politics, best to join a party and help out rather than run independently.

And this is not all about hard work, we have fun, too! ←

BUSINESS

BLOOMING SUCCESS

Text and photos by Jacke de Vega

“B

akit ba flowers? For a change! Pagod na ako sa pagiging domestico.”

(Why flowers? For a change! I am tired of being a domestic helper.)

Efren Daniel Dordas, a native of Capiz, had no formal training as a florist. He finished nursing in the Philippines but ended up working as a household cleaner, caregiver and bellboy in Rome.

Arranging flowers abroad, however, was where he found his luck.

Dordas, 46, recalls helping out his mother create corsages that they would sell during graduation rites in the Philippines in his youth. That basically sums up his training as far as the business is concerned.

How then did he become a successful florist in Rome?

It all began when he was working in a hotel. At an event, Dordas volunteered to do the arrangement of the flowers, realizing he liked doing it and was actually good at it.

The future entrepreneur also took inspiration from one of the most famous florists in Italy, the late Luigi Bocchi.

“Everytime na dadaan kami rito [sa Corso Vittorio Emanuele], titigil at titigil siya sa tapat ng shop ni Bocchi at titignan niya ang window ng 10 minutes [admiring Bocchi’s creations] (Every time we pass by here, he would always stop and gaze at his window for at least 10 minutes),” says Bong, wife of Efren.

Later, a caterer in Frascati hired Dordas as their exclusive florist. Thinking he could turn his newfound skill into a lucrative business, Dordas decided to open his own flower shop.

THE FIRST BLOOM In August 2005, right in the heart of the Eternal City, on Via Monterone, Dordas Flowers was born.

Efren Daniel Dordas found fortune in flower arrangement.

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Dordas Flowers uses materials sourced from both Italy and the Philippines.

“Sa awa ng Diyos, wala namang struggle masyado noong nagsisimula pa lang kami. ‘Yung pera namin inutang lang din sa bangko. Nag-strive kaming magtrabaho to pay it back (With God’s grace, we did not face a lot struggles when we were starting out. We got a loan from the bank and we worked hard to pay it back),” says Dordas.

His family as well as his mom and relatives helped him get started. In fact, they themselves built the shop almost from scratch. Hiring an architect, builders and shop helpers proved to be too expensive for Dordas.

“Kaming lahat ang gumawa. Kami ang nagpintura, naglagay ng design, pati ang mga eskaparate kami ang nag-install. Kasi naman, sinisingil kami ng architect ng €10,000 para sa professional fees niya (We all worked hard to build the shop from top to bottom. We painted the walls, came up with the design, and installed the cabinets, among others.

We couldn’t afford the €10,000 professional fee of the architect.),” recalls Dordas.

With the help of his wife, Dordas was able to spend wisely their borrowed capital: €7,000 for their rent deposit, €2,500 to €3,000 for the flowers, and the rest for other expenses.

Thanks to a number of wedding events, Dordas Flowers reached ROI in just about four months.

Dordas Flowers has since moved from Via Monterone to Largo del Teatro Valle. It has another branch in Corso Trieste.

MAGO DEI FLORI FILIPPINO Now known as “mago dei fiori Filippino” or “the Filipino wizard of flowers,” Dordas doesn’t let his

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MONEY TIPS FROM A FLORIST: ■ Spend within your means ■ Be humble to continue enjoying God’s grace ■ Live simply ■ Don’t be envious of others ■ Always think positive ■ Always pray and ask God for guidance ■ Always be grateful

Dordas Flowers Largo del Teatro Valle, 5, Roma, Italië +39 06 6813 4967 www.dordasflowers.com

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success go to his head. He simply wants to make his clients happy.

His secret he says is transforming a bunch of flowers into simple but elegant creations. He uses materials that are readily available, sometimes combining them with items sourced from the Philippines like abaca.

Dordas charges his clients according to the materials and the labor required for the job.

Needless to say, Dordas Flowers has captured the hearts of the Italians. He has catered to politicians, royalties, and other famous personalities. Some of his work can be seen at government buildings like the Senate, historical museums, and libraries.

Dordas says flowers are like bread for the Italians.

They’re easy to please, too.

“It helps that you let your clients see how you work on a particular arrangement,” he says.

Dordas adds, “Ang sarap sa pakiramdam dahil makikita mo ang reaction nila kaagad na nagandahan sila. (It feels good when you see their reactions immediately and they find your work beautiful.)”

With all his big-shot customers, one would think he should be used to them by now. But Dordas is quick to admit that he still gets surprised whenever he finds out the identity of the client. “One time, hindi namin alam na para kay [former] President Gloria Arroyo ‘yung ginawa naming bulaklak! (One time, we were surprised to find out that the flowers were for former President Gloria Arroyo!)”

IT IS NOT ALWAYS SPRING Just like any other businesses, Dordas Flowers has its ups and downs. The flower shop owner says it is important to know everything about it: the seasonal flowers, the trends and peak seasons.

January is Dordas’ slowest month. They make up for it during Christmas and the wedding season which is from May to July.

There was a time that the business so consumed Dordas that he was always on tenterhooks.

Fortunately, he has learned to relax on running the business. After all, seeing how the shop has become popular since it opened its doors, he really need not worry.

“I never expected to stay this long in this business,” says Dordas. “Pinakita ko lang ang aking craftsmanship at passion ko sa flowers. (I just showed them my craftsmanship and passion for flowers.)”

Dordas advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be handson when it comes to their business. Having lots of guts and courage is a great ingredient for success, too.

“Be honest to the people you sell to. Treat your clients the way you would like to be treated as a client,” says Dordas.

He wishes his kababayans in Rome to try having a business of their own. Filipinos, he says, shouldn’t be afraid about paying taxes or failure. ← Advertisement

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“Be honest to the people you sell to.

Treat your clients the way you would like to be treated as a client.”

COLUMN

A LOOK AT EDUCATION

by Francisco Colayco

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any of our expat Filipinos are working so hard with the primary objective of sending their children to a good school. This is a most noble goal but we need to be clear on what is really important.

Most parents assume that the best education is the most expensive one. Going to the expensive schools is almost always equated to high quality education. Graduating from such institutions is taken as a guarantee for a good career and personal financial success. Indeed, education is an investment for one’s own future.

But what if we were to look at education as strictly a financial investment decision? Though clearly, it is not all about money, determining the most appropriate type of education for our children boils down to affordability. Here is where the pitfall lies. Most of us will kill ourselves to give our children the most expensive education (at the expense of other just as pressing needs) we can afford. Why? This is because we have been conditioned to believe that the higher the investment in education, the higher the return. Worse, some of us may even believe society will judge our stature by where and what category of school our children go to.

NOTHING COULD BE MORE IRRELEVANT TO OUR LIVES THAN THIS! Purely on a return on investment perspective, we must evaluate the cost of formal schooling versus the lifetime cash return to the graduate. Presently, even graduates of the so-called high-end schools are having a hard time finding jobs. There is now clearly a large-scale mismatch between what our economy needs and what schools are turning out. We continue to send our children to take courses with no serious economic potential other than perhaps getting employed with a reasonable salary. Getting college degrees are no longer as imperative in securing gainful economic activity after graduation. Being creative and logical with a facility for communication seems to be the order of the day.

Entrepreneurial education founded on liberal arts is, today, the key to personal economic success. Liberal arts teach us to how to think and assess, to define problems and arrive at solutions, to create and add value. More importantly, it develops a mindset that forms the seed of our intellectual capital, which for most of us, is our only true capital in this life.

If we accept this premise, securing “profitable” education need not be concentrated on formal schooling. We can then even have the option of combining formal and nonformal schooling at very low cost. Two-year communication

“Presently, even graduates of the so-called high-end schools are having a hard time finding jobs. There is now clearly a largescale mismatch between what our economy needs and what schools are turning out.” arts courses augmented by practical vocational and small business training can reduce your educational investment by as much as 50 percent. Though your children may not initially have impressive degrees, they can nonetheless be awarded diplomas and/or certificates of a recognized educational attainment at their chosen time in the future.

We should open our minds to the practical norm of taking more time in formal learning but getting more practical experience “on-the-job”. Such combination of formal and non-formal schooling would actually impart more real learning and develop a more serious entrepreneurial aptitude. The big advantage in this approach is that our children will be able to use their time with “hands-on” education. Learning could then really be enjoyable and fun!

Today, life is more complicated, competitive and expensive.

Few would have the luxury of wasting so much time, effort and money in an education that was not really fit to the personality of a child/person. Thus, we should encourage “dreams” in the minds of our children much earlier in life on what they want to be when they grow up. As parents and teachers, we must observe them more and guide them towards the field/s in which they seem to have the most capability to enjoy and succeed. They have to be preparing for their college education as soon as they step into high school. Another major reason why this is important is the competitiveness of entrance examination.

I have to emphasize the need for the child/person to “enjoy” a chosen field because one of the key elements of success is being happy in what you are doing. The technical aspects can always be learned and mastered but happiness can only come from within.

Wherever you are in the world, you can study more about personal financial management from the Filipino way of doing things. Visit www.colaycofoundation.com. Our books and ebooks are also available in various websites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Flipreads, Kobo, Google Play, Overdrive, and Apple iBooks. ←

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Bringing the taste of Asia to Europe A simple craving for tocino and longganisa (Filipino cured pork meat) when she moved to the Netherlands in 2010 prompted Gladez Kok to revolutionize the importation of Asian food to Europe, particularly Filipino food. An idea sparked when she was looking for the perfect taste of preserved Filipino meals that she was used to.

“We want to provide Filipinos with the kind of food that they grew up with but find it difficult to buy here. Likewise, we hope that the Europeans will be able to recognize quality Asian products most specially Filipino food.”

Jack and Gladez Kok of Sarappinoy NL

Her husband, Jack Kok, found tocino and longganisa very appetizing that it inspired him to recreate a new mixture. They conducted sample tasting among friends and family, which proved to be a success.

Due to the growing demand for their preserved products, the couple started the brand Sarap Pinoy NL, with affiliations engaged in importation and wholesale distribution of dry goods, fresh produce, fruits and frozen food based in Zwolle, the Netherlands. “Ka Wai” Jack Kok whose family is also involved in the trading and import of Asian products to the Netherlands, made the importation of Filipino food more possible.

