april-2010

IT’S TIME EVERYONE FLIES 

SEOUL 

PLAY 

Keep the kids 

entertained in 

South Korea’s 

capital 

CEBU PACIFIC INFLIGHT APRIL 2010 

Sail away 

Cruise to the eco-friendly 

islands of Palawan 

LAUGHING 

MATTERS 

Macau’s betting 

on humor with 

its new comedy 

clubs 

INSIDE Ü FOUR DAYS IN DAVAO | GREAT BREWS IN OSAKA | MEET KOREAN GIRL BAND 4MINUTE | AND MORE!

5 

85 

122 

124 

Photographer 

Francisco Guerrero 

Art direction 

Lester V Ledesma 

Hair/makeup Marie Calica 

Stylist Leona Laviña- 

Panutat. Model 

Francine/Mercator. On 

Francine: Coral bikini by 

Tomato. Scarf by Gap. 

Shot in Dos Palmas resort, 

Puerto Princesa, Palawan, 

www.dospalmas.com.ph 

Special thanks to 

Lene Ramirez and the 

staff at Dos Palmas. 

REGULARS 

WELCOME 

CEO Lance Gokongwei 

with his take on the issue 

TRAVEL GUIDES 

Get useful tips from those 

who know the place best 

ROUTE MAP 

Check out Cebu Pacifi c’s 

growing fl ight network 

AIRLINE NEWS 

News you can use 

from Cebu Pacifi c 

IT’S TIME EVERYONE FLIES 

The infl ight selection 

of retail goodies and 

comfort food tells you 

just what to expect 

for shopping and 

eating onboard. Flip 

to pages 127 and 128! 

SEOUL 

PLAY 

Keep the kids 

entertained in 

South Korea’s 

capital 

CEBU PACIFIC INFLIGHT APRIL 2010 

Sail away 

Cruise to the eco-friendly 

islands of Palawan 

LAUGHING 

MATTERS 

Macau’s betting 

on humor with 

its new comedy 

clubs 

INSIDE Ü FOUR DAYS IN DAVAO | GREAT BREWS IN OSAKA | MEET KOREAN GIRL BAND 4MINUTE | AND MORE! 

Smile Cover april.indd 2 3/18/10 11:26:39 AM 

contents 

FEATURES 

8 

10 

34 

37 

38 

40 

42 

CHIKKA 

CALENDAR 

Things to see and updates 

on what’s playing this month 

CHAT 

Meet slick traveler and 

Simon Wong and much more 

TRENDS ▼ 

Avatar blue is the new black 

for this season 

LAUGH TRIP 

Tim Tayag on extreme 

environmentalism 

EAT AND DRINK 

Get thee to a microbrewery 

in Osaka now! 

CAFÉ 

K-pop girl band 4Minute 

CHECKLIST 

Natural highs to enjoy in 

Puerto Princesa 

37 

48 

56 

63 

68 

52 76 

LA VIDA LOCAL ▲ 

See the island of Coron 

through the eyes of locals 

PASSION PLAY 

Discover what really goes on 

in a Holy Week senakulo 

MADCAP MACAU 

Laugh out loud in one of 

Asia’s comedy capitals 

COMING HOME 

TO DAVAO 

A Dabawenya reconnects 

with her hometown 

KIDDIE SEOUL ▼ 

Theme parks, palaces and 

shopping — it’s all about fun! 

APRIL 2010 1

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CLARK 

Education City 

TM 

Part of the Australian International Training & Management Group

T 

he month of April can 

mean different things 

to different people. 

To a planet-conscious 

individual, it’s when the world 

celebrates Earth Day. To a 

student, it’s the fi rst half of 

summer break. To a practical 

joker, it’s April Fool’s Day. To 

the faithful, it’s Easter time and 

of course, it’s spring. 

This issue has something 

for everyone. We kick off 

the issue with a feature on 

the Calamianes Islands, and 

how locals are protecting the 

environment while stepping up 

tourism efforts on page 44. 

Children who are all too happy about 

being on vacation will be thrilled to fl y 

to Seoul. Writer Noelle de Jesus (and 

hubby) took their dynamic duo to the 

exciting South Korean capital, and the 

result is Kiddie Seoul (page 76) — your 

guide to a family vacation, whether 

you’re traveling with toddlers or tweens. 

Likewise, our story on the bounties 

of Davao (page 68) has something to 

please everyone in the your family and 

extended clan. 

If you’re a fan of stand-up, head to 

Macau right now. Madcap in Macau 

(page 59) highlights the city not 

just as Asia’s Las Vegas but also as a 

destination that showcases some of the 

world’s best comedy acts. Better be 

our warm 

welcome 

with a smile 

prepared to laugh yourself silly! 

Finally, the penitent (or even the 

culturally inquisitive) will enjoy Passion 

Play (page 52), a very interesting and 

at times amusing look at what goes 

on behind-the-scenes of the senakulo 

which has been held annually in Makati 

City since the early 19th century. 

No matter how you choose to enjoy 

April, here’s wishing you the ride of your 

life. So buckle up, sit tight and happy 

travels, everyone! 

Lance Gokongwei 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

INK EDITORIAL 

Editor Maya O Calica 

Art Director Rita Chee 

Sub-Editor Noelle de Jesus 

Contributing Editor Charmaine Baylon 

Design Director (Asia) Peter Stephens 

Associate Design Director (Singapore) Terence Goh 

Photography Editor Lester V Ledesma 

Production Manager Serene Wong 

Executive Creative Director Michael Keating 

CEO Jeffrey O’Rourke 

Managing Director Gerry Ricketts 

Chief Operating Offi cer Hugh Godsal 

Group Publisher Simon Leslie 

ADVERTISING 

Publisher Mohan Gopal 

Brand Managers Ailynn Cruz, Jil Sembrano, 

Frances Barsana, Bong Dy-Liacco 

Tel +65 6324 2386 

Email smile@ink-publishing.com 

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS 

Creative Solutions Director Duane Thia 

Tel +65 6302 2473 

Email duane.thia@ink-publishing.com 

SMILE magazine is published on behalf of Cebu 

Pacifi c Air by Ink Publishing Pte Ltd • 97B Amoy 

Street, Singapore 069917 • tel +65 6324 2386 

• fax +65 6491 5261 • www.ink-publishing.com 

• www.cebusmile.com 

MICA (P) 209/07/2009 

All articles and photographs published herein are created by 

the authors and photographers at their own discretion and do 

not necessarily represent the views of the airline. All material is 

strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of this 

publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the 

prior written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and 

data are correct at the time of publication. 


FRANCISCO GUERRERO 

chikka 

INSIDE 

nCalendar 8 

nChat 10 

nTrends 34 

nLaugh Trip 37 

nEat and Drink 38 

nChikka Café 40 

nChecklist 42 

The world celebrates 

April 22 as Earth Day, but 

I think the planet deserves 

a holiday all year-round. 

Whether you’re helping 

save the environment by 

nixing styrofoam, planting 

trees in Puerto Princesa 

or giving to Cebu Pacifi c’s 

Project Bright Skies on 

www.cebupacifi cair.com, 

keep it up! The world’s 

too precious a place to 

waste, and your little acts 

of eco-consciousness do 

make a difference. 

Maya O Calica, editor 

The Smile team with 

Mayor Edward Hagedorn 

(second from right) in 


Hey, hugged a 

tree lately? 

3THINGS TO SCORE THIS MONTH 

1 Do your part and go green! Plant a tree, say no 

to plastic bags at the supermarket, bike instead 

of riding a car or buy clothes made cruelty-free 

(no sweat shops involved!) and using sustainable fabrics 

like organic cotton. 2 These packing cubes 

help you organize your smaller 

items for your next trip. www. 

totalwardrobecare.co.uk 3 Finally 

out this month — the Apple iPad! 

It’s so lightweight to surf the web, 

watch movies, share photos and 

do business while you’re on the 

go. I heart it! www.apple.com.sg 

chikka 

Stack and pack these cubes (left) 

and the cool iPad (above) 

Send your raves of new hot spots, restaurants and shops to cebu.ed@ink-publishing.com and your story could be in Smile’s next Chikka! 

APRIL 2010 7 

GETTYS IMAGES

april 

GET IN LINE FOR AN IDOL, A BOY BAND, AN 

ADVENTURE RACE AND A SPECTACULAR MUSICAL 

ALL HAPPENING THIS MONTH 

^ KK 

chikka 

8 APRIL 2010 

calendar 

awesome 

hong kong 

THE ADVENTURES OF 

PETER RABBIT 

April 2—5 

Celebrate Easter with Peter Rabbit, Benjamin 

Bunny and Mr Tod — artist and storyteller 

Beatrix Potter’s lovable characters — as they 

come alive in this cute and colorful musical. 

Lyric Theatre, www.hkticketing.com 

KK THRILLS THRILLS From April 2—4, teams compete for the 

singapore 

CHICAGO THE THE 

MUSICAL 

April 16—May 9 

Catch sexy villains Roxie 

Hart and Velma Kelly outdo 

each other onstage while 

belting out the hits from 

the musical: All That Jazz, 

My Own Best Friend and 

Hot Honey Rag Rag. . Esplanade 

— Theatres on the Bay, 

www.lunchbox-productions. 

com 

Go Idol wild as 

Kelly Clarkson 

rocks Jakarta!

singapore 

SSO GALA: YO-YO MA AND THE SILK ROAD 

ENSEMBLE 

April 29—30 

Master cellist and Grammy winner Yo-Yo Ma returns to jam with 

the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for two nights of music. 

Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, www.sistic.com.sg 

jakarta 

KELLY CLARKSON 

LIVE IN JAKARTA 

April 29 

Fans of the fi rst American 

Idol winner will be happy 

she’s dropping by for a one- 

night concert at the Tennis 

Indoor Senayan, Senayan, where they 

can sing along to her hits 

Because of You You, , My Life 

Would Suck Without You 

and Since U Been Gone. 

kellyclarkson.com 

manila 

MANILA 

Manila FAME International 

April 29—30 

It’s the only design trade fair 

accredited by Union des Foires 

Internationales (UFI) of Paris. With 

furniture and homeware, garments 

and textiles, personal care and spa 

products, and contemporary Filipino 

artwork, FAME is organized by 

the Center for International Trade 

Expositions and Missions (CITEM). 

It draws 2,000 international buyers 

every year. World Trade Center, 

Roxas Boulevard, tel: +63 (2) 831 

2201 to 09, www.citem.com.ph 

THE 6TH MANILA 

INTERNATIONAL AUTO 

SHOW 

April 15—18 

The biggest motor show in terms of 

attendance, exhibitors and vehicles 

on display, the Manila International 

Auto Show gives enthusiasts a chance 

to check out the latest models and 

concepts from the country’s best car 

manufacturers. This year’s theme: 

“Crossing Boundaries.” World Trade 

Center, Roxas Boulevard, tel: +63 (2) 

531 6350, info@manilaautoshow.co 

info@manilaautoshow.com, , 

www.manilaautoshow.com 

Catch Catch Super Super Junior Junior 

— — The The 2nd 2nd Asia Asia Tour: Tour: 

Super Super Show Show 2 on on April April 

10 10 at at the the Araneta Araneta 

Coliseum. Coliseum. The The Korean Korean 

boy boy band band performs performs for for 

their their Filipino Filipino fans fans for for 

the the fi rst rst time! time! www. www. 

ticketnet.com.ph 

ticketnet.com.ph 

pencil these in! 

SINGAPORE 

■ The Tempest by William 

Shakespeare 

April 2—10 

The Singapore Repertory Theatre 

has teamed up with The Bridge 

Project, director Sam Mendes, and 

the Holland and Hong Kong Arts 

Festivals to produce The Tempest, 

which is believed to be William 

Shakespeare’s fi nal play. Esplanade 

— Theatres on the Bay, www.sistic. 

com.sg 

SHANGHAI 

■ Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix 2010 

April 16—18 

Attention Formula 1 lovers! Witness 

another thrilling race in Shanghai, 

where the teams must fi nish 56 

challenging laps. www.formula1.com 

BANGKOK 

■ Bangkok International Gift and 

Houseware Fairs 2010 

April 20—25 

About 600 companies show off 

their wares at 1,600 booths at these 

two fairs, supported by the Thai 

Toy Industry Association, Home 

Decorative Design Association, and 

Northern Handicrafts Manufacturer 

and Exporters Association. See 

artifi cial plants, household products, 

home textile and fabric decorative 

items. Bangkok International Trade 

and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), www. 

bigandbih.com 

top prize in the 11th Sabah Adventure Challenge 2010. www.sabahadventurechallenge.com 


GETTY IMAGES 

chikka 

chat 

SIMON IS ONE busy guy 

— he’s on TV in Singapore for 

shows like Red Thread, REM 

and The Seekers. He’s hosted 

for Channel News Asia; is a 

partner in the design agency 

Chemistry; and writes and 

shoots for various magazines. 

Design raves… “I’ve always had 

a soft spot for Guangzhou and 

southern Chinese architecture; I 

also love Japanese design. ” 

Fave projects… “It was the 

rebranding of Singapore’s 

Asian Civilisations Museum. It’s 

arguably the best museum of 

its kind in South-East Asia.” 

The right stuff… “For cameras 

and equipment, the best deals 

come from Mong Kok in Hong 

Kong.” 

On Channel 5 Record it… “I 

like to carry a 

video camera 

and talk to 

locals. It’s like 

an ongoing 

personal 

journal.” 

slick travelerBEAUTY booty 

simon wong 

Simon Wong on 

Mount Kinabalu 

Tan Commandments 

TIPS TO ENSURE YOU BRONZE 

WITHOUT GETTING BURNED 

SUMMER IS THE perfect time 

to bare your skin. But before 

you venture outside, slap on 

ample sun protection, says Dr 

Maricar Arceo-Cruz, Medical 


Remember to 

tan safely 

Operations 

Manager for Belo 

Clinics. Right 

here, her top 

tips to keep you 

covered when 

exposed. 

● Always use 

sunscreen. 

Try Nivea 

Sun Invisible 

Transparent 

Spray with 

SPF 30. It offers 

comprehensive 

protection 

against harmful 

UVA and UVB rays. 

● Exfoliate dead, dry skin 

regularly. Do this at home 

with a sponge and a body 

scrub or go to the salon for 

A serene scene 

he snapped in 

Vietnam 

a treatment. 

● “Laser off unwanted 

hair on the body for clearer, 

smoother skin,” advises 

Dr Arceo-Cruz. 

● “Have regular foot spa 

treatments for smooth and 

beautiful feet that are fully 

exposed when wearing fl ipfl 

ops or sandals,” she adds. 

● Want a golden glow? Belo 

Clinics offers Quicktan, a fast 

way to achieve a tan without 

the harmful effects of the sun. 

● Make sure to moisturize. 

With temperatures rising, 

your skin is bound to lose 

its natural moisture. Hydrate 

with a lotion like Myra e, 

which has Daily Sun Protect 

facial moisturizer with SPF 15, 

enriched with Vitamin E. ■ 

SIMON WONG 

Old Spice 

High 

Endurance 

Dry Cream 

Deodorant 

Kris Aguilan, 

recruitment 

consultant 

I like it because 

it’s cost-effective 

and smells 

fresh. You’ll feel 

confi dent the 

whole day and it’s much 

easier to focus on your work. 

VMV Hypoallergenics 

Armada Face 

and Body 

Shield 60 

Nerian 

Guyang, chief 

operations offi cer 

With it, I’m not 

afraid of extreme 

sun exposure. It 

lightens skin and 

protects me from 

signs of ageing. 

Kérastase 

Refl ection 

Bain Chroma 

Riche 

Luminous 

Softening 

Shampoo 

Birdie Salva, senior 

product manager 

This is an absolutely 

fantastic shampoo 

that keeps my 

colored hair from 

fading too quickly. 

Bench Fix 

Styling Water 

Creme 

Jovee See, 

senior brand 

assistant 

Since it’s 

water-based, it 

makes my hair more 

manageable without 

that sticky feeling. 

My hair looks and 

feels natural and 

un-artifi cal. It’s super 

affordable too! 

COMPILED BY CHARMAINE BAYLON AND DIANA MEJIA

ight): Slick Rick, Sam 

YG and Tony Toni 

where the 

boys are 

WHAT ARE THE BOYS NIGHT OUT DJS LIKE 

OFF THE RADIO AIRWAVES? TARA FT SERING 

SNEAKS INTO THE BOOTH FOR ANSWERS 

IT’S AN UNDERSTATEMENT 

to say that they work well 

together: In fact, their teamup 

at radio station Magic 89.9 

has been so successful, they 

INFLIGHT ESSENTIALS 

■ LISTEN 

Who I Am: Nick Jonas 

& The Administration 

One Jonas Brother 

breaks out of tweenpop 

with this bluesy 

rock-inspired CD. Who 

I Am is upbeat while 

Olive & An Arrow and 

In the End are mellow. 

TEXT BY CHARMAINE BAYLON Meet The Boys (left to 

are now heard nationwide 

daily from 6 to 10pm. The 

stint has also turned them into 

in-demand hosts, recording 

artists, TV personalities and 

■ READ 

Budget is the New 

Black by Claire Betita 

de Guzman 

PR executive Sabbie 

Chua’s life of glam 

parties and designer 

clothes falls apart, and 

she’s forced to live on 

and reinvent herself 

on a strict budget. 

The story of Sabbie’s 

hilarious struggle is 

brought 

to you by 

Asian Chic, 

available in 

Singapore 

as well as 

Malaysia. 

■ WATCH 

Kimmy Dora DVD 

Twins Kimmy and 

Dora couldn’t be more 

different. Bossy Kimmy 

unknowingly plots her 

sweet sister’s abduction, 

with hilarious results. 

Comedienne Eugene 

Domingo is a triumph. 

magazine contributors. 

But at the end of the day, 

Tony Toni, Sam YG and 

Slick Rick still consider 

themselves DJs. They 

love to entertain, have 

fun and act like…well, 

like boys. 

How did you guys get 

into radio, and then get 

together? 

TONY: I started in 1999, 

as Power 108’s DJ 

T-Bone. I traveled two 

hours from Ortigas 

to Tagaytay for my 

Monday-to-Saturday 

shift at 6am. I moved 

to Magic 89.9 in early 

2000. 

SAM YG: I started as 

a campus patroller, 

Sam D’Sausage, in Magic 89.9 

while in Ateneo pre-law. DJ Joe 

Schmoe then hired me as Sam 

Young Guy. 

SLICK RICK: I also started as a 

campus patroller in 2001 when 

King DJ Logan saw my talent! 

At that time, I was going to 

La Salle for pre-med but later 

shifted to Communications. 

What do you do on a night out, 

away from the mic? 

SLICK RICK: Work! We have 

to tape our show, Hanging 

With The Boys, on MTV. We are 

also starting a new show on 

Channel V, and host weddings 

and corporate events. I guess 

chikka 

chat 

recreationally we like to drink, 

chill, talk about radio and the 

latest chismis! We love to party 

and will head to a club to meet 

friends and of course, girls! 

When you do spend the night 

in, what happens then? 

TONY: Somebody’s gonna 

get hurt! I like to watch DVDs 

or have a TV series marathon! 

I’m also online 24-hours 

researching content for the 

TV/radio show. 

Do you feel this job is part 

public service? 

SAM YG: It is part public 

and educational service 

and entertainment. We do 

fundraising or charity events, 

we inform our listeners and 

“pay it forward.” During Ondoy, 

we came in to work. Stranded 

people texted and we passed 

the information on to the 

Philippine Red Cross. 

How does radio fi t into Metro 

Manila life? 

TONY: Technology is faster, 

and radio has “disappeared” 

— it’s just the hardware and 

radio formats changing. Manila 

traffi c is so disgusting that it 

works in our favor. It’s defi nitely 

a team effort and we try to 

be better than the best. It’s 

no secret, it’s magic! Ah-men! 

Visit www.magic899.fm, email 

boysnightout899@yahoo.com 

and follow them on Twitter at 

boysnightout899 ■ 

chikktionary by ayam 

SO SHIOK!LOOKS LIKE SOME 

KIND OF FOOD SHOCK 

shiok (from Singapore) An expression 

that means “awesome” and is said when 

one has just consumed a very 

satisfying meal. Say it loud and proud, 

with a matching tummy rub! 


© MAYA O CALICA


chikka 

chat 

blast from 

the past 

VINTAGE DESIGNS LEND THESE 

GADGETS LOADS OF PERSONALITY 

Clockwise from top: The Fisheye 2 Pink 

camera takes cool 180° shots, PHP3,850 

(www.lomographicembassymanila.com). 

The Brownie 8 Movie Projector Model A15 

actually plays fi ve-minute fi lms, PHP8,500 

(Grand Thrift House, Cubao Expo). With 

its Russian-made Minitar 32/2.8 lens, the 

Lomo LC-A+ Camera improves upon the 

original hit Lomo LC-A, PHP14,300 (www. 

lomographicembassymanila.com). Use the 

Racal Push Button Phone at home — it 

works! PHP2,500 (Grand Thrift House, 

Cubao Expo). This National TV/Casette 

Player/AM & FM Radio from the 1980s 

oozes vintage gadgetry! PHP4,500 (Grand 

Thrift House, Cubao Expo). 

YOUR PORTAL TO SOUTH-EAST ASIA 

Get the best travel deals at SoutheastAsia.org. 

The site offers content and reviews, and useful 

sections like “Culture & Heritage”, “Health & Spa” 

and “Food & Nightlife.” Bearing the masthead 

Surf with the 

HDD Lenovo 

Ideapad S10-2 

(Pop Art) 

South-East Asia: Feel the warmth, the site is 

a veritable wealth of ideas, allowing you 

to brainstorm for your next trip! 

Brought to 

you by 

Become a 

biz wiz! 

BONE UP ON 

BUSINESS BASICS 

Thinking of starting your 

own enterprise but feel 

you’re strapped for time? 

Businessmaker Academy 

offers short courses 

and workshops that last 

from one to fi ve days. 

They cover online Forex 

trading, business startup 

and entrepreneurship, 

hobbies and sideline 

businesses, human 

resource management, and 

corporate skills training 

and team building. Topics 

like 7-Point Business Start 

Up and Growth Formula, 

Capital and Cashfl ow 

Management, Proactive 

Sales and Marketing 

and Events Planning 

are especially helpful 

if you’re just starting. 

Businessmaker Academy, 

1503A West Tower 

Philippine Stock Exchange 

Bldg, Exchange Road, 

Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 

tel: +63 (2) 687 4445 / 687 

4645, www.businessmakeracademy.com 

■ 

TEXT BY NADINE MADARANG. PHOTOS FOR GRAND THRIFT HOUSE ITEMS BY MADEL ALSOLA

snacking in 

singapore 

THESE INNOVATIVE EATERIES GIVE YOUR 

FAVORITE DISHES A TASTY TWIST 

■ Jewels Artisan Chocolate 

creates 20 different types of 

chocolate — from Coral (cola 

with a spicy chilli aftertaste) to 

Perle Noir (champagne-infused) 

— using single origin cocoa 

beans, quality products from 

France, and Asian ingredients. 

The treats are “subtly balanced 

to suit the Asian taste, lighter in 

texture and not too sweet,” says 

Thien Chui Foong, artisan 

chocolatier. #02-31/32 

Orchard Central, 181 Orchard 

Road, www.jewels.com.sg 

BLISS YOU! 

