Concerts and Events
Bangkok THE 5TH BANGKOK JAZZ FESTIVAL 2007 – 8-10 DECEMBER |
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Bacolod, Iloilo LEA SALONGA – 12 JANUARY, 19 JANUARY |
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Manila Snow White 7,8 & 9 DECEMBER |
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Singapore THE NUTCRACKER –CHRISTMAS FAIRYTALE ON ICE – 13-16 DECEMBER |
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Shanghai, Guangzhou,, Shenzhen, Hong Kong MADAM BUTTERFLY–22-23 DECEMBER, 27-28 DECEMBER, 31 DECEMBER-1 JANUARY & 3-4 JANUARY |
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Singapore Lord of the Flies – 13-22 DECEMBER |
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Jakarta BROADWAY! A TIME CAPSULE – 12 JANUARY |
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Manila Into the Woods – 1, 7 & 8 DECEMBER |
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Jakarta NEW YEAR’S EVE |
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Manila FIDDLER ON THE ROOF –1, 8, 15 DECEMBER |
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Bangkok 80TH BIRTHDAY OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ – 5 DECEMBER |
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Jakarta JIFFest – 7-16 DECEMBER |
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Singapore SWAN LAKE – 20-23 DECEMBER |
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Hong Kong HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACES 2007 – 9 DECEMBER |
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Bangkok Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Farewell Recital Tour |
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Jakarta THE MAYFLOWER |
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What your face means…
- People with naturally curly hair are moody or ill-tempered.
- People who have eyebrows that almost meet get jealous easily.
- A person with a mole in the middle of her nose will be rich but unhappy.
- A mole on the face means successful in business.
- A mole on the hand signifies wealth or thievery.
- A mole on your back is a sign of laziness. From Don’t Take a Bath on a Friday, Philippines Superstitions and Folk Beliefs. Edited by Neni Sta Romana-Cruz; drawings by Katti Sta Ana. Tahanan Books.
KNOW YOUR TRAVEL
Lonely Planet’s Blue List 2008 sorts the diff erent types of traveller and holiday. Which one are you?
PERPETUAL TOURIST
Sandal-clad souls, always moving from one exotic locale to the next.
HEALTH TOURIST
Around since the Roman baths, it’s still big business today, be it ash from Mount Pinatubo or springs in Turkey, where fish nibble your skin.
LITERARY TOURIST
Check out Singapore’s Raffles hotel, made famous by Somerset Maugham.
INDUSTRIAL TOURIST
Get beyond the temples and see where people work. Try Hong Kong’s CBD and Aberdeen port.
ECO TOURIST
The Philippines has some of the best eco-friendly spots, and check out north Thailand where you can ride elephants and stay in villages.
HERITAGE TOURIST
This travel sector has a dedicated United Nations body. Our very own rice terraces are protected.
MEDICAL TOURIST
With TLC, the Philippines is gaining ground on regional competition. A reworked extract from Lonely Planet Blue List: The Best in Travel 2008 © Lonely Planet Publications, 2007.
Hot Stuff
KOH LANTA
The French version of Survivor was shot in El Nido in Palawan last year and all of France has been gripped by our beautiful island.
MALLY RONCAL
This New York-born Filipina is one of the most in-demand makeup artists around with clients Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. She’s now brought out her own make-up, Mally.
PALAWAN AWARD
Another award for this island that’s fast becoming a world favorite. Prestigious American magazine Condé Naste Traveller voted Palawan the tourist destination with the Best Beaches in Asia.
MANILA OCEAN PARK
Opening on 15 December, this new park is set to attract crowds of aquatic life lovers.
TORCH BEARER
One of eight winners of a competition, Filipino marketing manager Marcos Antonio Torres will carry the Olympic torch in the Beijing Games. His legion of friends, family and fans in the Philippines helped to vote him in.
HONEST WAITRESS
Winning commendations in Singapore, head waitress Marites Perez Galam returned a wallet she found, containing SGD16,600 (USD11,465).
NO WORRIES
The AXA Asia Life survey reveals Filipinos are the world’s most optimistic.
SHANGHAI
BACK TO 1933
An impressive urban-renewal project has been launched in Shanghai, that aims to bring new life to a historic art deco landmark. Various factory buildings in Hongkou, including an abattoir and a power plant, will be transformed into a complex for the arts, specifically: design, lifestyle and learning. The geometric façade opens into a five storey building, surrounding a 24-sided naturally lit core. It’s certainly worth checking out, so look out for it if you visit Shanghai after March next year! www.1933-Shanghai.com
You Know You’re Filipino IF
- You think Christmas season begins in September and ends in January.
- There are at least 50 people on your Christmas gift list.
- You always leave some room at the dining table for a couple of unexpected or uninvited guests.
- At parties, everyone fights to chop the leathery skin off a dead pig.
- You like sweet spaghetti.
- Your car horn can make different sounds.
- You know that no last minute maneuver on the road is considered preposterous.