With a combined experience of more than three decades in restaurant management, food innovation, sales, customer service and logistics, the husband and wife tandem managed to capture the market all the way to the BENELUX and Germany areas.

Today Sarap Pinoy NL has almost 300 variations of dry goods and frozen products in addition to their own line of preserved food. Their distribution reaches France, Italy, Spain, Austria, the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) and even up to Finland.

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Gladez Kok’s marketing strategies and connections in the Philippines are key to the successful importation of fresh fruits from the Philippines like mango and saba (a kind of banana that grows only in the Philippines) as well as frozen seafood and vegetables. She puts high priority on quality control to ensure that they will only deliver the highest quality of products to the customers.

Jack Kok’s experience as a manager for a big logistic company in the Netherlands also plays a big role in transporting the products.

Special handling, storage and temperature-controlled trucks are required to maintain the quality of fresh produce and transport their products to retail outlets across Europe.

“By combining our goals, initiatives and experiences, Jack and I are able to turn our dream into a reality. There were many challenges along the way but despite these, we were able to fulfill our goal of promoting Asian, especially Filipino products, here in Europe,” says Gladez Kok.

For more information on the wide range of products that Sarap Pinoy NL offers, contact: www.sarappinoynl.com info@sarappinoynl.com Gladez or Jack Kok at +31657881078 FILIPINO EXPAT MAGAZINE | #11 2015

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Combining quality journalism with visually engaging design, The Filipino Expat is the first travel and living magazine that highlights the lives of Filipinos in Europe and the most beautiful destinations in their home countries. Our stories inspire readers to travel and discover the world and uplift the image of Filipinos as global citizens. Veering away from politics, show business and sensational stories, The Filipino Expat provides discerning readers with wanderlust and a renewed sense of pride as a Filipino.

Never miss an issue again. Subscribe to The Filipino Expat via www.thefilipinoexpat.com or email your name and address to publisher@thefilipinoexpat.com and have the magazine delivered straight to your doorsteps. Our magazine is free and you only have to pay a minimal postage fee of â‚Ź12 for The Netherlands and â‚Ź20 for the rest of Europe. #11 2015 | FILIPINO EXPAT MAGAZINE

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COVER STORY

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A EUROPEAN DREAM

by Dheza Marie Aguilar photos by Robin Kuijs

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ain, hail and snow fell in Amsterdam on the day of our cover shoot. With deadlines looming, we decided to risk it. The bright and sunny day backdrop we initially planned had to be improvised. Just as we were about to start the shoot, we readied ourselves for foul moods and a day of disaster.

But surprisingly, our cover girl Angel Trinidad didn't seem to mind. Her infectious laugh and radiant personality turned what could have been a bad day into a day full of fun and tales of inspiration.

MEET OUR COVER GIRL At first glance, Trinidad looks like a university student. She could even pass for a teenager with her signature tussled hair, bangs and brightly painted lips. But the 29-year old Filipina is the editor of Holland Herald, the Royal Dutch Airlines KLM’s inflight magazine, read monthly by 2.2 million readers from all over the world.

Born in Marikina City, Trinidad was granted an Erasmus Mundus scholarship in 2008. At 23 years old, she began her life as an expat student in Göttingen, Germany.

Trinidad said though, her European life had begun long before she got on the plane en route to fulfilling a lifelong dream.

“I didn’t really need to adjust so much [in Europe]. I had been dreaming of it since 2006 and my mind was already there. I just needed to take my body,” said Trinidad while we were finally warming ourselves up inside the cozy Pata Negra restaurant.

HELLO EUROPE While still finishing European studies at the Ateneo de Manila University, Trinidad was very much into the indie music scene. She often hung out in Cubao Expo, an alternative hub in Araneta Center,

Cubao; or at indie gigs in Saguijo or Route 196.

Swapping CDs with university friends, she got exposed to Swedish indie music. Trinidad loved it so much, she had never stopped listening to it since then. The bands called The Radio Department, Shout Out Louds, Sad Day for Puppets and Club 8 were constantly on her play list. Needless to say, her passion for Swedish music inspired her to know more about the country.

That was the beginning of her love affair with Europe.

“Everything I found out about Sweden made such a big impression on me, like the society, how everyone is taken care of, the magnificent nature and… there’s just that special and specific feeling that I get [about the country],” she recalled.

For almost two years, she worked as a research analyst and Spanish translator for the European and Latin American markets at Thomson Reuters in Manila, never forgetting her dream of studying in Europe.

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is considered a ticket to Europe for many young Filipino students.

Trinidad applied for the first time in 2007 but her application got rejected. Not one to give up easily, she tried again the year after. This time, she was granted the scholarship to finish her master’s degree in Euro-culture. “I was the happiest girl alive. I knew that I had this chance now to go to Europe and fulfill my dream.”

Trinidad spent her first semester at the GeorgAugust Universitat Göttingen before continuing her second semester at Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao, Spain.

Contrary to popular belief, Trinidad didn’t spend her days drinking beer and partying all night as what was expected of expat students in Europe.

She preferred exploring the beaches and forests of Bilbao, making short movies in Stockholm with her friends, and going out to museums and concerts.

Maintaining her scholarship and passing her exams were Trinidad’s top priorities.

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Fika (fee-kah)- Swedish noun / adjective It means “to drink coffee” usually with something sweet. Fika also represents quality time in the Swedish culture. #11 2015 | FILIPINO EXPAT MAGAZINE

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“I love fika! In Sweden, people stay mostly inside their homes because of the long winter. So they try to make it really cozy inside, like you have fika with your friends and family and colleagues.”

Coming from a more conservative educational system, Trinidad confessed that she had difficulty adjusting to the European way of teaching students.

During the first few months, she would get nervous about speaking up in class to do her presentations.

“In the Philippines it is about listening to the lecture, taking down notes. But here it is more about critical thinking, and people really value your opinion. You have to speak up in class. When I was studying, I wasn’t used to that. But you keep on practicing, you just keep on doing it. I wasn’t shy but when it came to academics, at school, I couldn’t help but get nervous. That was before. But now I am fine because I did it.”

The enormous pressure of passing her master’s degree almost took its toll on Trinidad. Suffice to say, there were moments of weakness when she contemplated on giving up on her dreams.

“There were times when I said, ‘I am just going home. I cannot do this anymore.’ That even if it is your dream, it can be so difficult. At that point I didn’t have confidence in myself. I was so young.

I was only 23. But after finishing my master’s programme, finishing all the courses, then I felt like, ‘Hey I can do this!’”

Trinidad spent her last semester in Stockholm working on her thesis about nation branding and how Swedish indie music portrays and promotes the country, a sort of ode to her journey from the Philippines to Sweden.

“Being a student in Europe is something that everyone should experience. If you have the chance to get a scholarship and study in Europe, grab that chance because it’s once in a lifetime and you really get to develop yourself independently. You will know how to live somewhere else far away from home and all these opportunities will open up for you,” said Trinidad.

While studying, Trinidad worked briefly as a research assistant intern at the Philippine Embassy in Stockholm.

In 2010, she finally earned her master’s degree and on the same year, met her Dutch boyfriend in Stockholm. It was also the year that the global financial crisis hit Europe, making it difficult for Trinidad to find a job immediately.

With an expiring visa and without a job, she had to return home to the Philippines and leave her new-found love.

When it was time for her to go back again to Europe, Trinidad was not spared from the

Next to the US and UK, Sweden is a key player in the music industry.

ABBA, Roxette, The Cardigans, Europe and Ace of Base are just some of the big names that they have produced since the 1970s.

difficulty of applying for a new visa, taking the Dutch language test and the long, agonizing wait for her papers to be processed by the immigration office. To keep herself occupied, she worked as a communications specialist for a particular project at the Norwegian Embassy in the Philippines, turning yet another challenge into an opportunity.

“It was very difficult and it took us a year. But if you really want to be together and you want to be in Europe too, it will work out. You just have to do the right paper work.”

In 2012, Trinidad finally got her visa and was back in her boyfriend’s arms in Europe.

DREAM JOB The financial crisis was not yet over when Trinidad got back. But her optimism and passion for art, culture and music armed her with the right skills and attitude to land her dream job.

In May that year, she applied for an internship, which turned into a position as web editor at Arts Holland, an organization that promotes Dutch tourism through culture and the arts.

When her contract expired, she was hired as editor of Holland Herald, a position that has allowed her to share her thoughts and diverse interests to millions of readers across the world. She originally applied for an editorial assistant position, but her background impressed the company so much that they created an editorial position for her.

Aside from overseeing the production of stories for the magazine, she also has her own section called Hello World where she writes short articles about themes she loves: art and design, architecture, music and events in Amsterdam and the rest of Holland.

On the Dutch working floor, many expats are confronted with the local culture of frankness and straightforwardness. That kind of exposure made Trinidad appreciate honesty at work even more.

She is no longer afraid of opinions and criticisms made by others. She likes knowing there are no gray areas she should be stressed about when working with her European colleagues.

“I was so lucky and I felt so happy when I got that job. It is more merit-based and not how old you are.

People ask you what you do, what you want to do and what your interests are. It is more about you and what you can do. I enjoyed doing that,” said Trinidad.

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“My motto is the best times are always now or yet to come. Enjoy life today and think that the best times are always coming. It’s always there. It’s in the future.

That’s the only way to move forward.”

MAKING THE BEST OF EXPAT LIFE Trinidad is the embodiment of Filipino optimism and cheerfulness. When homesickness and depression hit her, she tries to find happiness in small things like a good song, a piece of cake or even a candy. In the Nordic countries and Western Europe, winter can last for months and the sun barely comes out.

“In Sweden, people stay mostly inside their homes because of the long, dark winters. So they try to make it really cozy inside, like you have fika with your friends and family and colleagues. Have a piece of cake, light some candles and surround yourself with beautiful design. Go to Ikea. I also go to Ikea to cheer myself up and have a fika.”

She added, “People see me as this optimistic person who is always happy but I am just a human being. I also get sad, get sick, get depressed. It’s normal. Everyone has that. The important thing is not to get jaded. It is always a decision. You can see yourself as someone sad and unlucky. Or you can also see yourself as someone facing a challenge and that you can always grow from it and be a stronger person.”

