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A Harvest Holiday

There would seem to be nothing out of the ordinary about Sariaya, Quezon. A small, rural town with a population of a few thousand people, it is hardly the kind of place that would make it on a tourist’s itinerary. Pastoral and bucolic, it possesses a different charm and an almost loud silence that is reserved for authors of books and those in search of solitude. Except that is, on the day of the harvest festival. Every year on the 15th of May, the town bursts into a flurry of color and restless activity. Indeed, the feast day of San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of the farmers, would never go by without fanfare. After all, for a town that subsists on its agriculture produce, there is nothing more important than thanking the heavens for a good harvest.

A couple of days before the festivity, houses lining the streets of a predetermined procession route, decorate their facades with the fruits of their harvest. It is a contest of creativity and ingenuity, as families work together to make their display the best and most attractive of the lot. Thin rice wafers shaped like leaves called “kiping”, are baked and prepared in bright hues of purple, orange, yellow, red and green. These are strung together to make mock chandeliers and colorful lanterns called “aranyas” which are hung from windows or pasted on walls like a dizzying, kaleidoscopic wallpaper. Curtains of pastillas (milk candy), green beans, small eggplants and other agricultural crop frame the heads of young children as they peer out into the streets with anticipation. More creative folk stuff sacks with straw to make farmer figures complete with straw hats and cardboard bolos. Papier-mache carabaos share top billing with their straw masters on top poles along the rustic streets. Thin bamboo boughs called “bagacays” are tied to trees and toasted rice and popcorn, candies and bunches of bananas, cheese curls and other goodies, waiting to be grabbed by the crowd as soon as the procession passes by. Bakers make big bread figures in the shape of fish, lobsters and crabs, also to give away to the festival crowd.

The trip should take about 2 and 1/2 hours by land travel from Manila. Bus companies offering trips to Lucena, Daet and Legaspi are all sure to pass by Sariaya, although it would be good advice to remind the conductor to stop by the town as its quite easy to miss.

On the morning of the festival, judges roam the streets with the tourists to determine the top three displays of the year. Although Sariaya is devoid of posh hotels and other tourist accomodations, it is here that the famous Filipino hospitality can be put to the test. Even the simplest homes lay out a hearty feast, open to anyone with an appetite and a knack for interesting conversation. The people are a cheerful lot, perhaps a little giddy at the chance to host what to them is a grand-scale event, a little rush of adrenaline in an otherwise sleepy town. After a full lunch and a short siesta, it’s off to the beautiful church at the center of town where a mass begins the highlight of the day—the procession of the statue of San Isidro, patron saint. Carried on a gleaming silver chariot call a “caroza” , the image is walked through the streets followed by a mass of people waiting to collect some goodies along the way. As soon as the image passes by, men with sharp bolos cut down the bagacays and it’s a happy, if somewhat rowdy, grab for the food and goodies tied to the bamboo trees. Men call out to those watching from inside houses and are rewarded with candies and coins thrown out into the street. Mischievous people hose down the mass with streams of water, as it is believed that this would prevent draught from coming and thus ensure another good harvest for the coming year. As the sounds of the procession move off into the distance, residents go back inside their houses and eat a filling merienda (snack) of rice cakes, pancit (noodles), dinuguan (blood stew), and sweets.

When night falls and the streets become quieet once again, its another year of work, and waiting in thanksgiving for the next bountiful harvest. As for the visitors, they leave with the knowledge that there is something not so ordinary about Sariaya, the sleepy little rural town south of Manila. Perhaps, it might find it’s way again, into next year’s itinerary.

TRAVEL NOTES:
Experience the annual cultural festivity with IslandsPhilippines.net

Let it also be a day of culinary exploration as we take you to charming old houses
that serve delectable local cuisine.

Join us for a lovely Day Trip to the countryside and embrace the local culture.

Package Rate:
P2,980 per person
P1,500 for 12 years old and below

Inclusions:
• Air-conditioned Transportation
• Meals in Quezon town (breakfast, lunch and merienda)
• English Speaking Tour Guide

Date: May 15, 2010 (Saturday)
Meeting Place: Hotel InterContinental, No. 1 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Departure Time: 5:00 am
Expected Time of Arrival in Manila: 8:30 pm

Come and join us! Otherwise, you have to wait another year!

For bookings, please email or call us at:
travel@islandsphilippines.net
Tel. No. 638-8374

Laing Recipe

Laing is one of the most popular dishes of the Bicol Region. It is also called “pinangat” and is most popular in Camalig, a small municipality in the province of Albay, located at the foot of the famous Mayon Volcano.

Made from gabi leaves and Bicol’s most famous ingredients, coconut milk and chili, Laing has to be cooked just right or else you will be left with an itchy mouth and tongue.

Laing has many variations and because of its popularity, this dish can be found around the Philippines; but the best versions still come from its origin – the Bicol Region -- where the locals know just how to cook it to perfection.

Making your very own Laing

½ kilo gabi leaves
½ kilo gabi stems
Coconut milk from 2 coconuts or 1 pack of coconut milk mixed with one pack of coconut cream
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 sliced onion
1 tbsp of grated ginger
salt & pepper to taste
2 siling haba
3-4 siling labuyo

Remove the skin of the gabi stems. Cut the stems 2 inches in length. Tear the gabi leaves and dry outside with the cut stems.

Combine the ingredients together in a big casserole -- garlic, onion and ginger, gabi leaves and stems and coconut cream. Cover and slowly cook for about an hour over low fire. When the coconut milk dries up, turn off the fire. Add the siling haba and chopped siling labuyo. Stir the laing well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Add salt and pepper as desired.

Pork, fish and crabmeat may be added to this dish. Just put them in the casserole and cook with all the laing ingredients, making sure that the meat is placed on top of everything. Once done, mince the pork or fish meat and mix into the cooked laing.

Best served the day after since flavors of ingredients have neutralized.

Heritage Down the Northern Coast

It was a little past 8:00 pm when my friend and I finally arrived at Fort Ilocandia in Laoag, more than 11 hours after leaving Manila. Since it was too late to do anything, we decided to have dinner in the hotel. We had chosen to drive because we fancied ourselves travelers, not tourists, and wanted to see Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte on our own terms. Our terms, for that first night, would be the Chinese restaurant in the hotel and then straight to bed.

Bright and early the next morning, we headed out to Laoag City proper and discovered that Ilocos is very tourist friendly. There are signs at every road junction pointing you in the direction you want to go. Even without a map, you can’t get lost. If you’ve only got a couple of days, I recommend taking the first flight out of Manila and hiring a van (prices start at P3,000/day) or if you don’t need air-conditioning, hire one of the regular jeepneys to drive you around (for about P1,500/day).

Say what you will about the Marcoses, Ilocos might make you want to take back a few of those words. Traveling around the province is like stepping straight into Ferdinand Marcos’ vision of the New Society. Driving is a breeze on the well-maintained roads. It looks prosperous, as the houses out in the middle of the ever-present tobacco fields are relatively large, made out of concrete, and modern. Even the little baranggays well off the beaten path are immaculately clean.

Laoag City
Like every town of a decent size in Ilocos, 300 years of Spanish occupation left an indelible stamp here in the form of the centuries-old Laoag Church. Originally a wooden structure built in 1580, it was replaced by the present structure in 1612. About 85 meters away, you’ll find its sinking bell tower. Old folks’ tales say that a person on horseback could once pass through its entrance. Today, it’s a few steps down to the entrance of the tower, and you have to stoop to make it through the doorway. We snapped a few pictures then asked directions to the Museo Ilocos Norte, which was a short 5-minute walk away.

Field after field of tobacco plants is another very visible remnant of the Spanish occupation. From 1781 to 1881, the Ilocanos were forced to plant nothing but tobacco and sell the leaves only to the government. Laoag City was the administrative center of the Spanish tobacco monopoly, and the Museo Ilocos Norte is housed in the restored Tabacalera Warehouse. The museum is an excellent place to learn about the Ilocano culture and way of life.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
The 45 km. drive further north to our next destination was almost zen-like in its serenity. Aside from the occasional bus, we had the highway practically to ourselves. The tobacco fields outside the city gave way to breath-taking views of the South China Sea on the left and twenty minutes after leaving Laoag, there it was, rising from the trees on the right - the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Faro de Cabo Bojeador has been guiding ships away from the rocky shores of the town of Burgos since March 30, 1892 and is still in operation today.

The lighthouse, the highest in the Philippines, is open to the public. There is a small museum at the first level holding memorabilia, but the highlight of our visit was definitely climbing an antique iron, spiral staircase all the way up to the lens room where you will be rewarded with a 360 degree view - the endless blue of the sea in front of you, the green, rolling hills of Ilocos behind you, and its shoreline seeming to stretch endlessly on either side.

Marcos Country
Knowing we had over 50 km. to cover to get to our next destination, we grabbed a quick bite and drove back south to Batac, to visit the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum, the first stop on what we called the Marcos trail.

In what must be one of Imelda Marcos’ biggest lapses in judgement, she refused to bury her husband unless he was given a proper hero’s farewell and laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The Philippine government said, “No way, Jose!” and this was how the Marcos Mausoleum was born. The outside is a severe cube of adobe blocks. At its entrance are several wreaths of white flowers from the loving Meldy, proclaiming undying love for her Andy. As you enter, Gregorian chants echo softly. You take a few more steps, your eyes adjust to the gloom, and there, inside a protective glass case, spotlighted in the middle of the darkened room, is what are supposedly the earthly remains of Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, the 10th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

In stark contrast to this is the museum, where you will find relics of Ferdinand Marcos’ 20-year rule – pictures show a vibrant man in his prime, excerpts from his speeches undeniable evidence of his brilliance.

Just 4 km. from Batac is the imposing Paoay Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was restored for the 1983 wedding of Irene Marcos and Greggy Araneta. The parish was founded by the Augustinians in 1593, and the cornerstone of the church laid in 1704. The bell-tower on one side was used as a lookout by the Katipuneros, and again by guerrillas during World War II. If you’ve got a head for heights, and don’t mind making your way up rickety wooden steps that seem as old as the church, make sure to climb to the top of the bell-tower and try to imagine what it was like for those lookouts. The bell is still rung 4 times a day.

From the church, just follow the signs to the Malacanang of the North. Built in 1977 as the official residence of Pres. Marcos in the north, it stands on 5 hectares along the shores of Lake Paoay, and has a world-class, 18-hole golf course for its back yard. Today, the rooms look a little bare, and the structure itself is showing signs of wear. But many iconic images we still have in our heads of the Marcos era (a buff Marcos showing off on water-skis, golfing with his cronies, partying with the who’s who) were all shot here.

And with that, we called it a day and followed the scenic road along the lake all the way back to Fort Ilocandia, the final stop on the Marcos trail. The hotel was originally built by the Marcoses for their daughter’s wedding reception. Done with Ilocos Norte, we were looking forward to seeing what Ilocos Sur had in store for us.

Juan Luna Shrine
We started on the 2 hour drive to Vigan really early the next day because we had a extra detour in mind. Halfway to Vigan from Laoag is the town of Badoc where you’ll find the brick house where Juan Luna was born. Abandoned by the family when they moved to Manila, it fell into ruin, and was restored by Imelda Marcos in the 70s. It holds reproductions of some of Luna’s most famous works.

Also in Badoc, is the 200-year old Shrine of La Virgen Milagrosa, where Juan Luna was baptized, and home to the miraculous wooden image of the virgin Mary – hence the name Virgen Milagrosa.

Vigan
There’s lots to see and do in Vigan and it’s especially a treat for the history buff. We parked our car and explored on foot.

We started at the Burgos Museum, the home of Fr. Jose Burgos who was executed by the Spanish together with Gomez and Zamora. Along with memorabilia of Fr. Burgos, there are paintings by Don Esteban Villanueva, and a few Ilocano artifacts. Right beside the museum is the Provincial Jail built in 1657. It is also the birthplace of Pres. Elpidio Quirino.

Cross Plaza Salcedo and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Vigan. Check out the earthquake barqoque style of the imposing St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in 1790. And if you’re interested in religious artifacts, then visit the Museo San Pablo right beside the church. Also worth a look is the Arzobispado. Completed in 1783, it is the only surviving 18th century arzobispado in the country. It also served as Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s headquarters in 1889.

Lunch found us at Café Leona, right at the beginning of Crisologo Street where we tried the interesting Pakbet Pizza (pizza topped with okra, eggplant and shrimp paste), and stuffed ourselves full of bagnet (Deep Fried Pork Belly) and longganiza (Cured pork sausages). It’s best to get here a little early to beat the lunch crowd. Right beside the restaurant is the Tourism Office. Stop by and ask for a map of the city. It’ll make exploring a lot easier.

After lunch, we made our way down the famous Calle Crisologo or the Vigan Heritage Village. An entire street that seems frozen in time complete with cobblestones and ancestral houses. Once the home of the city’s elite, the ground floor of the mansions have now been converted into souvenir and antique shops.

From Crisologo St, turn left into Salcedo St where you’ll find the Syquia Mansion. It might look closed, but just ring the doorbell and Rusty (the 4th-generation caretaker of the Syquias) will let you in and give you a very interesting tour.

From Crisologo St, you can choose to take a calesa ride to the other places of interest – a 3 hour tour of the city would set you back around P300. Or make your way back to the Plaza and get on a trike and ask to be taken to the following places:

Crisologo Museum - which is the ancestral home of the prominent Crisolog family. It has now been converted into a museum but the 2nd floor still looks pretty much the way the family left it.

Pagburnayan or jar factories - the Ilocano clay jar called "burnay" is used for storing suka, basi and bagoong. They are still made using pre-historic methods.

Gov. Chavit Singson’s Baluarte – the private park of the former governor, it is open to the public and free of charge. Here you can feed ostriches and camels, walk inside a butterfly garden, take pony rides, and watch the tigers being fed.

After all that exploring, we were ready for a snack, so we made our way back to Plaza Burgos and the Empanadaan. You can’t leave leave Ilocos without sampling the empanada – a deep fried, crispy shell stuffed with shredded cabbage, the famous Vigan longganiza, egg and dipped in vinegar.

The sun was setting as we were finishing our empanadas so we decided it was time to face the long drive back to Manila. A weekend was way too short to fully appreciate Ilocos. There’s a necklace of centuries old churches strung along the province that we didn’t get to see, beaches whose waters we didn’t sample, and local fare we didn’t get to taste. But we headed home happy in the knowledge that there would be even more waiting for us when we found our way back to Ilocos again.

New Horizons in the Far East

What makes a destination worth traveling to? What keeps us going back? There are as many answers to that question as there are travelers, but it seems that Samar Island, tucked into the Eastern flank of the Visayas has the answers to both those questions in spades, even if the destination has not registered on most travelers ‘must visit’ lists. Indeed, most people have never been there, which certainly adds to its allure as terra incognito. For those who have traveled there, the charms are readily apparent, and most visits simply expand the list of ‘places I have to see’ rather than a checked off ‘already seen’ box.

For those with limited time to travel, such as a weekend, probably the most time-efficient itineraries involve the western and southern coasts of the island, with entry points at Calbayog and Tacloban in northern Leyte. The western coast, from Calbayog down to Catbalogan, is one of the most stunning drives in the country, punctuated with an endless array of islands in the Libucan and Canahauan group on the horizon line, many of which are almost never visited by tourists. The drive down the highway all the way down to Tacloban is especially awe-inspiring around sunset, when the colors of the expansive sky seem to double in scale off the calm waters of Samar Sea. In between Calbayog and Catbalogan, on a pleasant little side trip inland up the Gandara River, one can find the Blanca Aurora Falls, where a tiny tributary comes tumbling out of the rain forest into a welcoming little swimming hole.

The Southern Coast of Samar is especially rewarding for a 2 day escape, as the stretch from Tacloban to Guiuan is chock full of things to see and do, and distances are very reasonable, enabling travelers to spend more time doing than time traveling. Once across the San Juanico bridge, which, at 2.2 kilometers, is one of South East Asia’s longest bridges, the first attraction is to be found at Basey, where the magnificent Sohoton Caves Natural Park are found after a 1.5 hour Apocolypse Now-style boat trip up the Golden River. Marabut town is blessed with the Marabut Marine Park, which is a collection of 15 beautifully twisted and unique rock spires that rise surreally out of the water. The area has several private and government-run resorts for people who want to stay overnight in the area, which gives visitors more time to rent kayaks or barutos (outrigger canoes) and poke around the rock formations, which have blessed countless postcards and travel brochures.

History buffs will want to stop at the town of Balangiga, which, despite its sleepy, nothing-has-changed-in-decades feel, was the site of one of the fiercest campaigns of the Philippine-American war in the early 20th Century. When local Samareños launched a surprise attack on American soldiers in September 28, 1901, the American military counterattacked in a series of bloody campaigns, and the chilling orders of an American General to “…turn Samar into a howling wilderness.” Every September there is an impressive reenactment of this slice of history, and an imposing monument to the event towers over the town square, next to the church from which the locals launched their attack.

Further on, the town of Guiuan is starting to attract attention to Samar, as its idyllic Calico-An island has been picked as a hotspot for future infrastructure development by the Philippine Department of Tourism. The area certainly deserves the attention, and it will probably have it in a matter of years, but for the time being, visitor numbers are not overwhelming, and it is quite easy for tourists to have the beach almost, if not completely to themselves. Calico-An Island stretches off of Samar’s south east coast like a tail, and the eastern side of the island is perfectly poised like a catcher’s mitt to take in the mighty Pacific’s swells, which has earned Guiuan some notoriety amongst surfers. Especially during peak surf season from August to November, pounding swells often hit Calico-An, and surfers can find a variety of breaks in the area to their liking, from sandy beach breaks to more challenging reef breaks. Most surfers head directly to ABCD Beach, where surfers are almost always bound to find some surf. For the beginner surfer, it is a great place to learn, as gear is available for rent locally, and because of the forgiving sandy bottom being a much better place to learn than jagged reef tops. There are a few places to stay in the area, with more on the way, but the most luxurious and established accommodation in Calico-An is at Surf Camp Resort (www.calicoansurfcamp.com), where exquisite design, killer real estate and a dedicated staff make any stay a good one.

There are also a few more affordable and basic places to stay, for those on a tight budget. Besides the beach on the Pacific side of the island, there are other quite notable things to see on Calico-An, such as the Yoga Camp run by Ashtanga Yogi Bela Lipat, who has located her yoga hall and other structures on top the towering cliffs which look down on the rest of the island. The short walk from the main road through the forest and up the stairs, which were carved by hand into the cliff face, would be worth the trip, but the views from the top seal the deal. Guides at the Yoga Camp can take you down to the other side of Calico-An, which faces the Letye Gulf, is remarkably placid compared to the Pacific, and a low-tide walk on this side is very tranquil and relaxing, with still waters and jagged rock spires giving photographic possibilities at every turn of the head.

Travel Notes:

How to Get There
Air routes access both Calbayog and Tacloban from Manila, and some routes also coming in from Davao and Cebu. Tacloban and Samar are linked to the rest of the archipelago by ferries such as WG&A and others.Overland, Tacloban to Guiuan can be done in one 2.5 hour journey, and Calbayog to Tacloban is about 5 hours. Plenty of vans, buses and jeeps ply the route, and it is usually fairly easy to get on and off at whim. Guiuan, thanks to a massive end-of-WW2 American military build up, has one of the largest runways in the country, but for the time being it is an airstrip without an airport, but future plans include the opening of a Guiuan route, so keep your eyes peeled.

Accommodation
Most of the places to stay in Samar are simple but comfortable, and almost always relatively cheap, usually running less than 500 pesos. There are some higher end resorts, such as Surf Camp, where rooms can cost upward to about 5500 twin share for Surf Camp. Food is also very affordable, and always fresh.

Silence in the Cordilleras

SILENCE --- it’s a hard-to-find commodity when you live in the middle of a capital city. And when you’re a heavy thinker like me, the mental cacophony combined with the constant hum of metropolitan traffic can drive anyone positively mental. During times like this, a long trip out of the city becomes a necessity rather than an option. On one such moment, I packed a bag in the middle of the night and headed off to the AUTOBUS station in España and took the midnight express to the far north.

The ride to Banaue is a long one, which is why traveling in the dead of the night is probably a good idea. Aside from the streets being devoid of traffic, you can get your hours of sleep while traveling; which is good if you can’t extend your weekend too much before your boss notices your absence. The sun would have just yawned its way into the sky when you arrive at Banaue, and the cool, crisp air is enough to make you grateful for leaving the hot, dusty metropolis. It was my first time this part of the Philippines, my northern Luzon exploits having then been limited to the more tourist-friendly destination of Baguio City where city folks rush when the summer heat begins to take its toll. By tourist-friendly, I mean only that Baguio seems to have the lion’s share of hotels, restaurants and creature comforts. Banaue, while famed the world over for being the home of the agricultural marvel known as the rice terraces, seems to have retained its bucolic charm, which in the Philippines means an obvious lack of visitor luxuries. The requisite thing to do in Banaue is obviously to take a tricycle to the viewpoint to see the terraces. The ride up is dotted with numerous viewpoints, any one of which can give you a breathtaking view of what is considered to be one of the world’s wonders. The rice terraces, built by hand and farmed by generations of Ifugao families are awe-inspiring to say the least. But while Banaue is home to the most famous of the terraces, the smaller terraces in surrounding towns are to me, even more deserving of a look-see. Shops full of souvenirs and tribal arts and crafts predictably punctuate the top of the mountain road. If you must purchase a memento, it is a good idea to buy a blanket or any other item showcasing the skill of the Cordillera weavers. Bargain wisely though, as tourism seems to be the main source of income for most locals. It was immensely satisfying to take a walk along the town’s main road, as Banaue is a picturesque town. There are quite a number of places to stay in Banaue, most of them pretty basic. Drinking seems to be a local pastime and apart from the hearty laughter of merry men and the obtrusive sound of songs being belted from the karaoke machine, there is not much to do in Banaue for those looking for activity.

From Banaue, I rode a jeepney to Bangaan, a small farming community where solitude and silence seems a way of life. The Bangaan Family Inn where I stayed for a couple of nights delivered exactly that --- family style service in a clean, homey atmosphere. I rented an authentic Ifugao hut perched on the side of the mountain. I spent hours of soul searching on a hammock strung on the rafters beneath the hut’s wooden floor. You almost forget the freezing cold water you have to take your bath with when you look out and see what seems to be your own personal view of the Bangaan terraces. Many backpackers choose to make a quick stop at Bangaan then move on to Batad. I took my sweet time and stayed for a while, reading and eating vegetable curry to my heart’s content.

The village of Batad is accessible via a 2-hour hike depending on your level of fitness. It’s quite an easy climb but you have to be reasonably fit to enjoy the hike. I set out early in the day to avoid the scorching sun and was joined by a lone foreign hiker. Drinks are sold at a few stops along the way but it is of course always best to bring your own water. By the time I reached Batad, the view of verdant rice paddies was no longer a novelty and yet, each place I arrived at in the Cordilleras wove its own enchanting spell. It is perhaps at this point in my trip when I started to yearn for a companion – if only to share the beauty of the natural environment for which I am at a loss of words to describe. I met many Europeans and Westerners in Batad and I couldn’t help but silently wonder why it is that very few Filipinos make the effort to visit these places but find ways to leave the country to marvel at the jewels of other countries. There are quite a number of quaint restaurants and places to stay in the village. The range of cuisines available are surprisingly diverse, perhaps a testament to the number of foreign tourists that find their way to Batad. Aside from the amphitheater of rice terraces that are carved around the bowl shaped valley, another 45-minute walk down the terraces from the heart of the village will bring one to the Tappia waterfalls. You must visit it to appreciate just how spectacular it is.

While it was extremely tempting to stay where I was, I eventually found my way back to Banaue and took a small bus to Bontoc, from where I was planning to end my trip with a visit to Sagada. Bontoc is another 2 and half hours from Banaue and the trip via public bus could be a little uncomfortable. I shared my seat with a few live chickens and a crying baby, both of which made me wonder if I should have joined the men folk who chose to ride on the roof of the mini-bus. But the discomfort is worth it as the views are fantastic on this part of the mountain range. Bontoc is the trading and business center of this part of the province and is perhaps the most “citified”. Near the big market, many stores sell 2nd hand clothing and goods, mostly from donations to the Salvation Army. If you are going short on cash it is advisable to get some money in Bontoc as many banks have their offices here. Just ask any of the locals and it is an easy task to find the jeepney stop where one can get a ride to Sagada.

Sagada by itself deserves a separate write up. As I discovered, it takes some work to get there and yet, those who have come find themselves finding ways to return as soon as schedules permit. A backdrop of indigenous pine trees combined with limestone outcrops, lush valleys and tasteful architecture make Sagada a refreshing sight in a tropical landscape. The cold climate and altitude, which allows for the constant fog and mist that shrouds the community, deliver an atmosphere of utmost serenity. Noise seems almost criminal here. The presence of St.Mary the Virgin church in the middle of town seems to set the tone for a solemn and sober sojourn. While a lively nightlife is obviously not to be expected here, there are many things to see and do in Sagada. A heavy breakfast of pancakes, served with yogurt and fresh honey is a great way to start the day. Perhaps the most popular tourist sight are the hanging coffins, most of which were carved by the elderly themselves before their deaths. Tourists can hike down Echo valley and enter the caves. I found it most distressing to note that anyone can pretty much do anything they like, which meant many of the coffins had been looted and desecrated, with many bones being taken home as souvenirs, gruesome as that may sound! Taking walks is the happening thing in Sagada and it can give you the chance for some exercise without you even noticing it. You can follow the mountain ridge and inhale the fresh mountain air towards Mt. Ampacao, or walk from Bang-an to Lake Danum.

It is easy get lonely during trips like this, although people like me derive a sort of perverse pleasure in momentary loneliness. It is rewarding for me to lose track of time every once in a while, to get lost in my thoughts and to take pleasure in the silence of beautiful surroundings. A trip to the Cordilleras is the perfect escape from the noise of my daily affairs. It is when the silence gets most deafening, that you can hear the whispers of your soul and recognize just how wonderful the world is.

Into the Heart of a Sleeping Beast

It hardly seems imaginable now, almost 20 years after Mount Pinatubo blew its top, what a huge event the eruption was. With its explosive exit from the ‘dormant volcano’ category slamming it into the record books as the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, only behind Alaska’s Novarupta eruption in 1912. But unlike Novarupta, which lays tucked away in Arctic solitude, Pinatubo kicked its 10 cubic kilometers of rock and ash over a heavily populated area, and even with effective evacuation maneuvers, hundreds were killed, hundreds of thousands were displaced and many lives were changed forever.

Most people who lived in Manila or Pampanga during the eruption are sure to have several photos in their albums of scenes that look more like a snowy winter in Alberta than an ash covered landscape in Angeles. Ash fell as far as Vietnam, Russia and Cambodia, and the world’s average temperature even dropped around 0.5 degrees Celsius, as Pinatubo pumped a blanketing layer of aerosols and sulfur dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere. The layer of volcanic material was captured on film by an orbiting Space Shuttle mission, and stunning sunsets were viewable around the world, as trade winds took the tons of chemicals and debris to far-off continents.

Both now and before, Pinatubo has never dominated the skyline of the Zambal mountain range, maintaining a fairly modest profile belying its violent nature. The explosion lopped off almost 300 meters off its original height of 1700+ meters, and turned a mountain peak into a crater lake, which can sometimes grow in depth at a rate of a meter a year. Before one goes up the mountain, a little combing around the net for pictures of the eruption and the mountain in the first few years after the 1991 eruption can serve as a frame of reference to understand what happened there. The area is now blanketed with a layer of foliage, which can be a misleading, as the green valley hides the volcanic gray ash that lies right below. Pictures like Kevin Hamdorf’s photos from the first post-eruption ascent several years after the eruption can be real eye openers, capturing an almost impossible-to-comprehend monochromatically gray moonscape on which no colors and nothing living exists.

And yet today, the climb up Mt. Pinatubo is one of the biggest highlights for visitors to Central Luzon. While routes are occasionally found from the Zambales side of the mountain, especially around Botolan town, most tourists approach the mountain from its eastern flanks, in Tarlac Province. Aspiring climbers can either let the details be handled by one of the many tour operators offering whole-day trips up the volcano. For those inclined, the ranger station at Barangay Santa Juliana in Capas can help with all aspects of the trek, with pertinent detail, arranging for mandatory guides and collecting user fees. User fees are proportionately cheaper for larger groups than for individuals, so this is a good trip to get your friends to accompany you on. Various fees such as guide fee (P500 for guide, 1 guide per group), individual fees of P50 for conservation, as well as jeep rentals (2,500 pesos per jeep, up to 5 persons per jeep), as well as package fees for the whole shebang, can be arranged here. For more information, contact Mr. Wendell Mercado, at +63 (919) 608 4313.

Not far beyond the ranger station, the pavement soon turns into water-logged lahar (volcanic ash), as the route from here follows a river to as close to the trailhead as vehicle type and weather conditions allow. Low-clearance 2 wheel drives cannot really continue on past Santa Juliana, and high-clearance 2 wheel drives can go up a bit further, but 4 wheel drives are a necessity to get close to the trail head, as driving in lahar is a tricky prospect. Tour operators will arrange for the appropriate vehicles, as can the ranger station employees for those who inquire. After following the McDonnell River past the barren plains of the lower valley, guest reach the upper trail head, from which the push to the crater rim is about a very easy 2 to 3 hour trek. The ever-changing trail crosses the river many times, so a high-heeled hiking boot and thick socks are recommended, to minimize foot chaffing with the volcanic sand. Sun protection and ample water are a must, as the lahar reflects the heat in a serious manner, so pack wisely.

Once at the crater rim, facilities welcome sun-beaten visitors, with cottages and viewdecks for trekkers to savor the fruits of their labors and soak in the surroundings. The crater lake is a truly magnificent sight to behold, and impresses in its scale and beauty. Guests can scramble down the short way to the lake itself, where kayaks are for rent for those wishing to tool around the caldera. Rest assured, the water is safe for swimming, and is no more dangerous, chemically speaking, than any other hot spring. The trek can be done year-round, but the wet season months of late May to early September should be avoided, as well as any other periods of rain or typhoons, as navigation, both in jeep and on foot gets very treacherous, and flash floods can be a consideration.

If the natural beauty or the excitement of reaching the top of an active volcano is not your kind of thing, then the much talked about healing effects of the sulfuric water in the caldera might just be the best come-on. Sulfur has long been known to cure many dermatological problems despite the smell, which is vaguely reminiscent of rotting eggs. Enterprising businessmen have turned this tragedy into a profitable opportunity opening a nearby spa that specializes in treatments using the mineral rich volcanic mud. Massages are also available for weary hikers who have had their share of adventure for the day and are yearning for a little bit more of R and R.

Travel Notes:

How to Get There
Capas City, Tarlac, is about 2 hours up the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEx) from Manila. Turning west towards Barangay Santa Juliana and inquiring at the ranger station at the end of the paved road is how independent travelers should begin their journey.

Accommodation
Pinatubo can be done as a very focused day trip from Manila with an early start, or accommodation can be found in Angeles or Tarlac Cities. Staying at the Pinatubo Spa Town (contact numbers +63 45 615 0454 and +63 928 341 0402) may be the most logistical-free and comprehensive package for first time guests, with package prices of 1,400 to 2,000 pesos including all fees, guides, permits, lunch and transportation needs, topping it off with a massage at a nearby spa. Proximity to the trail head (cutting an hour of the trek) is another plus, and ensures a much more relaxed weekend for visitors trying to get the ascent done in a day.

Dream Island

When I was young I dreamt of an island where swaying coconut trees tower against bright blue skies; where the surrounding water is emerald green and the white sandy beaches glimmer under the sun. For years, this vision became my definition of the “perfect” island.

Eighteen years ago, I bravely ventured into a frontier territory, the Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape and discovered a paradise that has all the elements I dreamt of and much more. It turned out to be an island dotted with coralline beach, tall forest trees, seagrass meadows, mangroves, cliffs, tidal pools, springs, waterfalls, rock formations, islets and even a centuries-old Spanish lighthouse.

Being involved in the crafting of a community-based sustainable tourism project for Palaui Island, I have to travel to Cagayan almost every month. The project aims to ensure that its entire natural and cultural heritage will remain for many generations. This is a very fitting goal for an island that has remained well preserved and this is partly due to the inclusion of the municipality of Sta. Ana into the 54,000 hectare, Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. The area which is being developed and managed by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) also covers three other islands of the municipality of Aparri, namely Fuga, Mabbag and Barit. CEZA recognizes the great potential for tourism development and the benefits it could bring. Palaui Island, because of its pristine condition and many attributes, has been identified as a priority site and thus in March 2006 the community-based sustainable tourism project was launched.

By land it normally takes ten hours from Manila to Tuguegarao and from there it is another 2 ½ hours to the town of Sta. Ana, the jump off point for Palaui Island. This year, Asian Spirit started having chartered flights twice a week from Manila to Macau via Tuguegarao City and flying drastically cuts down the traveling time. I had great anticipation for a trip back to the island as I fastened my seatbelt on board the airplane. The flight was brisk, which only took 45 minutes.

From the San Vicente fish port I took a boat to visit an island unlike any other. Called Palami in old Spanish documents, the island is an emerging destination for outdoor adventure sports. It is located in the municipality of Sta. Ana, along the periphery of one of the most treacherous body of water in the Philippines, the Babuyan Channel.

Nature’s Wild Creation
I have traveled to many remote locations in the country. It is almost always worth the time and effort. One important lesson I learned is that the more inaccessible a place is the more preserved it is. Palaui Island however has defied this rule. It is very accessible and yet it has well preserved terrestrial and marine ecosystems in place.

The protected area spans 7,415.48 hectares which includes primary and secondary forests, mangroves, caves, grassland, coral reefs, inter-tidal zones, seagrass meadows, geologic formations, small islets and a community of a little over 500 people. A forest covers nearly 80 percent of the land area. Its serves as a habitat for many threatened and near-threatened species of wildlife including the dwarf king fisher, rufous paradise flycatcher, serpent eagle and the tarictic hornbill. Resource inventories conducted by Conservation International and the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology show that the biodiversity of flora is very high, considering the size of the island.

The island’s seascape exudes breath taking sceneries. The submarine cliffs, shallow coral gardens, caverns, crevices and canyons provide niches for a wide variety of marine life. From the tiny nudibranch to turtles and whales, the domain beneath the surface of the water is also teeming with life. An underwater survey conducted in 2005 showed potential for recreational diving, underwater photography and even for research. Divers who conducted the survey were amazed at the variety of marine species. Some even claim to have seen species of marine sea slugs and snails that they have never seen anywhere else.

Tourism That Protects
Being a protected area, Palaui Island needs to be preserved. Hence, island dwellers need to be capacitated to use the resources wisely and to engage in livelihood that are non-extractive. The potential of Palaui for environmental education and nature tourism is very clear. The community recognizes this and they have committed themselves to be stewards of this precious island. They have organized themselves into a group called Palaui Environmental Protectors Association (PEPA). CEZA had been providing technical assistance through training and enterprise development in order to increase their capability to improve their lives.

Tourism consultant Louie Mencias says that community involvement and capacity building are essential towards making tourism and nature conservation work not just for Palaui but for other protected areas of the country.

“CEZA plans to build an ecolodge on the island that will comply with international standards. Through PEPA, the community will be a partner in this initiative,” adds Mencias.

Bantay Kalikasan is a small group of volunteers that monitors and reports to authorities possible illegal activities on and around the island. The members double up as guides who ensure that visitors follow protected area protocols, deepen their understanding of nature, ecology, culture and history through indigenous knowledge interpretation, and have meaningful experiences as they hike the trails or cruise around the island.

Lighthouse Restoration
On top of a hill 92.75 meters high, along the northern shore is the preserved centuries-old lighthouse of Palaui Island. It will soon be declared by the National Museum as an important cultural property. It was designed by Engr. Magin Pers y Per and was completed by Dec. 30, 1892. The ravaging of time and of the natural elements has taken its toll on the structure and is in need of rehabilitation. With this concern, CEZA has established a partnership with the municipality of Sta. Ana, the provincial government of Cagayan and many other national institutions to take the necessary steps to save this built heritage. The Faro de Cabo Engaño is the northern-most Spanish lighthouse in the country and is in fact featured in the book “Spanish Lighthouses of the Philippine” by Manuel Noche.

“It is part of the Filipino heritage and we need to save it so that other people and future generations will appreciate its history,” says Sec. Jose Mari B. Ponce, CEZA Administrator and CEO.

In order to promote the island, CEZA has been organizing its yearly summer Aquathlon where top tri-athletes in the country compete.

The island is being positioned as a venue for authentic learning. Visitors will be treated to a highly educational experience that will promote responsible travel. Indeed heritage & biodiversity conservation, as well as sustainable tourism are important initiatives that will be included in Palaui Island. This only highlights the need to protect not only biodiversity, but also culture and history through sustainable tourism. This approach will certainly ensure that Palaui becomes a destination that will last for many generations.

For more information on how you can experience Palaui Island, contact (63 927) 279 5807 or email at wildexpeditions@yahoo.com.

Secret Aquatic Paradise

Charming, quaint and completely bucolic --- this is how I expected Camarines Sur to be. The festive welcome, complete with scantily clad dancers in red and yellow costumes bopping to the brassy tune of a marching band seemed to support my pre-conceived notion. After all, up until recently, little was known about this precious part of Bicol region. While mountaineers mainly know the province of Pili to be one of the jump-off points for scaling the heights of Mt. Isarog, Camarines has long been overshadowed by the more urbanized city of Legaspi and the perfectly cone shaped Mayon Volcano (and active). A self-proclaimed born traveler with a love for the outdoors and all things new, my curiosity about Camarines had reached fever high, fueled by news of a world-class facility that has put Camarines Sur into the consciousness of Manila’s traveling brat pack and apparently, the rest of the world. Today, the moniker “Cam Sur” could be heard spoken in excited tones by Manila’s urban elite as the new hotspot. Bikini-clad youngsters armed with tanning oil and branded board shorts spend months of saved up allowance for an imprimatur of coolness earned from having experienced Cam Sur. Athletic types and their fans flock in drones to Pili in search of the ultimate high. What is all the fuss about? It’s the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC), a brainchild of the young and dynamic governor, L-Ray Villafuerte. Said to be the best cable ski park in the world, I arrived at Cam Sur in time to watch the 2nd Philippine Cable Wakeboard Nationals.

Before stepping foot on the 6-hectare complex, we stopped at our assigned hotel. I knew then that ‘parochial’ and ‘provincial’ would soon be forever lost as descriptors of Pili. The Avenue Plaza Hotel was shiny new, having opened just a month before our arrival. Charming and quaint yet with modern touches, I consider it a testament to the growing popularity of boutique hotels: the kind that provide all a traveler could need or want, at a price that fits the budget. While the bedsheets beckoned, it wasn’t long before we were on our way to the famed CWC.

The Provincial Capitol Complex houses the water sports facility and was like an oasis in a desert. The land area was huge, as most of it was still empty; the imaginably beautiful villas, still in various stages of construction, stood out. I arrived at the reception area excited about what I was soon to witness. The best cable wake boarders and wake skaters in the world were supposed to be here soon.

The 411 on Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is relatively new in the Philippines. Considered an ‘extreme sport’, it is a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques. Instead of using skis, the rider rides a single board with stationary non-release bindings for each foot, standing sideways. Usually, the rider is towed behind a speedboat as he or she navigates various obstacles on the water, employing different tricks. At cable wakeboard parks such as the one in Cam Sur, the sport becomes more easily accessible as it eliminates the need for a boat by towing the rider with an overhead cable that is constantly on the move. The rider is simply hooked up to the cable and voila! You’re wakeboarding.

Wake skating is a variation, where the rider is not bound to the board but rides it as one would a skateboard. A much harder task, I’m told by the locals. Aside from the CWC there is only one other cable wakeboarding facility in the country, but one look at the number of riders lined up at the boardwalk (waiting their turn on the cables) told me that this is a fast-growing sport. As I walked around the main clubhouse I chanced upon an article pinned to the wall, featuring a European couple who got married at the CWC. I see wakeboarding has already become a lifestyle.

Yes, the CWC is the place to spot who’s who in society. A look at the list of wake boarders is intimidating, with prominent surnames that frequently show up in the country’s society pages. Its not surprising since the sport can be costly. The gear in a pro-shop can shock an average working Joe. A board costs at least 30,000 pesos ($ 719.00) and can easily go up to a hundred grand. A tall order considering that some riders told me that the board could break easily on a bad fall or in an unexpected landing while coursing through the various obstacles. However, beginners need not fear. CWC has equipment for rent at reasonable prices. An hour would only set a rider back 125.00 pesos ($3.00/ hr), inclusive of beginner wakeboard, skis, kneeboards, wake skates and basic instructions. I was told it can be addicting. A whole day will only cost a rider P610 -- very reasonable for the thrill of it. And think of all the hydration: after 8 hours in the water, you’ll look positively prune-like!

