Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Cebu Pacific Air

 

YVETTE LEE TELLS US HOW TO RISE ABOVE IT ALL AT THE HOT-AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

HOW TO GET THERE:

The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport is serviced by Cebu Pacifi c from Cebu, and is a 90-minute drive from Manila.

WHERE TO STAY:

• The Holiday Inn Resort
Located within the Clark Special Economic Zone, it is less than a 10-minute drive from the Omni Aviation complex, tel +63 (2) 845-1888 or +63 (45) 599-8000

• The Oasis Hotel
Situated outside the former air base, but is likewise a good choice for families with children. www.oasishotel.com.ph

WHAT TO DO:

The 11th Philippine Hot-Air Balloon Festival gets off the ground on Thursday to Sunday, 8-11 February 2007. More than 20 hot-air balloons from different countries will converge at the Omni Aviation Complex at Clark Field, Pampanga. The balloons get unloaded, spread out and fi lled with hot air from 5.30am onwards.

They take off to the heavens at 6.30am.

Enjoy a full day of activities, with sky-diving exhibitions, para-sailing, ultra- and micro-light fl ying, parachute jumps, kite-fl ying contests, small planes’ fl y-bys and fl y-ins, as well as remote-controlled airplane exhibitions.

There will be carnival rides for the kids and plenty of shaded areas for picnickers who can have a fi eld day sampling the region’s much lauded culinary specialties from the numerous food stalls.

In between the activities, the whole family can browse the fl ea market for caps, T-shirts, trinkets and toys, with the kite stores being a perennial crowd favorite.

It doesn’t end when the sun goes down either, as rock bands and performing groups take center stage to entertain the crowd amidst the night glow of those tethered balloons.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

• Shop for local souvenirs and locally handmade airplane models at the shops adjacent to the perimeter fence.

• Play a round of golf at the 27-hole Mimosa Golf and Country Club. With three distinct nines, the course is named after the century-old mimosa trees that line the fairways.

• Trek to the crater of Mount Pinatubo, said to be the greatest volcanic eruption of the last century. It is an easy three-hour hike from the jump-off point, and the cool February breezes provide ideal conditions.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel

Designed for sensitive skin, this refi ning hydroxy-acid complex of organic apple, lemon, grape juices and raw cane sugar exfoliates for visibly improved skin tone and texture. Vitamin antioxidants and essential nutrients hydrate and nourish fresh skin for a healthy, beautiful complexion.

Price: PHP2,250 Where: Beauty Bar stores nationwide PHOTOS: YVETTE LEE

Makeup Forever Star Powder

This loose powder in Celadon (shade 910) is made of pure, ultra-fi ne mother-of-pearl particles that give your skin that intense sparkle and unparalleled shine. It can be used alone, blended together, applied over other make-up, and adds a twinkle to your eyes, lips or cheeks.

PRICE: PHP850 Where: Makeup Forever Store in Shangri-La Mall, SM North Edsa and SM Mall of Asia

DID YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE HOME TO AN UNFAIR AMOUNT OF WORLD RECORDS?

Carlos Celdran, tour guide and raconteur extraordinaire, talks us through the amazing list of Philippine “fi rsts” he shares with guests of his “If Walls Could Talk” tour of Intramuros. Catch one of Carlos’s inspirational tours around our very own capital. http://celdrantours.blogspot.com

FIRST: Manila Hotel was the fi rst air-conditioned hotel in Asia

HIGHEST: Camiguin province has the highest number of volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth

FIRST: The Philippine Basketball League is Asia’s oldest in its fi eld

FIRST: The Philippines had the fi rst democracy in Asia

BIGGEST: Escolta is the largest city in terms of size (not population) in Southeast Asia

FIRST: San Miguel Beer was Southeast Asia’s fi rst beer

Valentine’s Round Up

FIVE DATE IDEAS TO SHOW YOU CARE…

WEEKEND BREAK IN BORACAY
Take a weekend break at the most famous of our beaches. With the weather perfect at this time of year, just grab a bag, a book and your loved one – and check into Boracay Tropics Resort Hotel. Bgy Manggayad, Boracay Island, Malay Aklan, Philippines, tel +66 (36) 288-4034

Take him or her down to your local food market, and remind yourself of early dates and simple pleasures snacking on glazed pili nuts, Mangorind, pastilles, Yema cones and mango tarts. Try Market Market in Makati.