“And it is important to surround yourself with loving, positive people, who can help you through bad times and who will always believe in you. My family is very supportive, and I am lucky to have a very caring boyfriend by my side, who is supportive of my dreams.”

No matter how hard life abroad becomes, Trinidad believes that Filipino expats are still lucky.

They are given the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and develop themselves.

“You get to live a life that is different from others, that is somehow special. It feels like it is hard and a lot of people can be overwhelmed by it but think of it as an experience. You are very lucky to have the opportunity to live somewhere else and forge a better future for yourself. So even if it’s hard, try to think of it in a positive way. Just enjoy. You are already here. The world is open for you. Just try to make the most out of it.”

According to her, living in Europe made her love her birth country more. “I get more in touch with who I am as a Filipino because you see the

difference too much when you are confronted with a different culture.”

HOME IS WHERE LOVE IS No matter how much she enjoys her life in Europe, a part of her happiness will always remain in the Philippines: her family. Like so many of us who have made the difficult decision to leave our loved ones behind to pursue life and love in other parts of the world, Trinidad finds it hard to choose a single place to call home. But one thing is certain, home is where she feels most loved.

“Marikina will always be home. The Philippines will always be home because my family is there, my mom is there. She is my best friend, the person I love the most. The hardest part of being an expat is not being with my mom. But also, home is where my boyfriend is, home is where love is. It is also where you can fulfill yourself the most, where you have the opportunity and the right environment to become your truest self.”

She regularly goes home to the Philippines to enjoy the beaches and the food but more so, to spend time with her family, particularly her mom, dad and her niece, Luna.

“Seeing their happy faces when they pick me up from the airport, that’s so priceless. That’s the best part of going home, that you are somewhere where people love you, unconditionally. That they are waiting for you always with open arms.”

THE BEST IS YET TO COME At such a young age, Trinidad has already achieved most of what she dreamed of: living in Europe and landing her dream job. She would sometimes catch herself wondering if it’s all true.

For someone who has a penchant for melancholy, she would sometimes feel sad whenever extreme happiness overwhelms her, thinking that particular moment would never happen again. But she would steer herself in the direction of positivity again.

“My motto is the best times are always now or yet to come. Enjoy life today and think that the best times are always coming. It’s always there. It’s in the future. That’s the only way to move forward.”

Just as she is now, Trinidad wants to remain young at heart, see the world like a child and absorb everything it has to teach her.

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TRAVEL ADVICE “I don’t want to grow old in my heart. I don’t mind growing old in my appearance but I want to stay young in my heart. Being stuck in your own opinion, I think that makes you old. Even as you grow old, you have to be open to what the world is saying and what’s going on in the world.”

For dreamers like her, young or otherwise, she tells them not to lose heart and continue to work on achieving their dreams no matter how high the obstacles are.

“If you have a dream, just focus on it and really try to do something in achieving it. Don’t stop even if it is really hard at the beginning and it seems impossible, it is not. It is possible. Just try and do whatever you can. Apply for a scholarship, apply for a job. I think it is also important to know what you want. If you know it and you really want it, things will happen. Make sure that every day, you do something that will lead you to your dream. Even if it is just small things like looking for internships or looking for scholarships on the Internet. Every day, do something that will get you closer to your dreams.” ←

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Angel Trinidad shares some travel tips for your next trip in Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands.

STOCKHOLM Make sure to go in the summer. It is the most special time with long, cool days and the midnight sun. Take a day trip to the Stockholm archipelago or have a picnic at one of the city’s beautiful parks: Observatorilunden.

Stay at Ideas Island, a beautiful island where creatives can stay for a week for free to work on their ideas and projects.

Have a fika at the many cozy cafés in the city: Sturekatten, Vetekatten, Citykyrkan, Rosendahls Tradgard, etc. or hang out at Tradgarden with Stockholm’s hippest crowd.

Be awed by the Stockholm Public Library’s magnificent dome of books.

BILBAO Go to the famous Guggenheim Museum.

Better if there’s an Art After Dark event!

Spend a day in one of the nearby beaches: Sopelana or Plentzia and climb San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a magnificent monastery island with the most

incredible bridge.

Party at Kafe Antzokia.

Eat! Basque food is absolutely delicious, especially the fish. Have pintxos at one of the many street bars in town.

AMSTERDAM Marvel at Amsterdam School’s architecture. My favourites are the Tuschinski theatre and the Grand Amrath Hotel.

Meet Vincent at the Van Gogh Museum.

Don’t forget to read his letters. Then dive into more art. Amsterdam is bursting with the finest art: Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, etc. Afterwards, have a fika at the Museum of Bags and Purses. Their fashion high tea is the best!

Bike around town and discover your favourite neighbourhood and take a free ferry to Amsterdam North. Eat at Tolhuistuin.

Catch a concert at Melkweg or Paradiso or have drinks and dance at Nieuwe Anita.

Shop for lovely paper at Vlieger, and old-school stamps and wax seals at Posthumus Winkel.

Stay at Hotel Not Hotel. They have a cozy room in a vintage Amsterdam tram cart!

TRAVEL

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Springtime in London

Surfing in the Philippines

At home on the Caribbean

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DESTINATION EUROPE

SPRINGTIME LONDON

london: sprin

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THE BRITISH WAY Text by Melissa Legarda-Alcantara Photos by March Joseph Rosales and Walter Labajo

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F

ew cities are as stimulating as London in the springtime, my favourite time of year. Inspiration awaits the metropolitan wanderer around every corner.

The ice thaws out, the drizzle ceases, the sun begins to shine.

And as the pavement trees gain back their leaves and flowers start to bloom, London truly comes alive.

London is one of the world’s most multicultural melting pots, a grand municipality filled with faces from every country, home to some of the most recognisable attractions around the world, and the birthplace of many a famous icon, from the royal Queen Elizabeth to the fictional Sherlock Holmes.

There’s much to do and see in this bustling metropolis.

Especially during April and May, where events such as the London Marathon, Oxford versus Cambridge boat race, and RHS Chelsea Flower Show drum up much excitement, as do the London Coffee, Chocolate, and World Street Food Festivals. St George’s Day also has Londoners spilling merrily out of bars and throwing cheerful street parties into the early hours of the morning.

A trip to London wouldn’t be the same without heading to the famed and popular postcard attractions such as Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye, or paying respects to museums and West end shows. However, many tourists often get so caught up in the grandness of the monuments that they forget that the essence of a city lies in its day-to-day culture and practice.

Between your bouts of sightseeing, it would do you a world of good to take the time to relax like a local and enjoy the city in the spring, a time of freshness and renewal. So without further ado, allow me to propose some pursuits and places around London during my favourite time of year.

HAVE A LAZY SUNDAY Springtime is synonymous with lazy, idyllic Sunday mornings. London is still asleep, fuzzy and hung over from its antics during the night before. Things aren’t so busy. Take advantage of this time to enjoy the city at its most peaceful.

Wander around your area; sit and observe life on a park bench.

On Sundays, I love to go to markets and have breakfast or brunch there. One wonderful food market to visit on a crisp spring morning is Broadway Market, which offers everything from lovingly crafted artisanal hot chocolates (with enormous marshmallows, very more-ish), to quality truffle oils, to slow-cooked pulled pork sandwiches. However, having grown up in West London, I’m partial to the buzzing vibrance of Portobello Market, where you can relish a freshly whipped up nutella crêpe, enjoy a red velvet cupcake from The Hummingbird Bakery, or savour a freshly fried falafel wrap. Browse the gorgeous antiques and vintage clothing, make friends with the local fruit sellers, and be entertained by the street performers. I also recommend strolling under the nearby Westway to view some incredible local street artwork, and to enjoy some stunning springtime views of the West London canal.

For a proper British weekend, round off your evening with a staple Sunday roast complete with all the trimmings.

A typical roast includes well-cooked roast meat (beef or chicken are most popular) with roast potatoes and vegetables, Yorkshire pudding (my favourite), and plenty of gravy. Great roasts can be found at most gastro pubs and restaurants. I’d recommend sharing a jug of Pimms as an appetiser as the afternoon fades into the evening, and having a cheeky glass of cider to accompany your meal.

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Fish and chips is a London must-try.

CLASSIC BRITISH TREATS If you’re going to have a roast, you should definitely treat yourself to other classic British treats. Perfect for a sunny spring afternoon is the elegant British tradition of afternoon tea. Afternoon tea involves sipping earl grey tea from fine bone china teacups; nibbling mini cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches; and enjoying buttery baked scones filled with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Swankier locations include The Georgian Restaurant at Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, and The Ritz – all with excellent ambiance, good posh nosh, and occasional celebrities. Cheaper (but just as delicious) options include Le Pain au Chocolat, Patisserie Valerie, or Yumchaa. Of course, if you’re on a budget, nothing beats a DIY teatime at home or in your hotel room. Pick up some scones, butter, and jam from the local shop, put the kettle on, and enjoy. There are no rules here!

There’s one dish you absolutely cannot leave the country without trying: fish and chips. At the very least, have a battered sausage. Nothing beats going old school with a newspaper-wrapped portion of cod and chips from your local chippie (Micky’s Fish Bar is legendary); whack on plenty of salt and vinegar and enjoy it outside in the crisp cool weather to truly savour the heavy, tangy flavours. For modern twists on the dish, dine in at Fish Club for veggie options and ethically captured fish, or sit down at The Golden Hind, voted as the Critic’s Choice for fish and chips

by Time Out. Finally, a good old English fry up breakfast never goes amiss if you need some substance in your stomach, especially after a heavy night out in town. A typical fry up includes bangers (sausages), bacon, eggs, baked beans, hash browns,

A cab in London painted with a Philippine tourism advertisement.

“Springtime is synonymous with lazy, idyllic Sunday mornings.

London is still asleep, fuzzy and hung over from its antics during the night before. Things aren’t so busy. Take advantage of this time to enjoy the city at its most peaceful.” mushrooms, toast, and tea. Head to the nearest greasy spoon – a colloquialism for a diner or café – to get a decent fry up.

If you’d prefer a more refined ambiance, try out Aubaine or The Breakfast Club. The latter restaurant is always chock-ablock, so be prepared to queue.