What truly surprised me was the range of accommodations available. Those who do not want to take the 15-minute ride from our hotel to the complex could choose to stay in any of the many options inside the complex itself. Budget travelers could spend as little as 500 pesos ($12.00) for a tent at the campsite, or take one of the bungalows at the eco-village for as low as P1,600 ($38.00). It accommodates 4 people. Those who prefer luxury can stay at the newly constructed Villa del Ray Villas. Here, enjoy your own private garden retreat, personal outdoor hot tub, access to the spa facility, swimming pool and upscale dining.

If the prices for a trip to Cam Sur are reasonable by Filipino standards, it may seem ridiculously cheap by expat standards. It was easy to see why I saw foreigners everywhere I looked. But it’s not only the prices that make the CWC a choice destination. Wakeboarding magazine, an international publication, has already called the CWC the best cable skiing park in the world!

The CWC boasts a 6-point cable ski system, which makes all the difference -- say pro-riders. The manmade beach surrounding the man-made lake softens riders’ waves, being a calmer water surface -- which translates to a better riding surface for the participants. I will not even attempt to understand what that means but the presence of team Billabong, a popular water sports clothing brand which even I am familiar with, says it all for me. Brian Grubb, Shawn Watson, Chad Sharpe, Danny Harf and Eric Ruck, pro riders of the sport, were all at the CWC as guests of Governor Villafuerte. The CWC has already won the bid as the location of the 2008 Wake Park World Championships to be held July 2 to 6, 2008. This is predicted to be one of the biggest international events to-date where the best riders from all over the world will compete for world titles.

I would have wanted to, as we were offered a chance to try wakeboarding for free, but the weather was not cooperating and well, I didn’t think my skin needed the intense hydration treatment that day. However, the weather did not stop the competitors from giving it their best shot. By the time the competition was over, everyone was on a high and we shared drinks and a sumptuous buffet with the rest of the wakeboarding community.

If I had any regrets, it would be that we never had a chance to go around Cam Sur outside of the CWC. Lamentable since my research tells me that there is so much more to explore and so much more to discover about Cam Sur. The six white beach islands of the Caramoan peninsula, just a drive away, have recently been declared by the president as new tourist zones. Aside from the sun, sand and surf, one can go caving, bird watching, rock climbing, diving, hiking and myriad other outdoor pursuits that any adventure enthusiast would love! The Cam Sur water sports complex may be what brought Cam Sur into the consciousness of local and foreign travelers, but it is what’s waiting to be discovered that will bring visitors back and again to this island paradise. On my bus ride back to Manila, I was already looking forward to my next escape to larger-than-life Cam Sur!

Road Trip to Cam Sur from Manila:
The Province of Camarines Sur is located in the central part of the Bicol Region, south of Metro Manila -- it is an 8-hour drive away. Ordinary and air-conditioned buses travel the Manila-Camarines Sur Route daily with an approximate travel time of 9 hours.

Once your bus arrives at CBD (Central Business District) Terminal in Naga City you can hail a tricycle to take you to the Provincial Capitol Complex. When you get to the Capitol Complex, follow the signs (or ask for directions) to the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC). Travel time is around 20 minutes.

If your entry point to Camarines Sur is Legaspi City, you need to rent a service vehicle. Vans are available and should be priced at around 2,500 – 3,000 pesos ($50-$60) for the 75 minute ride to the town of Pili. Shuttles are also available from the airport but should be booked ahead of time

A Hilltop Hideaway

A Boracay trip is not complete without a true body pampering experience, a massage to cap off the fun-in-the-sun activities that usually pack every traveler’s days. After all, we seek an island escape to pursue not just new and exciting adventures but also to find a retreat from the stress of city living.

I have heard of a wonderfully unique spa that has just opened in a secluded spot on the island. It’s just what I’m looking for – a fresh hideaway offering nothing but relaxation. Leaving the crowds, loud noise and frenzied pace of White Beach, I search for a quiet sanctuary to soothe a tired body, a weary soul.

I hop on a tricycle and after a few minute’s ride, I find myself at the steps of Tirta Spa. At the massive gate framed by stone carvings and statues that act as guards to the entrance, my search for a serene getaway ends and my journey to rejuvenation begins.

A Secret Sanctuary No More
As I enter the gate, a gong suddenly sounds off, breaking the calm atmosphere with a deep pleasant ring. Later on I find out that the gong does more than announce the arrival of a new guest, it acts to clear the air of negative energies that visitors may unavoidably bring in to the spa’s premises.

The steps are lined with imported stone statues bearing Balinese parasols. They lead to an attractive high-ceiling lobby that shows a spectacular hilltop view of Boracay’s clear blue waters and nearby islands and coves.

Amidst a growing crop of massive structures done in urban minimalist and ultra-modern styles, Tirta Spa’s design, drawn from various Asian cultures and uses stone and wood as main elements, is a much welcome addition to this tropical island setting. Its rustic charm is a breath of fresh air. The mountain breeze, lush greenery and the striking use of water fountains lend to a more relaxed vibe. Truly, Tirta is unlike any other place in Boracay.

Pursuing a Passion
Spa Director and owner, En Calvert, shares that it took her years of intensive research and careful planning before she was able to realize her dream.

For as long as she can remember, En has always wanted to put up her own spa. Her goal is to create a place of pure relaxation. Pursuing her passion, she has spent years studying spa management, anatomy, physiology, massage techniques and aromatherapy. Combining this with her learnings from her many travels to centers for holistic treatments and spas around the world, En has boldly set out to create her own sacred sanctuary in the island paradise, Boracay.

Today, she makes it a point to see to guests’ needs personally. An internationally licensed aromatherapist, En mixes her own essential oils and customizes treatments per client. Worthy to note is the spa’s use of fine, organic materials that are freshly mixed right before each body treatment.

From the Hindu word meaning “Holy Water”, Tirta promises to be a true retreat for the mind, body and soul and, like the holy water it was named after, this spa aims to cleanse visitors of the negative energies they may have acquired from their stressful lives.

Path to Pure Relaxation
Among the many treatments that Tirta offers, En has recommended that I try the Black Lulur scrub coupled with Tirta’s signature massage.

My therapist, Tess, and I walk down a pathway leading to the Royal Suite Villas. Here, Tirta’s careful attention to detail continues to impress. Inside each villa, guests are met with mosaic bathtubs framed by wooden posts and accented with capiz chandeliers. Open showers, intricately carved wooden furniture and a beautifully designed koi carp pond can also be seen.

After changing into Tirta’s signature purple sarong, I head to the corner lounge marked by bright patterns and lined with cozy pillows. Here the footbath begins and the slow purposeful strokes signal the start of what En calls a spiritually grounding experience.

The quick and delightful footbath sets the tone for the two-hour ultra pampering session that’s about to take place.

After the foot massage comes the 50-minute body scrub. Acting to purify air and erase negative energy, tiny gongs are struck and the Black Lulur scrub commences.

The pleasant and subtle earthy scent of Black Lulur is truly soothing. Add to it the massage techniques of a skilled therapist and you get almost an hour of deeply relaxing scrub.

The beads are then rinsed off at the Vichy Shower. Here, just lie back on the cushioned mat and let the five overhead showers gently spray warm water on you.

With skin feeling soft and smooth after the scrub, I ready myself for the hour-long Tirta signature massage. Tess uses a concoction of lemongrass oil for this treatment. Should guests request for a certain scent, En readily mixes a personalized batch. For today, I’m content with the calming effects of lemongrass.

The signature massage is made up of mostly soft to medium strokes. The idea behind this lies in Tirta’s goal of providing an experience that soothes and a massage that lulls the guest to sleep. According to En, the soft touch of hand is known to send guests to deeper relaxation and higher levels of tranquility, as opposed to hard pressure massages that serve to stimulate muscles rather than calm them. If you’re looking for heavy pressure, inform your therapist beforehand so you can opt for a different massage treatment.

For me, however, the slow and soft hand movements work just fine and the next hour becomes pure bliss. As the sound of the tiny gongs reverberates through the room, I awake fully refreshed and amazingly relaxed.

As the treatment ends and the ginger tea is served, I stay a while longer to enjoy the pleasant surroundings within the villa. A tiny bird chirps away as it is carefully perched on a wooden beam near the corner shower. The midday sun is slowly making its presence felt through the thatched roof. Indeed, I notice that nature blends perfectly well in this man-made haven.

Stepping out into the bright garden, I find my way back to the lobby. Though the noontime heat is beginning to reach its peak, I realize it doesn’t bother me as much. My mission for the day is accomplished. My search has definitely ended… and En’s goal clearly realized as I walk away feeling relaxed, my spirit absolutely renewed.

Passing the water fountains and streams on my way out, I am reminded of Tirta’s inspiration from India’s Holy Water. Walking out I think, En couldn't have chosen a better name. The Tirta Spa experience surely washes away the stress guests feel and replaces it with a positive energy that’s truly uplifting. Tirta is sure to cleanse you of the day’s worries, readying you for new island adventures that lie beyond its gates.

12 Best Spas of the Philippines

Although unknown to many, the Philippines provides a variety of backdrops – from beaches, to mountains, and even urban centers -- for a spa experience to suit every taste. In these sensuous and luxurious surroundings, one can find retreat from the daily grind and be feted by the best and popular therapies from the East and West. Here’s a discerning guide to the country’s crème de la crème spas.

Amezcua Wellness Centre (A Different Level of Wellness)

Tucked along the stretch of Katipunan Avenue is the first “medical spa” in the Philippines. The Amezcua Wellness Centre is a state-of-the-art wellness facility that does not only dedicate itself to give you the pampering you deserve but also to provide you with utmost well-being.

The wellness centre offers Needle-less Acupuncture with a combination of herbs and supplements for those looking for pain management. The Yin and Yang Hydro-zones use modern Jacuzzi steam and sauna facilities for detoxification. An added bonus is the spa’s rain showers with high-powered side jets for that unique hydro-massage experience.

Amezcua uses only non-comedogenic products made up of all-natural botanicals with no perfumes, dyes, alcohol or any other elements. For spa treatments, they use the all-natural Pevonia products which contain no chemicals, ensuring the purity of the product.

With the combination of state-of the art equipment and techniques from the East and West, Amezcua treats you to a harmonious relaxing experience.

122 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains, Quezon City
Tel. No.: (02) 913-1353
Website: www.amezcuawellness.com

Badian Island Resort and Spa (Cebu’s Best Kept Secret)

Dubbed as Cebu’s best kept secret, The Badian Island Resort and Spa is the ultimate refuge for the body and mind. A five-star romantic haven positioned in the sunset side of Cebu City, Badian Island Resort and Spa invites guests to step away from life’s everyday stress for utmost pampering, relaxation and rejuvenation.

The 8-hectare private hideaway boasts of large and highly comfortable suites facing the picturesque Badian Bay. The resort’s spa village offers therapeutic treatments in their open-air pavilions and new wellness rituals using fresh seaweed in heated seawater done at the open-air Badehaus. Their Thalasso facilities feature healing properties from seawater wading pools and cascading waterfalls. Lounge in huge seashells and bubble beds where wellness seekers can find the ultimate relaxation and enjoyment with a picture-perfect view of the island. The sauna next door is the perfect ending to this extraordinary experience.

Badian Island Resort and Spa is a destination in itself, where every guest is assured of a customized spa and fitness experience to revive their spirit.

Badian Island, Badian, Cebu
Tel. No.: (032) 475 1103
475 1106
Website: www.badianhotel.com

Chi, The Spa at Mactan Island and EDSA Shangri-la (The Ultimate Wellness Indulgence)

The Chi Spa at Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort and EDSA Shangri-La embraces a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being with an extensive treatment menu that was developed in collaboration with experts in traditional Chinese medicine and Himalayan healing philosophies. The spa features some of the largest private spa villas in Asia, complete with bathing and herbal steam facilities which provide guests with the luxury of personal space and timelessness.

For starters, try the Tropic Serenity Ritual which is a combination of four exotic treatments specially developed for Chi – the Barako Coffee Bean Scrub that naturally exfoliates, the Linen and Leaf Wrap that gently re-hydrates, and the Chi Balance Massage and Tropical Rejuvenating facial that completes your sense of well-being.
The Yin Yang Couples Massage is created for couples to harmonize and pleasantly balance the flow of their relationship chi. The couple will experience the massage in the same room with two therapists coordinating light rhythmical strokes.

Discover your own private Shangri-la at Chi Spa, and luxuriate in Chi’s signature treatments. The kingdom that was once lost, you can find. Now, you can surrender yourself to the spell that Chi weaves.

Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City
Tel. No: (032) 231 0288
Website: www.shangri-la.com/spa

1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Tel. No.: (632) 633 8888
Web Site: www.shangri-la.com/spa

Mandala Spa and Villas Boracay (Island Wellness Sanctuary)

Mandala Spa is a great choice for discerning spa enthusiasts visiting Boracay, one of the best beaches in the world. It is renowned for its award-winning spa treatments, elegant facilities, healthy cuisine and legendary service.

Enjoy their signature treatments and rejuvenation programs including the Shodhana Karma Ayurvedic detoxifying treatment-- inspired by the ancient Ayurvedic system of well-being. The Princess Treatment or the Boracay Bliss is the ritual where you can experience the pleasure of a scrub or wrap of your choice, allowing aromatic oils to penetrate your skin. The resort also features the Prana Restaurant which serves vegetarian spa cuisine.

Great care has been taken to provide a profound experience -- where the senses are drawn inward through the right blend of oils, freshly prepared natural ingredients, hand-picked flowers, the unmistakable Mandala healing touch and legendary service with a soul. These are the fine details that allow each moment to gently unfold and deliver one to wellness.

Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan 5608
Tel. No.: (036) 288 5858
Website: www.mandalaspa.com

North Haven Spa Baguio City (Mountain High)

The chilly Cordillera air in Baguio City is not the only attraction the destination has to offer these days. The North Haven Spa in the City of Pines is, without a doubt, the perfect reason to escape from the hurly burly grind of the city.

Their Strawberry Organic Scrub, Cordillera Rice Scrub and Benguet Coffee Scrub are among the varied highlights for a totally skin tingling experience. One must definitely experience their invigorating local massages such as the Dagdagis, a local foot rub that is definitely a treat which your aching feet deserve from all that tramping around the city. There’s also the indigenous head massage of the Mountain Province, the Gisgisto and the body massage, Taltaladtad, which are just a few of the special indigenous techniques passed down from their elders. With the North Haven Spa Signature Massage, you can smoothen out the rough edges and emerge feeling revitalized and ready to take on whatever may come your way.

A visit at the North Haven Spa is an intimate, personalized spa experience that reflects the transcendent beauty of the Cordillera’s natural mountain environment.

21 Avelino St.
Ferguson Road, Baguio City
Tel. No: (074) 300-5022

The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Manila (Opulent Spa Splendor)

The Spa is a Thai-themed luxury haven located at the top floor of the Mandarin Oriental in Makati. It offers a sensory experience that touches the mind, body and spirit, merging ancient and contemporary techniques and philosophies around the world.

The collection of exclusive rituals includes specialized facials, body massages, treatments, wraps and scrubs, and spa packages with different time durations. A signature treatment at The Spa is the Time Rituals, a personalized journey consisting of treatments recommended to the individual.

In its quest to cater to the varied wellness needs of its guests and visitors, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel has launched their Urban Escape Package which includes an overnight stay inclusive of an American buffet breakfast, complimentary local calls and a complimentary treatment at The Spa. The hotel has also introduced therapeutic Yoga classes with an authentic yoga instructor who hails from India.

Makati Avenue, Makati City 1226
Tel. No.: (02) 750 8888 ext. 1901/ 1902
750 0968
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com

Sanctuario Spa (Filipino Wellness Sanctuary)

Sanctuario Spa is one of the Philippines’ premier spas known as a holistic center promoting oriental healing traditions that cater to the body, mind and soul. Located in Bohemian Malate, the spa’s main branch is housed in a majestic 1940’s ancestral mansion converted into a sprawling spa complex.

Sanctuario Spa uses indigenous Filipino as well as Oriental treatments, therapies and concoctions handed down through generations. For their massage therapies, they have the Full Body Swedish Aromatherapy with oil choices concocted for anti-stress, body tissue firming, lymphatic drainage, anti-cellulite, muscle aches and pain and sensuality. For Filipino Traditional Healing, they have their Signature treatment, the Hilot Remedial Therapy, a form of deep-tissue massage using virgin coconut oil. The Tsokolate Ahhh! is a two-hour bliss of a choco-soap Wash, extra virgin coconut oil prep, native dark chocolate scrub and a Carabao Milk Bath finished off with a full-body massage with virgin coconut oil.

These and other restorative regimen awaits you at Sanctuario Spa, Salon and Organic Café.

1829 Jorge Bocobo St.
Malate, Manila
Tel. No: (02) 450 1127

Sonya’s Garden (Master the Art of Doing Nothing)

The colorful charm surrounding Sonya’s Garden hidden in the cool hills of Tagaytay will captivate you as you await your massage under this beautiful Bed and Breakfast’s serene atmosphere.

For the first timers in this blissful sanctuary, Sonya’s Signature Massage is a must-try. Get to experience this full-body massage filled with intense relaxing strokes infused with scented oils that will fully unite you with your harmonious environment. Detoxify under the sweet smelling fragrance of roses with their Aromatherapy Steam Bath. Why not indulge yourself in their Bloom-inspired packages? The Lilac, Magnolia and Marigold Packages will truly exhilarate your senses.

Just a short drive away from the bustling chaos of the city, don’t miss the chance to be pampered with scented oils and sensual strokes in this flower-filled haven.

Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite
Mobile Nos.: (0917) 532-9097
(0917) 533-5140
Website: www.sonyasgarden.com

The Farm at San Benito (Perfect Relaxation Experience)

Tucked away in the foothills of Mount Malarayat, two hours away from Manila, is The Farm at San Benito, a former coconut and coffee plantation which is steadily gaining popularity as an alternative healing center and one of the world’s few truly medical spas. It combines a spa resort and a medical facility to target those seeking relaxation and relief.

Founded with the aim of helping people maintain or regain their good health, The Farm specializes in alternative, non-western therapies and the treatment of degenerative, acute and chronic diseases. Visitors can opt for an Overnight Wellness Program which includes a one-hour medical consultation, or a Medical Vacation which aims to jumpstart their health through a cocktail of detoxification, exercise, skin cleansing and bowel cleansing for five days. Those with more serious health conditions like asthma, diabetes or psoriasis are advised to take a three-week stay to receive the benefits of a tailored healing program.

To pamper the body, there’s a wide choice of treatments at the Salus Per Aqua Spa including reflexology, various types of massages plus foot scrubs and facials and traditional Asian body scrubs. Tibetan exercise, yoga, meditation, and breathing and walking exercises are also available at the resort.

No. 119 Barangay Tipakan, Lipa City, Batangas
Tel. No.: (02) 696 3795
Website: www.thefarm.com.ph

The Spa (Serenity and Well Being)

With well-trained certified massage therapists and licensed aestheticians, The Spa is certainly set apart from the usual. You can indulge your senses in truly relaxing and rejuvenating treatments that offer specific and effective approaches to suit your needs by combining the power of aromatherapy, massage techniques and the latest spa technology.

One can try their list of Body Massage therapies including Swedish, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy and Twin Massages. They also offer a Volcanic Rock Massage which features hot basalt stones for the ultimate treatment of aching muscles. There is also the Herbal Massage using steamed herbal pouches pressed along the meridians of the body to provide comfort and relief and to encourage absorption of energy through herbs.

Acropolis Green Subdivision,
E. Rodriguez Avenue, Libis, Quezon City
Tel. No.: (02) 634 2848
(02) 634 2709
Website: www.thespa.com.ph

Tirta Spa (Royal Spa Grandeur)

Known as the first “premier spa” in Boracay, Tirta boasts of opulent Balinese and Asian-inspired architecture and elements. Its signature hue is the color purple which Ms. En Calvert, the spa director of Tirta, revealed has a relaxing effect on the mind and body. It is also the color of royalty -- a likeness to how the staff treats you as soon as you enter its magnificent gates.

What makes Tirta Spa more exciting is its passion to create innovative treatments to satisfy every guest. The Before and After Sun Treatment is a highly-recommended spa package for those who love to soak under the sun. Before hitting the beach, try the Boracay Sunrise which includes facial and body exfoliation topped with a body massage for that even glow. The Boracay Sunset is ideal after a day at the beach. Cool pink clay (a botanical skin care product from Australia) is applied all over your body to revitalize your skin and help it maintain its youthful appearance. Tirta Spa also has a customized package to make your wedding moments more memorable. The Pulot Gata (Honeymoon Ritual) can be a pre- or post-wedding beauty ritual. Immerse yourself into this 3.5-hour session of pampering and relaxation fit for royalty.

Tirta Spa also uses Biodroga products manufactured exclusively in Baden, Germany. Made only from natural ingredients, these spa creations provide special care for your skin needs, leaving you more relaxed and radiant than before.

Sitio Malabunot, Manoc-Manoc,
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Tel. No.: (036) 260-2488
Website: www.tirtaspa.com

Ylang-Ylang Spa at the Pearl Farm Beach Resort (Fragrant Pearl Discovery)

The Ylang-Ylang Spa at The Pearl Farm Resort in Samal Island of Davao provides a perfect refuge for travelers seeking sun, sea and sand. The spa is located outdoors, surrounded by trees and thick foliage for more privacy. The ambiance of the place is part of the total spa experience.

Ylang-Ylang Spa relies mainly on ancient recipes from oriental and Philippine folk traditions. Try their signature treatments that uses focused pressure and a traditional local mix of oils to release muscle tension. With certified massage therapists and licensed aestheticians, Ylang-Ylang Spa at the Pearl Farm Beach Resort boasts of a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience which offers specific and effective approaches to suit one’s needs by combining the power of aromatherapy, massage techniques and the latest spa services.

The Ylang-Ylang Spa experience envelopes your every sense. Everything is an oasis of tranquility and world-class pampering that is unique. As it has been told and retold, one comes to Ylang-Ylang Spa to do nothing but to be one with nature.

Kaputian Island, Garden City of Samal,
Tel. No.: (6382) 221 9970 to 73 Fax No.: (6382) 221 9977
Website: www.pearlfarmresort.com or www.fuegohotels.com

Tubbataha Expedition

I was already hyperventilating as our aircraft approached the northern coast of Palawan.

Outside my window I could see fluffy white clouds being mirrored back by glassy blue seas. Coral reefs and islands were outlined in necklaces of liquid emerald and I prayed that the weather would hold.

I was, after all, on my way to the city of Puerto Princesa, the jump off point for diving-dedicated ships, called “Live-aboards”, bound for what is acknowledged as the best dive destination in the Philippines, the Tubbataha Reefs.

Arriving at the port, I could hardly contain my glee when I spotted OUR live-aboard, the Stella Maris Explorer anchored smartly just off the pier. The 120-foot long ship stood out against a Hollywood-made-to-order background of mountains, deep blue skies and a puffy cumulus cloud. For the next 5 days, this vessel would be our floating hotel, with 10 climate controlled cabins, en-suite bathrooms, an air conditioned and karaoke equipped galley (ships speak for dining area), a jacuzzi and the latest in diving equipment.

I, however, chose one of the teak armchairs on the shaded open deck and watched the comings and goings of a tropical port. As the sun started to set, kids on small bancas paddled around as colorful fishing boats set sail for a night of work.

Soon, it was our turn to leave and as the lights from the shore faded into the darkness, the apparent wind brought in the smell of the fresh salty breeze as dinner was served. I went to bed with the gentle humming of the engine lulling me to sleep.

The lines rattling against the hull acted as my alarm clock the next morning. I clambered onto the deck and with a hot drink in hand, I inhaled all the fresh sea air as I gazed at the view before me. The glassy seas reflected the pink sky of the dawn. Off our bow were a teeny islet and a picturesque light house. Just behind it, the rusty remains of a wreck jutted out. One of the chase boats zipped around the bow with a line to tie up to one of the park’s designated buoys.

Half an hour later, after our dive master Edwin had given us a detailed pre-dive briefing, the Delsan Wreck turned out to be the entry point to our first dive at Tubbataha. From the ship, we boarded chase boats where our equipment were all set up.

Back-rolling into the gin clear water, I hovered just above an expanse of pristine hard coral. After giving my gauges and camera equipment a final check, my companions and I finned off the reef’s edge and entered a wonderland of gorgeous sea fans, technicolor dendronephtya corals and refrigerator sized basket sponges. In the blue, we spied numerous barracuda, a pair of 2 -meter long tunas and the majestic Napoleon Wrasse.

I found a cut on the slope filled with lots of red sea whips and more soft coral. A startled white tip, snooze interrupted, quickly moved out of my way. Much too quickly, Edwin signaled it was time to go to the reef top to gas-off. Scowling, I checked my watch, and I grinned sheepishly when I discovered that we had been in the water close to an hour.

A constant “thunk-thunk” alerted me that our dive guide had seen something. With my buddy Danny Ocampo, we finned quickly towards the interior. Like a whirlpool of molten silver, an immense school of jacks twirled before us until one of the other divers chased after it and scattered the school.

No one complained when someone suggested a repeat of the dive which gave us a chance for numerous encounters with sea turtles. Our cameras were kept busy as we watched our beautiful shelled companions surface for a breath of air before diving back down to the reef.

It was the last dive of the day that captured my heart. In the late afternoon we motored to the opposite side of the reef corner we had been visiting. The South Wall, covered in giant sea fans and endless pastel corals greeted us after we tumbled in. Semi circle angelfish and an eagle ray were our companions for part of our dive. I made a mental note to request for a morning dive at that same spot for next year’s trip.

The ship moved while we were sleeping and the following morning found us buoyed near Black Rock at the northern end of the South atoll. It is famous for consistent manta sightings and sure enough, not too long into our first early morning dip, a manta with a twisted tail met us head on along the wall. It banked as it approached and with graceful strokes of its powerful wings, moved past the spellbound divers.

On the second dive along the same wall, I hooked myself on a current swept cut where fishes congregated. In the blue, I watched a small squadron of 6 juvenile grey reef sharks mosey their way against the moving water. A group of oversized chevron barracuda with a giant trevally soon followed.

Later that afternoon we visited Amos Rock. I have since decided to call it Amorous Rock on account of the numerous pairs of big eyed jacks that were busy with their mating rituals. Found in two’s, one would be silver, while the other would be jet black.

As I was doing my safety stop, I saw an immense school of blue-finned trevallies go marauding along the reef. From my high perch, I watched napoleon wrasses languidly move out of the way along with several startled turtles. I also enjoyed the sight of multiple schools of fusiliers, both rainbow and yellow backed, busily gulping down their afternoon meal of plankton.

The next morning, we used the Malayan Wreck as our entry point to a breathtaking slope filled with sea fans and outcrops of soft corals. By now, no one minded the ubiquitous sharks. Instead, everyone hurried towards a cleaning station where bumphead parrotfish were assembled for their early morning grooming session. Danny did a quick fish census and later informed me that there were approximately 200 of them present that morning.

We stayed with them, watching the meter long fishes, as long as our air allowed. I was only able to take one shot of the group since we spotted them towards the end of the dive. However, I don’t think anyone in our party would ever forget our encounter with these jade green beauties.

At 10:30, the sun was high in the sky and I took the opportunity to dive the Malayan wreck itself. Lying in fairly shallow water, the steel remains are home to drummers, batfish as well as oblique and oriental sweetlips. A huge engine block can be seen dwarfing divers that swim alongside.

Shark Airport was where we spent our last 2 dives in the Marine park. A sandy slope on top of the wall served as a runway of sorts where white tip sharks lie like parked jets until the presence of divers spook them into taking off.

At a coral outcrop at the drop off, we came upon a giant grouper. Obviously territorial, we encountered it again in the same spot during our second dive.

Over our sunset drinks of Pina Coladas, I remarked to another UW photographer and fellow journalist that I don’t remember Tubbataha being as beautiful as we had just experienced and that it was most likely because of the efforts of a dedicated bunch of people at the Tubbataha Management Office in Puerto Princesa and the rangers stationed on the island itself.

Travel Notes:

Measuring 99,600 hectares in size, the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park is made up of 2 atolls rising in the middle of the Sulu Sea. A recent Study just finished by Conservation International has just confirmed what Scientists long theorized--that it is the nursery for fish and coral larvae that populates the Sulu-Sulawesi Triangle—an area that not only covers the most important and productive fishing grounds of the Philippines but extends as far south as Malaysia and Indonesia.

So important is this submerged structure in the balance of the underwater ecosystem that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site in 1993. In 1998, Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos, a keen diver himself, created Task Force Tubbataha and a station equipped with radar and manned by zealous rangers was established and now guards the park 24/7.

Several factors are responsible for the almost virgin conditions of this underwater jewel. The convergence of currents constantly brings in a barrage of the nutrients and clean water a healthy reef and its inhabitants demand. Being the largest and almost lone structure in the middle of a vast expanse of ocean guarantees a healthy influx of pelagic visitors looking for a meal and other services an underwater community provides.

Access is only through Live-aboard Dive Vessels which can range from wood-hulled boats with fan cooled cabins and communal toilets to steel hulled cruisers that are fully air conditioned with rooms, ensuite toilets, media centers and Jacuzzis. Prices range from $800 to $1500 for a 6-day trip. Local residents and expats usually get a large discount.

Access to the park is determined by the weather and sea conditions allow a small window-from late March to early June- for divers to visit. The strong winds and rough swells during the rest of the year deter both authorized and un-authorized incursions into the park and permits the reef to settle back into its natural state of regeneration.

Expedition Fleet runs the most number of ships for the Tubbataha season.

Expedition Fleet
www.expeditionfleet.com
(63-2) 892 3477
info@expeditionfleet.com

How to get there:

Domestic carriers have regular flights from Manila to the city of Puerto Princesa.

Air Philippines
Reservation Hotline: (63 2) 855 9000
www.airphils.com

Cebu Pacific
Reservation Hotline: (63 2) 702 0888
www.cebupacificair.com
Philippine Airlines
Reservation Hotline: (63 2) 855 8888
www.philippineairlines.com

Best Time to dive: The park is only accessible from mid March to Mid June.

Diving Into the Divine

If you truly want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, strip off your work clothes and step into some tight suits. I’m not talking about hitting the gym and doing rounds of cosmic cycling and dance retro. I’m talking about taking the deep plunge, not metaphorically, but literally - diving.

The paradox: diving is both an adrenaline rush and a calming haven. The adrenaline rush starts building as you feel the powerful engine of your boat rev up, the wind hitting your face, and the smell of the ocean surround you. When you look up, nothing but tranquil blue skies. It’s an all-natural high. And once you reach the dive site, it feels like your heart is pounding a million beats per minute. Anticipation and excitement build as you go through the motions of the pre-dive service check. Because you know that you are about to enter another dimension and that you are on the verge of leaving the world behind.

As you take the plunge, you are immediately enveloped in deep silence with only your breathing to remind you and your dive buddy that you haven’t really left earth. Your breathing goes back to normal and your eyes adjust to the visibility level. You move slowly, carefully because there is so much to take in. Imagine, ocean theme parks but 100 times better. And the words weird, wonderful, strange, mesmerizing, out-of-this-world, and sublime make perfect sense in one sentence.

Now you might ask yourself, “Where do I go?”

The Philippines is well known for its numerous dive sites. For starters, you can head to Anilao, which is about 2 ½ to 3 hours drive. This is one of the best diving areas in Luzon not only because of the existence of infrastructure service divers but because the local community has made it its mission to protect the environment of their reefs. Because of this, you can find some of the most intricate and complex marine eco-systems in this region. Some of the dive sites you ought to try here are: the Cathedral which is called such because of two large mounds that look like a roofless underwater amphitheater with a cross in the middle planted by former President Fidel Ramos in 1993; the Sombrero Island which literally looks like a hat underwater; Bajura, where diving consists of slopes, small drop-offs, overhangs, and swimthroughs and where shoals of triggerfish, jacks, and surgeons swim by on a regular basis; and, Sepok which is a lovely, relatively easy dive. This site has nice coral gardens and a vertical wall with a variety of marine life and the shallow part is teeming with a profusion of small reef fish.

For those who can’t live without the nightlife and lazy days basking under the warm sun with fine soft sand beneath you, head to Puerto Galera in Mindoro, which is just a few hours from metropolis. There are 45 dive sites in this area alone. One of the most famous sites is The Kilemar Drift where you can experience “flying” with the fast current at low tide and at the time of a new moon. The Monkey Beach, Dugong Wall, and West Escarcio are one continuous and colorful coral garden. This is home to a great variety of animal species. Homes of larger fish such as snappers and groupers are the Laguna Wreck, Monkey Wreck, Dugong Wreck, and Japanese Wreck. These wrecks vary in size from 20 to 40 meters and depths of 16 to 45 meters.

If you’re really into wreck diving, I suggest you go to Coron, also in Palawan. The wrecks are there as a result of an air attack by fighters and bombers from a distant US Navy aircraft carrier back in 1944. There was a fleet of 24 Japanese supply ships at anchor around Coron. Amazingly, most of the wrecks are structurally intact and swim throughs are possible. Some wrecks have huge blast holes allowing masses of natural light to penetrate deep into the wrecks. Interesting to point out too is that all the large wrecks (up to 160 meters in length) are either upright or on their sides, but none are upside down! The outside of the wrecks have become some of the finest artificial reefs to be found and are laden with both hard and soft corals and an abundance of fish life.

Moving farther south is Tubbataha on the southern part of Palawan. This area is so remote that many large fishes come into the area to feed. Its vibrant reefs serve as breeding grounds, nurseries, and bedrooms to hundreds of fish species. These reefs are considered as one of the Philippines National Marine Park and were named by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage sites in 1993. It is a two-small tropical extensive atoll-like reefs with inner lagoons separated by a channel and home to some 300 species of corals and over 350 species of fish. The topography includes crevices, overhangs, cavelets, gradual slopes and stony corals.

And there’s still a long list of dive places in the Philippines what with its 7,107 islands. Now the real question is: “Which place do I go to first?”

The Last Frontier

What happens to a hardened city girl when you take away her creature comforts and replace them with an abundance of creatures, all keen on becoming her new BFF’s or Best Friends Forever? She unbends a little – and orders another mango shake with a splash of Rum.

Whatever I was expecting when I boarded the plane at Manila’s domestic terminal, it was not an attitude readjustment. I was exhausted – a week spent battling the flu, negotiating wedding plans for a wedding to be held some 12,000 kms away and finalizing content for a magazine I was editing before hitting the airport at 7am on a Saturday can take its toll on even the most hardened, multi-tasking journalist.

But landing at Busuanga was probably as close to a revelation as this city girl is ever going to get. I saw green everywhere. I saw thunderclouds stacking up over our heads. I saw a sea of smiling, happy faces eager to welcome us and to share their beautiful islands with us. I saw that I was going to experience an adventure unlike any I’ve experienced before. And that was before I had even glimpsed the sea.

Our trip from the airport to the pier, where we’d take a boat ride to our resort, was fast, furious and for me, my first time in a jeepney. We hurried past rolling green hills, grazing cattle and friendly villagers. An air of excitement and anticipation hung in the air, as my fellow travel companions and I tried to take as many snapshots as we could of our new surroundings, while driving at breakneck speed.

After a similarly exciting boat ride, the first port of call was El Rio Y Mar; a stunning resort set amidst a backdrop of mountains and lush mangroves and has its own bay. The resort boasts a 500 meter stretch of white sandy beach, dotted with palm trees and recliners for weary guests who want to soak up the sun and gaze at the sea.
The first thing I noticed about the resort is the serene atmosphere which envelops you from the moment you set foot on its sandy shore. It is an oasis of calm, making it an idyllic honeymoon spot for newlyweds or the perfect hideaway for an overworked executive. Facilities include air conditioned cottages, a mini library, a souvenir and gift shop, a massage room, 24 hour room service and a stunning infinity pool located next to the Al Fresco restaurant which serves scrumptious Asian and Continental cuisine. And for the adventure seeker, the resort offers a variety of aqua sports to keep guests entertained.

After a brief visit at El Rio Y Mar, we made our way to our final destination, the Club Paradise resort, located a short distance away on Dimakya Island. We were welcomed to the resort by a group of enthusiastic, singing resort staffers. After a refreshing welcome drink, we were shown to our rooms and were offered a tour of the facilities once we were settled. Keen to see as much of the resort and surrounding area before nightfall, we quickly unpacked, made a brief tour of the resort and requested a trip to a neighboring sand bar to watch the sun set.

It was while we were waiting for our boat to arrive, that I had my first encounter with the animals who call the resort “home”. We were sitting outside the main dining hall when we heard a commotion inside and saw a lady run out and the male staff head inside. Intrigued to see what had caused the commotion, we craned our heads to see the staff pulling a string with a very large reptile attached to it. At first, I thought it was a snake, but when they brought it out, we saw that it was a monitor lizard. Our intrepid photographer decided to she wanted to take a close-up photograph of the lizard. I stood to one side, watching her bravely move closer and closer to the reptile, all the while clicking away furiously, when suddenly the string the lizard was attached to, snapped. The lizard turned and started running towards me. I in turn, started screaming and ran in the opposite direction. When I thought I was a safe distance away, I turned around to see the concerned photographer and bemused staff watching me, waiting, no doubt for me to calm down. By now, the poor lizard had long since scurried off in the opposite direction: I’m sure it was annoyed to have been tied up, photographed and then screamed at by a crazy tourist.

After all that excitement, we headed to a sandbar located about 400 meters from Club Paradise. Being a Capetonian, I always thought I was one with the sea, but when it comes to views, the color and temperature of the water, the water surrounding the islands of Palawan will do nicely, thank you. A few meters from the sand bar we stopped the boat’s engines because my friend wanted to paddle to shore in a kayak. While waiting for her to reach the shore, I’d trail my fingers in the water, mesmerized. It’s that kind of water – it draws you in and wraps itself around you: it makes you forget where you’ve come from and what you’ll be going back to. When we eventually reached the sandbar, Club Paradise staff set up an area for us to sit and watch the sun set. Cocktails in hand we sat there in silence, savoring the last rays of sunshine. Pure bliss…

Back at the resort we enjoyed a delectable supper before collapsing into bed to recharge for the day ahead. The Coron Islands tour is a whole day tour, which is kick started with an early breakfast at 06h00, before the boat collects you at 06h30. Our tour guide, was a friendly man called Carding who came over to our breakfast table to introduce himself to the group (and later, to shepherd us onto the boat). I’d advise visitors to wear a swimming costume underneath their shorts and t-shirt, as well as to pack a pair of shoes appropriate for hiking and a long sleeved top and track pants for the trip. From the resort we made our way to Decalachao Bridge, and then traveled for an hour by car to Coron Town.

From there, we took another boat ride to an area dominated by seven limestone cliffs, which, if you believe local tales, is said to have been one big land mass hundreds of years ago. We set down anchor in this area, which is a well known snorkeling and dive spot because of its many Japanese wrecks and the bounty of beautiful fish. A trip to see the famous Maquinit Hot Springs was next on the itinerary. The water in this natural hot springs is heated by a volcano on the other side of the mountain. Featuring a Madonna and child statue, locals believe the spring water has healing powers and regularly make a trip to bathe in the 40 Degree water.

From there we made our way to the enchanting Kayangan Lake where we disembarked our boats and climbed up steep mountain steps and were treated to a spectacular view of the lake. The lake is one of many lakes in the area which is protected by the Tagbanua tribe, who are the indigenous people of the Coron Islands. Another volcanic lake which we visited was Lake Barracuda, which, as the name suggests, is home to the barracuda fish. Diving and snorkeling are forbidden in this lake and the pathway to the lake consists of steep limestone rocks which jut out at different angles, making it a challenging climb. Appropriate footwear is a must.

From here we made one last island hop, which had a secluded lagoon; this was by far my most favorite part of the island hopping excursion. With calm, turquoise waters and beautiful surrounding cliffs, this was my idea of heaven. This was also where we enjoyed our packed lunch (courtesy of Club Paradise) and could just sit and marvel at the beauty of it all.

Coron Town is everything you’d expect of a small town: laid-back with warm and welcoming residents. We were serenaded by a young girl with a beautiful voice when we disembarked our boat and received with open arms by the owner of a cashew nut factory, who sent us home with armfuls of packets of cashew nuts. After a full day spent island hopping, it was time to embark on our journey back to Club Paradise.

At the resort that evening, I decided, on recommendation from my friend, to try a traditional Philippine massage, the Hilot massage, which is known for its healing powers. Since I prefer a medium to deep tissue massage, my masseuse advised me to only have a 30 minute session as Hilot massage strokes typically emphasize the nerves, for better blood circulation. My massage may not have been as relaxing as others I’ve had, but my masseuse did an excellent job of ridding my body of all the tension knots which had accumulated.