HOLIDAY IN BANGKOK

Book a night in the Plaza Athenee Bangkok, a Royal Meridien Hotel. They’re offering a special Romantic Valentine’s Getaway Package in February, with prices for a three-night stay starting at USD909 (PHP45,000). Wireless Road, Bangkok, Thailand, tel +66 (2) 650-8800

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS AT HOME

The simple ways are sometimes the best. Keep it straightforward, but not boring. Move away from the typical traditional roses and go for something with a bit more pizzazz, such as gladioli, carnations or colorful blooms such as these from Flora2000 (www..flora2000.com). Then stay at home and spend some quality time together.

MEAL IN SINGAPORE

Dine in style at Dolce Vita with their fi ve-course Food for Love degustation menu created by Chef de Cuisine Alex Lozachmeur, including oysters, foie gras lobster and chocolate cake. Some clichés are there for a reason. The Oriental, 5 Raffl es Avenue, Marina Square, Singapore 039797, tel +65 6885-3564

real fashion

WILLY SAW TAKES TO THE STREETS TO CHECK OUT WHAT REAL PEOPLE ARE STEPPING OUT IN

PINK FLOYD FOUNDER PERFORMS!

Known for mega-hits like “Dark Side of the Moon”, now Pink Floyd bassist and founder member Roger Waters performs his Asian debut concert featuring all the greatest Pink Floyd classics.

Before you rush off to buy tickets at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 15 February, here’s a reminder about legendary Pink Floyd, the band that shaped the world’s dark side and Waters, one of the creative forces responsible for their phenomenal success:

• Pink Floyd comprised singer and bassist Roger Waters, drummer Nick Mason, Rick Wright on the keyboards and lead singer Syd Barrett.
• Waters wrote all the lyrics and some music for Dark Side of the Moon, the record that propelled them to super stardom.
• After Dark Side, all their subsequent albums: Wish You Were Here (September 1975), Animals (February 1977), The Wall (November 1979) and The Final Cut (March 1983) sold over one million copies around the world.
• Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, an all-star performance was organized on 21 July 1990 called The Wall.
• Waters performed with Gilmour, Mason, and Wright for a one-off Pink Floyd performance at London’s Live 8.

According to Expedia:
• Waters enjoys hunting and fi shing, and has been an avid fl y-fi sherman for 20 years.
• Waters is six feet, four inches tall.
• He has been married three times, and has two children: India, a model; and Harry, who often plays the keyboards on his father’s tours. Perhaps he, too, will be in Hong Kong.

Get tickets at www.livenationasia.com and www.hkticketing.com

LOVELY LEA

Lea Salonga performs Lea Salonga Uncut with the Philharmonic Orchestra on 11 February 2007, to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Adamson University. The show will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.

Some quotes from Lea’s blog at http://bigsis222.multiply.com:
• On Pinoy Dream Academy contestants: How they do outside the academy will be a true test of their resolve, work ethic, talent, discipline, professionalism, drive, and love for what they do. Let’s see how they do in the next few years. I have a feeling they’ll all be just fi ne.
• Pet Peeves:

Oh come on, isn’t there something in this life that just bugs you… gets your goat… irritates you like crazy?
Something that, when you sense or experience it, makes you just wanna hit someone?
Here are mine.
1. Seeing a misspelled word or bad grammar.
In other words, bad “inglizz” (most especially when I’m the one who made the mistake).

2. When my name is spelled wrong.
It’s L-E-A. No H. There’s a specific reason why my name is spelled that way; I was named after my maternal grandfather, LEO.

3. Hearing a really, really, reeeeeeally bad note. It makes my head do a 360.

4. Being near someone with really bad breath or body odor. Que horror!

5. Unprofessional behavior. Inexcusable and inconsiderate.

• What Does Love Mean:
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of four- to eight-year-olds, “What does love mean?”. The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too.
That’s love.” – Rebecca, aged 8

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” – Billy, aged 4

“Love is what makes you smile even when you are tired.” – Terri, aged 4

“Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” – Danny, aged 7

Tickets available at www.hkticketing.com

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!

