M AG A Z I N E F O R C E B U PAC I F I C

Cappuccinos on Khao San

THE SMART NEW FACE OF
BANGKOKS BACKPACKERS
MAGNET

JUNE 2015

RiRi-invented
THE MEGASTAR ON HER
BRAND NEW IMAGE AND STAYING IN
TUNE WITH HER ROOTS

Its full speed ahead in Cebu City,

navigating you to new horizons of opportunity.

INNOVATION SETS A STEADY COURSE

In the Southern Philippines premier city, Alveo Land transforms the urban
landscape with groundbreaking solutions for living and working well. Rising to
the crest of economic progress, Cebu opens countless possibilities for growth.
With a wealth of natural resources nurturing foremost local and multinational
companiesthe city anchors itself as the trade and tourism gateway of Visayas.
Alveo Land maximizes the potential of your investments, revealing the most coveted
residential and business addresses in the region. Forming dynamic communities
rooted in over 80 years of Ayala Land property development, Alveo Land charts new
territories magnifying a tradition of industry excellence in the Queen City of the South.

SEDONA PARC
Designer Parkside Living

SOLINEA
City Resort Living

BPI CEBU CORPORATE CENTER

Innovative Workscapes

VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS AT THE AYALA CENTER CEBU, 3/F THE TERRACES AND 3/F NEW WING.
CALL CEBU (6322) 417 7777 OR MANILA (632) 848 5100 OR VISIT WWW.ALVEOLAND.COM.PH
Co-developed with Cebu Holdings, Inc.
Sedona Parc HLURB TLS No. 0006 | Solinea HLURB LTS Tower One: 26253, Tower Two: 0020, Tower Three: 0037
BPI Cebu Corporate Center HLURB TLS No. 0040 | Rufino Hermann S. Gutierrez PRC REBL NO. 0004771

From the chief

A NEW
EAGLE HAS
LANDED
After months of careful planning and preparation, Im
very proud and pleased to announce Cebu Pacics
updated branding to guide the airline to the next stage
of its evolution.
Weve grown by leaps and bounds over the past
19 years, from our beginnings as the little airline that
could ying four aircraft to 24 airports across the
country to our current status as the Philippines
largest carrier, with over 2,200 ights each week to
62 domestic and international destinations.
Throughout our journey thus far, weve stayed true
to our multi-pronged mission: to y as many Filipinos
to as many destinations as possible, to take every
Juan as far as we can and to open up as many corners
of the Philippines as possible to those wishing to
experience our vibrant and diverse local cultures.
Our updated branding is designed to reect both the
growth of the airline and its game plan for the future.
As we continue to showcase the Philippines on the
global stage, our new logo is inspired by the shades
of the archipelago the lush green countryside, the
crystalline blue-green seas, the bright blue sky and
the brilliant yellow sun. Our eagle, whose image is

emblazoned on all our aircraft, is sleeker, ready to

take you farther.
Thats just the beginning. Consider it our rst step
to becoming Cebu Pacic 2.0: bigger, better and much
more innovative. And while you can expect our eet
to grow with the addition of more brand new aircraft,
our network to expand with the unveiling of more
destinations and our services to be even more in tune
with your travel needs, you can also expect the same
warm and fun-lled CEB experience.
Happy ying!

Lance Gokongwei
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ADVERTISING
SMILE is published on behalf of Cebu Pacic Air by Ink Publishing Pte Ltd 51 Changi Business
Park Central 2, The Signature #04-11A/12, Singapore 486066 tel: +65 6324 2386 fax: +65 6491
5261 www.ink-global.com www.cebusmile.com
MCI (P) 176/06/2014
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.

www.cebusmile.com

Group Publisher Mohan Gopal

Advertising Manager Bong Dy-Liacco
Senior Brand Manager Andrew Lugtu
Brand Managers Nastassja Lacsamana, Sheena Ong, Blessing Dizon
Commercial Director David Bloomeld
Tel: +65 6324 2386
Email: smile@ink-global.com

INK
Managing Director Hamish McDougall
Chief Finance Officer Jim Campbell
Chief Executives Michael Keating and Simon Leslie

Editors note

JUNE
PRIDE
HAPPY
FATHERS
DAY!
This month belongs to dads,
just as May was all about
moms. To all the fathers
out there, heres to endless
fulllment for you and the
people who look up to you.

Kat with dad Jose Jenny with dad

Ernesto

Ross with
daughter Emma

Me and my dad
Nicanor

It never feels like work when we head south to Davao City.

Thats mostly thanks to the laid-back vibe surrounding our
usual local hosts: young entrepreneurs who take pride in their
city and embrace the well-rounded lifestyle it affords them. Great food?
Check. Buzzy nightlife? Check. World-class hotels and resorts? Check.
Commercial centers and international ports? Check. Nearby beaches?
Big check. Our latest visit (page 52) gave us even more reasons to love
being in the land of durians, mangosteens and Mt Apo. If youve never been,
plan to visit in August so you can attend the annual Kadayawan Festival.
Its the biggest party of the year and celebrates, among other things,
natures bounty and the beauty of Davaos natural surrounds.
Mother Nature also comes into focus in another of this months
features. The wild ones (page 72) offers a sampling of some of the
rarest blooms found in Philippine forests. A number of these plants are
in danger of extinction unless something is done to curb overcollection
and the destruction of the forests they call home. If your inner naturalist
is urging you to pitch in, start by looking up the Philippine Native Plants
Conservation Society Inc (PNPCSI) on Facebook or reading up on the
NGOs work at rainforest.ph.
Also in this issue: a return to Bangkoks Khao San Road (page 62).
Once little more than a backpacking pit stop and a gateway to the rest of
Southeast Asia for footloose Western travelers, Khao San has evolved
to the point that its now an attraction in itself. Finally, still on the retro
theme, we chronicle a weekend cruise aboard an old-style paddle steamer
in Halong Bay (page 81). Not a bad idea for a mid-year mini-break.
Safe travels!

EDITORIAL
Editor Tara F.T. Sering
Art Director Marlon Espino
Deputy Editor Kat Z. Mateo
Sub-Editor Ross Wallace
Photo Editor Jenny Peas
Contributing Editors Maya O Calica,
Nikka Sarthou-Lainez (Trip Journal),
Charmaine Baylon
Production Manager Helen Uy Punzalan
Associate Design Director Terence Goh
Design Director - APAC Neil Smith
Chief Sub-Editor Jonathan Evans
Editorial Director Alexandra Karplus
Group Editorial Director
Andrew Humphreys

Marlon with
daughter
Monika

ARE WE
FRIENDS
YET?
We can promise

M AG A Z I N E F O R C E B U PAC I F I C

you a lot of benets

follow us on
Smile Magazine for
Cebu Pacic and
smilemag to get rst
dibs on promos and
updates on contests.

Cappuccinos on Khao San

THE SMART NEW FACE OF
BANGKOKS BACKPACKERS
MAGNET

www.cebusmile.com

THIS MONTHS
COVER

JUNE 2015

RiRi-invented
THE MEGASTAR ON HER
BRAND NEW IMAGE AND STAYING IN
TUNE WITH HER ROOTS

Photographer Jorem Catilo

Art Director Marlon Espino
Shoot Director Jenny Peas
Calligraphy Kitkat Maingat
Hair and Make-up Artist
Ren Bautista
Stylist Jof Sering
Model Michelle Yazvac
For fashion styling credits,
go to cebusmile.com

Our crew this issue

Some of the people behind

this month's features tell us
about the best gifts they ever
received from their dads

Jorem Catilo
Photographer
For this issue joined us on a road
trip around the Davao region to
capture the areas chilled-out vibe
At the moment is on another
blissful, out-of-town assignment
His dad may have seen him as a
future Ray Manzarek The best
gift I ever received from my dad
was a Casio VL-Tone keyboard.
Too bad I lost it!

Jonathan Evans

Ivan Sarenas

Writer
For this issue visited
Davao City for the rst time
after months of reading
about it and meeting up
with friends who wouldnt
stop talking about it
Up next? This month Im
venturing north to Malaysia
to explore the revitalized
city of Ipoh and the nearby
Cameron Highlands.
Best gift ever from dad
This miraculous pair of
headphones that block
out virtually every irritant
encountered on a ight,
including engine noise and
screaming infants.

Photographer
For this issue shared rare
photographs taken deep in
the interior of remote forests
Current project I just
formed the Philippine
Wilderness Land Trust with
other naturalists to purchase
and protect critical habitats in
the country.
Best gift from dad An air
rie for hunting, something
that Id like to deny. But it was
normal to have one when I
was growing up and it made
me go and be comfortable
in the great outdoors. These
days, the only shooting I do is
with a camera.

Ronald
Achacoso
Painter, art critic and
Sunday botanist
For this issue shared
a preview of his vast
wealth of knowledge on
Philippine ora
Up next? Theres
the constant juggling
act of painting,
writing, gardening and
immersing myself in
the wilderness. Each of
these passions feeds all
the others.
Favorite travel advice
from dad Travel light
and dont forget to bring
your Swiss Army knife.
6

www.cebusmile.com

Lester V Ledesma
Writer and photographer
For this issue checked out
how Bangkoks well-known
hive for backpackers has
changed over the years
At the moment Im
getting paid to explore my
favorite country.
Anything you want to
pass on to your kid?
When my daughter Leanne
is ready to go off and
explore the world, Im going
to hand her pictures of her
old man posing in whichever
country shes visiting. I want
her to take her own souvenir
pictures in the exact
same spots!

Photographer
Jorem Catilo makes
the most of the
morning light

Shooting the cover story

Team Smile makes it
to the beach just in
time for golden hour

A buttery checks out

Jorems shots

Were always at the mercy of the

weather when we shoot the cover
and the cover feature, especially in a
tropical country like the Philippines
where theres always a possibility of
rain. So when we got two gloriously
sunny days in the coastal town of
Mati, we went a little bit snap-crazy.
Its amazing what you can do in one
weekend by the beach a lot of
work that feels like play. Tara

A safety brieng from

the
pilot before takeoff

Jorem
and Jenny
squeeze
in a few
more shots
before
dinner

Early morning on
Dahican Beach

PARTY
PLACE
This month's
MVP is a house

Special treat: Nicky of

Hoy, Panga!
joins the shoot as tea
m chef

To shoot this months cover

and cover feature, the Smile
team took over Tropical
Kanakbai, two private
rental houses on Matis
Dahican Beach (see page
61 for details). Both houses
were built in the modern
Asian tropical style, with

spacious bedrooms, large

windows and second-oor
balconies. The big, openplan kitchen and dining area
were the main treat for us
meals were fresh from the
grill or the casserole dish,
and always a group effort.
Nice work, house.

www.cebusmile.com

Get dad
stylishly
decked out
with these
great gifts

This
month
in Smile

Leader of the pack

Thanks, dad

Learn how Bangkoks Khao San

Road has evolved from backpacker
ghetto to gentried hood

Check out our suggestions

for what to give dad on
Fathers Day
p31

p62

hong kong
p23

Seoul food
Follow a locals day-to-night
dining itinerary to stay fueled
up in the South Korean capital

p38

RIHANNA
TALKS ABOUT
HER NEW
MODELING
GIG AND
WHAT SHE
MISSES MOST
ABOUT
BARBADOS

10

www.cebusmile.com

Wait,
theres
more...

Southern comforts
Some wonderful reasons to visit the
region from city to sea

Delightful dwellings
Crash at one of these hip hostels
next time youre in Makati City
p19

p52

TRIP JOURNAL, p93

Heading for any of the
28 international or 34
Philippine destinations
on the Cebu Pacific
network? Get some
recommendations from
the locals.

AIRLINE NEWS, p135

p81

p72

Cruise mode in Halong Bay

The wild ones

Editor Tara FT Serings account of a weekend

sailing onboard a vintage-inspired boat

Learn more about 10 of the Philippines

most precious botanical gems

Read the latest news

from the airline and get
updates on destinations
and routes. Plus: find
out about the latest seat
promotions and score
great deals.

HUNGRY?, p140

The Rafflesia
schadenbergiana
11

www.cebusmile.com

Check out the onboard

menu for the latest foodand-beverage offerings.

the buzz

Father's Day
gift ideas, p. 31

THE LATEST NEWS, SOME COOL REVIEWS AND A FEW USEFUL TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE NETWORK

ITS GAME TIME

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

Athletes from 11 countries across the region are set to converge

on Singapore from June 5 to 16 for the 28th Southeast Asian
Games. With Celebrate the Extraordinary as its theme, this
years games will see over 4,700 athletes going head to head in
sports ranging from archery to wushu. Competitions will be held
at venues across the island. For detailed information on events,
schedules and ticketing, visit seagames2015.com, and follow
@seagames2015 on Twitter and Facebook.

This month's other exciting

events on the next page >

13

www.cebusmile.com

WOOHOO
fascinating
festivals

Junes
charms

Be a part of age-old
traditions and get in
on all the action and
excitement of this
months top events
across the region

Bali

Osaka

Hong Kong

UBUD FOOD
FESTIVAL
JUNE 5-7
Indonesian cuisine, culture
and celebrity chefs whats
not to love about this
event? With more than 40
big names from Bali and
elsewhere lined up for its
inaugural edition, the festival
promises to be a foodlled weekend of cooking
demos, workshops and tours.
ubudfoodfestival.com

OTAUE RICE PLANTING

FESTIVAL
JUNE 14
What began as a simple
ritual has become a grand
celebration held in anticipation
of a bountiful harvest. At
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, a
taue (rice-planting) ceremony
is followed by dance
performances by women
in braided, ower-adorned
hats and a parade of samurai
warriors. jnto.go.jp

DRAGON BOAT
FESTIVAL
JUNE 20
Every year, this muchawaited event (known
in Cantonese as Tuen
Ng) attracts attendees
from across the globe for
several days of merrymaking, beer-drinking
and boat races at Stanley,
Aberdeen Fishing Village
and other locations.
discoverhongkong.com

WHEELS OF
CHANGE

Celebrate Philippine
Independence Day by
joining the Freedom Ride
a cycling event held every
June 12 in Iloilo City. The
Freedom Ride, now in its
third year, is free of charge

and open to all cyclists

who want to do it for love
of country and national
pride. Participants typically
attach small ags to their
helmets and bikes, and wear
patriotic garb or shirts in

14

www.cebusmile.com

VIVID SYDNEY
UNTIL JUNE 8
Check out the massive
light installations and
musical performances
during this annual
extravaganza. The
citys skyline and bestknown landmarks,
including the Sydney
Opera House, are
dazzlingly illuminated
nightly from 6pm until
midnight. Download
the map at
vividsydney.com.

the colors of the ag. Why

biking? The organizers look
at it as another form of
independence, if you will,
from vehicle pollution and
traffic. Visit facebook.com/
IloIloCityGov for updates.

TEXT BY APPLE TAN; PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES (OSAKA), DANIEL BOUD (SYDNEY)

Sydney

yahoo

must-see events

music to your ears

Sing and dance to your favorite tunes in

concerts and musicals happening this month

Singapore

THE ULTIMATE
TRIBUTE TO
MICHAELJACKSON
JUNE 56
This grand-scale
production covers the King
of Pops major hits and
performances, from his
early days as a member of
the Jackson 5 in the 60s
to the period right before
his untimely death in 2009.
Key highlights include songs
from his iconic 1982 album
Thriller. sistic.com.sg

NOW
SHOWING
Relax, see a movie

Seoul

Across the
network

ULTRA KOREA 2015

JUNE 1213
This years event is expected
to attract more than 100,000
people. The line-up includes
Alesso (above), David Guetta,
Skrillex and Snoop Dogg.
umfkorea.com

IDINA MENZEL:
WORLD TOUR 2015
JUNE 17
Watch the Tony award winner
and Let It Go singer perform
in Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo and
Manila. idinamenzel.com

JURASSIC WORLD
JUNE 10
A genetically modied dinosaur
meant to boost ticket sales
wreaks havoc in Jurassic World.

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3
JUNE 5
Get spooked by the prequel
and third installment of this
horror-lm franchise.

16

www.cebusmile.com

Macau

Hong Kong

DISNEYS BEAUTY
AND THE BEAST
JUNE 13JULY 26
Head to the Venetian Macao
and catch beloved characters
Belle, Beast, Cogsworth and
Lumiere in a tale as old as
time.cotaiticketing.com

DAVID GUETTA:
LISTEN TOUR HONG
KONG 2015
JUNE 14
The French DJ hits town to
celebrate the release of his
sixth studio album, Listen.
hkticketing.com/eng

INSIDE OUT
JUNE 24
Go inside a young girls mind
and meet her emotions in this
hilarious animated feature.