The one activity which I was too much of a wuss to participate in was the diving. According to advanced divers and newbies alike, this is what Club Paradise and indeed, Palawan is famous for. I have no idea why I didn’t utilize the opportunity to learn from some of the best dive masters in the Philippines: I’d watched them teach an elderly couple in the resort’s swimming pool the previous day and knew I would be in good hands. The Dugong Dive Center offers diving to guests of Club Paradise and El Rio y Mar. Dimakya Island (on which Club Paradise is built) has its own House Reef, which is unique in that it allows you to enter via the beach. Sea cows (or dugong as they’re called locally) can be found all along the coast of Busuanga and the Dive Center runs a professionally produced ecotourism activity, taking divers and non-divers along the lengthy coast of Busuanga to see gentle dugongs in the wild.

Before embarking on my journey to this remote island, I knew very little about it: All I knew was that it boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park and that it was where the world’s largest pearl had been found. What I didn’t expect was to be charmed by this hidden paradise. I was glad I had made this trip to a place that’s referred to as “the Last Frontier” by Filipinos and foreigners alike.

Nobody is certain why the explorer Magellan went out of his way to visit the Philippines and before he could record his memoirs, he was killed on the tiny island of Mactan. As we boarded the flight back to Manila I looked back with wonder and awe at this beautiful place and hoped that Magellan had also been lucky enough to visit this pristine part of the world.

Travel Notes:

5 things you need to know:
1 – Even though we traveled to Palawan during the rainy season, we were blessed with fabulous weather: think clear, blue skies and glorious sunshine. Prepare for a weekend of swimming costumes, board shorts, sarongs, a lightweight, water-proof “beach bag” to stash your money and camera in and if you opt to do the Coron island hop, pack trainers for hiking, a lightweight, long sleeved cotton t-shirt which also covers the neck area and the odd pair of track pants to ward off mosquitoes.
2 – The mozzies on the islands are reputed to be malaria and dengue-free, but for peace of mind, visit a travel clinic a week before for prophylactics. Also invest in a good quality insect repellant (preferably one containing DEET)
3- The sun can be relentless, so to avoid heat stroke and sunburn, be sure to pack sunscreen and a hat.
4- Leave your blackberry or iPod behind. Your tour guide will provide the entertainment.
5- Leave your city slicker demeanor behind. Here the first thing you’ll hear in the morning is the cry of an animal – be it gecko, fruit bat or bird.

El Rio Y Mar
Tel. Nos. (63-2) 838-4956 to 60
Email: info@elrioymar.com
Website: www.elrioymar.com

Club Paradise
Tel. Nos. (63-2) 838-4956 to 60
Email: reservations@clubparadisepalawan.com
Website: www.clubparadisepalawan.com

Northern Samar Highlights

Just along the San Bernardino Straight, where the waters of the Pacific Ocean flow towards the South China Sea, lies the province of Northern Samar. Across from it lies Matnog, Sorsogon which is at the southernmost tip of Luzon. This is where we spent five adventurous days exploring this unique frontier. Seeking to locate it on the map, I pointed out to my travel buddy, Kaye, that Northern Samar was located at the northeastern-most portion of the country, which reaches far out into the vast Pacific Ocean.

Aside from its treasure trove of ecotourism sites, we found that it brought back a rich history of galleons past. The town of Catubig was the first Spanish pueblo and cabezeria to evangelize this region of Samar Island. The town of Palapag was the very first port of call of the Galleon trade during the Spanish colonial times. Goods from all over the world were sent in as ships sailed from the ports of Mexico and native Philippine goods of abaca, beeswax and other agricultural produce, which were high in demand, were exported to reach as far as Mexico, Spain, and Peru. At Palapag, we found the monument of the Philippine Hero Juan Agustin Sumuroy who led the Sumuroy rebellion in 1649. It marked a significant event in our country’s history as some accounts of the rebellion claim to have reached the Bicol region, and as far south as Mindanao.

A definite point of interest we had was Capul Island which was said to be the provisioning port of call of the galleons. The island got its name from Acapulco, whose inhabitants speak a unique local dialect. This is where we witnessed the spectacular view of the island's lighthouse which beams over the whirlpools and strong underwater currents of the San Bernardino Straight. The island also contains caves which are quite a challenge to conquer but provide much for the Ecotourism explorer to discover. Stalactites and Stalagmites formed by thousands of years abound here, and numerous animal and insect species inhabit the caves' natural habitats. On the way back, we walked along the path lined with the island's cool streams, coconut trees and grassy landscape. Our guide gladly climbed up a tree to toss us a few coconuts to quench our thirst after the long trek and climb. Northern Samar is known to keep lots of other caves that have yet to be reached by the most experienced spelunkers. The Langun Gobingob caves, we were told by cave tour guide Joni Bonifacio, also known as Samar’s “Caveman”, are among the largest in Asia, containing caverns which are many stories high. Joni said that his tours can take anywhere from a day to a few days of spelunking and camping inside.

One breezy Banca ride from the Lavizares port brought us to the majestic rock formation at Biri Island which is a delight for every nature photographer. After the banca ride, we hitched onboard motorbikes to reach this splendid setting. With almost parallel arrangements of mangroves at the base of its foreground, it is definitely a magnificent site to behold! Hundreds of years of waves repetitively hitting these coastal structures have formed grooves on the rock formations designed by Mother Nature herself. One can even swim in the pools of water found in between them during low tide. Rock formations such as the Mayong Payong, are also found on the easternmost portion of Northern Samar and are quite a distance to travel on rough roads.

Also in the far eastern portion of Northern Samar, at the end of the Gamay River, we found the Matikawol Falls. A much closer option, we were told, is the Pinipisakan Falls whose cascading waterfalls are a great picnic hideaway for nature lovers.

The list of the sites we visited, and those we have yet to visit are just too many to count. The Pineil’s Farm Resort is a favorite among the locals with its sprawling gardens and farm animals, many of which roam around freely. It serves as a welcome treat for the young, and the young at heart. The Batag lighthouse is also a must see with its awesome view of the eastern pacific coastline. We had a long climb up the mountain but the site at the end of our trail was a prize well worth it. Our snorkeling trip to Bariw Sila Island with its crystal clear blue waters only made us promise ourselves that a dive trip in the future must ensue. There were dolphins as we approached the many islands surrounding the area when we went, and after our trip, we were told of sightings of migrating whale sharks too. So much to see, so little time!

The Samar experience has become one that will last our lifetime. Samar is the next best secret to our country’s tourism industry. Come and explore it to see why.

TRAVEL NOTES

How to get there:
Domestic carriers have flights to Northern Samar from Manila.

Where to Stay:

Bobon Beach Resort
Dancalan, Bobon, Northern Samar
Tel. No.: (0927) 294 9625
Website: www.bobonbeachresort.com

Yoga: An Elemental Journey at Edsa Chi

Welcome to Chi Spa of the Edsa Shangri-La. Once you enter its vicinity, you will be greeted by the joyful sounds of the water cascading from the mini falls right at the entrance. It has an impressive garden setting with row of plants lining the pathway as you walk through the entrance of the main spa lobby. The minute you step into the imposing doorway of the lobby, your nose will be teased by the rejuvenating scent of aromatherapy oil floating in the air with soothing music whispering in your ears. It is a solemn moment that slowly penetrates your soul, telling your system that its time to calm down. The interior has dim lighting and hues that evoke the subdued element of fire, complemented by the reception staff wearing elegant outfits with a mix of orange and crimson.

Well-trained spa personnel will accompany you to the fourth floor where the exclusive spa facilities are. It has a consistent look and feel that will transport you to a serene journey to a different place, a different world in time. It’s like going on a peaceful retreat to the Himalayas to calm the spirit, relax the mind and ease the soul. There is a corridor with impressive Asian modern architectural design that will lead you to the various spa treatment rooms. There is an enticing couples’ room with outdoor Jacuzzi where lovers can romantically relax prior to the heavenly treatments.

Apart from the impressive spa amenities, my personal journey at Chi started with the Yoga class. It was introduced to me by Cathy Turvill, the founding President of the Spa Association of the Philippines. I live a fast paced life and slowing down is not part of my motto, thus, yoga is not my cup of tea. I tried it several times in various gyms just to appease my curiousity if I can find the same benefits that my friends are getting out of it. I never found the answer to it.

With the five star yoga services at Chi Spa, I told myself, why not try it? I’m a personal fan of luxury so joining a class surrounded by premium facilities might do wonders for me. I went to call for an appointment and met the Yoga instructor by the name of Lex Bonife. I immediately told him that I am not a fan of yoga and I never really liked it but I’m taking my chances again to check whether I can find the answers to my questions with this ancient phenomenal tradition.

My first day at the yoga class was an experience on its own. From the time I entered this magical haven, I was provided with a refreshing glass of lemon water as I relaxed in the comfortable lounge with an interesting array of reading materials. Their yoga room was not the typical well-lit area that I usually see in other studios. The dim lights immediately offered a certain level of stillness. Hygienic yoga mats together with a clean face towel which you can use during the class are provided. The moment my yoga teacher sits at the center to command the beginning of the class, I immediately feel the calm spirit he transmits. We start with breathing exercises with eyes closed and with the music playing on the background.

I try to be still and just go with the flow. I hear an unusual melody in the air that sounds like a deep rhythm of meditation resonating with nature. It makes me feel as if I am on top of a mountain surrounded by nature with a group of people wearing free flowing white outfits doing a peaceful yoga stance. It was a clear image with a nice ray of sunlight and a calm breeze dancing around us as we smell the invigorating scent of nature. It was such a phenomenal moment for me.

When Lex slowly whispered to open the eyes, I felt like I went through a deep state of trance. We continued with the slow breathing exercises. As we inhale deeply, our belly lifts up while we feel the lungs expand as we exhale with our spine sitting tall. We were instructed to be conscious of what is happening in our body as we activate our core muscles in the belly in every movement. I suddenly felt the fats in my rice belly slowly activating. As we do the series of core postures and powerful stretch exercises from the shoulder blade to the lower back, I felt my muscles clapping happily as it lingers into the overdue stretch that it deserves for many years. With the blockage in the body slowly breaking down, you suddenly feel the energy starting to flow freely, allowing you to move and push yourself to the maximum capacity, making your body feeling powerful. I remember reading an interview of the sensational singer Madonna saying that she does not go to the gym anymore as she is only doing yoga and never felt stronger from then on.

The one-hour-and-thirty-minute yoga class has been such a contrasting experience for me. It is an extremely intense exercise that provides you with unimaginable strength yet peacefully relaxing that gives you a deep sense of calmness. From a peaceful opening of the class, it ends well by allowing our body to lie down comfortably with my eyes closed, arms open, and palms facing upward. As the lights dimmed, I just allowed my mind and body to flow freely, gently feeling the inner tranquility that it brings. It was an experience of being in a deep sleep while your mind remains conscious. It felt like lying in the middle of the beach at night, listening to the gentle lap of the water to the shore with the cold breeze embracing your body. As I slowly open my eyes, the gentle lights on the ceiling looks like magical star lights that twinkle happily over me, bidding me a glorious life.

Lex has requested to gently twist our body to the right as we slowly move to the upright seated position. He looked like a yoga master, sitting beautifully with palms together right at his chest and said “Bring this calmness with you for the rest of week. Namaste.”

SPA TRAVEL NOTES

Chi, The Spa
EDSA Shangri-La Manila
1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center,
Mandaluyong City, Manila
(63 2) 633 8888 or 634 7303
chi.edsa@shangri-la.com
www.shangri-la.com/spa

How to get there:
Chi the Spa of EDSA Shangri-La is located along the Garden Way in between the Shangri-La Mall and the hotel. Just ask the the taxi to take you to EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong.

In Harmony

I remember the sound of tranquility waking me up from my mental slumber, with a soft yet lingering scent of incense enveloping me to calm my inner being. On the outside, I look refreshed, renewed and content, but inside, I am overjoyed, mesmerized and above all, yearning for more. Like the travelers of John Hilton’s novel, Lost Horizon, I found my Shangri-La at Chi, the Spa, it’s a sad reality though that often times you can’t stay long in paradise. My journey begins as I tread over the wooden bridges going to the Sanctum of the spa village. Greeted with warm lights and warmer smiles, I start my tour of Chi, the Spa and little by little, I felt the energy flowing freely in the atmosphere.

Known as one of the biggest and grandest spas in Asia, Chi, the Spa unravels its beauty with every step you take within its grounds. Sprawled across this 10,000-square meter pampering haven are enchanting pools, gardens and private villas. From Ms. Lindell Nelis, the Spa Director of Chi, I learned that the village followed the Chinese lucky digits of 1-6-8. Chi is composed of 8 single villas complete with its own fully-furnished treatment and change rooms and bath areas. Next are the 6 ocean villas which are strategically located near the Cebu waters. Last is the Grand villa which can accommodate more than two people for their treatments and more than 20 people in its lavish area. All the private villas are named under the Himalayan words used in John Hilton’s novel. For example, the Grand Villa was named Karakal meaning “Blue Moon.”

One can only be astonished by the exquisite and refined architecture the spa identifies with. The signature Himalayan architecture of the place gives guests a glimpse of what Shangri-La really is… a paradise of unparalleled splendor. While I stroll around the Himalayan hamlet, the scent of incense fills the air and I am surprised with the familiar notes fused with the mystical aroma. The spa uses native ingredients like Virgin Coconut Oil, Sampaguita flowers, Calamansi, (Philippine Lime), coffee and mangoes in their treatments. Every Chi Spa has learned to adapt the use of indigenous ingredients from their locality. I suddenly feel a burst of excitement wondering what other unique treatments are used in the different Chi Spas all over the world.

Not only is the Filipino touch evident in the treatments but also in the spa’s architectural designs. Capiz windows border the pavilion walls while the furnishings are made by local artisans. An evident Filipino element is the Anahaw leaves used as ceiling fans to cool down guests in their open-air pavilions. The sun is just about to set when I came back to the Sanctum to start my treatment. I sit down on one of its sofas and I feel a shift of energy surrounding me. The tingling amber tones and golden glows of the Sanctum signal the end of a journey and the beginning of a new one.

For my spa session, I have chosen the Chi Balance Massage for intimate reasons. I am intrigued by how the massage is uniquely customized not only to my preference but also according to my elements. Before the treatment, I filled up a questionnaire on my preference about color, mood, taste and other personal details. Now, my therapist, Valerie guides me towards my private sanctum.

I enter Baskul, named after the town where the character of the novel started their journey towards Shangri- La. The same soft amber tones gleam inside the spa pavilion but this time I have it all to myself. Valerie shows me the results of the questionnaire. My birthday is on September 1, 1985 making me, in the Chinese zodiac, an Earth Ox. Results then show that my balancing (Yin/Yang) elements consist of Fire & Earth. Fire signifies vision and indulgence while Earth symbolizes peace and harmony. Valerie explains the deeper meaning of the elements and treats me to the different scents of the oriental element oils. Each element has the following: Orange and Mandarin for Water, Geranium and Fennel for Earth, Lavander and Neroli for Fire, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus for Metal and Lavander and Patchouli for Wood. Although it’s standard to follow the Yin/Yang elements, in this case, Fire and Earth, I opt for the Fire and Metal combination because of my infatuation with the smell of Eucalyptus.

Valerie then gives me a cold towel infused with lemon scent and a hot cup of revitalized tea to start the tea ritual. Even the flavor of the tea is customized to your preference. Mine has the hint of dale and mulberry flavors in accordance with my fire element. Next is the foot scrub. The spa uses coconut milk to moisten the skin and May-Chang scrub made up from sandalwood and cream.

The massage begins with the tap of the Tibetan singing bowl, a traditional part of the treatment not only to signify the start of the massage but also to balance the parts of the brain. Just when I think the foot pampering was over, Valerie starts the Chinese foot pounding treatment using heated linen pouches filled with several ingredients like lemongrass to forcefully thump on the base of my feet.

The Chi Balance Massage focuses on rebalancing the Yin/ Yang status of a person. It uses unique Asian
techniques to both stimulate and sooth the person’s elements. I feel the strong acupressure touches on some distinct spots (Meridian points Valerie would explain) on my skin which is said to unblock the imbalances of my Yin/ Yang and also to release the toxins of the body. I enjoy the light massage on my back as it gently eases away the tension of my muscles. After 90 minutes of healing, I am awakened by the sound of small cymbals to indicate the end of my treatment. After serving another cup of hot revitalized tea, Valerie hands me a prescription of future treatments and recommended products to further guide me for a much better well-being.

With a speechless disposition, a healed back and a heavenly smile, I bid Valerie, Ms. Lindell, and Chi, the Spa, farewell. Unlike the travelers of Lost Horizon, I have the pleasure of returning to this beautiful place anytime I can. In Cebu, I have found paradise, my Shangri-La.

SPA TRAVEL NOTES

Chi, the Spa
Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
(63 32) 231 0288
www.shangri-la.com/spa

OPERATI NG HOURS: The spa village is open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Other spa treatments:
Water Shiatsu (1 hour and 30 minutes Php 5,300)
Enjoy this unique treatment experience in the privacy of the specially designed Watsu Pavilion. Whilst gently floating in soothing warm water, stretching and shiatsu-like massage techniques are applied. This extraordinary water therapy experience imparts a feeling of weightlessness and free movement, whilst easing muscles and improving flexibility. A deeply relaxing sensation unlike no other.

Himalayan Healing Stone Massage (2 hours and 15 minutes, Php 6,500)
Inspired by the healing rituals of Lake Kokonar in Tibet. An ancient massage technique using a combination of hot stones heated in oils and herbs to ground the body and restore vitality and cool stones to balance stress.

The Indulgence of Time (2 hour and 30 minutes, Php 7,000)
A total mind and body treatment using natural plant and herbal extracts. Commence with a Himalayan Bath Ritual followed by Chi Balance Signature Massage and a Chi Harmonizing Facial to beautify your face whilst refreshing the mind and body. Chi, the Spa has professional therapists who have been trained to perfect the Himalayan techniques and other exclusive spa rituals to uphold the Chi principals of well-being.

Based in Chi, the Spa of EDSA Shangri-La in Manila, the Spa Academy educates would-be therapists for three months of intensive training with courses focusing on anatomy, physiology, etiquette and hygiene. The Spa Academy is the only institution that provides spa education for Chi Spa therapists all over the world.

How to get there:
Shangri-La Mactan is just a 20-minute ride from the Cebu-Mactan International Airport. You can ask a taxi to drive you there or, ask the resort if they can arrange an airport transfer for you.

An Urbanite’s Ultimate Escape

When the rush hour traffic, city chaos and the daily grind begin to wear me down, I immediately plan an
escape from the urban jungle. With no hesitation, I get in my car and drive down south.

My destination? Tagaytay.

It’s the most common option as it is but a 2-hour drive away from Manila. It offers what every weary urbanite needs- a slow pace, cool breeze, and culinary delights to satisfy every food craving. Plus, this time around, I discover a new and attractive option that sits on a prime location at the Tagaytay ridge – a world-class spa that’s sure to make the trip truly worth it.

After a leisurely drive marked by occasional rain showers, I arrive at the Taal Vista Hotel, excited to start my afternoon of pure pampering in this popular hotel’s wellness retreat--the Ylang-ylang Spa.

As I reach the spa’s double doors and open them, the cool room and warm smiles from the staff welcome me and I notice that the scent of what can only calming sound of water trickling down a nearby room’s stone wall fountain, and the warm lemongrass and ginger tea, freshly brewed and specially concocted to give a refreshingly mild and spicy kick that awakens and soothes at the same time. All these elements carefully build up to the most anticipated feast for the senses – the hours-long ultra pampering treatment I am about to experience.

Before I head to my treatment room, I decide to take a tour of the spa’s premises.

The Ylang-ylang Spa features a set of intimate and inviting single rooms, as well as double rooms that are specially designed for couples looking for a romantic getaway. These rooms bear a tropical theme and they each house their own private shower and toilet, a soak tub and a cozy corner that acts as a mini lounge.

Looking around, I instantly notice how this spa pays careful attention to detail – a single fresh flower artfully placed atop a tiny jewelry box or the rustic and ornate ironworks fabricated to hold the muslin curtains that are dramatically draped over the treatment area. These are design elements and warm touches that may be easily overlooked but, once noticed, these little features make guests feel truly welcome and definitely more taken cared of.

What really catches my eye, however, goes beyond the spa’s interiors. The Ylang-ylang makes full use of its prime location as it provides a strategically placed view deck that affords spa goers the most awesome view of the Taal Volcano crater. I am told that one can choose to have treatments done at the deck (from foot scrubs to facials) and even hold bridal showers and private pampering parties outdoors. But with the September breeze and the light rain, I opt to stay indoors.

With my whole afternoon free, I decide to get a body scrub, an aromatherapy massage, and a facial to top off all the body treatments. I enter the treatment room with my therapist, Joy, and, soon after, I step into spa bliss. First on my pampering list is the Barako Coffee and Milk Body Scrub. Here, freshly ground barako coffee beans are used to slough away dead skin cells. During this forty-five minute treatment, the room is filled with the invigorating scent of coffee. The wonderful scent acts to lift my spirits on a wet and dreary Saturday. My therapist continues to gently massage the scrub onto my aching muscles and tired limbs, paying close attention to the back area. Once again, coffee gives me a high- - although this time, the buzz does not from its caffeine content.

As I rinse off the coffee scrub, I notice my skin feels utterly clean and polished. I then ready myself for the one-hour aromatherapy massage that acts not just to moisturize my newly exfoliated skin but also to relax both my mind and body.

I choose Ylang-ylang essential oil for my Aromatherapy Massage. To guarantee the ingredient’s freshness and effectivity, the oil is mixed right before my massage. The spa is careful to use only organic ingredients for all of its treatments and this is a welcoming thought for true spa enthusiasts. As the aromatherapy massage begins, Joy uses combination strokes for the hour long treatment. She expertly figures out which areas need special attention and she applies just the right pressure on just the right spots – the shoulder area and lower back. Her skillful kneading calms my nerves and slowly lulls me to sleep. I wake up feeling my skin extra soft, muscles truly relaxed. I consider the Tea Tree Oil Facial as the highlight of my afternoon, the finishing touch that completes the body pampering.

It starts off with cleansing of the whole face using fresh milk and then moves on to the application of the Tea Tree Oil scrub that acts to remove traces of dead skin cells. My therapist’s trained hands move gently but firmly, treating my delicate skin with great care. She proceeds to apply all-natural ingredients onto my face -- almond oil, egg white and oatmeal mask and, lastly, cucumber juice. She is cleansing my skin thoroughly and is dutifully hydrating it afterwards. The result is seen instantly! My skin feels truly soft to touch and it looks undeniably smoother (an effect which I feel even days after!). The 20-minute neck and scalp massage that comes with the facial serves as the perfect ending to my head-to-toe pampering.

Alas, my three-hour spa bliss comes to an end. Eager to make it last just a few moments longer, I put on a light sweater and step onto the view deck to catch what’s left of the Tagaytay sunset.

Outside, the fresh air blows a tad bit cooler. The sky slowly turns indigo and casts a serene mood onto the grand view of the volcano’s crater. From afar, a thin fog rolls in.

Truly, Ylang-ylang is a spa unlike any other. With a view like this, plus its world-class facilities, the top of the line organic ingredients and treatments and an expert staff, this beauty and wellness retreat can be considered as one of the unique attractions of Tagaytay.

Holding a fresh cup of lemongrass tea, I linger outside and enjoy this rare treat for the senses, trying my best to keep the thought of the 2-hour drive back to Manila out of my mind.

The magnificent scene of the Taal Lake pulls me back to reality. I think I am staying a bit longer to make the most out of this urban escape. The city can wait.

SPA TRAVEL NOTES

Ylang Ylang Spa
Taal Vista Hotel
Km. 60 Aguinaldo Highway
Tagaytay City, Philippines
(63 46) 413 1000
ylangylang-tvh@asmaraspa.com
www.asmaraspa.com/taal_vista/home.html

OPERATING HOURS: The spa is open daily with the following schedules: Sundays to Thursdays, 10:00AM - 9:00PM and Fridays to Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 12:00 MIDNIGHT

Other treatments:
Honey, Lime and Cucumber Facial (60 minutes, Php 1,150)
Lavender essential oil is used to reduce formation of blackheads and refine pores, followed by a refreshing citrus and rice scrub. After an egg and oatmeal mask, the skin is moisturized with a blend of carrot juice and Ylang-Ylang essential oil, leaving your skin fresh and dewy.

Palm Oil & Carrot Juice Hair Cream Bath (60 minutes, Php 1,050)
The cream bath based on rice starch and palm oil is applied from the roots to the ends of your hair to treat dry and damaged hair. Carrot juice is added to heal split ends. Your scalp will be massaged with fingertip pressure to stimulate and encourage new hair growth. After steaming, the cream is washed off leaving hair healthy, soft and shiny.

Scalp Aromatherapy (60 minutes, Php 1,150)
Essential oils naturally enhance hair color, help rebalance the scalp after hair has been chemically colored and improve hair texture and appearance. The active essential oils are added to vegetable oil and heated to penetrate the scalp more easily. A vitalizing and nourishing cream bath is then applied and massaged thoroughly on hair and scalp. Putting up a spa with world-class standards is no easy feat. But thanks to years of solid experience in spa development and an undying enthusiasm for spa management, it becomes a task that easily translates to passion. A veteran in the spa industry both in the local and international scene, Dr. Charles Sutter has a made a business out of his lifelong passion. He is the man to look for when you want to build a spa from scratch. Using his valuable knowledge from all his travels and experiences in opening spas worldwide, he has founded Asmara, Inc., a company that offers full spa consultancy and management services. Consider it a one-stop spa management company that offers services like: Concept Development, Hiring and Training of Staff, Interior Design, and development of Menu Services. Asmara Inc. has done spa development for local groups like Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Samal Island; Club Punta Fuego in Batangas; Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City; and soon, in Hotel Vida at the Clark Freeport Zone. Looking at his body of work, one can’t help but feel impressed.

How to get there:
The Ylang-Ylang Spa is located at the plush grounds of the Taal Vista Lodge in Tagaytay. Located along Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay is a 2-hour drive from the city.

Where the Sea Meets the Sky

When I first entered the open air spa pavilion of the Badian Natural Spa, I was astounded by what I saw. It was where I first felt the meaning of perfect as I caught a glimpse of pure spa paradise before my eyes.

For many years, the Badian Island Resort and Spa has given world-class services to its guests and has earned its reputation as one of the best romantic destinations of the country. Located at the south western side of Cebu, it is dubbed as one of the best kept secrets of the island because of its exclusivity and superiority in terms of class and accommodations. And for one glorious day, I got to experience them all and more.

After freshening up a bit in my private pool villa, I venture on to the resort’s Badian Natural Spa and Thalasso. I really don’t know what to expect because, this is the first time I heard of this romantic paradise which is a good thing because the surprises just went on and on. The first thing I learn about Badian is that not only is it considered to be of one of the most romantic resorts in the Philippines but its spa is known to be one of the best in the world. In 2006, just six years after it first started, the renowned AsiaSpa Magazine named the Badian Natural Spa and Thalasso one of the 10 Best Island Resort Spas along with other celebrated island spa resorts such as Anumba Spa of The Racha in Thailand, The Six Senses Spa of the Soneva Fushi Resort in the Maldives and the Manea Spa of the Le Taha’a Private Island in the French Polynesia.

I enter the spa lobby and am greeted by the warm spa receptionist who offers us cold towels and hot tea to warm us up. Next is the tour of the spa facilities. The spa has numerous open air pavilions to cater to the different treatments offered. The Badehauses (German for Bathhouse) are specially used for healthy and beauty baths that use the finest wellness ingredients. Upon entering one of the badehouse, I am astounded by the meticulous flower arrangement floating in one of the bathtubs. I suddenly realize how the Badian staff personalizes each and every element of their spa. Located below are the treatment pavilions used for upper body massages and for additional treatments such as manicures, pedicures and foot scrubs. A little further east is the Finland Dry Saunas. This special feature of the spa promotes wellness by cleansing the body through heavy sweating. Last but not the least is the spa’s very special feature, the Thalasso. From the Greek word “Thalassa,” meaning power of the sea, the Thalasso waterfalls and pools combines the pleasure of indulgence and well-being. The thalasso pools use filtered seawater which contains a blend of complex minerals that help rebalance a body’s mineral deficiencies. The pools also have comfortable beds submerged under the water so guests can lounge and relax while enjoying their seawater treatment. The best thing about the spa is that all the pavilions have a magnificent view of Badian Bay overlooking the Cebu mainland. Guests will surely enjoy a relaxing paradise by the sea and under the sky in the Badian Natural Spa.

After the tour, we are ready to try the world-class treatments of the Badian Natural Spa. I am scheduled for the Badian Deluxe 4-Hand Massage, a 1-hour-and-15-minute treatment. A few weeks before, my officemate jokingly asked me why the spa offered the 4-Hand Massage as my treatment. “Maybe they suggested a ‘for’ hand massage because you are a writer.” Fortunately for me, it was more than just for the hands. The treatment, Badian Deluxe 4-hand massage, pertains to the two therapists who will massage your body with synchronized movements and strokes. So not only will I enjoy a great massage but also have the double delight of having my body pampered by two well-trained therapists. The treatment starts with a soothing foot scrub with the therapist using a special rice scrub to cleanse my feet. Using a little foot-shaped clay, the therapist gently cleanses and massages my feet. Next is the massage. The spa uses four kinds of aromatherapy oils for their treatment. The Mi Amore is made from the essence of Lavander; next is the Island Breeze which is a combination of cloves and ginger; the third is Tranquility which comes from the essence of the Ylang-ylang flower. The last, the one that I choose for my treatment is Serenity, a mix of lemon and eucalyptus. The 4-hand massage begins with the two therapists putting their hands together, palm to palm then setting them down to the body. From the shoulders down to the lower back, they make long strokes and stretches which they repeatedly do leaving a complete and soothing touch all over my body. Their movements act with total sync and precision, giving the impression that they have been thought very well on how to move coordinately and at the same time give an everlasting impression of completeness and tranquility. One of the therapists starts on my shoulders while the other begins to massage my feet. How I wish I could get two people to do that for me again!

By the time I finish, bright stars are already sprawled all over the dark skies. Another massage treatment has ended for me, but the soft and healing touch of the therapists will always linger on my mind. The Badian Natural Spa and Thalasso truly deserves to be called one of the best island spa resorts in the world. Guests will surely enjoy a relaxing paradise by the sea and under the sky.

SPA TRAVEL NOTES

Badian Natural Spa and Thalasso
Badian Island Resort & Spa
Badian Island, Cebu
(63 32) 475 1102 to 1106
badiancebu@aol.com
www.badianhotel.com

OPERATING HOURS: The spa is open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

The Badian Natural Spa and Thalasso offer more than the usual body scrub, beauty baths and body treatments. It uses the freshest and finest ingredients to pamper and bring wellness to their guests. Among their most recommended spa services are the seaweed treatments. Applying fresh seaweeds on the body rehydrates and moisturizes the skin enriches it with more vitamins for a healthier, fresher look.
Choose from an assortment of seaweed-based treatments from hand and foot spas, body wraps, facials or even the complete seaweed treatment package (2 hours and 30 minutes, Php 7,590).

For the spa addicts who want to have the whole Badian experience, they can have the Ultimate Pampering Treatment (2 hours, Php 5,520) where guests can choose from the list of Double Treat Harmony packages and both the selection of the Warm Touch Treatments (Delight Sampler Touch and the Refreshing Foot Massage).

The Panorama Restaurant not only offers sumptuous feasts but also healthy appetizing dishes for guests who are looking for a healthier diet.

Spend your vacation in one of Badian Island Resorts lavish suites. Guests can choose from family-style suites and the classic Badian suite or for honeymooners looking for that plush private spot, the
Thalasso Pool Villa is the perfect couple’s retreat.

The resort offers many fun-filled activities such as Dolphin Watching, Island Hopping and Pleasure Yacht trips, Mangrove Park tours Scuba diving safaris and nature treks complete with packed lunch and other features. Just inform the staff ahead of time what package you want and they will provide it for you.

How to get there:
Cebu is a regular destination route in domestic and international flights. From the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, visitors have to take a two-and-a-half-hour drive at the south-western coast
of Cebu. From the mainland, guests will take a short five-minute boat ride going to the island resort. Helicopter transfers from the airport (a 20-minute ride) are also available.

A Tropical Eden

The sweet yet lingering smell of the Ylang-ylang flower always gives the vision of a fresh mountain meadow during the coolest months of the year; quite a contrary to where it really grows which is in the middle of the wilderness. It gives a note of purity, serenity, and a hint of exoticness; but what I especially love about the Ylang-ylang is how it reminds me of the times when my grandmother and I bought pieces of it attached to Sampaguita necklaces to be offered to the Virgin Mary. Although the flower is quite abundant here in our country, its scent is unique and rare. This tropical flora leaves an indelible fragrance to its bearer, just like the same unforgettable experience I had during my visit to the Ylang-ylang Spa.

Located on the world-renowned Pearl Farm Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal, the Ylang-ylang Spa truly is an indulging Eden, surrounded by tropical plants and the raw echoes of Mother Nature. The best thing about the setting of the spa is that it’s just a number of steps away from the infinity pool of the resort, making the trip to the spa a little more convenient. No matter how close it is to the central pathway of the resort, I found that the gentle rush of the man-made waterfalls beside the spa drowns the noise from the outside and fills it with the soothing sound of nature. And, as nightfall draws near, candle lanterns light your way through the resort, leaving a lasting image of a romantic pavilion that will set your mood towards rejuvenation and relaxation. One can enjoy the rustic surroundings of the spa and also take pleasure in their treatments—from heavenly facials and hair care packages to their delectable body scrubs and long lasting spa packages that use the freshest and the finest ingredients. For those who want make their faces glow with nature’s purest elements, you can choose the Honey, Lime and Cucumber Facial (60 minutes, Php 860). Not only does the facial exfoliate and soften the skin, it also moisturizes you so you’ll look more refreshed. The Papaya Body Polish (45 minutes, Php 1,050) is perfect for those who want to rehydrate and revitalize their skin. The treatment uses fresh mashed Papaya fruit to be smeared all over your body. Because of the fruit’s mild exfoliating properties, it takes away a layer off the skin without irritating it leaving a soft glow all over your body. The Asmara Royal Massage (2 hours, Php 2,150) is Ylang-Ylang’s signature massage. It uses a special blend of essentials oils as mood therapy that will have guests surrender into complete serenity. Although I wish I have the time to try them all, I already have the most delightful pleasure of trying their special Davao Coffee and Milk Scrub (45 minutes, Php 1,270) and Swedish Massage (60 minutes, Php 850). As a self-confessed coffee addict, this is the ultimate spa treatment and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My treatment starts with a sprinkling of warm water all over my back to moisten the skin. Then, a generous amount of grounded coffee mixed with fresh milk is smeared all over. I feel the texture of the coffee beans exfoliate my skin. I learn that the scrub is rich in calcium, protein and vitamins which are excellent against cellulites. Soon, the strong and sweet aroma of the coffee granules filled the air. As my whole body gets covered with the coffee and milk scrub, the therapist covers me with a blanket so the mix will sit for about five minutes to be absorbed by the skin. When I flip over, I could smell the lasting scent of the coffee infused in the air... I am in coffee heaven! It even has mild scent of chocolate that makes atmosphere even more enticing. After the invigorating coffee and milk scrub, it is time for the massage. The well-trained therapist immediately prepares me for my next pampering phase. Using unscented virgin coconut oil, (which I find pleasant because I still get to smell coffee in the air) she begins to make soft yet long strokes along my back and continues all over my body. What I love about this massage is how my therapist concentrates with my shoulder and neck area. I feel the tension leaving away my upper body as she repeatedly makes her pressure massages against my shoulders and neck.

The spa pavilion can accommodate two people at a time for massage treatments which I believe adds a touch of privacy and exclusivity under the lavish environment of the spa. The pavilion also has long couches for family members and friends who want to have their sessions together. While waiting for my treatment, I find myself hanging around the spa indulging in the spa’s essential oil collection, taking turns sniffing again and again the different fragrances: Peppermint, Orange, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass and of course, the Ylang-ylang. There is also a pool for those who want to have a refreshing floral bath under the stars. According to the Pearl Farm’s new General Manager, Mr. Karl Sims, the management also plans to expand it with more rooms so more guests can enjoy the pampering services and treatments of the spa.

My short but pleasurable time in the Ylang-ylang Spa will forever remain in my heart. So whenever in Davao, see the incredible Island Garden City of Samal, stay at the splendid Pearl Farm Resort and experience true nature at the Ylang-ylang Spa.

SPA TRAVEL NOTES

YLANG YLANG SPA
Pearl Farm Beach Resort
Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines
(63 82) 221 9979
ylangylang-pfbr@asmaraspa.com
www.asmaraspa.com/pearl_farm_beach/home.html

OPERATING HOURS: The spa is open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Nestled in the enchating Island Garden City of Samal, The Pearl Farm Resort is the perfect destination getaway for those who want to experience not only the wonders of nature but also the luxury of
living beside the spellbinding beauty of the Mindanao seas.

Enjoy the wonderful activities you can do at the Pearl Farm. From scuba diving, sea-kayaking, jet-skiing, nature walks, themed dinners, to a wonderful romantic dinner by the beach, the resort offers
unique services to make your stay more memorable.

How to get there:
From the Francisco Bangoy (Davao) International Airport, travelers can ask a taxi to take you to the Pearl Farm Marina which is just 20-minutes away from the airport. From the Marina, travelers then
have to ride a ferry boat to get to the Island Garden City of Samal. The ferry ride going to the Pearl Farm Resort takes 45 minutes.

For those waiting for the ferry boats going to Samal Island, guests can lounge at the Coffee Shop of the Pearl Farm Marina. They serve delectable snacks and dishes. It is also has wi-fi services so you can log
on to the internet anytime. A few feet away from the Coffee Shop is the boutique which sells beautiful modern-designed handmade handicrafts ideal for souvenirs.

Tradition Revisited

Housed on the topmost floors of the Mandarin Hotel in the quieter side of Makati, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental Manila is a world away from the world. Alighting from the elevator at the 18th floor, I turn the corner and spot the Spa’s glass doors and its dimly lit interiors beyond. The lone receptionist is expecting me; she stands by her tiny teak desk to greet me by my first name. The lobby holds two lounge chairs, so when I sit I am only a few feet away across. Unlike other spas fronted by a busy reception area, this one cultivates a personalized atmosphere. I am enveloped by calming oriental music, subtle scents, and soothing dark teak wood interiors, all helping to silence my mind.

A therapist offers me a refreshing cold towel soaked in signature Mandarin essential oils, and warm Ceylon tea. After I slip my feet into soft spa slippers, I feel an immediate shift in state—this exchange of shoes is the Spa’s oriental welcome, signifying the leaving of the external world behind. I’m led to the second floor to a spacious relaxation area designed like an opulent Thai-style living room, with a pocket garden, wood furniture and accents of Thai silk upholstery. The Spa contains only two couples rooms and two single rooms, so only a maximum of six people can be accommodated here at one time.

The Spa at Mandarin has gained a reputation for excellent Asian-style pampering. Luxury is what makes this spa stand out among the Philippines’ best, and it does this in understated ways. Hydraulic massage beds enable adjustments in height and angles to suit the client’s comfort level. Therapists place pillows under the knees or ankles for ultimate comfort. Service is another strength—Spa Manager, Angie Castillo, says clients rarely get turned down, even when they ring up the Spa beyond last call (at midnight). The “basic” 50-minute treatments are rarely availed of, with most callers going for those that last an hour and a half or more. The Spa rooms are worth a visit; each feels like a little five-star villa—a pair of heavy teak wood doors are a prelude to other simple luxuries for your short stay—a private shower and toilet, complete bath amenities, a dresser for freshening up after, thick
cream-colored towels to wrap yourself in, and that requisite plush white bathrobe.

The array of treatments confuses me for a moment: exclusive facials, luxurious body massages from Thai to Deep Tissue, natural wraps and exfoliating scrubs. When I reveal my dilemma, Castillo gives welcome advice. “Think not as a writer, but as a person,” she says warmly. “What do you need to do for yourself today?” Her words are manna from heaven, since I am still feeling sore from the effects of a 21-hour plane ride a week before. I am drawn to the Thai Herbal Heat Energizer, a 1-hour-and-30-minute treatment which uses heat from an herbal poultice combined with an invigorating massage to release tensions and revitalize the mind.

The use of a poultice of sweet basil and kaffir lime comes from Thailand’s Ayutthaya period, when a hot pack was administered to war soldiers returning home with muscle aches. When the therapist first touches the heated poultice on the back of my leg, it feels wonderful; I surrender my body and mind to let go of deep-seated stresses. Eyes closed, I savor the heat that immediately relaxes all the different points of my body. The medicinal heat, coupled with relaxing massage strokes with peppermint and mandarin essential oils, is truly my kind of paradise. Since heat also causes the pores to open, a bonus is my skin becomes silky-smooth for days afterward.