The TV movie makes its way to the stage in February in its Manila debut. MYX VJ Karel Marquez takes the starring role of Gabriella Montez in this family musical produced by Blue Repertory and Hendri Go. Running from 23 February, it will play Friday and Saturday evening shows at 8pm, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm at the SM Megamall Cinema 4, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
Tickets (PHP250) available from www.ticketworld.com.ph.

CLIFF RICHARD ROCKS!

• One of his nicknames is “Peter Pan of Pop”
• He’s had more than 60 albums, sales of which have reached over two billion, and over 14 hit singles have made it to the top of the UK chart
• Songs like “Millennium Prayer” and “Mistletoe and Wine” have made him “Mr Christmas”
• He was the fi rst rock star to be awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire)
• He has his own registered charity, the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation
• He is known for saying “Hi Kids!”
• His decision to remain celibate for the past few decades has provided the British press with endless grounds for speculation
• He is prone to wearing white suits
• He re-released his hit single “Living Doll” with The Young Ones, a British TV program about four students living in a squat

Tickets available at www.hkticketing.com

Beauty Box

The Face Shop Yogurt Mask Pack

Treat your skin to a delectable soothing wash-off mask, formulated with a mixture of refreshing yogurt and fruit extracts. Skin will be cleansed, moisturized, softened, hydrated and well-nourished. Choose from six fruity flavors — strawberry, grapefruit, peach, grape, kiwi and pineapple.
Price: PHP 265 Where: The Face Shop in Glorietta 2 and SM Mall of Asia

theBalm timeBalm Anti-Wrinkle Concealer

By day, use this smooth concealer to hide dark circles and the delicate area around your eyes.
By night, this vitamin and nutrient-packed concealer helps fi ght the appearance of fi ne lines and wrinkles while you sleep, so that you wake up looking fabulous.
Price: PHP750 Where: Beauty Bar stores nationwide

Tom Ford Estée Lauder Collection “The Body Oil Spray”

Fragranced with the highly provocative Azurée scent, this spray captures the spirit
of sultry afternoons that go on forever, and wrap you in summer’s seductive glow. The Body Oil Spray is lightweight and gives skin a sensual sheen.
Price: PHP1,800 Where: Rustan’s Department Stores

Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon

We’re all trying to give it a miss after the festive season. But how long will our resolve last? For natural-looking fl ushed cheeks, try Becca Cosmetics’ Beach Tint. This blendable, long-lasting watermelon scented crème
stain dries to a streak-free, non-greasy and non-drying fi nish. It contains a highly pigmented formula that is water-proof and kiss-proof all day long.
Price: PHP1,200 Where: Marionnaud, SM Mall of Asia

what’s hot!

NOLI ME TANGERE

Jose Rizal’s Noli ground-breaking work which has joined the ranks of Penguin Classics.

SALSA

Get your hips swizzling and your feet tapping at the Hong Kong Salsa Festival from 5-11 February. This week-long event entices an audience of 3,000 and 250 performers. www.hksalsafestival.com

BORACAY

This island just goes up and up. The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) won 2006’s “Most Outstanding Young Chamber Award” given by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is in recognition of local chambers “whose leadership and dynamism contributed to business growth and development of their respective communities.”

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Celebrations start on 18-20 February.

SANTALINA

Manila’s hottest export, Santalina is causing a stir in her adopted homeland of America, after a turbo-charged performance that preceded Elton John.

ANGELINA JOLIE

Has she fi nally got beyond the Jen/ Brad/Angelina loop? Receiving mixed reviews for The Good Shepherd (at time of writing), we think Jolie still looks hot.

FIRECRACKERS

Strict attempts over New Year to limit the size and sound of fi recrackers make it look as through their popularity might be coming to an end.

LAZINESS

According to an online survey by marketing research company ACNielsen, 77 per cent of Filipinos made it their New Year’s Resolution to “exercise more”. So kick that sloth habit and put on those jogging shoes.

SNAKES ON A PLANE

An astonishing 134 reptiles were seized in November from a Filipino passenger who was about to board a Bangkok-bound plane from Manila.

ALCOHOL

We’re all trying to give it a miss after the festive season. But how long will our resolve last?

AGGRESSIVE MARKETING OF MILK FORMULA

Stick to our guns and avoid products that aggressively market baby food and milk formula. British actress Emma Thompson says in support: 'I’m appalled to hear about this attack on the Philippine Department of Health’s courageous action. Surely every government has the right to regulate the marketing of baby foods as they see fit.’