- You are as passionate about love as you are about religion
- Your carry-on luggage requires a small fork lift. Taken from You know you’re Filipino if… A Pinoy Primer, selected and edited by Neni Sta Romana Cruz. Published by Tahanan.
kuala lumpur
PRINCE HOTEL & RESIDENCE
The five-star Prince Hotel & Residence in Kuala Lumpur has recently joined the prestigious WORLDHOTELS group, the European-based group that represents hotels with character. The hotel aims to be a home-away-from-home, near the landmark Petronas Twin Towers. If you’re heading to Kuala Lumpur for work or play, check it out in the famous Golden Triangle and don’t forget to try their Mandara Spa. Tel +60 (3) 2170 8888, fax 603 2170 8999, www.princehotelkl.com,
Singapore
A ROYAL SPORT
At the Jurong BirdPark, you can make like a royal and learn the old European art of falcon hunting. The park is presenting a “Be A Falconer” program, where visitors in groups of six can meet the birds, learn how they fly, how to let them go and, most importantly, how to bring them back. There’s nothing like seeing these magnificent creatures taking to the skies, and the thrill as their thunderous wings get ever nearer to your hand.
2 Jurong Hill, tel (+65) 6265 0022, email info@ birdpark.com.sg, www.birdpark.com.sg
Christmas Fiestas
AGNES PRIETO CHECKS OUT WHAT’S ON IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE ‘BER’ MONTHS
Christmas season in the Philippines is the longest in the world, lasting five months starting from the first “ber” month until January. At the first hint of the chill air, carols fill the air, tiny blinking lights festoon everything from imposing buildings in the financial district to tiny huts in the countryside, as well as those jeepneys which boast little parols (stars) on the dashboard blaring Christmas rock songs.
Filipinos are a celebratory bunch and will pull together a food event and raise a toast at the slightest excuse. Christmas is the ultimate reason.
SIMBANG GABI
Simbang Gabi marks the nine day prelude to Christmas Eve. It is actually a novena – nine days of dawn masses when you can ask the Infant Jesus for a Christmas blessing; unique and special to one’s needs. Success in work, a new love – add it to your Christmas list.
A brass band breaks the dawn silence (although in barrios it is the cock’s crow, hence it’s also known as misa de gallo – rooster’s mass). The smell of goodies cooking are enough to rouse anyone from sleep. Little carts in the churchyard are set up, complete with portable charcoal ovens and clay pots to ensure freshness. The air is festive and expectant. Experience Simang Gabi at any Catholic church in the Philippines, at 4am or 5am, from 16-24 December.
THE PAROL OR CHRISTMAS STAR FESTIVAL
The Christmas Star guided the shepherds and the Wise Men to the manger where the Infant Jesus lay.
In Pinoy Christmas tradition, this star (or parol) is just as important as the Yuletide tree. The parol has metamorphosed from a simple bamboo and Japanese paper construction, to highly complex lamps made of plastic and resin with choreographed dancing lights and music. Some are like kaleidoscopes, others are flowers with many petals – all highlighting Filipino creativity and fondness for color. San Fernando in Pampanga is one of the best places to see them, and the parols bedeck many a house and shop in the rest of the Philippines.
THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LANTERN PARADE
This event, held by the University of the Philippines in Diliman (UP), brings together all the inventiveness and artistry of the celebratory Filipino. It’s the sense of rising up to something festive that keeps the Pinoy spirit forever optimistic. The UP festival is also one of the markers to usher in the season. From hereon in it’s a hectic round of Christmas parties. The festival takes place on 15 December, the day before Christmas break. www.up.edu.ph/
PASTORES DE BELEN/ ATI-ATIHAN
Two post Christmas fiestas are meant to entertain the Baby Jesus, the Pastores de Belen, a Bicol (South Luzon ) tradition, and Ati-atihan. After Christmas day, pastores or bands of costumed singers and dancers do the rounds of homes to celebrate the visit of the shepherds to the manger on the very first Christmas. The songs and dances are a merry mix of Bicol and Spanish flavors, since the practice is originally from the Basque region of Spain, and is meant to be playful and fun for entertaining the children. It’s a dying tradition but ties in with another post Christmas fest – the Santo Niño fiestas celebrated all over the countries with street dancing and much carousing, the most famous being the Ati-atihan with origins in Kalibo (see feature, page 70). Pastores de Belen takes place on 18 December in Legaspi.
7 thingsto pack on your next trip
Oh the agony of travel! Airline restrictions, security checks and unpredictable weather are just some of the realities travelers face. Turn stressful into stress-free by taking the following on your next journey. There are only two words to remember: be prepared.
1 EXTRA BAG
It’s always smart to bring a tote bag that’s foldable and waterproof. It can carry must-have items for the beach, like a towel, sun block and a book. It’s also useful for purchases on shopping sprees. When you don’t have enough space in your luggage, the extra bag will definitely save the day.