GO FOR A TIPPLE DOWN T'PUB Springtime weather is splendid for an afternoon tipple. Ales, brews, cocktails, mocktails, and fine wines abound. Countless pubs and bars await the metropolitan wanderer. If there’s one thing Londoners can agree on, it’s the appreciation of a good drink.

The Austrian Tiroler Hut on Westbourne Grove is always a good laugh. Order a double Weiss bier, a bottle of apple schnapps, and prepare to be hung-over! Bar Story, located in a tunnel beneath Peckham station, has great cocktails, lagers, and local brews. To gratify your inner cocktail critic, head to Shrub and Shutter, Three Eight Four, or Peg and Patriot for incredibly well made cocktails. Even if, like myself, you

don’t drink alcohol that much, the artisanal mixing of each flavour will have you nodding appreciatively.

There’s nothing like sipping a refreshing drink as the sun goes down over London’s skyline. For fantastic views of the city, head to rooftop bars such as Madison Rooftop Terrace, which has an amazing view of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and relax with a beer or soda as day fades into dusk.

London nightlife caters to all, and in the spring, there are many great live music nights and clubbing events cropping up. The spectrum of nightlife ranges from cheap and cheerful to high end and expensive. Great places to bar hop include Shoreditch, Brixton, Mayfair, Soho, and Camden. If you do go clubbing, try and get yourself on the guest list in advance – it can save money and time queuing. Also ensure that you stick to any given dress codes, and always, always bring a valid form of identification – especially if you’re lucky enough to be baby-faced!

HAVE A LEISURELY SPRINGTIME STROLL There’s still a touch of frost in the air – our noses and ears are pink, and our gloves and scarves remain firmly donned – but that’s the beauty of London in the spring. I like to rise early and head to the park, gloved hands wrapped around a steaming take-away cup of coffee or tea, breathing in the fresh morning dew. Take a stroll through your nearest park; sip your warm beverage on a bench and smile at passing strangers, even if their faces are sullen and detached (as Londoners so often appear to be). For a moment, they’ll be taken aback – but they’ll always return the smile.

Wander through Hyde Park if you can, to the Princess Diana Memorial Gardens, and towards Kensington Gardens, also a beautiful area. Saunter past the Serpentine Gallery

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Good eats are aplenty in London.

and catch some early morning swimmers plunging into the freezing water pools and racing each other. There are cycling lanes all over Hyde Park; you can hop on a Boris bike (an affectionate term for the public Barclays bicycles that can be rented around the city centre) and cycle around the park, which intersects with some main roads and roundabouts.

Most of the main parks have large, pretty lakes. If you’re more of a water baby, you can rent out a boat and go for a scenic float.

Other wonderful places to breathe in fresh air whilst admiring the city include Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, and Telegraph Hill. Hampstead Heath, apart from being nestled in a beautiful area filled with cafes, bars, and independent boutiques, is the perfect park for a picnic. The highest point on the hill offers incredible views of the city skyline – a fantastic place to catch the sunrise or sunset. Primrose Hill offers the same gorgeous views, and is generally quieter than Hampstead Heath, which can be popular.

Greenwich is a beautiful place to visit. There’s a market, offering everything from noodles to bespoke mineral jewellery. There are shops, boutiques, and cafes. There’s the Greenwich Maritime Museum, which features some incredible architecture. The whole place is just stunning.

You can catch the sunset from Greenwich Park, or just by standing at the river’s edge. Whenever I come to Greenwich, I feel like I’ve travelled back in time. It feels as though you’re taking in almost the same view as they did in an older London, like the Victorian era, because the docklands have remained much the same.

Gorgeous photo opportunities abound in London, especially during spring. When the air is crisp and the sun is bright, the city is illuminated. You can get beautiful panoramas of the River Thames and the London skyline from the Embankment. Check out the view of the Thames from the Chelsea area; the views are just as beautiful, but much

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quieter, and much less crowded. There are usually only a handful of people strolling along the bridge. Once you’ve finished taking in the bliss of the River Thames in the spring, go forth and venture into that wonderful hub of commerce, Sloane Square.

SUPPORT YOUR KABABAYANS Finally, to truly feel at home in London, immerse yourself in the Filipino roots that have settled here, across the pond.

Earl’s Court is a well-known Filipino area in London, home to many Filipino businesses and shops that sell Philippine goods and produce.

Satisfy your longing for a robust plate of good, freshly cooked Filipino food at any of the popular eateries that have established themselves in London during recent years, such as Lutong Pinoy, Josephine’s Restaurant, Lakwatsa, Cirilo, or Nilo’s. For a lively, music-filled evening, head to FM Pasyalan, a live music, karaoke club and bar that serves a Filipino food buffet until late. The owners are very generous hosts, the regulars are jolly, and the live Filipino rock bands always get the crowd grooving on the dancefloor before long. Mabuhay!

MAKE THE CITY YOURS For all the places and ideas around London that I could recommend, we all see through different eyes. London is infinitely subjective for each and every person. Your experience of the city will be informed by the places you go to, the things you do, and the people you meet.

Once you’ve seen the sights, had your photo opportunities at the tourist attractions, and cherry-picked places to visit around the city, you need to give yourself time to wander freely, to make your own discoveries. I absolutely adore London, especially in the spring. I want you to love it too.

So put down your map, open your heart, and let the spirit of springtime London guide you. ←

AMSTERDAM CHECK-IN

A

former prison, refugee centre and artist studio, Lloyd Hotel had indeed played many roles before it became the celebrated design hotel that it is now. Located in Amsterdam’s Eastern Docklands, Lloyd Hotel was popular among emigrants in the 1920s. They stayed here during their first few days in the Netherlands due to its proximity to the Quarantine building where they were required to have a medical checkup.

Lloyd Hotel’s rich and long history is reflected in its one-of-a-kind design. The only five-star design hotel in the world takes pride in the fact that no two rooms are alike. Each one was carefully designed by a team of Dutch designers – from the 1920s style furniture to milk bottle chandeliers and patterned curtains called Curtains of Desire. Don’t be surprised to find a swing or a hammock hanging from the exposed wooden beams inside your room, let alone iconic Marcel Wanders chairs and benches.

More than just a historical landmark, Lloyd Hotel is also a Cultural Embassy, a venue for the promotion of the Dutch culture in Amsterdam. Regular events like exhibitions, film showing and musical performances are held here by artists and designers coming from different parts of the world.

Business travellers are spoiled for choice here when it comes to space.

The library and the bespoke mezzanine at the fourth floor provide a quiet and relaxing ambiance for working. If you’re meeting up with friends, their lounge area, restaurant and terrace (for spring and summer) are large enough for drinks and relaxed conversations.

An overnight stay at the hotel costs from €60 to €185. Breakfast is €17 per person.

Lloyd Hotel is only 10 minutes away by tram from the Amsterdam Central Station.

Unlike the chaotic city centre, the Eastern

A DESIGN HOTEL FOR EVERY BUDGET

by Dheza Marie Aguilar photos by Robin Kuijs

Docklands area houses some of the city’s most modern architecture including the Muziekgebouw and Amsterdam’s cruise passenger terminal. Across the hotel is the Eastern Quay where you can take leisurely walks in the afternoon and sample the menu in the restaurants lining the quay. ← Lloyd Hotel and Cultural Embassy Oostelijke Handelskade 34, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland www.lloydhotel.com

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DESTINATION PHILIPPINES

SURF'S UP!

by Ma. Glaiza Lee photos by Pranz Kaeno Billones and Nikki dela Paz

T

he wind dictates when would Filipino surfer Nikki dela Paz hit the road and ride the waves. Like all surfers, she knows that strong winds make for a choppy ride. Wind is a surfer’s natural enemy for it breaks off the waves and causes heartaches.

When she longs to be one with the waves, riding her long board over glassy, smooth swells, dela Paz would check out Magic Seaweed, a mobile app, for wind and wave conditions before heading to a

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surfing destination near the capital Manila.

Her weekends are often spent surfing.

Safe to say, while most people on a beach holiday would be sleeping until noon, dela Paz would be up at dawn, catching waves and enjoying a good tube-ride – if she gets lucky. Depending on the season, there are days she would get swells that create choppy waves.

For dela Paz, living in an archipelago surrounded by water means surfing all-year round and consistent waves

depending on whether the destination is facing the Pacific Ocean or West Philippine Sea. This lady surfer, who has won several competitions, believes that the Philippines is one of the best surfing destinations in the world for beginners and experts alike.

Being a surfer for more than a decade now, dela Paz definitely knows what she’s talking about.

Dela Paz shares her favourite surf spots in the Philippines:

LA UNION Break Type: Beach Break Direction: Left and right Best Season: October to April during the North Swell Wave Consistency: All-year round Wave Quality: Good, with occasional barrels Suitable For: All types of surfers (beginners, intermediate, experts) Ten months of good waves draw surfers to this northern surfing destination. From May to March, La Union enjoys consistent waves from the North Swell, continuing on from October to March during the South Swell and peaking in December and January.

Located roughly five hours away from Manila, La Union has areas for beginners and advanced surfers. Considered as Philippines’ best kept secret when it comes to the water sport, La Union has clean waves reaching up to eight to 10 feet high on a good day – perfect for experts. There are also small and medium waves for beginners.

Head to San Juan known for its long beach shore. Dubbed as the “Heart of Surfing” in La Union, it has three different kinds of breaks: the beach break, where waves break on a sandy seabed; the point break, where waves hit a point of land or rocks jutting out from the coastline; and the bowl break which is located at the midpoint of the long beach strip.

“Surfers don’t have to worry about accommodations here because there are many affordable resorts and hotels around the area. Surf schools are everywhere and they rent out boards,” shares dela Paz. Another must-visit is Sunset, a twominute drive north from San Juan. It has medium to large, good quality, left and right hand breaks, depending on the direction of the swell. Meanwhile, Carille is famous for its 300-meter right hand point break that seems to go on forever.

Bacnotan, on the other hand, has beautiful waves for good, long rides especially during the North Swell (October to April). Darigayos gives off clean waves with both left and right hand breaks during the South Swell (May to September).

BALER Break Type: Reef and beach Break Direction: Left and right Best Season: October to March, during the North Swell, but peaks during December to January Wave Consistency: All-year round Wave Quality: Large, clean and quality waves Suitable For: All types of surfers

Pagudpud La Union Zambales

Baler Catanduanes Samar

A surfer enjoys a ride on the glassy waves of La Union.