Come Celebrate: Philippine Fiesta! March Festivals

FIESTAS ARE PART AND PARCEL OF FILIPINO CULTURE. CHRISTINE WONG GIVES AN INSIGHT INTO SOME OF THE LESSER KNOWN FESTIVALS HELD IN THE PHILIPPINES THIS FEBRUARY AND MARCH.

February Festivals

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES, JAVO, ILOILO CITY— 2 FEBRUARY

This annual religious festival is one of Western Visayas’ biggest and most fl amboyant events of the year. During this brightly decorated event, religious pilgrims bless candles as they join the procession of the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria, which weaves its way through the streets of Javo in Iloilo City. Main highlights of this event include the election of the Carnival Queen and all the displays and ceremony.

SIBUG-SIBUG FESTIVAL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY — 24 FEBRUARY

Welcome to the World of Oysters! In the Zamboangan province of Sibugay, the oyster has been elevated to a higher level. Offi cials decided to promote their oysters to the world through an annual “longest talaba grill” to celebrate the province’s Foundation Day: the Sibug-Sibug Festival. This festival features colorful ethnic street-dancing, with rituals depicting good harvest, wedding and healing rituals.

ITIK ITIK FESTIVAL, MANILA — 25 FEBRUARY

This festival features the “itik”, otherwise known as the native duck. The exciting celebration will include street-dancing, itikman (Pasarapan sa Lutong Itik) or catching the duck in the river;

Karera ng mga bangka, a fl uvial procession and games like “Hulihan ng Itik sa llog”.

This special event offers fun activities, great food, and brings people closer to God and to each another, while showcasing Filipino culture at the same time.

KALILANGAN FESTIVAL, GENERAL SANTOS CITY — 19-27 FEBRUARY

One of the Philippines’ most celebrated festivals, this is a social gathering that encapsulates dancing, dining and revelry.

Traditionally, it was marked by leaders, elders, allies and subordinates exchanging amenities. Today, it is less formal and more about celebrating the “friendly co-existence with all the people of General Santos City”.

Highlights include cultural presentations, culinary arts contests, a trade fair, Pagana, Kulingtangan and Kidig-Kidig sa Dalan.

PINTADOS DE PASI FESTIVAL, PASSI CITY, ILOILO — 13 MARCH

Tradition is witnessed in one of Iloilo’s grandest street festivals. Pintados De Pasi’s annual festival has a touch of legend and history, as it recounts the life of the early settlers in the island of Panay. They adorned their bodies with tattoos and were later called the “Pintados” or “the painted men”.

One of the highlights of this event is the tribe competition where the performers are painted with tattoos. This extravaganza also includes activities such as Karosa, Parada and Pinta Karabaw, as well as Sinadya sa Suba.

SOLI-SOLI FESTIVAL, SAN FRANCISCO, CAMOTES ISLAND, CEBU — 18 MARCH

This event pays tribute to the soli-soli plant, a lake grass that grows on the sides of Lake Danao in San Francisco town. Highlights include the freestyle street-dancing competition with a choreography that imitates the movement, harvesting and weaving of soli-soli on display in its dazzling colors and skillful steps.

BANTAYAN FESTIVAL, GUIMBAL, ILOILO — 26-31 MARCH

One of the most exotic and colorful events in Iloilo, the Bantayan festival celebrates the birth of a new history of the Guimbal people with pomp and ceremony. The event commemorates the founding anniversary of the town’s civil government.

Keep your eye (and ears) out for the magic of the Gimba (drum) and the Bantayan (watchtower). The festival also features concerts, a fl uvial parade, paraw- and boat-racing, beauty pageant, cultural shows, fl oat and street-dancing competitions, dances, dramas and many other presentations.

10 Top Museums

Museums serve as a reminder of our proud heritage and the talent of Filipino artists. In
celebration of National Arts Month this February, Abby Tan looks at 10 of the best – with
gratitude to those who so carefully preserve our legacy. Photography by Lester V Lesdema

CHIC AND ALIVE AYALA MUSEUM OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY AND ICONOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE

Address: Makati Avenue, Greenbelt Park, Ayala Center, Makati City Tel: +63 (2) 757-7117 to 21 Website: www.ayalamuseum.com Open: 9am to 7pm (Tuesday to Friday), 10am to 6pm (Saturday and Sunday) Entrance fee: PHP350 (adults); PHP250 (child/student/senior citizen)

This museum is unique – it is the most “alive” as it is intentionally located in the midst of a glitzy shopping mall, and where children’s arts and crafts activities on Sundays add to the buzz. Holding concerts and workshops here also erases the moldy image of any museum.