Eighty percent of the Spa clients are hotel guests who mostly get in-room treatments to doze off after. This was my only regret; that I was not staying at the hotel, since I had to drive home in a blissful daze. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental is a place designed for indulgence, but given the price range, it’s for those moments when you want a special treat. This is not the place you’d want to bring your girlfriends for bonding sessions, or to quickly spread to other spa-holic friends; this is the kind of oasis you’d want to keep all to yourself.

SPA TRAVEL NOTES

The Spa
Mandarin Oriental Manila
Makati Avenue, Makati City
(63 2) 750 0968 or 750 8888 local 1901 / 1902
www.mandarinoriental.com/manila/spa/

OPE RATING HOURS: The Spa at Mandarin is open daily from 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM

Other treatments:
Time Rituals (choose either the 1 hour and 50 minutes/ 2 hours and 50 minutes, Php 5,888/ Php 4,500 )
The Spa’s signature massage, it is a personalized package found in all of the Oriental’s properties around
the world. It is a Thai-inspired therapy following their flagship property, the Oriental Bangkok. Designed for those with blocks of time to spare (two or three hour periods), this is a combination of treatments tailored to the individual’s state and lifestyle, which therapists create just for you. “They are designed to restore your natural state of equilibrium and attend to your body’s needs for that day,” says Spa Manager Angie Castillo.

Therapeutic Hilot Massage (1 hour, 30 minutes, Php 3,400)
Foreign and local visitors both will love this ancient Filipino healing treatment customized to treat
specific areas of imbalance in the body. The healing massage uses a combination of deep-tissue massage
combined with smooth, flowing strokes. Hilot is a kind of lymphatic drainage treatment using mostly thumb pressure. Following an indigenous Filipino practice, a banana leaf is laced with virgin coconut oil and heated over a flame. When swept across the back, it indicates areas, which have strains and need more attention.

Dagdagay Foot Therapy (50 minutes, Php 2,200)
A traditional foot massage that originated in the Mountain Province, north of the Philippines. It is performed using two sticks (bamboo or rattan) to stimulate the nerve endings and restore optimum health.

The Spa uses Ytsara, a line of organic Asian spa products incorporating natural ingredients of herbs,
roots and flowers, blended in its own line of signature essential oils.

Ho w to get there:
The Mandarin Spa can be easily reached. Just ask the taxi to drive you along Makati Avenue.

The Spa Acropolis: The Ultimate City Escape

It’s easy to find The Spa – Acropolis, considering that I literally have no sense of direction. Located along Libis highway and a few blocks away from Eastwood City, the tall, luminous building practically sparkles from the outside. The Spa makes it easy to find comfort in what is perhaps one of the busiest streets in the city.

I arrive a full hour early for my appointment. Accompanied by a friend, we make a quick stop at The Spa’s snack bar where he wolfs down a huge plate of pasta while I sip on a mango shake—all in less than twenty minutes. With less than an hour to spare, we head for the second floor lobby where a peppermint-like scent that emanates from the whole floor immediately greets us, along with The Spa’s receptionist who gives us a quick run-through of all the services they offer. After settling for a facial and the Aromatherapy massage, a staff member comes in, places a tray of scented oils on the table and asks me to pick the one I’d like for them to use for my massage.

As I take a whiff out of each jar aptly labeled ‘energy,’ ‘serenity’ and ‘harmony’, my friend shows off his expertise by naming each scent and what benefits they’re supposed to give. Much to his prodding, I choose the lavender oil and proceed to fill out a client information sheet. Moments later, he scurries off and leaves me in the capable hands of The Spa’s personnel. I then make my way through a series of hallways and closed doors.

Behind door number one: the female locker rooms. At this point, I realize that The Spa does indeed resemble a five-star hotel. Its minimalist yet elegant interior décor is a fusion of Asian themes and a more modern look; consisting of marble floors, expensive-looking lamps and painstaking attention to detail—from the huge vanity mirrors to the sink decked full of women’s necessities (we count a hairdryer a necessity these days). It is clear that everything in The Spa is done with indulgence and style. As soon as I am handed my towel, bathrobe and slippers, I take a quick mental note of the vanity area before making my way into the wet floor facilities—equally impressive steam rooms and contrast therapy baths line up before me, currently devoid of a single soul. I walk past the area to meet with my massage therapist. She explains that it is still early and that most of their regular customers come in the late afternoon.

Door number two leads to the lounge area. She politely asks me to wait for her there while she prepares the massage room. With nothing much to do, I guzzle a cup of the complimentary tea and find a comfortable spot in one of the reclining sofas, happy and contented that I have the whole place all to myself. The therapist returns shortly, and in a state of utter peace and chamomile daze, I follow her through yet another series of hallways that lead to the massage areas.

We walk past the deluxe massage rooms (which have 6 to 9 beds each) and enter an executive suite consisting of a single massage bed, on top of which lay at least three thin, white blankets. I ease onto the bed face down and tried to relax as the smell of lavender immediately permeated the small room. Soon I doze in and out of consciousness as I undergo The Spa’s aromatherapy massage, practically losing track of the time and letting that earthy, world-mix tune lull me to sleep. The massage therapist, a girl in her early twenties, had found the cold spots along my shoulder blades and proceeded to knead my aching muscles as if they are made of dough. Before I know it, an hour had nearly passed and the therapist had begun stretching my limbs, never stopping until she hears a pop from my strained ligaments. From head to toe, I feel refreshed, invigorated even after the muscles I never knew existed suddenly came to life. She helps me put my robe back on and ushers me out back into the hallway, where another therapist comes to fetch me for my facial treatment.

With the lavender scent still trailing behind me, I enter a room filled with comfy, reclining couches. I lazily plop onto one just as the facial is about to begin. While my eyes are wrapped with a soft cloth, I immediately feel the tingly sensation of the Fango mud doing its job—scrubbing what I could only assume as dead skin cells off my face. I begin to doze off again, knowing that I finally found my drug of choice. When the 60 minutes of pure cleansing and relaxation are finally up, it is extremely hard to get off that seat—and even harder to find my way back to the locker rooms.

The typical day at any spa may give you a temporary comfort from your dreadful work week, but in The Spa Acropolis, nothing is ever that simple. After all, this is The Spa’s main branch, and one can expect nothing but the best—from its friendly personnel down to its premium quality services. One step into its sophisticated and elegant surroundings and I couldn’t help but imagine that this is what royalty must feel like; it’s as if I was invited into this exclusive secret hideaway, not to rub elbows with the rich and famous, but to merely sip tea in the relaxation room and get regally pampered with one treatment after another. And as I leave the premises, I come to the conclusion that whoever put The Spa in its current location knows exactly what they are doing: to provide a detour to those who seek refuge from the traffic or the bustling noise of the city and help them come out more refreshed and energized than ever.

The labyrinth that is The Spa proves to be a place where one can expect nothing but the royal treatment. It’s funny how from afar, a shiny building like this holds more than enough secrets and surprises fit for anyone who’s more than willing to spend their time and money for a half-day’s worth of escape from the urban jungle. As for me, I could get lost to that heady peppermint scent, anytime of the week.

Spa Travel Notes

The Spa (Acropolis)
Acropolis Center, Acropolis Green Subd.,
80 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Libis, Quezon City
Tel nos. 634-2848, 634-7209
Fax no. 634-2267
Web: www.thespa.com.ph / thespa@thespa.com.ph
Hours of operation start at 1:30 – 9:30 pm daily. Appointments should be booked in advance.

Go Asian: capturing the art of Asian relaxation
The Spa Acropolis boasts itself for its Asian-inspired theme, from the interior décor, specially-designed floor facilities to the unique treatments they have to offer. Here’s a brief list of the Asian treatments you may want to try to achieve that Zen-like experience.

Javanese Royal Bath
This 90-minute body treatment is the most popular “must-try” for those who want the ultimate pampering experience. Be treated like Javanese royalty with the Lulur (a scrub traditionally used on Javanese brides as a purifying ritual before marriage) before topping it off with a floral bath.

Indian Ayurvedic Body Treatment
Much like cleansing your entire mind and body of all your worries, a warm oil massage, a herbalized paste application and a warm oil, head-to-toe treatment are what’s in store if you want to go “Ayurvedic” for a full 90 minutes.

Shiatsu Massage
A staple in every spa. Hardcore massage enthusiasts like the sound of their cold spots crackling away—and it only takes one hour in this Japanese-style pressure point technique.

Luxury Redefined

Most dictionaries define the word “ritz” somewhat negatively. Coined from the name of the Swiss founder of a chain of elegant, luxury hotels, it is described as an ostentatious or pretentious display of wealth; a gaudy show of luxury meant to attract notice and impress others. But there is nothing tasteless or vulgar about the facade that greets me when my fiancée and I visit the Ritz Tropical Spa in Subic.

Its label as a tropical spa is perhaps more appropriate, as a mix of Balinese and Filipino interiors remind those who enter that this is a sanctuary in the tropics. For people like me whose jobs require us to be in constant communication, nothing is more pleasurable than the opportunity to take a mental break from the cacophony of urban chaos. Once inside the spa, the white muslin curtains seem to shield me from the noise of busy Rizal Boulevard. Suddenly, I am in an oasis of serenity.

There is something to be desired in having such sensual pleasures in a place where the ambiance alone can evoke a feeling of complete and utter relaxation. The small receiving section leads to the wet areas, with separate facilities for men and women. Couples can reunite at a second lobby at the back, which serves as a waiting area for guests while awaiting well-groomed therapists and treatment specialists to lead them to their respective pleasures. This second lobby opens up to an entire complex of rustic thatch roofed huts that serve as the main treatment area.

Native bahay kubos (huts) are found just off the small patio where one can have drinks and refreshments while watching white swans glide across the water. The huts serve as personal enclaves, named sweetly after the aromatherapy oils available to suit each individual fancy. I find it quite heart warming to be able to choose to have my massage in rooms with names such as cinnamon, patchouli, pine, rose and lavender. Needing nothing more to whet my appetite for pampering, I head back into the wet area to prep for my chosen treatments.

On that day, we choose to try the spa’s signature foot reflexology combined with my favorite of all massages, a full hour of Swedish ecstasy. The spa offers this 2-hour combination at a rate of Php 1,500.00. Not bad, considering that even the most basic treatments come with the use of the shower, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. Entering the locker rooms, one already begins the journey into
royalty.

The Ritz Tropical Spa makes sure there is nothing I would need that they cannot provide. The locker rooms are staffed with 2 pleasant women who are practically at my beck and call for anything I could need or want. The spa provides you with everything --- from the standard robe and towels, free toiletries and specially prepared potions, toothbrush and toothpaste, and even a pair of shorts to change into. It is a pleasant observation that they even have sterilizers for their provided combs and brushes. Apparently, sanitation is of paramount importance at the Ritz.

Complimentary bathrobe and slippers on, we are led to one of the VIP rooms to begin our trip to nirvana. VIP rooms cost a bit more at Php 1,400.00 per person for an hour’s treatment. But it’s a worthwhile expense for couples like us who consider spa time, bonding time. Families could even choose to use the Presidential room (Php 2,000/pax), which is practically a small house with a sitting room, veranda and 2 separate treatment areas.

The foot reflexology begins with an authentic herbal footbath, the mix of herbs flown in from China. It is
believed that the warm water causes the veins in the feet to expand and helps to regulate blood circulation. By adding an herbal infusion, minerals and phytochemicals from the herbs enter the soles of the feet through opened pores and circulate in the blood stream. While my feet soak in herbal goodness, the therapist begins to apply steady pressure on my shoulders to begin the back and arm massage that comes with the treatment.

After my upper body has been kneaded into relaxation, my feet are dried and the reflexology begins. A specialized cocktail of virgin coconut oil, infused with the scent of Sampaguita, is used during the massage. I sit half-prone, listening drowsily to the soft strains of oriental music being piped-in ever so subtly that I would not even have noticed had I not made an effort to do so. It is almost a surprise to me when the therapist wraps my feet mummy style and leaves the room. I check the clock and realize an hour had passed without me knowing it.

A short break after the foot reflexology allows us time to tour the grounds. I realize then that when they say they offer any kind of body pampering imaginable they truly mean it. A peek at one of the communal huts shows modern facial care stations where guests can have collagen and Vitamin C facials or dead sea black mud masks starting at Php 1,000.00.

The Jasmine hut has 4 rooms that have equipment and facilities for body scrubs, body waxing and various body treatments. For Php 2,000.00, one can choose to be slathered in honey, soaked in milk or covered in dead sea mineral mud. For Php 1,300.00, one can experience the anti-stress scrub, mood-uplifting scrub or the relaxing scrub. Another hut houses a full service salon that is equipped to provide all manner of services from the requisite hair cut, hot oil, shampoo and blow dry to scalp treatments, expert hair color, manicures and pedicures. Truly a pampering experience from head to foot!

The Ritz offers different massage styles --- Japanese Shiatsu, Thai or combination. For me the long kneading strokes characteristic of the popular Swedish massage is the definite winner. At the hands of their senior therapist, I find myself in another hour of pure luxury. I like using oils with a hint of eucalyptus and peppermint. I find the subtle coolness relaxing. But those who prefer other scents are sure to find one to their liking as the Ritz Tropical Spa has a wide selection of aromatherapy oils to offer. Indeed they had thought of practically everything.

After a long hot shower, I linger around the grounds. The thing with such heavenly pampering is it becomes quite difficult to leave. No wonder why many of the foreign guests are seen lounging about the many settees scattered around the spa. I ask the manager why it is that they don’t expand into a resort that can offer accommodations for overnight stays and transform the place into an all-in-one vacation destination. I am happy to be told that this is indeed in their plans for the future. Holding a cold drink in my hand, I relax on their patio and watch the garden come alive with lights as the sun set on the lagoon.

Indeed, the Ritz Tropical Spa redefines what luxury means. There are no gaudy gold embellishments,
heavy brocade tapestries and vulgar displays of wealth here. It is the feeling of wellness, physical and spiritual contentment that makes a visit to this spa a truly rich and lavish experience.

Spa Travel Notes

RITZ TROPICAL SPA
Blk 76, Bicentennial Park,
Rizal Highway,
Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Olongapo City
(63 47) 252 60 88
www.theritzspa.com

Manila branch:
The Ritz Spa Manila
#1614 Adriatico St., Ermita,
Manila
(63 2) 523 3333

OPERATING HOURS: The Ritz is open daily from 12:00 NOON – 12:00 MIDNIGHT

How to get there:
Experiencing such pampering in a tropical setting has never been easier. With the newly constructed Subic-Clark- Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Subic is now only an hour and half away from Metro Manila. Get on the North Luzon Expressway via the Balintawak exit and drive straight to the end. Follow the signs to get on the SCTEX and voila! You are in Subic. Be prepared, however, to pay for the toll fees!

North Luzon Expressway
(Balintawak to SCTEX exit) = Php 174.00
SCTEX (Dau to Subic) = Php 112.00
Subic Expressway(NLEX segment 7) = Php 18.00

Spa 6750

I’ve been massaged all over the world: in a Thai hut in Ko Phi Phi, on the white sands of Palawan, on a busy street in Taiwan, and in an off the wall mall in Guangzhou, China. I’ve indulged in luxurious spas and I’ve ordered affordable home service (massage only – God is watching), so when I proclaim myself as a massage connoisseur, I do it without any arrogance or self-importance. Okay, maybe there’s a little bit of smugness. In my Olympic opinion, Spa 6750 is the Michael Phelps of spas in the city - without the heavy breakfast.

Conveniently located in the business district of Makati, Spa 6750 is an urban getaway within an urban getaway waiting to be discovered. The moment you walk in the European luxury lifestyle inspired lobby area, where the receptionist greets you by name, a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation takes over you as you forget deadlines and dread-lines. The friendly staff pampers you with a warm lavender-scented neck hug to loosen your muscles as you prepare for a regal experience.

The rooms are private so you don’t have to worry about the snoring of others or yourself, assuming you have the same ailment. The rooms have their own glass shower and steam enclosures and bathtubs for two. The handmade custom-fit wooden treatment tables with retractable chest cavities are the most comfortable I’ve laid on, as my face did not keep sliding out of my neck like an ostrich looking for food. The music played in the room is very soothing and you have the option of bringing in your own iPod or MP3 player and plugging it in. Just don’t play 50 Cent. That is reserved for the after party.

What impressed me the most about this place were the therapists. They were well-trained and well-meaning. With each stroke, I could feel that my therapist really cared and wished my body well. You don’t normally get that from other masseuses, especially the home service ones that text, fall asleep, or sweat on the job. My therapist cared enough to say, “Mr. Tayag, this is your time to relax” before she began the treatment. She took her time in working the aches and pains in my back. I needed her and she kneaded me. I came into Spa 6750feeling a bit stressed but when I came out, I was refreshed and felt a few years younger (better than Botox).

Spa 6750 offers different kinds of massages, aromatherapy, body scrubs, foot spas, and facials. This spa is definitely worth every peso and every minute you spend. Too bad they won’t let you spend the night. I tried.

Spa Travel Notes

Spa 6750
4/F 6750 Building,
Ayala Avenue, Makati City
(63 2) 815 6750
bookme@spa6750.com or inquiry@spa6750.com
www.spa6750.com

OPERATING HOURS: The spa is open daily from 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Other treatments:
Wat Po (1 hour and 30 minutes, Php 2,250)
Through deep muscle stretching, application of pressure on energy lines and emphasis on breath, Thai massage offers many of the same benefits as yoga. It is performed comfortably dressed on a mattress on the floor.

De-Stress Foot Reflexology (60 minutes, Php 1,500)
Soothe tired feet with a bath, and a good scrub to remove cracked skin. Followed with acupressure massage applied to zones on the feet that correspond to all parts of the body and organs. This treatment stimulates the body’s own healing and balancing process.

O Pair (2 hours and 30 minutes, Php 5,6250)
Relax and enjoy this personalized treatment in each other’s company in our couples suite. This euphoric experience for two begins with a foot spa of your choice. Immerse and luxuriate in a scented flower bath while enjoying a glass of wine. This sensual interlude concludes with an aromatherapy body massage using Ylang-ylang essential oil known for its aphrodisiac and relaxing qualities.

How to get there:
Spa 6750 is located at the 4th floor of the 6750 building along Ayala Avenue just beside the parking complex of Rustan’s Department Store. Ask the taxi to take you to Ayala Center in Makati.

The Secret Garden’s Secret Salon

Clad in a white blouse and a dainty sock hop dress, Sonya Garcia is a very gracious woman. When she finds out that I’ve never been to her Garden before, she lets out a speck of regret. “Too bad”, she says wryly and we then proceed with the day’s tour. From the lush greenery to the luxurious cottages and the sumptuous organic menu, there’s always something to rave about Sonya’s Garden. Everything can be found in that 1.4-hectare sanctuary, a handful of minutes drive away from the national highway. Years ago, only a select few can visit the garden. I’ve even heard stories about Sonya having to drive some guests away because there just wasn’t enough room for everyone. But the mystery that shrouds Sonya’s Garden has yet to be fully uncovered. And it goes by three words: Sonya’s Pampering Salon.

No hair care, no coiffures here. From the entrance, you take the red brick path that passes by the panaderia and the restaurant. At the end of the path is a quaint little cottage, neatly tucked in the middle of a lovely English garden, adorned by native handicrafts and furnishings that are both eclectic and exotic. Bead curtains hang by the entrance and capiz windows separate the spa rooms from the reception. I reach out for the menu and find myself overwhelmedby the variety of spa services that they offer. I settle for the Magnolia Package – a two-hour treatment that includes a manicure and pedicure, an aromatherapy steam bath and a relaxing full-body massage.

My manicure and pedicure takes place in an open-air sitting room, a perfect setting as I finish my reading of David Sedaris. The foot spa is soothing and delightful. My masseuse, Ruth, uses a tempting mixture of sugar and banana cream to rinse my feet while I sip the most delicious cup of tea I’ve had in years – a sensual blend of warm dalandan juice, basil leaves and honey! Before deciding to take a spa treatment, I become a little hesitant. It is a bright, sunny afternoon, just right for a nice, long stroll in the garden with my Lomo camera. That quickly changes, however, when I am finally escorted to my spa room.

There’s no sign of whirring air-conditioning or piped-in bossa nova music, which is usually a staple in most of the spas I’ve been to. Instead, it’s just this blissful thrill of the Tagaytay breeze while listening to the chanteur’s singing from the wedding reception nearby. If your olfactory nerves get a little lucky, you might just get a whiff of that fragrant mix of herbs and shrubbery from outside the window while you take your pre-massage shower. Truly, the spa is closer to nature than I thought and the shower is definitely something to look out for.

The Sonya’s Signature Massage is the most recommended treatment for first-timers. It combines the best strokes from Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai, and Chinese reflexology to create an intensely soothing full-body massage.

For those who are seeking a more holistic treatment, there’s the Lilac Package that combines a facial, a hair spa, a body scrub and a full body massage.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you should try the spa’s traditional Filipino healing systems, which was only launched last August. From the indigenous hilot (60 minutes, Php 980) to the therapeutic bentosa (60 minutes, Php 1,250), from the stimulating dagdagay (60 minutes, Php 1,000) and to its authentic Filipino facials (40 minutes, Php 650), all of these new treatments make Sonya’s Pampering Salon look like a modern-day Filipino apothecary.

The spa’s 23 therapists are all professionally trained. You can easily consult your therapist about which spa treatment best suits you. As my therapist performs the signature massage on me, she tells me that I have an incredibly bad case of lamig (cold spots). My cold spots are woefully placed near the spine, and whenever my therapist would press them, I would find myself jolting in pain. I distinctly remember my village acupuncturist telling me that lamig near the spinal cord hinders proper breathing and posture.

My therapist, then, recommends me to avail of the bentosa, the hilot technique that burns a wild herb called damong maria inside airtight glass cups placed to various nerve points of the back. While the signature massage does remove the cold spots, the bentosa makes sure that they do not replicate. It’s such a soothing experience that in minutes, I doze off to sleep, with a few snores in between. My therapist tells me that it’s the bentosa’s normal effect, mainly because of the toxins being removed through suction.

It’s always best to schedule your spa treatments one week in advance – especially to avoid the weekend and holiday rush. If you’re coming with a companion, you can check the availability of the two couples’ rooms. Walk-ins are also possible but please do note that the last call for all spa treatments is an hour before closing time (7:00 PM on weekdays, 9:00 PM on weekends and holidays).

What used to be Tagaytay’s best-kept secret is now a must-go for Manila’s weekend vacationers. Sonya’s Garden is a perfect hideaway for those seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle. But it’s in Sonya’s Pampering Salon where you can truly relax your jangled nerves and tuck your worries away – even at least for a while.

This art of pampering is actually rooted from Sonya’s philosophy - the Art of Doing Nothing. It only looks like it’s nothing because it’s that simple. The simplicity is wonderfully deceptive. You lie down, close your eyes, feel every sensation you can – the candid closeness to nature, the soothing massage and even, that inexplicably simple cup of warm dalandan tea.

Sonya’s Pampering Salon is all about finding the silence amidst the noise, the poignant amidst the mundane. It’s really those simple things that count. Unfortunately, I realize it just now and, to echo Sonya’s thoughts, too bad.

SPA TRAVEL NOTES

SONYA’S GARDEN
Barangay Buck Estate,
Alfonso, Cavite
(63 917) 532 9097
(63 917) 507 3302
info@sonyasgarden.com
www.sonyasgarden.com

OPERATING HOURS: The spa is open on weekdays from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM and on weekends its 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Make the most out of your spa appointment by enjoying the many other luxuries of
Sonya’s quaint garden:
• Schedule your spa treatment in the late afternoon after enjoying a sumptuous lunch in an English Garden setting. If you can, request for a room that’s on the side of the afternoon sun. Sunrays seeping through the windows complement a warm massage.
• Lounge in one of the many daybeds in scattered across the garden. Read a book, do your sketches, or just do nothing at all. Enjoy the calmness of the outdoors as you prep up for your treatment.
• Grab a bite of cheese hopia from the Panaderia. Your spa treatment won’t be fun if you have a grumpy stomach.
• As nighttime falls, take a relaxing stroll to the cottages. The wonderful scent of the flower beds is excellent aromatherapy.
• Before heading to the restaurant for inner, cap your spa experience by enjoying the magical sight of fireflies at the tree behind the greenhouse.

How to get there:
From SLEX, take the Sta. Rosa exit. Once you reach Tagaytay, make a right towards the direction of Nasugbu, Batangas, passing the Tagaytay Rotonda. Shortly after Splendido and Sunrise Hill, make a right turn on Buck Estate. Sonya’s Garden is at your left, a good two-kilometer drive from the main highway.

Lovingly Filipino

I enter a large garden that looks so familiar and yet so new to me. I feel so at home in this new setting but at the same time, I’m still getting to know the people I have suddenly met here. This is my first visit to Nurture Spa in Pampanga, the place I’m going to call home.

Known as one of the pioneers in the spa industry, Nurture Spa first started in the cool ridges of Tagaytay. Now, they are settling in their new branch in the quant county of Pampanga nestled on the foothills of Mt. Arayat. Why Pampanga? It’s because of how the place exists with nurture and care, a place where people can grow in simplicity and harmony all at the same time, just like the beliefs of Nurture Spa.

Together with their signature treatments, Nurture Spa services new massages and packages with the Kapampangan Touch. The Tumayla Relaxing Massage (60 minutes, Php 1,400) is a traditional Kapampangan massage that uses the soothing melody of a Kapampangan lullaby to ease away stress and tension for ultimate relaxation. Another is the Nurturing Love or Kalusugan ng Pagmamahalan package (2 hours, Php 2,100/ pax or Php 4,200/couple) treats you with their signature Magsing-irog Massage (for couples) using a sultry blend of sandalwood, ylang ylang and lavender essential oils to rekindling passion and encourage intimacy, followed by luxurious foot pampering Pinatubo Foot Spa. Your feet are smoothened using Pinatubo pumice stones, wrapped in banana leaves and massaged in special oils. For singles, it’s the Aruga Whole body massage then the Pinatubo Foot Spa they would pamper you with. For the weary souls the a perfect treat for honeymooners is the Indulgence of Romance or Kasaganaan ng Pag-ibig package (8 hours with accommodations, 10,200) Get to be indulged for one day with your loved one in a series of pampering services to cater him and her. The Mayumi Coconut Body Polish is for the ladies. This gentle exfoliation with essential oils nourishes the skin while eliminating fatigue and exhaustion followed by the Mutya Natural Facial which is packed with vitamins and natural antioxidants leaving the face cleansed. For the gentlemen it’s the Kape Barako Scrub. The treatment’s robust aroma invigorates the senses as much as the skin. The aromatic coffee with special herbs helps stimulate circulation and assists detoxification. The package is finished by an intimate Magsing-irog Massage in a romantic couples room. This package also includes accommodations and a full set lunch for two.

The spa has even brought in their signature Ifugao huts located in sprawling grounds at Abe’s Farm. Each hut has the comforts of home with air-condition and thick mattresses and pillows so by the end of the day you’ll sleep like a baby and wake up refreshed and renewed.

Nurture Spa’s owners, Cathy and Mike Turvill are very hands on with their project. From the spa’s look, location, treatments even to the concoction of their essential oils, their menu’s romanticized Tagalog names and the research on the effects of their treatments, everything is done with personalized care and concern for their guests, just like parents showing unconditional love and nurture to their children. I have been touched personally with their graciousness in taking care of us while visiting their new spa when Ms. Cathy warmly greeted us after an indulging Sese ng Ima head massage (30 minutes, Php 600) that really took our tiredness away. Even if I have just stayed for a little while in the magical healing gardens of the Nurture Spa in Pampanga, I have truly felt the whole heartened experience of being nurtured.

Spa Travel Notes

Nurture Spa
Magalang, Pampanga
(63 45) 865 1930
(63 916) 288 4200
info@nurture.com.ph
www.nurture.com

OPERATING HOURS: Nurture spa is open from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Before indulging in to Nurture visit Abe’s Farm for a real Kapampangan experience. Abe’s Farm serves gourmet Kapampangan dishes and delicacies to its visitors. As the former residence of famed writer and artist, Abe Aguilar Cruz, father of celebrated restaurateur, the late Larry J. Cruz, the farm is filled with beautiful and interesting pieces and native touches creating a unique but homey feeling to its visitors. Guests can even stay for a night in one of their native huts located below the main restaurant.

How to get there:
From Manila, take the Angeles Exit on the North Luzon Express (NLEX). Follow the Magalang Road leading to the town plaza then proceed to Barangay Ayala which will take 10 minutes. From Ayala, go past the resort on the left; continue on to Livestock Village where you will see the sign “Abe’s Farm” at the corner.

Royal Opulence at the Lazuli Spa

“On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.” - Jules Renard

The Lapis Lazuli is one of the most powerful semi-precious stones known to man. Famous for its intense blue hue with specks of brilliant gold, it can be described as the color of the heavens streamed with millions of gleaming stars. It symbolizes well-being, clarity, beauty, regality, as well as emotional and spiritual strength. Valued at the highest worth since ancient times, it is revealed to be the stone of royalty as it was used to transcend its power over to the bearer. In Ancient Egypt, its several pieces of the valued treasure were unearthed from numerous tombs of the Pharaohs most notably the funeral mask of the great King Tutankhamen. Even Cleopatra herself used the stone in its powdered form to color her eyes with streaks of blue and gold for beauty and unparallel splendor. Being a symbol of royalty and wellbeing, it is also the reason why it became the soul of the Lazuli Spa, the premier pampering facility of Marco Polo Davao.

I had the utmost pleasure of experiencing the Lazuli Spa on my trip to Davao and by golly, it was unforgettable. The spa’s two-storey structure is at the right wing of The Deck located at the 4th floor of the Marco Polo Hotel. It faces the hotel’s 25-meter swimming pool as well as Davao’s skyline. As one of Davao’s premier spas, the Lazuli has impressive upscale interiors and facilities that cater to the needs of its guests. Designed with modern stylings and Asian elements, the Lazuli Spa offers a lavish and idyllic sanctuary for those who are looking for a haven in the middle of the city. It has five private treatment rooms, four single rooms and a double suite for couples and friends who want to have their pampering together. What’s impressive about the rooms is how they can be uniquely customized for the guests. The second floor of the spa has a spectacular view of the Zen garden below, perfect for those who are having their foot pampering treatments on the spa’s custom-made king-size couches. Guests are given an extra treat at night when they can get a great view of the swimming pool as it changes colors (yes that’s right!).

The treatment rooms are equipped with high-tech mood settings so guests can have the freedom to choose the colors, music and other settings to suit their mood and taste. For the light and scent settings, I had the option of choosing between six combinations: purple and lavender for power and creativity; aqua and peppermint for freshness which evokes the cool feeling of the wide ocean; the blend of red and eucalyptus for passion and excitement; green and the fragrance of lemongrass for relaxation and rejuvenation; and blue with a touch of mandarin orange for pleasure and serenity. I chose the aqua light setting and the scent of eucalyptus as it reminded me of home. I also had the option of choosing my own music with the spa’s personal Ipods and state-of-the-art sound system. In addition, each room has its own private steam bath facility and ray showers.

As my eyes glided over the spa menu I learned of the different treatments and packages offered by the facility. First, there is the signature spa treatment, A Touch of Lazuli (90 minutes). It is an indulging combination of three massages from eastern, western and deep tissue techniques: Thai Stretching, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi and Reiki. There are also the body scrub treatments: The Aloe Vera Glow (45 minutes, Php 1,100) for hydration of the body and nourishment of the body and the Milk Chocolate Latte Scrub (45 minutes, Php 1,200); the perfect body scrub for chocolate lovers which uses the mixture of Davao’s homegrown coffee, chocolate and milk to provide powerful antioxidants for the body as well as reducing cellulite.

For the absolute spa experience, one mustn’t pass up the Ultimate Spa Perfection Treatment (6 hours,
Php 5,400). It’s described to be an indulgent, uninterrupted, unbelievable blissful spa experience, lined-up with a series of treatments. In the end, I chose the Body Wellness Treatment (90 minutes, Php 1,600) which focuses on relieving the tension and stress of the body. After a hot shower, I literally climbed onto the king size couch for my foot scrub treatment (an option of a foot scrub or body scrub is included in the Body Wellness). My therapist meticulously cleansed and polished my feet until they were as rosy as ever. After the foot spa was the massage I had been eagerly waiting for. The spa uses unscented lotion not only to avoid spoiling the selected scent of the room but also to rehydrate the skin. Soon, I was under the well-trained therapist’s magical spell of pressured touches and repeated long gliding strokes.

Like any other dream, my massage had to end but the spoiling still doesn’t stop. After the treatment, we were given hot cups of Salabat (ginger) tea. With every sip our pampered selves was revitalized. I went back to reality, more refreshed and energetic than ever.

My experience at the Lazuli Spa was truly amazing. I was taken cared of by the staff not only as a guest, but as a queen. From a tired and drained soul, I was revived and rejuvenated by the powers of the Lapiz Lazuli and for the first time in my life, I became royalty.

SPA TRAVEL NOTES

Lazuli Spa
Marco Polo Davao
C.M. Recto Street, Davao City
(63 82) 221 0888
www.marcopolohotels.com

OPERATING HOURS: The spa is open from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Other treatments:
The Lazuli Spa offers special romantic spa
packages for couples:
The Wedding Enchantment (2hours, Php 2,200)
An appealing treatment for the newly-weds. The spa staff will assist you on choosing on different
combinations of their favorite spa packages.

A Dreamy Romance (3 hours, Php 5,200)
This delightful escape for two begins with a comforting almond foot spa and a gentle body scrub. A scented flower bath enriched with Epsom salt and coconut milk highlights this pampering treatment. A massage with a special blend of essential oils concludes this wonderful experience. Massage treatments exceeding 60 minutes or any other combination of spa packages entitles to a private relaxing steam bath.

Stay at Davao’s best, the Marco Polo Hotel. As the only 5-star hotel in the province, it caters to local and international guests with its world-class accommodations and up-to-date facilities. Dine at the Polo Bistro which offers savory dishes or spend some time at the Eagles Bar for late night drinks. For the hotel’s special guests, there’s the Continental Club at the 24th and 25th floors which offer superb lodging and additional pampering.

How to get there:
Davao is a main destination in the country being one o f the largest cities in the Philippines. The Francisco Bangoy (Davao) International Airport welcomes daily flights from Manila and Cebu as well as several flights from international airline. The Marco Polo Hotel is just a 25-minute ride to the airport. You can ask for a taxi to take you there or you can ask the hotel to arrange for airport transfers.

The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo

The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo is one of the most anticipated celebrations in the country. Held every fourth Sunday of January, it is one of the three biggest festivals in Visayas in honor of the Child Jesus, Santo Niño. Dinagyang, meaning merry-making in the local dialect, traces its roots to when Christianity was introduced to the island of Panay. Ten Bornean Datus gave peace offerings of a Golden Salakot (native hat) and long strands of pearl necklaces to the native Aeta tribes in exchange for their land. Locals of today cover their whole body with black soot, to represent the early Aetas who celebrated their friendship with the Datus through dance.

For one week, locals would dance wildly to the fast beat of the drums while chanting “Viva Santo Niño!” and “Hala Bira!” all over the city. The major events of the celebration consist of a fluvial parade, numerous contests, shows and the most awaited street dancing competitions where hundreds of dance groups from the city compete in this annual contest.

Iloilo is blessed with Baroque churches scattered all over the province. Iloilo is found on the southwest division of Panay Island. The Travel time from Manila via airplane takes an hour. Alternate transportations such as ferries and the nautical highway (RORO) are also available.

Discover the Giant Lanterns of Pampanga

Considered as the home of the giant lanterns, San Fernando City in Pampanga holds the Giant Lantern Festival. It displays the province’s innovative, intricately designed lanterns made of native materials like Capiz shells.

Visitors from all over the country flock to the town of San Fernando to see the giant lanterns paraded along the City Hall during the Christmas season, at around the third week of December.

While traveling two hours along the North Luzon Expressway to the province which is north of Manila, families will enjoy a unique display of parols adorning the homes and streets in the country. The parol or Christmas lantern is a unique and traditional Filipino Christmas decoration.

The art of making these lanterns dates back to the time when the Spanish colonized the Philippines. The original parol was in the shape of a star which symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem that guided the three kings on the night Jesus was born. The star lantern was used in the past to light the way of the people who go to Church during the late night masses. The star lanterns gave the warm light needed during the dark December evenings. Back then, parols were made from simple materials such as bamboo and translucent or Japanese paper.

Today, different kinds of parols line the streets of Pampanga and people from nearby places such as Manila flock to San Fernando City to buy lanterns that are made from sea shells. The use of sea shells instead of plastic or paper to cover the parol make the Christmas lanterns more sturdy and fireproof. The shells that local craftsmen use come from a town called Capiz in the island of Panay in the Visayas region. The shells are widely used for window panes and are also good materials for parols. From the original lantern made of paper, the Capiz parols are now widely available commercially.

Lantern makers in Pampanga, have taken the traditional art of parol-making to a higher level, producing huge lanterns that are intricately designed with amazing, rhythmic lighting. The lanterns made in Pampanga are elaborate and large, some spanning 40 feet. Each giant lantern can include up to 5,000 individual light cells and circuits, and can cost over P300,000 ($7,413). However, there are lanterns assembled that are readily available in the local market at affordable prizes, at around P2, 000 to P3, 000 ($46 to $72), and can last for many years.

From the simple five-pointed star lantern, the parol has evolved into other intricate shapes like a rose, bromeliad, snowflakes and sea urchin among others. They are made from Japanese paper, softdrink straws, wood, plastic, glass, metal and capiz shells and other native materials. Each lantern is a beautiful work of traditional folk art.
The star lanterns of Pampanga have become so large that they now measure up to 18 feet in diameter and are mounted on trucks so that they can be put on parade. These masterpieces take almost an entire year to complete. Each lantern can weigh over 1,000 kilograms and requires at least 50 people to assemble it.

During the Giant Lantern Festival, the beautiful lanterns are paraded, accompanied by marching bands. The colorful lighting designs are synchronized with music, producing a unique and wonderful sound and light show. The Grand Lantern Festival is such a grand parade that the whole city comes out to watch. After midnight mass, there is a presentation ceremony to the maker of the most beautiful lantern.

The San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival originated in 1904 when the beautiful lanterns were only 2 feet in diameter and lighted by candles. Through the years, the tradition of lantern-making grew. In 1928, history records that a lantern-making competition was held in honor of Manuel L. Quezon, the second president of the Philippines.

Since then, the Filipino parol has never failed to uplift the spirit and instill a sense of pride and hope in the Filipino people. It not only brightens Christmas in the Philippines but also serves as an inspiration to Filipino ingenuity and creativity. Visit Pampanga with friends and experience the giant lanterns this Christmas season.

Hospitality at Its Finest: Amuma Spa

Filipinos are known for their warmth and graciousness. We love to entertain our guests even to the point of spoiling them! We give them sumptuous feasts, comfortable accommodations and unending questions of “Gusto mo pa?” (Do you want more?) or “Ano pa gusto mo?” (Anything else?) Ah, the perks of being a Filipino guest! This is the kind of sensation I experienced when I enjoyed the rejuvenating spa treatment of the Amuma Spa at the Maribago Bluewater Resort in Mactan.

For those who are not familiar with the term, Amuma is a Cebuano word meaning “pamper, to spoil; to indulge with every attention and comfort.” It’s the perfect word to describe how this spa sanctuary in Mactan Island treats each of its guests.

The spa is the first thing you would see as you enter the grand resort. It is the center point of the latest wing of the Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort where guests can easily walk to the spa from their suites. The Amuma Spa evokes the Filipino warmth and welcomes with a modern touch because of most of the materials used in the spa are made from native elements like rattan and bamboo. The first floor of the spa facility holds the reception area. What is remarkable about the design of the ground floor was how the facilities are divided by glass walls, which was refreshing to see adding the sense of liberty and tranquility from the inside. On one side was the gym and health club where guests can use for their daily workout regimen. Next door is the hair and beauty salon for those lavish beauty rituals. In the middle of it all is a gorgeous bronze sculpture. I felt it added a delicate yet luxurious touch to the wellness facility. One of the staff even gave us a tidbit about the beautiful artwork. A clue is to see it from the inside looking out towards nature.

After exploring the first floor, the receptionist then introduced us to our masseuse then asked us to change into slippers to prepare us for our treatment. As I was guided upstairs, I couldn’t seem to stop and be mesmerized by the hanging stairs going to the next floor, just one of the interesting pieces of this marvelous facility. It makes you feel your steeping in to another plane of existence. Guests can take their showers before their full body treatments at the locker room. Here, they are given individual lockers for their belongings and other valuables. My masseuse then patiently waited for me as I made my way out and guided me to my assigned spa room.