Siargao

“Enticed by the beautiful waves crashing on the shore, they brought out their surf boards and started surfing.”

This quaint town is considered the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines.

Legend has it that when the production crew of the 1979 film classic “Apocalypse Now” was searching for a place to shoot some scenes, they chanced upon Baler.

Enticed by the beautiful waves crashing on the shore, they brought out their surf boards and started surfing. This became a regular activity when they were not busy shooting scenes. When they finished filming, the crew left their boards to the locals, and the rest is history.

Located six hours away from Manila, Baler enjoys several surfing spots for both beginners and professionals. There is the Sabang Beach which provides small to medium waves, perfect for the initiation of beginners and novices to the water sport.

Another must-visit is the Cemento Beach, where one can find a strong right hand reef break that creates THE largest, cleanest and good quality waves – simply perfect for advanced surfers.

A short walking distance from the town

proper is Charlie’s Point, where some of the beach scenes in the movie Apocalypse Now were filmed. It has regular swells, with medium size and quality beach break.

Its waves can break both left and right, depending on the swell. Try also Lindy’s Point, a break accidentally created by the local government when the engineers opened the mouth of Baler Bay to the town river as a flood prevention exercise. Its tall, strong and sharp waves will attract the most adventurous professional surfer.

PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE Break Type: Beach and reef Break Direction: Left and right Best Season: October to April, during the North Swell Wave Consistency: Semi-consistent Wave Quality: Good, with occasional barrels Suitable For: All types of surfers Length of Ride: Normal, about 50 to 150 meters

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Young and old can learn how to surf in Baler.

A pure surf lover’s getaway place. That is how most people describe Pagupud, Ilocos Norte. Boasting probably the best and the largest waves in this side of the world, the attraction of this place lies also on the beautiful sceneries serving as the perfect backdrop as one rides the waves.

“If you want a less crowded spot, Pagudpud is definitely the place for you. It has laid-back ambiance. This is also a good place for those who like adventure and who can rough it up,” says dela Paz. Must-visit is the Blue Lagoon. Its powdery white sand beach, paired with clear, turquoise waters and good swells make it a truly panoramic surfing spot.

The rugged and raw beauty of Maira-ira and the serene isolation of Saud Beach also lure surfers in to their shores.

SAMAR Break Type: Beach Break Direction: Left and right Best Season: October to April Wave Consistency: Very consistent especially during its best season; good off-season waves are often generated by typhoons Wave Quality: hollow yet powerful and barreling Suitable For: Intermediate, advanced, and experts Length of Ride: up to 150 meters

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“Boasting probably the best and the largest waves in this side of the world, the attraction of this place lies also in the beautiful sceneries serving as the perfect backdrop as one rides the waves.”

before sunset. A fast, right hand, beach break with tubing section awaits surfers.

Other surfing spots are Bato with its right hand, beach break which breaks off into many peaks; Fish Port which provides a left hand river mouth that runs for 200 meters amid its sand and pebble bottom; Puro which benefits from a reef break that works great during high-tide; Bongs Point with its beautiful A-frame reef break that breaks off on both directions; and Bridge with a right hander that breaks on shallow reef and best during low tide, among others.

SIARGAO

Dubbed as the “Surf Capital of the Visayas,” Samar is a surfer’s treat because reef breaks here create hollow tubing waves – the largest and cleanest in the Philippines – during the season of the Northeast Swell (from October to April).

When the Northeast monsoon hits Samar, advance surfers usually head to Parola where they can expect a tubing wave that breaks right beside or near a cliff and into the bay. Nearest to the town proper, Boulevard is a great surfing spot especially in early morning and right

Break Type: Reef and beach Break Direction: Left and right Best Season: October to April, during the North Swell Wave Consistency: All-year round, but assured swell during the best season Wave Quality: Powerful and barreling Suitable For: Intermediate, advanced and experts Length of Ride: 100 to 200 meters The Philippine Surfing Mecca, Siargao in Surigao del Norte is named by CNN Travel as one of the “World’s 50 Best Surf Sports.”

Its famous Cloud Nine was ranked 9th because “this dramatic and powerful reef

(Left) Tourists have fun with the waves; (right) Nikki dela Paz in her element.

“Most international surfing competitions are held in Siargao. There is a thriving surfing community here.” break, which crashed onto shallow razorsharp coral, offers right and left death rides.” It is the only Philippine beach in the top 10, and one of the three Southeast Asian beaches that made it to the list.

Siargao is also known for its consistency and waves towering up to an average of seven feet.

“Most international surfing competitions are held here. There is a thriving surfing community here. Tourism facilities are also available here. They may not be fivestar accommodations, but the waves are definitely world-class,” enthuses dela Paz. Recommended for advanced and expert surfers, Cloud Nine has the perfect barreling right hand reef break, with razor sharp coral at the bed of the ocean.

Second to it is Caridad, a swell left hand break that creates barrels during its best season, especially during the East and Northeast Swells.

Providing a unique surfing experience is Cemetery, named as such because it is located right in front of the General Luna Cemetery. Five minutes away from this surfing spot is the Guyam Island, a perfect spot if you don’t want to compete with other surfers for waves at nearby beaches.

At the back of the island, one can see

several breaks a surfer can choose from.

Jacking Horse boasts of powerful waves that jack on its peak and smash onto a shallow reef before gathering itself on the inner reef. Another world-class barreling reef can be found in Pacifico. Pansukian Reef, meanwhile, offers an upside down, water drop-shaped barrel that works well on an East to Southeast Swell.

ZAMBALES Break Type: Beach Break Direction: Left and right Best Season: April to September, during the South Swell Wave Consistency: All-year round, but most consistent during its best season Wave Quality: Medium, with occasional barrels Suitable For: All types of surfers If one doesn’t have enough time to travel for long hours but still want to experience surfing in the Philippines, head to Zambales. Located just three hours away from Manila, Zambales is probably the nearest surfing spot one can get to. Although the swell of the waves

is not usually as large as other surfing destinations, Zambales is still a good place for beginners and intermediate surfers most especially.

Located in Pundaquit Village in San Antonio, Magic Left is a good spot during the South Swell. The break located right in front of Crystal Beach Resort in San Narciso breaks both left and right and offers a fantastic location for a weekend getaway. Probably the most consistent among Zambales’ surfing spots is High 5 Lahar in San Felipe with its fun waves.

CATANDUANES Break Type: Reef and beach Break Direction: Left and right Best Season: March to June for beginners; July to December for experts Wave Consistency: Fairly consistent Wave Quality: Powerful and barreling Suitable For: All types of surfers An emerging surfing destination, Catanduanes is known for its majestic waves. It is a great spot for those who want to ride the waves in a laid-back setting. Facing the Pacific Ocean, this rustic province has a creamy golden sand, clear waves and vibrant coral reefs. The long barrel waves in Puraran Beach in Baras have often been compared to the waves of Hawaii. Their power and quality make them suitable for expert surfers. For their initiation to the board sport, beginner surfers can head to much-tamer Tilod Beach. ←

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CHECK-IN CAVITE

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

by Diana Uy

H

aving quality time with the family back home in Manila does not need to happen in a mall. There are plenty of alternatives like reserving a room in a resort or hotel for a day or two. You don’t even need to fly out of the city or spend too much to do just that.

Less than an hour’s drive from the metropolis, Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park in Kawit, Cavite has practically all sorts of accommodations for every budget and size of group. There are well-appointed rooms, cabanas and dormitories. Guests can spend the day at the wildlife sanctuary, occupying twothirds of the sprawling establishment; the maze challenge, the adventure zone that comes complete with a paintball arena and an airsoft field; and at the 3,000-sqm water complex with swimming pools for kids and adults, giant slides and inflatables. Lifeguards are on standby.

Available too are indoor and outdoor sports, a wellness centre highlighting traditional Filipino massages like hilot and dagdagay; and of course, a videoke/ karaoke area. The Bayside KTV boasts nine private rooms that can seat two to 30 persons. There are up to 3,000 songs available in Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese and Filipino.

In case you get hungry, the Fishing 42 FILIPINO EXPAT MAGAZINE | #11 2015

Fishing Village serves all-time Filipino food favourites like grilled seafood, liempo and chicken barbecue.

Village, which features bamboo huts on stilts facing Manila Bay, serves traditional Filipino food favourites. Must-try is the kamayan-style Boodle Feast which is a delicious spread of practically everything you missed eating in the Philippines: sinigang na baboy, kinilaw na isda, crispy pata, lechon sa buho, fried liempo, grilled seafood, steamed vegetables, salted eggs, and ensaladang lato, to name a few.

Dessert can be bought from a

nearby sorbetero.

Some diners go fishing here and have their fresh catch cooked for them.

Another restaurant, Sangley Point, serves American comfort food like burgers, shakes, baked baby back ribs, and pizzas.

The bacon barbecue is home-made.

Meanwhile, iCafe whips up great desserts and freshly brewed coffee and espresso.

For more information, visit www.islandcovephil.com. ←

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BEYOND EUROPE

AT HOME ON A CARIBBEAN ISLAND Text and photos by Allyn Alda

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A

s the only Asian girl in the whole street where I live in the Colonial Zone, I stick out like a polar bear in the Caribbean. I am followed by a few stares as I walk past to go to work and some of the more daring men would call after me, “China! China! Ven paca! (Chinese!

Chinese! Come over here).”

I can in theory stop and tell them that I am not in fact Chinese, that I am Filipino, I came all the way over here for an internship, that as former Spanish colonial subjects we have surprisingly so many things in common. But most days I don’t. If I did for every single cat-call I got on the street I would probably arrive at work a couple of hours late.

Cat-calling in these parts are typical everyday life hazards a woman has to put up with in the Dominican Republic. If you look foreign, expect more, “Hello, beautiful!” and flying kisses from boys in school shorts to bored grandpas.

Machismo is deeply embedded in this Caribbean country.

As is Catholicism and the weekend beer drinking sprees.

The Dominican Republic, in fact, reminds me so much of my own country that if people looked more Asian and spoke a Filipino language, I could easily confuse it as my own.

The Dominican Republic was the first country colonized by the Spanish Kingdom. The colonization was so devastating though that the pre-colonial population, the Taino Indians, was virtually wiped out by a combination of smallpox and the harsh conditions of slavery.