The intention is high-brow, emphasizing the country’s Spanish colonial linkage. On the upper level, 60 handcrafted dioramas form the core of the museum’s historical collections, refl ecting the rich tapestry of Philippine history.

Adding to the attraction are scale models of maritime vessels that plied the Philippine seas. The museum has important works by 19th and 20th century painters Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo and Fernando Zobel.

ALL THAT IS 19TH CENTURY CASA GORORDO MUSEUM

Address: 35 Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City, Central Visayas Tel: +63 (32) 255-5630 Website: www.rafi..org.ph Open: 9am to noon, 2 to 6pm (Monday to Saturday)

Entrance fee: PHP40 (adults);

PHP15 (college students);

PHP10 (high school, elementary school)

Casa Gorordo was initially the home of the fi rst Filipino Bishop of Cebu. Displaying religious relics, paintings, antique furniture and other household items, this museum serves as a showcase of a typical Filipino home in the 19th century.

Recently refurbished and given a makeover to make it more visitor-friendly, the museum also displays modern-day art exhibits, ceramics, pottery – and still has room for other cultural activities.

Also found here are small and life-size statues of saints and other fi gurines, depicting Cebu’s position as the fi rst place in the Philippines where Roman Catholicism took root.

EVERYTHING THAT IS PHILIPPINESNATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES

Address: Teodoro Valencia Circle, Rizal Park, Ermita Manila Tel: +63 (2) 524-3005 Open: 10am to 4.30pm (Wednesday to Sunday), free on Thursday Entrance fee: PHP100 (adults); PHP30 (students with ID)

The National Museum captures everything that encompasses the country’s rich history: the fl ora and fauna, geology, anthropology and art. Among the many archaeological exhibits is the skull of the “Tabon Man”, the oldest human remains found in the archipelago.

In the Filipino People section, discover the preserved remains and treasures of the San Diego Spanish galleon which sank in Philippine waters back in 1600. This modern history exhibit highlights the role the country played in international trade between Asia and the New World.

THE HARDY TABAK MUSEO ILOCOS NORTE

Address: Gen. Luna Street, Laoag City, 2900, Ilocos Norte Tel: +63 (77) 770-4587 Website: www.gameng.laoag.net Open: 9am to 5pm (Tuesday to Sunday), closed on Monday Entrance fee: PHP30 (adults); PHP18 (college students); PHP10 (high school students); PHP5 (children)

An old tobacco factory is a fi tting place to pay tribute to tobacco farmers of the northern Philippines. Opened four years ago, this museum has recreated a typical home of the 19th century Ilocano farmer, showing his farm implements, his cotton weavings and loom. Gathered from all over Ilocos Norte, the exhibits depict the market, town and farm.

Historical events are presented in an outsized book. Not to be missed are a 15-minute video and Ilocos Norte musical traditions performed on a decked-out stage in provincial style. The objective of the museum is to help both young and old foster a connection with their ancient homeland.

PRICELESS GOLD AND POTTERY METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF MANILA

Address: Central Bank Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila Tel: +63 (2) 521-1517 Website: www.metmuseum.ph Open: 10am to 5pm (Monday to Saturday) Entrance fee: PHP80 (adults);

PHP40 (students)

This museum holds the best horde of ancient gold jewelry and pottery collection found in diggings around the Philippines. The gold gallery displays ornaments from the 10th to 14th century. The pottery gallery showcases exquisite ceramic pieces from 220BC to 1400AD.