Amuma has various massage and body care treatments that cater to the preference of the guests. There’s the Amuma Paligo (90 minutes) where one can indulge in a body scrub, then a wrap using generous dozes of virgin coconut oil, lemong grass. Calamansi, and Cebu’s famous mangoes. After the wrap is a soothing hear treatment then finished of with a warm bath with a mixture of bath salts and spices. For couples there’s the Malakas at Maganda (3.5 hours) signature package where the couple undergoes a series of indulging treatments to enhance relaxation and intimacy.

I was scheduled to have the Amuna Hilot which was the spa’s signature massage treatment. What’s the difference from the other hilot massages? Well, Amuma has exclusively made their own style by adding a few traditions to this holistic treatment and I genuinely got to experience them. Uniquely Filipino, the Amuma Hilot incorporated several native rituals to the massage experience. Before we started, the masseuse started to burn some dried elements on a bowl and scattered the scent all over the room. While walking around she started to chant some words in the air as if in prayer to someone. I realized that she was doing the native rituals of the “pausok” which is said to cleanse the space or the atmosphere through medicinal herbs and mineral smoke. The treatment also included the “dasal” and “orasyon” which was a series of chants and spiritual invocations to cleanse the spirit.

As we started on the massage, the masseuse poured on warm Virgin Coconut Oil (all massage oil-based treatments were used with VCO) and with a series of soft and long gliding strokes, I started to experience the pleasure of relaxation and the relief of stress all over my body. I thought the massage and the native rituals were the complete package but then, I saw the masseuse preparing some banana leaves with VCO. She started to heat the pieces of leaves and proceeded to lay some pieces on my back. What I felt was an outburst of energy and release. The leaf added a tinge of intense warmth and uplift as if it was instantly healing the stress I have been carrying all this time. Soon the banana leaves covered several parts of my body with the same rejuvenating heat. The Amuma Hilot is about 90 minutes, however it went by so fast, and suddenly I found myself sipping a hot cup of tea in the relaxation lounge.

What started as simple massage therapy turned into a journey of release and healing. The Amuma Spa at the Maribago Clearwater Beach Resort surely is an outstanding spa with its distinctive Filipino elements fused with modernity and tradition. It truly deserves to be one of the best, with their simple mantra that nothing really compares to that unique Filipino touch.

Spa Notes:

Spa appointments begin at 10:00AM until 12:00MN daily.

The Amuma Spa houses numerous services and facilities to cater the needs of its guests. Apart from its main 2-storey spa compound that has a Hilot Pavilion located at the Amuma Spa Wing as well as a breezy Massage Gazebo by the beach for those who want their pampering treatment by the sea.

Not only does Amuma Spa cater to massage treatments but also special tai-chi lessons, arnis and stretching sessions for guests who want to maximize their itinerary at the resort. Just ask the spa reception for any upcoming activities and they will gladly welcome your slot for the session.

Enjoy stimulating dishes and refreshing drinks at the Amuma Spa Café. Enjoy their healthy meals while lounging by the cool poolside.

Be treated like royalty in the Maribago Bluewater Resort. The staff pleasantly greets you as you go on your way while you enjoy the resorts complete facilities; ideal for those perfect family outings.

MARIBAGO BLUEWATER BEACH RESORT
Buyong Maribago, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City
Tel. no.: (63-32) 232 5411
Website: www.bluewater.com

How to Get There:
The Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort is just a 20-minute ride from the Cebu-Mactan International Airport. You can ask a taxi to drive you there or, as the resort if they can arrange an airport transfer for you.

Back to Nature

The Farm is a medical and wellness resort aiming to make health a way of life, so although it is a beautiful “destination spa”, it is about so much more than pampering spa treatments.

Located in Lipa City in Batangas, a two-hour drive south of Manila, the 48-hectare resort is situated on a former coconut and coffee plantation nestled in the foothills of Mount Malarayat, and boasts of verdant gardens, natural pools, tropical plants, and invigorating fresh air away from our smog-filled capital. Winner of Best Medical Spa of the Year in 2006 from SpaAsia, it notes that majority of its guests come from the rest of Asia, the U.S. and Europe. From thirty something couples, aging Westerners, middle-aged first-timers in the Philippines, to the Hollywood celebrity coming to detox, all seek to benefit from The Farm’s holistic rejuvenation and healing programs. After running the place for close to six years, the owners have now turned over management of the property to Singapore-based Management company Alila, resulting in new packages and an impressive array of treatments (it also dropped the phrase ‘At San Benito’ in its name, which referred to the town and became confusing for visitors), but its mission remains the same, says General Manager Domenick Venditti: to teach people “to simplify your life by going back to nature”. The focus here is to discover the healthy lifestyle and the natural therapies that prevent or treat disease, through supervised spa therapies, vegan cuisine, detox programs, and medical services (such as colon hydrotheraphy and kidney cleansing). Guests stay for at least 14 to 21 days ideally, says Venditti, to get the full effects of the program. There are also 3, 5, and 7-day treatments for those who don’t have the time or inclination to stay, but still want to experience what The Farm has to offer.

Even if you’re a guest on a juice fast or cleansing diet, the accommodations will make you feel you’re at a luxurious tropical resort—with 25 villas scattered around the property, from the rustic Sulu Terrace Suites, with its wood-beamed ceilings and thatched roofs, to the extravagant Master Villas, elegantly appointed bedrooms with teak-covered walls, natural fiber wall to wall carpet and stunning views of your own private garden—albeit without cable TV (reading or communing with nature is preferred). Guests are free to make use of the infinity swimming pool, the secluded heated spring, a dim and cozy library, sun-filled lounges, spacious meditation pavilions and yoga classes. Although longer-term stays merit their attention, it doesn’t mean that a day nature”. visitor cannot experience the wonders of rejuvenation for the mind, body and soul. On our visit, we arrived at 4:00 PM and were led to the spa’s Purification Treatment, touted to aid in elimination of toxins in the body, through the skin. The treatment is composed of a scrub, massage, and wrap, using sea salt with cold pressed virgin coconut oil and lemongrass (known for its blood-cleansing property) applied to the body with the Yin and Yang Rhythmical movement. The masseuse expertly applied crisscrossing short strokes to energetically balance the body, for a stimulating yet relaxing effect. The high mineral content in sea salt wakes up slowed down body processes like metabolism (for weight problems) and cell damage repair (for anti-aging). Salt solution is also known in ancient healing traditions to absorb “negative energy”, so this is highly recommended for stressed out individuals. The massage is unique because the solution is extended to the hair and the face, so that you are enveloped in the soothing solution. I fell into a tranquil nap and emerged after the 90-minute treatment refreshed and truly invigorated, with silky and clean smelling skin and hair. Was it just a coincidence that I felt unusually light and energetic the following week? I’ll have to do more research on that.

The ‘Day at the Farm’ package offers nine combinations of spa treatments, created for people who don’t have the time to stay overnight. Plan for a midmorning arrival and be prepared to spend the next 4 - 5 hours, beginning with a thirty-minute walking tour of the premises, before moving on to your choice of combination of coffee or salt scrubs, therapeutic massages, lulur baths, and afterwards, a delicious five-course vegan dinner to cap your day.

Spa Notes:

The Farm
119 Barangay Tipakan, Batangas
(63 2) 696 3795
info@thefarm.com.ph
www.thefarm.com.ph

OPERATING HOURS: The Farm is open 24 hours. Facilities like the front desk, spa, medical, and restaurant are open only from 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM.

Other treatments:
In addition to therapeutic massages and invigorating scrubs, the spa offers a wide range of foot scrubs, facials, and healing therapies:

Earth Facial (60 minutes, Php 2,800)
This is a facial using a Dead Sea mud mask for re-mineralizing that is based on the teachings of Paracelsus who stated, “all medicine is in the Earth.” The naturally occurring fatty acids and lipids in this mud have powerful therapeutic and aesthetic effects on the skin to rejuvenate, re-mineralize and detoxify.

Kitchen Fresh Facial (60 minutes, Php 2,800)
This natural facial uses only the purest ingredients. Coco-cream, avocado and cornmeal gently clean and exfoliate while the soothing oils and lotions help to regulate and tone the skin, leaving you feeling fresh, and radiating a natural glow. This facial is available only when fresh avocados are in season.

Balinese Boreh Massage (1 hour and 30 minutes, Php 3,600)
This exotic massage comes from the Spice Islands of Indonesia. It is handed down through generations to restore vitality and maintain the body’s natural balance. Compression massage will release the release the wind often trapped in the body before energy lines are cleared and the circulation is boosted. Half of the massage is done dry and then the oil is applied to work deep into the muscle tissue. This complete massage is a powerful way to release stress leaving you uplifted and recharged.

Hampol (1 hour and 30 minutes, Php 3,600)
The Farm’s newest offering it is the healing treatment practiced by hundreds of generations in Northern Visayas based on the belief that plants are created in nature with the purpose to heal people. Using warmed compress with herbs like letlet, kayumanis, and tanglad (lemongrass), followed by massage inspired by Hilot, this combination of herbs also improves blood circulation, headaches, insomnia, arthritis, and bloatedness. It also relieves pregnant women of pelvic muscle tightness.

Living Cuisine:
The vegan restaurant Alive!, one of the first in Asia, was awarded Best Spa Cuisine of the Year in 2007 by SpaAsia, features the creations of young German Chef Felix Schoener, who is back after a year off to travel and study the cuisines around Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea. Schoener aims to perfect the art of Asian cuisine, taking popular dishes like pad thai, laksa, or nasi goreng and recreating them using raw ingredients. For our dinner, we were pleasantly surprised with great-tasting dishes such as Cauliflower Cream Soup with Pickled Onions, Wild Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Quiche with Chives Sour Crème, and for dessert, a Mocha Vanilla Parfait. The cuisine emphasizes the use of locally available foods, which ensures items are fresher, keeps the produce in their natural state longer, producing more flavor and thus removing need for unhealthy dressings and sauces. We also happily discovered they use chocolate here—in its purest form, in unrefined cacao beans from Batangas, which was used the previous night for a yummy chocolate pie. And while you’re here, it can only benefit you to try their signature juices such a Pineapple Fizz (wheatgrass-mint-ginger-honey) and the Liver Energizer (red beet, coconut juice).

How to get there:
First, take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) then go out the Batangas-Lucena Exit. Proceed to Lipa City so take the Star Tollway (7.4 km from the SLEX exit). From there, go out the Star Tollway at Tambo exit then turn right going to Lipa City. Proceed to the Y intersection of in front of Robinson’s Department store then remain in the left lane going through the intersection. Continue until reaching the round-about intersection after the SM mall and turn right at the intersection. Continue until reaching Bonifacio Street. From this point onward there are green colored signs indicating the direction to reach The Farm. Advance booking is required. Also pick up can be arranged from anywhere in Metro Manila.

Nurture by Nature

Bumper-to-bumper traffic welcomes you to the suburbs. The expressway is diminished to a mere four-lane avenue as bulldozers, backhoes and excavators litter the center lanes. “Please bear with the inconvenience”, the sign says. There’s another build-up at the tollgates. And after that, it’s another long, slow crawl to the ridges.

Welcome to Tagaytay City. Every Saturday morning, it’s always a mad rush of city dwellers. Oddly enough, despite the unnerving traffic, they flock to Tagaytay to relax, unwind and for a brief respite. No wonder, the city’s local spa industry is thriving – thanks to its pioneer, the seven-year old Nurture Spa Village, a calm spa estate located in the fringes of West Tagaytay City.

The reception area of Nurture Spa, at first sight, has a quintessential Filipino design; it follows the architecture of the ulog, the picture-perfect Ifugao hut. But as I sip the complimentary mint tea, I realize, too, that the place is distinctively Asian. It cohesively fuses the majestic, indigenous bamboo furnishings with touches of Balinese modernism.

The spa menu is a feast for the senses. From soothing massages to hair and scalp nourishments, skin and body treatments to fabulous facials to, even, ancient healing traditions, Nurture Spa Village has every spa treatment imaginable.

Pampering is, indeed, their middle name.

It is a pleasant Saturday afternoon in Tagaytay. The skies are slightly overcast and the breeze is already a little chilly. The weather is perfect for an hour of hilot in one of their famed Ifugao huts. But it seems like I’m not the only person who had the same wonderful idea, I have to wait for a little less than an hour before getting my treatment. Mother Nature, indeed, conspired with me, and with everyone else.

Because there is time to spare, I decide to tour around. At the back of the reception area is the restaurant and the open-air beverage bar with its breathtaking view of the Nurture Garden and the entire spa village. From afar, you can see more ulogs where the treatment areas and overnight accommodations are located. The spa village bends slightly to the East, forming the shape of a peninsula enveloped by the green verdant Tagaytay frontier. It’s a sight not for the faint of heart. It is that romantic.

From the restaurant, a patch of green quietly rolls down the hill, passing through gazebos, fountains and cobblestone walks, sloping all the way to Nurture Garden. Here, many other intimate moments have taken place, from cozy romantic dates to engagement proposals to exchanges of forever. The Garden is flanked by patios where guests waiting for their spa treatment can lounge in comfort. Here, the view is exceptional as it is from the hill; an elevated view of the Garden as the rolling hill stands in tranquil stillness. And if you insist on basking in this natural serenity, you can avail of Paraiso Garden Joys for these special outdoor treatments, ranging from the facial, foot spa and head massage.

After a little less than an hour, I am finally escorted to my Ifugao hut. Each hut, as it turns out, consists of four to five other massage rooms; some of them located in the hut’s basement (they remind me of storm cellars). My treatment, the Hilot Kagalingan (P1200 / 1 hour), as my therapist told me, provides therapeutic wonders; it’s designed to prevent and cure common ailments. It follows a unique combination of strokes that locates the sources of physical imbalances, such as the infamous lamig, and releases them out of the body.

The hilot experience tucks in many little surprises throughout the session. My therapist, for instance, starts off by cleansing and scrubbing my feet with a rough yet soothing mixture of corn and butter. When it is time for me to lie on my stomach, she gives me a sampler of the dagdagay, the indigenous foot massage that uses thin bamboo sticks to stimulate the soles. My favorite is the 15-minute head and shoulder massage that soothes the scalp and the shoulder blades. There’s nothing like feeling very refreshed, while finishing that cupful of mint tea that’s essential to release the toxins.

Gone are the days when the women had spas exclusive to themselves. Nurture Spa Village offers treatments that are tailor-made for the men. For starters, they have the Makisig Gentleman’s Facial, which uses an invigorating green clay mask that cleanses and exfoliates the skin. There’s also the Kagitingan (translated as Valor), a two-hour double treatment that incorporates the Makisig facial with a full-body signature massage. It’s the perfect all-out treatment for the frazzled businessman.

As for coffee aphrodisiacs, you have to try their unique Kape Barako Coffee Scrub. It uses the widely-popular Batangas coffee beans, which are wrapped around the body to stimulate blood circulation while purifying and detoxifying the skin. Nothing compares to the heavenly aroma of coffee while you relax amidst the merry chirping of crickets around. Blissful and brewing indeed.

This intimate attachment with nature is what makes the Nurture Spa experience very special – and the spa knows it is best cherished with a loved one. That’s why they have the Kinahihiligan, spa packages with meals, treatments and accommodations. For the circle of friends, there’s the aptly named, Barkadahan. It consists of a set breakfast, full-set luncheon, dinner, a full-body signature massage and a soothing facial massage. Plus, it comes with an overnight accommodation in your very own private Ifugao hut. It’s the perfect slumber party experience.

For the romantics-at-heart, there’s the Magkasintahan, suitable for couples who are on day trips. It already includes a full-set meal and snacks, a refreshing Mutya Natural Facial and the Magsing-irog Massage, an intimate massage for two in a cozy couples’ room. This couples massage is the most-sought treatment among Nurture Spa’s long list of services.

Whether it’s with your mom, your friends or with a significant other, it really doesn’t matter. What is important is that you share the experience with someone else, the experience of soothing pleasure and comfort as you intimately commune with nature’s secluded wonders.

There’s no need to explain why it takes quite an effort to go to the Nurture Spa Village.

Going there is a unique experience. Being there is another, and a blissful one at that.

Spa Notes:

Romance is in the Air
Nurture Spa Village makes the perfect backdrop for all kinds of romantic rendezvous and setting that romantic feel can start as soon as you hop on to your car.

• To set the romantic groove right away, pop in Norah Jones’ Come Away with Me, Sade’s Lovers Rock, Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On or even Sting’s Fields of Gold into your CD player or iPod playlist.
• Before going to Nurture Spa Village, take a sidetrip to the Taj of Tagaytay (8 kms from Tagaytay Rotonda) for an intimate Indian-Mediterranean breakfast, offering an alternative breathtaking view of the Taal Lake.
• Head back to the direction of the city proper and convince your significant other for a cozy, warm cup of coffee in Bag of Beans. Take your pick: Barako or drip coffee, single-serve or bottomless.

Getting There
Nurture Spa Village is a 1 ½ to 2 hours drive away from Manila. From SLEX, take Sta. Rosa exit. Upon reaching to Tagaytay, turn right to the direction of the Tagaytay Rotonda. When you reach the area of Starbucks and Pancake House, make a left to Magallanes Drive. Follow the green signs leading to the spa complex in Brgy. Maitim II.

You may contact Nurture Spa via mobile (63 918) 8888SPA, landline (63 2) 838 1930 / 839 2196. You may also visit their website www.nurture.com.ph.

Lightness of Being

Within the first moment of floating, I was asked that all the worries I had before coming to the treatment, I leave behind. “I want to let you know that you don’t need them anymore.” These words, spoken softly and gently by Karen Reina, director and owner of Mandala Spa & Villas, signaled the beginning of my Watsu experience. Watsu is a treatment you can book a year in advance, because nothing, not even the condition of pregnancy, should hold you back from keeping this appointment. Ideal for everyone – the very young, adolescent, the elderly, pregnant, athletes and those recuperating from injuries or suffering from stress – the benefits are various and sometimes personal and heady. What is Watsu good for? A variety of orthopedic conditions. Let’s face it, most of us will suffer from a bit of back pain now and then, and whether we know it or not, our bodies long for a gentle spinal stretch.

It was just after four in the afternoon when I disrobed from my airy cotton Mandala sarong, and stepped into the heated pool swirling with fuchsia- colored tropical blooms. The sun considerately tucked herself away to avoid being directly on my face during the treatment. Karen, certified Watsu therapist and Reiki Master-Teacher who has trained two other therapists in Watsu therapy at Mandala, explained which places of my body would be held or supported – the rest of me would lie free in the water. I glazed over these details, just anticipating the mystery of this highly recommended “water-shiatsu” massage. Watsu, developed in the US, is still quite new to Asia and the Philippines, and one for which Mandala is well-known. It is also one of their by-appointment-only treatments (this is because it takes 2 hours to heat the pool).

Floating like a flower
Karen proceeded to put my leg wraps on (carefully measured to render me weightless once immersed), and then I surrendered into her arms, into the water, submerged to ear-level and floating like a flower. And what a delicious, serendipitous effect: I could not hear a thing! Not a bubble or ripple. Even the flower petals that brushed me while swirling did not make a sound. It was a sublime combination: sensory suppression + heightened sensory sensitivity. This combination did not last long though; it is said that within 15 minutes, muscles can go into a deeper place of relaxation, sensing that they no longer need to support the body.

The body is most in balance in water, they say. The feeling of ‘being out of gravity’ is certainly unique. Many liken the experience of Watsu and other water-based spa therapies to ‘being in a mother’s womb’. Since I cannot remember this feeling, it is not what immediately came to mind – although I confess I did wonder if this is what a baby feels like swimming around in there... wow.

Instant Gratification
The effects of Watsu are not guaranteed, and each person may experience it differently. For some,
it may be emotionally clearing, for others, spiritually inspiring, and yet for others, they achieve complete physical relaxation as they have never before experienced from traditional back, stomach, or side-lying massages. For me, I keep wondering if what I experienced was the feeling one gets having entered and settled into a quasi-meditative state… For an extended moment, I felt nothing, other than wholly relaxed, detached from the world outside... And the beautiful thing is, I wasn’t even trying. I imagine meditation-seekers expend greater amounts of energy, focus, and time towards attaining a similar bliss.

Natural High
Fifty minutes passed like nothing. Afterwards, I felt mildly intoxicated...I am guessing it was the elixir of life. The same feeling had entered my consciousness during the moments of my treatment when my limbs, softly nudged into a stretch, would bring my ears above the water surface to hear the sounds of nature surrounding. Like a spiritual song sung at the end of a journey, in the minutes after the treatment ended, it was the chirping of the birds, the rustling of leaves, the warm breeze and clean air filling up my lungs that supported me in offering my silent gratitude to Karen Reina. It was a most personally enchanting experience. I’d like to think she heard my silent thank you. We talked a little afterwards, still in the pool, about the looming indigenous trees around us, those from her native Cebu, the fruit trees she planted in the 1980s, our common love of nature. I asked about my body and muscles, and learned that my spine was stiff, but that it relaxed quite a bit towards the end of the session. (Long hours sitting with laptop in tow would be a reliable culprit.)

Lightness of Being
It really wasn’t until after the treatment that I was convinced that a great element of trust is required between watsu therapist and client, as, apart from the limited chatting done on our way up to the watsu pavilion, we are strangers, about to let our body be moved and held within the body of the other. Rather intimate-sounding, yes, but so freeing at the same time. The feeling is nurturing – of being held, and being free… the best parent there could be! And there seems to be an aura of trust at Mandala ... Perhaps it is the simplicity, the tranquil environs. Or is it the quiet confidence of well-trained staff and therapists?

I felt light and easy walking back to the reception from where I showered and changed, put my wet swimsuit into a cinnamon bark bag, and headed upstairs to Prana (Mandala’s all- vegetarian restaurant with a view) for a pre-dinner side salad and a frothy, fresh-pressed apple juice. (Fresh tropical fruit shakes, Philippine iced Salabat, and Indian spiced tea are just a few of the many other beverage options - and I haven’t mentioned the entrees or desserts!) Prana, meaning “life force”, is always available for a pre-treatment snack or a lunch or dinner afterwards. Guests staying at the villas also enjoy buffet breakfasts here which I can say are wonderful and filling – muffins are homemade and multiple varieties appear each morning!

Priceless
If only for a short while, I felt fortunate for the gift of mind-body-spirit weightlessness and instant meditation. I was satiated with contentment thereafter.

Note: After your treatment, your Watsu therapist will be available to listen and discuss, or talk through any breakthroughs you may have experienced as a result of the treatment - as you like. You may also
wish to combine watsu with another complementary treatment, according to your specific condition(s); ask the reception staff for advice and suggestions when making your appointment – they are gracious,
capable and most willing to help. Non-swimmers are welcome to discover Watsu: at no time is your
head submerged, and there is no need to swim.

Spa Notes:

Mandala Spa and Villas
Boracay Island, Malay Aklan
(63 36) 288 5857
reservations@mandalaspa.com
www.mandalaspa.com

OPERATING HOURS: Mandala Spa is open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

2008 World Travel Award Winner: The Philippines’ Leading Spa Resort
Powdery white sand beaches, true blue waters, charm and convenience like no other... these are not the only things that attract visitors to the island of Boracay... Nestled like a secret off Boracay’s main road, Mandala Spa & Villas’ canopied pathway of leafy green foliage welcomes you to a place to soothe your mind and open your heart to an appreciation of self - as you are. “Experience Yourself” is an inviting slogan for the most discerning spa-goer – and Asia and the world’s most well-traveled spa surfers have time and again awarded Mandala Spa & Villas for having the Best Holistic Treatments such as the creative, native Hilot Trilogy (1 hour and 45 minutes, Php 3,850), the exotic Shodhana Karma (2 hours and 30 minutes, Php 5,600), and for creating the Philippines’ Best Destination Spa and Boracay’s Most Outstanding Establishment (to name a few). The 2.5 hectare private estate is a garden haven of tranquility, hearkening back to early-day Boracay (before the trikes, vans and commerce). Fanning out from the ‘Mandala’ shaped reception pavilion with wooden flooring and airy vaulted ceiling are verdant pathways that beckon with bright-colored ginger flower blooms, birds of paradise, and other tropical flora. The yoga shala, the watsu pavilion, the day spa and guest villas are dispersed across the property lending privacy and intimacy to any treatment or overnight stay. Karen Reina, director & owner, Mo-Ching Yip, resident spa consultant and yoga instructor, and the entire staff at Mandala Spa & Villas have developed a world-class destination and experience. Their dedication to wellness and creating positive memories are the ‘prana’ of this place.

How to get there :
The tropical spa haven of Mandala Spa & Villas is nestled like a secret off the main road on the island of Boracay. Fly from Manila or Cebu to Boracay (Caticlan or Kalibo airports). Mandala Spa & Villas can arrange airport & boat transfers for guests of the villas. Once on the island, ask a tricycle driver to take you to Mandala Spa in Station 3. Alternatively, walk to Station 3 along the White Beach until you reach Yasuragi (Japanese restaurant); turn left up the road path, and you will come to the main road. Turn left and you will find the tree-lined pathway leading to the spa & villas.

Le Spa at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza

There should be a new term invented for massage and spa addicts like myself – spa-sionnista, perhaps, is a fitting moniker. Every spa-sionnista remembers exactly when she had her last massage and where, have her own internal rating system, can recommend any spa depending on treatment and budget, and of course, have a built-in radar for the hottest, newest spas in the metro.

Being a card-carrying member of this group, my spider senses (or should that be “spa”-der senses?) tingled when I heard about Le Spa.

Le Spa at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila has opened its doors last August 28, 2008. When I come to check it out, Le Spa isn’t even a week old. As I enter this haven of luxurious relaxation, I become giddy with excitement. Muted warm lighting and the scent of frangipani greet me at Le Spa’s doors. I feel like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, except here, they serve me fresh fruit, hot mango tea and a lemongrass-infused chilled towel.

Spa Manager, Marissa Borlongan, tells me that at Le Spa, they practice the French Protocol. Since this is the first time I’ve heard of it, I ask her what that meant. Simply put, it means that Le Spa follows a strict code of comfort for clients – no shortcuts. Also worthy to note, Le Spa is operational twenty-four hours a day.

There are nine private suites at Le Spa – all of them roomy and each equipped with its own iPod and state of the art speakers. That’s right- each client can choose his or her own background music while having their treatment. (According to the pre-selected music menu, Nat King Cole and Sting are popular relaxation staples.) Two out of the nine suites are different from the regular private suites– the couples’ suite and the cabin suite. Le Spa’s private suites are made for one person to enjoy, while the couples’ suite is obviously made for honeymooners. Le Spa’s regular private suites are roomy and luxurious as they are, but their cabin suite is like a hotel room equipped with its own steam room, ultra-high tech bathtub (which the other private suites do not have) and a balcony overlooking Manila Bay. I would have moved in if I could.

Le Spa has not one, but seven signature massage treatments. All these are available in all Le Spa branches found in every Sofitel Hotel around the world. In addition to those, Le Spa’s Manila branch also offers five unique Filipino-themed massages.

There’s the Filipino Pride (an hour-long massage to re-energize the body using a combination of Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai and reflexology massages); Mayon Wrapsody (a detoxifying treatment that combines a calamansi and papaya body scrub with a volcano clay body wrap); Hilot Secret (which many non-Filipino visitors often go for), the Pito-Pito Balance (a restorative treatment using seven Filipino herbs) and the Mango Delight (a moisturizing body scrub).

Decisions, decisions…four soothing massages and three stimulating massages! With each signature treatment sounding more exotic and intriguing than the last, it takes me a while before I finally pick one.

Do I go for the Marrakech Sweetness, a Moroccan massage with fresh mint, Green tea exfoliation with wide, sweeping hand movements?

Or do I go for the Brazil Colours – a detoxifying treatment with bamboo sticks? I am told that this treatment is very popular and it certainly sounds very sexy.

It is the Kerala’s Smile that grabs me at last. A treatment lasting an hour and thirty minutes, the massage eliminates muscular tension, fatigue, body heat and digestion problems. It also helps improve sleep quality and is capped by a foot and hand massage using something called a Kansu bowl.

Before any treatment, one has the option to choose the scent of essential oil used during the massage.

The choices include the following: a relaxing blend of lavender and sweet orange, a soothing mixture of tea tree and eucalyptus, a revitalizing scent of rose and geranium, or the sensuality of the slimming lemongrass and pepper.

I choose the scent of sweet orange mingled with lavender.

Lynn, my therapist ushers me to Le Spa’s wet area. Time for le Jacuzzi! It isn’t long before I am neck-deep in relaxing jets of water. I like my jets strong and powerful, and Le Spa’s Jacuzzi does not disappoint.

Inside my suite, I opt for some world music, eschewing Sting and Nat King Cole for the moment. Nothing says spa to me than hearing some tribal chanting in the background.

Every signature treatment at Le Spa starts off with a foot massage. It’s sort of like a preview for the main event. My particular preview puts me in a state of bliss, as the scent of lavender and sweet orange wafts over me.

Some people find it annoying when they fall asleep in the middle of their massages. I’ve heard friends say that they were too unconscious to really enjoy their treatments. The opposite is true for me. My rule of thumb when it comes to any massage – if I fall asleep at some point, then it’s all good. Add bonus points if it happens before the therapist touches my scalp, which is what happened in this case.

I wake up in time to experience the mysterious Kansu bowl being rubbed over my feet. I discover that it is a small cymbal shaped bowl rubbed on the soles of one’s feet and it feels amazing. After my massage, I am served some Manila mango tea, and a small bowl of fresh melon, cantaloupe and watermelon skewers dipped in yogurt.

Le Spa may be the metro’s youngest luxury spa, but it is definitely one of Manila’s finest. The service is meticulous and personal. The treatments offer a variety of local and international signature massages. Plus, from the moment you step into Le Spa – you are treated like royalty.

My voice just a wee bit hoarse from my massage-induced slumber and my head emptied of all stressful thoughts, I lounge around my beautiful suite in a big fluffy robe, wishing I didn’t have to make two train rides back to my real life. I want to stay and enjoy being next door to Manila Bay while having my feet rubbed with a Kansu bowl forever and happily ever after.

Spa Notes:

Getting There, Guerilla-style
Getting to Le Spa is worth it, even if it means having to commute. If you’re coming from the Northern part of Metro Manila (Central Business District of Ortigas included) it’s best to take the MRT, get off at the Taft Station and take the connecting LRT from there. Get off at the Vito Cruz Station, cross the street and look for the orange shuttle jeepneys passing through CCP. Get off at Sofitel.

Fare from North Avenue MRT Station to Taft MRT Station: Php 15
Fare from Edsa LRT Station to Vito Cruz LRT Station: Php 12
Fare for Shuttle to Sofitel: Php 8.50

Or, you could take the cab. Depending on where you get on, the meter (plus ten pesos) could ring up around Php150 and up.

Le Tips for Le Spa
Le Spa charges by the hour, so the prices of the treatments are not listed on the treatment menu. Regardless of the treatment selected, the prices are as follows:

1 hour massage – Php3, 439.10
1 hour and a half massage – Php5,158.65
2 hour Rituals (combination of one signature massage and bath treatment)
– Php6, 210 (plus 10% service charge)
3 hour Rituals (combination of one signature massage and/ or facial treatment)
– Php9, 365 (plus 10% service charge)

Recommended Signature Treatments at Le Spa
Hilot Secret (1 hour, 30 minutes) – Experience a truly Filipino massage that uses ancient and traditional massage techniques to relax the mind and body. This treatment is enhanced by the richness of virgin coconut oil and the heat of aromatic banana leaves.

Kerala’s Smile – (1 hour, 30 minutes) – An Indian-inspired treatment, Kerala’s Smile makes use of Kansu bowls over one’s hands and feet to restore harmony in the body.

Le Spa at Sofitel is located at the lower ground floor of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
(63 2) 551 5555

Rendezvous Lasema: Spa from Seoul

One of my refrigerator magnets reads: “PEACE. It does not merely mean to be in a place where there is no noise, no trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”

I have recently discovered the soul of Seoul located in the heart of the cosmopolitan frenzy. This is my sanctuary in the city –a special oasis of tranquility where a journey to the center of yourself is a priceless treasure. In the daily grind of this rat race, treat yourself to Lasema Spa--- the first authentic family oriented Korean spa utilizing jade, considered as diamonds to the Chinese. Savour the traditional Korean spa treatments right here in the Makati Golf Club complex located on Malugay Street.

Open 24 hours daily , Lasema is a world of its own where each step you make will be one of astonishment and wonder. Indulge in their spacious wet area where Jacuzzi baths brimming with green tea , ginseng pools, and a jade steamroom which brings relief and cure to your weary body. Precious crystals adorn the ceiling as the hot steam with the fragrance of authentic Korean herbs gently pierces through your being. Take the icy plunge in the cold pool before having a exfoliating bath scrub of milk crystals and salt. You will feel like Alice in Wonderland as you magically enter into the jil jing bang. Here, you are ushered into a world of Korean culture reminiscent of the very popular Korean telenovelas that you look forward to. Precious and semi-precious stones like amethyst, jade, sapphire, topaz used for their healing properties abound. Exquisite gemstone therapy, uniquely heals the body ,mind and soul. Jade strengthens the bladder and eyes, works against arthritis and stimulates the immune system. Amethyst calms the nerves and gives inner peace. Sapphires strengthens the eyes, lowers blood pressure while topaz protects the heart, helps in blood circulation, aids the lungs, boosts your immune system and ensures that oxygen is distributed in the body.

Three very unique honey bee comb shaped dome structures which are actually hot saunas provide a misen-scene backdrop of a traditional Korean village. These charming dome structures are sanctuaries of wellness that utilize thermal therapy, an age old tradition being practiced in Korea, Japan and many European countries. The 3 dry saunas are made of dome clay a healing mud from volcanoes that stimulates blood circulation and increases metabolism, salt and charcoal sauna made of salt crystals and Hwangto know for its detoxifying properties. Think of how we usually place charcoal in our refrigerators to remove toxins and odors, the charcoal cleanses the body of such toxins and impurities. The oak and clay sauna made of oakwood and hwangto have been proven to intensify the body’s curing process. My favorite room is the one with a temperature of -11 degrees where real snow abounds. Enter here for that cooling down, or frozen delight experience where you are tired muscles and tissues recover from fatigue and stress. In this ice room, stare at the ceiling peppered with real amethyst, topaz, sapphires and other valuable stones.

Another highlight is the restaurant named “Jewel In the Palace” about delightful cuisine and creative cooking. Traditional korean dishes like chapchae, bulgogi and hearty soups are served at very affordable prices. A snack bar also serves Korean beverages and sports drinks as well as noodles and sweet bean with crushed mice and milk dessert.

I close my eyes and relish such priceless luxury. Peace and tranquility in the heart of the city—what more can one aspire for?

Spa Notes:

LASEMA SPA
Lasema Plaza
7232 Malugay Street,
Barangay Bel-Air II,
Makati City
(63 2) 830 2222 local 108
mgc.lasema@gmail.com
www.lasema.com.ph

OPERATING HOURS: The Lasema Spa is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Other treatments:
Milk Bath Scrub (Php 800)
Salt Glow Scrub (Php 700)
Aromatherapy with Reflex (Php 900)
Indian Massage (Php 650)
Tandem Massage (1,450)

Lasema also has a sleeping area available with a maximum stay of 12 hours:
Weekdays:
Day Rate: Php 450
Night Rate: Php 500
Weekends:
Day Rate Php 500
Night Rate: Php 550

How to get there:
The Lasema Spa is located right beside the Makati Golf Club. Just ask the taxi to take you to Barangay Bel-Air II.

Regal Pampering in a Spa Kingdom

“Welcome to Bohol, the Land of the Chocolate Hills,” our tour guide confidently sings to us as we take our seats inside the van that will take us on a countryside tour around one of the Philippines’ top destinations. Yes, this province is known for the Chocolate Hills. But towards the end of my blissful weekend in Bohol, I learn that aside from its famous landmarks and glorious sights, it is also a place for absolute pleasure and luxurious pampering.

Staying at an upscale resort definitely has its advantages. Offering the most exclusive accommodations in Bohol, the Eskaya Beach Resort also houses the best spa in the area. And I couldn’t be luckier because after hours of traveling from one town to the next and climbing hundreds of steps to catch a breathtaking view of the hills, every muscle in my body was screaming, “Spa! Spa! Spa!”

Having our own pool and deck with a couple of lounge chairs overlooking the vast Bohol Sea, I wouldn’t have complained if I had my massage right there at our villa, but as I am greeted at the entrance to the Handuraw Spa Kingdom, I see that even our posh balai pales in comparison to this beautiful place that was designed to give me the kind of pampering I am so ready for. As other tourists party the night away on Alona Beach in Panglao Island, I step into a zone of calm and relaxation.

After a refreshing bath under the rainshower, I meet my therapist in one of the Handuraw Spa’s treatment rooms. Three people can have their massage at the same time in this room which is surrounded with nothing but impressive elements and facilities that add to the whole calming feel of the spa. I’m sure this place looks striking during the day as the room opens out to the ocean and to a garden that looks as if it belongs to a princess. But at night, it is simply magical. Outside, the lit up pool, small waterfall and jacuzzi invite you for a dip under the moonlit sky. I almost give in, but I desperately need that massage.

Handuraw Spa has two huge treatment rooms; if you don’t want to share the space with anyone else, be sure to book your treatment in advance. Tonight, I have one room all to myself. My therapist ushers me to a comfortable chair and gives me a 30-minute head and shoulder massage. I close my eyes and allow the soothing music being played in the background to take me to serenity. Before I know it, I am all prepped for the real deal.

The spa has a whole menu of treatments that are designed to meet the every need of your body. Each treatment is categorized so you won’t have a hard time choosing a package that will best suit you. Two of the most luxurious treatments, both lasting four hours, fall under Handuraw Reverie. Paghumpay, which means restore, starts with a foot ritual followed by a steam or sauna, Artemis scrub (which uses dead sea and tropical salts to exfoliate the skin and moisturize it back to a healthy glow), Malumo mud wrap (which uses dead sea mud to draw out toxins from your skin), Pang’Ayo herbal soak (where traditional aromatic plants unleash their potent magic to ease your body of weariness) and Hilot Kaayo massage (which uses the traditional massage practiced by Filipinos through the years to heal common ailments). Gugma, meaning love, is another Handuraw Reverie treatment. Perfect for honeymooners, this package pampers romantic couples with a foot ritual, steam or sauna, Artemis scrub, Tsokolate Bohol wrap (which combines Philippine chocolate and coconut milk to moisturize the skin), Gakus Lover’s Delight soak (which sets the mood for love in a couple’s bath filled with rose petals and skin pampering milk) and Kadait full body massage (which combines a nurturing body massage with music therapy to balance the mind, body and spirit).

With every muscle in my body begging to be kneaded, I go for the Kadait full body massage. My therapist applies fragrant essential oils to my body and works her magic using a unique fusion of Western and Asian massage techniques. I let out a sigh. Handuraw… to reminisce. With every skillful stroke, I fall deeper into a place of happy memories and heavenly bliss.

90 minutes pass. I wake up from my trance and am transported back to reality. I hear the relaxing music and the steady, quiet rush of water. I lay still for a moment more, trying to get in touch with my being. My senses are in harmony and I feel restored to wellness. I change into my clothes, resigning to the fact that my healing journey at the Eskaya Beach Resort has ended. I step back into the real world which isn’t so bad. The moon illuminates the sky and soft lights line the garden path leading to our villa.

“Welcome to Bohol, the Land of the Chocolate Hills,” our guide’s song once again plays inside my head. The Handuraw Spa staff should as well sing to their guests. “Welcome to Bohol. Welcome to Spa paradise.”

Spa Notes

The Kahimsog Therapy is Handuraw Spa’s signature massage. Wonderfully relaxing, this massage uses medicinal leaves warmed in coconut oil to release imbalances in your body.

The Handuraw Spa Kingdom treatments:

Handuraw Reverie (4 hours)
Paghumpay (restore) Php 12,000 (single) Php 18,000 (couple)
Gugma (love) Php 18,000 (couple)

Handuraw Dreams (3 hours)
Kinabuhi (life) Php 8,000 (single) Php 14,000 (couple)
Kalipay (gladness) Php 8,000 (single) Php 14,000 (couple)

Body Massage (90 minutes)
Signature Kahimsog Therapy Php 4,200
Kadait Full Body Massage Php 4,200
Hilot Kaayo Php 4,200
Kagahum (120 minutes) Php 5,000

European Facials
Biodroga Effective Eye Zone Treatment Php 2,800
Biodroga Men’s Vitality Treatment Php 3,900
Biodroga Golden Caviar Treatment Php 4,300
Biodroga Anti-Time Facial Php 4,300

Tropical Scrubs (60 minutes) Php 2,200

Natural Body Cocoons (60 minutes) Php 3,500

Pampering Soaks (30 minutes) Php 3,500

Tropical Facials (60 minutes) Php 3,200

Handuraw Spa Kingdom
Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa
Brgy. Tawala, Panglao, Bohol
(63 38) 502 9516

Manila Office
Rm. 301, Grace Bldg., Ortigas Ave., Greenhills, San Juan
(63 2) 727 4926 / 727 4927
www.eskayabeach.com

Cafe Adriatico

Before the days of the big malls and shopping complex, Malate, Manila was the place to go and spend the day out to stroll along the parks and fairs of the city square. Different establishments line up the streets crowded with the different members of society: the elites, the socialites, the businessmen, the artists and so on; and Café Adriatico Premier was the place to.