2 EMPTY SPORTS BOTTLE
Don’t forget the “no liquids on board flights” policy. Toiletries in liquid or gel form and bottled drinks are confiscated at the airport’s security check. However, it’s important to keep hydrated during the flight. Instead of pestering the stewardess for water in a plastic cup, take an empty sports bottle and ask the flight attendant to fill your bottle with water once on board. You can keep it handy and sip throughout the flight. On reaching your destination, buy a big bottle of water and refill, so you can carry it around when sightseeing or on the beach.
3 HAND WIPES
Hand sanitizers keep hands clean without the need for soap and water.
However, because they come in gel form, it’s best not to put them in your carry-on bag. Hand wipes designed for babies are best as they’re not as drying and can be used for hands and face.
4 RAINCOAT OR UMBRELLA
Remember those two words at the start? Be prepared. Rain need not stop play if you bring the proper protection. When back at the hotel, allow the umbrella or raincoat to dry inside the bathroom so you don’t make a mess in the room.
5 EXTRA WALLET
If you’re traveling to a foreign country, have a separate wallet for the local currency so you don’t get mixed up. If you have a budget for the day, set aside the specific amount in a coin purse and leave your wallet with all the bigger bills and credit cards in your hotel room safe. If you’re with friends, it’s a good idea to have a kitty, where each person gives a fixed amount (say PHP500 (USD12)). The group assigns a “treasurer” and the money collected is then placed in a purse. When it’s time to pay restaurant bills or fees like ferry tickets, the “treasurer” uses the money from the kitty.
6 EXTRA NOTEBOOK
A small notebook can be your solution to a more organized holiday. Before leaving for a trip, jot down the “must see” places, make lists of things to do or people to buy gifts for. Write down flight schedules, hotel details and passport and credit card numbers for easy reference. During the trip the notebook can serve as a mini journal to document your adventures and track your expenses.
7 RESEALABLE PLASTIC BAGS
Take a few zip-lock bags with you. Some airlines allow you to take small amounts of liquids (50ml bottles) in your cabin bags in transparent, resealable bags. They’re also a good way to store valuables like mobile phones, keys and loose change before going through the security machines. Avoid spillage in your check-in luggage by packing shampoos and lotions in them, and keep cameras and camcorders safe on boat rides, as well as using them to pack small souvenirs.
Shopping
SHOPPING EDITOR REBECCA RODRIGUEZ ON WHAT’S HOT
PALMER’S COCOA BUTTER FORMULA FRAGRANCE FREE
What is better than the feel of pure cocoa butter? Indulgent, soft to the touch, smelling divinely of chocolate. If you love the feel, but the strong scent puts you off, the brand has introduced Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Fragrance Free lotion. Just like the original formula without a cocoa scent.
Price: PHP395 (USD9)
Available at: All leading department stores and supermarkets nationwide.
RED EARTH SKIN PERFECTION ALL-IN-ONE CONCEALER KIT
Think you know everything about concealers? Think again. This new all-in-one concealer from Red Earth has raised the bar. Let’s get technical. There are two concealers to cover up imperfections and three color correctors to balance and perfect your skin tone. To reduce redness, use green. If you are fed up with dark under-eye circles, or just in need of reducing very dark areas, then yellow is for you. For discolorations such as dark spots or bruises, think pink.
Price: PHP1,150 (USD26)
Available at: All Beauty Bar stores nationwide.
LAURA MERCIER’S STORMY COLLECTION FOR FALL 2007
Taking inspiration from the shadowy fog and stormy clouds that pervaded fall’s fashion palette, eyes take center-stage with shades of gray, offset by inkyore metallic hues in the limited edition Eye Color Quad in Blue Sky and Storm Cloud. There are three new kohl eye pencil shades to create the season’s sultry, smoky eye with ease. With intense shading on the eyes, lips are forced to surrender to minimal color with nude tones.
Price: Eye shadow quad PHP1,550 (USD35); eye shadow brush PHP1,250 (USD28); kohl eye liner PHP795 (USD18); lipstick PHP895 (USD20); mascara PHP845 (USD19).
Available at: Rustan’s Essenses in Makati, Shangri-La, Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Manila and Ayala Center Cebu.
shop alerts
MANTRA
There are times when you feel that your social life is on fire with endless brunches with girlfriends, exciting dinner dates or checking out the newest haunts. It seems that your favorite LBD is getting more exposure than Britney Spears’ crazy behaviour. Embrace those times, and shop like the star you are in Mantra. This bright and colorful boutique features tons of to-die-for girly things like gold bling, weekender bags, tunics and dresses for the endless summer-lovin’ look. If you want bohemian-inspired frocks with serious sass, sexy shorts with cotton tank-tops or even a modern take on the cheongsam, Mantra has got it all. With so much to choose from, you can have a brand new outfit for every occasion and never get bored looking.
Mantra is located at the second floor at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Manila.