Bliss Spa in Singapore brings you 

oxygen blasts, seaweed masks 

on a recliner, a mani-pedi lounge 

with a nail-tool conveyor belt, 

and crackers, cheese, olives and 

brownies while you wait. Have a 

“Youth As We Know It” facial as 

you listen to RnB tunes. Sephora, 

#01-05/06 ION Orchard, 

Singapore, tel: +65 6509 3511, 

www.blissworld.com/spa 

■ Skinny Pizza features 

quirkily unique fl avors like 

English breakfast and braised 

veal with onion jam and 

sage on a crackling, 

crunchy-thin crust. 

Western-style 

baking techniques 

and Asian ingredients 

were used to make 

unique desserts like 

spicy pineapple 

tatin, pandan jelly 

with almond cream 

and black Chinese rice. 

Get gorgeous 

in one afternoon 

Choc 

it up! 

#03-04/4A Wheelock Place, 

tel: +65 6235 7823. 

Bite into 

pizza 

pizzaz! 

chikka 

chat 

HOW TO... ACT LIKE 

A JAPANESE 

LEARN TO BLEND IN WITH 

THE OSAKA LOCALS 

1TAKE A BOW. The 

Japanese bow or ojigi is 

their version of a handshake 

— or high-fi ve for that 

matter. This respectful 

gesture can vary from 

a slight nod for casual 

situations to a 45˚ bow. 

What you’re saying is “thank 

you” or “I truly appreciate 

your presence.” 

2LEARN TO BUTT IN 

POLITELY. Aizuchi is 

the art of interjecting a 

conversation with phrases 

like “so desu ka?”, “ahh” or 

“mmm” to indicate to the 

person talking that you’re 

actually listening. Really 

now? Is that right? 

3SLURP YOUR 

NOODLES loudly. This 

is a sign of appreciating 

the food and is deemed 

quite acceptable among 

Japanese. In fact it’s 

encouraged! ■ 

The noisier you 

slurp, the better! 

PHOTOLIBRARY 

GETTY IMAGES

PHOTOLIBRARY 


chikka 

chat 

essentials 

THESE FOUR PIECES DO DOUBLE DUTY WHENYOU TRAVEL! 

1Sarong Pick one in a light 

cotton fabric, which you 

can morph three ways: as a 

bikini cover-up, as a sexy frock 

to wear to dinner, and as a top 

worn over jeans. One to try: 

The sarong pashmina, PHP199, 

SM Department Store. 

2 

Shoes that go with any 

outfi t Gibi shoes’ new line 

features a pair of leather 

sandals with an abaca wedge 

to match a fl irty dress and 

T-shirt-and-shorts ensemble. 

Available at Gibi boutiques, SM 

and Robinsons Department 

Stores, Market! Market!, 

Glorietta 5, Ayala Center Cebu 

and ICM Bohol. 

EASTER FUNNIES 

vacation 

3 

Foldable shopping bag 

Pick a roomy style in a 

graphic print, such as 

Envirosax’s La Boheme bag. 

It doesn’t render a function 

beyond lugging your stuff, 

but you can unfurl or fold it 

depending on your space 

needs. www.envirosax.com 

4 

Light jacket An allweather 

cover-up, such 

as the lightweight jacket 

from Dean & Trent’s Rain 

Collection (right), comes in 

light cotton fabrics for rainy 

days. For dry, cooler climates, 

layer it over other pieces to 

create a preppy look. www. 

deanandtrent.com 

Q Why did the Easter bunny hide the egg? 

A Because it was a little chicken. 

Q What happened to the Easter egg 

that couldn’t stop laughing. 

A He cracked up! 

Q What does the Easter bunny need 

to style its fur? 

A Hare spray! 

This sarong works 

three ways — sweet! 

Keep warm 

in this 

“HOW CAN I 

SAVE THE 

EARTH?” 

Let your actions do the 

talking. By integrating 

these tips into your daily 

life, you’ll diminish your 

carbon footprint. 

■ When 

snapping 

photos… 

don’t 

dump used 

batteries as 

they contain 

mercury, a 

dangerous 

substance that can leak 

into groundwater. Opt for 

rechargeable ones, such as 

Energizer batteries. They last 

up to 1,000 charges. 

■ When brushing your 

teeth… don’t let the tap run. 

Letting it results in losing two 

gallons of water per minute. 

Gargle with a tumbler instead. 

■ When running… wear hightech 

socks such as Burlington 

BioFresh Antimicrobial Socks, 

chemical-free with antimicrobial 

technology so each 

pair stays fresh longer. 

■ When reading… 

reduce your electric 

bill by buying a 

fl ourescent bulb 

made with solid 

state ballasts. It 

uses one-fourth 

of the energy of 

an incandescent 

bulb with the 

same light. 

■ When eating out… dine 

at places that support local 

producers and organic 

farms such as Le Bistro Vert 

Sustainable Foods. Try the 

Sagada Orange Salad and 

Tagaytay Farmed Vegetable 

Lasagna. Yummy! Streetside, 

G/F Forbes Tower, Fraser 

Place, Valero Street, Makati 

City, tel: +63 (2) 403 1841, 

lebistro.frsr@gmail.com ■

LESTER LEDESMA 

chikka 


chat 

This festival 

inspired a 

franchise chain! 

Flagellants in 

San Fernando, 

Pampanga 

Pay attention... 

…a brilliant idea could be 

staring you in the face! For Aries 

Christopher Alvarez, the moment 

came when he saw the Kalibo 

Ati-Atihan festival in Aklan. 

The bright colors and images 

inspired him to renovate his 

carinderia in the theme of this 

famed festival. After perfecting 

his chicken barbecue recipe, Chicken Ati- 

Atihan was born. Now, he has 50 outlets 

nationwide, with one in the United States. 

For franchise inquiries, contact the 

Cavi Group, tel: +63 (35) 226 2083, 

www.chickenatiatihan.com 

a time for 

atonement 

FOR THE PENITENTS OF CUTUD, PAMPANGA, LENT 

IS A TIME TO RE-ENACT THE WAY OF THE CROSS 

THANKS TO FOUR centuries 

of Spanish Catholic infl uence, 

traditional cuaresma (holy 

week) festivities in the 

Philippines are a visual feast 

for the culturally curious. 

These pious parties range from 

biblical re-enactments like the 

senakulo (passion play) to 

stirring via crucis processions. 

Those with a taste for the 

bizarre can watch fl agellants 

whip themselves in the archaic 

ritual of self-mortifi cation 

during Cutud Lenten Rites 

in San Fernando, Pampanga. 

You can literally get blood 

splattered on you while 

marching alongside the 

penitents. If you intend to stay 

close to see or photograph the 

action, wear a hat, sunglasses 

and a long-sleeved shirt. (By 

the way, the bleeding is not 

caused by the whipping but by 

blade cuts wiped with alcoholsoaked 

cloth). 

The procession converges 

at San Pedro, Cutud for the 

L’usine 

vb,mvcn,b 

Lenten rites. Penitents take 

turns being nailed to the cross 

with two-inch stainless steel 

nails, and are taken down once 

they feel suffi ciently cleansed 

of their sins. 

Cebu Pacifi c fl ies to Clark 

from Cebu, Hong Kong, 

Macau, Bangkok and Singapore. 

www.cebupacifi cair.com 

A penitent is 

nailed to the cross 

HELP FOR HAITI 

Approximately a third of Haiti’s population 

has been affected by the recent earthquake, 

and the World Food Programme — together 

with other charitable organizations — needs 

help. Do your bit to speed up relief efforts: 

1 Send donations Log on to 

www.wfp.org/donate/haiti for credit card 

transactions. Cash is a real help! 

2 Network Round up business 

partners, employees and 

suppliers to see how you 

can support the World 

Food Programme’s activities. 

3 Spread the word Use 

your email, Facebook 

and Twitter 

accounts, create 

campaigns, 

or set up events to 

raise awareness. ■ 

TEXT BY ANTON SHEKER AND LESTER LEDESMA. PHOTOS BY ANTON SHEKER

TEXT BY DANREB CARTAGENA MEJIA. PHOTO BY RICO GONZALEZ 

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chat 

ho chi minh city 

hot list 

ARE YOU GOING TO BE IN SAIGON FOR A 

WEEKEND? YOU SHOULD SQUEEZE IN A VISIT TO 

A FEW OF THE CITY’S BEST HANGOUTS 

■ Cham Charm Gallery Cuisine 

This elegant restaurant is a 

museum of sorts, what with 

its various paintings and 

artwork that pay tribute to 

the historic Champa period of 

the second to 12th centuries. 

You get an impressive wine 

list, a menu of special dishes 

from India, Thailand, Vietnam 

and Japan, and an amazing 

view of the river. 2 Phan Van 

Chuong Street, District 7, Ho 

Chi Minh City, tel: +84 (8) 5410 

9999, www.khaisilkcorp.com/ 

restaurants/chamcharm 

■ 2 Lam Son Designed by 

Super Potato of Tokyo, this 

stylish lounge and bar is 

decorated with colorful fabrics 

normally associated with Sapa, 

a province in northern Vietnam. 

Morton Wilson of Hong Kong’s 

Schtung Music is in charge 

of the music programming. 

Park Hyatt Saigon, 2 Lam Son 

Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh 

City, tel: +84 (8) 3824 1234 

■ Q Bar Located at the majestic 

Saigon Opera House, the 17year-old 

institution and tourist 

attraction has started bringing 

in the world’s best foreign 

DJs, so expect the place to 

be packed till early morning. 

There’s a huge lawn in front, 

which allows you to chat with 

friends. 7 Lam Son Square, 

District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: 

+84 (8) 3823 3479 

■ Blue Moon Spa Come 

here on a Sunday after a 

great Saturday night. Found 

right at the center of Ho Chi 

Minh, the spa specializes 

in fi sh refl exology and foot 

massages. 32 Dong Khoi Street, 

District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, 

tel: +84 (8) 822 3046, www. 

bluemoonclinic&spa.com 

Love the night 

life at Q Bar 

■ L’Usine: Fashion, Lifestyle, 

Café, Gallery Have tea and 

munchies or shop for hip 

jeans by Cheap Monday, 

cute items by Nooka and 

Penfi eld, and pieces by San 

Art — an independent and 

non-profi t exhibition space 

that showcases the work 

of Vietnam’s contemporary 

artists. 1/F 151 Dong Khoi Street, 

District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, 

tel: +84 (8) 6674 3565, 

www.lusinespace.com ■ 

Eat, sip and 

shop here! 

For your 

peace of mind 

Q “How do I insure my 

elderly parents as we 

plan to travel soon?” 

A Companies like 

Malayan insurance 

provide a service called 

TravelSure, which 

insures people up to 

65 years old. For older 

parents, “Blue Cross 

Travelsafe insurance 

plans can cover adults 

up to 75 years old,” 

says Randy Reynon, 

general manager of 

Vacations Unlimited 

Travel Services. 

Those 76 and above 

pay a higher rate 

and need to fulfi ll 

more requirements. 

Vacations Unlimited 

Travel Services, tel: +63 

(2) 923 6579, www. 

vacations-unlimited.info 

TRAVEL TIP 

Addicted to 

sinigang? Pack 

Lasap Food Mixes 

and enjoy kaldereta, 

kare-kare and 

other Pinoy dishes 

wherever you go. 

Available at most 

supermarkets in 

Manila, lasap888@ 

yahoo.com.p 

yahoo.com.ph 

TEXT BY JING LEJANO. PHOTO BY PHOTOLIBRARY.

GETTY IMAGES 

chikka 


chat 

bye, bye 

stress 

DR GOH PING PING, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GO RED FOR WOMEN 

CAMPAIGN IN SINGAPORE, SHARES TIPS TO HELP YOU MINIMIZE YOUR RISK 

FOR HEART DISEASE AND STROKE WHILE ON HOLIDAY 

● Take a breath. Don’t pick a 

fi ght with a shop attendant, 

another customer or waitress 

when your meal comes late. 

Order a coffee, take a deep 

breath, massage your temples 

lightly, and smile — let it go, 

you’re on vacation! 

● Easy on that extra serving of 

fries! Enjoy your food, but cut 

down on salt and fat. Add a 

fresh salad or fruit to your meal 

whenever you can. 

● Avoid smoky bars. Inhaling 

tobacco smoke is just like you 

having a puff yourself. 

● Keep moving. No access to a 

gym? Improvise! Take a walking 

tour, skip the cabs (you’ll burn 

calories and save cash too), use 

the hotel swimming pool or 

take along a workout DVD. 

HIP HAUNTS 

Singapore Idol Sezairi Sezali shares his hit list when in the Lion City 

■ For cool music “I go to Timbre @ The Substation a lot! The ambience 

is unconventional yet cozy, and the pizzas are great. The bands make 

my day with their top 40 music and remixes of new and old songs.” 

■ Sunny spots “On my days off, I hang out at coffee places or just laze 

anywhere along the Singapore river. I love being by the water. It gives 

me a sense of peace. I also count on the city lights to make me feel 

alive. It never fails to inspire me.” 

■ Musts in May “Next month, the Singapore Arts Festival happens, and 

artists from all over the world come here for an extraordinary showcase 

of arts and music.” 

Is it really worth 

the stress? 

● Don’t ignore the signs and 

symptoms of a heart attack. 

See a doctor for unusual 

weakness, indigestion, a 

heaviness or pressure-like pain 

on the chest, or in the shoulder 

blades, neck, jaw or stomach. 

Drop by Go Red For Women 

Closing Carnival in Tampines, 

Singapore from May 22 to 23. 

www.littlereddress.com.sg 

Get advice from 

the Singapore Idol 

Ah, if only we 

could do this 

RX TO PREVENT 

RESTLESS LEGS 

Long fl ights equals 

restless legs. Physical 

inactivity results in a 

muscle group imbalance 

and causes discomfort, 

says Arlene J Hernandez, 

MD, of Healthway Medical 

Clinics. Wear compression 

stockings and limit your 

intake of alcohol and 

caffeine. Dr Hernandez also 

suggests these exercises: 

The ankle curl Lift your 

ankle; turn it to the right 

and then to the left in a 

circular motion. Repeat. 

The foot fl ex Draw the toes 

toward the shin. Repeat on 

the other foot. 

The knee embrace Bend 

slightly forward and clasp 

your hands around your left 

knee, then hug it to your 

chest. Repeat with right 

knee. Healthway Medical 

Clinics, 2/F Alabang Town 

Center, tel: +63 (2) 850 

6721/ 772 3527, www. 

healthway.com.ph ■ 

TEXT BY JING LEJANO PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES 

PHOTO BY NOR’AIN RAHMAN

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chat 

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for 

both a cathartic creative 

outlet and a nifty way to 

earn cash, why not try 

designing T-shirts? The 

Inksquad gives artists and 

non-artists the chance to 

get their work printed, 

and then sold online and 

in malls. There’s just one 

condition: the Inksquad 

■ N Seoul Tower, Seoul 

The idea of hanging 

padlocks along the 

ground terrace of the 

tower started a few 

years ago. In 2009, 

the place was featured 

in We Got Married, a 

reality show starring 

Korean stars, singer 

Alex and model Shin 

Ae, and this caused 

a resurgence of its 

popularity. To prove 

members have to like 

your submission and 

vote for it. The moment it 

reaches the point quota, 

your shirt is produced 

and you will receive a 

a generous PHP3,000 

incentive plus a neat 

commission from the total 

sales. Start sketching! 

www.theinksquad.com ■ 

they’re serious about 

staying together, 

couples have to throw 

away the keys to their 

love locks! 

■ The Wish Locks 

of Fengyuan, Taipei 

The phenomenon of 

writing a wish on a lock 

and hanging it on the 

wire fence near a train 

station began fi ve years 

ago. The wishes range 

from wanting to pass 

draw your 

inspiration 

WHY NOT TURN YOUR 

ART INTO PROFITABLE 

T-SHIRT DESIGNS? 

Got candy 

humor? 

LOCK-Y IN LOVE 

More lovers are turning to padlocks to symbolize their commitment. Some to see in the Cebu Pacifi c network… 

exams to twin hearts 

hoping for eternal love. 

■ Love Locks of 

Shinsekai, Osaka 

Located along the 

Shinsekai Arcade 

in Osaka is a wall 

on which hangs 

photographs and 

three neon-lit hearts. 

Feel free to hang 

your padlocks here, 

personalized with your 

vow of undying love. 

Use you head 

to make art 

Get trippy 

with graphics 

Locks of love at 

N Seoul Tower 

Draw 

your fave 

things 

TEXT BY CHARMAINE BAYLON AND MAYA CALICA. PHOTO BY USAG KOREA - 

EDWARD N JOHNSON (N SEOUL TOWER)

GETTY IMAGES 

TEXT BY MAYA CALICA AND NOELLE DE JESUS. PHOTO BY LESTER LEDESMA 

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chat 

Go with your gut 

— you could win! 

A TASTE OF YOUR CHILDHOOD 

The mouthwatering, melt-in-your mouth crunch 

of an uraro cookie. The delectable bite of a mini 

ensaimada. The irresistibility of a rich piece 

of food for the gods. These send you back to 

your idyllic childhood and those afternoon 

meriendas in the sala. Now, you can experience 

that same comfort by dropping by Blue Kitchen. 

This specialty food store brings you the best of 

those classic tastes, with low-fat and sugar-free 

versions. Take your pick from canisters of sweets, 

prepared sauces, bottled and baked goods 

— they make the ideal pasalubong, lemon bar 

none! www.thebluekitchen.net 

are you a 

lucky person? 

WHEN IT COMES to getting 

what you want in life — in your 

career, your personal life or 

even at the roulette tables, 

do what lucky people do: go 

with your gut. It’s that sense 

of wisdom within that tells us 

whether what we’re about to 

do is actually right for us. 

According to Dr Richard 

Wiseman, author of the 

book The Luck Factor (www. 

theluckfactor.com), in a survey 

of over 100 lucky and unlucky 

individuals, the lucky ones 

often went with their hunches. 

Those who deemed themselves 

unlucky ignored their intuition 

and ended up regretting the 

decisions they made. 

Uraro from Blue 

Kitchen — yum! 

Try this exercise care of Dr 

Wiseman: Make a choice about 

a matter, then commit to it on 

paper. Read what you wrote. 

Does it feel right? Tune into 

your inner voice. 

Put your luck to the test 

at Resort Worlds Casino at 

Sentosa in Singapore. The 

elegant gaming halls opened in 

mid-February to large crowds. 

Dress smart (no singlets or 

slippers) and prepare to pay 

for the entry levy if you are a 

Singaporean or permanent 

resident. Otherwise, you won’t 

even get inside to place your 

bets — now that would be 

an unlucky thing indeed. 

www.rwsentosa.com ■ 

The plush Resort Worlds 

Casino at Sentosa 

TRAVEL TIP 

Weigh your luggage 

before going to the 

airport! You can carry 

10 to 15kg on Cebu 

Pacifi c, depending 

on your destination. 

Pack an extra bag 

should you need to 

unload items from 

your luggage when 

you check in.

chikka 


chat 

suite 

escapes 

THESE PLACES GO THE EXTRA MILE, PAYING 

SPECIAL ATTENTION TO YOUR COMFORT AND 

WELL-BEING. SO WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE? 

■ For the royal treatment 

Escape to… Banyan Tree 

Private Collection and The 

Hideaways Club 

Because of their partnerships, 

these destination clubs 

now offer members more 

choices in very luxurious 

accommodations, including 

access to private villas and 

high-end apartments all across 

Asia, Europe and Africa 200 

nights a year. Talk about the 

privilege of having options 

— why not join the club? 

www.btprivatecollection.com, 

www.thehideawaysclub.com 

■ For business trips 

Escape to… EAST by Swire 

Hotels, Hong Kong 

The recently opened EAST 

features an express check-in 

counter or “paperless front 

desk” on your next visit, a 24hour 

gym, and a rooftop bar 

that stays open till 2am. You 

also get complimentary Wi-Fi 

access on top of the iHome/ 

iPod Touch technology and 

37-inch LCD TV in your room. 

The tea selection at 

JIA Shanghai 

If you’re lucky, you can still 

catch their promotional rate 

of HK$988 (PHP5,814) a night 

valid until April 4. Tel: +852 

3968 3808, reservations@easthongkong.com 

■ For uninterrupted sleep 

Escape to… JIA Shanghai 

Doze off on 100% cotton 

sheets, quality goose down 

feather and hypoallergenic 

One of Banyan Tree’s 

villas in Tuscany 

Gorgeous Hong Kong 

view at EAST 

pillows at this boutique 

hotel. You also get relaxing 

chamomile tea and multi-mood 

lighting: “Glow” brings warmth 

to the space, “Seduction” dims 

it for a night of romance, and 

“Reading” is perfect for curling 

up with a book. JIA is also an 

art afi cionado’s dream, with 

pleasantly quirky interiors. 

www.jiashanghai.com ■ 

TEXT BY CHARMAINE BAYLON

PHOTOS BY ORLAND PUNZALAN 

chikka 

ride and tested 

MAYA O CALICA RATES HER FAVORITE MOVIE-INSPIRED RIDES AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE 

Sci-Fi City 

Ancient Egypt 

The Lost World 

Far Far Away 

WHERE 

TO GO 

WHAT 

TO RIDE 

The Humans vs Cylons 

Battlestar Galactica dual 

coasters are the tallest and 

possibly scariest of their 

kind in the world. Thrill to 

cobra rolls, corkscrews, 

vertical loops and near 

collisions — try to keep 

your eyes open! 

Revenge of the Mummy is 

an indoor rollercoaster that 

takes you into the bowels 

of the Pharaoh’s tomb, 

with spectacular visuals 

and sounds that make you 

feel you’re living the movie. 

Hang on tight — this ride’s 

got loads of surprises! 

The Jurassic Park Rapids 

Adventure is a wild water 

rafting ride with dinosaurs 

lurking in the mist. Be 

forewarned about the long, 

dark tunnel wherein the big 

bad T-Rex is bound to 

show up when you 

least expect it. 

Enchanted 

Airways 

is a junior 

rollercoaster 

that speeds 

through 

Shrek’s 

Kingdom. 

Loads of fun! 

THREE TRAVEL MUST-HAVES 

1 A luggage lock that doesn’t require a key. 

2 A water- and air-tight container for gadgets. An 

iPod, small digicam and mobile phone can fi t inside 

Design Go’s clever Dry-Pod. 

3 A SIM card saver to back-up all your contacts in 

case you lose your phone. 

Design Go stylishly creates all these and more! 

Available at The Travel Club, Bratpack, R.O.X and 

leading department stores in the Philippines. 

for thrill seekers: 

YOU WILL 

MOST LIKELY... 

… pray, tell your hubby/ 

wife/child you love 

them, or write your will. 

But that’s okay — the 

fear and drama add to 

the excitement! 

… scream for mummy — 

I mean mommy! 

… get drenched! There’s 

a tummy-churning drop 

that will have you 

shrieking for 

dear life — and 

a towel! 

… pull 

the kids to 

join you on 

this one — the 

ride is tame 

enough for 

bigger children 

to enjoy. 

Left to right: 

Design Go’s 

Dry-Pod, SIM card 

saver and lock 

SCREAM 

-O-METER 

chat 

A BIT OF 

ADVICE 

Don’t wear fl ipfl 

ops since your 

feet will dangle 

on the 

coaster. 

Make sure 

to ride on 

an empty 

stomach! 

Be patient. 

You will walk 

through a long, 

labyrinth-like 

path before 

you get to the 

coasters. But it’s 

defi nitely worth 

queueing for! 

Carry a 

waterproof 

bag and extra 

clothes to 

change into 

after the ride. 

Or buy a 

souvenir T-shirt 

at the shop. 