TEXT BY CHARMAINE BAYLON; PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL MUSIC SINGAPORE (ALESSO);

AMY BOYLE (DISNEYS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST); ELLEN VON UNWERTH (DAVID GUETTA)

aahhh

places to chill

Delightful dwellings

Check in to one of these hip hostels the next

time youre in Makati City
LOKAL HOSTEL
Walking into Lokal Hostel is
like attending a private viewing
of homegrown art. The duo
behind this artsy lodging, Don
Bautista and Andrew Licaros,
is serious about exposing their
guests to Philippine culture,
with art as the entry point. The
walls at the hotel feature Pinoythemed murals by Ang Gerilya.
You can choose to stay in an airconditioned private or dormtype room, or in a fan-cooled
room. Rates start at PHP500.
3/F, 5023 P Burgos St, Brgy
Poblacion; lokalhostel.com

Z HOSTEL
If you think luxury hostel
the new class of multi-bed
dorm is an oxymoron, you
need to stay at Z Hostel. The
rooms here boast amenities you
wont typically nd at a hostel,
including en-suite bathrooms
and key-card access.
Include Z Hostels Sunday
Slowdown in your itinerary. Its
a weekly sunset-cocktail session
where guests can mix with the
locals and maybe even get
some inside information on
the city. Rates start at PHP545.
5660 Don Pedro St; zhostel.com

THE JEEPNEY
HOUSE
One outstanding feature of
The Jeepney House is its fully
equipped kitchenette. If you
feel you need assistance or
someone to cook for you, just
approach a staff member to
make arrangements. Aside from
affordable accommodations,
The Jeepney House also offers
unique Metro Manila tours. Rates
start at PHP475. 5953 Enriquez St
(Cnr Fermina St), Brgy Poblacion;
thejeepneyhouse.com

TEXT BY MAE YOUNG

The view from

Z Hostel's rooftop

19

www.cebusmile.com

weeee

digs we love

a Suite
spot

With its cool climate,

strawberry elds and pine
tree-scented air, Baguio is
deserving of its billing as the
Philippines summer capital.
Sure, its a bustling metropolis
but its also home to the rich
culture of the Ifugao and a
host of quaint 19th-century
heritage-homes-turneddelightful-restaurants,
charming bookstores and
quirky museums. When in
town, check into the Microtel
Inn & Suites by Wyndham
and youll be at the center of
all of Baguios wonders.
NO CAR? NO
PROBLEM!
Escaping to Baguio from
Manila is as simple as
boarding a bus. Conveniently
located right next to the
Victory Liner bus terminal,
Microtel Inn & Suites is linked
to it by a short walkway.
Whats more, youll love
how close the hotel is to
Baguio Citys major points
of interest. Browse for rare
titles at Mt Cloud Bookshop,
wander around the lush

Stay cozy
in your
room at
Microtel
Baguio
THE COMFORTS OF
HOME AND MORE
Is it business, pleasure or both
that youre in town for? Microtel
Inn & Suites Baguio has what it
takes to ensure a comfortable
stay. For corporate gettogethers, the function rooms
here are just the thing. You can
also wine and dine colleagues
or spend time with family
and friends while enjoying
margaritas, mojitos and
sumptuous Spanish cuisine at
Te Quiero Tapas Bar. Thanks to
free Wi-Fi and unlimited coffee
in the lobby, its a snap to do
last-minute tweaks on that allimportant presentation on your
laptop. When night falls, retreat
to your spacious room (rooms
range in size from 25 to 30m2)
where a chiropractor-approved,
queen-size bed awaits.

campus of UP Baguio and

take in awesome views of
old copper mines at Mines
View Park. Go boating or
cycling in Burnham Park and
experience the hustle and
bustle of Session Road.
ASK AND YOU SHALL
RECEIVE
Given that its staff is trained
to international Wyndham
Hotel Group standards,
guests can expect nothing
less than the very best,
most professional level of
service. Need a restaurant
recommendation or keen
to embark on a day tour
to La Trinidad to pick fresh
strawberries? The team at
Microtel Inn & Suites Baguio
will gladly help meet your
needs.

FOR ROOM AVAILABILITY AND

RATES, HEAD TO WWW.MICROTELBAGUIO.COM
20

www.cebusmile.com

UP THE
ANTE
Get closer to nature
(and the clouds!) at
Mt Pulag the third
highest peak in the
Philippines. From
Baguio City, charter
a jeepney for the
three-hour trip to the
Mt Pulag National
Park Protected Area
Office in Ambangeg.
Once there, youll
need to register and
attend an orientation
session. After that,
take a habal-habal or
charter a jeepney to
the Ranger Station,
where you can secure
a guide and start your
trek. The Ambangeg
Trail is recommended
for beginners. If
youll be coming in
from Manila, sign up
at Trail Adventours
(trailadventours.
com). You can take
part in scheduled
hikes on June 6 to 7 or
July 4 to 5.

MAIN TEXT BY MAYA CALICA COLLINS

A prime location, a
fabulous bed and all
the right amenities
make Microtel Inn
& Suites a choice
place to stay when
visiting Baguio City

 2015 Accenture. All rights reserved.

omnom
nom
let's eat!

Seoul food

Food writer Daniel Gray tips us

off on the South Korean capitals
best dining spots, whether
youre meal-hunting at dawn
or midnight

7AM

For a quick breakfast, grab a rice

roll and pair it with hot ramen at any
Kimbap Cheonguk or Kimbap Nara.
These chains have outlets at most
subway stations. If you prefer to
get your day off to a leisurely start,
head to the famed Hadongkwan
(10-4 Myeong-dong 1-ga, Jung-gu;
hadongkwan.com). This restaurant,
which has been around for over 70
years, serves traditional gomtang a
rich beef broth with rice, slivers of
beef and green onions.

What to eat for lunch and

dinner? See the next page >

23

www.cebusmile.com

omnom
nom
10.30AM: If a cup o joe is
what youre after, head to
Anthracite Coffee Roasters
(357-6 Hapjeong-dong,
Mapo-gu). Anthracites buttery
espressos and hand-drip coffees
are among the best in Seoul.

NOON: While in Korea,

dont miss the chance to
enjoy samgyetang, a healthy
and delicious chicken-andginseng soup. Goryeo
Samgyetang(55-3 Seosomundong, Jung-gu) is a local
favorite. The broth is clear,
the chicken meat is so tender
that it falls apart as soon as
you touch it and the ginseng is
high grade. You might even be
tempted to make a return trip
to try the fried chicken, which
ranks with the best in the city.

7PM: Feasting on Korean

barbecue is a must. Tong
Dwegi Jip (17-1 Donhuidong, Jongno-gu), located
in an alley near Jongno 3-ga
Subway Station, Exit 6, is
about as authentic as it gets.
This tiny place has an oldtime feel to it. The service
is curt and the pork menu is
simple. Pork jowl (cheeks)
and pork neck are available
but the specialty here is
pork belly good, thick
cuts seared on gas griddles.
A tip: Put jackets and purses
in the plastic bags provided
or youll smell like barbecue
all night.

9PM: Cap off your day

by going for chimaek, a
short-hand expression
derived from the words
chicken and maekju
the latter meaning beer
in Korean. My go-to spot
is Reggae Chicken (3179 Sangsu-dong, Mapogu). Its fried chicken is
crispy and avorful, and
the dipping sauces make
it even yummier. There
are plenty of beers to
choose from, too.

Jongno 3-ga. Its home to

rows of tent restaurants that
serve local favorites such as
pan-fried chicken gizzards,
chicken feet, fried squid,
spicy ramen, eel and more.
Theres plenty of soju and
beer and youre welcome to
linger until the sun comes
up. Youre almost sure to
have plenty of company.

MIDNIGHT:If youve
watched a Korean TV
drama, youre probably
familiar with Koreas tent
restaurants. To see one
for yourself, head to

DANIEL GRAY BLOGS AT SEOULEATS.COM

AND ORGANIZES LUXURY FOOD TOURS IN
SEOUL. HE SHOWED CELEBRITY CHEF AND
TV PERSONALITY ANTHONY BOURDAIN
AROUND WHEN HE VISITED SEOUL.

3PM
If its snack time, head to Myeongdong
for some street food. Enjoy giant, spiralcut, friedpotatoes on a stick; doughy
pancakes known as hotteok (right) with
a lling made of brown sugar, honey and
cinnamon; and dried or grilled octopus.
Wash it all down with a cup of freshly
squeezed pomegranate juice.

25

www.cebusmile.com

YEY!

it's shopping
time

homegrown beauty

Weve rounded up ve fancy and effective

products from these Filipino brands to
use and stash in your kikay kit

MAGIC BRUSH
Charm Essentials, a go-to brand of beauty
bloggers, has been creating affordable,
high-quality makeup brushes since 2007. The
Retractable Flat Top Brush works perfectly
with powder or creams and is designed to
allow users to apply product evenly (with no
streaks!). PHP600; zalora.com.ph

S
BOLD BROW
-butick
th
e
It seems th
nd is
tre
w
ro
-b
groomed
sh
t aping
here to stay. Star
the quad
g
in
your brows us
metics
os
C
no
Fanny Serra
t,
Ki
er
wd
Po
w
Eyebro
become a
y
el
lat
s
ha
ich
wh
ty-related
hot topic of beau
P350;
PH
.
ns
conversatio
tment
Landmark Depar
Stores

MOCHA KISSES
For ladies with a golden
complexion, a coat (or two) of
creamy, pinkish-nude hue on
the lips is enough to achieve
a natural pop of color. Try
Snoe Beauty Rouge Deluxe
Lipstick in Mocha Madness. It
contains argan and sunower
oil to hydrate dry lips. PHP399;
snoebeauty.shopinas.com and
SM Beauty Stores

ROSY FLUSH
Because it effortlessly atters the
Filipinas skin tone, Her/Bench Pretty
When Pinched Blush Gel has stayed
popular for nearly a decade. Blend a
tiny pinch of it on the apples of the
cheeks for a tinge of healthy pink.
PHP128; Bench stores

26

www.cebusmile.com

TEXT BY APPLE TAN; PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES (MICHELLE PHAN)

CLEAN UP NICELY
At the end of the day, be sure
to take off all your makeup
to allow your skin to breathe.
Human Nature 100% Natural
Cleansing Oil has sunower
oil to remove even the most
stubborn makeup effectively
without drying your skin or
clogging your pores. PHP295;
humanheartnature.com

LEARN FROM
AN EXPERT
If you havent got a clue
about makeup but are
excited to learn, check out
Michelle Phans YouTube
channel and join her 7.6
million subscribers. See
her Beauty Basics playlist
for tutorials on applying
foundation and concealer,
creating the perfect red lips
and more. youtube.com/
michellephan

This will
moisturize
your skin,
too

BooM!
manly gifts

Thanks, Dad

Hip gift ideas for that

special man in your life

MUSIC TO HIS EARS

Whether hes on the plane
or on the train, these noisecanceling headphones will
let dad listen to his music in
peace. Sony MDR-ZX770BN
Digital Noise Cancelling
Bluetooth Headphones,
S$249 at Sony Stores, Sony
Centers and authorized
retailers; sony.com.sg

ART TO HEART
Discover art with dad through
the Artifact iPhone app. This
Philippine art guide lets you
browse through current and
upcoming art shows, which you
can add to your calendar and share
on social media. And with its map
integration feature, you can easily
plan trips to galleries across Metro
Manila (for now). If an artwork
catches your fancy, you can even
inquire about its availability with a
tap of a button. Download Artifact
for free from the App Store.

KEYS TO HIS
HEART
Give dad this metal and
leather key fob and he wont
lose his keys again. MasterPiece Equipment Key Fob,
US$50; eastdane.com

FLY GUY
A pair of aviator sunglasses
with gradient lenses is sure to
up dads cool factor. Ray-Ban
Aviator Large Frame Gradient
Sunglasses, S$330 at zalora.sg;
ray-ban.com

TEXT BY KAT MATEO

HAPPY FEET
Inject some color into dads
wardrobe with this groovy set
of socks. Happy Socks Filled
Optic Gift Pack, PHP2,190
at dreamlablifestyle.com;
happysocks.com

31

www.cebusmile.com

AHEAD OF THE PACK

A spacious and robust duffel bag will hold all
dads stuff, whether its for an overnight staycation
or a weekend getaway. Nixon Holdem Duffel Bag,
US$150 at eastdane.com; nixon.com

oohlala
rainy day
essentials

TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE

Rain isnt an excuse for tardiness.
Stay on schedule with a waterresistant watch like this eyecatching model from Timex.
lazada.com.ph

just add water

Chase the rainy-day blues

away with stylish gear and
accessories

PETAL POWER
Stay warm indoors
and out with this cozy
oral LZD sweater.
lazada.com.ph

CITY SLICKER
This raincoat by Trenchd
will keep your outt from
getting drenched.
zalora.com.ph

BETTER THAN LEATHER

Brave the storm in these washable,
waterproof, odor-resistant shoes by
Native. nativeshoes.com

RAIN OR
SHINE?
These smartphone
weather apps will
help you dress
appropriately

WEATHERLAH
shows the latest
weather forecast
in Singapore.
One feature we love is
Crowdcast, which shows
what people are saying
about the weather in specic
locations across the island.
Available at the App Store

MYOBSERVATORY
offers
locationspecic rainfall forecasts,
temperatures and winddirection information in
Hong Kong. Available at
the App Store and Google
Play

32

www.cebusmile.com

RUBBER SOLE
Protect your feet with
a pair of Rocksh
rainboots from the John
and Frankie store.
lazada.com.ph

DOST PROJECT
NOAH provides
helpful information
on weather in
the Philippines from the
probability of rain to typhoon
forecasts. It also shows images
from satellites and Doppler
radars. Available at the App
Store and Google Play

ITEMS SELECTED BY DONNA CUNA PITA

STURDY BROLLY
This Tokio dome-shaped
transparent umbrella will keep
you dry without blocking your
view. lazada.com.ph

oooh

interesting
reads

THE PHILIPPINES
FOR BEGINNERS

These recommendations from book

historian and librarian Dr Vernon R Totanes
are sure to add to your knowledge
of the nation
2
3

Learn Tagalog
the fun way
ALAMAT NG
AMPALAYA
BY AUGIE RIVERA
The song Bahay Kubo
enumerates the many
vegetables grown in
neighborhood gardens
with one exception
ampalaya (bitter gourd).
The omission inspired
this childrens book. The
Tagalog and English texts
are sure to prove useful for
those aiming to study one
or both languages.

Get to know a
national hero
RIZAL WITHOUT
THE OVERCOAT
BY AMBETH R
OCAMPO
Jose Rizal, considered
the national hero of the
Philippines, was more
man than Superman. This
book uses humor and
interesting trivia to (re)
introduce Rizal as a mere
mortal who loved women,
was stingy with money
and liked to eat tuyo for
breakfast.

Be one with
the locals
PACIFIC RIMS:
BEERMEN BALLIN
IN FLIP-FLOPS AND
THE PHILIPPINES
UNLIKELY LOVE
AFFAIR WITH
BASKETBALL
BY RAFE
BARTHOLOMEW
Ever wondered why Filipinos
most of whom arent that
tall love basketball? Find
the answer in this book, which
the author has described as his
love letter to the Philippines.

Appreciate the
nations cuisine
MEMORIES OF
PHILIPPINE
KITCHENS
BY AMY BESA AND
ROMY DOROTAN
Learn how to cook
lumpiang Shanghai,
adobo and kinilaw and
get better acquainted
with the origins of
Philippine cuisine with
this cookbook by the
duo behind Purple Yam.
It features stunning
photographs, too.

DR VERNON R TOTANES, LICENSED LIBRARIAN AND BOOK HISTORIAN, IS THE DIRECTOR

OF THE RIZAL LIBRARY, ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY. HE BLOGS AT FILIPINOLIBRARIAN.
BLOGSPOT.COM
34

www.cebusmile.com

THESE AWESOME PEOPLE REALLY KNOW THEIR STUFF HEAR IT STRAIGHT FROM THEM

FIT FOR
STARDOM

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

Rihanna loves her mac and cheese

but she has started getting back
into working out and eating
cleaner. I hate vegetables but Im
learning how to incorporate them
one by one into my diet and drown
them with other things. Im getting
back to my training as well. Now
that its album-and-video time, its
time to get t, get tight, says the
pop megastar.

Turn the page for more

from Rihanna >

37

www.cebusmile.com

HOT
TOPIC

chatfest with
Hollywood stars

Best face
forward

With a new album in

the works and a highprole endorsement
deal with Dior,
Rihannas star is
shining brighter
than diamonds.
By Ruben V Nepales

BY RUBEN V. NEPALES; PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES

Rihanna arrived fashionably

late for our interview at the
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
in New York but when she
strode into the room at long
last sporting an all-white
ensemble, a trail of sparkling
little diamonds on her right
ear she looked stunning
and exuded 24-carat charm.
Needless to say, all was
immediately forgiven. Barbados
biggest musical export easily
trumped the magnicent 36thoor view of Central Park and
Manhattans skyline.
The singers personal-life
tidbits and style choices often
land her in the spotlight (if
youve not seen that sheer,
Swarovski-studded dress
she wore at last years Vogue
CFDA Awards, youre missing
out) and sometimes eclipse
the fact that shes among her
generations most accomplished
artists. Rihannas 2007 album
Good Girl Gone Bad launched
her to full-edged global
stardom and in the years since,
a whopping eight Grammy
Awards have found a home in
38

www.cebusmile.com

Rihanna performs at The Inaugural

Diamond Ball which she co-presented
with The Clara Lionel Foundation

from home. Its a part of me. I

always go back home.
What do you miss about
Barbados?
Flying sh. Thats the one
thing I have to get from home.
That and pepper sauce, Bajan
seasoning, sh cakes, little
snacks like chips and chocolate.
Im always having my friends
bring tons of those when they
come over.

her trophy case. Beyond

that, two years ago she
was named to Time
magazines list of 100
Most Inuential People.
Fellow artists recognize
Rihannas talent and star
power her recent single
FourFiveSeconds, a
collaboration with Paul
McCartney and Kanye
West, shot to number 1
in the US and elsewhere.
Anticipation is high for her
eighth studio album, which
is due out later this year.
Named in March as the
new face of French fashion
house Dior joining the
likes of Jennifer Lawrence,
Marion Cotillard and
Charlize Theron Rihanna
had good reason to be in
high spirits when she sat
down with us for a chat.
How does it feel to
be the rst black
spokesperson for Dior?
Dior is class, timelessness,
beauty and elegance. So, to
be acknowledged by them,
I feel very special. Not just

Whatever outlet I can find

that I love and can be creative
in, I hone in on it whether its
designing, music or animation
from a really small island.
When I was younger, in
Barbados, I watched videos
and read magazines about
singers. I obsessed over and
listened to Mariah Carey,
Celine Dion, Whitney
Houston and Destinys Child.
Those were the big voices
I listened to, among other
things like reggae and hiphop. I wanted to sing and be
heard all over the world.

as a woman of color. I think

thats brilliant, as well.
What was it like to shoot
at the Palace of Versailles
for the Dior campaign?
It was incredible so much
history there. Just to be there
lying on the couch, looking
at the beautiful paintings on
the ceiling. It was so surreal.
I had to tell everybody in the
room, Were lying down in
the house right now do
you know that? (Laughs) It
was awesome.

How much of Barbados is

still in you?
Everything school,
home, culture theres that
foundation built over 16 years
before I moved to America.
Ive always stayed close to
my family, friends and people

Did you ever imagine

that you would attain this
much success around the
world?
I believed it so much that
it happened. It was so far
from even being possible. In
hindsight, I realize that was a
really big dream for a little girl

To what do you credit your

success?
When I moved to America, I
was very ambitious. I still am.
Whatever outlet I can nd that
I love and can be creative in,
I hone in on it whether its
designing, music or animation.
As the years went on, my
ambition was also joined
by rebellion.
And who was it that
inspired all this ambition?
I was very blessed to be born
into my family. My mother and
grandmother are both very
strong women. I was lucky to
have them in my life. Im really
inspired by strong women. I
think women are way stronger
than they know. Weve come
this far. Theres so much farther
we can go. Its all about giving,
caring and loving each other.
Whats the biggest
misconception about you?
Theres a very big
misconception about what I
do when Im at home. I just
watch TV and lie on the couch.
Im so boring. But outside,
Im spontaneous. I love to do
things go out, see things,
travel. The world has so much
to offer that theres never
enough time.