MODERN MYTHOLOGY
Tucked away in a cozy, elegant subterranean space, this hole-in-the-wall boutique in Manila is one of the best sources in town for inspired choices from independent designers, including Type A Designs from Shanghai, Die Marie and Solar shoes from Manila, Kjash Jewellery from Sydney, plus Felipe Lopez, Diez and Artesania from Spain. Inspired by their travels and passion for vintage pieces, owners and bona fide fashionistas Leica Carpo and Celine Gabriel maintain their cool-kid status. The pair sticks to winning labels with perennial indie sensibilities and also carry Chloe, Tsumori Chisato and Paul Smith. Insiders cite Modern Mythology as the hippest vintage and indie boutique in Manila, and it easily lives up to the hype. The space is simple, to avoid detracting from what’s on the racks.
Modern Mythology is located on the Mezzanine Level, 109 Gamboa St. Legaspi Village, Makati. For more information, tel +632-893-6313, email modern.mythology@gmail.com or text Celine Gabriel +63917-836-2175 or Leica Carpo +63917-530-1383.
GAP
In the summer of 1969, man took his first walk on the moon; nearly 450,000 people gathered in upstate New York to witness the historic Woodstock concert; and Doris and Don Fisher opened the first Gap store in San Francisco because they wanted to make it easier for everyone to find a pair of jeans. Thirty-eight years later and Gap opens its own stores in November at the Glorietta, Ayala Center and TriNoma in Manila.
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KIEHL’S
When you walk into Kiehl’s, you can almost feel tradition oozing from the walls. Originating as a New York apothecary in 1851, this skincare beauty spot still displays evidence of its pharmaceutical roots. Although it’s a no-frills, no-nonsense brand, the high-quality products will win your heart. Lotions and potions are neatly arranged and displayed in wooden cabinets just like the old days. The products aren’t old-fashioned, though, beauty junkies can get hold of the brand’s famous Lip Balm #1, and Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.
Books
* House of Hilton: From Conrad to Paris: A Drama of Wealth, Power and Privilege by Jerry Oppenheimer
Obsessed with the Hiltons? This intimate, shocking – and thoroughly unauthorized – portrait of the Hiltons chronicles the family’s amazing odyssey from poverty and obscurity to glory and glamour. Oppenheimer traces the roots of the Hilton fortune from great-grandfather Conrad’s purchase of a tiny boarding house in a dusty Texas town to the hotel empire that bears the family name. Along the way, uncover the family’s bitter love affairs and gasp-inducing feats of debauchery.
Price: PHP1,039 (USD23)
Available at: National Bookstore, Power Books, A Different Bookstore and Fully Booked stores
* The Worst Thing I’ve Done by Ursula Hegi
Friends since early childhood, Annie, Jake and Mason have a special bond. When Annie’s parents die on the night that she and Mason get married, the three friends decide to raise Annie’s infant sister, Opal, together. Not surprisingly, their bonds of intimacy become strained. As Annie struggles, events take on a momentum of their own. And then, one fateful night, the three friends cross a moral line, with shocking consequences for each.
Price: PHP1,125 (USD25)
Available at: National Bookstore, Power Books, A Different Bookstore and Fully Booked stores
* If I am Missing or Dead: A Sister’s Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation by Janine Latus
This beautifully written memoir of two sisters who struggle to escape emotional, psychological and physical abuse from the men in their lives, will move readers from the first page to the last. Janine and Amy grew up with a sexist father and ended up in abusive relationships. Janine was in an explosive marriage that took away her self-worth and Amy was involved in a one-sided affair. The tale ends differently for both women and sensitively tells their stories of courage, womanhood and tragedy. A heartbreaking view on domestic violence, the author strives to save potential victims from cycles of abuse.
Price: PHP769 (USD17)
Available at: National Bookstore, Power Books, A Different Bookstore and Fully Booked branches
CDS
* Loose by Nelly Furtado Take funky Portuguese/Canadian Furtado, add Missy Elliot’s producer Timbaland and you get Loose. With this unlikely pairing, Nelly Furtado gets her groove back, showing her more saucy, sexy side. As a good pop record, there’s a nice mix of atmospheric R&B, a rap number with Timbaland himself and a ballad co-written by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Loose is fun and danceable. Perhaps she owes everything to the producer – he’s revitalized Furtado and it looks like she’s having the time of her life.
* Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace by Foo Fighters David Grohl, former Nirvana drummer, has been the lead singer and sometime songwriter of the Foo Fighters since Kurt Cobain’s suicide. Known for stadium-friendly rock, the Foo Fighters’ sixth album features a strong 1970s influence with occasional quiet, acoustic numbers showing Grohl’s depth and maturity. Over the years this band has become true legends in rock music.
* Drastic Fantastic by KT Tunstall From the great Scottish folk-pop singer-songwriter KT Tunstall comes her second album, Drastic Fantastic.
The songs hark back to 1997, with acoustic guitar sounds coupled with smooth beats and Turnstall sings as if she wants your attention right here and right now. There are discernible progressions in her musical prowess, here she employs lead guitar and ukulele for the first time and she has a greater reliance on re-creating her live straightforward pop sound.