Café Adriatico is a place decorated with the old Manila charm – rustic interiors, antique pieces for furniture, and the many memorabilias, pictures and posters hanging on its walls.

Guests are not only mesmerized by its cozy interiors, they also fall in love with the traditional dishes served in the restaurant. Café Adriatico offers lean versions of Spanish cuisine from the delicious Callos (tripe and in thick tomato sauce) to their creamy Lengua Estofada (ox tongue in mushroom sauce) and Filipino favorites like Bistek Tagalog (thin slices of beef cooked in soy sauce pepper and onions) and Sinigang na Bangus (Milk Fish Stew in Miso Soup). They also serve international dishes like Hainanese Chicken Rice, Fillet Mignon, Chicken a la Kiev, plus steaks, pastas and sausages. The café also serves various drinks—one is the most popular Tsokolate Eh!, a thick chocolate drink perfect for that cold night together with good friends.

Café Adriatico is located at 1790 M. Adriatico Street in Manila. For reservations, you may call (63 2) 525 2509.

Macahambus Adventure Park

Macahambus Adventure Park is a must-experience stop, and its not called an “adventure park” for nothing.

Don’t be fooled by its roadside location, because just beyond the road from where you step out of the jeep that drops you off, is one of the most breathtaking gorges in the area. It’s hard to imagine that a spot like this is just 10 minutes from the airport.

Chances are you’ve heard people talk about a “canopy walk” before, and it’s not hard to imagine what it looks like: a network of rope and cable bridges set up high among the treetops that are traversed much like a tightrope. But what you can’t imagine is what it feels like to strap on a harness and step out onto 150 meters of air with nothing but a 1-inch cable beneath your feet.

Another exciting activity on their list is the zip line. The gorge itself is a dizzying 492 feet deep by 400 feet across and is home to some of the more exotic flora and fauna in the area. It also provides access to an underground network of caves that can also be explored. After you’re done hyperventilating and using all your concentration to keep your knees from trembling, once up on the sky bridge, an amazing feeling of freedom overtakes you. Hovering above this majestic gorge filled with the sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors, you can’t help but feel at one with nature.

It takes a good 30-minutes to traverse the network of sky bridges that connect the various lookout points in the canopy. Don’t forget your camera! In contrast, the 120 meter long zip line from the last lookout point back to where you started from takes only seconds…or about the length of one long exhilarating scream as you zoom over the width of the gorge back to solid ground in high-flying style.

For the explorers out there, Macahambus also provides spelunking tours. For adventurers who want to know more about the history of the province, you can take a turn to the Macahambus Cave which was the site of a victorious battle fought in the early 1900’s during the Philippine-American War.

Get ready for an adventure like no other and experience the great activities at the Macahambus Adventure Park in Cagayan de Oro. For inquiries you may contact them at (63 88) 856 3972 or check their website at www.cdorafting-map.com/macahambus/index.html.

Experience Jungle Environmental Survival Training & Jungle Joe’s

When you think of the Subic jungle, what comes to your mind? Lush thick plantations crawling with wild tropical animals will surely pop into your head. But within the developing grounds of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, come new jungle explorations filled with fun and learning; perfect for family trips and weekend getaways. From the deep jungles of Subic come two exciting places ready to lure you into the wild. Learn from the unique and exciting Subic Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST) Camp and experience first-hand the thrill of living in the Philippine jungle. For the kids and the kids at heart, the activity-filled theme park of Jungle Joe’s will entertain you with delight.

The Subic JEST camp experience is perfect for those who want to explore and know more about the wilderness of the Subic jungle. The instructors who come from the Aeta Tribe, experts on this wild environment, gave survival training lessons and exercises to the US Special Forces and Navy Seals. The JEST camp includes a trek where the instructor will teach you to distinguish the different plants in the area and show you how you can get potable water in the forest. They will also teach you how you can cook your food using the basic materials found in the jungle, particularly the bamboo. Tours lengths may vary depending on the visitor’s level of training: from easy, moderate to difficult trials. Visitors can also have the option to have an overnight stay in the jungle with the Aeta Tribe for a more experiential trip.

For a much more modern and kid-friendly wilderness, visit Jungle Joe’s world located in the Subic Freeport Zone. At Jungle Joe’s, you will never run out of activity options. Apart from the novelty shops and kiddie rides, they also have the Indy 500 Racer which gives visitors the chance to ride the racetrack in small roller race cars and a Playhouse Theater with a 1950’s theme. Your kids will have a blast eating popcorn and other treats and comfortably seated on bean bags while watching there favorite movie. At the Winter Wonderland, everyday is Christmas Day. See the elves working merrily on Christmas toys. You can even have a picture taking with Santa Claus in the middle of the year! Who says there can’t be a white Christmas in the Philippines?

Jungle Joes’s also has a Paintball Course for those high-powered paintball tournaments. They also have a Train Ride Adventure around the animal park to see exciting animals living in the jungle.

With the Subic JEST Camp Experience and Jungle Joe’s, you and your family will surely enjoy a wild Subic weekend experience!

The Northern Isles

I was excited to go to Batanes, I had heard so much about it. Its remoteness was half the attraction and then there were the stories of people getting stranded on the islands because of cancelled flights due to bad weather. Well, nothing worthwhile ever came easy and so I was ready for the worst. Raingear was packed, my bags were water proofed and I brought my special bombproof (i.e. especially protective) camera bag with me because of what Mother Nature might throw my way. It turned out, mother nature threw me a curve ball.

Instead of the bumpy ride and landing to Batanes, the flight was comfortable and the landing soft. Instead of the stormy weather and sideway rain I was expecting, I stepped out into a perfectly sunny day with puffy white clouds dotting an otherwise perfectly blue sky.

The Myths of Batanes
Stories I heard of Batanes always involved rain and stormy weather, a hardy people that survived whatever nature threw at them, and the famous stone homes made to withstand the test of time. Today’s Batanes has less of the rain and stormy weather. As a matter of fact, the manager at our hotel can’t recall the last time a flight was cancelled because of bad weather or when the last storm ran through town. The natives, or Ivatans as they are known, however are always ready with a smile as well as being hardy, and the stone homes remain. Despite its remoteness, the town of Basco (capital of Batanes) has grown. Instead of just a couple of jeepneys plying the dirt roads throughout the island, you now also have motorcycles, vans and tricycles navigating well-paved roads. Hotels and Inns have also increased in number whereas before your only accommodation choices may have been city hall or the local school. Despite this growth, the town of Basco remains quaint. Our walk around town was a very quiet one. The odd jeep would pass us every now and then and sometimes we’d bump into Ivatan children on their way to the beach. The major attraction at the time was a small softball game being played in the central field with a few onlookers spectating. Like many coastal towns, the action is at the pier and even here action is a strong term to use. Local fishermen repair boats and nets while others wait for the next ferry to arrive. A quick walk on the black beach in front of our hotel was our first introduction to the sea. In the distance you can see the waves break violently on the rocks of a craggy cliff side and even on the soft and smooth beach you can feel the sea tug at your feet as the current retreats to deeper waters. If there’s anything that holds true to the stormy weather we’ve heard about before, it’s the sea that surrounds the island. Even on a sunny day I could tell that “She” posesses a hidden strength – a personality trait to respect.

We took the half day city tour around the whole island and were introduced to even more spectacular coastal views from different view decks. The town of Song-Song, destroyed by storm surges brought on by a big typhoon, is a reminder of the wild days. Even on a sunny day one can’t help but imagine the stormy weather that left the ruined houses behind. Turning inland, we got to see the famous rolling countryside of Batan, one of the three major islands that make up Batanes. Aptly named “Marlboro Country”, the hill overlooking grazing lands and the ocean beneath, is picture-perfect a must-see as is the 360 degree view from the radar station. If you want to imagine what life could be like on this picturesque island, head over to the studio and house of the late Pacita Abad, one of the Philippines’ national artists. Her hillside house is ideally situated with a perfect view of the land and sea. No doubt it has served as an inspiration to her work countless times.

Crossing to Sabtang
A trip to Sabtang is another must. It is a short ferry ride from the other side of Batan and without a doubt a highlight of our trip. Comparing boats in the Philippines, the rough seas surrounding Batanes make outriggers impractical. Instead, deep, wide wooden boats are the preferred mode of transportation here. The downside (or upside depending on your inclination) to not having outriggers is that the boat sways quite heavily from side to side with the water reaching a few inches from the boat’s edge. Just before you think the sea will surge over the edge into the boat, it sways the other way and inflicts the same kind of panic on the passengers of the other side. To add to the excitement, boats are packed to the brim with wide-eyed tourists like ourselves, locals, food and goods (like the motorcycle we piled into our boat). Riding over the small channel, one can again feel the strong currents under the boat.

Unlike Batan, Sabtang is considered more laid-back. Here, the main activities are fishing, farming and fermenting Palek, a sugarcane-based wine. Villages like Chavayan and Subnanga are living museums that you can walk through. Peak through the doors and windows and you can see soot-covered kitchens that must have been around since the 19th century - !. You still see people mending nets much like they used to, or making the local raingear, the vacul, as they’ve done for ages. Sadly, this way of life is fast disappearing. The younger generation now migrate to Batan or to the bigger cities of the mainland; one can also find quite a few Ivatans now with jobs abroad. The result is abandoned stone houses, still standing as a testament to their construction, but eerily, as no one is living inside.

The best way to get around Sabtang is via jeepney, but make sure to pre-arrange this as there are no regular routes plied during the day – it’s all customized for you. Take a roof seat for the best view of the surrounding countryside. We ran into a university team excavating old burial jars and were surprised to learn of an ancient civilization that used to live here ages ago. Apparently this island is home to an old stone fortress -- although now it is nothing more than a mound of stones.

Elusive Itbayat
The most remote and least inhabited island of the Batanes group is Itbayat. One needs to take a four hour ferry ride to get there. I had planned to visit this island despite the seemingly harrowing journey, and remembering the swaying and sometimes rough seas. Itbayat retains its old world charm, with only one road on the island, and no hotels; one needs to arrange to stay with a family beforehand. Landing on Itbayat is also apparently a dangerous event since it is surrounded by cliffs and one has to wait for the right moment to pull up beside these to disembark. Unfortunately, our plan to visit Itbayat never pushed through. The ferry owner cancelled the trip that day since he could not get enough passengers and goods to make the trip worthwhile.

Two out of three isn’t bad and I love a trip that changes my view of a place. Batanes is no longer the remote, hard-to-reach place I had known it to be, and with the weather that turns from rain to sunshine, it allows visitors a chance to appreciate its natural beauty. The danger however is still there in the ever-present waters that surround the islands. For those who shun typically touristy trips, arranging and succeeding in a trip to Itbayat should satisfy your exploratory urges.

Travel Notes
Food & Lodging: We stayed at the Batanes Seaside Hotel during our trip to Batanes. Like a few other inns, it is located right beside the beach and has a great view. The owner can put together a package for you which includes a tour of Batan and Sabtang Island (Itbayat is a do- it-yourself trip). The package also includes an incredibly flexible food menu. With seafood being relatively cheap we opted for Lobster for our first night . . . and second night. It’s up to you what you want.

Transportation: Around Basco everything is within walking distance and talking a stroll is highly recommended. Getting around the island will require you to arrange for transportation for the day as there are no regular routes plied by jeepneys. Of course the best way to get around is by bicycle if you can find one for rent.

What to bring: Unless rain is forecasted you can leave your raincoat behind. Bring a good floppy hat to protect you from the sun. If you can’t swim bring a life vest as the local ferries may not have enough for everyone. If you can swim and plan to go to Itbayat, bring a life vest anyway.

Camiguin Calling

The Philippines is filled with exciting islands to explore. From scenic mountain ranges, sun-kissed beaches, and historical provinces, the country not only invites its travelers to experience the local countryside but also its guests to embark on a memorable journey to its lands. One island promises its visitors an adventure vacation. The tropical paradise of Camiguin is an exotic getaway like no other.

Camiguin is the smallest province in Mindanao and the 2nd smallest province in the country, next to Batanes. Situated in Northern Mindanao, this pear-shaped island is literally created by volcanic landscapes. Camiguin has 7 volcanoes unlike anywhere else in Asia. Some of them are already dormant but most, like Mt. Hibok-Hibok, are still considered active. Because of its rich landscape, the island is blessed with so many interesting sceneries —from thick forests, hot and cold springs, magnificent waterfalls and beautiful black and white beaches.

The island has numerous attractions such as the sunken cemetery. It is the final resting place of the victims during the volcanic eruption of Mount Vulcan Daan in 1871. Years ago, tourists can still see the tops of the grave during lowtide, but by high tide, the graves silently sink back into the ocean. A tall white cross in the middle of the sea was erected by the provincial government to mark the sunken cemetery. Every year, the town holds a fluvial procession to honor the victims as well as a thanksgiving for the year’s bountiful harvest. Another stunning landscape is the uninhabited white island. Located off the coast of Mambajao, the white island really is a moon-shaped white sand bar surrounded by crystal clear waters. Who wouldn’t be tempted to sunbathe on this fine stretch of sand surrounded by breathtaking scenery?

Camiguin is rich in exotic food finds, the most popular being the lanzones fruit. Sweet, succulent and irresistible, the Camiguin lanzones is considered the best in the world. Because of its love for the fruit, the island has an annual Lanzones Festival held every third week of October. Street dancing, upbeat music and bulks of lanzones clusters fill the island making the event a major tourist attraction of Camiguin.

Traveling to the island is also considered an adventure. Visitors have to travel first to Cagayan de Oro, the gateway to Camiguin. Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific have direct flights to Cagayan de Oro. Next, tourists have to take a cab to the bus station in Agora Market to the town of Balingoan. Tourists must then take a 1-hour ferry ride arriving in the Benoni Wharf of Mahinog in Camiguin. An alternate route would be the 3-hour trip from Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin on board the M/V Yuhum.

A paradise of infinite beauty and splendor, Camiguin truly deserves to be called one of the best romantic islands in the country.

Fish Out of Water

Fish Out of Water celebrates the OFH – Overseas Filipino Heroes – and… er… seafood! From the restaurateurs that brought you Red Crab, Fish Out of Water expertly creates new ways of eating seafood and telling spectacular stories of Filipinos who have made it abroad such as the Manila men of Louisiana in 1763. The seasoned traveler, Bahasa speaker, and executive chef Peter Ayson uses the Filipino taste as a foundation and blends Asian, Hawaiian, Brazilian, American, and other flavors to spice up the dishes. The menu reads like an atlas with specials like Filipino Hawaiian Friendship Poke and Oyster Tribute Plate, Singaporean Chili Crab, and the Crab from Pateros in Ultimate Balut and Crab Roe Sauce (I didn’t make that up). They also have home-made horchata (almond cinnamon milk) that makes me wonder if Peter’s keeping an illegal Mexican in his kitchen.

Location: 3rd Floor of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City.

Hours Open:
Weekdays from 11am to 9pm
Weekends from 11am to 10pm.

Prices: Expect to pay around P350 to P600 per person for family sized servings.

For reservations, call (63 2) 729 3858.

Portico 1771

Portico cuts a sunlit corner in Serendra, one of the high-class commercial areas in Metro Manila. Golden walls bring out the colors of the murals framed across the restaurant while vibrant spicy red hues flare up around the windows of the open kitchen. Bright yellow plates and boldly colored vases give the dining room a new sizzle. Portico 1771 invites you to relax and feel at home in their newest branch in Serendra in the middle of the Global City of Taguig.

Although they still serve most of their signature dishes, the restaurant has concocted new twists to some of their favorite foods. The Lamb Osso Bucco is a guaranteed hit. The tender lamb shank is over an inch thick. The steak fillet is enhanced with a sauce rich with flavors of herbs and tomatoes complimented with creamy mashed potatoes. Another mouth-watering dish is the Pork Barrel – tender, brined pork belly – it packs a loud satisfying crunch with every bite. This dish comes with two different sauces.

The old favorites mix easily with the new dishes. The kitchen still sends out fat white pillow of poached Gindara with Crispy Pata Bits swimming in a hearty thick sauce. Pizzas and sandwiches are also available throughout the day. For the health buffs, there is the White Pizza with Arugula or you can also choose the Grilled Chicken and Tomato Sandwich. You can also try the Baked Cheese Fondue made from tasty Fontina cheese and bits of chorizo (Spanish sausages) served with slender Ciabatta bread sticks. For dessert, treat yourself to something new: The Almond Biscotti paired with nougatine ice cream or sweet strawberries in cream over warm chocolate tart.

Portico 1771 is a great place to relax, have fun and enjoy great food.

Portico opens 7:30 daily. It closes at 12:00 midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and 1:00 AM from Thursdays – Saturdays. For reservations, you may call them at (63 2) 856 0581.

Abe's Farm in Pampanga

Just a short ride away to the north is the charming province of Pampanga. It is a place mixed with a proud cultural heritage and fast developing sites that cater to the international community. It is also a haven for people who want to experience the leisurely pace of the countryside. The Pampangueños (natives of Pampanga) are known for their love of the good and simple life and their love for good hearty food, a feeling they greatly share with others.

Abe’s Farm in Magalang, Pampanga will surely give its guests the real Kapampangan experience. Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Arayat, Abe’s Farm serves gourmet dishes and delicacies to its visitors. Get to taste authentic Kapampangan dishes like Sizzling Sisig (pork and liver mixed with chilies, sometimes with egg and calamansi juice), and Mechado (beef cooked in tomato sauce and soy sauce). As the former residence of famed writer and artist, Abe Aguilar Cruz, father of celebrated restaurateur, the late Larry J. Cruz, the farm is filled with beautiful and interesting pieces and native touches creating a unique but homey feeling to its visitors. Guests can even stay for a night in one of their native huts located below the main restaurant. Each hut has large mattresses and air-conditioning to make your stay comfortable.

For a real treat have a sensual massage right next door at Nurture Spa. Known as one of the pioneers of the spa industry in the country, Nurture Spa guarantee their guests rejuvenation and relaxation with their therapist’s intuitive touches and soothing spa treatments.

Jeepney Tours is also offering a Pampanga Escapade package so you can experience the best sites of the province. From an exclusive wine tour of one of Clark’s best kept secrets, to a scrumptious English breakfast, from a high-flying adventure to a free massage in one of the country’s best spas, Jeepney Tours will take you to an unforgettable trip to the countryside. For more information visit www.jeepneytours.com or call (63 2) 638 6644 and 994 6636. For reservations and inquiries you may e-mail them at info@jeepneytours.com

When going to Abe’s Farm from Manila, take the Angeles Exit on the North Luzon Express (NLEX). Follow the Magalang Road leading to the town plaza then proceed to Barangay Ayala which will take 10 minutes. From Ayala, go past the resort on the left; continue on to Livestock Village where you will see the sign “Abe’s Farm” at the corner.

10 Great Ways to Enjoy Tuna

The Marina Tuna Seafood Restaurant is a booming restaurant in the city that specializes in preparing tuna – in ten delicious ways -- from the tail to the head. Be sure to expect some Filipino favorites like kinilaw, crispy meat and kaldereta on the tune menu! The spectacular establishment of Marina Tuna Seafood Restaurant was founded by Mr. Domingo O. Ang, known as the father of Davao Fishport Transhipment Operations. His clout in the business gave him access to the best breed of tunas around Asia. His network allowed us to enjoy a taste of export quality tuna and even bring it home in vacuum sealed pack. Craving for tuna? You know where to go.

From the Tail:

1.) Crispy Buntot (Tail)
This is the fish version of a famous local cuisine, the Crispy Pata (pork knuckles). It has a striking presentation, with orderly slices of every part while the meat is still attached to the bone. Every part of it is ultimately crunchy and the inner portion is chewy which is very similar to the irresistible pork version. It is served with delicious achara (pickled vegetables), the perfect partner for fried dishes. It is like eating a sinful crispy and delicious dish minus the cholesterol guilt.

The Body:

2.) Tuna Kaldereta
Just like how a mother would cook it for her family, the Kaldereta is a comfort food for the Filipinos. The full flavor is exactly the same from the sauce to the ingredients. So who needs pork?

3.) Kinilaw
This famous local appetizer is served raw and cooked in the natural acids of vinegar and local spices. Their version is very unique and their ingredients are very fresh.
Koreans will enjoy the tangy and flavorful taste of this southern Filipino dish.

4.) Sashimi
The tuna slices are perfect in texture and in taste, served just like in an authentic Japanese restaurant. The place guarantees you with first-class tasting tuna.

The Belly:

5.) Sizzling Tuna Belly
Another staple favorite is the fat tuna belly, sliced into cubes for easy distribution to hungry diners. It was served in a sizzling plate with a taste of melted butter and a mix of ingredients that blended well with the overall flavor of the meal.

6.) Sizzling Bagaybay (egg of mal tuna)
The Bagaybay is the egg of the male tuna. Male tuna has eggs?! It turned out that it is the sperm of the male tuna that solidifies waiting to spawn. It’s was a meal worth exploring! Nothing goes to waste!

7.) Sizzling Bihod (egg of female tuna)
The Bihod is the the more familiarly known as the egg of the female tuna. It is prepared in a sizzling plate with interesting ingredients exploding in flavor.

The Neck:

8.) Sizzling Tuna Tendon
The tuna tendon has a very unusual taste and its white color made you think twice whether it’s still part of tuna. Its texture is very chewy flavored coated by flavors from the sizzling plate. Bizarre but worth tasting for those with those who have adventurous tongues.

To the head:

9.) Grilled Tuna Jaw (Panga)
The Tuna jaw or panga is a top choice among the ten. It is grilled to darkness which makes you think its not appetizing but the meat inside was so soft, juicy and ultimately flavorful. You can taste the marinade with every bite.

10.) Sinigang Eye Soup
The sinigang is a tamarind based soup known for its sour and savory taste. The Sinigang Eye Soup adds a more flavorful touch to the broth. Try to mix a dash of calamansi (Philippine lime) to add a new dimension to the taste of the soup.

The spectacular establishment of Marina Tuna Seafood Restaurant was founded by Mr. Domingo O. Ang, known as the father of Davao Fishport Transhipment Operations. His clout in the business gave him access to the best breed of tuna that originates from the Pacific Ocean brought by the Taiwanese fleet for export to the Japanese market. His network allowed us to enjoy a taste of export quality tuna and even bring it home in vacuum sealed pack. Craving for tuna? You know where to go.

The Davao Marina Tuna is located at Km. 8 Barrio Pampanga, Sasa, Davao City. You may contact them at (63 82) 233 6666 or 235 8653.

Genuine Filipino Hospitality at the White Rock Resort in Subic

Sometimes people just need to unwind and get away from the stress of everyday life. They’ll want a place to give them all the necessities they need: relaxation, entertainment and above all rejuvenation to return again to the everyday way of life. Just a short distance away from Manila is Subic, a frequent daytrip destination in the country, is the White Rock Resort, a 7-hectare premier beach haven known for its picturesque beachscape offering guests a view of the sea and the rolling mountainside across the bay waters. At White Rock, you’ll surely enjoy a most pleasurable experience.

Friendly, service-oriented and very accommodating – that is how you would describe the staff and crew of the White Rock Resort. Expect to be greeted with a wide heart-warming smile when you walk through your way around the resort. The staff also gives efficient service when providing for your needs.
Guests will surely find the resort’s accommodations very comfortable and splendid. White Rock has more than a hundred guest rooms from De Luxe, Family Rooms, Beach Front Rooms and Beachside Cottages. All the rooms are equipped with complimentary amenities like air-conditioning, LCD TV and DVD players, mini bar, private hammocks, and balconies with comfortable seating area. The resort is also undergoing expansion with 24-room villas.

The resort can also easily accommodate group reservations like weddings, reunions as well as corporate outings. Guests can have the option to choose open-air and air-conditioned function rooms, pavilions and banquet halls. The grand ballroom can even accommodate up to 500 people perfect for big conferences and social events.

White Rock has 2 main venues for dining. Located beside the lobby is the Sunset Cafe which caters the breakfast buffet, pastries, a bar as well as other meals throughout the day. During meals be entertained by piano playing and at night, be serenaded with a harana by the resort’s acoustic band. Near the beach is the D’Plaza Bar and Restaurant. Here you can feast on succulent grilled and seafood dishes and many other favourite native foods served with an array of colourful yummy drinks and brews. On weekends, live bands and perform on stage while guests are invited to jam and dance the night away.

At White Rock you will never get bored! There’s a hundred and one ways to spend your time inside and outside the resort. From water sports like jet-skis, parasailing, sea kayaking, banana boat rides, fly fishing, and scuba diving to beach activities such as beach volleyball and badminton. The resort also has a golf pitch and putt as well as its own ten-pin bowling area. Guests can also enjoy a leisurely walk around the man-made waterfalls or along the garden pathways and spend a lazy afternoon swaying on the hammocks dotted around the resort. For those who want to make their stay more pleasurable, the resort also has an in-house health spa for men and women that provide sensuous massage treatments and beauty packages for the guests. White Rock also welcomes day trippers who want to enjoy their black sand beach. Relax and sunbathed on their comfortable beach cabanas while sipping on delectable fruit shakes and cold beverages.

White Rock Resort also has 4 swimming pools with sunbathing areas and fun slides as well as colourful playgrounds for the kids. You can also inquire about the tour packages so you can experience the adventurous and exciting sites of Subic.

Sand, sights, spa and spectacular accommodations, the White Rock Resort in Subic is your vacation getaway from the metropolis. For reservations you may call (63 47) 222 2857 or 222 2378 or send an email to reservations@whiterock.com.ph. You may also check their website at www.whiterock.com.ph.

Pearl Farm Resort in Samal Island

The Philippines is filled with world class hotels and resorts that cater to the local and international tourists. It is important for these establishments to cater to their guests and provide them the best not only to give their guests a relaxing time but also a vacation to remember. From the accommodations, to the activities offered to the food, everything has to be perfect and ultimately engaging to its guests. In the beautiful Island Garden of Samal, you can surely find one of the best island resorts in the country.

The Pearl Farm Beach Resort remains to be one of the most exotic, romantic and exclusive resort getaways in the Philippines. Located in Samal Island, surrounded with thick foliage of Eden-like atmosphere, the Pearl Farm Resort is a tropical paradise like no other. Before becoming one of the best resort hideaways in the country, it originated as a Pearl Farm where countless of precious stones from pink, white and gold pearls were cultivated. Draped with bright colourful hues that reflect the rich history of the Ka-Mindanawan culture, Pearl Farm immerses its guests to luxury and refinement.

The Pearl Farm has 70 deluxe accommodations with guests choosing from cozy guestrooms, private cottages and vibrant suites built on stilts and perched above the sea overlooking the serene blue hues of the Mindanao waters. Decorations are from Maranao and Samal ethnic influences and accommodations are conveniently equipped with comfortable king-size beds, television with cable, air conditioning, and a welcome fruit platter. For a real treat, guests can also have the luxury of staying at exclusive villas located at Malipano Island. Here. guests can enjoy a 3-hole golf course as well as the island’s pristine white beach.

As one of the most beautiful resorts in the country, the Pearl Farm is filled with world-class facilities and services for their guests. You can have the choice of doing numerous water sports & activities at the Aqua Sports Center which offers scuba diving, snorkelling, wind surfing, water skiing sea kayaking and many more. For those who want to stay dry, there’s the resort’s game room equipped with different activities such as board games, chess tables billiards, and even mah-jong sets.

Hidden behind the thick curtain of flora is the Ylang-Ylang Spa. Regarded as one of the best spas in the Philippines, guests can have the pleasure of having a massage while being soothed by the sound of rushing water from the man-made waterfalls.

Enjoy the freshest and most delicious specialities at the Maranao Restaurant. Be served with mouth-watering seafood creations and a myriad of signature Filipino and international dishes.

Not just for relaxation, and romantic getaways, the Pearl Farm also hosts large groups for out of town
conferences, corporate outings and other business functions.

A place of infinite luxury in the middle of rich Mindanao splendour, the Pearl Farm resort is a tropical experience not to be missed in Davao.

From the Francisco Bangoy (Davao) International Airport, travellers can ask a taxi to take them to the Pearl Farm Marina which is just 20 minutes away from the airport. From the Marina, travellers then have to ride a ferry boat which departs every morning, afternoon and mid-afternoon (actual time depends on the schedule) to get to the Island Garden City of Samal. The ferry ride going to the Pearl Farm Resort takes 45 minutes.

Those waiting for the ferry boats going to Samal Island may lounge at the Coffee Shop of the Pearl Farm Marina. They serve delectable snacks and dishes. It is also wi-fi ready so you can log on to the internet while waiting for the ferry. A few feet away from the Coffee Shop is the boutique where you can buy beautifully-designed handmade souvenirs.

Pearl Farm Beach Resort
Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines
(63 82) 221 9979
www.fuegohotels.com

Bahura Resort and Spa

Negros Oriental in Visayas is one of the best diving destinations in the Philippines. Home to Apo Island, hailed as one of the best dive sites in the world, Negros Oriental offers almost every kind of adventure there is to each bold and free spirited traveler.

The Bahura Resort and Spa is located in the town of Dauin, Negros Oriental. Bahura, the Spanish word for ‘reefs’, suitably describes the rich marine life around the resort. Guests have the option to dive into the house reef which is just a few steps away from the beach; at the world famous Apo Island which is located just 30 minutes away from the resort; at the Dauin Sanctuary which is located about 10 minutes away from Bahura; or at the Masaplod Sanctuary which is smaller than the other sanctuaries but has 50 percent more target food fish species than Apo Island or Dauin.

The Bahura Resort and Spa has its own PADI Dive Center with dive masters who can turn you into a certified diver in no time. Being the sister company of Scubaworld Inc., the largest provider of scuba equipment and services in the Philippines, Bahura Resort and Spa’s on-site dive center has the most extensive inventory of scuba equipment and accessories in Dumaguete.

After a day of diving and enjoying the other water activities that include kayaking, snorkeling, hobie cats, jet skiing and dolphin watching, guests may have themselves pampered from head to toe at the spa which is located in an isolated place by the beach.

The Bahura Resort and Spa offers some of the best meals in the whole of Negros Oriental. One must never fail to try the native chicken which is seasoned and cooked to perfection and their homemade tofu which is served with a delicious sauce.

Spread over a 5-hectare coconut plantation, the resort is an ideal location for tropical weddings. The coconut trees, the beautiful beach and the impressive pools serve as stunning backdrops to any special occasion celebrated within this island sanctuary. Bahura also has spacious Zen-inspired rooms that offer unmatched solitude and relaxation. There are also 8 private villas that provide astonishing ocean views and are equipped with a semi-kitchen, a full bar setup, TV/DVD players, dining area, living room, extra large bathroom with shower and whirlpool tub, a Japanese garden and a loft bedroom.

Whether you choose to stay above or under water, whether you come with your whole family or just a special someone, the Bahura Resort and Spa will spoil you to your heart’s content and offer every imaginable activity there is to make your vacation a truly unforgettable experience.

Bahura Resort and Spa
Km 19/20 Maayong Tubig,
Dauin 6217 Negros Oriental, Philippines
(63 35) 425-2054/53
www.bahura.com

Visit Romantic Antulang

A charming resort in the town of Siaton provides an escape from the fast pace of the modern world where everything is expected to happen in an instant. It is where one is able to slow down to see the world around like you’ve never seen it before.

The Antulang Beach Resort is a secluded resort perched on top of a cliff, giving guests a commanding view of the ocean. It is the only resort in Negros that has Pool Villas that are perfect for honeymooners. With its own pool and Jacuzzi, each villa guarantees unparalleled privacy on the island. It is a place where one can swim with abandon, with the spectators being only the sea, the sky and your companion.

Though Antulang is an ideal hideaway for romantic couples, it is also a great place to spend a vacation with your friends, with each day filled with adventures that are carefully planned out by the efficient staff. Accommodations at the Pool Villa comes with a personal butler who will attend to your every need.

Antulang used to have only four Pool Villas, but with its popularity among honeymooners who always book everything solid, two new Pool Villas were added to give more people a chance to enjoy their special vacation in complete privacy. There are also two infinity pools and a new restaurant called Japi where big group gatherings and occasional cultural performances are held.

A Sunset Cruise is the perfect activity for honeymooners. Onboard the Annabelle Lee, a yacht named after the owner of the resort, Ms. Annabelle Lee-Adriano, guests will pass by several fishermen hauling the day’s catch to their boats and explore Tambobo Bay where numerous yachts are docked. Sunsets in Negros are nothing short of spectacular. The sky is painted in hues of red and orange with the sun going down on one side and the moon rising on the other as if slow dancing to create a wonderful scatter of light across the heavens.

At night, couples may enjoy a romantic private dinner at the Pool Villa. A trip to the world famous Apo Island is a must when in Negros. Located on 30 minutes away by boat from the resort, Apo Island is ideal for snorkeling and diving. Hailed as one of the best dive sites in the world, Apo Island is home to more than 600 species of fish and 400 species of corals.

The Antulang Beach Resort is located an hour away from Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental.

For more information on this resort, you may visit www.antulang.comor call (63 35) 422 2600.

Manila Ocean Park

Did you know that fish keeping as pets started more than 45,000 years ago with the Sumerians? That a person who studies fish for a living is called an Ichthyologist? That the fastest fish in the world is cosmopolitan sailfish? Or that there are more than 350 shark species and only 32 have ever attacked humans? If you want to learn more and explore the fun-filled world of the deep, then visit the newest attraction in the Philippines’ capital city, Manila Ocean Park.

It is the first world-class marine-themed complex which also houses the Oceanarium (first and largest aquarium facility in the Philippines), a mall, boutique hotel, open water marine habitats and many other multi-purpose facilities. The most visited site is the Oceanarium, home to thousands of marine life and sea creatures found on the Philippines and the Southeast Asian waters. It’s divided into sections each with their own marine function; perfect for any sea life enthusiast! Here are just some of what you might see: barracudas, electric eels, stingrays and even sharks! A different kind of adventure, the Manila Ocean Park will transport you from dry land to the riches of the deep.

Manila Ocean Park
Behind Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park
Open Mondays - Sundays from 10:00 AM- 9:00 PM
Tel. No: (63 2) 567 7777
Fax. No.: (63 2) 567 2309
Website: www.manilaoceanpark.com

Intramuros: Light and Sound Museum and Fort Santiago

The Philippines is very proud of its rich history. It has come a long way from its almost 400 year old period of colonization which has produced numerous influences, stories and artifact through the times. Although Manila has transformed considerably from its first development as the capital during the Spanish rule during the past centuries, the city has preserved several significant places that still hold evidences of its past colonizer. The most prominent is the walled-city of Intramuros. Built in 1571, it is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world. Here you can see many of the past structures still exist. In this part of the city, you could visit some establishments that tell more about the past history of the Philippines.

LIGHT AND SOUND MUSEUM
Learn about the Philippines’ rich history and the heroes who have sacrificed for our country’s freedom. Visitors can walk through time and see the highly-detailed life-size dioramas of the Light and Sound Museum located inside the walled city of Intramuros.

A tourism project developed by Sen. Richard Gordon, this interactive attraction symbolizes the integrity, bravery and spirit of the Filipino people. Guests can relive the story of the Philippines, from its pre-historic encounters to the life and death of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. See this amazing tour as you walk around the museum and learn about the historical events -- from the conversion to Christianity and the provincial revolts to the revolution that led our way to independence -- that shaped the country to what it is today. This educational tour is a great family trip as well as a perfect excursion for those who want to learn more about the country.

The museum is located along Sta. Lucia Street cor. Victoria Street inside Intramuros. The tour requires a minimum fee of Php 1,000 per tour. The first show starts at 10:00 AM and the last show at 6:00 PM. For reservations or inquiries you may contact (63 2) 524 2827.

FORT SANTIAGO
Fort Santiago is considered one of the most significant historical sites in the country. It was once the stronghold of the Spanish military made by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the Spanish conquistador who colonized Manila in the 16th century and thereafter the American soldiers during their occupation. Originally it was the site of the kingdom and palace of Raja Sulayman, the last Muslim Datu of Manila. This fortress was also the place where Jose Rizal was detained during his last days before his execution in 1896.

Today Fort Santiago is preserved as a museum which holds precious objects and other legacies left by the Spanish government. It is a popular historical destination frequently visited by foreigners as well as a regular stop for student fieldtrips. Visitors can buy various kinds of souvenirs from the different stores lined up across the fort’s grounds. You can even have a kalesa ride (horse carriage) around the fort for just Php 200.00. Visitors can certainly feel the comfortable lifestyle of the elite during the golden years of the city.

Jeepney Tours also offers special packages to the Light and Sound Museum and Fort Santiago with their Cultural Heritage Tour. Aside from the historical tours, you can also get to have a lunch buffet in a 19th century Spanish setting in Barbara’s Restaurant. For reservations you may contact (63 2) 638 6644 and (63 2) 994 6636.

Island Banca Cruises

When you think about a typical island hopping trip, the image of a dingy old pump boat circling the waters comes to mind. For the Island Banca Cruises in Cebu, it’s a totally different island hopping experience.

Island Bancas has 3 available boats that accommodate a specific number of groups. The big boat is called “Butanding” which can hold 20-35 people, while the other smaller boats are called “Butete” (12-20) and “Bolinao” (2-8 people). Guests can relax, stretch and have the luxury of space and convenience on the roomy interiors of the boats. Once onboard, guests can choose from different beverages and snacks while enjoying their own sounds on the portable IPod dock found on the boats. Guests can also spread all over the big boat and enjoy the sun and sea while seating on the numerous beanbags found on the spacious deck.

The start of the trip is along the Gilutungan Channel of the Cebu Strait. Every trip has a friendly tour guide that introduced the places the guests will be travelling to around the neighboring islands. Here he provides basic information on the places, establishments and even small tidbits that happened around the seas, quite a change from the simple trip of going to a destination.

Island Bancas offer unique and exclusive tour packages for their guests. From pleasure cruises around the Cebu waters, colorful snorkeling and fish feeding experiences and around the Gilutugan, Nalusuan, Punta Engaño Tinggo, Agus and Talima marine sanctuaries, Island Hopping excursions around Pandanon and Olango Islands, Lechon (Roasted Pig) Barbeque Picnics, sea kayaking, and sunset dinner, the Island Bancas can arrange everything for you. For those hardcore scuba enthusiasts based in Cebu, Island Bancas also offer 3- day dive safari packages to the neighboring provinces of Bohol and Negros. There are also the Dolphin Watching trips in Sogod and the Camotes Islands.

Apart from the tour packages, Island Bancas also offer other services like body andfoot massages, wi-fi onboard the boats, babysitter arrangements and airport and hotel transfers. They also offer numerous equipments for rent such as scuba gears, dive masks, kayaks, and wetsuits.

All these and more, Island Bancas will truly make your Cebu trip more exciting. For more information on the activity packages of Islands Banca Cruises, you can check their website at www.islandsbanca.com. For quotations and reservations, you may contact them at (63 32) 346 0418 or send an email to info@islandsbanca.com.

Davao Crocodile Park Complex

There are many fascinating things to do and see when visiting Davao City, the largest metropolis in the country and one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines. The harmonious relationship between its neighboring provinces influenced by ethnic and cultural ties has made Davao the window to the island of Mindanao. It is a melting pot for all the Ka-Mindanawan culture: its geography and surroundings, the pieces of history, and the gathering point of celebration festivities like the Kadayawan Festival. Moments like these make Davao City inviting and thrilling to visit. But what makes Davao exciting is its array of interesting sites. One of them is the Davao Crocodile Complex. Here, not only can you enjoy nature at its fullest but also have fun and learn from its wide array of services and features.

When visiting the Davao Crocodile Complex you’re really getting your money’s worth because of the many activities and sites you could do there. The park is divided into 4 sections.

The first one you will encounter is the Davao Crocodile Park. More than a hundred saltwater crocodiles as well as other creatures such as reptiles, birds, and mammals can be seen on this amazing animal park. Here you can learn about the life cycle of the saltwater crocodiles. Visitors can see the different stages of its lifecycle from its beginning as an egg to its mature state for breeding. Guests are allowed to interact with the animals making the tour a unique experience to try. Don’t worry though; there are animal trainers, caretakers and staff located all over the park making your visit safe and comfortable. There are a lot of things to do beside from viewing the animals. Every day the park schedules a Wildlife Park show featuring an educational show for guests, crocodile feeding, crocodile dancing and tight rope walking across the crocodile pens. One of its brightest attractions is Pangil, the park’s oldest and biggest crocodiles.