RIHANNA IS THE YOUNGEST SOLO ARTIST

TO HAVE 13 NUMBER 1 SINGLES ON THE
BILLBOARD HOT 100.

39

www.cebusmile.com

WANDER
LUST
travel like a pro

Keong Saik Road,

Singapore

Hong Kong

A shot for
the Sunnies
lookbook

At the Museum of
Contemporar y Art
in Sydney

Stockholm

Elephant love
in Thailand

With friends at the

Paoay Sand Dunes

Hokkaido,
Japan

Disneyland,
California

Top traveler

To be honest, the rst day

of shooting was one of the
scariest things ever, especially
the rst elimination. But I
was working with an amazing
team, from the judging panel
to production and most
importantly, the girls. As soon
as I saw them, I knew it was
so much more than what was
being lmed.
To think she also runs her

When it comes to globetrotting,

Georgina Wilson is game for anything
Shes a VJ, model, designer
and entrepreneur. But why
stop there when she can
do more? Georgina Wilson
added another feather to
her cap and is richer for
the experience when

she became the new host

of Asias Next Top Model,
Season 3.
I never know whats going
to happen during my day. I
love it its madness, she
says of her busy schedule.
41

www.cebusmile.com

own company, eyewear line

Sunnies Studios, with three
fellow partners (Were actually
available on the ight youre in
right now just ask the lovely
stewardess) and just launched
her rst book, Bestie, with

Can't get enough of Ms Wilson?

Turn the page for more >

WANDER
LUST

Ski fun in
Hokkaido

With Asias Next Top Model judges

Alex Perry and Joey Mead-King

Levitating in Osaka

Traveling is
everything; I live
to travel... From
Ilocos to Iceland, I
love it all
Working it for
Asias Next Top
Model

Playing dress-up in
Ilocos Norte

Amsterdam

actress, singer and TV host,

Solenn Heussaff.
Life is hectic but Georgina
still sets aside time to travel.
Traveling is everything;
I live to travel. I love any
destination, be it new or old.
From Ilocos to Iceland, I love
it all, she says. Traveling is
the only thing you can buy
that will make you richer.
My ultimate dream is to visit

every single city in the world.

And she can be quite exible
about it. Contrary to popular
belief, I dont mind getting down
and dirty, she says. I love getting
really cheap ights and great
travel deals. I love exploring
cosmopolitan cities but you
can put me in the middle of the
countryside; Id be happy, too.
As long as Im traveling and
exploring, Im happy.

Brunching in
Australia

GEORGINAS TIPS

Travel with great friends

Eat local and meet the locals
Avoid tour guides
Research and plan, but leave room for
spontaneous decisions
Check the weather
Bring a good camera
Get lost at least once

42

www.cebusmile.com

TEXT AND INTERVIEW BY CHARMAINE BAYLON

Shopping on Orchard
Road in Singapore

in THE
PARK...

with Manix Abrera

Comics
connection

Sure, Kikomachine
artist and author
Manix Abrera wants
to get you laughing
but he also wants to
make you think

His comic strips make people

laugh and think, or at the very
least admit that they can relate
to the situations he captures in
pen and ink. And Manix Abrera
is happy to hear it.
The 33-year-old musician,
comic book author and artist
is the man behind the popular
Kikomachine in the Philippine
Daily Inquirer, which has been
compiled and turned into
bestselling comic books, and
News Hardcore on the GMA
News website. Those who y
Cebu Pacic will be familiar
with his strip Travel Hardcore,
which tackles the world of
travel, passenger behavior and
life in the skies. It appears on
the last page of every issue of
Smile. Manix also released 14,
a wordless graphic novel, last
year and launched Kikomachine
#11: Mga Kirot ng Kapalaran!
two months ago.
In Kikomachine, Manix
highlights local quirks and
puts a comedic, Pinoy twist
on everyday situations and
conversations. In News
Hardcore, he takes a
humorous look at life as
its experienced by media
professionals in the office
and in the eld.
If you think Manix is funny,
earnest and truthful in his
comics, youll be glad to know

Once you decided to

pursue comics, what were
the challenges you faced?
The fact that my father is
Jess Abrera is challenging.
When I entered the College
of Fine Arts at the University
of the Philippines, everyone
including my professors
knew me as Jesss son so
the pressure was intense. But
when I joined the Philippine
Collegian [the university
paper], I found my voice. It
was also through the paper
that I was able to make
comics for a large audience.
Then when I started doing
Kikomachine for the
Inquirer, I had a hard time
coming up with daily comic
strips. I learned how to
create and work regardless
of whether I was in the
mood or not because I had
deadlines to meet.

hes the same in real life.

For proof, look no further
than these highlights from
our recent joke- and laughlled interview with him.
Given that your dad is
cartoonist Jess Abrera,
comics and art are in
your blood. Was it an
easy or obvious choice
for you to go into the
same line of work?
I had wanted to be a
cartoonist ever since I
was a child because Papa
was my idol (laughs). I
knew I wanted to make
comics like him so it was
an easy choice for me.
I still remember sitting
beside him while he drew
and copying his style. But
hed always tell me that I
shouldnt copy him; that I
should create my own style.
45

www.cebusmile.com

Has your creative process

changed over the years?
My creative process hasnt
changed, except that now
I can make comics faster.
Mas sanay na ako (Im used
to it). Before I create my
strips, I go out, talk to other
people, observe and listen in
on strangers conversations
(laughs). Once I get an
idea, I add my own twist to
it before I actually sit down
and draw. I usually work
outdoors. Its more inspiring.
What else inspires you in
your work?
Im inspired by Pinoy culture
and beliefs. I also love
creating comics based on

More about Manix on

the next page >

in THE
park...

weird but real experiences.

For example, back at UP,
there was a hunyango (a
shape-shifting, supernatural
entity) who appears in the
College of Fine Arts. One
time, our professor entered
the classroom and just stared
at us. He didnt say anything
for hours. We learned the
following day that he had
actually called in sick the
previous day and wasnt at
school. We then realized that
it was the shapeshifter! It
people. To what extent
are these scenarios real
and drawn from your own
experiences?
Ive personally experienced
just a few. Most of them are
the real-life experiences of
journalists; I just exaggerate
and add twists. But there are
journalists who send me email
suggesting topics or sharing
their own experiences.

Thats spooky. What kind

of reactions do you get to
your strips? And do these
reactions match your
expectations?
I get mainly positive
reactions. There are those
who email me to say they
enjoy the strips and relate
to them. But of course,
there are also people who
dont get the jokes and
dont nd the strips funny
at all. Regardless of readers
reactions, my intention is to
just make them think.
Besides a sense of humor,
what are the other
essentials in your line of

Regardless of readers
reactions, my intention is to
just make them think
visuals and the content?
I still havent perfected it; Im
still learning. I keep in mind
that form and content should
complement each other. I get
feedback from my siblings
when Im not sure about
something. Theyre very
critical and honest. Theyll let
me know me if my comics
dont make sense.

work? And how would you

describe your brand of
humor?
Idont know how to describe
my humor (laughs). Some say
its irreverent, so maybe its
that. Aside from the humor,
another essential element
of my comics is the content.
It shouldnt just be funny; it
should have a message. My
father would always tell me
to keep form and content in
mind, and that the two must
be balanced.

News Hardcore depicts

funny, ironic but truthful
interactions among media

So how do you maintain a

good balance between the

Youve become a very

successful artist, with a
number of bestsellers to
your name. Have you given
any thought to moving in
a different direction with
your work?
Its just chance and luck
sometimes. Ive made graphic
novels that are very different
from Kikomachine, News
Hardcore or Travel Hardcore.
12 and 14 are collections of
short and weird stories in
comics form but theyre silent
there are no words.

TO SEE MORE OF MANIXS WORK, VISIT HIS

WEBSITE, MANIX-ABRERA.COM

46

www.cebusmile.com

INTERVIEW BY CHARMAINE BAYLON; PHOTOS BY ORANGE OMENGAN

was super weird but it really

happened and ended up in
one of my strips.

To what extent do you relate

to your own characters?
Nice question. Of all the comics
characters Ive created, I can say
that I can relate to 95% of them
in some way (laughs).

how to...
sleep anywhere

OFF to DREAMLAND

Get some sleep wherever you are

with these tips from frequent traveler
Amanda Kendle
tips will help you get the best
possible nights sleep when you
nd yourself at an airport, train
station or other unusual spot
without a blanket and pillow.

Red-eye or canceled ights,

missed buses or trains, or fully
booked hotels and hostels
can mean you end up without
a bed for the night. These

FIND A SPOT
Sleeping somewhere
unusual during your
travels is an adventure,
not an annoyance or
at least it works out
better if you think this
way. Some airports
have chairs resembling
poolside loungers
where you can stretch
out reasonably well.
Others have payto-enter lounges or
massage kiosks where
you can sneak in some

airports studies show you

get a better-quality snooze
when the lights are out.
Remember to set an alarm.
or sarong or even clothing
from your luggage (always
keep a light sweater in your
carry-on, even if youre headed
somewhere sunny), especially
if youre sleeping somewhere
heavily air-conditioned. You
can also use your backpack as
a pillow. Wear a sleep mask
to block out the glare of
uorescent lights typical of

shuteye. Traveling alone?

Make sure to curl up next
to people who are waiting
for the same plane or train
as you are. Eliminate the
creepy factor by offering
a smile or at least making
friends with them rst.
GET COMFORTABLE
Cover yourself with a towel
48

www.cebusmile.com

STAY SAFE
Keep your belongings as
close to you as possible (and
your passport and money
under your shirt). If you can,
padlock your stuff to the
furniture. In a public space
like an airport, nd a spot
thats visible to other people,
such as the area near a
service counter or shop.

features
WEVE GATHERED STORIES FROM ACROSS THE NETWORK TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT TRIP

PHOTO BY JENNY PEAS

TAKING FLIGHT
This month we throw the spotlight on a
couple of choice destinations in southeastern
Mindanao. The drive from Davao City in Davao
del Sur to Mati City in Davao Oriental takes
about three hours but between them, these two
places offer a complete city-to-sea experience.
Given Davaos enduring reputation as a laidback region that offers a great quality of life, its
growing popularity should come as no surprise.

More on chill-out spots

around the Davao Gulf >

51

www.cebusmile.com

DELIGHTFUL DAVAO

Southern
comforts
A growing number of Filipinos are trading in big-city living for
the eternal summer vibe of Davao. Jonathan Evans makes a longoverdue rst visit to nd out what the fuss is all about

hree times bigger than

Metro Manila, six times
the size of Cebu, one of
the largest metropolitan
areas not just in Asia
but in the world, the Philippines
fastest-growing city and, thanks to
a zero-tolerance approach to law
enforcement, the planets ninth safest
city as recently as 2014. Davao: to those

whove never visited Mindanao, the

regions premier city is perhaps better
known for its statistics and a certain
sterility than the avor of its streets.
It doesnt help that its remote
location in the countrys deep southeast makes it somewhat tricky to get to.
After landing in Manila, a newcomer
to the archipelago is more likely to hop
on a short ight bound for the idyllic
52

www.cebusmile.com

islands of Boracay and Bohol than

spend another two hours on a plane to
get from the capital to Davao City (that
said, stats show that Davao welcomed
two million tourists in 2014). To some
avowed city folk living in Metro Manila,
Davaos even something of a punchline.
Its backward and unsophisticated,
they say, a big city with a small-town
mindset and little buzz.

PHOTOS BY JOREM CATILO AND (CHURCH) JOJIE ALCANTARA.

ON MODEL: TOP BY RIVER ISLAND; SCARF BY COTTON ON;
ACCESSORIES BY JINGGOY SALVADOR.

DELIGHTFUL DAVAO

Yet for years Davao has been

heralded as the countrys most
liveable city, earning nicknames like
the Singapore of the Philippines.
And for all the brochure-ready
gures that have been trotted out to
support this claim, its the gushing
testimonials about the sense of
safety, the light traffic ow, the low
cost of living, the generally good air
quality, all that space of young
urbanites whove relocated from
Manila to Davao that truly piqued
my curiosity. So what makes this
enormous place tick? Ive journeyed
here to feast my eyes on the urban
sprawl laid out in the shadow of
Mount Apo, the real city that exists
beyond urban myth and regional
prejudice. In short, Ive come with the
intention of answering that question
for myself.

At rst glance
As I emerge from Francisco Bangoy
airport on a Thursday evening, Davao
seems strangely quiet, disconcertingly
orderly, almost un-Philippine. There
are no taxi touts in the spotless car
park; everythings in its proper place.
Tank-like SUVs, compact jeepneys
and trikes loaded with travelers purr
down the gentle gradient into town.
No motorbikes, no noise, no sleaze; a
ubiquitous calm prevails.
Ahead of my trip, Id imagined
the city as some kind of southern
re-creation of Metro Manilas Fort
Bonifacio, a quasi-American theme
park of consumer contentment, but it
feels signicantly older, or at least more
lived-in. Even so, it comes as a surprise
when I learn that the Apo View Hotel
on J Camus Street, built in 1948, is the
Philippines second-oldest hotel.
53

www.cebusmile.com

Another revelation is the scale of

the city proper. Metro Davaos wider
outskirts cover 244,000km2 you
can get a measure of its ridiculous
scale from Jacks Ridge, a WWII
bastion-turned-viewing point but its
possible to breeze through Davao City,
its business and commercial district,
in just minutes even with the sleepinducing 30kph speed limit in the
downtown area. Of all the compliments
paid to Davao by new residents, the
near-absence of traffic snarls is the
most frequently heard. Here the ow
of vehicles only grinds to a halt near

Clockwise from top left: a ne-feathered friend

at the Malagos Garden Resort in Calinan; an
outsize replica of Michelangelos David on the
baywalk; going bananas at Saging Repablik with
its all-banana menu; a boat to Talicud Island; at
Malagos buttery sanctuary. Facing page: San
Pedro Church

PHOTOS BY JOREM CATILO AND (LEGISLATIVE BUILDING) JOJIE ALCANTARA.

DELIGHTFUL DAVAO

roadblocks where police clamp down

on speeding drivers.
The oddly intimate geography of
the place helps account for the fact
that its many dimly lit alleyways, well
off the main drag, are packed with
alluring eateries. My guide takes me
to Belitos Vineyard, a cul-de-sac
charmer so secluded it feels as if Ive
been transported to a rustic village
deep in taga-bukid country. Yet its
rst class, both as an introduction to
the seafood-rich local cuisine (kinilaw
is particularly good here) and to the
warm hospitality of the Dabawenyos.
One thing you notice straight away
is the affordability of the food and
drinks here as compared to Manila or
Boracay. Likewise, commercial rents
are up to four times cheaper here for
start-ups, and private accommodations
are just as affordable. Neat freak that I
am, I clue in to yet another element of
Davaos magnetic appeal the moment
I exit the restaurant: the streets are

spotless. So much so that during

my four-day stay, I see exactly one
small pile of litter by the road. Its a
remarkably clean place, with recycling
bins distributed throughout the city
center and a citywide ban on outdoor
smoking except in designated areas.
I strike up a conversation with
frequent traveler Dan Andrews, a
native of the US state of Pennsylvania
who owns a manufacturing business
in California, holds business seminars
in Hong Kong and now calls Davao
home. I ask him what makes this city
the perfect base for him. Ive been
visiting Davao for over two years now
and I have many friends in the area for
business, he says. Davao is one of the
best places in the Philippines to hire,
and it was that, along with my love of
pick-up basketball, that brought me
here initially. Ive found that during
the times I needed to be based in the
Philippines, its the spot with the best
mix of things to do but still a slow pace
55

www.cebusmile.com

Clockwise from top: the Davao City Legislative

Building; signature products at Sea Green Caf; a
sampling of the cafs healthy brunch offerings; a
viewing deck at the Malagos Garden Resort

of life. Beyond that, theres the easy

access to nature and quiet.
Dans words returned to me that
night as I plugged in to my decidedly
First World-speed hotel Wi-Fi,
downloaded Google Maps and vowed
to take a break from the virtual world
the next day and step into something
signicantly more real.

Mountain to sea
Relax. Explore. Repeat. So says the
Tourism Promotions Boards slogan
for Davao, which appears in a video
picturing vast open spaces, glimmering
lakes and hike-friendly mountains.
Happy to do the tourist boards bidding,
at sun-up I head over to the lofty Eden
Nature Park & Resort, which is an
hour from town via the citys western

PHOTOS BY JOREM CATILO. ON MODEL: DRESS BY SUITE BLANCO.

DELIGHTFUL DAVAO

outskirts. The drive along MacArthur

Highway towards Mount Apo National
Park gradually reveals a verdant, very
different landscape. Setting aside the
occasional shack, for the most part
its a scene of comfortable rural living,
complete with plantations, makeshift
stalls and roadside homes. The sturdy
road leads up a giddy incline towards
Toril, a Japanese settlement dating
back to the early 20th century.
Figuratively and literally, Eden
works on many levels: its an undulating
patchwork of gardens, water features,
sports facilities, private cabins, a spa
and nature attractions, all connected
by walkways that provide a workout
and a welcome blast of mountain air.
The real draw for daytime visitors is
the wildlife: fan-aring peacocks that
strut around like they own the place, a
smattering of wild horses, a deer herd
and an impressive number of rare bird

species. A sort of all-in-one family

health resort-cum-zoo, Eden also offers
a ne opportunity to soak up views of
mighty Apo. Those who arent inclined
to leg it along hilly trails might nd
Malagos Garden Resort in Calinan
with its orchid nursery, buttery
sanctuary and bird parks a satisfying
alternative. Blessed with plentiful
coastline to go with its hilly outskirts,
Davao is generally typhoon-free and
its year-round warmth and best-of-allworlds situation make for easy access
to islands and beaches. Though Isla
Reta (on Talicud Island, boats depart
from Sta Ana Wharf downtown) is
more remote and, inevitably, more
enticing, Samal a short sea crossing
away is the largest and most popular
of the islands here. Its the best option
if an idle afternoon of pristine sand
and translucent seawater served
up in this case courtesy of Paradise
57

www.cebusmile.com

Island Beach Resort is what youre

after. The 10-minute ride from the city
in an outrigger boat (PHP40) offers a
preview of Samals palm-lled interior
while the return trip on the nal boat
at 5.30pm boasts fabulous views of the
sinking sun as it casts an orange halo
around Apos boulder-strewn peak.