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THIS KID WEARS VINTAGE
If there is one store that captures the vibe of the swinging 1960s and hippie 1970s, This Kid Wears Vintage is it. The brainchild of two pals, Erica Paredes and Maia Reyes, this little boutique in Erica’s family home in Loyola Heights, Quezon City gives you what you need – from vintage-inspired mini-dresses to authentic vintage treasures. There are also over-sized sunnies, Nicole Richie style. Sourced from thrift shops from the W Down Under and Tagaytay ukay-ukays, expect a lot of wearable but quirky clothes, bags, and accessories to brighten up your day. Though much of the merchandise features one-of-a-kind designs, it’s the store’s offhandedly cool, inviting atmosphere that makes a visit so worthwhile. If you think you love vintage, you ain’t seen nothing yet. This Kid Wears Vintage is open from 10am to 9pm. Call +63927-814-2678 for an appointment, visit www.vintagekids.multiply.com or email kidlovesvintage@gmail.com
shop alerts
MICHAEL KORS
He’s known for being a tough judge in Project Runway and his designs bring jetset luxury to everyday life. Michael Kors has the perfect travel wardrobe of polished pieces, which all have that sexy American style, but with a sporty edge that combines romance and athleticism. Celebrity fans include Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Hilary Duff, Debra Messing, Elizabeth Hurley, Janet Jackson, Eva Longoria, Christie Brinkley and Mary Kate Olsen to name a few.
Always exciting, Michael Kors designs a wide range of luxury products through his Michael Kors Collection, KORS Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors labels, which include both women and men’s ready-to-wear, women’s accessories and a full line of fragrance and beauty products for women and men, all of which epitomize chic, sophisticated style. Michael Kors is now available at G/F Rockwell Power Plant Mall and is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists Inc.
DOSH WALLET
Give your beau a hip new wallet like Dosh. Designed and manufactured in Sydney, Australia, this unique blend of flexible and semi-flexible polymers creates a wallet that is durable, waterproof, stylish and packed with a clever features for a modern lifestyle. The patented design consists of areas for storage of credit cards, notes and coins and a unique integrated compartment for items including sim cards, keys and security cards. All of these features are packaged in a funky form, molded in a range of vivid contemporary colors.
Price: PHP2,250 (USD51)
Available at: For orders, text +63928-5055873 or email ida_gomez@ yahoo.com
SENNHEISER MX70 SPORT
Sports buffs and gym addicts will never let go of the Sennheiser MX70 Sport. These headphones are sweat- and water-resistant and deliver brilliant, detailed sound. The magnetic surfaces on the back of each MX70 earphone help you avoid the problem of loose, dangling earphones. When you’re not using them, you can simply magnetically “clip” them to one another around your neck. They’re perfect for creating your own dance party at the gym.
Price: PHP2,095 (USD47)
Available at: All electronic, music and Yupangco stores nationwide
APPLE I TOUCH
Apple’s iPod has undergone a serious makeover in the form of the iTouch. Its
3.5-inch display makes it look like the revolutionary iPhone, operated smoothly on the multi-touch interface so you can glide through albums with Cover Flow, flick through photos and enlarge them with a pinch, or zoom in and out on a section of web page. The iTouch also features a touchscreen QWERTY keyboard perfect for browsing the web in Safari, searching for videos on YouTube, finding music on the iTunes Wi-fi Music Store, or adding new contacts. What more could you ask for?
Price: 8GB PHP16,990 (USD384); 16GB PHP22,990 (USD520)
Available at: Power Mac centers and authorized Mac dealers nationwide.
Tried & Tested
My Favorite…
 SHU UEMURA’S GLOW-ON by Amina Aranaz-Alunan, entrepreneur/ model I love this blush because it gives me a natural pink glow and tricks people into thinking that I don’t have make-up on. |
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 SHU UEMURA CLEANSING OIL by Bianca Consunji, writer I can’t go anywhere without Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. At the end of a day, I make sure that all the grime is wiped off my face with a couple of generous pumps of the cleansing oil, which also has moisturizing properties. Since discovering it, I’ve stopped using cotton balls and make-up remover. |
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 MYRA HAND AND BODY LOTION by Patricia Dizon, media planner/ buyer Myra Hand and Body Lotion smells delicious and it’s very light on my skin. Plus, the great thing about it is that it’s easily absorbed so it’s not greasy at all. I also like the Vitamin E beads that noticeably pop as I spread them all over my body. |
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 OLD SPICE HIGH ENDURANCE ANTI-PERSPIRANT DEODORANT by Paul John Caña, assistant editor of Manual magazine I use Old Spice High Endurance Anti-Perspirant deodorant. Just like that credit card slogan, I make sure I never leave home without it. |
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to market
MAIDA C. PINEDA HAS YOUR WEEKEND EATING COVERED WITH THE FRESHEST MARKET FINDS IN MAKATI AND QUEZON CITY
SATURDAY SALCEDO MARKET
In a parking lot next to Salcedo Village, an oasis of life emerges every Saturday morning in the heart of Makati. It began three years ago with 27 vendors. Today there are more than 100 and the lot is always filled with a steady stream of customers and festive energy.