It may be 

labeled a junior 

coaster, but 

Enchanted 

Airways 

offers enough 

excitement to 

unnerve some 

adults. 

Visit Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World, Sentosa. A day pass costs from S$66/PHP2,160 for adults, from S$48/PHP1,570 for kids and 

from S$32/PHP1,047 for seniors. For more ticket options (from two-day passes to annual passes), log on to www.rwsentosa.com/Attractions/ 

UniversalStudiosSingapore, tel. +65 6577 8899, reservations@rwsentosa.com 

WANT TO 

ADVERTISE IN 

SMILE? 

We’ll help you make 

it happen today. 

Just dial our 

toll free number 

in the Philippines, 

tel. 1 800 1116 1016, 

and talk to one of our 

sales representatives. 


Don’t cover 

up if you’ve 

got well-fi tting 

board shorts 

GETTY IMAGES 

chikka 

trends 

Stand tall Align your 

1 shoulders to your ears and 

let them drop naturally to 

your sides. Also keep your 

stomach in and your chin at 

a right angle to your neck. 

Choose clothes that fi t 

2 

They should skim your 

body, and not be too tight 

or too loose. You should be 

able to move and breathe 

comfortably. 

Go monochromatic 

3 Dress up in one color 

family, so those fl eshy parts 

won’t be as noticeable. 

Choose swimwear 

4 

HOW TO… 

LOOK 

SLIMMER 

THIS 

SUMMER 

with strategic designs 

Slanted lines and cut-outs at 

the waist for women fl atter 

while solid-colored maillots 

expose every fold and 

bump. For guys, well-fi tted 

board shorts trump swim 

trunks anytime. 

Timothy Wong 


GETTY IMAGES (ZOE SALDANA) AND LOUIE AGUNALDO (STILLS) 

What’s in his travel bag? 

Architect Timothy Wong, 25, always 

carries a good book, a pen, a tiny 

notepad and a video camera. “I 

like to document structures and 

designs, and jot down reminders, 

thoughts, new contacts and to-do 

lists,” he says. (P.S. The cologne 

keeps him smelling good!) 

all about 

aqua 

WHETHER SHE’S BLUE 

OR WEARING BLUE, 

AVATAR’S ZOE SALDANA 

LOOKS READY FOR THE 

OSCARS, SAYS DONNA 

CUNA PITA 

Clockwise from top left: 

Wildfl ower one-shoulder dress, 

PHP1,729 from The Ramp at 

Crossings. Strappy shoes, 

PHP1,650, and gold clutch, 

PHP1,150, both from The Ramp. 

Possibility cowl-neck mini dress, 

PHP890, from The Ramp at 

Crossings. ■ 

SHOPPING DIRECTORY 

The Ramp, Possibility and Wildfl ower: 

All available at The Ramp Podium, 

Greenbelt 3, Crossings Trinoma, EDSA 

Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and Quezon 

Avenue

• Mahal Kita • Je t’aime • Ich liebe dich! • Wo ai ni! • 

• Mai tumase pyar karata hun • Aishiteru! • Saranghamnida! • 

• Te amo! • Soro lahn nhee ah • S’ ayapo • 

The Best Way To Say I Love You 

Customize • Jewelr y Care • Repair 

• GREENBELT 5 • GREENBELT 1 • SHOPPESVILLE - GREENHILLS • SM MEGAMALL BLDG A • 

(+632)7247642 • (+63922)8986756

environmental 

hypocrisy 

TIM TAYAG HAS A BONE TO PICK WITH THESE 

CAUSE-ORIENTED FELLOWS WHO AREN’T REALLY 

WALKING THEIR TALK 

BEFORE YOU APPLAUD that lady with the “I am not a Plastic 

Bag” tote, do a background check fi rst. Chances are, that 

stylish woman also drives an SUV that consumes the same 

energy that could sustain a tiny village for a week. So while 

she may be eschewing plastic bags because of her designer 

Anya Hindmarch bag, she’s added a ton of carbon emission 

and burned up fossil fuel from hell. Consider that she is just one 

of several types who practice Environmental Hypocrisy (EHY) 

just to soothe their guilty conscience. Right here, even more 

examples of these unusual suspects of the crime of global 

warming. They know all there is to know, and can converse at 

length and in depth, but actual action is zilch. 

THE ECO-NAZI 

This person emulates Al Gore 

by going from city to city 

presenting the climate change 

facts to students, government 

offi cials and ignorant but 

concerned citizens. He should 

be commended for informing 

people of the critical facts 

and empowering them on 

what can be done. However 

what bothers me is that he 

is also consuming more and 

more fuel as he drives from 

one speaking engagement 

to another. Unless he’s using 

an electric car, a rickshaw, or 

a bicycle, he’s actually not 

practicing what he preaches. 

If we were actually taking a 

carbon footprint, you could 

fall into his. Perhaps he’s even 

better off fl ying — according 

to Tim Flannery, author of The 

Weather Makers, it’s actually 

better to fl y than to drive since 

jet planes emit contrails that 

have a global cooling effect. 

He’s better off doing podcasts 

and sending them by email! 

THE GREEN TRIATHLETE 

He bikes, he swims, he runs. 

He’s the ultimate triathlete 

who can eat while in constant 

motion. He’s an advocate 

for preserving the forests 

and beaches by promoting 

eco tourism and the like. But 

behind him, you’ll see the 

entourage — a trail of FBIlooking 

vehicles in which his 

“yaya” rides, ready to supply 

him with power bars and 

THE VEGETARIAN 

She’s the poster girl for saving 

animals and eating only 

green stuff, the only natural 

thing we’re supposed to eat 

(according to her research). 

She uses her sexiness to 

convince you to quit the meat 

and stick broccoli in 

your mouth instead. 

Her logic is, if you stop 

eating animals, then 

you would decrease 

the demand for factory 

farmed animals, which 

are one of the main 

sources of methane 

gas that contribute to 

global warming. But 

wait, what’s that she has 

on her shoulder… could 

it be a genuine leather 

bag? And aren’t those 

shoes real snakeskin? Or 

are they “cruelty-free” 

accessories? 

chikka 

laugh trip 

electrolyte sports drinks. 

But you can’t blame him — 

after all, he is the president 

of one of the country’s 

largest real estate fi rms, and 

a powerful man like him has 

appointments to keep once 

he crosses the fi nish line. Take 

his road bike to a meeting? 

Nah! He’ll be late for the 

ribbon-cutting to launch his 

company’s “environmentfriendly” 

golf course! 

For me, saving the earth 

means being realistic, and 

starts with the small stuff. 

No sissy canvass bag for me 

though — I’d much prefer 

to carry my groceries and 

vegetables in my bicycle 

basket and pedal home. ■ 

ILLUSTRATIONS BY FRANCES ALCARAZ 


chikka 

usual beer MICROBREWS 

QBRICK 

eat and drink 


not your 

■ What it is A wonderful 

one-off establishment, 

full of character. Its owner 

loves Stanley Kubrick 

(ergo its name). The 

chatty barman is also 

crazy about Arsenal FC. 

■ Crowd pleasers 

Try the dark Imperial 

Smoked Porter from Mie 

Prefecture or the lighter 

Pale Ale from Shiga 

Kogen Brewery. Sample 

as many as 16 beers on 

tap and munch on olives, 

bacon and pickles. 

■ Tried and tasted 

“The rich malty taste of 

this honey-colored beer 

from Iwate Prefecture is 

defi nitely a drink to die 

for.” Rachel Davis 

■ Where 1st fl oor, Kyoon 

Building, Minami-kan, 

4-6-12 Hirano-cho, 

Chuo-ku, tel +81 (0) 6 

6203 (open 11am–12mn, 

Monday to Friday; 

5pm–12mn, Saturday; 

closed Sundays); www. 

worldbeerqbrick.com 

TACHIBABA 

■ What it is First and 

foremost, Tachibana is an 

izakaya (snack bar) but 

quite possibly the only 

one in the country that 

brews its own beer on 

site! Try the tempura set! 


There are two Germanstyle 

brews to choose 

from — Kolsch and 

Alt. The Kolsch beer is 

refreshing and has a 

lovely light golden color. 

The darker Alt is equally 

tasty, a compelling treat. 


“I prefer an ice-cold 

Kolsch. It complements 

the izakaya fare and has 

a nice crisp taste to it.” 

Ashton Allen 

■ Where Osaka 

Shochikuza B2 

(look for it in the 

basement of the 

Shochikuza Theater), 

1-9-19 Dotonbori, 

Chuo-ku, tel: +81 (0) 

6 6212 6074 (open 

every day 11.30am–11pm) 

HAVE GAINED POPULARITY IN 

OSAKA, AND THE BARS SERVING THEM ARE 

JUST AS DIVERSE AS THE BEERS. TEXT 

AND PHOTOS BY TREVOR MOGG 

EDOBORI 

■ What it is This 

delightful and 

romantically lit bar prides 

itself for a very relaxed 

atmosphere. Best of all, 

you can try all the Minoh 

Brewery’s beers on tap. 


The beer menu 

comprises mostly Minoh 

beers, with one guest 

beer. Still, Minoh beers 

are excellent (excluding 

the bizarre Cabernet 

Ale). Choose from Pilsner, 

Dark Lager and Stout. 


“I love the Pale Ale here. 

It’s only 5% alcohol so I 

can drink a few before 

I really feel it!” Yuji 

Matsumoto 

■ Where 1st Floor, 

Famille Edobori, 2-1-21 

Edobori, Higobashi, tel: 

+81 (0) 6 6445 6366 

(open 5pm–1.30am; 

closed Sundays) nearest 

subway: Higobashi; www. 

minoh-beer.jp/directshops/edobori.html 

BEER BELLY 

■ What it is This 

narrow bar offers more 

microbrews than it has 

seats, yet even so, it’s a 

nice little establishment 

run by the local Minoh 

Brewery. 


Kick things off with a 

pint of Yona Yona ale 

from Nagano Prefecture. 

Then follow that up with 

a delicious glass of Stout, 

one of Minoh Brewery’s 

creamier concoctions 

— and an award winner! . 


“You’ll be more than 

satisfi ed with a glass of 

Hachino Nest’s white 

ale, brewed in Ibaraki 

Prefecture.” Pete Granger 

■ Where 1st fl oor, Osaka 

River Building, 1-1-30 

Tosabori, tel +81 (0) 6 

6441 0717 (open 5pm– 

12mn; closed Sundays) 

Cebu Pacifi c fl ies to Osaka 

from Manila thrice weekly. 

www.cebupacifi cair.com

chikka 


c afé 

4minute 

NADINE MADARANG SPENDS 

FOUR MINUTES WITH THE HOT 

K-POP GIRL BAND 

WE CAUGHT UP with Ji Hyun, Ga Yoon, Ji 

Yoon, Hyun Ah and So Hyun — the bubbly 

members of the popular Korean girl 

band 4Minute — when they visited Manila 

recently to promote their debut album, For 

Muzik. Find out what the fi ve girls dig most 

about the Philippines — and the one place 

they say you should visit when you’re in 

South Korea. 

What are your fi rst impressions of the 

Philippines? 

“It was freezing in Korea at the time, so 

when we got to the Philippines, we loved 

the nice and warm weather. We also found 

the country very beautiful, especially the 

streets — they are very exotic and have a 

romantic atmosphere that made us want 

to roam around. There is a lot of delicious 

food too, so we found it quite hard to stick 

to our diet. Filipino people are very friendly 

and hospitable. We just can’t believe that 

we are famous in the Philippines!” 

How are you girls offstage? 

“We like talking to one another. We are 

also close with the members of [Korean 

boy band] Beast, as well as other girl acts.” 

What do you do during your days off? 

“Because of our lifestyle, we usually just 

hang out at our own place in Korea; it’s 

hard for us to walk around the city. But if 

we are to recommend one place, it would 

be Myeong-dong [a center for fashion 

and nightlife] in Seoul. If you ever want to 

come to Korea, you can come to our place 

and we will cook for you!” 

Finally, what’s the secret to your collective 

cuteness? 

“We take lots of vitamins and work out 

while practicing our dance steps. When we 

were performing the song Hot Issue, we 

focused on the concept of “Candy Funky.” 

Like different colors of candies, our style 

represents the unique and different colors 

of our group and our members.” ■

“It’s hard for us to 

walk around Seoul. 

But if we would 

recommend one 

place, it’s Myeongdong” 

4Minute maidens in a 

row (left to right): Hyun 

Ah, So Hyun, Ji Yoon, 

Ga Yoon and Ji Hyun. 



chikka 

checklist 

go au naturale in 

puerto princesa 

PHOTOLIBRARY 

WANT TO GET ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY? THESE R&R IDEAS GET 

TWO GREEN THUMBS UP FROM MOTHER NATURE, SAYS MAYA O CALICA. 

PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRANCISCO GUERRERO AND LESTER V LEDESMA 

■ ✓JOIN 

THE FEAST 

OF THE FOREST 

Puerto Princesa is called 

“A City in the Forest” 

because of its lush 

landscape. Kamagong, 

narra, mahogany and 

Palawan cherry trees 

abound. The city 

mayor, Hon Edward S 

Hagedorn, spearheads 

regular tree planting 

events, the next one 

being The Feast of the 

Forest, which kicks off in 

the third week of June. 

It’s celebrated every 

year before the rainy 

season and volunteers of 

all ages come together 

to plant various tree 

species in the denuded 

forest zones of the city. 


See the forest 

for the trees 

✓GO 

DOLPHIN WATCHING 

After watching a documentary like the Oscarwinning 

The Cove, an exposé on the dolphin 

killings in a sleepy village in Japan, it’s 

refreshing to see these gentle creatures thriving 

in their natural habitat. At Puerto Princesa 

Bay, you’ll be thrilled to watch long-snouted 

spinner dolphins playing wild and free. 

Nicknamed lumba-lumba, these mammals 

somersault and swim in the bay — you can 

even jump in and join them! Visit during the 

summer months (March to May) or in early 

December. The City Tourism Offi ce of Puerto 

Princesa can help you book dolphin watching 

tours. info@visitpuertoprincesa.com, www. 

visitpuertoprincesa.com 

Sail the waters of 

Dos Palmas Island

✓■ LIVE ON A GREEN ISLAND 

“Luxury” and “eco-friendly” may seem 

worlds apart. But the people behind 

Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa have 

successfully reconciled the two concepts 

through their green initiatives. The 20hectare 

private island on Honda Bay treats 

its waste water so that it can be re-used 

for fl ushing the toilets and for watering the 

plants. Glesselle Batin, an in-house scientist 

and research coordinator, monitors the 

mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs and 

fi shes to ensure that the resort co-exists 

harmoniously with the ecosystem. So far, 

the fi sh population has increased. The 

island’s shores also serve as nurseries for 

turtles, and in 2009, Batin recorded 200plus 

marine hatchlings from two nests on 

the main island — and that’s not counting 

seven more nests at nearby Puting 

Buhangin Island. www.dospalmas.com.ph 

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO GUERRERO. ART DIRECTION BY LESTER V LEDESMA. HAIR/MAKEUP BY MARIE CALICA. STYLING BY LEONA LAVIÑA-PANUTAT. MODEL FRANCINE/ 

MERCATOR. ON FRANCINE: CORAL BIKINI BY TOMATO. SCARF BY GAP. SHOT IN DOS PALMAS RESORT, PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN, WWW.DOSPALMAS.COM.PH 


PHYS00020110 

HT-FC 0410 physiogel_Back.ai 3/22/10 4:18:25 PM 

Gently cleanse 

skin with Physiogel 

Cleanser 

Regular lotions and creams under the 

microscope. 

Due to the presence of emulsifiers, the 

structure is vesicular (oil is suspended in 

water or water suspended in oil) 

Skin’s Natural Oils under the 

microscope. 

The structure is lamellar (layer by layer) 

Moisturize deep within 

and repair skin lipids barrier 

with Physiogel Cream or 

Physiogel Lotion 

Only Physiogel has Derma Membrane Structure as base. This moisturizing 

base is easily absorbed by the skin because it resembles the skin’s own structure. 1 

Physiogel is a trademark of Stiefel. 

Derma Membrane Structure under 

the microscope. 

Does not contain emulsifiers, thus 

obtaining a lamellar structure similar to 

skin’s natural oils (layer by layer) 

Ref: 

1 Lautenschlager: Liposomes. Handbook of Cosmetic Science & Technology ed. AOBarel et al, 

CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton 2006 pp.155-163 

2 MALlorca et al, Evaluation of the activity of a moisturizing and restoring-action preparation, 

with lamellar structure, as adjuvant in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and xerotic skin. 

Dec 2002. Data on file. 

2 

2266 Don Chino Roces Avenue, 

Makati City 1231 Philippines 

Tel. No. (632) 892-0761


PHOTO BY FRANCISCO GUERRERO. HAIR/MAKEUP BY MARIE CALICA. STYLING BY LEONA LAVIÑA-PANUTAT. MODEL 

NATALIA/RECO MODELS. SHOT IN DOS PALMAS RESORT, PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN, WWW.DOSPALMAS.COM.P 

Have a picnic on 

Puting Buhangin 

■ ✓GET 

A RUBDOWN 

BY THE SEA 

What could be more natural 

than getting yourself kneaded 

back to a state of wellness 

with massage techniques 

passed down from many 

generations? When in Puerto 

Princesa, try hilot, an ageold 

Filipino healing art. The 

Paranarian Island Spa at 

Dos Palmas incorporates 

this holistic modality into its 

signature treatment, which 

starts off with the pausok 

(cleansing one’s energy using 

smoke from a censer), soaking 

the feet in a concoction with 

boiled guava leaves, and an 

all-over body massage that 

makes use of herb-infused 

oils and warm compresses. 

To further enhance the 

experience, have it done in a 

cabana with a view of Honda 

Bay’s sparkling waters. 

www.dospalmas.com.ph 

Doze off during 

a hilot session 

■ ✓ISLAND 

HOP 

Check out these isles in Honda 

Bay: Starfi sh Island, where 

you’ll fi nd the waters teeming 

with gorgeous starfi sh. Snake 

Island, named for its longish 

shape, is a snorkeler’s 

and diver’s paradise. Puting 

Buhangin, a boat ride away 

from Dos Palmas, has a 

sandbar and an area for 

picnics for resort guests. 

About 14,000-plus fruit 

bats fl y out from Bat Island 

when the sun sets, while LuLi 

— short for “lulubog” (“sink”) 

and “lilitaw” (“appear”) is an 

island that disappears at high 

tide and reappears during low 

tide! On the West Coast, check 

out Simpocan’s white sands 

and clear blue waters. 

■ ✓PADDLE 

chikka 

checklist 

THROUGH THE 

MANGROVES 

Puerto Princesa’s 

mangroves, those wild 

tropical trees that grow 

in saline coastal areas, 

make up 43% of that 

which grows in the 

entire Philippines. Last 

February, the city held 

the annual Love Affair 

with Mangroves during 

which volunteers planted 

mangrove seeds. Aside 

from their beautiful 

appearance, they prevent 

coastal erosion and form 

nurseries for shrimp 

and fi sh. Get up close 

by signing up for the 

Mangrove Paddleboat 

Tour through the City 

Tourism Offi ce. www. 

visitpuertoprincesa.com 


GETTY IMAGES 

chikka 

Believe your eyes — 

hundreds of fi refl ies! 


checklist 

■ ✓VISIT 

THE 

WORLD’S NEXT 

WONDER 

The Underground River 

aka the Puerto Princesa 

Subterranean River 

National Park has been 

shortlisted for the New 

7 Wonders of Nature 

(vote for it online at 

www.new7wonders. 

com/n7w). At 8km, this 

UNESCO-protected 

World Heritage site is 

considered the longest 

navigable river in the 

world. Getting to the 

place, however, requires 

roughing it. You can opt 

to take a pump boat or 

go by foot along a trail 

where monkeys roam 

freely. Either way, a daylong 

adventure awaits 

you. www.puertoundergroundriver.com 

River psychology — 

just keep paddling! 

■ ✓DIVE 

INTO THE BIG BLUE 

There’s a reason why Puerto Princesa’s azure waters glisten in 

at least six shades of blue. Aside from the strict fi nes imposed 

for littering, the locals are very much involved in sustaining the 

balance of nature on the islands. A case in point: Volunteers 

called scubasureros (a combination of the words “scuba” 

and “basurero”, which means “garbage men” in Tagalog) 

don their diving gear to tidy up what lies beneath so that 

the seas teem with life. Check out Snake Island, where the 

immense volume of fi sh makes the underwater adventure 

truly magical, as well as Helen’s Garden, a reef just a few 

minutes away from Dos Palmas by speedboat. This month, 

the city holds its annual coastal cleanup, which coincides 

with Earth Day. Why not join the fun and volunteer? 

Sign up to be a 

scubasurero! 

■ ✓GO 

FIREFLY 

WATCHING IN IWAHIG 

Head to the Iwahig River, 

which fl ows within the area 

of the Iwahig Prison and 

Penal Farm, the world’s 

largest open prison. At night, 

you’ll witness the mating 

dance of the hundreds 

of fi refl ies and nocturnal 

beetles that converge here. 

And thanks to pollution-free 

skies, you’re bound to look 

up to fi nd millions of stars 

that’ll leave you mesmerized. 

WHEN IN PUERTO 

PRINCESA... 

✓ 

■ Don’t be a litterbug! The 

city fi nes PHP200 for a fi rst 

offence, PHP300 for a second 

and PHP1,000 plus two months 

imprisonment for the third! 

■ ✓Go 

on a city tricycle tour! 

■ ✓When 

in the city, stay at 

Hotel Fleuris (info@fl euris. 

com) or Hillside Resort 

(hillsideresortpalawan.com) 

■ ✓Book 

tours through the 

City Tourism Offi ce, tel: +63 

(48) 433 2028/433 9020, 

info@visitpuertoprincesa.com, 

www.puertoprincesa.ph ■ 

See the city on 

three wheels 

Cebu Pacifi c fl ies to Puerto 

Princesa daily from Manila 

and thrice weekly from Cebu. www. 

cebupacifi cair.com 

KEITH CABILLION 

LESTER LEDESMA


discover coron

la 

vida 

local 

WITH NEW TOURISM PROGRAMS, YOU CAN TAKE IN 

THE SIGHTS AND HELP THE PEOPLE OF CALAMIANES 

PRESERVE THEIR NATURAL HABITAT, WRITES 

KATHERINE JACK. PHOTOGRAPHS BY AL LINSANGAN 

Malwawoy Island is a 

great snorkeling area 

with coral reefs and a 

shipwreck. 



discover coron 

The staggering natural beauty 

of the Calamianes in Palawan 

draws visitors from around 

the world. Over the past fi ve 

years, it transformed from a 

collection of sleepy, remote islands to 

a fast-emerging, lively hub of tourist 

activity. Such human traffi c makes it 

ever important to balance this positive 

growth with continued efforts toward 

environmental and community wellbeing. 

That’s why three projects have 

been initiated to help ensure that tourism 

benefi ts the local community while profi ts 

are poured into preserving this stunning 

environment. 

ECO-TOURS IN CORON 

Al and Mae Linsangan run Coron Lokals, 

an agency that offers island-hopping 

tours and adventures in and around the 

Calamianes. The Linsangan family has 

lived in Coron for fi ve generations, and 

they believe the development of the area 

should have strong local roots. 