Local flavors
Its proximity to natures delights
notwithstanding, Davao City is better
described as solid and functional than
spectacular. But just about any city
looks impressive from on high and
thats the selling point of Jacks Ridge,
my next stop. Davaos premier vantage
point, its also home to the citys best
Clockwise from top: Huckleberry offers cocktails by
NYC-based mixologist Enzo Lim; the avors and
ambience reect the US Deep South; among the
offerings are jugs of rum infused with tropical fruit
like mangosteen; exterior view; a wicked cocktail

DELIGHTFUL DAVAO

Newly opened drinking and dining

spots have helped spice up Davao
Citys downtown core

where nib rum infused with Mindanao

coffee beans is used in place of whisky.
Davao isnt a city full to bursting with
hipster nightspots but this retromodernist curio just might prove the
game-changer.
Despite a local tendency to stick
with old foodie favorites, other
entrepreneurs have set up stall here
to considerable success. Theres the
cozy BU Tapas, Bebidas y Bodega,
Davaos rst tapas bar, which is owned
by an Australian of Spanish-Filipino
descent; the original Hoy, Panga!, a tuna
specialist that has hit it big nationwide
on the strength of its imaginative
take on seafood (grilled tuna akes
in a deep-fried bun, anyone?); and
the bright, inviting Sea Green Caf
and Lifestyle Shop, whose claims to
fame are its soul food (aka healthy
pescetarian dishes) and killer coffee.
Starbucks has notably refrained from
opening here and, given that local
chains such as BluGr Coffee (est
1998) have been so successful, it would
likely be tough to penetrate the market.
Within a 200m radius of Sea Green,
several foodie haunts have opened in
58

www.cebusmile.com

DAVAO
DIRECTORY
EAT AND DRINK
Belitos Vineyard, Palm Dr,
Bajada, tel: +82 227 6726
Taklobo Restaurant, Jacks Ridge,
Shrine Hills, Matina, tel: +82 297
8830/297 8831
Huckleberry Southern Kitchen
and Bar, Corner of Rizal St and
Bangoy St, tel: +82 285 2586
Hoy, Panga!, Bacaca Rd, tel: +82
921 550 6090
Sea Green Caf & Lifestyle
Shop, Circumferential Rd, Dona
Vicenta Subd, tel: +82 305 4765
Toryanos Chicken Haus, Legazpi
St (in front of Apo View Hotel), tel:
+82 221 5556
BU Tapas, Palayo St, tel: +82 284
6364
Sales Bar Tekanplor, Sales St
Soundbox Bar, J Camus St, tel:
+82282 4220
Coffee for Peace, G/F, Fredric
Bldg, MacArthur Hwy, Matina, tel:
+82 296 1053

PHOTO BY JOJIE ALCANTARA

traditional Filipino fare. If you neglect

to try the kare-kare at Taklobo, with its
super-rich peanut sauce, your heart
might thank you but youll have missed
a sublime treat. The restaurants
quintessentially local kinilaw,
bagaybay (tuna testicles) and bihod
(sh roe) deserve a mention, too.
Back in the downtown area, another
dont-miss Davao diner is Toryanos
Chicken Haus, a cholesterol-rich
carnivore shack serving crocodile sisig
alongside lechon manok (skewered
poultry), tinola and a mean sinigang
(meat and tamarind soup).
Packing away all that salty animal
esh is thirsty work. So after a hearty
meal I head off to Huckleberry
Southern Kitchen and Bar, an instanthit concept space twinkling with fairy
lights and boasting personality in
spades. This eatery with its modern
Americana cuisine featuring dishes
from the Deep South, as co-owner
Chris Pamintuan puts it, occupies the
ground oor of the Casa de Oboza,
which was built in 1929 by the family
of a former mayor. For true-blue local
avor, try the Cacao Old Fashioned,

DELIGHTFUL DAVAO

VISIT
Paradise Island Beach Resort,
Samal Island, tel: +82 233 0251;
paradiseislanddavao.com
Eden Nature Park & Resort,
Toril Barangay Rd, Toril, tel: +82
296 0791
Malagos Garden Resort,
Calinan-Baguio Rd
STAY
Seda Abreeza Hotel, JP Laurel
Ave, Bajada, Davao City, tel: +82
244 3000/322 8888; sedahotels.
com/abreeza
Apo View Hotel, 150 J Camus
St, Davao City, tel: +82 221 6430;
apoview.com

60

www.cebusmile.com

Clockwise from above: A leisurely Sunday by the

Davao Gulf; artwork by Ann Pamintuan at the
Seda Abreeza Hotel; the hotels lobby restaurant
serves fresh tropical fruit juices made from local
produce; baked goods and a fresh salad at the Sea
Green Caf

else to bust their moves. And these

are proper, energetic moves a mix
of choreographed hip-hop and easy
freestyling that seems to capture
some of the citys upbeat spirit.
Ahead of my visit, Id expected
a city far more straight-laced and
restrictive than the one I end up
discovering. I come away with one
abiding impression that Davaos
dening characteristic isnt on-edge
obeisance, but a far more relaxed
contentment. Davaos benign climate
and ambience mean that it always
feels like summertime and yes, the
living here is undeniably easy.
Relax. Explore. Repeat? Thanks,
dont mind if I do.

PHOTOS BY JOREM CATILO

DAVAO
DIRECTORY

the past year alone, including a dim

sum joint, an Italian eatery and an
upscale ptisserie.
While the food scene appears to be
thriving, at the moment culture isnt
among the citys strong points. Still,
there are pockets of promise that
suggest more might be revealed if I had
a few more days to spare. Then I could
nd out whats on offer beyond livemusic spaces like Sales Bar in quiet
Chinatown, a graffiti-ed refuge for rock
bands and iPod battlers, Soundbox Bar,
a music and revue space that keeps the
party crowd happy, and modest indie
cinema Cinematheque Davao.
And while at the moment the city
lacks a major performance space,
I suspect theres no shortage of
performers waiting in the wings for a
proper venue. One night I see a talented
dance troupe practicing by a roadside
shopfront, likely for lack of anywhere

Escape to Mati
When Davao City urbanites are looking to decompress, they
hop in the car for the three-hour drive to the neighboring
province of Davao Oriental and hole up in this laid-back town

or visitors to Mati, the most

popular leisure-time activities
include surng, skim-boarding,
light-aircraft ights and, well, snoozing.
The conditions in this southeastern
gulf town on the fringes of the Pacic
Ocean are perfect for doing all four in
a single weekend, and vacationers from
the nearby big city wouldnt have it any
other way. Before heading to Mati be
sure to stop at the Sleeping Dinosaur
viewing point as you get close to town
pre-book your resort stay or pack
tents and other camping gear.
SURF OR SKIM-BOARD IN
DAHICAN BEACH
Dahican Beach, about 10 minutes
from the city center by car, is Matis
centerpiece. This 17km stretch of
soft, beige-colored sand is ideal for
sunbathing and has plenty of shadeproviding palm trees. Kids who like
to build things in the sand are sure to
stay busy for hours, but be careful not
to let them wander off unsupervised
to the rocky sections of the beach,
where sea urchins dwell amid the sharp
coral. Compared to other well-known
surf-and-sand destinations, Dahican is a
rather quiet beach with just a few resorts

a quick online search yields fewer than

10 results that are well separated from
one another. Stroll along the beach and
eventually youll come across a lifeguard
station that doubles as a surf shack,
manned by lifeguards who rent out boards
and give surf and skim-boarding lessons
(its about PHP300 for the board rental and
coaching). Dahican makes for the perfect
classroom if youre new to either sport
the waves here are manageable and break
on the sandy beach.
FLY WITH THE MINDANAO SAGA
FLYING CLUB
For a birds-eye view of the beach and
most of Mati, for that matter, head to
the citys airport where the Mindanao
Saga Flying Club (facebook.com/
mindanaosagayingclub) offers 15-minute
ultralight plane rides for just PHP1,600.
Licensed pilots are available to take you
on exhilarating ights that offer breathtaking views of the city, the green elds
beyond and the beach itself, where the
plane swoops down until you can almost
make out the faces of sunbathers (hows
that for a thrill ride?). Prime ying hours are
from 5.30-9am, when wind conditions are
at their best, so be sure to turn up at the
airport early.

61

www.cebusmile.com

RECHARGE BEACHSIDE AT
TROPICAL KANAKBAI
If youre traveling with a big group
(its always good to bring the party
with you), rent a fully furnished beach
house at Tropical Kanakbai (tel: +63
927 287 1790; dahicanbeachclub.com).
Youll enjoy all the comforts of home
and then some: alfresco dining areas, a
garden dotted with coconut trees and a
scenic beachfront thats ideal for afterdark viewings of the moon and stars.
There are two luxury beach houses on
the property, each with two bedrooms
that can accommodate at least four
people per room. You can book a room
or an entire house and make full use
of the kitchen facilities. Hit the market
early in the morning to get rst dibs
on the catch of the day and let your
designated chef whip up lunch while
you lounge on beachside hammocks.
If you think Davao City is laid-back, be
prepared for an even more blissfully
unhurried pace in Mati City.
Cebu Pacic ies
to Davao City from
across the network.
www.cebupacicair.com

TRAVEL CULTURE

Its Bangkoks most popular gathering

place for tourists, but Khao San Road
remains very much in touch with its
roots as a humble backpacker ghetto

62

www.cebusmile.com

LEADER OF
THE PACK
These days, Bangkoks
Khao San Road looks
ashier, its merchants
savvier and its crowds more
diverse than ever. No longer
just a backpacking pit stop,
the area has become an
attraction in itself
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
LESTER V. LEDESMA

Khao San Road was backpacker land...

The main function of the street was as a
decompression chamber for all those about
to leave Thailand; a halfway house between
the East and the West Alex Garland,
excerpt from The Beach

his description, though simple

and accurate, gives barely
a hint of the culture shock
that awaits rst-time visitors
to one of Bangkoks most
celebrated streets. Khao San is a stretch of
concrete unlike any other. This youll learn
at rst glance.
Upon arriving, it might be the massive
jumble of signboards and neon lights that
rst catches your attention. Or maybe the
omnipresent crowd of farangs (foreigners),
their oversized backpacks proclaiming
their status as tourists. That or the
ubiquitous hostels, food stalls and curio
63

www.cebusmile.com

TRAVEL CULTURE

shops offering everything from a cheap

space to lay your head for the night,
phad thai noodles and dreadlock wigs
to soccer jerseys, fake IDs, guided tours,
tattered old paperbacks and bargainbasement internet access.
It might not look it but Khao San
Road is very much a part of Thailand.
In fact, its a long-time cornerstone
of the kingdoms booming tourism
industry. To some, Khao San Road is
a one-stop tourist service center, the
go-to place for low-cost lodgings and
supplies. To others, its little more than
a ghetto for the bottom-class tourist.
If Patpong stands for sex shows and
Chatuchak is all about seemingly
endless rows of market stalls, Khao
San is synonymous with budget
travel and that oft-romanticized,
frequently misunderstood lifestyle of
the independent traveler.
Not too long ago, writer Alex
Garland brought this nomadic,
somewhat escapist counterculture
into the popular imagination with his
novel The Beach. In it, he describes
a pseudo-brotherhood of penniless,

unkempt individuals on a search for

enlightenment beyond the beaten
track. Though much of the story
unfolds elsewhere, it is on Khao
San Road, in the heart of Bangkoks
Banglamphu area, that he gives many
of us our rst glimpse inside the
backpackers sub-culture.
How a simple street in a developing
country became a magnet for
wanderers from across the globe is
a familiar story of tourism-induced

65

www.cebusmile.com

Above: Exotic tribal beads and bracelets were

once trophies for hardcore backpackers, but
theyre now sold at Khao San Roads bustling
street market; Below: hippie-type characters
like this bandana-clad rastafarian are still a
common sight on Khao San

commercialization. Almost every

major capital in Southeast Asia has its
own version of this street but none are
nearly as well-dened or prominent as
Khao San.
Thanon Khao San (its Thai name)
began treading this path in the early
70s, when farang travelers convinced
local residents to open their homes to
paying guests. True to the backpacker
preference for roughing it, Khao San
at that time was a seedy place. Save for
a lone hotel on one end of the street,
the rooms for rent were little more
than single beds sandwiched between
thin, plywood walls. Meals were served
in dank garages while the nightlife
consisted largely of kicking back for
nightly video screenings in guesthouse
living rooms or gawking at the passing
parade of buskers, sex workers and
transvestites outside.

TRAVEL CULTURE

Clockwise from left: braided hair, the wandering

hippies signature look, can be had for less than
THB100 on Khao San Road; cheap guesthouses
have given way to bars, massage parlors and proper
hotels; another backpacker arrives in Bangkok

IN THE BAG
Backpacking? Crunch these
numbers into your cranium
before you jet off

To members of the backpacker

community, it was apparently
desirable even fashionable to
live in such squalid conditions, the
spartan surroundings reinforcing the
notion of going native. News of these
dingy guesthouses spread by word-ofmouth, eventually earning mention
in the pages of the then nascent
Lonely Planet guidebook series. And
so the tourists came and conquered,
their dollars feeding a fast-growing
cottage industry. So popular was Khao
San among farangs that the rest of
Bangkok considered it alien territory.
At the height of its hippie-backpacker
heyday, many Thais would drive slowly
along the street with their windows
rolled down, gawking at the strange
foreigners with their beads, dreadlocks
and shabby clothes.
But as backpackers themselves
often lament, the presence of tourists
invariably alters the landscape. The
80s saw a dramatic decrease in the
cost of international ights. Suddenly,
world travel became more affordable to
the general public. A growing number

of visitors poured into Southeast Asia,

many of them choosing Khao San Road
as the starting point for their journeys.
Like bees to honey, enterprising Thais
(and some ex-backpackers who had
settled in) opened a slew of new cafs,
inns and hotels. The development
boom extended to neighboring streets,

50L is the ideal size for a rucksack

if youre legging it from one city to
another.
7080% of your rucksacks total
weight should rest on your hips.
With the right positioning of the
pack, the burden of the weight
will fall on your legs, not on your
shoulders. Save yourself a trip to the
chiropractor.
30L and 7kg. Stuff important
items into a 30L daypack it wont
weigh more than 7kg, the maximum
carry-on weight for nearly every
low-cost airline and it will t
nicely into any one of the aircrafts
overhead bins.
0 Keep absolutely no Swiss Army
knives on your person or scissors in
your carry-on bag. Anything thats
sharp and could be mistaken for a
weapon should be placed in your
check-in luggage. Roy Macaraig

So popular was Khao San Road among

farangs (foreigners) that the rest of Bangkok
considered it alien territory
67

www.cebusmile.com

TRAVEL CULTURE

where similar establishments quickly

sprouted.
After the movie adaptation of The
Beach hit theaters worldwide in 1999,
the neighborhood was pushed into
the mainstream. These days, travelers
making return trips to Khao San Road
are typically surprised at how much
their old stomping ground has changed
over the years.
Amazing I can barely recognize
this place, says Hans, a Dutch national
whose last visit to Bangkok was back in
the early 90s. Tourists are big business
now even the guesthouse I used to stay
in has been taken over by a hotel!
Indeed, the Khao San Road of today
caters to more affluent travelers.
Whereas Hans used to spend his
days on the sidewalk swapping
stories with fellow globetrotters, his
new-millennium counterparts enjoy
decidedly comer surrounds, sending
status updates via their mobile phones
while sipping an espresso or a beer.
Back in the day, there was only one
internet caf here; now there are

dozens to go with the areas countless

bars, restaurants and travel agencies
(most hotels now boast in-house spas).
Needless to say, the few guesthouses
that remain are a dying breed.
Despite the upscale trend, Khao San
still proudly brandishes its backpackerghetto credentials. Symbols of the
golden age remain in the form of the
beads, native pants and bracelets
trophies which once stood for the
hippie-wanderer experience that are
now sold cheaply by the roadside. For
just a few dozen baht, visitors can adopt
the ever-popular braided-hair look. And
though the second-hand bookshops still
buy and sell dog-eared guidebooks, shelf
space is now devoted to more up-tothe-minute offerings like Farang: The
Intrepid Travelers Magazine.
Such changes highlight Khao San
Roads transformation from a budget
hideout to a bona-de tourist attraction
there are now even package tours
offering a Khao San Road experience.
Its a crossroad for Southeast Asian
travelers, says an American tourist on a
68

www.cebusmile.com

In the pre-internet era, secondhand bookstores

served as venues for road warriors to swap
books and travel information

much-belated return visit to Bangkok.

It was my old haunt back in my hippie
days but its so commercialized now
its almost like a theme park.
That might be the case but the
travelers keep on coming via
bus, taxi or tuk-tuk, their bags fully
loaded and their minds packed
with plans to tour the rest of the
continent. Todays clean-cut, creditcard-toting backpackers may bear
little resemblance to their unkempt,
virtually penniless forebears, yet it
seems theyre possessed by the same
spirit of adventure and self-discovery.
Maybe it isnt the cheap lodgings that
lure them to Khao San. Maybe its
the desire to experience the freedom
from responsibility, convention,
authority and romance
of that immersive, improvise-as-yougo, care-free approach to travel that
their predecessors knew so well.

TRAVEL CULTURE

Siamese culture than Ayutthaya,

thanks in large part to its grander
structures and more serene
surrounds. Rent a motorbike and
scoot among buildings that have
stood for more than 500 years.
Youre now in Central Thailand,
the countrys rice bowl and the
region where the purest form of
Thai is spoken. From here its just
another six-hour bus ride to the
northern city of Chiang Mai.