Another place to enjoy around the complex is the Tribu K’Mindanawan. It is a unique cultural village highlighting the dwellings of the indigenous people in Mindanao. At Tribu K’Mindanawan one can relax and unwind near the river in the middle of hundreds of tall bamboo trees providing a nature inspired setting. Inside the landscaped village you can see genuine vernacular landmarks. In its effort to promote the culture and products of the indigenous community, Tribu K’Mindanawan provides educational and interactive cultural performances. A guided tour around the village is also available. A souvenir shop inside the village offers genuine handcrafted products. The village also hosts native tribes every month to allow them to share to the guests their culture, products performances and culinary arts. It has become a favorite venue for big events and theme parties. The setting of Tribu K’Mindanawan is ideal for jungle safari and indigenous people costume parties. At night, bamboo torches are lit to accent the area giving the guest a total tribal experience. For special events exotic animal petting, cultural shows and fire shows are held for their guests.

Next on the list is the Davao Butterfly House. Be surrounded by lush thick greeneries of the botanical garden containing hundred of butterflies fluttering all over the area. The park also features a film showing about the butterflies, its lifecycle as well as its purpose with nurture. Be enthralled by its metamorphic transformation from a simple caterpillar to a beautiful and majestic butterfly. The garden not also features these lovely creatures but also features these lovely creatures but also several indigenous plants and fruit bearing trees. The botanical garden prides itself of its natural produce namely the Dragon Fruit an exotic tropical fruit known to be a delicacy in the country. For guests who want to take a piece of their visit with them home, the butterfly house also sells them for Php 50 apiece.

Last but not least is the Riverwalk Grill located strategically beside the riverbank so guests can enjoy the calm flowing atmosphere of the river. Customers who have exotic taste buds are in for a treat. The Riverwalk Grill is known to serve delicious crocodile dishes as well as the only restaurant to make the scrumptious Dragon Fruit Shake.

Davao Crocodile Park Complex also provides venue and accepts bookings for big events, corporate parties, sports activities, teambuilding activities and other special occasions. For bookings and inquiries, you can call (63 82) 271 2626 or you can check their website at www.davaocrocodilepark.com.

The Crocodile Park Complex is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy and experience Davao. Fun, educational, interactive and original, it provides tourists the best of everything in just one place.

Magical Galera Casts Its Spell

The Magic
Sure, the sand was white and the sun was half-tucked into white feathers in the sky. The salty air’s harmonious twang synchronized with the rhythmic beat of the waves. It was easy to get lost in the moment. But something else was more captivating, overshadowing the already surreal moment. A boy, maybe six or seven years old, was playing by the shore. His hair was as dark as his eyes. At first glance, this wide-eyed boy seemed like any other boy his age, oblivious to the world and its trappings. However, his tanned skin suggests otherwise. It was as if he’s been aged by the sun and by time. He embeds his small fists on the dry, white sand and a small mark on his arm presents itself as he scoops a handful of sand. A quaint blemish so small you would mistake it for a birthmark. But it wasn’t. It was a henna tattoo the shape of a dolphin on his right arm. A conversation with this boy would have made it humbling but he doesn’t speak. When asked if he has seen a dolphin, he doesn’t nod. When asked if he wants to see one, he nods profusely. And it proved the theory right. Not unlike the beaches of Puerto Galera, this young boy is special. He scoops another handful and watches as the wind magically makes it disappear, and just like that, Puerto Galera has already cast its spell.

The Beaches
A stone’s throw away from the Batangas pier, Puerto Galera has always been part of the summer lexicon, resting heavily on the laurels of its white sand shores and healthy marine life. But the island has much more to offer than a picturesque landscape. The main destination for tourists is Sabang Beach, found east of Puerto Galera. Being the first beach to be discovered, it plays big brother to the equally popular White Beach. Because of its accessibility and proximity to Metro Manila, uncontrolled development made sure that it was only a matter of time before both beaches were dotted with bars and restaurants. Between the pounding nightlife, the pitchers of Mindoro Sling and the fast-paced turnover of transient vacationers, many a nature-lover fear that this rapid development might spell the end of Puerto Galera. Indeed, it seems almost like a disaster waiting to happen, which oddly enough is perhaps the reason why tourists should come to see Galera before it goes to ruin.

The good news is development has made sure that there is no lack of activity and accommodations when in Puerto Galera. Both beaches offer a variety of accommodations that run the gamut. Humid fan-cooled rooms compete with higher end places that offer not only air-conditioning but and hot and cold showers and steaming baths in Jacuzzis. There is also a fair amount of resorts that have opened shop in and around the island, one of which is the Buri Resort & Spa. Not to be confused with the Thai resort of the same name, Buri offers one thing that those not staying there will drool over: a fully dedicated spa. And as if that weren’t enough, the massage dutifully comes with a breathtaking view of the ocean.

Thankfully, the adjoining beaches of Aninuan and Talipanan offer an alternative to the frenetic nightlife of the main tourist beaches. A more relaxed, serene outlook is what these beaches take pride in, a step away from the hectic backdrop of the preceding bay. It is this unlikely collaboration of hasty and steady that makes Puerto Galera a prized gem. There is a bit of everything for everyone.

The Itinerary
Having fun in Puerto Galera entails a plethora of thrill-laden activities that range from snorkeling in the most diverse coral reef in Asia to guzzling a pitcher of Mindoro Sling. The popular cocktail drink this side of inebriated evenings, the almost legendary Mindoro Sling is a mix of rhum, orange juice, mango juice, grenadine and Sprite. At around Php350 per pitcher, it’s not surprising that this concoction is all the rage in Puerto Galera. From the alcohol binge to appreciating marine life, diving aficionados will have a field day with a number of diving spots around and about Puerto Galera. Diving shops are not uncommon in these parts and offer premier service for those with an affinity for underwater species. Even the uninitiated is given a chance to, literally, test the waters with a five-day diving course offered in some diving shops. Shifting gears during the stay in the island—barhopping one day, dolphin spotting the next—is what makes this side of Mindoro special. When all is said and done, however, Puerto Galera’s charm still remains to be its clear waters and fine white sands. Strolling the shores, it seems that Puerto Galera is no different from other populated and poisoned beaches that end up becoming a cautionary tale. But underwater, it is an altogether different world.

Retained Innocence
The magic of Puerto Galera, fortunately, has not waned despite valiant efforts of establishments to turn it in to a concrete shoreline. There still remains a sense of innocence in the brackish air and undisturbed reefs, much like the purity in the eyes of the boy with the dolphin tattoo. Listed as one of the special development areas by the Department of tourism, it simply makes the transformation process rapid and, unfortunately, legal. Yet despite the many transformations Puerto Galera has gone through and will go through, the unadulterated bliss of wading in fresh ocean water is something you can’t disprove. The vast ocean still has its secrets, and has never ceased to amaze. The young boy, the son of silence and innocence playing by the shore has yet to see his first dolphin. A little tattoo on his arm marks as a reminder of his simple wish of someday spotting one. And let’s latch on the optimism that it won’t be his last.

Travel Notes
Founded in 1574, Puerto Galera was used by the Spanish as a safe harbor for their galleons, hence the name, "Harbor of Galleons." It is about four hours away from Manila, located in the province of Oriental Mindoro.

Must Try: Cocktails at Point Bar
Point Bar has a stunning view of the small La Laguna Beach. Be careful not to pull the rope from the lounge bell or you might end up buying drinks for everyone! Why not wait for someone to ring it so you can get a free drink?

Diving
Asia Divers at Small La Laguna Beach
(63 43) 287 3205
www.asiadivers.com

Atlantis Dive Resort at Sabang Beach
(63 43) 287 3066 to 69
www.atlantishotel.com

Pacific Divers at White Beach
(63 917) 825 8751

How to Get There:
One must take a bus from Manila to the Batangas City Pier then hop on a ferry to any of the three Puerto Galera entry points: Muelle Pier, Balatero Pier or Sabang Beach.

A Little Bit of Everything at Mogambo Springs

Japanese village. African elements. Filipino touch. International services. The Mogambo Springs of Plantation Bay is in a different pampering world of its own.

What I love about the Plantation Bay resort is its old world charm. It’s like stepping back in time and experiencing Caribbean living in a lavish plantation house. But as we began to tour the beautiful grounds and waterworks of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, I saw variety in the architectural design of the suites and as the playful decorations and unique location coordination of the structures. It seemed to me that this experience in Plantation Bay will not only be relaxing but also fun and exciting.

My mission-- to experience one of the best spas in Cebu: Mogambo Springs. Located at the north-eastern tip of the resort Mogambo Springs evokes the image of an exotic tropical-inspired spa. From what I have learned, the spa’s unusual name (Mogambo means “passion” in Swahili) was inspired by the 1953 film, Mogambo that starred Hollywood greats like Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly.

As I enter the spa, I am stunned by what I see. The place is far from the Africa I know. Mogambo Springs is elegantly designed with a Japanese-inspired concept. It’s styled like an 18th century Tokugawa-era village and it is truly a sight to behold. Smooth white stones fill the landscape of the spa bordered by tall stalk of Bamboo trees and pieces of shrubbery. Small bamboo bridges link the pathways in between the man-made creek. I love the simple yet striking concept of the spa not only was it beautiful but it was also a break away from the usual heavily designed theme spas.

Three rooms of the spa are known as the spa indulgence rooms, meaning guests can stay overnight at these Japanese-inspired suites which also have the complete features of the resort’s other rooms. I’m sure it will make you feel like an authentic Japanese feudal lord when you wake up in the morning.

The tallest and most striking structure of the spa is the pagoda, located at the northern side. The pagoda is the spa’s biggest communal treatment room which can accommodate 6 people (3 per room), recommended for friends and family members, who want to have their treatments together. The spa has a total of 21 treatment areas: the 3 indulgent rooms, 4 suites, 2 triple treatment rooms at the pagoda and a pavilion for those who want foot treatments. The floor of the bath areas are covered with the smooth stones that stimulate the feet. Located on the southwest of the spa are the Jacuzzi jets and thalassic pools. Here, guests can relax and enjoy the warm bubbling waters of Mogambo Springs. One pool even has a rapid falls perfect for those looking for a therapeutic pool massage. All the pools are communal so why not make friends with the other guests? The pools are not only limited to those who have spa treatments. Guests of the resorts can also enjoy the lively waters of the spa pools upon paying an entrance fee of Php 300 at the spa reception. People using the pools and other spa facilities may also use the locker rooms for where personal belongings can be placed for safekeeping. A little further down the pools are first treatment rooms of the spa. This section of the facility actually looks a bit like the exotic jungles of Africa with its darker interiors.

While chatting with my hosts, Joanna and Coleen, I learn how the spa therapists were trained under the resident therapist supervisor. But for special treatments like the like foot reflexology, they have an annual session from a professional reflexologist from Singapore and Mr. Boy Fajardo, one of Manila’s most celebrated instructors for their Hilot training. One of their therapists was also chosen by the Spa Association of the Philippines Inc. (SAPi) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to be a member of Team Russia to showcase Hilot for the Leisure Otdykh andLuxury Leisure Fair in Moscow. Talk about world-class service.

The treatments of Mogambo Springs provide the utmost relaxation and invigorating experience for their guests. The Galvanic Spa (30 minutes, Php 900.00) is a unique treatment that reduces lines and rejuvenates the skin in just 15 minutes. This treatment recommends six sessions to achieve better results. For those who have oily skin, the Deep Down Clean Facial (1 hour and 20 minutes, Php 3,300) is the best suggestion. It deeply cleanses the skin by regulating the sebaceous glands to reduce the shine. The treatment is paired with a soothing hand or upper body massage. There is also the Foot Heaven Massage (45 minutes, Php 1,300). Your feet will be pampered, spoiled and treated adoringly, leaving you calm and relaxing feeling all over. Mogambo Springs is proud to be the first spa in the country to use the Dorn Method (1 hour, Php 2,500) this holistic treatment is an original German healing method which includes the release of physical discomforts such as stiffness, back and neck aches, pelvic and lower-body pains as well as overall stress. As a developing spa addict and as being curious about the menu’s witty warning of an absolute spoiling experience, I choose the spa’s signature massage, Skinful Pleasures (1 hour, Php 1,800).

The pampering begins as my therapist starts massaging my feet. Unlike a traditional foot scrub before a massage, this one uses a more conventional way of indulging the foot nerves with a dry massage combined with pressured squeezing and literally making a fist in the middle part of my feet. After a series of soulful stretching and straightening of the body, my therapist further indulges me with a head massage focusing on my neck. I love the feeling so much I boldly ask her if she could do it again, and she happily obliges. Next, is the flip. Again, I feel the same heavenly motions on my back melting the stress and worries away. The therapist is using grape seed oil with a wee 3% mix of essential oil. The spa uses this mixture for all their massage treatments except for their Hilot (1 hour and 30 minutes, Php 3,000) which uses Virgin Coconut Oil.

What I loved about this massage experience was that the therapist gave all the right massage pressures at all the correct places. After the massage I headed to the reception where my therapists handed me my warm cup of green tea while I gladly said my thank you in exchange.

The calming feeling brought by the message together with the Japanese ambiance of the spa was a Zen experience I will always remember. Plantation Bay has charmed another guest once more with its excellent service, personal touches and the need to give the unexpected.

Spa Travel Notes

Mogambo Springs
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island, Cebu
(63 32) 340 5900
www.plantationbay.com

OPERATING HOURS: The spa is open daily from 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Children are allowed from 10:00 AM – 5:00PM only.

Known as one of the most elegant, creative, and best resorts in the Philippines, The Plantation Bay Resort and Spa offers you the best with its high-quality service with old world charms. This 11-hectare resort has the largest waterworks with four salt water pools and the biggest freshwater pool in the country. If you’re still not satisfied, there are also the fun water slides by Mogambo Falls and the Galapagos Beach. It has 250 rooms including 20 suites and 3 indulgent rooms. Even if the resort is in full operations you’d still get the space you’ve wanted. Also, don’t fret on the distance of the facilities; the resort has a number of small jeepneys going around the resort to drop you off on your next destination.

The resort has four restaurants to satisfy your appetite:
Fiji Restaurant – Asian Cuisine, Seafood and Sushi bar
Kilimanjaro Cafe – International Cuisine and Coffee Shop
Palermo Restaurant – Italian Cuisine
Savannah Grill – Burgers, hotdogs, steaks and salads

There are a hundred things to do at Plantation Bay and more. The resort has a wide variety for sports and recreation from water adventures like scuba diving, kayaking, hobie cats, parasailing and island tours. There are also the tennis courts, wall-climbing, archery, karaoke, gym and game room.

How to get there:
The Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is just a 30-minute drive from the Cebu-Mactan International Airport. You can take a taxi going there or ask the resort to arrange an airport transfer for you.

Palawan Honeymoon Destinations

Honeymooners who wish to escape the city and go on a romantic hideaway to experience a tropical paradise should visit the island of Palawan in the Western Visayas region.

Considered as the "Last Frontier," Palawan is a beautiful island blessed with white sand beaches and surrounded by lush rainforests and majestic limestone cliffs. A natural sanctuary of exotic plants and wildlife, Palawan is a peaceful haven for couples wanting to spend quality time with nature and loved ones.

Even as the whole island is already a jewel to treasure, the northern parts of Palawan composed of the Calamian Group of Islands, among them Culion, Coron and Busuanga located in the northwest are already pieces of heaven on earth. Here, you will find natural wonders such as beautiful powdery sand beaches, quiet and world class resorts, an amazing underwater world, and exotic wildlife. You and your loved ones will surely feel blessed to see a breathtaking sunset with the most beautiful evening sky you will ever see.

El Nido
The 45 islands and islets in El Nido present endless opportunities for adventure and nature appreciation. One of the places couples should visit is the El Nido Marine Reserve. Located in northern Palawan, this popular nature spot consists of diverse ecosystems such as rainforests, mangroves, white sand beaches, coral reefs, and massive limestone cliffs of varying shapes and sizes which started forming 250 million years ago. Countless varieties of marine life are also found here such as manta rays. You may also find yourself lucky and see one of the world’s rarest marine mammal, the sea cow, locally called as dugong.

El Nido has internationally recognized resorts that Korean couples will love such as the El Nido Resorts in Miniloc Island and Lagen Island.

El Nido Resort in Lagen is the most luxurious resort in the area, a tropical hideaway set in a cove and surrounded by a lush tropical forest. At the back of the resort is a trail that passes through a forest and ends in a private cove. The Lagen trail is one of the best sites for bird watching, where you can see some of the 100 bird species endemic to Palawan.

Meanwhile, El Nido Resort in Miniloc island is also set in a private cove with a backdrop of beautiful limestone cliffs. Miniloc’s charm is highlighted by the surrounding crystal clear waters where you can see an abundance of rich and colorful marine life.

Guests can snorkel alongside 3-foot long groupers and hundreds of sergeant majors, damsel fish, fusiliers, and other multi-colored tropical fishes. Miniloc Island Resort has excellent diving and snorkeling facilities, as well as kayaks, aqua bikes, windsurf, and hobie cat.

The different islands and activity sites in El Nido are easily accessible from Miniloc Island Resort. You can explore big and small lagoons which are a short kayak ride from the resort. .

Coron and Busuanga
The island north of El Nido is Busuanga, the jump-off point for awesome diving spots particularly to see ship wrecks. There are 12 World War II Japanese shipwrecks that sunk in the area of Busuanga which diving enthusiasts should explore. Dive operators in the island offer day diving and snorkeling trips and overnight dive safaris.

Tourists visiting Busuanga will find good weather that is ideal for nature lovers. Diving and hiking are popular activities to do here given the many nature trails, attractions and excellent dive sites available. One place to visit is the Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Busuanga where one can see endangered animals such as the Palawan bearcat, mouse deer and the scaly anteater found only in the Philippines along with many exotic animals from Africa.

While in Busuanga, you can also visit nearby Coron island where guests must go on a cruise along the Kayangan Lake, the country’s cleanest and greenest lake.

There are many beautiful tropical resorts to stay in Coron. Among them is El Rio y Mar Island Resort located at the charming town of San Jose. Nestled amidst a 500-meter stretch of a pure white sand beach, the resort is an ideal place for honeymooners. Couples will enjoy each other's company while basking in the peaceful sounds of nature. El Rio has an Al Fresco Restaurant which serves Asian and International cuisines, great for romantic dinners.

Also located in the municipality of Coron is Club Paradise in Dimakya island, a perfect tropical hideaway for those seeking quiet times with their partner in life. This island resort has a 700-meter stretch of sun kissed talcum soft white beach and turquoise waters. It also serves as a sanctuary to a variety of flora and fauna.

Couples should try the Club Paradise Island Spa and have a relaxing massage amidst the beautiful surroundings. The resort's Island Spa Virgin Coconut Oil is a signature spa product highly recommended for deeply relaxing body treatments.

Meanwhile, Club Noah Isabelle, found in Apulit island in the northeast of Palawan, is another resort to escape to where cabanas are built above water and have verandahs facing out to the sea. The resort is set on a cove surrounded by a large marine reef.

Club Noah was envisioned to be a sanctuary where man and nature can live together in harmony. Just as Noah's Ark became a refuge for all animals in the Bible, Club Noah seeks to preserve the environment so that the future generations can still enjoy the gifts of nature. The presence of sea birds like the grey reef egrets, the Palawan hornbill and the kingfisher attest to the abundance of fish in the waters surrounding the resort. On land, you will be fascinated to see playful otters and civets minding their own business while you relax and unwind.

However, if you wish to have a private island all to yourself, Amanpulo is the place to visit. Amanpulo resort is an exclusive and stunning private island luxury hideaway, located in beautiful Pamalican Island in Palawan. The island resort has a powdery sand beach and beautiful coral reefs seen only 300 meters from the shore.

Amanpulo is perfect for lovers. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience to stay for a week or two in a beach casita while you are welcomed with champagne. You and your loved one may take a romantic sunset cruise, have a private beach barbecue or get a blissful massage for two. The resort's open-air Garden and Beach Salas are discreetly secluded for pleasurable holistic body treatments.

The island is so exclusive that famous Hollywood stars have been said to visit here as their private tropical getaway. Amanpulo which means ‘peaceful island’ has 40 beach, hillside and treetop casitas which are modelled on authentic bahay kubo dwellings, each with its own golf cart available for island exploration. Turquoise seas, coral reefs and diving, scuba-diving, and cruising opportunities await couples visiting the beautiful islands of Palawan in the north.

Palawan is 586 kilometers southwest of Manila. There are regular airline flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa, the island's capital city, where the main airport is located. You can also get to northern Palawan via the Busuanga Airport or the Coron Port.

Lake Caliraya

Found in the province of Laguna, Caliraya is a man-made lake complete with coves and sand bars. It is approximately 1,200 feet above sea level and is perched high in the Sierra Madre mountains. The famed lake, with its water measuring about 50 meters at its deepest, is actually quite huge as it is situated along three towns of Laguna, namely Lumban, Cavinti, and Kalayaan. The lake was built in 1937 when the Americans flooded Cavinti valley to put up a dam that was envisioned to generate hydro-electric power for Manila. Come the Japanese invasion, the Americans sabotaged the dam. World War II ensued. When the Japanese Imperial Army retreated, they further sabotaged the dam that the lake was lost in obscurity. It was not until the 70s when the lake was rediscovered by developers. It soon became the playground of the rich and famous for fishing, chilling and other water sports. Then in the 80s, the place became a stronghold of the insurgent New People's Army (NPA) that it fell out of favor again. With President Aquino's term in the mid-80s, the lake once again enjoyed peace and order. It did not take long until Manila’s adventure seekers and American expats returned to the lake as a preferred daytrip and weekend destination.

To this date, Caliraya is a haven for tourists who wish to escape the chaos of the metropolis. The lake extends and roves over partly submerged hills which form numerous islands of various shapes and sizes. The biggest island is approximately as big as Luneta Park, while the smallest is about 1 square meter (which usually submerges during high tide). These land masses were formed during the flooding of the lake and all of them remain unnamed. On some of them, visitors can camp for free. Further, with the abundance of pine trees, cool climate, verdant greenery and shores of viscous red clay on some areas and pebbled on other areas, the lake’s surrounding environment has been likened to some North American resorts. And since the lake was seeded by Americans with largemouth black bass imported from the states which continue to proliferate, Caliraya and bodies of water connected to it are the only places in the whole country where Philippine anglers can attempt to catch one of the top freshwater game fishes of the USA—the famed Largemouth Black Bass—providing year-round excitement to game fishers. The onset of tourists has made this lake a recreational center and has even brought some of the country’s elite to build vacation homes here as their private hideaway.

What to do in a day:

The deep waters of the lake and the strong, cold mountain breeze that blows from the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges and the distant Mt. Banahaw, make it an excellent place for wind surfing, jet skiing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, boating, golf, camping, team building and other sporting adventure activities. These land-based as well as aqua sports are offered by the various resorts surrounding the lake.

One of the best places to spend time with your family or friends is at the Caliraya Re-Creation Center. Where else can you have fun and excitement as well as the pleasure of relaxation and rejuvenation in one destination? Perfect for family excursions and corporate outings or even just a quick getaway from the city, the Caliraya Re-Creation Center can accommodate every kind of traveler. The place offers a wide array of fun activities from water sports like jet skiing and speed boating, windsurfing breaks and ferry boat rides to exhilarating outdoor activities such as horseback riding, wall climbing, rappelling and zipline rides. Caliraya also offers unique amenties such as the Slip n’ Slide, Earth Ball, and team building activities perfect for corporate outings and other group getaways.

They can even prepare tour packages around the province with tours around the Laguna loop and Pagsanjan Falls. For a leisurely pace, you can simply relax under a tree, read a good book and take in as much of the fresh, cool mountain breeze as you want. The Caliraya Re-Creation Center has the best of everything conveniently just a short distance away from the metropolis.

Travel Notes

Caliraya Re-Creation Center
Barangay Lewin, Lumban, Laguna
(63 2) 632 1010

The lake is an ideal place for hobby photographers as well. One can take shots of the lake itself, its old light house or even its surrounding community. One of the historical landmarks of the town for example is the church in Poblacion which was built in the 1700s. Another feature is the Japanese garden located at Brgy. K. Talaongan. A memorial park and burial place of the Japanese soldiers who fought and died in Cavinti during the Second World War and supposedly where the grave of General Yamashita is, the garden functions today as a park, picnic area and playground open for everyone.

How to get there:

Commute from Manila: Board the Sta Cruz-bound bus of HM Transit on EDSA Cubao (near Victory Liner) or Green Star on Taft Ave near corner Gil Puyat/Buendia (LRT). The bus will pass through SLEX Calamba exit then turn right on the national highway in Calamba City, Los Banos, Bay, Victoria, Pila, Sta Cruz. At the terminal in Pagsawitan, Pagsanjan, wait for a jeepney with signboard Lumot or ask a tricycle to bring you to the jeepney terminal in Sta.Cruz to help you get "sure seats."

The Lumot-bound jeepney will pass Pagsanjan, turn left at the "pinagsangahan" (branch off at Pagsanjan church and Municipal Hall) pass by Lumban (barong land), then choose the right road of the fork up to Caliraya Lake. The fork is at the kilometer 95 post. The lake is about 7 kilometers from there.

By private car from Manila: from SLEX take Calamba exit then head straight to Calamba. turn right at Calamba junction and follow this road and highway until you reach Pagsanjan (after Los Banos, Bay, Victoria, Pila, Sta Cruz towns) where you turn left. Choose the right road at the fork near kilometer 95 post.

By private car from Quezon City: it's faster to take the Rizal route by going to Marcos Highway, turn right at the junction Masinag Wet and Dry Market (Sumulong Highway), on reaching Antipolo intersection turn left going to Baras (straight ahead leads to Antipolo Church while a right turn leads to Hinulugang Taktak) where you'll pass by Teresa, Morong, Baras, Tanay, and Pililla towns of Rizal province before reaching Laguna towns of Mabitac, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, then make a U-turn on seeing kilometer 95 post on the highway. Lake Caliraya is about 7 kilometers from there.

La Cocina de Tita Moning

We live in an impatient world, where time keeps snapping at your heels, threatening to gobble you up whole if you dare to tarry even a few moments. Even in this age of MMS, PDAs, and GPRS, and despite the trend toward flexible schedules and result-oriented means of making a living, it seems like there are hardly enough hours in the day to spare.

The best evidence of this is the pile of fast-food wrappers strewn all over the floor of my car at the end of the day. Receptacles and remnants of siopao, burgers, french fries, and sometimes even fried chicken or spaghetti are fixtures that I often employ to torment unwitting valet drivers (Who said that tips always have to be in cash? Half a hotdog works just as well!). On really bad days, I’ve actually had breakfast, lunch and dinner catered by the three biggest fast-food joints in town (that’s variety for you) and eaten in the middle of traffic or in parking lots, just so I didn’t have to go through the time-consuming inconvenience of sitting down and having a proper meal, with real cutlery, between appointments.

If you think that’s pathetic, you should meet my friend Garet. While I have the luxury of enjoying a decent meal on the few occasions that I find myself at home, she literally lives off straight-from-the-can tuna/corned beef and ice cubes. Even the easiest thing in the world to cook—Bantayan island danggit—is too much of a challenge for her. In the same boat, but not quite as bad, are our friends Jinggay, whose favorite dinner is a bowl of instant just-add-water noodles, and Rhia, a certified junk-food addict. Our combined weekday eating habits are the stuff of gourmands’ worst nightmares.

Thank goodness then for rare opportunities such as this balmy Saturday evening, when the world is willing to stand still long enough to let you savor the company of friends and relish the pleasures of honest-to-goodness slow food. Tonight, even the security situation seems to be cooperating: Malacañang Palace is quiet and the alert appears to be at minimum as we pull into the driveway of 315 San Rafael Street in San Miguel, Manila. A few minutes later, we find ourselves enjoying cold glasses of freshly squeezed dalandan juice and warm melt-in-the-mouth queso de bola toast under the stars, eagerly anticipating the gastronomic experience that lies ahead. While we are in no particular rush, the old habit is quick to kick in. “Hurry up and finish your drinks so we can get on with the tour!”

La Cocina de Tita Moning’s reputation as a dining destination unlike any other has spread fast and furious by word of mouth among Manila’s notoriously fastidious epicures. The Legarda mansion on San Rafael is now open to the public, albeit by reservation only, to showcase the illustrious family’s heritage and history as well as the culinary legacy of Doña Ramona “Tita Moning” Legarda. Built in 1937, the art deco house is where Tita Moning and her husband, Dr. Alejandro Roces Legarda, raised four children and threw unforgettable dinners that gave center stage to Tita Moning’s unparalleled kitchen skills and eye for detail. Suzette Legarda Montinola, a Legarda granddaughter, is now the lady of the house, having spent eight months lovingly restoring the house after the death of her grandmother, thereby preserving its elegant traditions.

The true aperitif is a tour of the Legarda house, which begins downstairs by taking the visitor through areas of interest such as the train room and Dr. Legarda’s clinic with its antiquated apparatuses and resident skeleton. Also displayed is the good doctor’s large collection of antique camera equipment and a number of old photographs that include one of a tree-lined pre-reclamation then-Dewey now-Roxas Boulevard, circa 1930s. On the other side of the hall is the doctor’s library, which houses his collection of medical books and encyclopedias, as well as his dark room.

Up the mahogany staircase are sights no less impressive: the living room features works by such renowned national artists as Felix Resureccion Hidalgo’s “La Inocencia” and Juan Luna’s rendering of a woman once believed to be his murdered wife. To the left of the living room is Don Alejandro’s collection of obsolescent radio gear, acquired over the years of his avid membership with the Philippine Amateur Radio Association. Next door is Tita Moning’s old dressing room, which features a couple of her old gowns and other mementos of ballroom days gone by.

Finally, the dining room. The area is large and handsome, reminiscent of a stately provincial home with its wide windows and high ceiling that welcome in the evening breeze from the garden outside. On the wall is the Legarda collection of blue Meissen plates, each of which is hand-painted and lined with gold, and off which personalities such as William Howard Taft once ate. The table setting is a work of art in its own right: the decorative lace cloths are hoary heirlooms, the china, glassware, and silverware part of the Legarda’s inheritance, and the Murano birds date back to the banquets of the 1920s. But even more significant to the Legarda legacy is Tita Moning’s staff, headed by her faithful cook Rolly Mendros, who continues to recreate her signature dishes in the manner to which the Legardas of generations past and present are accustomed.

“They even have a servant’s bell,” I whisper to Garet as we attempt to act nonchalant amidst the quiet splendor. A note on the table encourages the diner, “in the true fashion that Don Alejandro and Dona Ramona dined,” to use the bell as “your needs dictate.” A little too feudal for our U.P.-bred dispositions, but a charming Old World concept nonetheless.

The uniformed server, after pouring the wine, then brings out the first course: an exquisitely creamy pumpkin soup appropriately named Sopa de Oro...liquid gold indeed! From across the table I can see Rhia’s eyes roll back in sheer ecstasy, while Jinggay mutters one word over and over again during the entire meal. “Sarap!” I resist the urge to mop up the dregs at the bottom of my plate and content myself with loading my bread with the best salsa monja a Spanish friar could ever dream of.

The Grilled Eggplant Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette sounds unassuming enough, but once on our plates and taste buds, proves unlike any talong, er, aubergine recipe we’ve ever come across. Jinggay repeats her mantra as the rest of us dig into the subtly sweet-sour ensalada and argue about Filipino synonyms for the word “delicious” (for a country that loves its food, sarap seems to be the only one that fits the bill). Aling Tining Techo, who has been with the Legarda family since 1971, encourages us to request second or even third servings of any dish at any time, just as if we were at our grandparents’ home, enjoying Sunday supper. But with all due respect to my own gourmet cook of a grandmother, no dinner at Lola’s was ever like this!

After calamansi sorbet clears our palates, our gustatory senses are treated to Tita Moning’s famous Solomillo, tender roast beef in an indescribably flavorful gravy, accompanied by perfectly baked potatoes still bubbling in their jackets. If there was ever a meal to write home about (and if home wasn’t only a few miles away), this would definitely be it. By this time, the only sound even Jinggay can manage is a contented groan. I admonish Garet , who seems to have had her fill way too prematurely, to eat up. “Tomorrow, when you open that can of pork and beans, you’ll be drooling at the memory of this place.”

But the meal is far from over. Dessert, a three-course meal in itself, begins with a fruit tray (“Maski saging masarap!” Rhia gushes), followed by Caramelized Saba Bananas with Vermouth. And the finale is Tita Moning’s pièce de résistance, her famous bread pudding with caramelized pili nuts…not just “sarap,” but sinfully sublime. Loath to head back into the madcap metropolis and its insane impatience, we linger over coffee and tea, adding our compliments to a photo album/guest book of satisfied La Cocina guests. But as the evening grows old and we are reminded of the next appointment on our calendars, we drag our feet downstairs and say our goodbyes to Suzette and staff, murmuring our newfound appreciation of the satisfaction only an evening of slow food can bring. Our Philistine palates have been ruined for life—no wonder I’ve been weeping into my not-so-Happy-Meals these past few days!

La Cocina de Tita Moning
315 San Rafael St., San Miguel, Manila
(63 2) 734 2146 / 734 2141
www.lacocinadetitamoning.com

All lunches and dinners are strictly by reservation.

The Masskara Festival

It’s odd to find Spidey’s mask on Bacolod’s streets but there it is, a mere plastic item sold from a pushcart at the biggest annual festival this side of Negros Occidental. Spiderman, however, is just a minor celebrity at the Masskara Festiival on the weekend nearest October 19 (which, incidentally, is Bacolod City’s Charter Day). The term “masskara” literally means “many faces,” and during a fun festival such as this, expect to be surrounded by many merry countenances portrayed in papier-mache or face paint.

Making a scene
The genteel surrounding of Negros Occidental have produced their respective crops of (nonsuperher) celebrities. Commercial model slash actor Christian Vasquez, actor Joel Torre and controversial film director Erik Matti are famous Negrenses. But Bacolod’s pride could very well be director Peque Gallaga, whose film opus Oro Plata Mata is set against the background of his hometown’s palpitating sugar plantations and stately haciendas. The sugar industry here may have been severely affected by the plunge in world sugar prices many years back, but the Masskara Festival’s inception in the 1980’s gave the place a much-needed sugar fix.

Smile City
Now to unveil the true identity of the Masskara Festival itself. The merry masks certainly reflect the locals’ love for fun, yet behind the masks they’re very sweet folks, gentle in speech and living. Then again, Masskara is Marfi Gras in October, complete with bustling fairs and wild street dancing. With so many hyperactive tourists and natives running around in all those masks with sunny expressions, mothers might as well caution their kids, “No more sugar for you.”

Speaking of food, there are many kiosks at the parade site, featuring such native specialties as Bacolod chicken inasal and sugary pastries like otap and piaya.

Shopping here is a great idea, since Bacolod has always been known for decorative and functional crafts such as lamps, candleholders, gift boxes and writing tablets with creative twists. And lest we forget, it’s a must to take home one or more smiles.

If you go the distance and put on a mask yourself at the festival, you’ll find that looking its peepholes gives the genuine pleasure of anonymity in the midst of revelry. That way you can fully appreciate the parade and the street dancing without any self-consciousness or fear of being recognized for the celebrity that you happen to be (or not to be). So put on that masked smiley face and enjoy!

Hot Air Balloon Festival

The recently concluded 14th Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Festival held on February 12-15, 2009 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga created a real “monster” but was quick to congratulate the Department of Tourism for initiating the first air-sporting event in 1994, according to one foreigner, Charles Kemplin, one of the key officials of a local map-producing company here in Clark.

The comment was made when commuters and motorists were caught in a monstrous traffic jam early Saturday morning at the start of the third day of ballooning. The upswelling of more than 15,000 spectators on a perfect Saturday morning from all over the Metro Manila and North Luzon areas was virtually unprecedented to the current organizer Clark Development Corporation and the Philippine Balloon Foundation. People swelled so big because the day before was Friday the 13th when most people choose to stay closer to home. In spite of this, all things went well for the organizers and the general public.

This year’s festival was highlighted by the presence of special-shaped balloons like Coca Cola, elephant, two coffee mugs by Nescafe and DSV, a telephone booth, Tiger and Kellogg’s balloons. The rest are the regular-shaped ones. Altogether, some 24 balloons took part in this year’s event.

At midday during the festival, a revelry of special aerosports events like sky diving, aeromodelling, airplane rally, AFP flag jump, paragliding, Marine drum and bugle exhibition, aerobatics, ultralight fly-by, rocket demonstration, PAF silent drill and marching band. A special treat for the public was offered in the evening when the balloons are fired up and transformed into luminous giant lanterns or incandescent bulbs. Some 200 trade exhibitors and food stalls kept the spectators on their toes while watching the air-sporting events amidst the scorching heat of the sun.

The only ballooning event in the country was first made possible by the Department of Tourism under Secretary Mina Gabor when she commissioned in 1994 two balloon pilots from Korea and England, Sung Kee Paik and John Emery, respectively, to mount what was to become the biggest and most colourful spectacle in the country, with regional director Ronnie Tiotuico of the regional office in Central Luzon as the event organizer then.

Since then, Clark Development Corporation took up the cudgels for the tourism department as an assurance of sustainability for this project.

Weaving History: T’Boli Craft in Davao

To experience an authentic tribal tradition, one must visit the T’boli Weaving Center, located within the grounds of the Insular Hotel in Lanang, Davao City. Traditional arts, crafts, and skills are demonstrated by the tribal women of the “Bola Tribe” from South Cotabato. The tribe is known for its colorful attire made from the “tinalak” cloth. The women in the center are shown dyeing the abaca fibers and then weaving these with the intricate figures and patterns depicting the tribes folklore and religion. The art is proudly passed on from generation to generation. Visitors can buy the tribal jewelry and the tinalak cloth at the center. Also available are tribal costumes, enhanced by beads and leather plus other accessories like bags, belts, trees and wallets.

A Hamlet in the Mountains

Every artist needs an escape—a place of imagination that inspires original creation. He should feel motivated and stimulated by the brilliance of his surroundings. At the same time, the place should nurture his creations. It would be his natural “artistic environment”. For the artisans in Baguio, such a creative place does exist. Nestled in the northern part of the city, the Tam - Awan Village is a haven for the local artists and the free-spirited.

The Tam-Awan Village is a must in any Baguio visit. The village was created by the Chanum Foundation Inc. which is headed by one of the country’s national artists, Ben Cabrera. The place starts with an eco-tour with long rocky stairs leading up to the main village. It is surrounded by tall trees and pines decorated with flora and fauna found within the mountain provinces. When entering the Dap-ay (stone-paved gathering place), one can see the beautifully reconstructed Ifugao houses surrounding the main square.

What used to be a small hillside parked with used Cordillera tribal huts now acts as a unique mountain village. The wooden Ifugao houses that are scattered around the village are a marvel. They look simple from the outside but how they were structurally-made by the Ifugaos are beyond belief. Each wooden hut belonged to a tribe from the Cordillera region. They were made without the help of any nails or hardware. Furnished with only fresh cogon roofing, the huts still serve their purpose. Visitors can actually stay overnight in the reconstructed huts for a fee. Staying in any of these huts is a great way to experience how the mountain people lived in the past.

Already rich with culture, Tam-Awan is also overflowing with talent. The village holds exhibits, art fairs and many other events that showcase the works of different artists. The huts provide visitors an organic venue for viewing the artwork. Part museum, part art gallery, the works that are displayed here are also being sold to those interested.

The village not only centers itself on showcasing the talents of its members but also provides a venue for people to learn. It holds a number of workshops on the different kinds of art done inside the village – from Basic and Advance Drawing, Printmaking, Solar Drawing, Painting, and more. The village also has a coffee shop that acts as a specialty store that sells custom-made wooden clocks, paintings, wood carvings, wooden and metal amulets and necklaces, and other native crafts surrounding the place.

When entering the Dap-Ay, you can normally see people hanging around the bonfire area. Don’t be surprised if they greet you all of a sudden! They are the artists who frequent the place. They might even offer you a drink or two of wine. On the southeast side of the square is an open-walled hut were local artists offer sketch portraits for a minimum of Php 100.00 or 300.00 for couples—a good souvenir to take home.

Before the sun starts to set, you can climb up to the view decks of the village. Enjoy the cool mountain air while experiencing the totality of the place. Walk through a narrow bamboo bridge which really makes you feel how the tribal people of the Cordilleras lived in the mountains. The view deck gives you a spectacular view of the mountain ranges. If you are lucky you may even get to see a clear view of the China Sea.

A small world of creative awakening inspired by nature’s creations, the Tam-Awan Village is one of the mountains’ most precious hidden gems.

Travel Notes
How to get there
By Jeep: Take the ride from Quezon Hill to Tam-Awan or you can take the jeep going to Long-long which passes by Tam-Awan.

By Taxi: Ask the driver to take you to Tam-Awan, Pinsao Proper.