The contemporary Dominican population now is a hodgepodge of former Spanish colonial settlers, European and Arab migrants, and the descendants of African slaves.

The Dominicans pride themselves as a country of many colors that welcomes all and embraces all differences.

We fared better in many ways but that Spanish colonial link between the Dominican Republic and the Philippines still hold strong. This can be seen from the shared food culture. Lechon, the very same whole roasted pig we

Filipinos love, also is a much celebrated delicacy here. This holds true for peanut brittles, plantain in syrup (minatamis na saging), longaniza, and chicharron which are also popular food fare in this Caribbean country.

The shared pride of both countries is their spectacular beaches. Located in the same longitude albeit in the opposite sides of the world, both have the same humid tropical weather and white sand beaches lined with coconut trees. The postcards of the Caribbean do not lie. The sea in this part of the world is azure blue and the fine sand delicate enough for you to happily sink your warm feet into.

Despite these delightful commonalities, these two countries are also right smack in the path of disastrous natural phenomena. While in the Philippines typhoons run rampant, in the Dominican Republic cyclones threaten the island a number of times annually. Being both composed of volcanic islands, earthquakes are common occurrences in both countries.

But perhaps more important than the white sand beaches or the ubiquitous lechon on a street stand, the people in the Caribbean are disarmingly warm and inviting. They will charm you with their smiles and without hesitation shove into your hand a glassful of beer they share from a liter bottle. People are openly curious about where an Asian girl like me is from and what brought me to their little paradise.

There is a lot of pride here for the easy and tranquil way they live life. This is what makes me feel at home in this Caribbean island thousand of miles away from home.

The Dominicans are quick to open up the doors to the inner sanctum of their homes to strangers. They also drink grand quantities of beer with their close-knit group of friends as if it were their last. And precisely these two basic characteristics might be what unite us island people from the opposite sides of the world. ←

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Advertorial

46 FILIPINO EXPAT MAGAZINE | #11 2015

TASTE

48

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Fine sipping rum made in Negros

Filipino pastry chefs in Lyon, France

The hunter and his prey

#11 2015 | FILIPINO EXPAT MAGAZINE 47

FOOD & DINING

AN INTOXICATING DON

by Ma. Glaiza Lee

D

uring the 90s, British national Stephen Carroll went on a vacation in the Philippines that changed his life forever. That time, he was making the rounds and creating a name for himself in the spirits industry. He already worked and held several senior marketing positions with different companies such as Seagram, Diageo and LVMH, among others.

He decided to visit a family friend who was residing in the province of Negros Occidental. As soon as the plane landed in the quaint international airport in the town of Silay, just off the capital city of Bacolod, he was greeted by a sweet breeze coming from the fields upon fields of sugarcanes.

Later he saw them: vast plantations of lovely stalks anchored

into the rich Negros soil, their lush young leaves dancing, swaying with the soft wind.

Captivated, he went on to explore more of the rustic town, discovering sugarcanes were everywhere, the beach was just a short-walk away, with gentle, sloping mountains providing the scenic backdrop. He thought that the only thing missing at that moment was a glass of a really nice rum. Then, the picturesque scene would be perfect.

The thought lingered in the mind of the soon-to-be founder of Don Papa, even after he left Bacolod. Carroll then started doing some research, tapping his good friend Andrew Garcia to help him produce the best rum this side of the world.

At that time, the two friends were both working for other companies.

Slowly, they experimented with a few mixtures until they finally came upon their perfect rum. Not long after, Carroll established the Bleeding Heart Rum Company and created the first Philippine premium rum, Don Papa or The Don, in 2012.

“Stephen thought that it is but logical that a Philippinemade rum should be produced in Negros. The province is and has always been the sugar capital of the Philippines. And where there is sugar, there is rum," says Garcia, managing director at Don Papa.

To create the best Don Papa rums, Carroll partners with a local distillery which sources the finest sugarcanes from the Negros province.

“There is something about the topography and temperature in Negros that makes the sugarcanes seem sweeter than anywhere else. It could be the rich soil or the humidity. Maybe it is the combination of all those things – climate, geography and the rich volcanic soil on the island, but Bacolod or Negros produces the finest and best sugar,” says Garcia.

THE ANGEL'S SHARE Nowadays, the production of rum varies from place to place. Probably, the easiest way to categorize it is to know where they came from.

For instance, the rums produced in Spanishspeaking islands such as Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic are quite light with a clean taste; while the ones distilled in Barbados, Jamaica and Bermuda are darker rums with a strong molasses flavour. French islands make theirs using sugarcane juice with little or no molasses, producing rums with a more pronounced sugarcane flavour.

The production may be different from every region. But they all follow the same process of fermentation, distillation, and ageing.

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“Don Papa is first aged seven years in American oak barrels that have been previously used in the production of bourbon in the foothills of Mount Kanlaon before being blended and column distilled to have a more consistent flavor,” shares Garcia.

The Philippines’ warm and humid climate, says Garcia, draws out the potent and dark character of Don Papa.

The company loses about seven to eight percent angel’s share, or the amount of rum that evaporates out of the barrel during the ageing process, leaving the company with only half of the original amount. “We do not refill our casks, resulting in a stronger, dark and more concentrated rum,” says Garcia.

The final product is the Philippine’s first sipping rum. It is quite light and fruity on the nose while smooth and delicate on the palate. The light amber Don Papa 7 has a long, richtextured finish and complex flavor of vanilla, honey, caramel and candied fruits.

In 2014, Bleeding Heart Rum introduced Don Papa 10, a limited edition rum made from the same Negros sugarcane but aged for 10 years. It is darker, with deep and powerful kick on the nose but a delicate tingle in the mouth. It exudes notes of dried fruits, cacao and oak. It has subtle hints of caramel and vanilla. Don Papa 10 has a higher than the regular alcohol-by-volume strength of 43 percent, at least three percent higher than its predecessor.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? The name Don Papa was inspired by one of the heroes in the Negros region during the Philippine revolution, Dionisio Magbuelas or Papa Isio.

Papa Isio was a farmer who worked in a sugar plantation.

He was also a babaylan, an indigenous religious leader.

When the Spaniards invaded Bacolod, he was one of the very first few who revolted, playing a critical part in freeing Negros from Spanish rule.

“We wanted Don Papa Rum to embody Papa Isio’s spirit of independence, irreverence and sense of justice,” says Garcia.

Don Papa translated those same characteristics in the rum’s packaging as well. “The packaging should also set the stage for the liquid within, embody its roots yet speak about high quality,” says Garcia.

The bottle is from France, the cork is from Portugal, the label is printed from Italy and the brand image was designed

by Stranger&Stranger from New York. The packaging design won the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2013. On that same year, Don Papa Rum brought home the Product Innovation of the Year award at the Paris Cocktail Spirits Show.

“Don Papa has reached France, Belgium, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany in Europe. We also have trading partners in Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands. We are also in

Hong Kong and Singapore. We are taking it one bottle at a time,” says Garcia.

In an interview, Carroll said: “The UK is a dynamic and growing rum market and we feel the time is right to make Don Papa available here. Premium rums such as Don Papa have added another dimension to the drinking moment and, based on the number of requests we’ve had in the UK for Don Papa, we’re excited about our brand’s future.”

Don Papa is indeed fast becoming a favourite drink of the most discriminating gentlemen in the Philippines and abroad. And it doesn’t matter whether they like it neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail.

RUM IN HISTORY Legend has it that the use of molasses started when Christopher Columbus introduced sugarcane to the locals in the Caribbean in 1493, creating a craze among its people. Even King Louis XIV developed a taste for it.

Although, the origins of rum could be traced back from the early fermented drinks made from sugarcane juice found in China and India.

The sugar production in the Caribbean also resulted into a few by-products such as molasses. People thought nothing of it at the time. In the 17th century, the slaves in the island of Barbados learned that the molasses could be fermented, distilled in order to remove its impurities and turned into an alcoholic beverage they later baptized as rum.

Later, the alcoholic drink became a big hit and made its way into the American colonies. During the Transatlantic slave trade, sugar and molasses were actually exchanged for slaves from Africa. During the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the rum’s popularity had reached new heights. There were already more than a hundred distilleries in the New England colonies. Pirates and privateers recognized its high value as a trading commodity and would steal it from trading ships plying to and fro the Caribbean.

Sailors lived on rum while at sea. In 1655, the British Navy decided to substitute rum with their previous ration of French brandy. To keep the crew hydrated, they would store water, beer and rum. After emptying their water barrels, they would drink the beer and eventually the rum which was the last liquid to go rancid. These sailors and pirates didn’t drink their rum neat, but instead they watered it down which they called grog or mix it with sugar and nutmeg to create a drink they called bumbo.

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FOOD & DINING

At par with the world

by Carlo P. Mallo

I

t took 10 years to realize a dream of Filipino pastry chefs. And in the prestigious Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie 2015, the dream was not only realized it was even surpassed.

The Pastry Alliance of the Philippines, an organization of Filipino pastry chefs, has been working and strategizing since the early 2000s on how to put the Philippine flag in the prestigious roster of countries that participate in the biennial competition. It was only in 2014 when the Philippines, after competing in the Asian Pastry Cup in Singapore, was awarded a slot to the Coupe du Monde de la

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Patisserie 2015 in Lyon, France.

This is a story made for the movies – it even brings to mind the story of the classic, David and Goliath, for this is a story not of the many failures and obstacles that tried to stop them from reaching their goals. This is a story of how even a small country, despite the lack of modern-day tools, can be at par with the top countries in pastry making.

It comes as a given that the delegation from the Philippines is the underdog in the competition. After all, Europe and other first world countries were the ones to set the benchmark for the industry and their

experience will always be unparalleled. It also helps that the competition is in their home continent.

The humidity of Manila is unbearable for the ordinary person, just imagine the amount of difficulty it gives the pastry chef trying to pull sugar or just trying to temper chocolat au lait. The pastry chefs who work in Manila know that the country is not exactly the ideal place to master the art of pulling sugar or chocolate sculptures, more so with ice sculptures.

But this seems to be the advantage that helped Rizalino MaĂąas, team captain and sugar artist, Bryan Dimayuga, chocolate

These impressive dessert creations placed the Philippines 12th out of 21 countries.