This museum also serves as a host venue for traveling international exhibitions. Other facilities include a library, the Metcafe, the Metshop and Metbookshop. It also features oil and acrylic paintings done by Filipino and international artists. Some are even borrowed on loan from different museums abroad. Unfortunately, a collection of Italian masters and rare Russian icons have been put in storage.

all about Religion SAN AGUSTIN MUSEUM

Address: 2/F San Agustin Monastery, Gen. Luna Street cor. Real Street, Intramuros, Manila Tel/Fax: +63 (2) 527-4060 Open: 8am to noon, 1 to 6pm (daily) Entrance fee: PHP80 (adults);

PHP50 (college students); PHP45 (high school students); PHP40 (elementary school students)

The museum has the country’s best collection of ecclesiastical art and regalia illustrating the history of the monastery and its order, the Augustinian friars’ wide reach all over the Philippines.

The highlights include 26 huge oil paintings of saints; the Don Luis Araneta Collection of Antique Saints; the crypt wherein the Philippine notables are buried; the Capitulation Room where the Spanish surrendered to the Americans in 1898; the Sacristy that houses antique carriages and richly embroidered vestments; and the famous choir loft hand-carved from molave wood that dates back to 1614.

It also features a pottery collection of Chinese antiques and earthenware found from diggings. The high-ceiling classical building makes the visit an airy walk-through.

GREATEST OF MASTERS AND RARE BOOKS LOPEZ MEMORIAL MUSEUM

Address: G/F Benpres Building, Exchange Road cor. Meralco Avenue, Pasig City Tel: +63 (2) 631-2417 Website: www.lopezmuseum.org.ph Open: 8am to 5pm (Monday to Friday),
7.30am to 4pm (Saturday)

Entrance fee: PHP70 (adults);

PHP60 (high school and university students); PHP50 (elementary school students)

The gem in this museum is the art gallery, arguably the country’s best collection of 19th century Filipino masters Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.

Every other notable artist of the 20th century is well represented here, including national artist Fernando Amorsolo, Botong Francisco, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo, Cesar Legaspi, Arturo Luz, Fernando Zobel, Nena Saguil, Juvenal Sanso, Macario Vitalis, Jose Joya, and Romeo Tabuena.

Beyond art, this museum is known for its rare books, the oldest being a unique copy of the Belarmin-Lopez Doctrina in Ilocano (Manila, 1620). Among the rare books and manuscripts displayed are works by eminent printers as Tomas Pinpin, Raymundo Magysa, Nicolas Cruz Bagay, Laureano Atlas and Juan Correa. The earliest book in the library is the third edition (Rome, 1524) of De Moluccis Insulis, by Maximilianus Transylvanus, which has the first printed account of Magellan’s voyage to the Philippines.

“Beyond art, this museum is known for its rare books”

ALL THINGS TRIBAL DAVAO MUSEUM

Address: Zonta Building, Insular Village Phase I, Lanang, Davao City, Southern Mindanao Tel: +63 (82) 233-1734 Open: 9am to 5pm (Monday to Saturday) Entrance fee: PHP100 (adults);

PHP20 (students)

Fittingly, this museum showcases the many tribes who inhabit the surrounding parts of eastern and southern Mindanao.

Davaoeños are inhabitants composed of a mixture of tribes and migrants from all over the Philippines and other nearby provinces. Some of these tribes include the Bagobo, Mandaya, Manobo, Tiboli, Mansaka and B’laan groups. It is here in the Davao Museum that their arts and culture are preserved and restored.

Its main gallery is a fascinating depository of tribal art, weavings, costumes, jewelry and handicrafts. There is also a gallery of paintings, sculptures and ceramics, where art-lovers can bask in the rich history captured in creative expression.

You can also pick up native crafts that are fitting momentos of your visit at the souvenir shop.

ALL ABOUT THE CHINESE Chinese BAHAY TSINOY

Address: Kaisa Heritage Center, Anda cor. Cabildo Street, Intramuros Manila.

Tel: +63 (2) 527-6083/526-6798/526-6796 Website: www.kaisa.ph Open: 1 to 5pm (Tuesday to Sunday) Entrance fee: PHP100 (adults);

PHP60 (children/students)

The Chinese are a major facet of Philippine life. At the Kaisa Heritage Center, you will discover the important role the settlers played in shaping Philippine history and its economy.

The moveable feast are the life-like dioramas – depicting the life of the early Chinese immigrants who came as traders, artisans, craftsmen, peddlers, and goldsmiths – and the household implements they brought with them. There are ancient maps, a replica of a Chinese junk and murals. On the second floor, a gallery of over 500 rare photographs and prints are set along the walls.