The Linsangans launched Eco-tours in 

2008 to help spread income from tourism 

within the community. A typical Eco-tour 

is an island-hopping trip to the lakes, 

beaches, coral reefs and lagoons around 

Coron Island. Guests pay PHP650 each, 

and that sum is split between 

seven households — that of the 

boat owner, the boat captain, 

the tour assistant, those 

preparing the picnic lunch and 

providing drinks, the booking 

agency and the indigenous 

Fisherman-turned-Eco-tour 

assistant Benjie Deñega (in 

blue) leading a snorkelling tour 

Tagbanua people of Coron Island. 

“It makes a big difference”, says Al. “The 

Eco-tours ensure the spread of fi nancial 

resources throughout the community. 

We are getting great feedback — 70% of 

our current guests have been referred by 

people who experienced the Eco-tours 

before.” 

Al and Mae work with a small island 

fi shing community near Coron called 

Lajala, where they encourage boat 

owners, mostly fi shermen, to link up with 

Coron Lokals. The boat captains and Ecotour 

assistants also come from Lajala, an 

idyllic-looking fi shing community situated 

on a steep hillside on Uson Island. The 

village is picturesque — a long wooden 

pier stretches out to sea and bamboo 

houses on stilts are clustered by the shore 

— but the reality is that the people here 

have little opportunity. 

Joey Zabalo is a boat owner and 

resident of Lajala who has been working 

with Eco-tours for two years. Joey started 

out in life as a fi sherman using a small 

paddleboat, which he built himself. “It 

was tiring work,” he says, “and I could not 

imagine how I would educate my three 

children with such a small income. Since 

working with Eco-tours, my earnings have 

grown substantially. I have constructed 

“Exploring the reef with 

a local is an exceptional 

experience,” says Al 

Linsangan of Coron Lokals. 

Tourist boats 

at the Twin 

Lagoons 

Fisherman-turned 

eco-tour assistant 

maneuvers boat

The catch of the day 

is served with fresh 

lato (seaweed) salad 

Guests enjoy binalot, 

food wrapped in banana 

leaves— so eco-friendly! 

Limestone cliffs and 

thermoclines around the 

twin lagoons result in hot 

and cold waters

Ecotourism eases 

pressure on the coral reefs 

by offering fi shermen 

alternative livelihoods 

The amazing sunset 

at Salvacion Wharf in 

Busuanga 

four more boats and I now have enough 

money to send my children to school.” 

The Eco-tour also includes guided 

snorkelling with Benjie Deñega, another 

former fi sherman who works as a tour 

assistant. “Exploring the reef with a local 

is an exceptional experience,” says Al, 

“Benjie is so knowledgeable about the 

underwater world, he can point out reef 

fi sh and other marine animals that you 

would never otherwise notice.” 

This kind of eco-tourism has many 

positive effects. It eases the pressure 

on coral reefs by offering fi shermen 

alternative livelihoods and increases 

environmental awareness among locals 

and visitors, so that future generations 

may appreciate the beauty of Coron’s 

natural environment. Coron Lokals, tel: 

+63 (919) 305 4363 / corongaleri@yahoo. 

com, www.corongaleri.com.ph 

HOME-STAY IN BUSUANGA 

In the quiet town of Salvacion in 

Busuanga, Carol and Marlo Sariego have 

been welcoming overnight guests into 

their family home since 2005. Carol is a 

volunteer health worker and Marlo is an 

engineer. They have a spacious house, 

built to accommodate their fi ve kids who 

have now grown up and moved away. 

When the Department of Tourism (DOT) 

approached them with the home-stay 

program, they joined. “People seem to like 

Marlo and 

Carol Sariego 

in their family home 

our house,” says Carol, “and I love having 

visitors over”. 

Home-stay was introduced to 

Busuanga because of the shortage of 

hotels in the area. The DOT solved the 

problem by organizing a network of 

homes where visitors could stay and 

experience local culture and family life, 


Carol’s special 

ensaladang talong 

(eggplant salad) 

The Sariego’s 

rooms are clean, 

comfortable and 

homey 

feeling as comfortable as they would in a 

guesthouse. 

Busuanga is relatively unexplored 

so visiting the area entails a sense of 

adventure. There are river tours or 

island-hopping trips to Dibutonay Island, 

Black Island or Calauit Safari Park — an 

extraordinary island that is home to 


Guides Manong Godie and Mang 

Ben prep the bamboo in which they 

will cook rice for the picnic 

a large population of Kenyan animals 

including impalas, zebras and giraffes. 

Before dinner guests often stroll 

down to the town pier and watch the 

sun set over the sea and surrounding 

islands. Back at the house, Carol serves 

sumptuous feasts of local produce such as 

barracuda, organic pork, home-grown rice 

and delicious squash with, coconut milk, 

ginger and lemongrass. Contact Carol 

Sariego, tel: +63 (918) 461 2636. 

VISIT KINGFISHER PARK 

A short boat ride from Coron town is a 

400-acre wildlife sanctuary run by cousins 

Borge and Micah Reyes and Nikko Santos. 

The land was bought by their grandfather 

in the 1950s but it was not until 2007 

that Kingfi sher Park was launched as a 

nature reserve and community project. 

Entrance fees paid by visitors go directly 

to environmental education and livelihood 

initiatives in Malbato. 

“In the years before 2007, the 

population of Malbato had grown to a 

point that they could not sustainably live 

in the area,” says Micah. “People were 

driven to illegal logging, slash and burn 

agriculture and mangrove charcoaling. 

We needed alternative livelihoods and 

education to solve the problems.” 

Kingfi sher Park offers mountain 

trekking, camping, kayaking, bird 

watching and fi refl y tours. Trek in the 

early morning or late afternoon to see the 

sun set from the summit of Mount Lunes 

Santo, Malbato’s highest peak. Trekkers 

are provided with picnic lunches of grilled 

meat, fresh fi sh, vegetables and aromatic 

rice traditionally cooked inside bamboo. 

The park is home to a staggering 83 

species of birds, including seven species 

of kingfi sher. Kayaking is a great way to 

see the wildlife and is best done in the 



A tranquil “starry 

starry night” in 

Malbato Cove 

early morning when the birds are active 

in the mangrove forest. Other animals 

you might encounter here are Palawan 

anteaters, skunks, porcupines, macaques, 

snakes, monitor lizards and, on rare 

occasions, dugongs. 

In the evening, “starry starry night” 

tours take place near the seashore. 

Hundreds of fi refl ies light up the 

mangroves like Christmas trees. The sky 

is a blanket of stars and the boat leaves 

a sparkling trail of bioluminescence. 

Kingfi sher Park, Coron, tel: +63 (916) 

462 0197 (contact Borge Reyes or Nikko 

Santos), kingfi sherbiodiversitypark@ 

yahoo.com, kingfi sherpark.com ■ 

Cebu Pacifi c fl ies twice daily to Busuanga 

from Manila. www.cebupacifi cair.com 

Capilla De San Vicente, sits on 

a hill in Sitio Malbato built by 

the owners of Kingfi sher Park 

WHAT IS 

ECOTOURISM? 

■ Ecotourism is about 

responsible, low-impact travel 

needed by environmentally 

sensitive areas. 

■ Ecotourism fosters 

appreciation of local 

culture and biodiversity 

by both travelers and local 

communities. 

■ Ecotourism provides 

support for conservation 

and helps the economic 

development of local 

communities.


easter special 

passion 

play 

GO BEHIND THE 

SCENES OF THE 

SENAKULO OR 

PASSION PLAY, 

A CENTURY-OLD 

HOLY WEEK 

TRADITION. TEXT 

AND PHOTOS BY 

LESTER V LEDESMA

Holy Week fi nds Makati’s streets 

in an unusual state, with their 

normally bustling cacaphony 

of roaring jeepneys and 

tooting car horns replaced by 

an atmosphere of almost silent religiosity. 

In the district of Pio Del Pilar, all roads 

lead to a simple stage assembled on a major 

intersection. On this wooden setting, once 

a year, the saints come to life. The age-old 

Christian story of salvation is told in living, 

breathing color. 

The senakulo, or passion play, is an icon 

of Philippine lenten customs; its origins 

date back to colonial times when Spanish 

missionaries used theater as a means to 

preach the gospel. Once a staple of every 

town and village, it has struggled to survive 

in recent years, its practice relegated to just 

a few districts in the capital. Today, it draws 

bouts of nostalgia from the old, and raised 

eyebrows from the young. For the residents 

of Pio Del Pilar, however, it is a tangible link 

to the not-so-distant past and a cherished 

tradition to be observed. 

Awash in stage lights, the tale 

of Christian salvation is retold 

on the streets of Makati’s Pio 

del Pilar district. 


Every night during Holy Week, Bobbie 

Garcia literally walks in the footsteps of Jesus 

Christ. With his wig of long, curly hair and his 

biblical robe, few would recognize the face of 

this 53-year-old schoolteacher. He has been 

in this role for over two decades, though, 

after having played other senakulo characters 

since the age of nine. Bobbie also doubles as 

the play director, where his experience has 

proved invaluable in just about every aspect 

of production. Backstage between acts, he 

recounts the history of Makati’s traditional 

passion play. 

“The senakulo has been held in Pio Del 

Pilar from as far back as the 1920s”, the 

“Christ” reveals as he drizzles fake blood 

on his forehead. “The Japanese occupation 

put a stop to it and the script was lost. The 

senakulo was revived only in the late 1940s 

when the son of the original scriptwriter and 

some old actors pieced the lines together 

from memory.” 

With Bobbie in this cramped, makeshift 

dressing room are the rest of the personahes 

(senakulo actors) in various stages of dress, 

awaiting their cues to come onstage. Beside 

him, Saint Peter chats with Judas while they 

put the last touches of make-up on their 

beards. The mood is jovial but serious; they 

are, after all, here because of their vow to 

perform the senakulo for as many years as 

they can. 

Their reasons for taking on such a vow are 

as varied as the personahes they play. Some 

inherited it from their parents. Others do it 

to give thanks for blessings received. Bobbie 

gets his inspiration from a dream he had: 

three personahes, long dead, asked him to 

help keep the tradition alive. 

“I decided it was a sign from God”, the 

devotee admits, “and from then on I knew I’d 

be part of the senakulo until I die.” 

Bobbie Garcia adds fake 

blood just before Good 

Friday’s climactic scene 



Between acts, “Virgin 

Mary” snaps a few 

shots backstage

Roman costumes await 

their wearers before 

showtime starts 

Pharisees and scribes 

get into character with 

make-up 

“I thirst” may as well be 

what Bobbie Garcia, aka the 

Risen Christ is saying here 

No one is too young 

to play a biblical role 

in the senakulo 

The mood 

backstage is 

refl ected in 

these Roman 

guards’s smiles 

All decked out 

and ready for 

the show!

“Are you the king of the Jews?” 

Pontius Pilate looks resplendent in his 

Roman gown, his eyes burning as he asks 

this question to a bound Christ. Everyone 

knows the answer, of course. Down at 

street level, from sidewalk to sidewalk, the 

crowd holds its breath as the timeless tale 

of suffering, death and salvation runs its 

somber course. 

True to tradition, the protagonist voices 

his lines in the form of the tagulaylay 

— biblical paragraphs sung in old Tagalog. 

The contrabidas (the “bad guys”), on the 

other hand, speak in the recited, rhythmic 

verses of the ablada. This distinction is 

mirrored in the musical score as well. 

From behind the curtains, a whistle calls 

out instructions to a brass band. A single 

beep signifi es the ponebre — funeral music, 

reserved only for Christ and his fl ock. For 

the villains (Pontius Pilate, the Pharisees, 

Judas et al), often portrayed as proud and 

evil, a surprisingly bouncy tune is heard. 

The senakulo tells of events that happened 

2,000 years ago in a faraway land, yet it 

brims with a distinctly Filipino fl air. Lines 

and notes aside, the personahes themselves 

resemble not the saints, but statues of them 

that one commonly sees during via crucis 

processions. This is best exemplifi ed in 

Bobbie’s “Jesus” getup, which bears the 

purple robes and the dark face (and yes, the 

incredibly curly hair) of Quiapo’s venerated 

Black Nazarene image. 

The most endearing aspect of the 

senakulo, however, is the way the 

community revolves around it. The plot 

has remained unchanged for decades, and 

in the age of cable TV and the internet, the 

audience, thankfully, remains plentiful. 

Despite the massive stage, the costumes and 

the blaring lights, the whole production feels 

like a family event. Spectators often voice out 

their reactions to the cast, and sometimes 

the actors even reciprocate by addressing 

them directly. Everyone is also welcome 

backstage. In fact, visitors often arrive with 

baskets of food and drinks for the crew. And 

no personahe — from the lowliest extra to 

Jesus himself — is ever too busy to stop for 

a photo-op with guests and devout audience 

members. 

The fi nal act ends after midnight, just 

as Easter Sunday rolls in. On this day the 

Holy Week celebrations will wind down. 

The stage will be dismantled, the costumes 

stowed in their lockers to await the next 

year’s production. The actors, too, will 

return to their usual days with the memory 

of yet another successful show. Amid the 

glitzy lights, the towering buildings and 

the fast-paced lifestyles in this country’s 

most modern city, it is refreshing to know 

that a slice of folk culture lives on in bright 

pageantry, right in the Makati Senakulo. ■ 

Cebu Pacifi c fl ies to Manila from across 

a network of 14 international and 33 

domestic destinations. www.cebupacifi cair.com 



Longinus, the 

centurion who pierced 

Christ’s side with a 

spear, gets his time in 

the spotlight 

In this classic scene, Saint 

Veronica shows the Virgin 

Mary a cloth stained with 

the face of Christ

A “criminal” gets a wardrobe 

adjustment while a guard 

records the activity on his 

cellphone 

A local brass band 

provides the music for 

the senakulo 

Christ addresses 

the crowd on his 

way to Calvary 

Pontius Pilate questions 

Christ in front of the 

Roman court and 

residents of Pio del Pilar

comedy central 

Italian comic Ennio 

Marchetto is set to 

perform in Macau 

SARAH WOODS LAUGHS 

OUT LOUD IN ONE OF 

ASIA’S PREMIERE STAND-UP 

COMEDY HUBS 

madcapmacauAPRIL 2010 63 

REUTERS



Tall and fair and 

young and lovely, the 

girl from Beijing... 

A funny thing 

A funny thing 

happened on my way 

to Senado Square...

What’s the 

difference between 

Princess Diana and 

Elton John? 

Left to right: Hong Kong artist Perry 

Chiu in The Girl from Beijing, Wong 

Chi Wai has performed at the Cotai 

Arena, and Hong Kong DJ/comedian 

Jan Lamb 

REUTERS 

Macau’s international fame as 

one of the world’s laughter 

capitals draws many of the 

fi nest stand-up artists on the 

circuit to its shores. These 

nightly showcases and comedy revues attract 

audiences for a jamboree of funny-fests that 

fuse irony, black humor and the sharp, impish 

wit of the Macanese peppered with global 

comedic infl uences. 

With Hong Kong’s Dayo Wong, the Italian 

mimic and living paper cartoon Ennio 

Marchetto and a host of talent fresh from 

the Melbourne Comedy Festival, London’s 

Comedy Club and New York venues, Macau 

stands solidly as a fi rm fi xture on the Asian 

cultural calendar. Choose from one-man 

stand-up shows that cheekily send up everyone 

or comedy-packed live musical renditions and 

surreal, deadpan delivery. In short, Macau is a 

Mecca for madcap mayhem. 

“Some say we look at life from a different 

slant,” explains Macanese resident Agnes 

Vong. “Our observations are certainly meant to 

bring out the humor in a situation — it’s part 

of the Macanese warmth.” 

Governed by Portugal from the 16th century 

until 1999, Macau (or Macao) is now one of 

the two special administrative regions 

(SARs) of the People’s Republic of China 

(PRC), along with Hong Kong. Set on a 

peninsula that was once an island, it has 

gradually become connected by a sandbar 

as a narrow isthmus. It spans just 27.5km 2 

and lies 70km southwest of Hong Kong. 

Perhaps the funny comes from a funny 

mix. Macau culture is a fascinating 

hybrid of Portuguese, Chinese and 

Western infl uences, which is why 

the comedy forms are as diverse 

as the venues. 

Want a laugh trip? Try The 

Sands, a haven for renowned 

comedians from Hong Kong, 

UK, USA, Australia and Canada. 

In February, renowned Hong 

Kong stars Perry Chiu and Cheung 

Tat-Ming performed in the 

musical stand-up comedy, The 

Girl from Beijing. You may also 

enjoy sister venue the Venetian 

Macao-Resort-Hotel – where 

several hot-selling stand-up and review 

shows at the CotaiArena have included 

popular stand-up king Jan Lamb (aka 

the “Stone-faced Comedian”), who also 

happens to be a Hong Kong DJ, pop singer, 

host, actor and director. Lamb made his 

debut in January this year to considerable 

euphoria. 

Yet the city’s comedy scene is less about 

celebrity razzle-dazzle and more about good 

old-fashioned parody and perfectly timed 

slapstick. Numerous venues continue to 

dabble in comic shows, staging impromptu 

events or open mike nights to capitalize on 

the Macanese love of humor. Audiences are 

a mix of European and American expats, 

visitors from Hong Kong and China and 



locals. Usually, the Macanese contingent is the 

fi rst up to the microphone to exchange a joke 

or two, or weave an amusing yarn that makes 

fun out of their own misfortunes in a “Don’t 

worry — be happy!” style. Everywhere you turn 

in Macau, you’ll fi nd evidence of this humor: 

from cheeky jokes to deliberate word play used 

in retail signs. Rumor has it there’s a small 

neighborhood bakery named “Bread Pitt”, 

a butcher signed “Meating Place” and a 

24-hour restaurant called: “Doris Day 

and Night.” 

“Macau is a great place to perform,” 

Hong Kong actor, comedian, director 

and writer Cheung Tat-Ming 

enthused during his 2009 tour, 

playing to an eager crowd at The 

Sands. In his own imitable style, Tat-Ming 

tackled a contentious array of hot topics, with 

lots of social commentary about Hong Kong 

and Mainland China. 

Expect more big-name gigs scheduled 

for later this year. March’s Macau Art 

Festival provided a decent warm-up 

(such as the Comic Dialogue workshops 

run by Iun Kuok Weng and Ho 

Kuok Man from Macau Comedy 

Association) for the rest of 2010’s 

comic calendar. The rumor-mill 

is rife with talk of upcoming 

performances by Filipino 

talents Edwin San Juan, Tim 

Tayag, Ron Josol and Fil-Am 

Jo Koy. Rex Navarrete, the 

Filipino-American comic 

famous for rollicking routines 

like Maritess versus the 

Superfriends, is also said 

to be appearing in the city after touring North 

America. 

“Macau’s artistic and cultural heritage is farreaching,” 

observes head of Macau’s Cultural 

Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng. “Humor here 

has put us on the world map as a destination for 

fi rst-class comedy. We anticipate that Macau will 

continue to strengthen this reputation to attract 

more international tourists.” ■ 


Cebu Pacifi c fl ies to Macau from Clark and 

Manila. www.cebupacifi cair.com 

Tim 

Tayag 

One night, I I 

dreamt of 

Marilyn Monroe! Monroe! 

What did Pinocchio 

What did Pinocchio 

say to his cosmetic 

surgeon? 

MAKE THEM LAUGH 

Stand-up comic Tim Tayag shares his surefi re ways of cracking up a crowd 

Top to bottom: 

Ennio Marchetto as 

Marilyn Monroe and 

Jan Lamb 

■ Self-deprecation works each time. For example, I wrote about my big ears in a routine. “As a kid, a 

guy teased me about my big ears everyday, saying ‘Hey Dumbo ears? Why don’t you fl y away with 

your Dumbo ears?’ Finally I stood up to him and said, ‘Shut up, Dad!’” 

■ Talk about pain. Everyone can relate to a painful experience. Share that time when you stalked an 

ex-girlfriend and how you were arrested for violating the restraining order against you. 

■ Admit when you’re bombing. Sometimes a joke will fall fl at resulting in an awkward silence. 

Say, “Sorry folks, I don’t know what I was smoking when I wrote that one.” Most of the time, the 

crowd will laugh when you recognize you sucked. They’ll feel your pain (see tip #2). 

■ Act out your characters. Don’t just describe them — be the overbearing mom-in-law or annoying 

friend who’s always borrowing money. 

■ Finally make sure to start and end with your strongest jokes. Even if everything in between is 

mediocre, these are what will stick with the audience.


return to davao 

San Pedro Cathedral 

is the oldest church 

in Davao City

The author as a 

child in Times 

Beach, Davao City 

Get centered at the 

Holy Infant Jesus of 

Prague Shrine 

TEN YEARS AFTER MOVING TO MANILA, TRUE BLUE DABAWENYA 

MAE L CHATTO RETURNS TO DAVAO TO REKINDLE HER CONNECTION 

WITH HER HOMELAND. PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOJIE ALCANTARA 

i 


My alma mater sure 

makes me proud! 



I met these kids en 

route to Talicud Island

The giant slide at 

Maxima Aqua Fun 

The plush Pearl 

Farm Resort 

Kayak around 

Maxima 

Aquafun 

The calm waters of 

Haguimit Falls 


Loved the 

ATV ride! 

Try the 

ostrich steak! 

Tread clear 

blue waters 



MAYA O CALICA 



This is how 

you get out 

of a zorb 

Have durian in 

your coffee! 

Welcome to 

durian country! 

Me doing the 

canopy walk! 

Score local 

souvenirs at 

Aldevinco 

CEB fl ies to Davao four times daily from 

Manila and three times daily from Cebu. 

www.cebupacifi cair.com 

LESTER LEDESMA

EDWARD N. JOHNSON - USAG-KOREA 


seoul wonders

SEARCHING HIGH AND LOW FOR AN ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY FOR 

THE ENTIRE FAMILY? MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE KID-FRIENDLY 

CITY OF SEOUL, SAYS NOELLE DE JESUS 

Bigger kids 

will enjoy 

the rides at 

Lotte’s World 

Street stalls 

sell yummy 

waffl e cakes 

GETTY IMAGES 



TANNY CHUA 

Have a bear-y good 

time at Namsan Park 

Pick up your souvenirs 

at Insadong 

seoul wonders 



Climbe Seoul Tower and 

see relish the city view 

Little girls love 

the traditional 

hanbok outfi t 

Picturesque 

palaces are great 

for photo ops 

seoul wonders 

Kids play during 

the changing of 

the guard 


GETTY IMAGES

PHOTOLIBRARY 

Enjoy panoramic views 

of the city at N Seoul 

Tower on Mt Namsan 


seoul wonders 

TANNY CHUA 

Cebu Pacifi c fl ies to Seoul from Manila 

thrice weekly. www.cebupacifi cair.com 

BE WEATHER WISE! 

Seoul’s climate tends to both ends 

of the spectrum. Summers in the 

city are hot and muggy, while 

winters are long and brutish. So 

do plan your visit in the spring 

(March to May) and fall (around 

October), when it’s pleasantly cool 

and temperate. Youngsters will 

be more willing to walk when it’s 

cool. Spring may have the cherry 

blossoms and their festival but 

autumn skies are eye-piercingly 

blue, so make your choice.

City Commercial Center 

(City Gov’t Bldg)

travel 

INTERNATIONAL 

n Japan 87 

n Vietnam 87 

n China 89 

n Taiwan 93 

n Malaysia 93 

n Indonesia 94 

n Singapore 94 

n Korea 96 

nThailand 96 

PHILIPPINES 

n Luzon 98 

n Visayas 106 

n Mindanao 114 

Pagadian City is the 

capital of the province 

of Zamboanga del Sur. 

Its name is derived from 

pangadye-on, which is 

a local term that means 

praise or prayer. The 

area is hilly, and four 

rivers drain into its bay. 