The market opens at 7am and runs until about 2pm, or when the vendors run out of stock. Come with a hearty appetite, and graze your way through the market for a heavy brunch.
There are countless choices, with some stand-outs. As you enter through the park, there’s La Cuisine Française where Frenchman Michele d’Orival mans the booth with a lavish spread of his wife’s creations. He has a 10-page menu with everything from ceviche (citrus-marinated seafood), quiche and paté to boeuf bourguignon and tarte tatin (French open apple-tart). With 24-hours notice the duo can create authentic French food for your party. Their most popular dishes are chicken à la tapenade (PHP270/US$6.20 per serving) and Provençal-style chicken (PHP370/US$8.70) roasted with an obscene amount of garlic cloves.
A few steps away is Maribel Van Hoven, a Filipina from Bais City, Negros Occidental. As a young girl, she snacked on budbud kabog, a sweet sticky millet rice snack wrapped in banana leaves made in her hometown. But moving to Manila, she found herself missing this symbol of home and, after much trial and error, she mastered recreating her hometown delicacy. She sticks to the real recipe, using the wholegrain millet crop grown in the remote parts of Negros Oriental and sourced directly from the communities. It’s rich in health benefits, containing vitamin B, fiber, protein, magnesium and potassium. Maribel wants to change the misconception that suman is lowly street food and make it a healthy Filipino snack. With flavors such as banana, champorado, purple rice, cassava, biko, tsokolate and langka (all PHP25/US$.50 piece) it’s so popular that her customers buy dozens and freeze it to take to relatives in the US.
Elsewhere, flamboyant Frenchman Chef Gilbert makes real French crêpes from PHP35 (US$0.80). His buckwheat galettes are equally delicious with various fillings such as egg, cheese, ham, vegetables and sausage (PHP55-130/US$1-3).
Meat-lovers should head to the tent of Mr and Mrs Dela Rosa. They were one of the first 27 tenants in Salcedo market and now the husband-and-wife team makes everything from honey-cured boneless ham and chicken ham to burger patties, longaniza (sausages), embotido (stuffed meat rolls) and other homemade meat products. It’s a joy to watch Mr Dela Rosa skilfully glazing the ham (PHP580/US$13 per kilo) with a blowtorch.
Salcedo is also a great source for hard-to-find herbs and nutty arugula leaves for salads, as well as bottled herbs and spices and local coffee from Gourmet Café in Cavite. It is also a favorite source for flowers and eucalyptus. Be sure to bring home a box of moist Vargas Kitchen Butter Cake (one mini butter loaf is PHP150/ US$3.40), sold by kitchen helpers clad in white uniforms.
SUNDAY MARKET AT LUNG CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES
Everything’s sold under the Lung Center’s white tents, from fresh fruit, vegetables, live fish and seafood, fresh meat and even live frogs! There are export overrun clothes, underwear, bags, Thai decorative crafts, curtains, pillowcases, plates, plants, flowers, and pets (including Koi carp, fighting fish, birds and special dog breeds with papers). A more pertinent question would be: what is not sold here?
For authentic Filipino food there’s nowhere better, with vendors coming from the whole country. Fruit vendors are from Nueva Ecija in the middle of Luzon and you must experience pancit habhab (PHP10/US$0.20), the signature noodles from Lucban, Quezon, traditionally eaten in the roadside from a banana leaf. The same vendor from Quezon sells bright red longanizang lucban (garlicky reddish pork sausages), pako (ferns) used in local salads and dried miki noodles.
There are hard-to-find products such as casuy (cashews) from Bataan, Malolos ensaymada (buns with cheese and salted eggs), tiny baliwag pandesal (soft egg pandesal), tamales (steamed ground rice delicacy with meat) from Pampanga and yacon (a crisp healthy tuberous root from the Andes). Countless enterprising moms sell their specialty dishes and delicacies like Sapin-Sapin (sweet colorful glutinous rice cakes), spicy laing (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk with chili) and Bicol Express (pork and chili peppers cooked in coconut milk). There are vendors with palayoks (claypots) filled with flat Tulingan fish from Batangas and of course, Filipino street food favorites such as balut (duck embryo) and taho (hot soya with tapioca and sugar syrup). Specialty foods you rarely see peddled include peppercorns from Batangas, pure Taba ng Talangka (crabfat), and chewy green pinipig (toasted rice).
Wear comfy shoes to navigate this mass of lanes, and look out for the pooches: it’s become practically a Sunday tradition for market shoppers to bring along their cute little dogs.
Open from 6am until noon on Sundays, Lung Center, Quezon City
new opening
Hong Kong
LIAN When you’re next in Hong Kong, check out some Vietnamese and Thai food, both under one roof, in Lian.
As well as tasty bites such as soft-shell crab rice paper rolls (HK$68/ PHP386/ US$8.70) and black-peppered beef cubes with rice vermicelli cake (HK$55/ PHP312/ US$7), they’re having a special offer on wines from around the world. For HK$188 (PHP1,067/ US$24) their ‘Wine Gala’ serves unlimited glasses of vino from either 6 to 8pm or 8 to 10pm and the menu changes regularly. It’s a great way to start your night.