Thailands location at the center of

mainland Southeast Asia makes it
a convenient gateway to the rest of
the region. And travelers dont need
much time or money to get to know
the kingdom Lonely Planet calls it
one of Asias best value-for-money
destinations. Heres our itinerary for a
quick, easy and affordable trip from
south to north, one that takes in a few
classic Thai stops.
LEG 1
From Manila, take a direct
ight to your rst stop:
Phuket. Located on the west
coast, this celebrated holiday
island offers an excellent rst
taste of Thailands natural
charm. Begin your grand
tour by kicking back on one
of Phukets many idyllic
beaches. Afterward, head farther out
to explore the rest of the countrys
southern coastline. Theres Krabi
and the Phi Phi Islands with their
stunning limestone cliffs, and Koh
Phangan with its full-moon parties
and crystalline waters.
LEG 2
From Thailands southern extreme,
its about nine hours to the capital.
Take the night bus to Bangkok, but
dont get off in the Big Mango just
yet instead, stop for a day or two at
Samut Songkhram (80km southwest
of the capital) to experience the
provinces traditional riverside
communities and picturesque oating
markets. In many ways, these busy
water villages evoke Bangkok during
an earlier era, when the capital was
still known as The Venice of the
East.
LEG 3
Continue onward to the heart of
Thailand where Khao San Road, the

backpacker haven, awaits. Bangkok is

a steamy, chaotic mix of old and new,
the familiar and the exotic, where glitzy
malls share space with centuries-old
temples and royal palaces.
Get your ll of the citys frenetic pace
before heading north (we recommend
taking the highly efficient state railway
network) for about 90 minutes to the
ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Here
youll nd the remains of this storied
Siamese kingdom, which boasted
a city that was, in the 1600s, said to
be even more cosmopolitan than its
European counterparts. Destroyed by
the Burmese in 1767, Ayutthaya remains
home to ruined temples and royal
palaces that offer a glimpse of past
glories.
LEG 4
Another fascinating ancient city is
located farther north, about seven hours
overland. Sukhothai Historical Park is
an even more impressive showcase of

70

www.cebusmile.com

LEG 5
Hot and dusty Bangkok
stands in sharp contrast to
Chiang Mai, whose cool
and damp climate owes
primarily to its location
in the mountains near the
Thai-Myanmar border. On
these slopes, hill tribes farm
coffee and tea while maintaining
lifestyles that have changed very
little over the centuries. Visitors can
explore this corner of the kingdom
on foot or by elephant; either way,
the trekking is excellent. Or better
still, splurge on a 4x4 to visit the
adjacent mountains of Doi Chaang,
Doi Tung and Doi Mae Salong.
By this time youll have enjoyed
a delightfully diverse sampling of
Thailands attractions. You can then
choose to head back to Bangkok
(its a 12-hour road/rail trip, so by
all means take the night bus or a
sleeper train) to catch an outbound
ight or head off the beaten track
to the kingdoms equally intriguing
northeastern region.
By Lester V. Ledesma

Cebu Pacic
ies to Bangkok
from Manila.
cebupacicair.com

The
wild
ones

Feasting your eyes on some of the

Philippines greatest natural treasures
means getting well off the beaten track but
the dividends are well worth the effort
BY RONALD ACHACOSO
PHOTOS BY IVAN SARENAS

he Philippine
archipelago has some
of the worlds most
biologically diverse
ecosystems. Beyond its
celebrated marine life, the nation is
home to a wealth of botanic jewels,
though only a select few nature lovers
ever see them in the wild. In fact, the
Philippines is one of the planets least
explored regions when it comes to the
cataloging of native ora. And even
as new species are discovered on a
regular basis, development continues
to reduce the size of our wild frontier.

Its not a situation that should be

taken lightly. Given that there are so
many one-of-a-kind plants here, that
theres far too little documentation
and that the pace of environmental
degradation shows no signs of
slowing, the Philippines has been
labeled by conservationists as The
Hottest of the Hotspots. To lose this
rich assemblage of life forms and the
secrets they hold would be calamitous.
To do so before we even get to know
them would be nothing short of tragic.
Here are 10 of the most precious
natural gems in our forests:

RAFFLESIA SCHADENBERGIANA
Rafflesia schadenbergiana
The Rafflesia schadenbergiana is the second-largest single ower
in the world and perhaps the most critically endangered. It was
discovered more than 130 years ago and was thought extinct until its
rediscovery in the mid 1990s. The reemergence of this lost species
spawned the rebirth of Rafflesia exploration in this country and in less
than a decade, eight more species of this rare, enigmatic plant have
been added to a growing list, the most in any Southeast Asian nation.

BEGINNERS BOTANY

73

www.cebusmile.com

BEGINNERS BOTANY

MANGKONO
Xanthostemon
verdugonianus
The mangkono, a tree thats
endemic to the Philippines, is
reputed to have the hardest
wood in the country. While it
might take three hours to cut
down an average hardwood
tree with an ax, anecdotal
accounts suggest it would take
about two to three days to get
the job done on a mangkono
of the same diameter. Needless
to say, these legendary trees
are now very rare and are most
beautiful when in bloom.

CATMON SIBUYAN
Dillenia sibuyanensis
Until recently, this small but
spectacular owering tree (with
yellow blooms) was thought
to be endemic to the island of
Sibuyan, off Romblon. That
is, until a separate population
of the trees was discovered
on the neighboring island
of Panay. In Sibuyan, its a
common roadside plant thats
typically ignored by the locals
in spite of its landscaping
potential. It thrives under full
sun, in waterlogged areas and
in foothills, but it can also be
found in forest interiors near
waterfalls and clearings.

WALING-WALING
Euanthe sanderiana
The queen of Philippine
owers is held sacred by
some indigenous tribes and
was recently declared a
national ower along with the
sampaguita. The waling-waling
is endemic to Mindanao and
is a better representative of
the distinct ora of the region
than it is of the botanic jewels
of the archipelago as a whole.
A prime target of poachers,
it hasnt been seen in the wild
for quite some time. Ironically,
what has probably saved the
species from extinction is the
political instability in some of
the regions where its found
the risk of collecting it is just
too great. The waling-waling is
the parent to some of the
most amboyant hybrids
in the orchid trade.

JADE VINE
Strongylodon elmeri
This is a woody vine that
grows along streams and in
other damp areas in Philippine
forests. The jade vine can
reach lengths of as much as
20m. The distinctive color of its
owers, ranging from turquoise
blue-green to subtle jade, is
very rare in the wild. A prized
possession in any serious
botanic garden, its arguably
the ideal embodiment of the
Philippine tropical rainforest.
While the jade vine grows
on most of the archipelagos
major islands, you wont nd it
anywhere else in the world.

THANK YOU, LEONARD

We owe much of our knowledge of Philippine forests to Leonard Co, the countrys premier eld botanist, who knew the lush terrain
like the back of his hand. Before his tragic death while on a research expedition in Samar, Leonard had recognized the urgent need to
preserve our natural environment. He established the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Inc (PNPCSI) and spent most
of his life making botany accessible to the general public. In naming the nations wildowers, he forged an emotional link between the
human and botanic worlds and offered a glimpse into both the world of Philippine ora and the natural environment as a whole.

75

www.cebusmile.com

BEGINNERS BOTANY

LADY SLIPPER ORCHIDS

Paphiopedilum hennisianum
This is one of a dozen or so known lady slipperorchid species found on the archipelago. All of
them are thought to be endemic to the islands
and all are critically endangered due to habitat
destruction and overcollection. Lady slipper
orchids are among the worlds most coveted
blooms, partly because attempts at mass
propagation have proved unsuccessful. In the
plants natural habitat, its mottled leaves make
it inconspicuous amid the sun-dappled litter on
the forest oor, where it thrives until its ower
emerges. The owers preternatural beauty is
truly a sight to behold.

To lose this rich assemblage

of life forms and the secrets
they hold even before we get
to know them would be
nothing short of tragic

77

www.cebusmile.com

BEGINNERS BOTANY

PITCHER PLANTS
Nepenthes sp.
Tropical pitcher plants are
carnivorous. They feed
by trapping insects and
invertebrates with their pitcherlike leaves, which are laden
with digestive enzymes. These
complex evolutionary marvels,
which grow on barren terrain, are
prime evidence of the fact that
life does nd a way to thrive.
The Philippines is home to a
diverse array of tropical pitcher
plants; the 40 endemic species
(and counting) account for
roughly a quarter of all known
Nepenthes varieties worldwide.
Those shown here can be
found in the Babuyan Islands.

SHOOTING STAR
HOYA
Hoya multiora
This epiphytic plant (which
means it survives on nutrients
from the air and rain, and its
host plant) is typically found on
tree branches high above the
forest oor, thus its nickname. It
belongs to a genus of tropical
vines known as wax owers,
though you wont nd it
looking as bushy as its brethren
(which are mostly clingy). The
Philippines is thought to be the
wellspring from which all Hoya
species owed a big deal,
considering there are more
than 120 varieties in all.

BENGUET LILY
Lilium philippinense
The Benguet lily is a true
lily with fragrant, trumpetshaped owers. It thrives in
mountainous pine regions
and is known to grow in the
Cordilleras in northern Luzon
and in Taiwan. Recently,
however, Benguet lilies turned
up in the Zambales mountain
range. Of all lily varieties, its
said to be the one from the
southernmost tropical region.
Owing to overcollection and
limited distribution, its now
very rare and endangered.

Cebu Pacic ies to 34 domestic destinations.

www.cebupacicair.com

BALANOPHORA
Balanophora fungosa
This bizarre plant is often
mistaken for a mushroom
or a fungus, which is why
its also called fungosa.
Like the Rafflesia, its a
parasitic plant that cannot
photosynthesize due to the
absence of chlorophyll. The
only time it becomes visible
is when it owers the rest
of the time it thrives within
its host plant. Though hardly
rare, Balanophora is seldom
seen; it remains hidden on the
forest oor until its ready to
reproduce. Practitioners of folk
medicine are said to value this
plant for its effectiveness in
treating various ailments.

NAME THAT BLOOM

Scientic names tend to sound intimidating to us non-botanists, but it helps to think of them this way: the genus name is the plants
last name and the species name is its rst. It also helps to know a bit of Latin and Greek as these are typically used in descriptions of
an organisms most prominent or distinctive qualities. For example, multiora means many owers and fungosa means fungus-like.
Sometimes the place of origin gures in a plants name, as in sibuyanensis (Sibuyan) and philippinensis (Philippines). The name of
a person associated with the plant may also come into play, for instance, elmeri (a famous plant collector), and sanderiana (a noted
orchid enthusiast). In all instances, the genus name must always be capitalized while the species name must be in lower-case letters.

79

www.cebusmile.com

FIRST PERSON

Cruise mode
in Halong Bay
A weekend of sailing around one of the worlds great
natural wonders in a vintage-inspired boat?
Tara FT Sering is totally onboard

heres nothing like

a cruise to relax
perpetually tense
shoulder muscles,
knot by anxious knot,
and calm the mind
until its lled with thoughts of quitting
your day job. This kind of mini-break
is always good for the spirit, so while
the sun was shining bright in late
March, off we went to the enchanting,

often mist-shrouded Halong Bay on

Vietnams north-eastern coast.
Unlike week-long cruises aboard
mega ships, a slow sail on the emerald
waters and around the hundreds of
limestone islets of this UNESCO
World Heritage site is a lowcommitment undertaking its just
a three-hour drive from Hanoi and all
you need is a weekend but it delivers
a similar high, especially if youre a

81

www.cebusmile.com

fan of mystical landscapes and the Old

World charm of what was once French
Indochina. Several of the few hundred
cruise boats that ferry tourists around
the bay have major retro appeal, and
you can choose to book your holiday
package aboard just about any type
of vintage-style vessel, from wooden
Chinese junks with vibrant red sails to
luxury steamer replicas with top-deck
restaurants and private balconies.

FIRST PERSON

PHOTO (KAYAK) BY JENNY PEAS

Clockwise from left:

Vessels moored in one
of Halong Bays coves;
retro-style ttings
aboard the Emeraude;
kayaking on the bay; a
vintage fan adds a touch
of Old World glam to
the cruise experience.
Previous page: the
Emeraude, a replica of
the 1910 paddle steamer
of the same name

My husband and I were booked

on the Emeraude, a replica of the
eponymous paddle steamer that
offered similar cruises around Halong
Bay in the early 1900s. The original
vessel was part of a four-craft otilla
of cruise and freight boats, all named
after precious stones and all owned by
Frenchman Paul Roque. Half a century
before, Pauls father and uncle had
left France for the French-occupied
territory in pursuit of their fortunes
and a taste of adventure. Historical
accounts contained in a coffee-table
book called The Jewels of Halong
Bay: A Tale of Adventure in French
Indochina and a Curious History of the
Emeraude and in the captions of sepiatoned photographs found in some of
the ships lounge areas reveal that
life in Indochina was nothing if not
interesting for the Roque brothers.
Their fortunes rose (on the strength
of a trading and timber empire) and
fell (bankruptcy and kidnapping by
pirates) and rose again (when the
family launched their cruise ships).
I liked that our boat had an
interesting history behind it, a nice
bonus on top of the vintage-inspired

interiors that oozed old-school

travel and romance. I thought
perhaps I shouldve come in a dress
rather than shorts and in proper
shoes instead of ip-ops. I was
especially thrilled when, thanks to
the fact all 34 of the boats luxury
cabins were occupied, we were
bumped up to the Paul Roque suite.
It felt as though wed won a
small-town lottery. Located at the
bow of the boats second level and
all decked out in polished dark
wood, brass ttings, Art Deco lamps
and Persian rugs, the Paul Roque
suite certainly looked to be the
Emeraudes fanciest room. Fun fact:
Its John McCains favorite suite,
chief purser Anne Sabang told us,
83

www.cebusmile.com

SAIL SEASON
Check out the Emeraudes
promotional prices, which start at
US$302 (two days and one night
for two people). Emeraude Classic
Cruises, 12 Ly Dao Thanh, Hoan
Kiem District, Hanoi; tel: +84 4
3935 1888; emeraude-cruises.com

ipping open an album to reveal a

signed photo of the American senator
and former US presidential hopeful
anked by other political high-iers.
Thats where he stays every time he
comes over.
Fancy boat and fancier guests aside,
the weekends itinerary the highlight
of which was a tour of the bays most
celebrated attractions was one for
the travel bucket list.
After lunch a buffet spread of
Western salads and Vietnamese
classics like fresh spring rolls we
dropped anchor off Bo Hon Island
to check out one of the bays many
natural wonders. Theres a reason
why Song Sot Grotto is also known as
Surprise Cave: its home to several large
chambers, each bigger than the last. As
we walked along the paved route from
the caves mouth to its exit, our perky
guide pointed out the shapes of animals
and buddhas among the impressive
stalactites and stalagmites.
In the late afternoon, we rented a
tandem kayak and muscled our way

Clockwise from
above: Explore
Surprise Cave;
enjoy local
cuisine; snap
pictures of
photogenic
Chinese junks;
learn how to
make fresh,
delicious
Vietnamese
spring rolls

across the placid waters all the way

to a small pearl farm. Here in this
tiny settlement of workshops and
showrooms, all kept aoat in deep
waters by repurposed plastic barrels,
a lean crew of workers farm cultured
pearls before fashioning the coveted
shiny beads into pieces of jewelry.
Visitors are herded through all points
of the production cycle, starting with a
workshop where oysters are implanted
with nucleus beads (eventually theyll
become covered in layers of secretions
from the oysters, which become the
pearls). Then, its across a ramp, under
which the implanted oysters are
kept submerged in water for months,
and back to the workshop where the
harvest is segregated according to
quality, color, size and shape.
84

www.cebusmile.com

But it was the quiet moments on the

deck, as the ship languorously sailed
past limestone towers at sunset, that
were truly mind-blowing. Theres a
fascinating myth associated with this
geological wonder, a maze of hundreds
of little emerald islands on an emerald
sea, harboring secret lakes and
underwater caverns. The story has it
that the Jade Emperor sent Mother
Dragon and her children to help the
ancient Vietnamese fend off invaders
from the north. The bay was the main
battleground and these islands are
what remain of the re and giant
emeralds the dragons breathed out,
which blocked off the enemy and sunk
their ships. From this legend came the
name Halong or descending dragon.
Sometimes the worlds most beautiful
landscapes are best explained with a
great story, preferably while lounging
on the deck of a cruise ship, nely
crafted cocktail in hand.

Cebu Pacic Air ies

from Manila to Hanoi.
cebupacicair.com

PHOTO (CHINESE JUNK) BY JENNY PEAS

FIRST PERSON

directory
LISTINGS AND PARTNER PROMOTIONS

HIGH FLYER
Photo shared by reader Ric Liwag
I took this picture during the Lubao International
Balloon Festival in Pampanga last March. Held over
four days, the event features not only balloons in
various shapes, sizes and colors, but also plenty of
other exciting activities like paragliding exhibitions,
kite ying, magic shows, concerts and more. The
experience was truly a delight.

SNAP & WIN!

Send an amazing travel photo and your story together with your full name and contact details
to smile.snapshot@ink-global.com for a chance to win PHP3,000 worth of dining vouchers at
Richmonde Hotel Ortigas. Visit the Smile Facebook page for more information.

87

www.cebusmile.com

Directory

Vista Land wins

Excellence Awards

Travel light
Heres why were loving Dauphine, Delseys newest luggage
collection. Although made of hard-wearing material that has
passed arduous lift, drop and water tests for durability, its still light
enough to lift with your pinky nger. The cabin-size bag weighs
in at just 1.5kg while the largest piece is only 2.7kg. But when it
comes to meeting international standards and security, Dauphine
is no lightweight. The collection is equipped with the TSA
combination lock to provide the best possible security. Take your
pick from red, black and cactus green. Hand-carry PHP11,490;
medium, PHP12,490; large, PHP13,490; available at Delsey Stores
(Ayala Cebu, Ayala Fairview Terraces & SM City Davao), The
Travel Club, Flight001 and leading department stores nationwide.

Vista Land & Lifescapes was recently recognized for its corporate
governance practices at the 5th Asian Excellence Awards 2015.
Led by Hong Kong-based publication Corporate Governance
Asia, the Asian Excellence Awards are designed to acknowledge
achievements in management acumen, nancial performance,
corporate social responsibility, environmental practices and
investor relations. Vista Lands President & CEO Manuel Paolo
A Villar received the Best CEO award for doing an amazing job
driving the companys overall management and growth. Together
with Brian N Edang, Head of Investor Relations, Villar also
received the Best Investor Relations Company award.