“The humidity of Manila is unbearable for the ordinary person, just imagine the amount of difficulty it gives the pastry chef trying to pull sugar or just trying to temper chocolat au lait.”

artist and dessert chef and Vicente Cahatol, ice and chocolate carver.

The challenge of perfecting their crafts was not only hampered by the high humidity of being in the tropics, they also had day jobs to attend to. Working in one of the busiest hotels in the country and preparing for the competition was no easy feat.

Last January, after a grueling flight from Manila to Amsterdam to several unexpected layovers, and finally in Lyon, the Philippine delegation was warmly welcomed to the competition.

With support from various private individuals and companies in Manila and in Lyon, the delegation immediately went to train in order for them to adjust their skills accordingly with the dry and cold weather.

“It was actually more advantageous for us as we are used to harsher conditions for sugar pulling and chocolate sculpture, but since the atmosphere in Lyon is more favorable, it was easier for us to execute [our entries],” Mañas said.

The day of the competition was a grueling 10-hour non-stop execution of 21 kinds of dessert: three chocolate desserts, one artistic sculpture from sugar, three frozen fruit desserts, one artistic creation made of chocolate, 12 desserts on a plate, and one artistic creation made of sculptured water ice. The Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie is not just a test of one’s physical strength and mastery of the art of pastry making; it was also a test of spirit.

The Philippine delegation held on and was able to complete all that was asked of them and more that they landed 12th out of the 21 countries in the competition on its first attempt. And like a cherry on top, the group also bagged the Best Ice Carving award.

The Philippine delegation is feeling more than winners as they have achieved more than what they just initially dreamed of: to represent the Philippines and compete at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie – a dream that has now become a reality, an inspiration, a proof that the Filipino artistry is at par with the world. ←

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FOOD & DINING

THE AETA AND THE PREY W

ho would have thought that someone with only a borrowed chisel in hand, a sketch etched only in memory, and hails from a tropical country would best the crème de la crème of Europe and North America in the ice sculpture competition at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie?

Vicente Cahatol did just that and left the judges, fellow competitors, and spectators dumbstruck as he carved his ice sculpture with the simplest of tools. It was a sculpture carved out not from the mastery of a piece, but from a deep passion for the art; passion that allowed him to carve out curves and corners from the ice with just an image in mind.

His chef-dœuvre for the ice sculpture is that of an Aeta, a tribesman from the hinterlands of Luzon, carrying a freshly killed deer on his back. The piece symbolizes how the Philippines was before various western influences colonized the country.

Originally, Cahatol narrated during the celebration back in Manila, the sculpture was supposed to have a deer that was slumped on the back of the Aeta with its head hanging low. “But it seemed too gory so I changed the piece at the last minute in Lyon, France,” Cahatol said.

There were other adjustments that he had to do on his piece as his block of ice cracked due to the extreme temperature.

And just like many Filipinos who face challenges in their lives, Cahatol merely “adjusted accordingly” to turn the flaw into a useful part of the sculpture.

The talent of Cahatol comes as no surprise as he hails from the town of Paete in Laguna, a province in the outskirts of Manila. Paete is known for its wood carving industry – a skill that seems inherent to the people in the area.

But more than the masterful skill of Cahatol in carving lifelike pieces from ice, it was his passion and dedication to his craft that garnered him the gold medal. ←

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SOCIETY

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Dance to promote art and culture

A Catalan school welcomes Filipino traditions and cultures

Small but terrible

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CULTURE DANCE

FOUR DECADES: A CULTURAL MISSION

by Ricky Tuazon

M

y obsession for dance started in the early years of my childhood, when I would prance and pirouette around the house, much to mom’s dislike. The yearning to be a ballet dancer ended in frustration as the family felt that this was not what boys did. But dance was very much part of me.

So I turned my interest to folk dancing. My big break came at the Ateneo de Manila when our Grade 7 moderator taught us the male version of “Pandango sa Ilaw”. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. But it was only after I got my business administration degree from the University of the Philippines that my lifelong obsession would find its fulfillment.

After the 1965 US tour of

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“The yearning to be a ballet dancer ended in frustration as the family felt that this was not what boys did. But dance was very much part of me. So I turned my interest to folk dancing.”

the Bayanihan, the National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, “Pasalubong sa Bayan” performances were held at the Araneta Coliseum. Prior to this, the dance company had attained world renown after their premiere performance at the 1958 Brussels World Fair and succeeding world tours and Broadway performances. It was then that I finally witnessed a complete folk dance repertoire staged to technical perfection in velocity, lights, fascinating costumes, precision and striking projection. I was mesmerized by the tribal dances, the elegance and grace of the Spanish influenced numbers, the majestic Muslim dances and Singkil and the joviality of the rural suite climaxed by the fast-paced

“Tinikling”.

That was then I started my training in the dance company. I was taught the rudiments of folk and tribal dances, participated in auditions, and subjected to months of further training for eventual Saturday recitals at the Philippine Women’s University social hall for visiting tourists.

Local performances ensued in restaurants, hotels, private residences and the Malacanang Palace for honored guests as well as provincial tours.

In-between practices I would wander the Bayanhihan museum to learn more about tribal dances.

The first trip to Russia was the keynote of the group’s world tour in 1967. In fastidious preparation for this trip a recently researched T’boli number called

The author at work.

“Tagabili� was choreographed and that was where I had the chance of experiencing a first rate participation in the making of a dance. Further our choreographer and music directors both national artists Lucrecia Urtula and Lucrecia Kasilag together with artistic director Jose Lardizabal collaborated on the creation of another spectacular repertoire.

Most of the senior members joined the world tour. The national group members were made to embark on an Asian tour.

I was part of that group.

Expo 70 in Osaka Japan was a turning point as we were sent on a six month mission to perform at the Philippine pavilion under the auspices of Former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

The culmination of my Bayanihan touring days was the European tour that featured dances interspersed with fashion shows of foremost couturier-

designer Aureo Alonzo and included beauty queens Gloria Diaz, Nelia Sancho, Charina Zaragoza, Lotis Key and Ruby Alano. The tour brought us to Intercontinental Hotels in Paris, London, Berlin, Duesseldorf, Vienna, Rome, and Amsterdam.

A performance in Madurodam became my passport to The Netherlands as after this last performance I decided to jump ship and reside in this country.

I started my cultural mission in this country in 1971. My obsession for dance continued but found its realization when the first Filipino Association was formed in 1979. The officers of the association were aware of my knowledge in folk dances as a former Bayanihan member.

I accepted their invitation to form a cultural dance group as a means of furthering my goal in the promotion of Philippine culture through dance that was

terra incognita in this country.

In 1980 I started training a group of ladies, most of them nurses and joined by two former Bayanihan dancers Cynthia Carreon-Recto and Cecille Limjoco. A six-month rigorous training ensued where the non-dancers were taught the movements, the Bayanihan folk dance style, projection and precision that proved stringent and grueling. Determination and motivation were the factors that spurned us on. Although the audience was enthusiastic about our first performance, I felt that it was lackadaisical and lacking in various aspects and that eventually I would venture on a long, toilsome and arduous journey. And the fulfillment of this mission and the presentation of Glimpses of Philippine Culture parallel to that of the Bayanihan repertoire then seemed an impossible quest.

After a few hard years of rehearsals, unending patience and endeavor for perfection the group was finally deemed set to perform at the City Hotel in Zoetermeer. There we received a warm reception and much-deserved accolades for our performance. The Dutch-Philippine Association Cultural Dance Group became the embodiment of dexterity in folk dance presentations in the community.

Since then, invitations to perform poured in, from Philippine embassy receptions to Philippine Association events in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. The group also performed at the opening of Schouwburg De Meerse in Hoofddorp. The yearly DPA day celebrations saw the inclusion of new numbers and the participation of former Bayanihan dancers Chencho Ballieux-del

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Practicing his tinikling during the author’s younger days.

Prado and Inda Manuel Gage.

The centennial celebration of Philippine independence in 1998 was a significant milestone. I was commissioned by the Federation of Filipino Associations to present a program that will showcase the rich Philippine culture through dance. Ambassador Rodolfo Sanchez was so impressed that a week later, we were invited to perform at the Sociëteit De Witte in The Hague for the Independence Day reception of the Philippine Embassy. One of the performers was Ruben Abellon, the first Filipino recipient of the royal award of knighthood in the order of Oranje Nassau conferred by the Queen of the Netherlands.

The second generation continued to perform at the DPA day celebrations. One of their successes include winning the grand prix at a folk dance competition. I was awarded

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“Expo 70 in Osaka Japan was a turning point as we were sent on a six month mission to perform at the Philippine pavilion under the auspices of Former First Lady Imelda Marcos.”

the best choreographer award.

Marked interest in folk dances was prevalent in this generation.

Male dancers helped add more dances to our repertoire including a war dances from the mountain regions: the Moslem number Kuntao-silat as well as the Maglalatik, a dance of coconut shells strapped to the bodies of the male dancers. There were also dances from the Bagobo, Yakan and Bilaan tribes of Mindanao.

The 25th anniversary celebration of the DPA in 2004 saw the third generation of dancers, mostly children of the first generation. The performances included the Jota Manilenya, a fast-paced Spanish influenced dance with bamboo castanets; the Manton de Manila, dance with Spanish shawls; and the Kinakulangan a Moslem combined dance of malong, scarves and umbrellas.

Ambassador Romeo Arguelles was a frequent guest.

In 2009, after being the cultural director for 29 years, I had to resign from the dance group.

After DPA, I became involved with the United Filipino Dutch Association (UFDA). They needed a choreographer for their 25th anniversary in 2011.

The performance called “The Presidential Waltz” was a success.

My achievements were not left unnoticed. I had received several awards of recognition from the Philippine Embassy, DPA, Stichting Habagat, and Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation of the Netherlands.

In recent years, there has been a decline in the interest in Philippine cultural dances among the young. They are now into hiphop and the likes. This is where my arduous journey in promoting Philippine culture through dance begins again. ←

COLUMN

A CATALAN SCHOOL WITH A PINOY HEART

by Nats Sisma Villaluna

T

wo years ago, I was invited by a Filipino family to attend their 12-year old daughter’s graduation ceremony in one of the schools in Barcelona. There I was, standing in front of a sea of white, surrounded by excited and proud parents laden with cameras and tablets snapping at every turn and movement of their children who were seated in the middle of the school’s small quadrangle waiting for their names to be called. All the candidates were Asianlooking except for one Ecuadorian girl.