Lian Shop 2004, podium level 2, ifc mall, Central, tel: +852 2521 1117
Singapore
MAJESTIC BAR Located right next door to his equally stylish New Majestic Hotel, Majestic Bar is the latest venture by entrepreneur hotelier Loh Lik Peng. It’s an atmospheric hideaway, with a fairytale-tree theme: the ground floor is like being among the roots and trunk, all dark brown wood, while a beautiful green glass ceiling display makes it seem as if you’re looking through the leaves. The second floor has you dangling in the branches, and on the third floor you’re looking out over a moonlit sky. There’s even a balcony for smokers. Cocktails with names such as “Hunk Martini” add another dimension…
New Majestic 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Road, tel: +65 6511 4700, www.newmajestichotel.com
Shanghai
LE PLATANE Staying with the international theme, renowned chef Justin Quek is introducing French cuisine to Shanghai in the shape of his newest restaurant, Le Platane. He’s already got restaurants in Singapore and Taipei and Le Plantane is located in the trendy Xintiandi district of Shanghai, in an old two-storey shophouse beside an ornamental lake. Quek’s signature French dishes with Asian influences are all on the menu, such as truffle-infused foie gras xiao long bao and roasted crackling suckling pig with spiced red wine. Perfect for a special holiday treat.
Le Platane 373 Huangpi South Road, near Xingye Road. Tel: +86 (21) 5383 2998, www.justinquek.com
Trend Watch
THIS FESTIVE SEASON, WHY NOT KEEP IT NICE AND COSY, SAYS ASHA MACAM. IT’S ALL IN THE TROUSERS, TUNICS AND TEXTURES…
TEXTURED ELEGANCE
Va-va volume returns with big collared jackets and ruffled blouses with a Victorian and neo-Renaissance look. Pair tops with streamlined pencil skirts for uptown girl chic, or wear with dark denim for post-modern, poetic polish.
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Clockwise from left: Marisa Tomei gets ruffled at the Toronto Film Festival; red halter top PHP1,395 (USD32), Karimadon at House of Laurel; Eva Mendes takes bedtime frou frou to the centre stage. |
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HIGHLAND FLING
British sartorial influence has always been smart and this tartan tailoring, inspired by Scotland, is an astute and timeless choice.
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Clockwise from right: Hermés does a willowy take on check; brown plaid high-waisted dress PHP1,500 (USD34.65) from Salsatrends covers two trends in one; striped coochi apron top, PHP750 (USD17.32), Irene’s Closet. |
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BACK TO THE 1960s
Tunics are a 1960s staple. They go well with pants and can also work as mini dresses when worn with gladiator sandals or high boots, for that Twiggy vibe. They’re ultra eye-popping in candy colors or psychedelic print, so go ahead – chuck the other trinkets aside.
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Clockwise from right: Eva Longoria glows in a lemon and white striped tunic dress with chunky 60sstyle accessories; cream sleeveless ruffled top, PHP380 (USD8.80), U.r.U Manila; blue zigzag print tunic dress (to order), Salsatrends. |
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PANT POWER
The perennial dependable classic, trousers inspire us with confidence, as well as comfort and sophistication. Their endless versatility makes them our finest fail-safe. To give pants an oh-so ladylike appeal, wear with cool cardigans on chilly occasions, or blousons and draped jerseys for day-to-evening functions.
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Clockwise from left: Nelly Furtado’s new blonde ’do glows golden amid her black sophistication; beige wide-leg pants PHP995 (USD23) from Karimadon; chic and subtle grey slacks, PHP998 also Karimadon. |
WHERE TO SHOP:
House of Laurel
6013 Villena Street, Corner Manalac Street, Poblacion, Makati City, tel (2) 895 5688;
(2) 899 9946; (2) 897 5063
Irene’s Closet
R2 Level, Archaeology Rockwell, Power Plant Mall, Makati City, tel (2) 896 1058, http://irenescloset.wordpress.com
Karimadon
3/F Robinsons Galleria, EDSA, Quezon City, tel (2) 632 9185
Salsatrends
tel (63917) 851 3184 or (63922) 689 4853, http://salsatrends.multiply.com
See by Chloé
G/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City
U.r.U Manila
email twin_blessings@yahoo.com, tel (2) 374 2154, (922) 571 7393
notes on a gypsy summer
AGNES PRIETO CELEBRATES SPIRITUAL HARMONY ON MOUNT BANAHAW
Since pre-Hispanic times, the waterfalls and streams of Mount Banahaw – 2,177 meters above sea level – have been deemed sacred by the shamans or babaylans. The ancient priests did not build temples, but worshipped the rocks, rivers and streams that continue to tend the spirit. The keepers of the mountain, known as pators, provided guides for pilgrims.
This belief in the mountain’s holiness has been validated over the centuries by travellers and seekers. Today it is part of a national park, declared off-limits to mountaineers, however it’s open to pilgrims for the spiritual trip and an increasing number of Filipinos come here to find fresh energy. For a wanderer like myself, it’s always worth revisiting and I even run a workshop there.