STI reaches out

In full bloom

For STI, neither distance nor a lack of funds should prevent

people from getting a quality education. Together with the
Department of Education (DepEd), STI initiated its Mobile
School Program in 2007, providing IT classes at public schools
in hard-to-reach parts of the country through six mobile schools.
To date, theyve trained over 100,000 youths. Another initiative
is DepEds Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, under
which STI provides free classes to out-of-school youths and
adults who werent able to nish their secondary education. STI
has also partnered with the Development Bank of the Philippines
on the DBP Endowment for Education Program (DEEP) to help
nancially disadvantaged youths complete their college education
through the awarding of scholarships.

Happy Skins 2015 limited-edition summer collection, Beauty

in Bloom, helps women channel the natural radiance of owers.
Rissa Mananquil Trillo and Jacqe Yuengtian Gutierrez, Happy
Skins co-founders, created the line to help every woman
blossom into their most beautiful selves. It was launched last
April at Le Jardin and among those who graced the celebration
were Apples Aberin, Tweetie De Leon-Gonzalez, Tessa Prieto
Valdes, Jenni Epperson, Kelly Misa-Fernandez, Cat ArambuloAntonio, Daphne Osena-Paez, Ces Drilon, Phoemela Baranda,
Divine Lee, Sara Black, Maggie Wilson-Consunji, Rica PeralejoBonifacio, Hindy Weber-Tantoco, Maricel Laxa Pangilinan, and
Mons Romulo among many others. For the latest collection, visit
happyskincosmetics.com
89

www.cebusmile.com

Directory
Beachfront
bliss in Boracay

PHOTO BY EUGENE DUODKO (THE DISTRICT BORACAY)

Imagine walking on powder-ne white sand with

waves lapping at your feet. Thats what you get
as soon as you stroll out of your room at The
District Boracay. Located on prime beachfront
property at Station 2, this chic boutique resort
has 48 minimalist rooms and suites with airconditioning, private verandahs, LED atscreen
TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. Some rooms have
direct access to the pool while others offer scenic
views of Boracays crystal-clear waters. Indulge in
authentic Italian pizza and pasta at Caruso Italiano
Ristorante. If you prefer Filipino and world cuisine,
Star Lounge serves up mouth-watering dishes.
At the roofdeck bar, sip your favorite cocktail
while catching a world-famous island sunset. A
15m2-long lap pool and jacuzzi, serviced beach
loungers, a conference facility for private events
and impeccable service are just some of the perks
that make The District Boracay the perfect choice
for your holiday. Enjoy last-minute or early booking
discounts by sending a photo of this write-up upon
booking at cebupac@thedistrictboracay.com.
thedistrictboracay.com

Yokohama teams up with

TeamManila

Sea for yourself

Discover the world beneath the waters off Dos Palmas Island
Resort in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This PADI dive resort offers
guests the chance to explore the diverse marine ecosystem
surrounding the island. Non-divers can see the sights by
snorkeling, kayaking, swimming or island hopping on a boat.
Those who prefer to remain on dry land will nd loads to do on
this 20ha private island. Book now and you can get a room for
PHP7,500 per night (good for four people). Travel period is from
July 1 to September 30, 2015. Call tel: +63 2 637 4226, 637 4236,
922 833 5672, or e-mail claire@dospalmas.com.ph.
dospalmas.com.ph

Yokohama partnered with TeamManila Designs to create shirts

featuring the Philippine map and tread marks of the eco-friendly
BluEarth Tire. This month, customers who buy two tires from
participating Yokohama shops and retail outlets will receive this
exclusively designed shirt for free. Available in black or gray, the
Yokohama x TeamManila short will also be sold at Team Manilas
11 Lifestyle Stores, namely Rockwell Powerplant Mall, SM Mall of
Asia, Trinoma, Marquee Mall, Harbor Point, Market! Market!, SM
North Edsa, Robinsons Place Manila, SM Aura, UP Town Center
and Ayala Fairview Terraces. To check for participating Yokohama
shops, visit yokohamatire.ph/contact-us/.
91

www.cebusmile.com

trip journal
GUIDES TO CEBU PACIFIC DESTINATIONS

INTERNATIONAL
Check out what to do, what to
see, what to eat and where to go
in Cebu Pacics 28 international
destinations

DOMESTIC

Our local guides offer some handy

ideas on how to enjoy each of Cebu
Pacics 34 destinations within the
Philippines

Swim with the

whale sharks in
Oslob, Cebu

93

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Dubai

Kuwait

Riyadh

Area code +971

Touchdown Dubai International
Airport
Get to town via taxi, metro, bus

Take a road trip

from Deira to
Sheikh Zayed
Road and be amazed by
the skyscrapers. Jog along
Jumeira Beach or simply
marvel at the dancing
fountains in Sharjah and
at the Dubai Mall. Go on a
city tour with Dhow Cruise.
Dont forget to sample
Arabic sweets at one of the
citys sweet shops.

Area code +966 (11)

Touchdown King Khaled International
Airport
Get to town via taxi, bus, rental car

Area code +965

Touchdown Kuwait International
Airport
Get to town via taxi, bus, hotel
service

Stay at the
luxurious Riyadh
Marriott Hotel on
King Saud Road. Its located
in the heart of the city, near
Al Faisaliah Tower, the
National Museum of Riyadh
and Riyadh Zoo. Check out
the iconic Kingdom Tower,
which also has a shopping
mall.

Stay at
luxurious
beachfront
hotel The Regency Kuwait
(theregencykuwait.
com). Take a tour of The
House of Mirrors in
Qadisiya.Call ahead to
make an appointment.
The Scientic Center
in Salmiya is also worth
visiting.

Kaye Rosales
ICU nurse

Evaristus P. Reyes
subcontracts administrator

Angeline Libnao
government employee

DID YOU
KNOW?

THE SCIENTIFIC CENTER OF KUWAIT IS HOME TO THE LARGEST AQUARIUM IN THEMIDDLE

EAST. IT SPRAWLS ACROSS 80,000M2 AND HOUSES OVER 100 DIFFERENT ANIMAL SPECIES.

94

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Guangzhou

Doha

Area code +974

Touchdown Hamad International
Airport
Get to town via taxi

Check out
Katara (katara.
net), a cultural
village. Stroll around The
Pearl-Qatar, walk or cruise
the Corniche, have a picnic
at the Museum of Islamic
Art Park or go sand-dune
bashing and picturetaking with the camels. For
casual dining, go to Afghan
Brothers at Al Nasr St.

Area code +86 (20)

Touchdown Guangzhou Baiyun
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, bus, Airport
Express

Check in at
the Grand
Continental
Service Apartments
(grandcontinentalservice.
com). Find a lot of good
restaurants along Beijing
Road like Tiger Prawn and
Tang Tang Creative Desserts.
My favorite is Daiwo
Revolving Sushi on Huifu
East Road.

Lloyd Denny Estoperez

Chelsea Marguerite Arcilla

banker

civil engineer

DID YOU
KNOW?

Shanghai

Area code +86 (21)

Touchdown Shanghai Pudong
International Airport
Get to town via airport taxi, maglev,
bus, hotel service

The Bund,
Oriental Pearl
TV Tower, Yu
Gardens, Jade Buddha
Temple and Shanghai
Museum are must-sees.
In the evening, go on the
Huangpu river night cruise.
Try Shanghainese cuisine
at Xing Hua Lou (Fuzhou
Road) or Lvbo Lang
(Yuyuan Road).
Shifang Peng
graduate student

THE JADE BUDDHA IN THE TEMPLE OF THE SAME NAME IN SHANGHAI STANDS 1.92M
HIGH AND WEIGHS A WHOPPING 1 TON.

96

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Beijing

Xiamen

Area code +86 (592)

Touchdown Xiamen Gaoqi
International Airport
Get to town via Airport shuttle bus,
public bus, taxi

Dont miss
Gulangyu
Islands ancient
architecture and colonial
houses that showcase
the islands rich history.
Also, try kite-surng at
Haiyuntai Beach. Eat fresh
seafood at Jiali Seafood
Restaurant on Hubin West
Road. Zhongshan Lu offers
a wide range of dining and
shopping options.

Area code +86 (10)

Touchdown Beijing Capital
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, Airport
Express, subway

Visit the Great

Wall either at
sunrise or sunset
for the best photographic
opportunities. Shop on
Wangfujing or Silk Street,
then when you get hungry,
take away a meal from Top
Best Chicken, which can
easily be eaten on the go.
Amanda Lago
writer

Tiff Huang
entrepreneur

DID YOU
KNOW?

XIAMEN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF CHINAS

CLEANEST AND MOST LIVEABLE CITIES.

98

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Hong Kong

Macau

Area code +852

Touchdown Hong Kong
International Airport
Get to town via Airport Express, bus,
taxi, MTR

Area code +853

Touchdown Macau International
Airport
Get to town via bus, taxi

Disneyland and
Ocean Park are
musts but dont
miss the chance to do some
shopping. The Causeway Bay
area is home to a range of
shops that are closer together
than the stores on the
Kowloon side. Head to Lantau
Island to go on a whalewatching cruise or visit the
serene district of Tin Hau.

Stroll around
Senado
Square and St
Dominics Square en route
to the Ruins of St Pauls, all
part of the Historic Centre
of Macau. Find cheap
souvenirs and must-try
foods on the streets and
alleys leading to the Ruins.

Gel Lim

CPA lawyer / travel blogger

Mark Julius
Comendador Estur

realtor

DID YOU
KNOW?

THE VENETIAN MACAO RANKS AS THE WORLDS

LARGEST CASINO WITH A TOTAL AREA OF
980,000M2.

101

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Taipei

Sydney

Area code +886 (2)

TouchdownTaiwan Taoyuan
International Airport
Get to town via bus, taxi, Taiwan
High Speed Railway (THSR)

The Howard
Plaza Hotel
(taipei.howardhotels.com) is right in
the heart of the business
district. Dine at Din Tai
Fung and order some xiao
long bao (soup dumplings).
Also, try the hot pot at
Tian Wai Tian Fish Head
Steamboat.
Cindy Merz
entrepreneur

Area code +61 (2)

Touchdown Kingsford Smith
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, train, bus

After visiting
some of the
citys top
attractions the Sydney
Opera House, The Rocks,
Bondi Beach head out
to the Blue Mountains.
Theres a train and bus
combo ticket that will
get you there and back.
Breathtaking views, hiking
and biking trails make this
place a must-visit.
Michelle Bautista
marketing director

DID YOU
KNOW?

THE 62ND SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD

FROM JUNE 3 TO 14. WWW.SFF.ORG.AU

103

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Nagoya

Tokyo

Area code +81 (3)

Touchdown Narita International
Airport
Get to town via Narita Express
(NEX train), airport limousine bus

Include Mt
Fuji in your
itinerary and
sample mouth-watering
sushi and sashimi at the
Tsukiji Fish Port Market.
Find a place to stay via
Airbnb; Japanese people
are very accommodating
and their apartments tend
to be neat and tidy.

Osaka

Area code +81 (52)

Touchdown Chubu Centrair
International Airport
Get to town via train (Meitetsu
Airport Line and SKY), bus,
taxi and rental car

Visit the Port of

Nagoya Public
Aquarium. Its
home to some large sea
mammals such as dolphins,
beluga whales and orcas.
Try the tebasaki (deep-fried
chicken wings) at Yamachan
or Furaibo. Stay at Hotel
Landmark (hotel-landmark.
co.jp) in the city center.

Mary Ann Legarda

Marissa Gomia Gaviran

account manager

employee

Area code +81 (6)

Touchdown Kansai International
Airport
Get to town via Airport Express, taxi

Osaka is
famous for its
okonomiyaki
(Japanese pancakes) and
takoyaki. Head to Namba
district, where you can
try good ones. Head to
Universal Studios Japan to
experience The Wizarding
World of Harry Potter,
butterbeer and unique
jellybean avors.
Nicole Karissa T. Ricafort
marketing officer / management trainee

DID YOU
KNOW?

IN NOVEMBER 2016, TOKYOS TSUKIJI FISH MARKET WILL BE MOVED FROM ITS CURRENT
LOCATION TO A NEW SITE ABOUT 4KM AWAY IN TOYOSU.

105

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Seoul

Busan

Area code+82 (2)

TouchdownIncheon International Airport
Get to town viaAREX (train),
limousine bus, taxi

Patio59 in the
Hongdae area
is an affordable,
dorm-type guesthouse thats
a 10-minute walk from the
subway. The nearest train
station is Hongik University,
located in an urban district
bustling with street stalls,
hip cafs and restaurants
like Mubanna Chon-Dak, a
casual-dining chain.

Area code +82 (51)

Touchdown Gimhae Busan
International Airport
Get to town via subway, limousine
bus, taxi

Hi Korea Hostel
(hikoreahostel.
com) is a cozy
place a few streets away
from Haeundae Beach.
Catch the sunrise at the
beach, stroll along the artlled streets of Gamcheon
Culture Village and wrap
up your evening by dining
on Korean fried chicken at
Gwangalli Beach.

Irene Andrea C. Perez

Jane Galvez

journalist

digital marketing specialist

DID YOU
KNOW?

YOU CAN CATCH THE CHANGING OF THE ROYAL

GUARD AT SEOULS GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
DAILY AT 10AM, 1PM AND 3PM.

106

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Siem Reap

Kuala Lumpur

Area code +855 (63)

Touchdown Siem Reap-Angkor
International Airport
Get to town via tuk-tuk, hotel
shuttle, taxi

Check out the

Angkor National
Museum to get
acquainted with the art
and culture of the ancient
Khmer. Visit Angkor Wat
at sunrise, then cycle into
the archeological complex
of Angkor Thom. Rent an
all-terrain vehicle at Quad
Adventure Cambodia (quadadventure-cambodia.com)
and head to the countryside.

Area code +60 (3)

Touchdown Kuala Lumpur
International Airport
Get to town via train, bus, taxi, hotel
coach

Kota Kinabalu

Area code +60 (88)

Touchdown Kota Kinabalu
International Airport
Get to town via bus, taxi

Take advantage
of the free
walking tour
starting in the city center.
Make sure to check the
schedule and availability.
Take a short bus ride to the
Batu Caves, which is also a
Hindu temple. Four hours
away by bus are the amazing
Cameron Highlands, a
mountain getaway from the
sultry heat of the capital.

If youre in
the mood for
an adventure,
try climbing Mount
Kinabalu. Check out the
various packages at www.
mountkinabalu.com. Shop
at 1Borneo Hypermall,
Suria Shopping Mall,
Wisma Merdeka and
Karamunsing Shopping
Centre.

Duffie Hufana Osental

Warren Slater

assistant marketing manager

editor

teacher

Tracelynn Peter Jupili

DID YOU
KNOW?

SIEM REAP, WHICH TRANSLATES AS DEFEAT OF SIAM, REFERS TO KHMER KING ANG
CHANS VICTORY OVER SIAMESE FORCES IN THE MID-16TH CENTURY.

107

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Singapore

Bali

Area code+65
TouchdownSingapore Changi
International Airport
Get to town viataxi, MRT, limo

V Lavender is
near Lavender
MRT station
and is just one station
from Bugis Street. Sample
the chili crab at Roland
Restaurant, the roast
duck and wheatgrass tofu
at Dian Xiao Er and the
claypot rice at Golden
ShoeHawker Centre.

Jakarta

Area code +62 (36)

Touchdown Ngurah Rai
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, hired van

Be sure to try the

roast suckling
pig at Ibu Oka
Babi Guling Restaurant.
Visit Gunung Kawi, an 11thcentury temple surrounded
by rice terraces with giant
royal tombs carved into stone
cliffs. Go on a healing journey
to Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu
and wade into the waters near
the temples.

Armi Chua
operations lead

Johnson Lim
sales / business development

Area code +62 (21)

Touchdown Jakarta (SoekarnoHatta) International Airport
Get to town via bus, shuttle car, taxi

Learn about
Jakartas
history at the
Fatahillah Museum or
the Batavia Museum in
the Old Town of Jakarta.
Beside it is the Wayang
Museum, where you can
see collections of dolls and
puppets used in wayang
puppetry. Taste traditional
Indonesian food at Sate
Khas Senayan.
Christopher Mata
teacher

DID YOU
KNOW?

YOU CAN GRAB THE BEST DEALS DURING THE GREAT SINGAPORE SALE. IT IS ONGOING
UNTIL JULY 26. WWW.GREATSINGAPORESALE.COM.SG

109

www.cebusmile.com

international trip journal

Bandar Seri
Begawan

Bangkok

Phuket

Area code +66 (76)

Touchdown Phuket International
Airport
Get to town via taxi, rental car,
tuk tuk, bus

Check in at
The Royal
Paradise Hotel
& Spa (royalparadise.com).
Schedule a tour to Phang
Nga Bay, which includes
James Bond Island and
Koh Phi Phi. Shop for
souvenirs and sale items at
Jungceylon Shopping Mall.

Area code +66 (2)

Touchdown Suvarnabhumi
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, Airport Link,
limo, bus

Try the street

food around the
Grand Palace.
Learn to cook Thai food at
Blue Elephant (blueelephant.
com). Explore Ayutthaya or
go on a Chao Phraya River
cruise. Stay at Baan Pra
Nond Bed & Breakfast in the
heart of the city.

Rodel Garcia

Anya Santos-Uy

bank manager

managing partner / freelance voice artist

Area code +673

TouchdownBrunei
International Airport
Get to town viataxi

Eat to your
hearts content
at Aiko Sushi
Restaurant. Despite its name,
the restaurant offers not only
Japanese food but Malaysian
and Bruneian dishes as well,
all at affordable prices. Dont
miss going for a ride on a
water taxi to Kampong Ayer,
the countrys famous and
historic water village.
Ive dela Fuente
foreign project staff

DID YOU
KNOW?

MADE UP OF 169 THAI CHARACTERS, BANGKOKS NAME IS THE WORLDS LONGEST.

IT TRANSLATES INTO ROUGHLY 50 ENGLISH WORDS.

110

www.cebusmile.com

B.E. Creative Collections

international trip journal

Hanoi

Blizzy Esguerra
designer g owner

Unique
handcrafted
statement
jewelries and
accessories as
Christmas Treat or
Gift ideas.