Agriculture and fi shing 

are its industries. Famous 

delicacies include suman 

and piping hot native 

tsokolate (chocolate). 


new 

route 

Pagadian 

Area code: (02) iCurrency: Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02) 

TRIVIA The city of Pagadian has been called the 

“Little Hong Kong of the South” because of its 

surrounding mountains. It’s abundant in natural 

resources, but it has yet to be developed as a 

tourism mainstay. 

TOUCHDOWN Tricycles are the main mode of 

transportation around the city. What’s more, 

Pagadian’s tricycles are unique: they’re inclined 

at a 25 to 40˚ angle to accommodate the hilly 

terrain of the city. 

BY DAY You can visit some truly lovely 

waterfalls of Pagadian, such as Pulacan Falls in 

Labangan, about 12km from the city. You can 

enjoy the views as well as picnic and set up 

camp here, enjoying the nature. 

BY NIGHT Dine at Greenhouse Fishing Station 

and Restaurant, which is beautiful, whether you 

visit it in the daytime or at night. Dine on fresh 

fi sh, sip coconut juice in the husk and enjoy the 

twinkle of lights. 

SLEEP Hotel Alindahaw on Rizal Avenue is 

perfect for both business and holiday travelers. 

It offers clean, comfortable quarters and is 

within walking distance from the Gaisano 

Capital mall. www.hotelalindahaw.com 

˝ 

guides 

LOCAL LIFE 

Bogey Bernardo 

advertising slave 

Best breakfast 

Gamutin on Rizal Avenue, beside Dunkin’ 

Donuts. You can count on it 

Best night out 

Django’s! Eat, drink, play billiards and be 

merry! It’s a fun place. 

Best dinner 

Manhattan BBQ! They only open at night so 

go early because they run out fast! 

Best buys 

Chili. The best I’ve had — small but deadly! 

And it’s PHP1 peso for a bag 

Best souvenirs 

Tie-dyed shirts, sarongs and batik clothes 

from Alta Mall 

Must-do experience 

Dragon boat ride in Lakewood and zip-lining 

over in Dao 

Must learn… 

Cebuano/Bisaya but you’ll get by just fi ne 

with Tagalog 

Insider tip 

Wear comfy clothes. Pack a pair of shorts 

and sando — it can get extremely hot! 

Want to be the featured local resident of your hometown? Drop us an email at cebu.ed@ink-publishing.com and you could be in Smile! 


SAMUEL DE LEON 

TEXT BY MONICA BARRETTO (DOMESTIC), SHEILA PAUL, ROSS WALLACE, TREVOR MOGG AND NORI BUJANG 

(INTERNATIONAL)

Osaka 

Country code: +81 (6) 

i Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY100 = 

PHP49.98/US$1.09) 

TRIVIA Some 250,000 people leaped off the 

Dotonbori bridge in joy and elation when Japan 

beat Tunisia in June 2002, qualifying them for a 

second round of the World Cup. 

TOUCHDOWN From Kansai International Airport, 

get to the city of Osaka by taxi (JPY5,000– 

8,000/PHP2,499–3,997) or by bus (JPY1,500/ 

PHP749). www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access 

BY DAY Check out the the Momofuku Ando 

Instant Ramen Museum in Ikeda City. Gomayachubei 

serves all dishes made using goma 

(sesame). Try the delicious goma ice cream! 

BY NIGHT Go dancing at the hip Sam and Dave 

Umeda, where the dancefl oor is huge and the 

sounds range from trance beats to hip-hop. 4-15- 

19 Nishi-tenma, Kita-ku 

SLEEP Visit an area just to the north of Osaka 

called Toyonaka. It’s in a very convenient location 

near Osaka’s domestic airport and the air there is 

cleaner than it is in the city. 

LOCAL LIFE 

Shigeko Minemura 

offi ce worker 


Try the Japanese breakfast at upmarket Hotel 

Granvia in Umeda 


See lots of decorated boats and fi reworks on 

the Yodo River during the Tenjin festival in July 

Best dinner 

Udonsuki is a kind of nabe (a big pot with a 

soup full of vegetables and meat). Delicious! 

Best buys 

Whatever you shop for, enjoy lounge chairs 

and artifi cial waterfalls in some malls 


Hanshin Tigers baseball goods, a happi coat 

and a hachimaki (Japanese style headband) 


Visit the Katsuo temple and the mountain 

surrounding it — very scenic! 

Must learn… 

Say “Itadakimasu” before and “Gochiso-samadeshita” 

after a meal to show respect 

Insider tip 

Don’t tip! It’s not part of Japanese culture. If 

you try to, you may offend even someone 

˝ 

OSAKA TOURISM BOARD 

Ho Chi Minh City 

Country code: +84 

i Currency: Vietnam Dong (10,000VND = 

PHP24.83/US$0.54) 

TRIVIA Vietnam’s largest city was once known 

as Prey Nokor and Saigon. Its current name 

comes from Ho Chi Minh, the statesman who 

was the country’s president until 1969. 

TOUCHDOWN From the Tan Son Nhat 

International Airport, it takes about VND90,000 

(PHP223.14) for a taxi or VND30,000 

(PHP74.37) for a motorbike taxi (xe om). 

BY DAY Head to Tien Dong beach for a day 

trip — here you will fi nd an amazing gigantic 

sculpted waterfall supposedly bearing the face 

of an emperor. It’s quite a sight. 

BY NIGHT Have a nightcap at Bellevue Bar, 

which is located on the top fl oor of the historic 

Majestic Hotel. Enjoy the exquisite night views 

of the river. 1 Dong Khoi Street, District 1 

SLEEP Bong Sen Hotel Saigon on hustling Dong 

Khoi street, is very close to the city’s central 

shopping district so you are right in the thick of 

it. 117–123 Dong Khoi Street, District 1 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jessie Zhang 

writer 


Greenleaf Café is great place to go for 

fresh juice and easy snacks 


Order great steaks at ABC restaurant. 172H, 

Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 3 

Best dinner 

Kabin Chinese Restaurant is known for its 

Cantonese cuisine 

Best buys 

Invest in paintings by local artists available at 

art galleries. Vietnam is known for these 


Go crazy over Vietnamese handicrafts like 

lacquerware and silk 


Visit Ha Chuong Hoi Quan Pagoda. See stone 

pillars and murals dedicated to Thien Hau 

Must learn… 

Make friends by saying “Chao”(“Hi”) and “Toi 

ten la (your name)” (“My name is ______”) 

Insider tip 

Contact Vietnam Tours at the Saigon Trade 

Centre for tourist info, tel: +84 (8) 910 1554 

In Vietnam, it rains incessantly - 

even in the supposed “dry” season 


Hong Kong Macau 

Country code: +852 i Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HK$1 = 

PHP5.91/US$0.13) 

TRIVIA Hong Kong is a city you have to visit at 

least once. The former British colony blends the 

best of east and west, birthing a truly unique 

culture. It’s best known for food and shopping. 

TOUCHDOWN The Airport Express takes 24 

minutes to Central and costs HK$100 (PHP591). 

Taxis from the airport cost HK$300 (PHP1,772) 

upwards. www.hongkongairport.com 

BY DAY Causeway Bay is where you can go 

shopping, taste delicious food and see all the 

fashionable people walk by. If you get tired, 

Victoria Park nearby is good for relaxing. 

BY NIGHT Walk along the Stars of Avenue in 

Tsim Sha Tsui. There is a laser light show every 

night at 8. Then take a ferry to Central and head 

to Lan Kwai Fong for drinks and partying. 

SLEEP Opened in late 2009, the Mira Hotel is a 

hip urban sanctuary that combines 21st century 

aesthetics in its interiors with an amazing spa 

and culiniary experience. www.themirahotel.com 

˝ No 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jaime Lee 

photo editor 


Start your day with the famous milk tea from 

Lan Fong Yuen 


Lan Kwai Fong is the place you should not 

miss. It’s the essence of Hong Kong nightlife 

Best dinner 

I love the curry beef with rice from Tsui Wah. 

You must try it! 

Best buys 

Get a great deal on tights and leggings from 

Jardine Crescent for yourself or as gifts 


Handicrafts and Chinese paintings in Stanley 

market. You never know what you’ll fi nd there 


Go to Mongkok to try the street food and 

bargain for good deals on everything 

Must learn… 

“Ho mei” (“delicious), “lei dou” (“here”) and 

“goh dou” (“there”) 

Insider tip 

Apart from the Peak, IFC’s rooftop garden 

also has a smashing view of Victoria Harbour 

HONG KONG TOURISM AUTHORITY 

Country code: +853 iCurrency: Macau Pataca (MOP1 = PHP5.74/ 

US$0.13) 

TRIVIA Macau is a small, interesting city divided 

into three regions: the Macau Peninsula, Taipa 

Island and Coloane Island. Treat yourself to 

centuries of European-Chinese cultural fusion. 

TOUCHDOWN Take Bus AP1 to the Barrier Gate 

(China border). Another option is to take a 

taxi into the city — a 15-minute cab ride costs 

roughly MOP40–50 (PHP229.44–286.81). 

BY DAY See A-Ma Temple, Kun Lam Statue, The 

Ruins of St Paul’s, and a number of churches 

and fortresses standing side by side, each with 

its fascinating mix of architectural traditions. 

BY NIGHT Visit the casinos in Macau especially 

the Cotai Strip which also known as “The Las 

Vegas Strip of the East” or go up to the Macau 

Tower to have a night view of the whole city. 

SLEEP The Hard Rock Hotel will give you a 

unique experience different from others hotels 

in Macau. It’s the City of Dreams and promises 

entertainment. www.hardrockhotelmacau.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Janio David 

disc jockey 


Try cakes from the local bakery for a 

delicious, easy breakfast 


Chilling at the champagne lounge at MGM 

Grand and sipping my favorite wine 

Best dinner 

Edo Japanese has an impressive selection of 

the fi nest, freshest sashimi and sushi 

Best buys 

Portuguese wine from the Macau Wine 

Museum — great to take home 


Friends and family will surely enjoy the 

almond cakes from Taipa House Museum 


Nature lovers should trek Guia Hill, the hills 

of Taipa and Coloane for great views 

Must learn… 

“Good morning” (“Bom dia”) and 

“good afternoon” (“boa tarde”) 

Insider tip 

Got questions about hotels, tours or sights? 

Call the tourism hotline, tel: (853) 283 33000 

smoking violations in Hong Kong 

will be fined HK$ 1500 

JANA TAN 


Guangzhou 

Country code: +86 iCurrency: China Renminbi (RMB1 = PHP 

6.71/US$0.146) 

TRIVIA Guangzhou, also known as Canton, was 

one of the fi rst cities to welcome outsiders, when 

the country opened in 1978. Currently, the city is 

preparing for the 16th Asian Games at year’s end. 

TOUCHDOWN From Guangzhou Baiyun 

International airport, a taxi to the city center costs 

RMB150 and takes an hour. The airport express 

bus costs about RMB20. 

BY DAY Do as the locals do, and have dimsum in 

the morning, the specialty in Guangzhou. Go to 

the wholesale markets near Guangzhou Railway 

Station and Beijing Road for shopping. 

BY NIGHT Make a trip to the Pearl River, and take 

the Pearl River cruise. End the night with partying 

in the pubs along Pearl River such as Baby Face, 

Soho and Xi Xi. 

SLEEP The Garden Hotel is a local platinum 

fi ve-star hotel right in the center of the city, and 

guaranteed to deliver premiere service and luxury. 

www.thegardenhotel.com.cn 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jason Lim 

sales manager 


Dimsum at Guangzhou Restaurant. Established 

in 1935, it has nine outlets in the city 


Go to Shamian to see the European buildings 

built by the French and the English 

Best dinner 

Bing Sheng Restaurant for Cantonese food. 

There are four outlets in the city 

Best buys 

TianHe Computer City — all sorts of gadgets 

including laptops and pin-hole cameras 


All sorts of small gifts and presents at Yi De 

Road, Wan Ning Mall 


Select and bargain for your seafood dinner at 

the HuangSha Seafood Wholesale Market 

Must learn… 

Say “Tai gui le” meaning “Too expensive” 

whenever you bargain for prices 

Insider tip 

Be careful of your wallet and money, as 

pickpockets are common in Guangzhou 

Shanghai 

Country code: +86 iCurrency: China Yuan Renminbi (RMB1 = 

PHP6.71/US$0.146) 

TRIVIA Shanghai’s Lupu Bridge is the world’s 

longest arched bridge. Tourists can make their 

way to the very top of the bridge and get an 

incredible panoramic view of the city. 

TOUCHDOWN From the Pudong International 

Airport, the Maglev train gets you from the 

airport to Longyuan station at 431km/hour in 

seven minutes. www.shanghaiairport.com 

BY DAY See the Bund and the French 

Concession for architecture, the Old Town, the 

Urban Planning Museum, Moganshan Lu for 

Chinese art and Xintiandi for dimsum. 

BY NIGHT ERA Shanghai is one of the best 

ongoing shows in the city, combining acrobatics 

with sounds and lights. Dine at Lost Heaven, a 

popular Yunnanese place. 

SLEEP Treat yourself to a stay at the Shanghai 

Park Hyatt, the world’s highest hotel, as it’s 

on the 79–93rd fl oors of the World Financial 

Center. shanghai.park.hyatt.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jonathan L Hasson 

co-director 

Luxury Concierge China 


Have eggs, chocolate bread, espresso, and 

grapefruit juice at most hotel cafés 


Bar Rouge delivers a great experience that is 

very memorable 

Best dinner 

Franck’s in the former French Concession for 

French cuisine. The service is impeccable 

Best buys 

Qipu Lu for some great deals on clothes, or 

Ting for some cool furniture 


Mao memorabilia or old cigarette posters at 

Dongtai Lu Antiques Market 


A half day architecture walk of the French 

Concession with Spencer Dodington 

Must learn… 

“Zewei” (“goodbye”), “shayanu” (“thank 

you”) and “vataka” (“never mind”) 

Insider tip 

Visit Art Salon, a charming Shanghainese 

restaurant in the French Concession 

Herbal tea is the traditional drink 

of the city of Guangzhou 


Taipei 

Country code: +886 iCurrency: New Taiwan Dollar (TW$1 = 

PHP1.44/US$0.031) 

TRIVIA YongHe City is just across the bridge 

from Taipei City, and is famous for YongHe 

DaWang or Yong He Soy Milk. There’s also a 

famous night market there which is popular. 

TOUCHDOWN Taxis to the city cost TW$1,100 

(PHP1,586.73), but private bus companies run 

from both terminals and cost TW$110–140 

(PHP159–202). To get around, take the MRT. 

BY DAY Next to YongHe City is ChungHe City. 

Both cities are so intertwined, it’s hard to tell 

them apart. These cities are crowded with 

picturesque traditional temples. 

BY NIGHT If you make it across to YongHe, you 

must go to the LeHwa night market (LeHua in 

mainland Pinyin). There are many interesting 

Taiwanese “small eats” here. 

SLEEP In YongHe, be careful not to check into a 

“Love Hotel” — a place where couples meet for 

romantic trysts. In Taipei, you can stay at Happy 

Family Hostel, a nice budget accommodation. 

LOCAL LIFE 

Rosanne Lin 

writer 


The best breakfast? Obviously it’s at YongHe 

DouJiang King 


Hit the night market at LeHwa, and then 

head for 36 KTV (Song Friendship Club) 

Best dinner 

Dine at ShangJieChing Fast Hot Fry, YongHe 

City, YongZhen road number 307 

Best buys 

Traditional Chinese clothing can be found on 

the street next to TingHsi MRT Station 


Lots of curios and crafts at the night market 

that are very inexpensive 


While at the LeHwa Night Market, try 

Taiwanese oyster noodles in a thick sauce 

Must learn... 

To order Taiwanese oyster noodles, say: “xian-4 

mian-4” (Chinese) and “ou-a-mi-suan” (Taiwanese) 

Insider tip 

Don’t get lost in the alleys of YongHe and 

ChungHe — get your bearings 

Kuala Lumpur 


iCurrency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM1 = 

PHP13.57/US$0.295) 

TRIVIA Kuala Lumpur is the center of young, 

urban Malaysia. About 60% of the population 

are below the age of 25. This means that the 

city is a hopping place from dawn to dawn 

TOUCHDOWN A bus will take you downtown 

from the airport for about RM10 (PHP135.71). 

But the train will get you there in half the time. 

Metered taxis are fast and affordable. 

BY DAY Bukit Bintang for shopping madness, 

Bangsar Telawi for a more suburban malling 

experience and Genting for a quick getaway 

from the city (just a one-hour drive). 

BY NIGHT Changkat Bukit Bintang for a bustling 

bar strip of Jamaican, Japanese, Spanish and 

French concepts. You can have a different 

experience every night of your stay. 

SLEEP The Ritz Carlton Residences — strategic 

location and reasonable luxury, It’s close 

to everything, and it’s always reliable. Its 

restaurants are top-notch and there’s a spa. 

LOCAL LIFE 

Nico Marco 

PR practitioner 


Eat like a local! You must have nasi lemak 

which is best eaten by the roadside 


Changkat bar strip boasts Jamaican, 

Japanese and Spanish infl uences 

Best dinner 

Tamarind Hill for hilltop rustic dining in the 

middle of the city 

Best buys 

KL has one of the biggest IKEA outlets in 

Asia. Go fi gure! 


Classic and elegant pewter pieces from 

Royal Selangor 


Eat, eat and eat! When you’re in KL, it’s best 

not to be on a diet 

Must learn... 

“Berapa harga?” (“How much?”). And at the 

market, bargain, bargain, bargain 

Insider tip 

Malaysian dishes are usually very spicy. Drink 

plenty of liquids or order them “less spicy” 

Kota Kinabalu 


iCurrency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM1 = 

PHP13.57/US$0.295) 

TRIVIA Did you know that the male Proboscis 

Monkey, which is native to Sabah, has a long 

nose that it uses to attract the females of their 

species? Larger noses are more appealing! 

TOUCHDOWN The Kota Kinabalu International 

Airport is only 10 minutes away by taxi, which 

usually costs about RM20 (PHP271.26). Be sure 

to haggle and agree on the fare beforehand. 

BY DAY Dare to go whitewater rafting in 

the rapids of the Kiulu River, which has you 

navigating through a 15km-long course. Take 

your pick from gentle to adventurous! 

BY NIGHT Feel like dancing? Shenanigan Fun 

Pub at the Hyatt Regency Hotel is open until 

1.30am while Razmahtazz at SB Tower is for 

night owls, and closes at 4am. 

SLEEP Tune Hotels, right next to 1Borneo 

Hypermall, has a great location, comfy beds 

with 250-thread count sheets, clean rooms and 

provide heated “power showers” at great rates. 

LOCAL LIFE 

Tisnawati Bebeng Maras 

service associate 

Sutera Sanctuary Lodges 


Fong Ip Cafe, Gaya Street and Café and 

Bakery all have great brekkies 


Any place located nearby Port View Seafood 

Village, where you can enjoy all night long 

Best dinner 

Damai, Luyang Sabah and Upperstanese 

clothing near TingHsir Kota Kinabalu Sabah 

Best buys 

Books at The Times whether you’re in 

Borneo or Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu City 


Souvenirs can be bought at Sabah Souvenirs 

and Handicrafts Kadaiku 


Visit the tip of Borneo located in Kudat, and 

conquer the peak of Mount Kinabalu 

Must learn... 

The dialects of Sabah — Dusun, Kadazan, 

Rungus — as well as Malay and English 

Insider tip 

See Sabah’s top fi ve places: Kinabalu, Sipadan, 

Borneo’s tip, Pula Tiga and the Lost World 



Jakarta 


iCurrency: (IDR100,000 = PHP491.76/ 

US$10.71) 

TRIVIA The national fl ag of Indonesia resembles 

that of Monaco. The latter has two equal 

horizontal bands of red and white. The Indonesian 

fl ag is the Dutch fl ag without the blue band. 

TOUCHDOWN A Bluebird taxi from the airport 

to the city costs IDR98,000 (PHP481.92), plus 

toll. The DAMRI bus goes to any city bus station 

for IDR15,000 (PHP73.76). 

BY DAY Get a dose of local history and culture 

and check out the city’s museums, such as the 

Museum Wayang (Puppet Museum) and the 

Jakarta Historical Museum. 

BY NIGHT Head to 9 Clouds, a restaurant on 

the 9th fl oor of the Menara Jamsostek, on Gatot 

Subroto. The dishes may be on the pricey side, 

but the view is worth it. 

SLEEP The 289-room Hotel Kempinski is inspired 

by Indonesian art and style. Pop into Pavilion 

Ramayana Bar and Lounge and enjoy the sunken 

lagoon. www.kempinski.com/EN/JAKARTA 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Debbie Suryawan 

freelance writer/editor 


Ketupat sayur (rice cake in a traditional gravy) 

and empal gentong (marinated fried beef) 


Go to Dragonfl y before 4am and then head 

over to Stadium after 

Best dinner 

Segara for the ambience, Roro Jonggrang for 

Indonesian and Kebon Kacang for late supper 

Best buys 

Batik or tenun ikat dresses. They’re pretty and 

can be dolled up with accessories 


Traditional wooden puppet (wuyang) can be 

used as a decorative item for the home 


Go to Stadium for an anything-goes night 

scene. Take the bajaj, our version of the tuk-tuk 

Must learn… 

Say “terima kasih” when you want to thank 

someone 

Insider tip 

Only take Bluebird taxis. They are safe and 

professional 

Singapore 

Country code: +65 iCurrency: Singapore Dollar (S$1 = 

PHP32.91/US$0.72) 

TRIVIA The city of Singapaore is so compact, 

you can technically travel by car from north to 

south and east to west of the country within 

one day, in the span of less than two hours! 

TOUCHDOWN From the airport, take a taxi 

downtown for about S$15 (PHP493.69), or take 

the MRT and you’ll be there in about 25 minutes 

for about S$2 (PHP66). 

BY DAY Shop at Orchard road. Go to the Zoo 

or to Forest Adventure at Bedok Reservoir. Try 

the Heritage Tour at Chinatown and then see a 

show at the Esplanade Theatre. 

BY NIGHT The Night Safari! It’s the world’s 

fi rst one of its kind featuring nocturnal animals. 

You can also go clubbing at Clarke Quay or try 

Universal Studios at night in Sentosa. 

SLEEP Habitat Hostel is a boutique hostel near 

Somerset MRT, with a pod concept bed similar 

to Japan’s cube hostels. Tel: +65 6683 6368, 

enquiries@habitat-hostels.com.sg 

LOCAL LIFE 

Maisarah Bte Abu Samah 

technical support offi cer 


A traditional vegetarian Indian breakfast at 

Komalas Villas, 76 Serangoon Road 


Adventuring in Sentosa. There’s so much to 

do there these days! 

Best dinner 

Carousel at Royal Plaza on Scotts. A buffet 

of a variety of international food 

Best buys 

Electronics at Funan Centre. You’ll fi nd a lots 

of computers and techie merchandise 


Merlion stuffed toys, keychains and lighters 

as well as T-shirts that say “It’s a fi ne city” 


Taking pictures with the Merlion or eating 

durian in Geylang using your hands 

Must learn… 

Singlish. It’s okay not to speak it, but it’s best 

to understand it, lah! 

Insider tip 

When in the city area, you can only get a cab 

at the taxi stands 

Start making plans to see Universal 

Studios in Singapore – at night! 

SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD

Busan 

Country code: +82 iCurrency: South Korean Won (KRW1 = 

PHP0.034 /US$0.007) 

TRIVIA Busan is South Korea’s second largest 

city and second largest port. In fact, it’s been its 

own independent metropolitan state since 1963. 