Located 50 miles from Manila, the entire mountain consists of 11,130 hectares of rich bio-diversity; and to top all this a new and undiscovered species of mouse-like mammal, Apomys camiguinensis, was discovered in April 2006 by a team from The Field Museum in Chicago, the Philippine National Museum, Utah Museum of Natural History, and Laksambuhay Conservation in the Philippines.
The mountain has over 200 so-called “power” sites, such as waterfalls, caves, streams, boulders and peaks; where the wildness and beauty are supposed to evoke inner stillness. Today, visits to the sites are structured to correspond with spiritual wellbeing. Tours take you through physical cleansing and inner purification to catharsis, peace and a connection to natural energies.
Santa Lucia and Jacob are the first two steps in the cleansing ritual. At Santa Lucia you walk down 270 steep steps (built by the women of Banahaw) to dip into clear, cool pools at the bottom of twin waterfalls. Then experience the powerful “male” waterfall washing away negative energies before gentle drops are trickled onto your face in the “female” waterfall. Lie on a flat boulder and feel the rush of water massage you or just allow the gentle currents to lull you to a stillpoint – a very deep meditative moment. These water rites elicit a sense of well-being and calm.
At first glance, Santong Jacob is just a narrow slit into darkness. You have to slither down the narrow incline lit only by flickering candles and, at the bottom, the guide helps you to plunge into a sulphuric pool which, legend says, connects to the seven lakes of the next city. Three dips and you emerge, hopefully sensing the release of toxic energies and stresses.
The third sacred site is Presintahan where you literally present yourself to the mountain – registration time after purification and rebirth. Next it’s Inang Awa to ask for the Mother’s mercies before hurdling Husgado (judgement): a thrilling experience in spelunking. Alongside the physical challenge of inching your way through a series of chambers guided only by candlelight, you start to review the moments in your life, and there is a real sense of victory when you emerge out of the darkness.
Other high-energy puestos (sites) are Kristallino Falls, a 30 meter waterfall and Suplina which refers to self-atonement or sacrifice. Here pilgrims lie prone on their stomachs on top of a rock-bed and allow their backs to be lashed by the falling, extra cold stream.
Another fascinating site is Salamin Bubog, a pond (or Glass Mirror) known for its delicious, invigorating waters, and the Pintong Lihim (Hidden Door), huge, moss-covered boulders marking two divergent paths, which open to reveal adventure and insight.
The ultimate destination is the Ilalim (crater) of this extinct volcano, 915 meters high where a 152 meter waterfall rewards the persistent.
Today’s tour guides integrate the inner and outer journeys, bridging the divide between the city and the mountain and linking corporate work life and holistic health. Josef Frank Regis is a management expert at Interself Empowerment who works on the “corporate healing” of business groups, government institutions and individuals through a series of team-bonding exercises, using trips to waterfalls and caves as tools for learning and insight. “Many powerful transformations have happened here”, Regis claims.
Along with a group of other therapists and counsellors, I run workshops on the “Sacred Feminine” to enable women to find the nurturing experiences of the mountain, as well as enjoy its mystique. Through our workshops, women are helped to find new goals and solidify their dreams.
Bibiano “Boy” Fajardo is a chemical engineer who was drawn to the mountain 20 years ago and has a home there. Through the friendship of hermits and psychics of the mountain, he uses his profession to bring the traditional healing arts into the mainstream. Athag, meaning offering, is the name of the workshops and the medicinal plant products he makes. His community seminars cover ancient healing, such as Hilot or medical massage and herbal remedies, which he also teaches to high-end spas. These now tie-in with the trendy focus on natural remedies and wellness Banahaw-style, which comes to us in the form of easy-to-drink teas and capsules.
Mount Banahaw manifests its power in many ways – the 17 religious sects and 60 cults based in its foothills attest to this. It’s been a witness to the inner journeys of Filipinos over the centuries.
How to get there
Fly to Manila on Cebu Pacific Air. Take a bus to San Pablo city, then a jeepney right up to Ciudad Mistica. By private car or taxi, take the South Super Highway until the exit for Batangas, when you reach San Pablo city, take a left towards Dolores town.
Banahaw Mountain Tours
PHP1,500 (USD34.26) per day per person for a group of over five. PHP2,500 (USD57.11) per day per person for a solo tour. Includes a guided tour of the major puestos with a pator, three meals and comfortable but spartan dorms at the Montelibano Compound; tel 0915 454 0111 or 0906 506 9130.
Sacred Feminine workshops
Riza Regis, tel 0917 825 4333.
Athag Workshops and Tea
“Boy” Fajardo, 2nd floor Jacinto Building, EDSA, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati, tel (02) 882 1562 or 0920 907 1145
Interself Empowerment
Frank Regis, Unit 8, 5th floor Metropolis Mall, Alabang, Muntinglupa, tel 809 0532 or 091 784 11111.
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