Ho Chi Minh City

Area code +84 (4)

Touchdown Noi Bai International
Airport
Get to town via taxi

Aside from taking

a cruise at Ha
Long Bay, a day
trip to Ninh Binh is another
worthwhile experience. Most
hotels can arrange such trips.
Go on a walking tour of the
Old Quarter and soak up its
charming, Old World feel.
Rinnah Deslate

B.E. Creative
Collection
Hja[]klYjlkYl
caters:
Iai*22'22gj
Wholesaler,
NL-
Retailer, Wedding
favors, Birthday favors,
Souvenirs, Personalized gift ideas, etc...

9\\e]lg>9;=:GGC2:darrq=k_m]jjY

Zdar]ll]hall]jeYf8qY`gg&[ge

(1*+.,(*+,)

sales executive

Area code +84 (8)

Touchdown Tan Son Nhat
International Airport
Get to town via taxi

Located in the
citys famed
backpacker
district, Liberty Hotel
Saigon Greenview
(libertyhotels.com.vn) has
spacious rooms. Looking
to eat like a local? Try a
banh mi (Vietnamese-style
sandwich) and pearl milk
tea at any street stall.
Angeli Monique Siladan
chief of staff, National Youth
Commission

DID YOU
KNOW?

THERE ARE ABOUT 1,600 LIMESTONE ISLANDS AND

ISLETS IN HALONG BAY.

112

www.cebusmile.com

philippines trip journal

Cauayan

PHOTOS: SAMUEL DE LEON(CAUAYAN); LESTER LEDESMA (LAOAG & MANILA)

Area code 78
Touchdown Cauayan Airport
Get to town via tricycle, van

Visit the Our

Lady of the
Pillar Parish
Church, the Mushroom
Center and Isabela Green
Valley Orchidarium, the
Cortez and Lindon Fruit
Farm and Dacuycuy
Farms. Find affordable
accommodations at Hotel
Soa (thehotelsophia.com).

Laoag

Manila

Area code 77
Touchdown Laoag International Airport
Get to town via Sirib bus, tricycle,
jeepney, pre-arranged rental van

Stroll around
the city center
and visit the
Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag
Cathedral, the provincial
capitol and the nearby ea
market. Head to Batacs
Riverside Empanadahan and
give Glorys Empanada a try.
Also, try Iryns Delicacies
in Currimao for its freshly
cooked tupig and bibingka.

Kristian Paul Rigo Pagulayan

administrative staff

Area code 2
Touchdown Ninoy Aquino
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, hotel transport

Visit the Ayala

Museum. The
exhibits change
every quarter, so you
could be looking at a Frida
Kahlo or a Cesar Legaspi
depending on the time of
the year. For great Filipino
food at low prices, try Fely
Js and order the pancit and
dilis rice!
Inez Ponce de Leon

Gil Gillian Gacuma Jr.

university professor

contributing writer

EXPERIENCE A LIFE UNCOMMON

Century

The Residences at Commonwealth by

www.commonwealthbycentury.com

113

www.cebusmile.com

philippines trip journal

Clark

Tuguegarao

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (CLARK); RAP RIOS (TUGUEGARAO)

Area code 45
Touchdown Clark International
(Diosdado Macapagal) Airport
Get to town via taxi, shuttle, rental car

Area code 78
Touchdown Tuguegarao Airport
Get to town via tricycle, bus, van

Experience
outdoor fun at
Alviera Sandbox
in Porac. While there, try the
giant swing, the aerial walk
and the rollercoaster zipline,
drive an all-terrain vehicle
and play mini golf. If you have
more time, visit Sky Ranch
Pampanga and do some
shopping at Puregold Duty
Free and Royal Duty Free.

Billys
Panciteria
serves a
delicious version of the
local noodle dish. Visit
Sierra Tactical Ground
the rst outdoor ring
range in Tuguegarao. Its
not just for gun owners but
also for those eager to learn.
Book an appointment at tel:
+63 917 575 9029.

Leah del Rosario

Stef Collado

creative consultant

student

DID YOU
KNOW?

TUGUEGARAO IS A COMBINATION OF TWO IBANAG

WORDS: TUGGI WHICH MEANS FIRE, AND AGGAO,
WHICH MEANS DAY.

115

www.cebusmile.com

YOUR HOME

philippines trip journal

BY THE
UNDERGROUND Naga
RIVER.

Virac

DALUYON BEACH
AND MOUNTAIN RESORT
SABANG BEACH, BRGY. CABAYUGAN,
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY,
PALAWAN

h
c
a
e
A Boliday
H

T: +63.48.433.6379
F: +63.48.434.1174
M:+63.917.826.9989

www.daluyonbeachandmountainresort.com
inquire@daluyonresort.com

Area code52
TouchdownVirac Airport
Get to town viataxi, tricycle, jeepney

Both the Red

Platter and
Bob Marlin
Restaurant and Grill serve
delicious Bicolano dishes
such as laing and Bicol
Express. Try wakeboarding
at CamSur Sports Complex.
Also, check out the
Panicuason Hot Springs
Resort. Ride the zipline,
go wall climbing and
rappelling.

Check in or just
dine at Kemji
Resort and
Restaurant on P. Burgos
St. Order the sizzling sisig
and humba. Try one of
the adventure packages
offered by Pacic Surfers
Paradise, located in Puraran,
a 45-minute drive from the
airport. Apart from surng,
you can go island hopping,
cliff jumping and freediving.

Madone Refama

Maria Urdaneta-Mansilla

staff nurse

language teacher / sales and marketing

consultant

DID YOU
KNOW?

IN PURARAN, THE BEST MONTHS FOR SURFING

BEGINNERS ARE MARCH TO AUGUST. SEPTEMBER TO
OCTOBER ARE BEST FOR ADVANCED SURFERS.

116

www.cebusmile.com

PHOTOS: RAYMOND CALACDAY (NAGA); LESTER LEDESMA(VIRAC)

Area code 54
Touchdown Naga Airport
Get to town via taxi, jeepney

philippines trip journal

Area code 52
Touchdown Legazpi Airport
Get to town via taxi, tricycle, rental
van

Dine at Balay
Cena Una
and try its
eponymous pinangat pasta.
Go on an ATV ride along
Cagsawa trail and try the
zipline adventure at Ligon
Hill. Take a van to Bacacay
and rent a boat headed
to Pinamuntugan Island,
where you can swim and
enjoy its white sand beach.

Puerto Princesa

Area code 48
Touchdown Puerto Princesa
International Airport
Get to town via tricycle, multicab, van

Go spelunking
and ride the
zipline at Ugong
Rock. Try snorkeling at
Pambato Reef in Honda
Bay. If you have more time,
check out the mangrove
forest via the San Carlos
River Cruise. Shop at
Arandeman souvenir shop
and the Heritage Museum
of NATRIPAL, located on
Makawili Road.

Ivy Rose B. Domopoy

part-time playschool teacher

Busuanga

Area code 48
Touchdown Francisco B. Reyes
(Busuanga) Airport
Get to town via van

Stay at Coron
Gateway Hotel
(corongateway.
com). It has a restaurant that
serves tasty seafood dishes.
Go island hopping and see
Siete Pecados, Banana Island,
Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake
and Malcapuya Island. Also,
give Mount Tapyas 700-plus
steps a try. After that, relax at
Maquinit Hot Spring.
Czarina Anne Cordero

Kathy Mana-Galido
NGO worker

118

www.cebusmile.com

publishing specialist

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (LEGAZPI & PUERTO PRINCESA); AL LINSANGAN (BUSUANGA)

Legazpi

philippines trip journal

Area code43
Touchdown San Jose Airport
Get to town via tricycle

Divers should
arrange to visit
Apo Reef in
Sablayan. Its one of the
worlds largest contiguous
coral reef systems. The
devout may be interested in
visiting Santisima Trinidad
Chapel in Ilin, which was
founded by the healing
priest, Father Suarez.
Michael Joseph Villarosa

Iloilo

Bacolod

Area code 33
Touchdown Iloilo International
Airport
Get to town via taxi, van

Netongs
Batchoy, located
in the heart of
the La Paz Public Market,
serves the most authentic
bowl of this popular Ilonggo
noodle soup. Get a dose of
culture by visiting one of
the many well-preserved
heritage homes in the city.
The picturesque 1928
mansion Nelly Garden is a
favorite.

Area code34
TouchdownBacolod-Silay Airport
Get to town viashuttle van, taxi

O Hotel (ohotel.
com.ph), a few
blocks from the
downtown area, has clean
rooms and a courteous staff.
For pasalubong, head to
Emma Lacsons delicacies in
Silay. Her heritage kitchen
sells top-quality pasalubong
items like pili squares, fresh
lumpia, etc. Call tel: +63 34
495 5047 before heading over.
Julius de la Cruz

business development consultant

physician

Cecile Golez
writer / photographer

120

www.cebusmile.com

PHOTOS: SAMUEL DE LEON (SAN JOSE); LESTER LEDESMA (ILOILO & BACOLOD)

San Jose

philippines trip journal

Kalibo

Caticlan

Area code 36
Touchdown Godofredo P. Ramos
(Caticlan) Airport
Get to town via tricycle to Caticlan Jetty
Port then boat to Boracay

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (CATICLAN &KALIBO)

After hanging
out or having
fun on the
beach, cool down with
milkshakes from Jonahs
Fruit Shake & Snack Bar
or try the couple ice cream
at Halowich. Stay at the
Crown Regency Resort
and Convention Center at
Station 2.

Area code 36
Touchdown Kalibo International Airport
Get to town via tricycle, shuttle/van,
bus, jeepney

Take a relaxing
stroll through
Bakhawan
Eco-Park. Go on a side
trip to the nearby towns of
Tangalan (Jawili Falls and
its own white-sand beach)
and Balete (the Basura Art
Garden). Enjoy affordable
talaba (oysters) at RML
Manukan on Toting Reyes
Street.

Erin Joan C. Yang

associate copywriter

Phillip Kimpo Jr.

magazine editor / youth leader

DID YOU
KNOW?

OVER 1.47 MILLION PEOPLE VISITED BORACAY LAST

YEAR, 47% OF WHOM ARE FOREIGNERS.

121

www.cebusmile.com

philippines trip journal

Cebu

Area code 36
Touchdown Roxas City Airport
Get to town via tricycle, multi-cab

Drop by the
Panublion
Museum. Also,
visit the public market for
pasalubong shopping. Stay
at Kapis Mansions Hotel
(kapismansions.com) in the
city center. The food in the
hotel is good the kinilaw
na isda is a must-try.
Jacky Ong
account manager

Area code 32
Touchdown Mactan-Cebu
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, multicab

The Henry
Hotel in Banilad
(thehenryhotel.
com) is a stylish boutique
inn with spacious and clean
rooms. Aside from the lechon,
sample the roasted native
chicken at Conchings on
A Soriano St. Travel to
the town of Badian for the
Kawasan Canyoneering
Adventure. Book at
aquaholics.com.ph.
Diana Z. Aguado
landscape architect

DID YOU
KNOW?

NARRA AND KAMAGONG ARE THE MOST COMMON

TYPES OF WOOD USED BY CEBU GUITAR-MAKERS.

122

www.cebusmile.com

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (ROXAS & CEBU)

Roxas

philippines trip journal

Tacloban

Dumaguete

Area code 53
Touchdown Daniel Z. Romualdez
Airport
Get to town via jeepney, van for hire,
chartered vehicle

Eat at Leyte Park

Hotels Veranda
restaurant. It
serves the best steak in town
along with views of the San
Juanico Strait. Catch the
sunset from the San Juanico
Bridge just stand on the
elevated sidewalk (right lane,
heading toward Tacloban
City).

Area code35
TouchdownDumaguete (Sibulan)
Airport
Get to town viatricycle, taxi

Head to
Manjuyod
White Sand
Bar. From the airport, catch
a van to Capiahan Wharf
in South Bais City. Then,
take the short boat ride
to Manjuyod. During the
summer, you may be lucky
enough to see dolphins.
Maps Santos

PHOTO: LESTER LEDESMA (DUMAGUETE)

Blanche Rivera Fernandez

media buyer

custom media editor

DID YOU
KNOW?

YOU CAN BUY BEAUTIFUL BANIG (WOVEN MATS) IN

BASEY, SAMAR. THE TOWN IS JUST A 30-MINUTE DRIVE
FROM TACLOBAN CITY.

123

www.cebusmile.com

philippines trip journal

Area code 38
Touchdown Tagbilaran Airport
Get to town via van, tricycle, taxi

See the Chocolate

Hills, Baclayon
Church, the
Loboc River and the
Tarsier Conservation Area.
Book a one-day tour at
boholcarvanrentals@gmail.
com. When in Panglao, visit
the Bohol Bee Farm. Also,
visit Gerardas Restaurant
on JS Torralba St and order
the seafood kare-kare and
dinakdakan.

Ozamiz

Pagadian

Area code 88
Touchdown Ozamiz Airport
(Labo Airport)
Get to town via motorcycle

Head to the
Caluya Floating
Cottages in
Sapang Dalaga, where you
can swim and feed the sh.
Just a short walk from
Caluya Port is the statue
of Christ the Redeemer,
similar to the one in Rio de
Janeiro. Also, go for a trek
on Bukagan Hill.
Fian Tan
wedding planner

Area code62
Touchdown Pagadian Domestic
Airport
Get to town via tricycle, habal-habal

Head to
Alindahaw
Lakeview
Resort, where you can
go kayaking and ride the
zipline. Experience Triton
Island at Vincenzo Sagun
its white sand and clear
water are worth the trip.
Eat at Greenhouse Fishing
Station and Restaurant for
the best seafood dishes in
town.

Ivy Dawn C. Torre

Ghia Fuerzas

associate publishing specialist

event stylist and coordinator

124

www.cebusmile.com

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (OZAMIZ); EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP (PAGADIAN)

Tagbilaran

philippines trip journal

Area code 62
Touchdown Zamboanga International
Airport
Get to town via taxi, jeepney, tricycle

Stroll along La
Jardin de Maria
Clara and be
enchanted by its buttery
sanctuary, or check out the
Pasonanca Aviary. At night,
relax and hang out at Paseo
del Mar. Enjoy the cool breeze
and city lights while having
dinner and drinks.
Kayel F. Villafuerte
entrepreneur

Butuan

Area code 85
Touchdown Bancasi Airport
Get to town via multicab

Stay at The Red

Palm Suites and
Restaurant on
Villa Kanangga Road. Visit
Delta Discovery Park in
Bonbon, home to a 1.3km
zipline, the longest in Asia.
Hire a boat and go diving
with the crew of JJs Dive
Center. It offers trips to
Punta Diwata, about an
hour from Butuan.
Jessica Ann Mancao Magno
managing director

DID YOU
KNOW?

THE WORD ZAMBOANGA COMES FROM THE

MALAY WORD JAMBANGAN, MEANING PLACE OF
FLOWERS.

126

www.cebusmile.com

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (ZAMBOANGA); BOBBY TIMONERA (BUTUAN)

Zamboanga

philippines trip journal

PHOTOS: JOJIE ALCANTARA (DAVAO); SAMUEL DE LEON (DIPOLOG)

Davao

Dipolog

Area code 82
Touchdown Francisco Bangoy (Davao)
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, bus, van, jeepney

Area code 65
Touchdown Dipolog Airport
Get to town via motorcab, rental van

Have a
comfortable stay
at the Marco Polo
Hotel on Claro M Recto St.
Go island hopping at Island
Garden City of Samal or go
sky cycling at Eden Nature
Park. Schedule a day trip to
Mati, just two hours from
the city, and go surng. Shop
for souvenirs at Aldevinco
Shopping Center.

Ariana Hotel
(arianahotel.
ph) is near
the airport and has clean
rooms. Try the local cuisine
at Balay ni SRB. Theres
an all-you-can-eat lunch
on Saturdays. Buy some
bottled Spanish sardines
at the Dipolog Pasalubong
Center on Rizal Ave.
Karen Cruz Adriatico

Jeffrey Mondia

couturier

student / blogger

DID YOU
KNOW?

DIPOLOG IS KNOWN AS THE ORCHID CITY OF THE

SOUTH.

127

www.cebusmile.com

philippines trip journal

Cotabato

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (COTABATO & GENERAL SANTOS); EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP (TAWI-TAWI)

Area code 64
Touchdown Awang (Cotabato) Airport
Get to town via jeepney, multicab,
tricycle

General Santos

Area code 83
Touchdown General Santos
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, hotel service,
tricycle

Go on a road
trip to Lake
Holon in
Tboli. Stay overnight
at Sars Paradise Resort
(sarsparadiseresort.weebly.
com). Interested in going
on a canoe ride with the
natives? Contact the Tboli
Municipal Tourism Office
at tboli_municipality@
yahoo.com.

The ne white
sand beach
of Gumasa is
just an hour from the city.
Along the west coast is the
municipality of Maasim,
known for its beautiful dive
spots and paragliding. A little
farther on is the municipality
of Maitum, where you can
enjoy whitewater tubing.
gosaranganitravel.com

Frances Kristene B. Alvero

Rain Ramas

research assistant

visual artist / designer

Tawi-Tawi

Area code68
TouchdownSanga-Sanga Airport
Get to town viatricycle, motorbike

Climb Bongao
Peak for a
spectacular
view of the Celebes Sea
and the islands and
municipalities of TawiTawi. Also, visit the
Mosque of Sheikh Karimul
Makdum in Simunul. Need
a place to stay in downtown
Bongao? Try Rachels Place
Hotel & Restaurant
(tel: +63 68 268 1248).
Oscar Junjun Consumo Jr.
media practitioner

129

www.cebusmile.com

philippines trip journal

Cagayan de Oro

Area code88
Touchdown Camiguin Airport
Getto town via tricycle, motorela

Area code 88
Touchdown Laguindingan
International Airport
Get to town via taxi, jeepney,
motorela, shuttle

Go snorkeling and
diving at Mantigue
Island and White
Beach. Visit Katibawasan
Falls, Ardent Hot Spring,
Sunken Cemetery and Sto
Nio Cold Spring. Dine at
J&A Fishpen, Northern Lights
Restaurant and Oceanside Bar
& Grill. Bahay Bakasyunan sa
Camiguin (bahaybakasyunan.
com) is a good place to stay.

Go whitewater
rafting (info@
riverraftingcdo.
com). Head to Dahilayan
Adventure Park in
Bukidnon to try the longest
dual zipline in Asia. Dine at
the newest place in town,
Boy Zugba (boyzugba.com)
and sample its garlic lechon
kawali and juicy homemade
longganisa.