Hours later, as the last candidate moved forward and was handed his diploma and his tassel turned to the left side of his cap, the new graduates stood up for the graduation song. Right after the last note faded in the background, as if on cue, all caps flew in the air amidst shouts and applause.

Though far from the solemn and formal celebrations we are used to attending back home, the ceremony went off well considering it was the first time such an event of its kind was ever mounted inside the school. Sitting in one corner, the members of the faculty who were all Spanish, looked amused by the pandemonium happening in front of them.

After all, they were not used to doing this.

In Spain, such a celebration marking your graduation from elementary, high school or college is usually unheard of.

So how come a Catalan elementary school like Sant Francesc D’Assis allowed such a rite of passage to be held in its premises? To answer this question, one has to trace the transformation of this school from being an all-Catalan school to an almost all-Filipino school.

Founded in 1874 by Franciscan sisters, the Col.legi Sant Francesc d’ Assis originally catered to middle-class Catalan families living in the Eixample neighbourhood. After the 1992 Olympic Games, the number of Filipino immigrants in Barcelona drastically increased and the Barrio of Raval became the preferred place to settle. A stone’s throw away is where

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Sant Francesc d’Assis stands which would later become an attractive place for the newly settled Filipino families to send their children.

HOW IT STARTED Today marks my second visit to the school after that graduation ceremony two years ago. My appointment with the school principal is at 10 o’clock and two minutes later, the friendly receptionist points me towards the principal’s office. The lobby is eerily quiet. Classes have already started.

“The school experienced a decrease in local student population. Those who were born here started to move to other neighbourhoods and those who were already older didn’t have children. That was the peak of immigration and the locals who were still with us saw the rising presence of immigrants and eventually decided to move to other schools,” explains Neus Valls, the school principal who has been with the school for 21 years now.

Seeing the drop in the number of Catalan students and the rise of other nationalities, the school found itself facing a dilemma. Valls admits there was a little bit of self-examination. But there was nothing they could do. Some parents preferred to take their children to other schools where there were not a lot of immigrants. There was a demographic crisis. Obviously, they couldn’t force them to stay. There were so many schools and a lot of space for everyone. On the other hand, Filipinos came and they came in droves. “So we welcomed them,” says Valls.

THE WELCOME ROOM There was a big adjustment period especially for the teachers. There were students who didn’t know the language.

Not only was there a language barrier, but there were also concerns on how to deal with the parents.

“It was hard. I think there was an evolution of wanting to do things well.

We saw that the Filipino community felt comfortable here. It’s a Catholic school and the teachers had a good attitude in receiving the new culture. There was no rejection,” says Valls.

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With the school’s new demographic landscape, there was a need for some reeducation. A new methodology had to be adapted. The Aula d’Acollida or “Welcome Room” was born. Newly-arrived students from the Philippines, Pakistan or China don’t speak Spanish or Catalan and live in their support network where they only speak their own languages.

“We teach them Spanish and Catalan languages and cultures not only because we are obliged by law but also because for us, this is one of the best ways to integrate.

This served as a bridge to make them feel welcomed.”

Alvin Collado arrived in Barcelona in 2010 and entered Francesc d’Assis that same year. He was only six. After the first week, he wanted to drop out of school. A week later though, he started going to the Welcome Room and made friends. He no longer pestered his mom to quit school. It was different for Millet Chipiongian, one of the first two Filipino girls to enter the school in 1985. The Aula d’Acollida hadn’t been born yet. It took her three months to adapt to her new environment.

Although the process of adaptation among Filipino children has generally been positive, it has been tough for some especially for those who were left behind by their parents or those who were born in Spain but were sent home under the care of their grandparents. When they came back to Spain, they felt uprooted. “I have mothers crying to me. They lost authority.

Their kids don’t respect them. These kids are angry, resentful. They feel abandoned,” says Valls.

THE 'YES' CULTURE Obedient. Polite. Respectful. Very appreciative. Good in English and Music.

This is how Carles Martinez, the school’s vice-principal describes his Filipino students. “Filipinos have a culture of listening. And they have a big desire to learn new things. The relationship between the students and their teachers is warm and close. As a proof, every time school breaks come, students hug their teachers and cry because they are going to miss them. They are very cariñosos.”

However, Martinez observes that Filipino kids are generally shy. They always want to

“Ideally, we would like them to be more secure of themselves.

To be critical thinkers. To reason out in a good way. The most important thing is to think on their own. I think we are able to teach them this.” give the right answer. If they don’t know or not sure of the answer, they don’t open their mouth. They are scared of making mistakes, they don’t want to disappoint.

“That’s why we tell them, it’s okay to make mistakes, we are here to learn. I think it will take years for them to really express themselves freely. To lose fear,” says Valls.

This shyness puzzles Valls. Having been brought up in a society where children can speak their mind, she can’t understand why Filipino kids, even those who were born in Spain still want to say the things that are expected of them to say. “I can’t say if this is good or bad but it’s just the way it is. Ideally, we would like them to be more secure of themselves. To be critical thinkers. To reason out in a good way. The most important thing is to think on their own. I think we are able to teach them this.”

TO HOLD OR NOT TO HOLD THE CEREMONY I am given a quick tour of the school premises. Our first stop is the small quadrangle, the exact place where I witnessed the first ever graduation ceremony in the history of the school.

But prior to this “historic” event, Filipino parents would hold graduation ceremonies in a hotel on their own without the school’s participation.

“The thing about graduation is really funny. For us, one of the things that we didn’t really approve of was the concept of mounting a “show” with girls wearing make-up and high heels. We are willing to do the graduation ceremony in school but with some conditions,” explains Valls.

One of the conditions was not to allow girls to wear make-up and high heels. The nuns would not approve of it. The other condition was not to give out academic awards. For the school, everybody is equal. “We give everybody his diploma, we won’t look at the grades.”

Jinky Maloles, who was at that time the president of the Associació de Mares i Pares (Parent Teacher Association) was happy that the school was willing to negotiate. All the conditions sounded reasonable. “We want our children to also experience what we experienced when we finished our elementary years in the

Philippines. So we agreed,” she says.

Valls recalls how it pained them that parents had to go outside the school to hold the ceremony. Having worked in an American school in Santa Barbara for seven years, she knows how this graduation thing works. This gives her the advantage of understanding Filipino parents’ desire for a graduation ceremony.

But for the school board, it was a bit of a culture shock. The school and the parents met halfway. The event was a success.

It has become a yearly ceremony in the school premises since then.

MEETING THE PARENTS The school’s relationship with the parents is best reflected in its relationship with its PTA officers. The officers know that every Friday afternoon the door of the school is open. Valls, Martinez and Cristina Fontfreda, head of studies, are always around to receive them to discuss whatever concerns they have.

Baicel Papasin Agdan, the current PTA president, has only good words for the school. “The school treats everybody equally. Our children are happy with their teachers. We never experience any form of discrimination.”

EDUCATION IS WEALTH For Filipinos, education is very important.

Parents will do anything to send their kids to school until they finish their degrees. This is the only “wealth” they can give their children. Their legacy.

And the children of Sant Frances D’Assis perfectly know how to value their parents’ sacrifices and do their share in return. The incredible results of their Pruebas Basicas de Competencia (Basic Competence Tests) given by the state is already a proof that they take their education seriously.

Catholic, convenient, affordable with high quality education are the qualities that Filipino parents look for in a school.

And Sant Francesc d’Assis seems to have all four. As of today, it is home to 217 students; 90 percent are Filipinos. Col. legi Sant Francesc d’Assis may be a small school, but it is one big happy family. ← Thanks to Marilou Caiga for arranging the interview.

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SPORTS

LITTLE SPORTS HEROES

Gerald Crisostomo, left, and Sandro Reyes, right, are the new champions of Filipino youth in Europe.

T

hey may still be kids but when it comes to their respective sports, these young Filipinos are already making a mark in the European sports scene.

KARATE CHAMPION He only stands 1.44 meters and is considerably smaller than Europeans his age. But on the sparring floor, Gerald Ruiz Crisostomo is a giant who beats boys twice his size during competitions. This 13-year old Filipino from Brussels is a karate champion, who will be representing the Wallonian (French) region, together with seven other teammates, in the upcoming Belgian national karate competition.

Born in Indang, Cavite, Crisostomo came to Brussels to live with his Filipino parents, Raquel and Gerardo, when he was only eight years old. Like most European kids, he wanted to play football. Unfortunately, Crisostomo suffers from asthma preventing him from playing physically-exhausting

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sports for long periods of time. So his mother enrolled him at the Etterbeek Karate Club. In 2013, he began joining competitions and winning them from club to regional levels despite being an underdog due to his height.

Recently, Crisostomo was listed by Belgian magazine DH as one of their Stars de Demain (Stars of Tomorrow) among other children from different sports categories like football, swimming, basketball, martial arts, etc. Crisostomo’s biggest dream is to be included in the national karate team of Belgium.

RISING FOOTBALL STAR The rise of the popularity of football in the Philippines has inspired many kids to try out the sport. One of them was Sandro Reyes, who earned the admiration of a famous football club that sent him to Europe in 2012.

Reyes was only nine years old when he was selected for a scholarship at the FCB

Escola, the football academy of Spanish football club FC Barcelona. After joining several competitions in the Philippines, Singapore and the United States, Reyes’ hard work finally paid off when he was chosen to be the youngest Filipino to be given the scholarship by the academy.

Reyes, now 11 years old, has been studying and playing at the FCB Escola since 2012. He has been a constant favourite, playing in almost every game that FCB Escola joins and scoring great goals that help his team win.

With Reyes’ natural talent in the sport, he is often compared to Paulino Alcantara, the first Filipino and Asian to play in the European League under the FC Barcelona flag. But for now, Reyes’ main priority is to be accepted to the prestigious La Masia, the Barca youth academy where football superstars such as Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández and Lionel Messi trained.

With his final year ending in the middle of 2015, it wouldn’t be long now before he becomes the first Filipino to be able to do so. That is if he keeps his eye on the prize. ←

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