Also on display are valuable coins, old receipts in English, Spanish and Chinese, and cancelled checks of China Bank (the first Chinese bank in the country) issued at the turn of the century.

RELIGIOUS AND PROUD MUSEO ILOILO

Address: Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City,

Panay, Western Visayas Tel: +63 (33) 337-2986 Open: 9am to 5pm (Monday to Friday) Entrance fee: PHP15 (adults); PHP5 (students)

This classical building depicts everything the Ilongos are proud of. A collection of Chinese earthenware of pre-Christian era, found in diggings around the Iloilo region, has found pride of place. The pottery reflects the strong Chinese trading links with this central part of the Philippines.Other exhibits include the archeological, ethnographical craft and tribal folk arts relating to western Visayas, especially to the Ietas or negrito tribe. (Remember “Harabira!” Ati-atihan festival.)

There are also priceless religious images and relics, silver pieces and church vessels that tell the story of this city’s deep links to the Roman Catholic Church.

Ilongos are specially proud of their role in resisting the Japanese occupiers. A section in the museum is devoted to World War II memorabilia.

trend watch chikka

Be a trend-setter and go gung-ho for six of spring’s most sought-after fashion-friendly new trends

Chain ReaCTion

Take a tip from young Hollywood’s fashion royalty and make sure yours is made from metal… bag strap, that is!

Chain-handle bags are the epitome of downtown cool and just the thing with which to inject a little star quality into your persona. Opt for quilted leather, a patent finish or an exotic skin which – when paired with some slick, gleaming hardware – will make your bag the ultimate in luxe arm candy.

PuMP IT UP

Be fashion-forward and embrace this season’s radical new puffy silhouettes. Creating a “pumped up” outline is as easy as one, two, three — and can be achieved by working a touch of this growing voluminous trend into your wardrobe.

Think layers of gauzy fabrics, balloon-cuts and bell-shapes, which — when applied to one specific body area — can add oomph to your proportions and do wonders to your fashion cred wherever you go!

TiP Never pair volume with volume. If you are wearing a voluminous top, keep your bottoms snug-fitting and tapered.

’60s ChiC

Recreate the hedonistic blur of Andy Warhol’s über-cool New York and channel 1960s’ “it” girl, Edie Sedgewick, as ’60s fever fervently rules the runway this season. Search no further than Sienna Miller (who plays Edie in the upcoming movie Factory Girl) for inspiration, and draw on pop art inspirations from the past to look ultra-cool in the future.

TiP: Scavenge your local vintage stores to get this über-cool look for less.

ELEGANTLY WAISTED

Make super-high-waisted bottoms part of your fashion arsenal as bust-reaching waistbands creep north this season. Once considered as a crime against serious fashion, “belly-warmers” are now a coveted staple in every aspiring A-lister’s wardrobe.

If you have a reasonably fl at stomach and a medium-sized bust, then adorning a high-waisted pencil-skirt or breeches is a sure-fi re way to showcase a sexy hourglass fi gure in style — and garner appreciative glances all around!

From left, Victoria Beckham says it best in tweed; Chloe Sevigny gets waisted; catwalk creations at: Salvatore Ferragamo; Miu Miu; Versace.

PLATFORM POWER

Stand tall and ooze attitude in this season’s sexy new platform heels. Enjoying popularity back in the ’40s and soaring to vertiginous new heights in the ’70s, the platform heel has once again become the perfect plateau from which to boost your height and increase the appearance of your leg length.

Seen clumping down the catwalk and upon the feet of many a shoe-savvy celeb, these soon-to-be-ubiquitous, chunky heels are all you need to step out in style and score brownie points in the shoe stakes! Clockwise from left, printed platforms Jimmy Choo; Versace’s in the pink;

Versace on the catwalk; Prada’s platforms; Miu Miu; cork soles at Jimmy Choo.

WHITE LIGHT

Lighten up your fashion palette and cut a clean silhouette in spring’s most sought-after shade. After a winter dominated by black, catwalk trends are awash with this trendy non-colour. Tipped to be the white-hot hue which will carry you through to the summer, white — with all its might — is the mono-colour to saturate yourself with this season. Clockwise from top left, Loewe dress; Versace; heels at Jimmy Choo; slingbacks by Savatore Ferragamo; Versace bag; catwalk at Dior.