Meldy Papasin

Max T. Rodriguez III

senior solutions advisor

businessman / restaurateur / sports

conditioning specialist

DID YOU
KNOW?

CAMIGUIN IS HOME TO FOUR STRATOVOLCANOES:

MT HIBOK-HIBOK, MT TIMPOONG, MT BUTAY AND
MT GUINSILIBAN.

130

www.cebusmile.com

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (CAMIGUIN & CAGAYAN DE ORO)

Camiguin

philippines trip journal

Siargao

Surigao

Area code86
TouchdownTandag City Airport
Get to town via tricycle, habal-habal,
van for hire

Area code 86
Touchdown Sayak Airport
Get to town via habal-habal, hired
van

Area code86
TouchdownSurigao Airport
Get to town viamulticab, tricycle, hotel
service

Take a bus
to Lanuza,
about an hour
from Tandag. Catch at
wave at the Doot Poktoy
Surf Grounds, explore
the Campamento Cave or
take a dip in nearby Silop
Spring. While in Surigao
del Sur, stay at DOTaccredited Mamis Surf
Hauz. tel: +63 919 923 9007

Check out
Palaka Siargao
Dive Center
(palakadivecenter.com).
Stay at Ocean 101 Beach
Resort at Cloud 9, General
Luna. Dine at Club 101 and
order the Szechuan crab.
Shop for board shorts, surf
equipment and boards at
Hippies Surf Shop.

Discover the
underwater
gardens of Punta
Bilar and Banbanon Marine
Sanctuary. Diving and
snorkeling gear are available
at Punta Bilar Dive Center.
Stay at Le Chard Place Bed
& Breakfast (tel: +63 86 231
5107), just two minutes from
the airport.

Melody Del Rosario

Ayesha Laurente

VP, public relations & corporate

communications

hotelier / diver / sports enthusiast

Glenda Joy Felix

government employee

DID YOU
KNOW?

SURIGAOS NAME DERIVES FROM THE SPANISH WORD SURGIR, MEANING SURGE.

132

www.cebusmile.com

PHOTOS: LESTER LEDESMA (TANDAG & SURIGAO)

Tandag

airline news
UPDATES FROM CEBU PACIFIC AIR

MANILA-DOHA
ROUTE LAUNCHED
Cebu Pacic Air launches
its Manila-Doha route on
June 4, 2015, becoming the
only Philippine carrier to y
between these two cities.
The non-stop, twice-weekly
service departs Manila every
Monday and Thursday at
9.35pm. It arrives in Doha
at 2.45am the next day. The
return ight departs Doha
every Tuesday and Friday at
4.15am, arriving in Manila at
6.35pm.
Lowest year-round fares
between Manila and Doha

start at PHP9,488, which is

approximately 60% lower than
the fares of other airlines.
The new route features
the use of CEBs brand-new
Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with
a conguration of 436 alleconomy class seats. Hot meals,
seats with extra legroom and
Wi-Fi onboard are among the
add-on options.
CEB also offers fast and
convenient same-terminal
connecting ights for guests
taking advantage of CEBs
extensive Philippine network.

Camel riding
at the Grand
Mosque

Turn the page for more

news from Cebu Pacific >

135

www.cebusmile.com

airline news
TIGERAIR
PHILIPPINES
NOW CEBGO

CEB launches
new branding
This month, Cebu Pacic
introduces its newest brand
colors. Proudly Filipino, the
airline uses the countrys
natural canvas as its
inspiration, and will now use
shades of the Philippines
land, sea, sky and sun.
Weve always prioritized
building an extensive
network within and from
the Philippines, knowing
what a big difference air
travel makes in the lives of

to 34 domestic and 28
international destinations,
utilizing 55 aircraft. With
its wholly owned subsidiary
Cebgo, it offers the widest
network in the country.
The new branding is not
just a tribute to our roots,
but also a nod to the future,
Iyog says. As we expand
to farther shores, we look
forward to being an even
more relevant player in the
wider, global market.

Filipinos, says Candice Iyog,

CEB VP for Marketing and
Distribution. We bring the
Philippine warmth and sense
of fun everywhere we go. Now,
with the Philippines natural
colors on our logo, were
showcasing the country to the
world.
Cebu Pacic began in
March 1996 with four aircraft
and 24 ights to key cities in
the country. Now it operates
over 2,200 weekly ights

ALL-IN FARES ROLLED OUT

CEB introduces allinclusive fares, for a
more transparent pricing
structure, and a simpler
booking process for its
guests. Aside from the
base fare, the amount
reected already includes
web admin fees, Manila
airport terminal fees and
country-specic taxes.
Previously, base fares
were shown rst, and
government and admin

easier for our guests.

Country-specic
taxes do not include the
Philippine Travel Tax,
as this depends on the
passengers classication.
It may be manually added
at ticket offices or at the
airport. Optional travel
products such as baggage
allowance, CEB Air Wi-Fi,
meals, merchandise and
seat selection are available
for a fee.

fees were added later into

the booking. Now, it is clearly
stated how much the total fares
are, from the beginning of the
booking process.
We want to be more
transparent with the total fare
so its visible from the getgo how much the guest has
to pay, says Candice Iyog,
CEB VP for Marketing and
Distribution. We believe Cebu
Pacics new all-in fare structure
will make the booking process

136

www.cebusmile.com

Tigerair Philippines, a
wholly owned subsidiary
of Cebu Pacic Air, now
operates as Cebgo.
The new Cebgo
brand clearly identies
us as part of the CEB
group and streamlines
our operations further,
says Michael Ivan
Shau, Cebgo President
and CEO. Cebgo will
continue to leverage
on CEBs distribution
channels and network,
and work together to
serve more guests.
Since last month, the
Cebgo crew has been
conducting Fun Games
onboard to unify the CEB
group ight experience.
Flight and ground crew
will be wearing Cebgo
uniforms soon.
Cebgo ights continue
to operate out of Ninoy
Aquino International
Airport, Terminal 4.
Cebgo operates ights
to 15 destinations:
Bacolod, Cagayan de
Oro, Clark, Cebu, Davao,
General Santos, Iloilo,
Kalibo, Legazpi, Manila,
Roxas, Puerto Princesa,
Tacloban, Tagbilaran
and Hong Kong.
CEB acquired Cebgo
last March 2014. Cebgo
has since then launched
10 new routes, offering
more options for the
traveling public. Cebgo
carried 1.3 million
domestic passengers
in 2014, compared to
970,000 in 2013.
CEB and Cebgo
ights can be booked at
cebupacicair.com.

The JFF
Adventure
Coaches with
media at
Siquijor Island

WHATS
YOUR
STORY?
Tales of chance
meetings are what
a group of travel
photographers and
storytellers are
chronicling through
Juan of a Kind
Stories. A project
of Cebu Pacic Air,
this online initiative
showcases snippets
of peoples lives from
different corners of
the globe, celebrating
travel, connections,
cultural differences
and the candid
encounters that play
a central role in ones
journeys. From the
heartwarming to
the humorous, each
anecdote captures
the aspirations,
quirks and passions
of people of various
backgrounds.
Among the
storytellers taking
part in Juan of a
Kind Stories is travel
photojournalist Lester
Ledesma, who has
been writing about
and photographing
Asia for over 14 years.
He also contributes to
Smile regularly.
Share your own
Juan of a Kind
Stories through
the app found at
facebook.com/
JuanOfAKindStories.

Its time for more fun

writer Jude Bacalso and host
and DJ Joyce Pring.
To win, teams must earn
as many points as they can.
They can earn extra points and
additional prizes by competing
in special fun challenges
prepared by Cebu Pacic.
The trio that takes part
in the greatest number of
fun activities out of their
given budget and achieves
the highest standing in the

The Juan for Fun Backpacker

Challenge 2015 kicks off on
June 23. The ve competing
teams will have until July 1 to
travel to various Cebu Pacic
destinations and take part in
fun activities.
Five adventure coaches have
signed up to help the teams
along the way: TV host and
actress Iya Villania, musician
Champ Lui Pio, YouTube star
Bogart the Explorer, travel

special challenges will win

the competition and score
awesome prizes. This years
Juan for Fun Ultimate
Backpackers will receive
12 round-trip tickets to the
Cebu Pacic international or
domestic destination of their
choice, plus exciting travel gear.
Follow the teams and
their adventure coaches at
juanforfun.com or facebook.
com/CebuPacicJFF.

EARN POINTS, FLY FOR FREE

also converttheir Zap points
to GetGo when they dine at
participating establishments
in their network and earn
GetGo points for every
PHP200 worth of transactions
and services from RingRob
Concierge.
GetGos points plus
cash-payment scheme also
enable members to y faster
and farther to their choice
destinations by topping
up with cash. Whats more,
rewards points do not expire as
long as the account is active.
To obtain your GetGo
membership and enjoy
amazing travel rewards, simply
visit getgo.com.ph, ll out an
application form, and for a

Flying to your dream domestic

and international destinations
just got a whole lot easier
thanks to GetGo, the newest
lifestyle rewards program in
the country.
GetGo members can
collect rewards points by
ying with Cebu Pacic and
Cebgo. Additional points
are also given to those who
avail themselves of add-on
products such as reserved
seats, additional baggage,
meals and more.
Aside from earning GetGo
points from Cebu Pacic and
Cebgo ights, members earn
GetGo points when they use
their Citibank, Metrobank and
RCBC credit cards. They can
137

www.cebusmile.com

one-time membership fee

of just PHP150, have your
personalized GetGo card
delivered to your doorstep.
Very soon, people can also
grab a membership pack at the
nearest convenience store.
For more information,
visit getgo.com.ph, or call
+632 71-GETGO (43846).
The latest updates are also
available on GetGoPHs
official pages on Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram.

Where to next

Asia
Beijing
KUWAIT

Middle
East

Incheon

KOREA

JAPAN
Narita

Busan

Osaka
Nagoya

Dubai

QATAR

Riyadh

Doha
Shanghai

SAUDI
ARABIA

UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES OMAN

CHINA

Taipei

Xiamen

VIETNAM

Guangzhou
Macau

TAIWAN

Hong Kong

Hanoi

CLARK

THAILAND

MANILA

CAMBODIA

THE PHILIPPINES

Siem Reap

Bangkok

KALIBO
Ho Chi Minh City

CEBU
ILOILO

VIETNAM
Phuket
Kota Kinabalu

MALAYSIA

Bandar Seri Begawan

BRUNEI

Kuala Lumpur

SINGAPORE
Singapore

INDONESIA
Jakarta

MAP LEGEND

Denpasar

Cebu Pacic hub

City with Airport
Cebu Pacic Flight
Cebu Pacic New Flight
Operated by both Cebu Pacic and
Tiger Philippines (DG)

Sydney

Australia
138

www.cebusmile.com

Laoag

Tuguegarao

Cauayan

The Philippines
CLARK
MANILA

Naga

Virac

Legazpi

San Jose
Busuanga

Caticlan
KALIBO
Roxas
Tacloban

ILOILO

Bacolod
CEBU

Tagbilaran

Surigao

Puerto Princesa

Siargao

Camiguin

Dumaguete

Tandag
Butuan

Cagayan de Oro

Dipolog
Ozamiz
Pagadian

Cotabato

DAVAO

Zamboanga

General Santos

Tawi-Tawi

139

www.cebusmile.com

Onboard
treats

Hot meals
Available only on international ights

ON SHORT-HAUL FLIGHTS PHP350 each

Chicken Inasal

Beef Kebab

Grilled slices of chicken marinated in a special

mixture of calamansi, pepper, vinegar and
annatto. Best paired with pickled green papaya
(achara) and soy sauce.

Mediterranean-inspired beef kebab burger

topped with zesty white garlic sauce. Served with
turmeric rice and roasted onions and tomatoes.

NEW ONBOARD

Szechuan Chicken Noodles

Sweet and spicy noodles cooked Szechuan style.
Topped with chicken, peanuts, dried chili akes
and spring onions.

ON LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS PHP500 each with dessert

Korean Sweet & Spicy Chicken

Beef Pastel

Pasta Marinara

Breaded chicken coated with a special blend of

sweet and spicy sauce.

Beef cubes with mushrooms, potatoes and

carrots, cooked in a rich, creamy sauce.

Penne pasta tossed in avorful marinara sauce.

Topped with parmesan cheese. Paired with
parmesan breadsticks.

FILIPINO classics
Beef Caldereta

Bistek Tagalog

Filipino-style beef stew in a rich

tomato sauce, with carrots and
potatoes.

Beef strips cooked in a medley of

soy sauce, calamansi and onions.

Chicken Adobo

Chicken Barbecue

A Filipino staple simmered in a

balanced mix of soy sauce, vinegar,
garlic and peppercorns.

Chicken chunks cooked in a

savory barbecue sauce.

140

www.cebusmile.com

SAVORY snacks
Kani Mango Sandwich PHP 180
Fresh sandwich made with crab sticks and ripe mangoes drizzled with
Japanese mayonnaise in wheat bread slices

Ham & Cheese Croissant PHP100

Our light, aky croissant with slices of ham and cheese is sure to satisfy
your cravings!

Tuna Roll PHP100

Creamy tuna enveloped in soft bread and topped with chopped parsley.

Pizza Supreme Roll PHP100

Soft bun lled with bacon, mushroom, cream cheese and pepperoni
sauce and topped with toasted sesame seeds.

SWEET
treats

QUICK
bites

Cheese Roll PHP100

Jagabee Potato Fries

PHP70 NEW

Mini Choco Chip

Cookies PHP100

(classic salted, garlic, cheese)

Nova PHP60
Mini Pound Loaf
PHP80 NEW

Chippy PHP60

(Banana Crunch/
Blueberry)

Piattos PHP60

HEARTY meals
Soon Veggie Ramyun PHP120 NEW
Made of 100% vegan ingredients. No MSG added
and contains zero trans fat.
Nissin Cup Noodles PHP100
(seafood/beef/chicken)
Shin/Clay Pot Ramyun Big Bowl PHP150

Caution: Our cup noodles are

served with piping hot water. Please
be extra careful when having them.

141

www.cebusmile.com

Onboard
treats

Drinks

HOT drinks
Twinings Hot Teas PHP70
(English breakfast/jasmine green tea/
chamomile & spearmint)
Caf Mocha PHP100
Creamy Dark Chocolate PHP100
Brewed Coffee PHP100
Great Taste White Coffee PHP50

COLD drinks

Blue Flavored Water PHP60 NEW

(lychee, calamansi)
Iced Milk Tea PHP120
*Your summer favorite is back!*
(taro, wintermelon)

Mogu Mogu PHP60

(lychee/coconut)

ALCOHOLIC drinks

Chuckie Chocolate Milk Drink PHP60

Gatorade PHP60
(red/blue)

Yellow Tail Wines PHP200

(chardonnay/shiraz/merlot)

Vitamilk Soy Milk PHP60

Vita Coco PHP70 NEW

Mineral Water PHP50

Asahi Super Dry Beer PHP150

Minute Maid Pulpy Juice PHP60

(orange)

San Miguel Beer

PHP130

C2 Flavored Green Tea PHP50

(apple/lemon)

(pale pilsen/light)

Canned Soda PHP60

(Pepsi/Pepsi Max/7-Up/
Mountain Dew)
PLEASE NOTE: Items may vary depending on the route Subject to available stock Goods sold are not refundable We accept foreign currency please ask the cabin crew.

142

www.cebusmile.com

Onboard
merchandise

Travel essentials
NEW

NEW
Parachute Insulated
Lunch Bag
PHP250

Mini Shoulder Bag

PHP200

Carry-All Tote Bag

PHP350

Wandersky Luggage
Cover PHP1,200
Other designs available;
international ights only

PHOTO

Kids Aviator Hat

PHP500
NEW
Reversible Skirt
PHP330

Hoodie
PHP999

Lagu Beach Blanket

PHP999
Sand repellent

Chasing Wanderlust
Philippine
Scratch-Off Map
PHP995

Hoodie Neck Pillow

PHP490

NEW
NEW
USB Pocket Cable
PHP220

CEB Fun Blanket

PHP350

On The Go
Luggage Scale
PHP490

CEB Siesta Kit

PHP280

Cebu Pacic & Smart Bro

Fun Data SIM PHP500
Available on all international
ights bound for the Philippines

CEB Stuffed Toy

PHP350

Bug Off Kit

PHP480

Bluetooth Speaker
PHP550

A320 Die-Cast Plane

PHP550

CEB Cup & Cover

PHP200

*Every pair comes with a soft case

143

www.cebusmile.com

TRAVEL HARDCORE

For those who take traveling very seriously. By Manix Abrera

144

www.cebusmile.com

Century Properties has created some of the

most desired residential projects in Philippine
real estate history. As we journey on
through 2015, we are giving you what is truly
the best gift for you and your family.
For the first time ever, Century will be offering
its new signature Easy to Own Program!
Our new Easy to Own a Century Home Program
allows you to pay even lower monthly amortizations, you
can move in quicker, and have your choice of availing
of a bank loan or our new in-house financing
with terms of up to 15 years.
It has never been this easy to own a Century home!
Call us today and avail of this limited offer so that you may
give your family unlimited joy for generations to come.

The Resort Residences at Azure North San Fernando, Pampanga

For as low as P19K* per month

The Milano Residences Interior Design by Versace Home Makati City

For as low as P50K* per month

Acqua Livingstone Interior Design by MissoniHome Mandaluyong City

For as low as P27K* per month

Acqua Private Residences Mandaluyong City

For as low as P25K* per month

The Residences at Commonwealth Quezon City

For as low as P52K** per month

Azure Urban Resort Residences Paranaque City

For as low as P29K* per month

For more information, contact:

www.century-properties/easy-to-own
(63) 917-5555-274 ask@century-properties.com
*Indicative monthly payment for a 1BR unit **Indicative monthly payment for a 2BR unit
Authorized to sell by HLURB: Azure North: TLTS No. NTR-14-08-002, NTR-14-08-003, NTR-14-08-004, Milano Residences LTS No. 25038, Acqua Niagara LTS No. 25631, Acqua Sutherland
LTS No. 26132, Acqua Detiffoss LTS No. 26229, Acqua Livingstone LTS No. 26972, Azure Positano LTS No. 26378 , Azure Miami LTS No. 26379, Commonwealth Osmea West LTS No. 28528.