Its beaches and hot springs draw many visitors. 

TOUCHDOWN From the Busan Kimhae 

International Airport, take the bus, the Busan 

Subway Line or railroad line. Make sure to plan 

your transfers. gimhae.airport.co.kr/eng 

BY DAY Take in the view at Haeundae Beach, 

marvel at the seafood extravaganza that is 

Jagalchi Fish Market, and shop at Shinsegae 

Department Store, the largest in the world! 

BY NIGHT Walk along the beach and take in 

Gwangali Bridge, go bar hopping at the many 

watering holes near Kyungsung and Pukyuong 

Universities, and dance ‘til you drop at Club Elune. 

SLEEP Homers Hotel in Gwangali Beach, where 

you can sleep like a king and soak in their amazing 

sauna. You’ll feel completely whole and new again. 

It’s new and the rooms are fashionably designed. 


LOCAL LIFE 

Chris Tharp 

teacher 


Breeze Burns on Gwangali Beach does a great 

brunch 


Dine on samgyeopsal (grilled pork), Sing noraebang 

(karaoke) and drink soju (national drink) 

Best dinner 

Milak “Hoe Center” for raw fi sh, Korean style. 

Pick out your own seafood and they cut it up! 

Best buys 

Geokje International Market in Nampo-dong, 

for clothing, gifts, and much more 


Tea sets, along with locally grown green tea. 

These make great presents 


Ride a cablecar up Gumyeon Mountain, eat 

marinated goat and drink makoli (rice wine) 

Must learn… 

“Pangapsumnida!” (“Nice to meet you!”) and 

“kaka juseyo” when you want a discount 

Insider tip 

If you’re in Busan during baseball season, go to 

a Giants game. It’s not to be missed! 

KOREA TOURISM ORGANISATION 

Seoul 

Country code: +822 iCurrency: South Korean Won (KRW1 = 

PHP0.04/US$0.0008) 

TRIVIA Celebrities like Super Junior, Girl’s 

Generation and Tong Vfang Xien Qi starred in 

a series of state-created TV commercials that 

attract 12 million tourists to the city. 

TOUCHDOWN Look for taxis with stickers that 

say “Foreign Language Service.” All cabs can be 

shared except the black and yellow tops. Eight 

subway lines serve main areas. 

BY DAY On Saturdays and Sundays, head to 

Hongdae park for the Free Market. Here you 

can score everything from notebooks to knickknacks, 

hats to handmade jewelry 

BY NIGHT Get ready for an all-night party at 

Le Nuit Blanche near Apkujeong. This hip club 

features the latest sound and lights and world 

famous DJs. 

SLEEP If you’re traveling with your family, there’s 

no better place to book than Frasier Suites. 

There’s one in Central and Insadong. seoul. 

frasershospitality.co 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jiny Choi 

IT consultant 


Quick vanilla waffl e at Butterfi nger Pancakes 

in Galleria Shopping Centre 


Club Evans is a terrifi c live jazz bar in the 

student-centric Hongdae nightlife district 

Best dinner 

The traditional wheat fl our noodles and fi ery 

kimchi at Myeongdong Gyoja 

Best buys 

Yongsan Electronics Market, aka Electroland, 

is a paradise for gadget freaks like me 


The National Souvenir Centre (www.souvenir. 

or.kr) in Insadong has the largest selection 


Learn about Korean traditional culture at 

Namsan Hanok Village in downtown Seoul 

Must learn... 

“Kimchi chom chuseyo” to say, “May I have 

some more kimchi?” 

Insider Tip 

Enjoy late-night treats at pojang-macha 

— orange tents found everywhere in Seoul 

KOREA TOURISM ORGANISATION 

Bangkok 


iCurrency: Thai Baht (THB1 = PHP1.42/ 

US$0.03) 

TRIVIA Known as the Land of Smiles, this 

commercial city in South-East Asia is popular 

for its food, its culture and its reputation as a 

bargain hunter’s shopping paradise. 

TOUCHDOWN There is a free airport shuttle to 

the Public Transportation Center in town. A taxi 

costs THB200 (PHP277.07). In the city, use the 

BTS Skytrains. Tuk-tuks only go short distances. 

BY DAY If you’re new to Bangkok, you probably 

want to check out the temples and what’s 

cooking in street vendors’ stalls. Crocodile and 

snake farms are also worth experiencing. 

BY NIGHT Soi Nana, with its notorious bars, 

actually has great Middle Eastern food till the 

early morning. It’s not the fl ashiest place to sit 

for a meal, but the food’s great! 

SLEEP Marriott Bangkok Resort and Spa is 

situated along the Chao Phraya River. Its Thai 

architecture and tropical gardens make it a cut 

above the rest. 257 Charoennakorn Road. 

LOCAL LIFE 

Michael Sawatsewi 

songwriter/part-time teacher 


The breakfast sets at Foodland, 24-hour 

supermarkets and Took Lae Dee 


Head to Royal City Avenue, Soi Ekamai and 

Soi Thonglor where the youth hang out 

Best dinner 

I’ve always enjoyed Ton Kruang on Soi 

Thonglor for Thai food 

Best buys 

Tech stuff at Fortune Town/Yaohan Plaza on 

Ratchadapisek Road and Pantip Plaza 


Why not Thai fi sherman’s pants? They’re 

comfortable and fashionable 


For history/culture buffs, the Ancient City is 

a great place to tour 

Must learn… 

“Sawasdee” (“Hello/goodbye”), “kob khun” 

(“thank you”) and “koh tode” (“sorry”) 

Insider tip 

Take your shoes off in a home and don’t put 

your feet on the table. It’s offensive to locals

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Laoag Clark 


TRIVIA The classic 80’s Filipino fi lm, Temptation 

Island, directed by Joey Gosengfi ao and which 

starred Dina Bonnevie, was fi lmed in the Suba 

Sand Dunes near Laoag. Like Vigan, Laoag also 

boasts Spanish colonial architecture. 

TOUCHDOWN You can hire a van, jeepney or 

tricycle from the Laoag airport to get to your 

destination. An eco-friendly means of getting 

around is the calesa or horse-drawn carriage. 

BY DAY Adventure seekers will enjoy riding 4x4 

trucks and sandboarding in the dunes. Contact 

Reny Tan of LEAD Movement to try out these 

exciting activities. reny_tan@yahoo.com 

BY NIGHT Try the unique dishes at Saramsam 

Ylocano Restaurant. Must tries include the Poque 

Poque Pizza, the Saramsam Pasta and the Kalti, 

their version of fondue. Tel: (77) 771 5825 

SLEEP Mira De Polaris is a fairly new boutique 

hotel. The contemporary Asian rooms are very 

clean. Rates include breakfast. Tel: (77) 676 1647, 

miradepolaris@yahoo.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Gabriel Chee Kee 

all around bum 


Dawang’s Place serves Ilocano faves such as 

tinuno, paksiw and crispy dinardaraan 


We usually hang out by the Padsan Bridge. 

The view is especially breathtaking at night 

Best dinner 

Try the sweet Ilocano empanada sold beside 

Jollibee along Bacarra Road 

Best buys 

You must buy the famous chicharon na 

bagnet and longganisa 


Chichacorn in barbecue, cheese and garlic 

fl avors and Abel Iloko (loom-woven) blankets 


Try off-roading at the La Paz sand dunes for 

an exhilarating adventure 

Must learn… 

Say “Mangan tayon!” when you’re hungry. It 

means, “Let’s eat!” 

Insider tip 

Address elders with manong (for men) and 

manang (for women). Preface with “Apo” 


TRIVIA Clark Air Base was originally established 

as Fort Stotsenburg in 1903 by the US Army. It 

was the largest overseas US military base in the 

world, with approximately 30,000 military and 

civilian personnel. 

TOUCHDOWN From Diosdado Macapagal 

International Airport (DMIA), take a taxi or public 

transport to the city. Either of these will take you 

to the terminal or SM Clark. 

BY DAY Adventure seekers will enjoy a Mount 

Pinatubo tour. Rough it out on tough terrain, mud 

and river crossings, and a bumpy 4x4 ride. 

www.pinatubotrek.blogspot.com 

BY NIGHT Venture outside the gates of Clark 

and head into Angeles City proper for the best 

nightclubs and bars. Club Bossa is a favorite 

because of the local bands. 

SLEEP For more upscale facilities and services, 

try the 70-room Lewis Grand Hotel just outside 

Clark. It has luxurious rooms and fi ve-star 

amenities. www.lewisgrand.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Mabel Lopez-Roman 

associate director of sales and 

marketing communications 


Mequeni Restaurant at the Holiday Inn has a 

great spread including healthy options 


Copas Bar is a chill-out place where friends 

can get good food, drinks and music 

Best dinner 

Rodizio Rooftop Grill has sumptuous dinner 

meñu choices plus a breathtaking view 

Best buys 

Shop for imported items at the duty free 

stores inside Clark 


Memorabilia items fashioned out of 

Mount Pinatubo’s ashes 


Play golf, trek or horseback ride amid very 

natural environs 

Must learn… 

Kapampangan is the native dialect of the 

locals — learn a few words and phrases 

Insider tip 

Aling Lucing’s in Hensonville outside Clark 

pioneered the now famous dish, sisig 


Legazpi 


TRIVIA The two main ingredients of authentic 

Bicolano cuisine are coconut cream, locally 

known as gata, and sili — tiny, spicy hot peppers. 

Famous local dishes that you must try are Bicol 

express, laing and kinunot na pagi. 

TOUCHDOWN Tricycles and vans are available 

to take you in and around Legazpi. From the 

airport, you can also hire a taxi to take you into 

the city proper. 

BY DAY An hour away from Legazpi city is the 

sleepy town of Donsol, home to the butanding 

(whale shark). Go to the Visitor’s Center in Donsol 

to schedule your whale shark interaction. 

BY NIGHT Have dinner at the famous Small Talk 

Café and try unique dishes like their pasta Mayon 

and Bicol express pasta then go to Brent’s Grill 

for the yummy fi nger food and cold beer. 

SLEEP Sirangan Beach Resort is a rustic 

hideaway an hour away from Legazpi. This is a 

great place to stay if you want to relax and get 

luxurious personal service. www.sirangan.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Marvin Baltasar 

businessman 


Hotels and inns in the city serve the unique 

guinobatan longganisa — a must try! 


Try the fl our-coated carabao beef or “chulitas” 

near Bichara mall 

Best dinner 

Indulge in native cuisine at the Colonial Grill 

along old Albay Rd 

Best buys 

Albay Pilinut sells the best pili candy in the 

city, bar none 


Snap away at the majestic Mayon Volcano 

and Cagsawa ruins 


Hike Lignon Hill, watch the sun set, and 

enjoy the city view 

Must learn… 

Say “tawadi na” to ask for a discount when 

shopping in the markets 

Insider tip 

Negotiate the price of vehicles for hire. Food 

and souvenirs are very cheap 

LESTER LEDESMA

Manila 


TRIVIA The Spoliarium, a masterpiece by Filipino 

artist Juan Luna, hangs in the main gallery of 

the National Museum. Luna submitted it to the 

Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884, and 

it took the gold medal. 

TOUCHDOWN From the airport, the ride to 

commercial centers takes around 40 minutes, 

for a fare of about PHP450 by registered airport 

taxis. There are also metered cabs available. 

BY DAY Spend a day strolling around Intramuros. 

Take in the old structures and beautiful churches 

inside the walled city then head to nearby 

Chinatown for the best dimsum in the city. 

BY NIGHT Catch local indie bands perform or 

simply hang out with them at any of these rockin’ 

night spots: Saguijo in Makati or Route 196 and 

70’s Bistro in Quezon City. 

SLEEP In the heart of Makati is The Clipper Hotel. 

A beautifully restored art deco building with 

modern amenities make this hotel a truly unique 

place. www.theclipperhotel.com 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Mireille Tolentino Pons 

freelance marketing consultant 


Apartment 1b for the best eggs benedict in 

Manila or Pancake House for cheese waffl es 


Lu at Joya in Rockwell has a great ambience. I 

love their Diablu cocktail! 

Best dinner 

Mamou for their steak and unconventional 

home-style dishes 

Best buys 

Local organic products like soaps and lotions 

from GIGA found at Tiendesitas 


Delicious kakanin: putong ube and gourmet 

tuyo and tinapa paté from Connie’s Kitchen 


Take a tour of the National Museum by John 

Silva. He offers a great perspective 

Must learn… 

Don’t forget to say “Salamat” which means 

“Thank you” 

Insider tip 

There’s much more to the city than malls and 

shopping. You only have to look… 

Naga 


TRIVIA The Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia in 

Naga is considered the spiritual mother of the 

Nagueños. Every September, devotees from all 

walks of life and all corners of the world pay 

tribute to her with a month-long celebration. 

TOUCHDOWN Naga City Airport is about 12km 

from the city center, and is accessible by many 

forms of transportation, including bus, van, 

jeepney and tricycle. 

BY DAY Spend a relaxing day at the Panicuason 

Hot Springs Resort set by the slope of Mount 

Isarog. With three hot and two cold springs, this 

nature resort also has cottages for rent. 

BY NIGHT Check out these nightspots: Lolo’s 

Bar which features talented Bicolano artists, the 

newly-opened Nautilus bar for a homey ambience, 

or Jaq Bar for a night of billiards and live bands. 

SLEEP Villa Caceres Hotel along Magsaysay 

Avenue has rooms for every budget, a health club, 

24-hour security and free shuttle service. www. 

villacacereshotel.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Tessa Santiago-Rey 

freelance creative writer 


Starmark is a café that serves all-you-can-eat 

breakfast. Moraville also does a buffet 


Head over to Lolo’s Bar, Mudbugs Coffee, 

Beanbag Coffee and Bistro Roberto 

Best dinner 

Order laing (dry taro leaves in gata or 

coconut milk) or Bicol Express 

Best buys 

Handicrafts of all sizes, colors and shapes 

made using indigenous materials 


Pili nut delicacies, frozen food made from 

native chilies and young gabi (taro) 


Try the kinunot (shredded shark or sting ray 

meat in coconut milk) 

Must learn... 

… to see the city on foot, while basking in its 

history, culture and faith 

Insider tip 

Naga may be a laidback city, but it also has 

the luxuries and conveniences of modern life 

Originally, Quezon City was 

country’s capital, not Manila 

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Tuguegarao 


TRIVIA The San Jacinto de Ermita Church in 

Tuguegarao was built in 1604 and subsequently, 

the American soldiers used it as the base of their 

headquarters during the Filipino-American War 

in 1899. 

TOUCHDOWN To get to town, you take two 

tricycles — one from the airport to the main 

road, and then another to the town proper. It 

should cost no more than PHP10 per ride. 

BY DAY Thrill-seekers have many adventurous 

activities to enjoy: kayaking on the Pinacanauan 

River, spelunking in the Callao Caves and whitewater 

rafting on the Chico River. 

BY NIGHT Dine at these restaurants for local fare: 

Kainang Pilipino known for the crispy pata, tel: 

(78) 846 2663, and Kusina Cagayan famous for 

pancit batil-patong, tel: (78) 844 2830) 

SLEEP Hotel Lorita is a 30-room hotel located 

near St Peter’s Cathedral. Rooms have basic 

amenities and are quite spacious. Tel: (78) 844 

1390, hotel_lorita@yahoo.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Junby R Maturan 

employee 

URC Sugar Division 


Try eating batil patung pansit for a hearty 

breakfast 


Chill out at The Port or Traffi c Jam Bar and 

enjoy listening to the live acoustic band 

Best dinner 

Do try the Chinese cuisine at the 

Crown Restaurant 

Best buys 

Chicha-rabao from the Lighthouse 

cooperative. You can take it home! 


Pick up some T-shirts from the local market 

to give as gifts for family and friends 


Visit the Callao Cave in Peñablanca or see the 

Blessed Mother at the Basilica in Piat 

Must learn… 

“Mabbalo nikaw” (“Thank you!”) and “Piga 

yatun?” (“How much is that?”) 

Insider tip 

Dress comfortably as Tuguegarao is one of 

the hottest places in the Philippines 


FARLET VALE 


Busuanga (Coron) 

Area code: none iCurrency: Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02) 

TRIVIA The fi rst inhabitants of Coron were the 

Tagbanuas, who made their living by fi shing 

and cultivating the land. Today, many can still 

be found in compact villages in small islands or 

along coastal areas. 

TOUCHDOWN From the airport, take a shuttle to 

the town proper (Coron) at PHP150 per person. 

The ride takes 45 minutes to one hour long. 

Tel: +63 (928) 408 3105/(921) 265 2210 

BY DAY Walk around town or tour the Coron 

Islands–a must for fi rst-timers! If you have an 

extra day, do make time to snorkel the reefs of 

Calumbuyan Island in Busuanga. 

BY NIGHT Pamper yourself with a full body 

massage at Spa Paradise and Cafe or have a quiet 

conversation over coffee at the beautiful Garden 

Cafe of Coron Village Lodge. 

SLEEP Stay at El Rio y Mar Resort or Club 

Paradise. Contact Coron Tours and Travel for a 

comprehensive listing of accommodations and 

local tours and trips. Tel: +63 (928) 5039 622 

LOCAL LIFE 

Bambi Arle-Santayana 

manager 

corporate affairs and investments 


The homey Darayonan Lodge has breakfast 

specials including Pinoy and American 


Enjoy cocktails while listening to world music 

at Coron Village Bar 


Dine at Spa Paradise and Café. Order chicken 

parmigiana, wine and chocolate fondue 

Best buys 

Lamayo or danggit marinated in vinegar, salt, 

black pepper and lots of garlic 


Check out Coron Village Shop and Saragpunta 

Souvenir Shop for local handicrafts 


Have a massage or body scrub at Spa 

Paradise and Cafe, tel: +63 (928) 508 3074 

Must learn… 

“Amus ta ren sa Coron!” when translated 

means “Let’s go to Coron!” 

Insider tip 

Order packed lunches for your tours and trips 

from Spa Paradise and Café 

San Jose 


TRIVIA San Jose is a jump off point to Apo Reef 

Marine Park, a world-class dive site. The Apo 

Reef Marine Park includes Binangaan and Cajos 

del Bajo islands. See a variety of birds and over 

500 species of marine life. 

TOUCHDOWN You can take a tricycle from right 

outside the airport to the town center for about 

PHP50, inclusive of tip. To get around town, you 

either walk or take a tricycle. 

BY DAY You must visit the off-shore islands 

to swim and snorkel and be amazed by the 

abundant underwater life. Or you can just relax 

and chill on the beach. 

BY NIGHT Aroma Beach, near the airport, is a 

great place to watch the sun go down. Then you 

can have a bonfi re and sing your heart out at 

the videoke bars. 

SLEEP White House Safari Lodge is a twostorey 

house in quiet San Jose. Feel at home 

in comfortable rooms and enjoy personalized 

service. Tel: (43) 491 1656 

LOCAL LIFE 

Rolando Ortega 

computer shop owner/farmer/ 

mechanical engineer 


Have breakfast while enjoying the beautiful 

view at Sikatuna Beach and Restaurant 


Villa Paulina is a great place to watch the 

sunset and chill out at night 

Best dinner 

The Sikatuna chicken or the special crispy 

pata at the Sikatuna Restaurant 

Best buys 

Head to the market at 5am to buy 

longganisa and dried pusit 


Mangyan-made rattan items found in the 

market to take home 


Go snorkeling at White Island and Ambulong 

Island — an amazing experience! 

Must learn… 

A basic knowledge of Tagalog and English 

phrases will do 

Insider tip 

Try the Ambulong Island Massage, the 

signature massage of Villa Paulina Resort 

Baghooklady. Keep your bags clean. Keep them in sight. 

You can use it in ● restaurants ● churches ● schools ● offices. You can use them everywhere!! 

More than 100 designs to choose from! Please call: +63917 8137462 +632 5151350 www.baghooklady.multiply.com 

SAMUEL DE LEON

Touch base with yourself at the Hotel Soffi a, a Mediterranean jewel 

set in Boracay. If you prefer an amazing backdrop for your vacation, 

you may want to get comfortable at the Hotel Fleuris in Palawan. 

Either way, you’ll fi nd the perfect hideaway for discovering yourself 

all over again. 

 

 

 

Boracay 

For reservations: 

Hotel Soffi a Boracay: 

(036) 288-1828 

Fax No. (036) 288-1827 

www.hotelsoffi a.com 

email: info@hotelsoffi a.com 

Palawan 

For reservations: 

Hotel Fleuris Palawan: 

(048) 434-4338 up to 42 

www.fl euris.com 

email: hotelfl euris@lionairinc.com


NELSON PETILLA 

Catarman 


TRIVIA Capul Island, found in Northern Samar 

is where the Capul Church is found. The church, 

dedicated to San Ignacio de Loyola, was built by 

the Jesuits and renovated by the Franciscans. 

The church is more than 400 years old. 

TOUCHDOWN Tricycles are a few steps away 

from the arrival hall. A 15-minute ride takes you 

to Catarman proper for PHP10 per passenger. To 

rent the whole tricycle, pay PHP60 

BY DAY Discover and explore the clean, unspoilt 

islands of Northern Samar. See the Pearl Farm 

for its white sand beach, Bobon for its lengthy 

stretch of shore and San Antonio, a paradise. 

BY NIGHT For a quiet night of good coffee 

and conversation, try Gilda’s Coffee Shop or 

Coffee Hub. For drinks, dancing and billiards, try 

Bodega Billiard Bar and Disco. 

SLEEP The Flying Dog Beach Resort in San 

Antonio (book via the Ambassador Hotel, Manila) 

or Wayang Wayang Beach Resort, tel: +63 (918) 

338 8756, wayang_resort@yahoo.com 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Romeo F Zaide, Jr 

tourism assistant 


Many eateries here offer homecooked meals. 

Try The Nest, Ron Ron or Ailine 


Surf online while sipping your favorite 

beverage at The Coffee Shop 

Best dinner 

Bring the family to LC Restaurant. It’s simple 

yet delicious, great for any celebration! 

Best buys 

Check out dalo-dalo, which is a sling or baby 

holder used to carry the little ones 


Handicrafts made of bamboo are popular in 

Catarman, so take them home 


Go island hopping as Northern Samar has 

many sights and activities to offer 

Must learn… 

A few words in Waray will defi nitely be 

helpful — bone up before your trip 

Insider tip 

Wake up extra early to buy fresh seafood. It’s 

worth it to get the best of the catch 

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM 

GEORGE CABIG 

NELSON PETILLA 

Calbayog 


TRIVIA Taboc, a place in eastern Samar is 

where the name Calbayog was derived. Taboc, 

so legend says, was once thriving with bayog 

trees which were cut down and used to make cal 

(lime). That’s where the name is from. 

TOUCHDOWN You will fi nd tricycles at the 

designated parking area after coming out of the 

airport terminal building. This is also the sole 

means of transport in and around the city. 

BY DAY Get up at the break of dawn for hot 

brewed coffee and freshly baked suman by the 

Calbayog Port. Then head to San Jorge to bathe 

in the refreshing falls at Barangay Blanca Aurora. 

BY NIGHT Magsaysay Boulevard is your best bet 

for night life as most restaurants and cafés are 

found here. Hobnob with the locals and explore 

the many spots on the strip. 

SLEEP Summer’s Garden Pensionne was once 

a residential home. Rooms have verandas and 

piped-in music plays in the garden to enhance 

the mood. Tel: (55) 251 5135 

LOCAL LIFE 

Nelson Petilla 

photographer 


Try local foods like labtinaw, tinapa, queseo, 

shrimps, fried rice and tsokolate 


Enjoy sugba-sugba by the beach and indulge 

in lots of cold drinks 

Best dinner 

Kaunan sa Karayman’s calderetang sawa, 

chili crabs, grilled hito and sauteéd patola 

Best buys 

Fresh scallops, shrimps, tinapa and kakanin 

from Mato-bato 


Banig made in Tinambacan, and a photo of 

yourself with the sunset in Naga beach 


An hour-long trek in Tinaplacan to see the 

Larik, Bangon and Tarangban waterfalls 

Must learn... 

“Maupay nga adlaw” (“Good day”) and 

“Karasa!” (“Yummy!”) 

Insider tip 

For every place you visit here, don’t forget to 

snap a souvenir photo! 

Catarman is a province of low, 

rugged hills with rich, fertile soil


SAMMUEL DE LEON 

Cauayan 

Area code: (78) iCurrency: Philippine Peso(PHP1 = US$.02) 

TRIVIA The city was once known for its tobacco 

industry. Workers from Ilocos and Pangasinan 

would come to Tabacalera’s Hacienda de San 

Luis. The historical Tabacalera warehouse still 

stands where it used to years ago. 

TOUCHDOWN The airport in Cauayan was only 

declared open in 2008. Ask the Cebu Pacifi c 

staff for advice upon landing. Buses and jeepneys 

travel from the airport to town. 

BY DAY Learn all about mushrooms then shop 

for them at the mushroom center in Barangay 

Tagaran. Then go to Gulayan ng Bayan in 

Barangay Gagabutan to learn about vegetables. 

BY NIGHT Catch local bands performing at 

Queen Jennifer Hotel’s bar. If you’re lucky, the 

band may be famous. Then you can relax and 

play a game of pool. 

SLEEP Queen Jennifer is clean and comfortable. 

There’s a karaoke bar, a billiards hall and a fast 

food joint, all in the same complex as the hotel. 

Tel: (78) 652 0077 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Dolly Yap-Cruz 

businesswoman 


La Mia Cucina offers a variety of yummy and 

affordable breakfast dishes 


Bars and restaurants at Centro are favorite 

hangout spots 

Best dinner 

Il Mio Café inside La Mia Cucina, or Kusina 

Kawayan at Canciller Street 

Best buys 

Native kakanin like bibingka and the must-try 

local bagoong at the Cauayan public market 


Head to Cauayan Pasalubong Center near 

the PNB Bank along the highway 


Visit Magat Dam to enjoy boat riding and 

sightseeing 

Must learn… 

Ilokano, as it is the major dialect of the 

population 

Insider tip 

Visit Cauayan in December to experience the 

Gawagaway-yan Festival 

Bacolod 


TRIVIA Silay City, near Bacolod, is also known as 

the “Paris of Negros”. During the olden times, the 

Kahirup Theater was the venue for world-class 

performances. Jose Ledesma, a Silaynon pianist 

brought the operetta from Europe to Silay. 

TOUCHDOWN One arrives in Negros through 

the new Bacolod-Silay airport in Silay City, 15km 

northeast of Bacolod City, or a 30-minute drive 

when there is no traffi c. 

BY DAY Nature enthusiasts and adventurous 

people should head to Patag village found at the 

foot of Mount Mandalagan and Mount Marapara 

to see waterfalls and an array of fl ora and fauna. 

BY NIGHT Enjoy drinks at sunset then dinner 

at L’Fisher Chalet’s rooftop. It has a great view 

and the only rooftop pool in the city. For a more 

happening night, head to Pepe’s. 

SLEEP Stay at Mambukal Mountain Resort, 

30 minutes from the city. It’s got waterfalls, a 

warm dipping pool, wall climbing facilities and a 

camping ground. www.mambukalhaven.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

James Huebert J Abogada 

nurse 


Try boneless bangus and fried danggit at 

L'Fisher Chalet, and dine alfresco 


Piazza Sorrento would be the most perfect 

place to hang out 

Best dinner 

For the best chicken inasal, Manokan County 

would be a tummy-fi lling place to go 

Best buys 

BongBong's caramel-fl avored piaya is the 

most sought-after pasalubong 


Negros Showroom is a one-stop shop selling 

export-quality masks and handicrafts 


Try Mambukal Mountain Resort's hot spring 

pool, and trek to its seven falls 

Must learn… 

The common greeting "maayong aga" used 

by the locals means “good morning” 

Insider tip 

Visit Bacolod in October so you can take 

part in the MassKara, its famous festival 

In local dialect, the word Bacolod 

means “stone hill” 

BINGOY GONZALES


Dumaguete 


TRIVIA Seven sisters from St Paul of Chartres 

Congregation founded St Paul University in 

Dumaguete. They took over the management 

of a girls’ boarding school in the city that 

eventually became St Paul University. 

TOUCHDOWN There are taxis to help you get 

around, as well as jeepneys and pedicabs, which 

are powered by a bicycle. Once in town, you can 

also rent a motorbike. 

BY DAY Take a pedicab to visit the different school 

museums and Sidlakang Negros Village. Then drive 

to the Center for Tropical Conservation Studies to 

see the rare Philippine spotted deer. 

BY NIGHT Party animals will love El Camino, 

a bar, restaurant and dance club. Nearby is 

Barefoot Bistro, a rugged bar where you can 

play billiards and darts. 

SLEEP Spend a few hundreds more to book any 

of the ocean view rooms of Bethel Guest House 

to watch a breathtaking view of the sunrise. 

www.bethelguesthouse.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Louie Tijing 

contractor/real estate 

developer 


Budbod Tanjay with my mom’s special 

native chocolate drink 


Cold beer with crispy pata at Robertos or 

El Camino Blanco 

Best dinner 

Try the pork tocino in front of ACSAT or the 

best in fi ne dining at Casablanca 

Best buys 

Highway 10’s chicken ati-atihan barbecue 

and Sansrival’s cakes and chocolate crinkles 


Silliman Coop and Sidlakang Negros has lots 

of items at reasonable prices 


Drive to Viewpoint del Norte, Tierra Alta, for 

a different view of the city 

Must learn… 

When looking for a ride, our motorized 

public transportation here is called “p-d-cab” 

Insider tip 

Take a leisurely drive down south and check 

out the Talipapa in Bayawan Sunset Blvd 

˝ 

Iloilo 


TRIVIA Ten Bornean datus reached Panay 

Island in 1212, offering the natives a golden 

salakot (a traditional wide-brimmed hat) among 

many treasures. Datu Paiburong was given the 

territory of Irong-Irong, now known as Iloilo. 

TOUCHDOWN There are taxi services ranging 

from PHP300 upwards. There are also metered 

cabs right outside the airport. It takes 30 to 45 

minutes to get to the city. 

BY DAY See the old Spanish-style houses and 

stunning churches in Jaro and Molo. Visit an 

Aeta village in Barotac, or try local dishes like La 

Paz batchoy, pancit molo and biscocho. 

BY NIGHT You’re best bet for a happening 

night is Smallville, with its restaurants that serve 

Filipino and international cuisine, bars that have 

live bands, coffee shops and a swimming pool. 

SLEEP The Amigo Terrace Hotel and Mall is in 

the heart of the city’s business and commercial 

district. The 100-room hotel is good for business 

and holidays. www.amigoterracehotel-iloilo.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jazz Javier 

English teacher 


Head to the famous Pan de sal ni Pa-a or 

RCJ Bingka. Perfect with morning coffee! 


Listen to a live band or go ballroom dancing 

at Marina Restaurant by the river 

Best dinner 

For a cozy ambience, authentic German 

sausages and beer, go to Bavaria 

Best buys 

Dried fi sh at Iloilo Central Market and Queen 

or King Siopao at Roberto’s 


Take home some colorful handmade string 

hammocks 


Get a taste of succulent kansi at Patpat’s 

Kansi House. Best time to go is around 11am 

Must learn… 

When you want to get off a jeepney, say “Sa 

lugar lang” 

Insider tip 

Take Light of Glory, Clint or GDR taxis to 

ensure safety and quality service 

When you visit Bacolod, you have Iloilo the is in best Panay of both Island, worlds the — sixth 

the warmth of a small town and largest the island style of of a the big Philippines city 

JOHN LANDER 

SAMUEL DE LEON

Cebu 


TRIVIA Colon Street in Cebu is the oldest street 

in the Philippines, built when the Spaniards 

arrived in 1565. Though less plush than it used 

to be, it retains the old world charm of 1920s 

structures and historical markers. 

TOUCHDOWN At the Mactan Airport, you can 

easily hire a taxi service or car to take you to 

the city center. There are also metered cabs 

outside the terminal. 

BY DAY Home to several beautiful beaches and 

amazing dive spots, Cebu is paradise. Check 

out Bantayan and Malapascua in the north, and 

Mactan, Badian and Sumilon in the south. 

BY NIGHT Top three chic spots: Club Vudu, the 

original and longest running party place; Formo, 

for 80s music and mojitos; and Z Champagne 

Bar for its ambience and interiors. 

SLEEP Spoil yourself at Abaca, an exclusive fi vestar 

boutique resort in Mactan. It’s well-known 

for its restaurant, personalized service and class 

A spa treatments. www.abacaresort.com 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jenna Marie R Booc 

telephone operator 


Have a fi ne breakfast at the Amos Café in 

Alpa City Suites Hotel 


Mango Avenue or IT Park. Both are great 

places to just hang with friends 

Best dinner 

You can also have a great dinner at Amos 

Café — it’s my favorite! 

Best buys 

Shop up a storm at the Ayala Center Cebu 

where you’ll fi nd everything 


Island Souvenirs in Cebu has a wide range of 

gifts and handicrafts for pasalubong 


Skip your diet and make sure you eat the 

Cebu lechon! 

Must learn... 

Even a little bit of Cebuano will go a long, 

long way here 

Insider tip 

The Cebuanos are very friendly people, so 

don’t abuse them 


Kalibo 


TRIVIA The Kamantaha, a crustacean with a 

delicate buttery fl avor, can be found in an inlet 

in Aklan. It usually appears only after a storm. 

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to try this rare and 

delicious sea creature. 

TOUCHDOWN From the airport, the best way to 

get to the city center is by tricycle — it’s cheap 

and larger than the Manila version, able to seat 

six adults including the driver 

BY DAY Eat inubaran (the soft inner core 

of a banana trunk stewed in native chicken, 

lemongrass and coconut milk) and ambueong 

suman (steamed rice cake made of palm tapioca). 

BY NIGHT Your best bet for a happening 

nightlife is in the nearby island of Boracay with 

its bars and discos along White Beach. Visit 

Kalibo during Ati-atihan festival for more parties 

SLEEP La Esperanza Hotel on Osmeña Avenue 

is beside the bus and mini-van station, perfect 

for those who want to hop on a bus to Boracay. 

Tel: (36) 262 3989 

LOCAL LIFE 

Rhodora dela Cruz-Sulangi 

manager 

Dela Cruz House of Piña 


Try Tokanz for La Paz batchoy, arroz caldo 

and lomi, or Euro-Asian Bakery 


Kalibo is typically laid-back and quiet. Folks 

would rather stay home 

Best dinner 

Oriental Restaurant for the best Korean 

squid. Try Niño’s for native cuisine 

Best buys 

Fresh produce like seafood and fruits 

(mangoes, rambutan and lanzones) 


Handwoven fabrics and products made from 

piña, abaca and raffi a 


Hike the footbridge trail at the Mangrove Eco 

Park for a nature trip 

Must learn… 

“Saeamat” (“Thank you”), “tag pila ra?” (“how 

much?”) and “may ayo ra?” (“any discount?”) 

Insider’s Tip 

The best time to come to Kalibo is during 

the Sto Niño Ati-Atihan festival in January 

Cebu, the Queen City of the South, 

is also known by the name, “Sugbu” 

WALTER VILLA 



Boracay (Caticlan) 


TRIVIA The word “Boracay” is said to have come 

from the local word borac, meaning cotton, clearly 

a reference to the sand’s pristine white color 

and powder-like texture. The sand has also been 

compared to the Pinoy treat, polvoron. 

TOUCHDOWN Capiz Cab taxis wait in the 

designated areas outside the arrival area of the 

airport. The tricycle remains the main means of 

getting around the city. 

BY DAY Experience kiteboarding on Bulabog 

Beach, paraw-sailing at sunset and drinking icecold 

beers and yummy cocktails during happy 

hour which starts as early as 4pm. 

BY NIGHT You won’t run out of things to do at 

night. There are numerous restaurants and bars 

to choose from. If you don’t feel like partying, 

just lie on the sand for a night of stargazing. 

SLEEP Bamboo Bungalows, near D Mall, offers 

native-style cottages in a lush garden. Rooms 

have basic amenities and are great for big 

groups. www.bbboracay.com, tel: (36) 288 6324 

LOCAL LIFE 

Freida Dario 

PR and marketing consultant/ 

freelance writer 


Jack’s Omelette and homemade yoghurt with 

oats and fruit at Real Coffee and Tea Café 


Hey! Jude Bar is the place to see and be seen. 

www.heyjudebar.com 

Best dinner 

Fresh goose liver, oven-baked sea bass and 

Belgian chocolate ganache at Friday’s 

Best buys 

SEVA Earth Inspired Community Store’s 

organic eco-friendly products 


South Sea pearls and handpainted shirts from 

Lonely Planet handicrafts by local artists 


Hilot Trilogy and Shodhana Karma Ayurvedic 

treatments at Mandala Spa 

Must learn… 

English and Tagalog will be enough in 

Boracay 

Insider tip 

Protect Boracay by keeping it clean and 

conserving water. www.boracaychamber.com 

˝ 

WALTER VILLA 

KEITH CABILLION 

Roxas 


TRIVIA Dumulog, a coastal barangay in Roxas 

City, is known for its main livelihood, dried fi sh or 

known locally as “uga”. You’ll see makeshift tables 

topped with thousands of drying fi sh along the 

Dumulog shoreline. 

TOUCHDOWN Capiz Cab taxis wait in the 

designated areas outside the arrival area of the 

airport. The tricycle remains the main means of 

getting around the city. 

BY DAY Take an educational tour, go on a group 

excursion or simply enjoy a picnic at The Culajao 

Eco Park. The park is home to mangroves, birds, 

shellfi sh and other species. 

BY NIGHT You cannot visit Roxas City and not try 

the seafood. Have a sumptuous seafood dinner 

along Baybay Beach then hangout and have 

drinks along the shore. 

SLEEP Nesta’s Hill Top Hotel located in Provincial 

Park offers air-conditioned rooms (tel: (36) 621 

1185). For by the beach accommodations, try Villa 

Patria Cottages (tel: (36) 621 0180). 

LOCAL LIFE 

Patricia Aguila 

law student 


Order La Paz Batchoy in Nesta’s Hilltop, in 

Provincial Park, Roxas City 


Sandbar, Area One and Burps are three very 

popular hangouts 

Best dinner 

Pork barbecue at Marc’s Restaurant on 

Baybay Beach or binge on fresh seafood 

Best buys 

Barquillos (egg wafers), barquiron (barquillos 

with polvoron) and dried fi sh 


Baye-baye is a Visayan delicacy made with 

young coconut, coconut water, and pinipig 


Visit Olotayan Island, the hidden island 

paradise of Roxas City 

Must-learn… 

“Hay, sa diin ka makadto?” (“Where are you 

going?”) and “Salamat, gid” (“Thank you”) 

Insider tip 

For a nice day trip, head to Boracay which is 

just four hours away from Roxas City 

The Virgin Mary grotto in Boracay 

Rock is now a tourism landmark


Tacloban 


TRIVIA The word Tacloban evolved from the 

word taklub, an upside down cage basket for 

trapping seafood. Fishermen said they would be 

“sa tarakluban”. That got shortened to Tacloban. 

TOUCHDOWN For the airport to downtown 

area, a van (for PHP300) is most convenient 

as it will drop you off at your hotel. There are 

multi-cabs, jeepneys and tricycles, too. 

BY DAY Head to Caluwayan Island Resort 

which is surrounded by a breathtaking view of 

towering rock islands and islets. It’s a miniparadise 

great for all water activities. 

BY NIGHT Calle Z is the place where locals and 

tourists gather to experience the city’s laid-back 

nightlife. Try the bulalo, sizzling bangus sisig, 

beef tapa, fried ribs and crispy tenga. 

SLEEP Along Magsaysay Boulevard is the Leyte 

Park Resort Hotel. It boasts the luxury of a hotel 

and the ambience of a resort. leyteparkhotel@ 

yahoo.com, tel: (53) 325 6000/325 5585 to 86 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Rica Marie Dorola 

nurse 


Kapeng barako or hot chocolate with suman 

and puto at Hotel Alejandro 


Great music, cold beer and a pleasant crowd 

at Astrodome 

Best dinner 

Ocho Café and Grill serves the best seafood! 

I love the calamares and crispy kangkong 

Best buys 

You haven’t been to Tacloban if you haven’t 

tasted our famous pastillas! 


Native bags, baskets and banig (woven 

mats) which make great gifts 


Go diving. You’ll be surprised to fi nd some of 

the world’s best dive sites in the Philippines 

Must learn… 

Say “Maupay nga aga” or “Good morning” 

and say “alayon” which means “please” 

Insider tip 

Visit the city during the Pintados Kasadyaan 

festival celebrated every 29th of June 

Tagbilaran 


TRIVIA The city fi esta which happens every 1st of 

May, celebrates the feast of the city’s patron saint, 

Saint Joseph the Worker, who was the husband of 

Mother Mary and a carpenter. 

TOUCHDOWN The airport is within the city, and 

tricycles are PHP6. For trips to nearby towns, 

there are vans and taxis for hire. It takes about 

20 minutes to get to Panglao island. 

BY DAY Explore the many caves; Hinagdanan 

Cave in Daius, Eva Cave in Odiong, Kokok and 

Nueva Vida Sur Caves in Carmen and Batungay 

Cave in Trinidad. 

BY NIGHT Have cocktails during sunset at 

Asiatika Bar and Grill, located at the Metrocentre 

Hotel, then dine at ChARTS Café, in Alona Beach 

in Panglao, which features works of local artists. 

SLEEP Support the deaf community and stay 

at the Dao Diamond Bed and Breakfast Hotel. It 

offers standard, deluxe and dormitory type rooms. 

www.daodiamond.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jose Welbe Caragan 

accredited tour guide 

Department of Tourism 


Jojie’s Painitan Bol-anon where you can get 

suman, kamote and dinugo-an with rice cake 


Laser Party Club at Bohol Tropics Resort for 

disco and Martin’s Bar for live performances 

Best dinner 

Miravilla Seafood Restaurant, Jo’s Chicken 

Inato, Shang Mano and Jj’s Seafood Village 

Best buys 

Native products like baskets, hats, fans and 

other products made from raffi a fi bers 


Tarsier stuffed toys and refrigerator magnets, 

antiques and raffi a bags 

Must experience 

Go dolphin and whale watching or dign up for 

a Chocolate Hills countryside tour 

Must learn 

Most speak English, and almost everyone 

knows standard Cebuano and Tagalog 

Insider tip 

It’s a must to go to Balicasag Island. It will 

deliver on all its promises! 

Bohol’s lesser known attractions 

are its beautiful caves! 

LESTER LEDESMA

Virac 


TRIVIA The Batalay Shrine, 15 minutes 

away from the town of Bato, is the site of 

Catanduanes’ fi rst cross said to be built over the 

grave of Fr Diego de Herrera. A well, believed to 

have healing water, can be found in this shrine. 

TOUCHDOWN Jeepneys and buses ply the main 

routes of Catanduanes. Tricycles are a popular 

means of transport, too. Most hotels in the area 

can arrange for your pick-up from the airport. 

BY DAY Wax historic at the former radar site 

of the Japanese Imperial Navy during WWII, 

relax on the beach and meet locals or hike up to 

Nahulugan Falls for a nature trip. 

BY NIGHT Island life is not as quiet as it seems. 

The town of Virac is irresistible with oceanfront 

entertainment and many videoke bars in the 

town center. 

SLEEP Catanduanes Midtown Inn is the best 

place to stay in, with clean, comfortable rooms. 

airconditioning, hot and cold shower, and Wi-Fi. 

Tel: (52) 811 0527, catmidinn@yahoo.com 


LOCAL LIFE 

Carolyn S Co 

CEO 


Sandy’s Blossoms restaurant serves a 

delicious tapsilog 


Friday night acoustics at Chef de Leoj in 

Midtown Inn 

Best dinner 

Seabreeze Restaurant for their Filipino 

dishes and, of course, the ambience 

Best buys 

Local delicacies: pili candy, latik, and tilmok, 

all of which you can take home 


Choose handbags and accessories made 

from abaca 


Surf in the popular Majestic Puraran beach. It 

can be lots of fun 

Must learn 

“Mara na” means “Let’s go” and “Kaon na” 

means “Let’s eat” 

Insider tip 

Bring extra cash — you never know when the 

ATM machines might break down 

EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP 




TRIVIA Heritage Site Tubbataha Reef Natural 

Park lies in the middle of the Sulu Sea 150km 

southeast of Puerto Princesa City. Tubbataha is 

only accessible by sea transport. It takes 10 hours 

to get there from Puerto Princesa. 

TOUCHDOWN Most hotels in Palawan can 

arrange to have you picked up at the airport. 

Tricycles to the city center cost about PHP35. 

Vans are also available for hire. 

BY DAY Visit the Vietnamese Village in Sta 

Lourdes where you’ll get a glimpse of Vietnamese 

culture. Sample authentic dishes in Viet Ville 

Restaurant. 

BY NIGHT Sample good homecooked dishes with 

a twist at Ditchay’s Bistro. This cozy restaurant 

uses local produce and avoids pre-processed 

food and additives. Tel: (48) 723 1530 

SLEEP Hillside Resort perched in the mountains 

of Puerto Princesa offers jungle treks, trips to the 

Underground River and native-style lodgings. 

Sandiwa, Tiniguiban, hillsideresortpalawan.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Ruth T Rodriguez 

radio announcer 


Kamarikutan Kape at Galeri for beef tapa, 

longganisa, spicy tuyo and tinapa with rice 


Kinabuch Bar and Grill is a busy bar with an 

acoustic band called Soundoze 

Best dinner 

Neva’s Place on Taft Street serves the best 

chicken pork adobo 

Best buys 

Aside from the kakanin, you can buy danggit, 

fi sh cured in vinegar marinade 


Trinkets, wood carvings and everyone’s 

favorite — the rainmaker 


Puerto Princesa City provides easy access to 

white sand beaches 

Must learn… 

Tagalog is the language spoken by the 

majority, with a bit of Cuyonon 

Insider tip 

Puerto Princesa City is the cleanest, greenest 

city in the country. You get fi ned for littering! 

Butuan 


TRIVIA Local wine laksoy, also known as palm 

liquor is made from indigenous nipa palm at 

the Nipa Wine Distillery in Barangay Babag. 

This special drink is taken during festivities and 

special occasions. 

TOUCHDOWN From the airport, you can hire a 

taxi or a van to take you to the city proper. Once 

in the city, you do as the Butuan residents do and 

take the ubiquitous tricycle. 

BY DAY Dine at Narra Restaurant, in view of 

Mount Mayapay (E Luna Street, tel: (85) 342 

5515) then see the 500-year-old Bitaog tree, the 

Philippine Centennial Tree, in Magallanes. 

BY NIGHT Have a beer with the young locals at 

Caraga Square, or dine with a date at Almont 

City Café (Almont City Hotel, Montalban 

Building, 831 San Jose Street). 

SLEEP Spoil yourself at the Bali-inspired 

Amontay Beach Resort in Nasipit, around 45 

minutes away from the city. The resort boasts 

clear waters and powder-like sand. 

LOCAL LIFE 

Tryll G Chiu 

tourist guide 


Red Apple and Rosario’s Grill for hearty food 

for breakfast 


Moffs and Woodstock for house music, True 

Brew and Federico for hot tea and coffee 

Best dinner 

Famous grilled chicken of Weegol’s Garden 

and Aling Cora Restaurant 

Best buys 

DTI-OTOP Pasalubong Center in Gaisano 

Butuan and night shopping at the Boulevard 


Madyaw Kadjaw for locally made souvenirs. 

Margie’s Kitchen for tasty pastries and cakes 


See the Balanghai Boat in the National 

Museum, Butuan Branch 

Must learn… 

“Madjaw na pagkani” means “Welcome” and 

“madjaw na hina-at” means “good day” 

Insider tip 

Visit market weekend Tabo to feel the vibe 

and warmth of the Butuanon people 

BOBBY TIMONERA

low 

Cagayan de Oro 


TRIVIA The St Augustine Cathedral built in 1845 

was destroyed in 1945 during the American 

liberation of Cagayan de Oro. It was rebuilt by 

Archbishop James Hayes and inspired by Gothic 

design with imported stained glass windows. 

TOUCHDOWN CEB runs a shuttle van to town. 

Or you can take a taxi for PHP300 or a cheaper 

jeepney service for PHP20. Taxis, jeepneys, 

motorcycles and multicabs ply the town proper. 

BY DAY The Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism 

Village is an environment-friendly and cultural 

destination. The village has a bird sanctuary, eco 

trails and tribal homes. 

BY NIGHT Pryce Plaza Hotel has a spectacular 

view of the city. If you’re in CDO on a weekend, 

look for the Night Café near Limketkai Mall 

which is open from Friday to Sunday only. 

SLEEP The majestic Pryce Plaza Hotel atop 

Carmen Hill is probably the most expensive 

hotel in the city. It offers fi rst class service plus 

the best view of downtown Cagayan de Oro. 


LOCAL LIFE 

Lorraine Rafols 

motoring writer 

Manila Bulletin 


Sun Burst in Limketkai Mall in Lapasan serves 

yummy Filipino buffet breakfast 


Go to Rosario Strip near Limketkai Mall for 

either a cold beer or piping hot coffee 

Best dinner 

Butcher’s Best Barbecue in Hayes Street for 

their original sisig and their sinugwow 

Best buys 

Pastel, a soft bread with a custard in the 

middle. The original is still the best! 


Memories of meeting the locals — CDO is 

known as “the City of Golden Friendship” 


Adventurers and adrenaline junkies should 

try the rapids at the Cagayan River 

Must learn… 

You won’t have trouble going around CDO if 

you can speak Visayan, English or Tagalog 

Insider tip 

CDO is bustling. If you’re looking for peace and 

quiet, this may not be the place for you 

MARK CHESTER ANG 

Davao Surigao 


TRIVIA Typhoon-free all year round, Davao 

is fast becoming a favorite eco-adventure 

tourism destination. It’s also one of the more 

cosmopolitan cities in Mindanao, and a great 

place to do business. 

TOUCHDOWN Francisco Bangoy International 

Airport or the Davao International Airport is 

about 15 minutes away from the city center. 

Davaoeño cabbies are known for their honesty. 

BY DAY Enjoy the islands to highlands experience. 

In a matter of minutes you can go swimming 

and sunbathing on the sandy beaches or simply 

breathing in fresh mountain air in nature parks. 

BY NIGHT Food trip in a row of restaurants at 

Damosa Gateway or chug ice-cold beers at the 

bars in Torres Street. Cap the night with durian 

coffee at one of the many cafés in the city. 

SLEEP Ponce Suites along Doña Vicenta, Bajada 

Street. These accomodations also house a neat 

little gallery showcasing the works of Kublai 

Millan, a well known local artist. 

LOCAL LIFE 

Tessa Magdamo 

interior design consultant/ 

travel agent 


TAPS. It’s still the favorite of Dabawenyos 

especially after a lively night out 


Catch Tribu K’Mindanawan cultural and fi re 

shows for a bit of local color 

Best dinner 

Fresh seafood at Tuna Marina Seafood 

Restaurant in Lanang. Try the crispy buntot! 

Best buys 

Cultured pearls in Victoria Plaza — don’t 

forget to haggle so you get a bargain! 


Lynn’s durian candy has tasty yema and 

pastillas in fl avors like pandan and langka 


Try the Philippine civet coffee at Coffee for 

Peace along Mc Arthur Highway in Matina 

Must learn… 

“Salamat”, meaning “thank you” — a word that 

will serve you well anywhere you go 

Insider tip 

Visit Museo Dabawenyo along Magallanes 

Street to increase your knowledge about Davao 



TRIVIA The Philippine Deep, also known as the 

Mindanao Trench, is found in the province of 

Surigao. Its deepest point, known as the Galathea 

Depth is 34,580ft — this exceeds the height of 

Mount Everest, which is less than 30,000ft. 

TOUCHDOWN Upon your arrival, you can hire 

a jeepney or a tricycle to get around. There 

are no taxis available but most hotels offer a 

complimentary van pick-up from the airport. 

BY DAY Take a walk down the boulevard or head 

west of the city to nearby Mabua pebble beach 

where you can swim, relax and buy fresh fi sh that 

you can have them cook right there. 

BY NIGHT Borromeo Street is fi lled with options 

to suit any traveler’s preference. Listen to live 

bands at Mario’s Grille and Restaurant located on 

Borromeo Street, tel: (86) 836 2003 

SLEEP Hotel Tavern is perfect for families. They 

offer convenient services such as laundry, on-call 

massages and van rentals to guests for road trips. 

Room rates start at PHP1,200. tavernhotel.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Joni Santos 

entrepreneur 


At the eateries in the public market and at 

Kudos Tapsilog 


Go on a food trip and karaoke session at the 

pier and on the boulevard 

Best dinner 

Those barbecue stations lined up at the pier 

have the best barbecue sauce ever 

Best buys 

On the way to Mabua Beach, do make a stop 

at Marbie’s for sayungsong and bibingka 


Marbie’s sayungsong! Dried fi sh, dried squid, 

crabs and shrimps from the public market 


Go skimboarding and scuba diving in Surigao 

and enjoy its natural waterscapes 

Must learn… 

Our dialect — even just a few words, as 

Surigaonon is beautiful 

Insider tip 

The sunset at Mabua Beach is breathtaking 

— make sure you capture it in a photograph! 

JUN ANÐOVER

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SCOTT A WOODWARD 

Siargao 


TRIVIA The powerful ocean swells caused by 

the deep offshore waters make for excellent 

surfi ng conditions in Siargao. The island’s reefs, 

which face the Pacifi c Ocean, are located on the 

edge of the Philippine Deep. 

TOUCHDOWN Taxis are available both at the 

airport and at Dapa Pier. You can also ride a 

habal-habal or an extended seat motorbike. Mini 

and jeepney buses ply the island. 

BY DAY Make the most of your stay in Siargao 

and learn how to surf from the best Philippine 

surfers. Other activities? Fishing, diving or 

swimming on white sand beaches. 

BY NIGHT The island’s nightlife is found along 

General Luna, usually near famed surfi ng spot 

Cloud 9. Favorite haunts include 9 Bar and 

Siargao Inn’s bar and restaurant. 

SLEEP For a cozy and relaxing stay, try Siargao 

Inn. It’s perfect for beach lovers. Choice of 

ffordable rates for rooms with or without airconditioning. 

www.siargao-inn.com 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Nildie B Rietenbach 

surf instructor 


A must-try is the very fi lling breakfast burrito 

at Siargao Inn 


Check out 9 Bar — it’s defi ntely the best bar 

on the island 

Best dinner 

Book a table in Sagana Resort, which serves 

the best food, tel: +63 (919) 809 5769 

Best buys 

Learn how to ride the waves with lessons 

from the best surfers in the country 


Handmade souvenirs made out of shells by 

Rasta — great for gifts 


Of course, surf! If you don’t know how to, it’s 

never to late to learn 

Must learn... 

Say “Marajaw karajaw” which means “It’s all 

good”. That’s how you’ll feel here 

Insider tip 

Why not try the Mango and Banana Mucho 

in Siargao Inn bar? 

Cotabato 


TRIVIA The Rio Grande de Mindanao, is 

the second largest and longest river in the 

Philippines. Before its mouth in the Moro Gulf, 

it splits into two sections, the Cotabato and 

Tamentaka, separated by a 180-meter hill. 

TOUCHDOWN Take a tricycle to the highway for 

PHP6–7 then ride a jeep to town for PHP14. Or 

hire a taxi at the airport for PHP100–200. In the 

city, tricycles are the only mode of transport. 

BY DAY Visit the marketplace or drop by the New 

People’s Palace also known as Palasyo ng Masa, 

the only city hall in the country built purely from 

local taxes. 

BY NIGHT Listen to local singers and bands at 

Tantawan Garden. Apart from singing popular 

songs, local performers also belt out original 

compositions sung in the local dialect. 

SLEEP Pensionne Rafael on San Isidro Street, tel: 

(64) 421 2941, Evie’s Gardenville on Don E. Sero 

Street, tel: (64) 421 2271, and Violtan Pension on 

Bonifacio Street, tel: (64) 421 7289 

LOCAL LIFE 

Ayo Gunting 

publicist 


Native breakfast favorites such as pastil, 

bulubud and salted eggs with brewed coffee 


Hang out with friends at Café Florencio and 

enjoy a night of videoke 

Best dinner 

Have steak at Casa Blanca. For seafood, lamb 

and ostrich, head to Peach Seafood Garden 

Best buys 

Reasonably priced woven and brass items as 

well as versatile silk scarves from Al-Jamellah 


Make new friends and immerse yourself in the 

local culture — perhaps learn a dance or two? 


See the hot and cold springs near the Awang 

airport. Or why not see the Kutawato Caves? 

Must learn… 

Don’t forget to say “Sukran” to express 

appreciation. It means “Thank you” 

Insider tip 

Beware of the Cotabato City charm — it can 

lure you to stay longer than you intended! 

An American and an Australian 

discovered Siargao in the ‘80s 

ERIK LACSON

Ozamiz 

Area code: (88) 

i Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP1 = S$0.02) 

TRIVIA Formerly known as Misamis, Ozamiz was 

an old Spanish town. Misamis is believed to have 

been derived from the Subano word kuyamis, a 

variety of coconut. A person born in Ozamis is 

called an Ozamiznon. 

TOUCHDOWN The Ozamiz City Airport is in 

Gango. A cab ride may set you back PHP60, 

though it’s only PHP6 to go anywhere within 

city limits. Get around town by trisikad or walk. 

BY DAY About 20km from Ozamis is the Misamis 

Occidental Aquamarine Park, a tropical habitat 

for marine mammals. There are cottage-style 

accommodations and two restaurants. 

BY NIGHT Stroll along the pathways surrounding 

the Cotta, facing Macajalar Bay or check out the 

scene and sounds at Gats Bar, Dewberry Café 

and the most happening night spot, M Bar. 

SLEEP Stay at Oklahoma Island Rafi ’s beach 

resort in Cabgan, Baliangao up north. The resort 

occupies four islets, all interconnected by a foot 

bridge made of bamboo. 

˝ 

LOCAL LIFE 

Ivy Ong Yiu Lim 

entrepreneur/philanthropist 


Chicken siopao and fresh lumpia at Favorito 

Fast Food in Centrum Ozamiz 


Celtic Lounge for trance and upbeat music 

and a wide selection of cocktails 

Best dinner 

Authentic lauriat and an extensive array of 

fresh seafood at La Veranda Restaurant 

Best buys 

Fresh coconuts at local fruit stands. Buy them 

cheaper here than anywhere in the country 


Native balintawak suman, espasol and other 

delicacies at the House of Suman 


Go snorkeling, island hopping or dolphin 

watching at the Aquamarine Park 

Must learn… 

“Bitaw” (“Yeah” or “uh-huh”) is often said 

when agreeing with someone 

Insider tip 

Always have loose change with you. It only 

costs PHP6 to go around the city 


Dipolog 


TRIVIA Dipolog, the Gateway to Western 

Mindanao, is also known as the Orchids and 

Sardines Capital of the Philippines. Its people are 

very warm and friendly and will welcome you 

with open arms. 

TOUCHDOWN There are tricycles as well as 

single motorcycle services from the airport to 

the city. The fare is negotiable, ranging from 

PHP10–30. Once in the city, it’s tricycles, solely. 

BY DAY See the Holy Rosary Cathedral as its 

altar was designed by Dr Jose Rizal. Built in 1896 

and renovated in the 70s, the church has an 

intricately carved ceiling made of narra. 

BY NIGHT Sample street food, meet locals and 

simply hang out by the seaside boulevard. You 

and your friends can also grab a drink at Fusebox 

on Quezon Avenue. 

SLEEP Travelers on a budget can stay at Hotel 

Camila I or II. The rooms are clean and the lobby 

is spacious so guests can relax. General Luna 

Street, tel: (65) 212 3008 

LOCAL LIFE 

Jane T Batocael 

teacher 


Go to Grandma’s Best. They serve good 

pastries and fresh coffee 


Head to the newly opened Sight and Sound 

Bar near the Boulevard 

Best dinner 

Cafe Isabella serves the best pork barbecue 

and is the most romantic restaurant in town 

Best buys 

Fruits, bottled Spanish sardines and chorizo 

from Montano or Urquiaga 


Orchids or an original work of art from the 

Goodtimes Café 


After a long day, go to Nuat Thai Massage for 

relaxation and rejuvenation 

Must learn… 

The best mode of communication isn’t 

spoken, but rather the smile on your face 

Insider tip 

A must-visit is Goodtimes Café for the 

original art and lovely garden 

Dipolog, the capital of Zamboanga 

del Norte, is Mindanao’s gateway 

SAMUEL DE LEON 



LEONARD PE 

General Santos Zamboanga 


TRIVIA In 1968 the municipality of General 

Santos was converted into a city with Antonio 

Acharon as the fi rst city mayor. Two decades 

later, GenSan was declared a highly urbanized 

city. The current mayor is also an Acharon. 

TOUCHDOWN Hire a taxi at the airport for a 

fl at rate (PHP300–350). If you don’t have much 

luggage, a habal-habal motorbike for PHP100 

will suffi ce. In the city, it’s tricycles! 

BY DAY Go diving at South Divers Point, head 

to the beach at Gumasa, two hours away from 

the city, or golf at the Sarangani Golf Club in 

Sarangani or Kalasangi Golf Club in Polomok. 

BY NIGHT Feast on authentic Filipino fare at 

these restaurants: Jam’s, known for the freshest 

and tastiest tuna dishes; Kanto for their grilled 

specialties and Sud-an for the best crispy pata. 

SLEEP The Phela Grande Hotel is considered 

one of the city’s fi nest hotels. Spend around 

PHP900 for a single room and up to PHP2,200 

for a suite. www.phelagrandehotel.com 

LOCAL LIFE 

Janice Kate Castillo 

businesswoman 


East Asia Royale Hotel for their breakfast 

buffet or you can always go to Jollibee 


GenSan is pretty laid-back but you can hang 

out at Coffee Club 101 or Fagioli 

Best dinner 

You’re in the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” 

so you must have some sashimi 

Best buys 

Take home tuna. For adventurous types, try 

other edible parts aside from belly and panga 


Fresh as well as dried fruits. Try the dried 

kamias of RML Food Products 


Visit in February for the Kalilangan Festival, a 

week-long celebration of our Foundation Day 

Must learn… 

In GenSan, you can communicate via English, 

Filipino, Cebuano, Ilonggo and other dialects 

Insider tip 

Gensan comes alive in September with tuna 

fl oats, sashimi buffets and street parties! 

˝ 


TRIVIA Curacha, a delicious sea crab species 

found only in the waters of Zamboanga, is a 

high-bred crustacean that resembles a large 

crab and a spiny lobster. Ironically, “curacha” 

means “cockroach” in local dialect. 

TOUCHDOWN From the airport, take a jeepney 

(PHP7) or tricycle (PHP20–25) to the pueblo 

(city) as there are only a few taxis. Plissap Rent- 

A-Car charges a minimum of PHP150. 

BY DAY Rent a car or take a bus and head away 

from the city proper to Bolong Beach. The oneand-a-half 

kilometer long beach is lined with 

huts and it’s just an hour away. 

BY NIGHT Be bold and order some curacha at 

the vinta-lined tables at La Vista del Mar for 

dinner (tel: (62) 983 0099) then head to Lobby 

Bar at the Garden Orchid Hotel for music. 

SLEEP Hotel Perlita located on Mayor Jaldon 

Street has spacious, affordable rooms. There’s 

a lobby café and a rooftop restaurant. Tel: (62) 

993 0990 to 94, hperlita@jetlinkcom.ph 

LOCAL LIFE 

Cindy Tan Almazan 

junior business 

development offi cer 


Buffet breakfast at Garden Orchid Hotel will 

surely energize you throughout the day 


Party people jam-pack Catribo Complex for 

its all-in-one party until dawn fever 

Best dinner 

Hai-San Restaurant will please with fresh 

seafood like squid, locon and curacha 

Best buys 

Haggle when buying items like malongs and 

sarongs from Canelar Barter Trade 


Apollo wafer sticks, Malaysian malongs and 

woven shawls from Barter 


Eat Zamboanga’s best — Jimmy’s hot satti, 

Ali’s pastil and pianggang 

Must learn… 

“Buenas dias” (“Good day”) and “Quanto 

este?” (“How much?”) 

Insider tip 

Visit from April to October to enjoy durian, 

mangosteen and marang in season 

The port of General Santos is the 

largest port in the region of Mindanao 

JR RODRIGUEZ

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airline news 

Welcome back, Caticlan! 

Here’s great news for Boracay lovers! 

Cebu Pacifi c (CEB) has resumed its 

fl ight operations to Caticlan, which is the 

gateway to the famed island of powderwhite 

sand beaches. 

We’re talking about 11 Manila-Caticlan 

fl ights and one Cebu-Caticlan fl ight. 

CEB has given the highest number of 

seats to and from the Boracay base 

as it anticipates more people traveling 

during the summer months. Due to the 

one runway rule of the Civil Aviation 

Authority of the Philippines on the 

Godofredo P Ramos Airport, CEB was 

unable to fl y to Caticlan for seven 

months. 

Says Lupre Sacapaño, owner of Pat’s 

bar in Station 2, Boracay, “Now that 

Cebu Pacifi c is back in Caticlan, I expect 

there will be more tourists coming to 

Boracay. With the airline’s trademark 

seat sales and airline promos, tourists 

can now book fl ights well in advance.” 

Travelers should rest assured that 

CEB has deployed brand-new ATR 72- 

500 planes for this route. Last month, 

the airline successfully reintroduced its 

Boracay (Caticlan) fl ights through the 


WHAT’S THE BUZZ? 

RIGHT HERE, THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS FROM YOUR 

FAVORITE AIRLINE 

The best seats 

to watch the sunset 

Hop around the 

islands of Boracay 

transfer of four Manila-Kalibo fl ights 

and one Cebu-Kalibo fl ight to Caticlan, 

a move that was meticulously paced 

for the re-certifi cation of CEB’s ATR 

pilots on the Caticlan route. “The safety 

of our passengers has always been our 

most important concern,” says CEB Vice 

President for Marketing and Distribution 

Candice Iyog. It has been smooth fl ying 

since then. 

To make your fl ight bookings for 

Boracay, call the CEB reservation hotline, 

tel: +63 (2) 7020 888 (for Manila) and 

+63 (32) 230 888 (for Cebu). Better yet, 

book your trip online and score the best 

deals at www.cebupacifi cair.com 

Pay for your 

fl ight via ATM 

Pay through ATM, 

over-the-counter 

The Philippines’ number 

one domestic airline, Cebu 

Pacifi c (CEB), has launched its 

payment center option for your 

convenience. This means you can 

book your desired fl ights online or 

through the reservations hotline, 

and pay via CEB’s partner banks. 

Payments can be made through 

the ATMs of 24 Bancnet and 13 

Megalink member banks. For the 

complete list of member banks, 

visit www.cebupacifi cair.com/ 

products/paymentcenters.html 

You can also pay cash for 

bookings over the counter at 

Robinsons Savings Bank, Banco 

de Oro and Metrobank, or online 

through Bancnet. 

After booking your preferred 

fl ight through www.cebupacifi cair. 

com, or tel: +63 (2) 7020 888 

and +63 (32) 230 8888, you will 

be given a 14-digit reference 

number and the total amount by 

the website or reservations agent. 

This amount needs to be paid 

on the same day of the booking 

via the payment centers. Your 

confi rmed itinerary/ticket will be 

sent to your email address or via 

SMS the next day.

CEB gives the 

kids a ball 

Cebu Pacific shares its heart 

Through the socio-civic 

organization GMA Kapuso 

Foundation established by the 

GMA network, Cebu Pacifi c 

(CEB) is doing its share of 

public service. By supporting 

GMA Kapuso’s numerous 

projects, ranging from disaster 

relief, education health, and 

community building, CEB has 

helped to assist Filipinos from 

all over the country, especially 

during times of disaster and 

calamity. 

Since last year, CEB has 

been helping the GMA Kapuso 

Foundation fulfi ll its mission of reaching out to Filipino communities in need. The 

country’s number one domestic airline provided free cargo services to different 

areas in Mindanao, transporting a total of 15,648kg worth of bags, food, clothing and 

school supplies for children in need. The airline transported hundreds of GMA Kapuso 

Foundation’s sacks from December 2009 to February 2010, via fl ights from Manila to 

General Santos, Zamboanga, Davao and Butuan. 

Explore 

Zamboanga 

Another 

way to make 

people smile 

More ways to save the 

earth with Cebu Pacifi c 

Ever true to its commitment to 

safeguard the environment, Cebu 

Pacifi c (CEB) is giving its passengers 

yet another way to do something for 

Mother Earth. To further support its 

Bright Skies initiatives for the climateadaptation 

project in Sablayan, CEB 

is now encouraging its passengers to 

donate directly to the World Wide Fund 

(WWF). It may seem very little but it 

defi nitely will make an impact on the 

world we live in. Apart from online at 

www.cebupacifi cair.com, guests can 

now make a donation to WWF when 

they book their tickets through other 

channels, namely through CEB call 

centers and ticketing offi ces. Do it for 

the sake of future generations! 

Cebu Pacific now flies to Pagadian 

Keeping to its commitment to expanding its service, Cebu Pacifi c 

(CEB) is adding a brand new destination to its highly extensive 

roster of domestic destinations. Beginning April 27, 2010, travelers 

in Cebu will be able to fl y direct to Pagadian City in Zamboanga. 

And come June 9, travelers in Manila will be able to do likewise. 

Pagadian is a lovely green city of rolling hills, and it has many 

attractions that have yet to be developed by the tourism industry. 

There are hot and cold natural springs within 32km from the city, 

plenty of natural waterfalls surrounded by verdant greens, and 

three mountains for trekking and climbing, and caves to explore. 

To book, click on www.cebupacifi cair.com 


LESTER LEDESMA

NEW! 

NEW! 

onboard buys 


onboard eats 


Ham and cheese 

croissant 

Tuna turnover 

NEW! 

Fish fi llet 

croissant

april-2010

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