CHANUM FOUNDATION, INC.
Tam-awan Village
366-C Pinsao Proper,
Baguio City
(63 74) 446 2949
(63 74) 442 5551

Purple Feet

Location: Inside the Wine Depot on 217 N. Garcia St. (former Reposo), Bel-Air, Makati City

Hours Open: Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm, closed on Sundays

Cost: Expect to spend P600 to P2,000 but it’s well worth it and the servings are large enough to share

Imagine having your own personal iron chef wherein you tell him the raw ingredients then specifying the flavor you like: Japanese, Italian, Indian, Filipino, or any distinct taste in the world that hasn’t been infiltrated by the Taliban. On top of that, he pairs your choice with the proper wine while discussing with the subtle differences in the sauces he will use. All of this could be yours at a place with an unusual name - Purple Feet, named after the color they get after squashing grapes. The worldly experienced executive chef Marco Legasto created this unique “freestyle cooking” concept with the support of his United Nations chefs who each specialize in a particular cuisine. With no powders or monosodium glutamate in sight, the kitchen prepares everything from scratch. With the staff coming in wearing shorts, this place is fine dining without the fuzz or the exorbitant prices. For selfish reasons, I’d rather keep this place a secret but it’s too late now that I’ve divulged the address.

For reservations call (63 2) 897 3220.

Creamy Desserts Overwhelm Diners At Tivoli

The Tivoli’s latest innovation, with the use of a liquid nitrogen, is set to once again revolutionize food concepts and preparation, and is a perfect complement to the trend setting gourmet cuisine served at Mandarin Oriental, Manila’s signature restaurant.

The dazzling properties of liquid nitrogen enhance the dining experience at The Tivoli, as diners are given the choice to design their own ice cream, frozen yoghurt and sherbert concoction that are freshly prepared at tableside, with the flavours and ingredients of their choice. In the process, the diner witnesses the instant freezing of his chosen flavours. The aromas of the ingredients, whether it’s vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, fresh fruit, cookies or brownies, hit the senses almost immediately and entice one’s palate. The smoky effect of the Liquid Nitrogen produces a dazzling display of instant freezing of the dessert. The result is a softer, creamier texture of ice cream due to the chemical properties of the Liquid Nitrogen, as well as the instant freezing.

Guests can choose from different ice cream bases such as vanilla, chocolate, plain yoghurt, seasonal fruit purees, sugar syrup or lime/ lemon syrup. They can then add condiments, and flavours like nut sauces, nougat, truffle oil, nuts, chocolate flakes, raisins, brownies, cookies, fruits, herbs, mint oil and marzipan. Perhaps they would also like to kick up their dessert a notch by mixing in spirits such as sherry, Baileys, rum, vodka, Cointreau or Grand Marnier.

The Tivoli, Makati’s premier elegant fine-dining restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Manila , is known for its gourmet creations and splendid wines, artfully selected by its team of connoisseurs. The Liquid Nitrogen Life Station is yet another creative, delicious addition to the menu.

Mandarin Oriental Manila
Makati Avenue, Makati City
(63 2) 750 8888
www.mandarinoriental.com

Kape Isla

Location: Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Hours Open: Sunday to Thursday from 12noon to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 12noon to 12midnight.

Cost: Average price for hot coffee drinks P75/P100, cold coffee drinks average P130, comedy entertainment is free

No man is an island, and there is no better beverage to bring us together than good coffee. Kape Isla, which literally translates to Coffee Island, is an advocate for Philippine-grown coffee beans, some of the best in the world. Though I’m more of a pearl milk tea drinker (with taro), I was awakened by the delicious aromas of the cold coffee specialties they serve in this intimate café: coffee chocnut shake, coffee cookies and cream, coffee crumble shake, and coffee milk shake. For the traditionalists they also serve local kape Americano, kape cappuccino, kape latte, and kape mocha. Kape Isla holds workshops and courses for aspiring baristas, coffee growers, and budding coffee connoisseurs. So if you ever want to connect with humanity, come on over and enjoy a cup. I heard Wednesday is a good night since they have comedy open mic.

For reservations or inquiries call (63 2) 901 3485.

Courtyard Bistro

There are times when you want to celebrate endlessly in Boracay’s nightlife but there are times when you also want to relax, dine out with close friends, eat great food and have a good time. A short distance away from the crowding white beach is this enchanting little corner on the other side of the island. Welcome to the Lazy Dog Bed and Breakfast and enter their cozy little Courtyard Bistro.

Start with the Spicy Shrimp Gambas seasoned with chilis and secret spices (you won’t stop eating them!) Next, be tempted to taste their mouth-watering Tenderloin Beef Salpicado, Dori Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce with a side of Mashed Potatoes and their signature dish, Fish on a Nest (fish fillet with stuffed ham, mushrooms, turnips, bell peppers, onions & garlic, on a potato string nest). Engorging yet satisfying. When you think you’ve have enough just wait for their dessert selections. Try their sinful “For Adults” Pistachio Ice Cream…it’s gonna blow you away.

The Courtyard Bistro
Lazy Dog Bed & Breakfast, Palomar, Bulabog Beach, Boracay Island
(63 36) 288 4128

CAV

Location: Ground Floor “The Spa Bldg”, Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Hours Open: Weekdays from 12 noon to late evening, weekends 12 noon to 2ish a.m. depending on the intoxication of the crowd.

Cost: a wine flight composed of 3 glasses of different wines runs around P520; a three-course prefixed dining menu with paired wine, P890; and a four-course meal with paired wine, P1,100. Cost of your date not included.

Cav, derived from the French word “le cave”, meaning wine cellar and not from the young bovine or the flesh on the back of your shin, is the result of three concepts combined into one: a café by day, a full-blown dining establishment at night - though not necessarily fine dining - and a full time retail wine shop. Do not be intimidated by its posh interior and hard-to-pronounce bottles; Cav’s approach is to take away the elitism in wine tasting, as evidenced by its non-threatening card operated vending machines that dispense three serving sizes: tasting size, half glass, and full glass for the optimists. But if you’d like to impress the ladies by sounding like a sommelier, Cav offers weekly wine lectures called Wine Informal on Saturday afternoons. You know what they say, women are like wine – they age to perfection. Just avoid the ones from 1970 - that was a bitter year.

For reservations call (63 2) 856 1798 or visit www.cavwine.com.

Chef Laudico Bistro Filipino

Location: Ground Floor Net 2 Bldg., 3rd Avenue, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Hours Open: Everyday lunch 11am to 3pm, dinner 6pm to 11pm.

Cost: Average price P500 to P700 for lunch, P800 to P1000 for dinner

Traditional Filipino food is usually served wrapped in banana leaves and wrapped again in newspaper and wrapped again in “smotherly” love. Filipinos are no-frills eaters devouring with their bare hands while one foot rests on their seat to support their arm. So glamorized Pinoy food was unheard of… until Chef Laudico was born or maybe a few decades after since he would’ve been too young to use fire. Chef Lau’s creative genius cooked up concoctions such as the sisig basket, which is spicy pork sisig in mini crispy rice baskets with quail’s egg and chicharon, pork rind (P228) and the Angus beef tapa, which is oven dried Angus beef tapa served with tomato stuffed with pinakurat gel and salted egg salsa (P248). That’s just the tip of the exotic iceberg of this native gastronomy that changes every month based on Chef Lau’s innovative mood.

For reservations call (63 2) 856 0634 / 0541, mobile (63 917) 800 CHEF(2433), email cheflaudico@yahoo.com.

Basilio's

Location: Unit 151 Forbeswood Heights, Rizal Drive cor 29th St., Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Hours Open: Weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12 midnight, weekends 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Cost: Average price of main entrées P380, shakes and juices P120, desserts P180, cocktails P220, hang over the next morning P00.00.

With a name that evokes an image of a deranged woman looking for her children, Basilio’s is the place for comfort food and the comfort of good company but not for comfort women. This cozy two-storey neighborhood restaurant offers free Wi-Fi, free cable TV, free valet parking, and the best 50-clove garlic chicken this side of town. It’s the perfect place for a simple dinner with friends or spending the late afternoon partaking in a molten chocolate cake while sipping a refreshing peach shake and reading a good book like Noli Me Tangere. In June, there will be an intimate standup comedy show by this very funny comic by the name of Tim Tayag who shamelessly plugs his shows in his articles.

For reservations call (63 2)856 1742.

Attivo

Location: 101 Aguirre St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Hours Open: Monday to Friday 8am to 10pm, weekends open upon reservation

Cost: Prices range from P120 to P355, more affordable than the franchise coffee shops. Venue is open for private parties or conferences with a maximum of 50 pax.

With the increasing number of franchise cafes serving overpriced cappuccinos and mispronouncing your name, Attivo, which is Italian for “asset” or “active” or “tv recorder”, comes as a refreshing alternative. This warm neighborhood café serves pasta dishes and desserts with that rare home-cooked taste attributed to the personal touch of the owner Kat, who is there almost everyday. Attivo’s assets are the kofta burger with calamari, the seafood pasta, the carrot cake with just the right creaminess, and the killer Kahlua chocolate cake. Kat, a self-taught chef and baker from her college days where she sold her cookies and cakes without the girl scout uniform, keeps the place “real” as she makes the effort to know her customers. Just don’t ask her the secret ingredient to her Kahlua cake because she won’t tell, I tried.

For reservations call (63 2) 812 5592.

Saramsam Cafe

All Filipinos love food. From sinigang to nilaga, longganisa to tapa, suman to puto, our native dishes certainly have rich flavors. The Filipino also eats whenever he can! In every celebration, food is the island man’s main invitation to his guest. And every meal is the merriment that brings friends and family together. This may be the reason why Mr. Sammy Blas, an Ilocano restaurateur, decided to create Saramsam Café; a place brimming with Ilocano flavors and tradition.

I came in with my host, Mr. Joegie Jimenez, and his team from the Provincial Tourism Office. We were hungry from our tour of the city. I requested my host to take me to different establishments that provide an experience of rich Ilocano taste and heritage, and when he brought me here, he did not fail me. When I entered the Saramsam Café, I knew I was going to enjoy my time in this cozy little nook in the heart of Laoag. Different antiques for tables and chairs, colored bottles, vases, and antique pieces were situated around the room. The place was bursting with charm.

As we waited for our lunch, Sir Joegie filled me in about the restaurant. The Ilocano word, Saramsam means “pika-pika” or finger food. He explained that Ilocanos love to eat every time; a true Filipino nature. As I observed the place, it was filled with families and friends eating and laughing wholeheartedly as if the restaurant was their dining area. I felt the same way because we were a big group just waiting for our Ilocano feast.

The first dishes to arrive were the Saramsam Chips (chips with a dip of diced mango, onions, tomatoes and cilantro) and the freshly fried ukoy (small shrimps fried in batter served with vinegar) all a mixture of color and local taste.

Next was the Saramsam Pasta (spaghetti noodles cooked in olive oil, fresh tomatoes, green and ripe mangoes, onions and cilantro topped with parmesan cheese). This dish took me by surprise. Back home, we used the same ingredients (without the noodles) as an appetizer, but in Saramsam, it was a whole new concoction! It just goes to show how deliciously creative the people are in Ilocos.

The Gamet Soup was my favorite. It is a hot medley of Ilocano flavor mixed with seaweeds, the major product in Burgos, a municipality in Ilocos Norte. I finished my soup bowl as soon as it was given to me. Next were the stuffed squid and the Insarabsab (grilled pork) to complete the traditional dishes.

I thought we were done with lunch. I didn’t realize that the best was yet to come. The waiter served us their signature food, the Dinuguan Pizza and the Poque-Poque Pizza. At first I thought that it was really weird to combine local food and pizza. Good thing I was wrong. The Dinuguan Pizza was the first to come. Like its predecessor, the dish is made with pork meat cooked in blood and vinegar, this time served in flat bread and tomato sauce. The Poque-Poque Pizza is another invention; eggplant cooked with tomato sauce, herbs and spices. I noticed the other customers eyeing our dishes, and in a heartbeat, we shared our dishes to them, like friends among friends sharing and enjoying a meal.

Food is the product of our rich heritage; it is a symbol of life. With the mixture of dishes, atmosphere and Ilocano people in Saramsam Café, it is very certain that the celebration of Filipino tradition will still live on.

Travel Notes
Saramsam Café is located at N. Corpuz Bldg., along Rizal Street (in front of Texicano hotel) Barangay 7-A, Laoag City.

Devarana Spa: Garden in Heaven

The moment I walked into Devarana Spa’s awe-inspiring entrance, I ran out of superlatives for this was the best urban spa I’ve ever seen. This place is nothing short of spa-ctacular (pardon the cheese). Devarana (pronounced te-wa-run), which is a Thai-sanskrit word meaning “garden in heaven”, lives up to its blissful name. The legend of this mythical garden dates back to ancient Thai literature. It is described as being situated at heaven’s gate surrounded by ponds, silver, gold, and filled with natural stones and gems. True enough, my experience at this spa was out of this world.

The automatic doors at the entrance lead you to a hallway flanked by water-fountain walls that commence your journey to relaxation. Just like Thai people, the friendly staff greets you with a warm smile, a respectful Thai bow, and a genuine dedication to putting you in good spirits. With the menu in hand, the knowledgeable personnel explain each treatment the way someone introduces you to an old friend. The oils are brought out for your nose’s approval almost like choosing a dressing for your salad, which in this case is your body. Oh, and you get ginger tea and a warm fragrant wet towel to refresh you while you wait for your therapist.

The treatment rooms are spacious enough to accommodate you, your partner, your therapists, two cars, and the rest of your extended family. One room is actually bigger than my whole condominium unit. Clients get spoiled with a large bathtub, private bathrooms, ample closet space, two massage beds, and a feeling of detachment from the hustle and bustle of city life. Their attention to detail really impressed me as they perceptively placed tangy fruits on the bottom of the beds so your nasal passages and neuron connections are kept clear. Even the disposable underwear they provided was very comfortable, which I find personally disturbing.

The highly skilled masseuses gently stroke your muscles with soothing purpose. I was lucky enough to get the Devarana Massage, which combines several different massage techniques from East and West. My mind meandered between wakefulness and sleep as I imagined myself on a beautiful beach in Thailand not ever going back to work. The pressure applied on my bulging muscles was perfect – hard but slow and deep. The treatment ended after 90 minutes of ecstasy. I wanted more but my earthly body was bound by time and a duty to write.

After my wedding, I plan to visit all the Devarana Spas located in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Chang Mai. I now have more excuses to visit Thailand on top of loving their food. The only dilemma Devarana has given me is from now on, everything else is just second best.

Spa Travel Notes

Devarana Spa
Dusit Thani Manila
Ayala Center, Makati City
(63 2) 818 7081
manila@devaranaspa.com
www.devaranaspa.com

Other treatments:
Ayuverdic Head Massage (60 mins) PHP 2,900
Ginger Compress and Back Massage (60 mins) PHP 2,900
Reflexology Foot Massage (60 mins) PHP 2,900
Aromatic Detoxified and Countoured Massage (90 mins) PHP 3,700
Devarana Massage (90 mins) PHP 4,100
Swedish Massage (90 mins) PHP 3,700
Traditional Herbal Compress and Thai Massage (90 mins) PHP 3,700

Packages
Living Radiance (2.0 hrs) PHP 5,200
Devarana Touch (2.5 hrs or 3.0 hrs) PHP 7,100/7,700
Travellers Recovery Pack (2.5 hrs) PHP 8,100
Pure Pleasure (3.5 hrs) PHP 10,200
Half Day Harmony (5.0 hrs) PHP 12,600 per person, PHP 24,000 per couple

In addition to individual spa treatments, Devarana Spa offers several spa programs that are excellent values for regular spa goers. Among them are VIP Premium, Wellness Rewards, and Devarana Membership that offers a full range of benefits from Devarana Spa, such as complimentary treatments and special discounts, plus a whole lot of priveleges at Dusit Thani and dusitD2 hotels.

Aloha Palawan

Harassed by deadlines, I set off for Palawan to do something about my chaotic state of mind and find peace in a distant island where no professional problem can reach me.

After an hour’s flight from Manila, my companion and I arrive at the Puerto Princesa domestic airport where I am immediately greeted by the staff of the Dos Palmas Resort in Arreceffi Island. It takes another 20-minute drive to the port and 50-minute boat ride through Honda Bay before I finally catch a glimpse of wooden cottages standing on stilts above the water. This will be my sanctuary for the weekend.

I have to say that the attention given to every guest is impressive. Since the use of all the resort facilities is free, the management gives their guests individual suggested itineraries to ensure that everyone has the utmost fun during their stay at Dos Palmas. My itinerary is good, but one more thing needs to be added to the list… a massage.

Mentally and physically tired, I desperately need to quiet my mind, calm my senses and restore my body to health. After a whole day of exploring the resort, savoring the extremely delicious food and enjoying the affordable yet perfectly mixed (or shaken?) cocktails, I make my way to the spa.
Everytime I visit a spa, I mentally rate the treatment I receive. I am neither a spa critic nor a real expert in every different type of massage known to man but I have been to quite a number of spas and I can tell whether I was given a good wellness experience or not. Fortunately, since the Philippines is establishing its position as one of Asia’s wellness hubs, most of the country’s destinations spas never fail to please. My mental rate sheet is filled with 9’s and 8’s for establishments that provide a great feeling before, during and after a treatment. Passing by other guests who are busy entertaining themselves by playing billiards or hanging out at the bar, I wonder what the resort’s spa has to offer me in terms of relaxation, comfort and calmness.

The Paranarian Spa is nestled in the middle of lush gardens. Though it is only a short walk away from the restaurant which is almost always full of people, it is tucked away in its own quiet place. I am immediately greeted at the entrance and led to the treatment room. Newly renovated, Paranarian has several private treatments rooms, each one having its own bathroom. The shower rooms have no ceiling so at night, you can enjoy a bath under the starry sky.

The Paranarian Spa has just introduced their new treatments, including their new signature massage using Lomi Lomi, a unique massage derived from the native healers of Hawaii. It is grounded in Hawaii’s native healing philosophy called Huna. The Hawaiians believe in energy flow and how it can be blocked by thoughts and even muscle tension. Lomi Lomi releases these blockages, allowing the energy to flow freely. This practice is believed to provide holistic healing. The traditional practitioners of Lomi Lomi in Hawaii believed in using loving hands and a loving heart in the treatment, that’s why Lomi Lomi is also called “flowing hands of love.”
The native Hawaiians start Lomi Lomi with hands gently placed on the client’s body while quietly saying a blessing or prayer for healing. I’m not sure if my therapist is doing the same thing, but as I lie face down on the bed, I feel a light and warm touch across my back as if my body is being introduced to the hands that will take all my worldly cares away for the next 90 minutes. A total feeling of calmness envelopes me and I surrender to this Hawaiian practice that is about to give me a wellness experience unlike any other.

Absolutely perfect. These two words are in my mind as I feel the therapist go over my back and focus on exactly the right places. In Lomi Lomi, the forearms, knuckles and elbows are used to relieve the muscles of all its aches and pains. Long, fluid strokes run across my back and though this feeling of sheer bliss almost detaches me from the real world, I manage to stay half-awake. This is one of those rare moments where I choose reality over dreams.

Eucalyptus-scented virgin coconut oil fills the air and I feel my therapist giving careful attention to my shoulder blades. This massage seems as if it was designed especially for me. My other spa journeys are good, but most often than not, just when the therapist touches an aching spot, she shifts to another place, leaving my muscles screaming in frustration. My past treatments are still great over-all, but absolutely nothing can compare to Paranarian’s Lomi Lomi. All throughout the treatment, I receive just the right stroke in just the right place at the just the right time.

My 90 minutes is up, but I am not disappointed. I have no idea how or where my energy flows, but after my head to toe healing massage, I check myself. Yup, it must be in the right place. I feel completely renewed and happy. Paranarian Spa will make the Hawaiians proud.

I think of Manila and all its noise. I think of work and all my deadlines. Somehow, I am ready to embrace them all. As I walk back to my room, I review my mental rate sheet. In it, the Paranarian Spa in Dos Palmas Resort shines with a perfect ten.

Spa Travel Notes

Paranarian Spa
Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
www.dospalmas.com.ph

Palawan Office:
89 Lacao St., Puerto Princesa City
(63 48) 434 3118

Manila Office:
Unit 1005 Antel Global Corporate Center
Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center,
Pasig City
(63 2) 637 4226

Paranarian means "a place to rest" in Cuyunon, a dialect in Palawan. The spa is located in the middle of lush gardens with a grand view of the endless open sea.

How to Get There
Domestic airlines have daily flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa. From the Puerto Princesa airport, the Dos Palmas staff will take you on a 20-minute drive to the Sta. Lourdes Wharf on Honday Bay where you will board the boat that will take you to the resort.

The Perfect Spa Prescription

“Live blood analysis?”

Genny Puno, from the Sales and Marketing department of the Amezcua Wellness Centre, laughs heartily over the phone. It’s a laugh that indicates she’s received this reaction before from first-timers at Amezcua, and that’s exactly what I am. Jeni has recommended two treatments for me to try: the Anti-Aging Hydra-Mineral Body Wrap (Amezcua’s signature spa treatment) and a Live Blood Analysis.

The wrap sounds appealing for sure – who wouldn’t enjoy a luxurious treatment like that? The live blood analysis, on the other hand sounds… interesting.

Good thing I don’t mind needles.

The Temple of Wellness
Up until today, I couldn’t quite grasp the idea of a medical spa. Does that mean that the spa would have the antiseptic feel of a hospital lobby? Are the treatment rooms decorated with IV stands and x-ray plates? Would I have to receive my wrap on a gurney? People generally balk at the thought of having to visit a hospital, so the medical slant of this spa is intriguing, to say the least.

The lobby and receiving area of Amezcua smells pleasantly of peppermint oil, and not of cleaning agents. Great sign. Scanning the menu of services at the front desk of the Amezcua Wellness Centre, I’m amazed at the comprehensiveness of treatments they offer.

They’re divided into three menus – one for spa treatments, another for medical treatments and one for fitness. I find it amazing that one can have colonic hydrotherapy in the same establishment as the “Serenity Seaweed Wrap”.

Soon, Jeni comes in to welcome me, and her enthusiasm is even more palpable in person. “We are the first modern, urban medical spa,” she says.

Amezcua focuses on three main components of wellness – medical, fitness and spa treatments. The centre advocates preventive health and alternative medicine, which means they offer services that strengthen one’s immune system through natural ways.

Many of these are alternative options to conventional medical treatments. That’s not to say that they don’t believe in modern Western medical techniques – quite the opposite. Amezcua’s services are meant to be complementary to these. The wellness centre is staffed with medical supervisors and specialists. For them, marrying the conventional with the alternative means having the best of both worlds.

Fascination Meets Relaxation
Nurse Annabelle Macapagal primes me up for my Live Blood Analysis. The good-humored nurse’s eyes sparkle as she leads me through the procedure. It really is quite simple – a tiny sample of my blood is extracted from my right ring finger, placed over a thin slide of glass, and put under a microscope. Here comes the fun part - a TV monitor is hooked up to the microscope so I can see my blood platelets floating around.

The sight is fascinating – I’ve never had the chance to examine my blood up close! Nurse Annabelle shares my amazement. I can tell she’s enjoying this as much as I am.

Fun fact: twenty-four different blood cell variations can be observed from one single speck of blood, ranging from normal to other variations that can indicate weaknesses in one’s system. One can very easily spot these irregularities by simply watching the monitor. Normal blood cells are round, uniform and single. They should be floating serenely in a sea of plasma.

Hypnotized by the movement of my blood cells, Nurse Annabelle breaks my reverie. We do spot a few irregularities – Nurse Annabelle spots some green, shard-like pieces over some of my blood cells. She explains that these indicate uric acid, but all in all, she sounds pleased. My blood looks good, considering some of my less than savory habits. “Your blood’s not toxic!” she says. Non-toxic blood – definitely the best news I’ve heard all week.

I’m brought to another room where there are mats laid out over the beds. Inside the mats are flat squares of jade. What I’m about to experience is the Jade Mat Therapy. This is recommended for those who experience back pains. According to alternative medicine, jade has properties that improve circulation.

I’m made to dress in a hospital gown and lie down on the jade mat, which is activated by plugging it into a wall socket. In a matter of seconds, I feel a pleasantly warm, tingly sensation emanating from underneath me.

I doze off, but later, another nurse named Tina comes in with a box containing fifteen bell-shaped glass pieces, varying in size. These are used for a treatment called Korean Bu-hang. This treatment is used to check blood circulation. The glass pieces are suctioned onto specific areas on my back – over my neck (nervous system), over the left and right upper part of my body (heart and lungs), the lower back (colon and reproductive organs). Any discoloration indicates a possible organ weakness. Some clients find the treatment a bit uncomfortable, as the suction may leave a slight sting, but I’m still lying on the jade mat and I’m just a happy camper.

Wrap Me Up in Clovers…or Volcanic Ash
I’m coasting on tranquility after the Jade Mat Treatment and the Korean Bu-hang, then I remember I’ve still yet to experience Amezcua’s signature spa treatment – the Anti-Aging Hydra-Mineral Body Wrap. First I spend thirty minutes chilling in the wet area – luxuriating in the Jacuzzi, the steam room and the sauna. Then I take a quick warm shower. The side jets are an added feature, but it soon turns into sensation overload, so I decide against it.
The wrap and scrub treatment room is unbelievable. In the middle of the room is a high bed made of a slab of stone. I feel like a goddess about to be pampered.

Amezcua has developed the Anti-Aging Hydra-Mineral Body Wrap to rejuvenate and hydrate one’s skin. Ingrid, my therapist, starts off with a soothing honey and sugar scrub. I am told that honey has anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties, while the sugar gently exfoliates. By the time Ingrid is through smoothing the mixture over me, I am tempted to take licks off my skin.

Once the scrub is rinsed off, it’s now time for the hydra-mineral wrap. I’m covered in Bentonite clay, which helps lifts impurities and helps revitalize the skin. The clay is smoothed all over my body and over my face. Ingrid lathers on some aloe vera-based conditioning formula for my hair. Then, she wraps my body in the special plastic sheet I’m lying on and she lets me stew for thirty minutes.

The sensation of being covered from face to toes with Bentonite ash is oddly comforting. In my cocoon-like state, I drift off into another beautiful sleep and let the volcanic ash work its stuff.

Waking Up to Wellness
If wellness starts from within, then why stop at just Shiatsu and Swedish massages? Go further by cleansing your body of toxic elements! If you can get rid of the toxic in your life in a beautiful, serene, and relaxing environment rather than at a hospital, then isn’t that the best wellness alternative yet?

Amezcua Wellness Centre is the place to completely revitalize oneself from the inside out. Their well-trained and attentive medical staff is approachable and friendly. Those who might be a bit skeptical about alternative medicine and treatments find themselves amazed and enlightened about how beneficial it is. You feel safe, at ease and reassured every step of the way for whatever treatment you choose. The best part is that, because of these, you feel very beautiful after.

Travel Notes

Amezcua Wellness Centre
122 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains, Quezon City
(63 2) 913 1353 or 57
customercare@amezcuawellness.com
www.amezcuawellness.com

Spa Samplings

Medical:
Live Blood Analysis – 30 mins, 1, 500 Php.
Completely painless, the LBA is very fascinating. Find out about your body’s prime weaknesses from one tiny drop of blood.
Korean Bu-hang – 30 mins, 600 Php
Very similar to the Ventosa treatment (minus the candles), Korean Bu-hang helps indicate potential problem areas around the body.

Therapeutic:
Jade Mat Therapy – 30 mins, 600 Php
Heat activated jade stones relax and soothe back aches and pains.

Spa:
Amezcua Anti-Aging Hydra-Mineral Body Wrap – 90 mins, 1,500 Php
If you want to feel like a goddess, this is the treatment to get!

Acupuncture is also available by appointment. – 60 mins, 1,500 Php

Senior citizens get a 30% discount on all individual spa treatments and certain medical treatments.

Succumbing to the Spell of Siquijor

There are but only a handful places in the country where people get scared just by hearing its name. We hear stories about Balete Drive and Capiz where, they say, unearthly creatures roam the earth. And there also is such an island where stories of local black magic, voodoo and aswangs veer the tourists away from the real reason why the place is called the Mystic Island. But as I have learned by spending some time there myself, the “mystic” label of the place does not emanate from stories about the supernatural but from the almost undisturbed beauty of its rolling mountains and white sand beaches, so beautiful that new resort investors are just itching to develop. I am a living testimony to the real beauty and majesty of the island province of Siquijor. I visited Siquijor to regain some peace of mind and relaxation. I soon discovered, my search was an effortless task. Siquijor has its ways of making me succumb to its spell.

The island is accessible through the ports of Siquijor and Larena via fast ferries from three major destinations in the Visayas – Cebu, Dumaguete and Tagbilaran.

But getting there and staying for the weekend is not the problem --- leaving is. If you are coming in groups, it is advisable to rent vehicles for the duration of your stay. It will set you back P600-800 a day, excluding fuel and driver’s tip. But if you are seeking the Siquijor adventure alone or with a loved one, you could ride the habal-habal, a motorcycle that could accommodate three passengers, including the driver.

One of the most celebrated tourist attractions of Siquijor is not a place, but a man, who reaches the peak of his popularity during the Holy Week when locals search for talismans, gayumas and anting-antings. It is to people in his craft that Siquijor owes its mysterious reputation. Mang Juan, the area’s most prominent maker of these magical items, cooks his brewed concoctions like a quintessential warlock, the most of which are eventually made available for sale to ardent followers. He does not look anything like an anting-anting maker, coming from the impression of hermit-like men secluding themselves from the rest of the people. Mang Juan was extremely accommodating. I remember him sharing with us how he collects the ingredients for his recipes, a complicated task from what I heard. The only opportune time for ingredient shopping begins at dawn every Friday between Ash Wednesday until Good Friday. Preparation is equally tedious as Mang Juan is careful not to let any sunlight shine on his harvest until he cooks them. His anting-antings range from P500 to P1500, and although it would sound expensive for some, those who have purchased Mang Juan’s trinkets would have their own personal stories of their effectivity. Mang Juan is not difficult to find; he resides near Cantabon Cave, at Mount Bandilaan.

That same place, Cantabon Cave, is one of 45 of Siquijor’s most frequented caves. Exploration would entail a long, winding and difficult trek along a subterranean stream and a walk through a bounty of stalactites and stalagmites that are at par with those you could see in the caves of Palawan. You could take the entire afternoon identifying different rock formations at the cave walls. The local guides are willing to assist you in exploring the inside trek at P300, inclusive of the hard hats and flashlights for your adventure.

The beauty of Siquijor’s beaches is a secret slowly unraveling to tourists. Natural white sand beaches line the southwestern down to the eastern coastlines. The Coral Cay Beach Resort at the town of San Juan has become a favorite destination for foreigners and diving enthusiasts with a couple of diving establishments offering diving lessons and platforms. Imagine a romantic moment experiencing the San Juan sunset with the vista of Apo Island just offshore. For those those who are on a budget, the Salagdoong Beach Resort at the town of Maria has come to be known as Siquijor’s “People’s Beach” with the look and feel of a first class beach minus the first class price tag. The entrance fee is at P15, with overnight cottages at P800. And, I must say, I love the Saturday night life at Salagdoong. Local bands play all night to party-goers in crowds less packed than what you have in Boracay or Puerto Galera.

Freshwater enthusiasts need not fret in Siquijor, as not all the beautiful swimming spots are on the beach. Also in San Juan, the local government developed Capilay Springs, a natural spring near its center and created a cool free-flowing fresh water pool draining just a few meters to the sea. Entrance and cottages in this spring are free. And in the town of Lazi, after a 135-step descent on a steep cobblestone stairway is Cambugahay Falls. Locals here have come to know this environmental wonder as the only “enchanted” waterfalls in Siquijor. And thanks to that belief, this three drop waterfall with basins reaching to 15 feet deep has remained to be almost undisturbed, aside from occasional visits from tourists.

But if you are looking for a silent religious retreat, one may visit Lazi Convent at the town’s center which is believed to be Asia’s oldest and largest. Built by the Spaniards in 1884, this rock and wood edifice of the Lazi Convent used to be the diocesan priest’s vacation house in Siquijor. The convent is still operating with its nuns running a school in its grounds. The church just across the convent was built at almost the same time as the convent. And as I read in one of the church’s ceiling beams, its last major renovation was almost a century ago, replacing the entire roof structure. Since then, the only alteration on the building was the installation of iron bars to cover the windows and the replacement of rusting roof material.

Siquijor has offered me a complete weekend out of town package during my stay there – I went swimming, trekking and spelunking – amazed by its people and natural beauty. It does not matter if the black magic might be non-existent. I found myself entranced with a different kind of magic, which is Siquijor.

Travel Notes

How to get there
Siquijor is accessible only by fast ferries from Cebu, Tagbilaran, and Dumaguete. If you are coming from Cebu, the fare would cost around P450-500; from Tagbilaran, P300-350, and; from Dumaguete, P150-250. Booking is required during peak season (Holy Week) only; otherwise you could take regular daily trips to the island.

Seeking assistance
The locals understand Filipino and English, but speak little of them. But there is no need to worry because local police and municipal government officers are around to accommodate visitors. Just in case, keep these numbers at hand: Siquijor Provincial Governor’s Office (035)344-2015; Local Government of Siquijor (035)480-3315.
Mobile phone signals are available only near or in the town centers. Both Globe and Smart are working in the said areas.

Seized by a Sunset

Dumaguete’s beauty cannot be grasped in just one day. Situated southeast of Negros Island, Dumaguete lives up to its name’s meaning, “daggit” or to snatch, as it seized me completely during my first visit. That trip was brief, as I was only there for a competition. A few months after, without particular reason, I found my way back to the island for an entire weekend. Perhaps, I was trying to visit that part of me Dumaguete stole – something I know, I would gladly give it for good.

My image of Dumaguete is the stunning view of the Tanon Strait at sunset, standing where the belfry is. The locals told me, the church was built during the Spanish era, and the bell on top of its tower was used to warn the people when Moro raiders used to attack the city. The moment is serenity itself; no other sunset is like the one that revealed itself to me that afternoon.

From the view at the belfry, I also saw Rizal Boulevard – which reminded me so much of Roxas Boulevard in Metro Manila where I make my home. Slowly, as day became night, the bayside filled with people. Vendors with carts selling the town’s version of tempura, amble in with lovers enjoying the romantic breeze of a twilight walk. A variety of hotels, restaurants, and bars occupy the boulevard’s stretch. And the locals say, if you ride a boat, you could see Rizal Boulevard with its neon lights as far as five miles away from shore. A night scene pulsating with life yet ironically, devoid of the noise pollution so characteristic of big cities. In the morning, when dawn breaks, runners appreciate a vista that extends into the banks of neighboring Siquijor.

Perhaps the charm of Dumaguete is born out of its youthful population. Students can be found everywhere in Dumaguete, what with the Silliman University heralded as one of the most prominent educational institutions in the Visayas. 20th century American structures give an air of dignity and quiet wisdom to the near-shore campus. An impressive collection of antique Chinese porcelain and pre-Hispanic burial remains are on display in Silliman hall, one of the university’s oldest halls. They also have a marine laboratory, comparable to those in Manila-based universities. My friends in Silliman told me that there are actually campus ambassadors that tour visitors around campus. In a town whose population is only a little over 100,000, seven colleges and universities make academics a serious business in Dumaguete.

But those in need of a break from all things serious will find that Dumaguete’s reputation for having magnificent beaches is well deserved. I for one, think I did not do anything else in Dumaguete aside from eat and swim.

I took my first plunge in Dumaguete’s waters in Flight Resort, which is built around a hot and cold spring. First owned by a French pilot who would stay in the island for relaxation, it proved to be aptly named – I had my snacks and dinner inside a plane. Flight Resort is a 25-minute ride away from the city proper.

One cannot claim that you visited Dumaguete without spending a day in the Bais Dolphin and Whale Watching Center at Tanon Strait. Those with deeper pockets can opt to rent a van for P1, 300 or a boat for P3, 000 to reach the center. But I took two jeepney rides got me there for P25, savings well worth the slight inconvenience. The moment I got to the area, guides attended to me in almost military precision. I shared a bangka worth P1500 with other tourists and sailed to the areas where the whales and dolphins were. There was no show, no choreography for the marine animals. This was as close as I got to these creatures acting au naturale. I highly recommend that visitors book around one-week in advance. The management is trying to regulate the number of visitors per day to avoid unnecessary disturbances to the natural habitat.

Near the Bais Dolphin and Whale Watching is the Manjuyod White Sand Bar, where I dined in a house on stilts. You can bring your own food for this sand bar picnic or opt to have food cooked for you. But the Sand Bar offers more than just a dining-over-the-sea experience. Visitors could also do scuba diving and swimming, or even stay overnight in one of their rooms. Again, I suggest that visitors book their Manjuyod stay at least one week in advance.

The most popular diving-snorkeling site in Dumaguete is the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary, which is a 35-minute pump boat-ride away from the city proper. Others contend that it is one of the best-preserved reefs in the world, at par with Palawan’s Tubbataha or Dapitan’s Challenger Reef. It has a unique drop-off perfect for diving enthusiasts. I was not able to dive; I did not know how. But I did have the chance to view the variety of fishes and corals while snorkeling. Of all the underwater wonders I saw, I find it funny that my most vivid memory of the Apo Island experience is coming face to face with the biggest lapu-lapu I have ever seen. I think it could swallow my entire hand in one bite; but of course, it didn’t.

I swooned over the idea of a resort hidden in the mountains. After a 15-minute jeepney ride from Dumaguete City, I was able to reach Valencia where Mountain Resort is. The swimming area is built around a river line, and it gave me a short retreat from the beach scene. I do not remember how long I was soaked under the cold, soothing waters for that entire weekend. From where I lay, the sky felt an arm-stretch away.

In as much as I want to experience as many Philippine islands as I could, Dumaguete holds a distinctive place in my memory. It renewed my sense of adventure. But it also snatched a fragment of my soul, as I know that I could find a certain kind of peace that only a Dumaguete sunset could bring.

Travel Notes
Getting there
From Manila; by air: Cebu Pacific twice daily and Air Philippines twice daily; Airfare- P1400-2400
From Cebu, Dipolog, CDO; by ship

Asking Around
City Tourism Office
(63 35) 225 0549
Provincial Tourism Office
(63 35) 225 1825

Nature's Escape

I hear the faint sound of singing. A man is improvising jazz songs as he kayaks close to the white sandy shore of Club Noah. Although it is fully booked, there seems to be hardly anyone around and the tranquillity is undisturbed as staff quietly lay out tables for dinner on the beach. True to its name, Club Noah is a haven for nature, inviting visitors to awaken their senses and feel inspired by its clear waters, coral reefs and starry skies.

Perched on the northeast coast of Palawan, Taytay is the jump-off point for Club Noah. The town is home to a Spanish church and an extraordinary fortress constructed in 1667 to defend the inhabitants against Moro pirates. Santa Isabel fort - built from huge coral blocks bound together with a mortar of lime and egg whites - looks out over the island-studded seascape of Taytay Bay. These days, wild orchids flourish on its fossilised walls and colourful zinnias grow around the canons and bastions.

From Taytay, it is a 45-minute ride on a banca, a traditional wooden outrigger boat, to Apulit Island, the home of Club Noah. As we approach, dramatic limestone cliffs appear, towering above a deep blue sea and turquoise shallows. Along the east and west sides of the bay thirty white beach cabanas sit elegantly above the water - these are where guests stay. A gentle breeze blows and hibiscus plants flower profusely all around.

Relaxation comes easily upon checking in at this resort-cum-nature reserve. After a cool drink accompanied by welcoming music and dance, it is up to you to while away your first few hours – I take a walk along the beach to an enchanting grotto and then rest on my private balcony under which a colourful array of reef fish swim and a baby shark weaves in and out of the rocks.

Club Noah feels like a very special kind of resort: remote, comfortable and environmentally sensitive. The idea was pioneered by a group of Japanese divers who were shipwrecked in nearby El Nido where they became inspired by the craggy limestone landscape and brilliant underwater world. They opened Club Noah in 1995 and since that time have been putting ten percent of the resort’s annual income into protecting the island ecosystems.

Near the main pier, enormous shoals of stripy damselfish gather in the shallows. Large groupers swim below, unperturbed by curious snorkelers diving down for a closer look. In the deeper waters, a wide array of corals grow and feisty anemone fish guard their homes of gently waving tentacles. Towards the west beach, snorkelers can see stingrays, green sea turtles and may chance across a graceful manta ray.

I borrow a kayak and paddle over to the Octagon pier, on the other side of the bay, where I swim in limpid blue water surrounded by more fish and corals. In front of me a huge rock juts out of the water, a typical feature of this rugged karst landscape. Beyond it is a dive site, ‘Noah’s Rock’, home to another beautiful reef.

As dusk begins to fall, guests head back to their cabanas to dress for a sumptuous dinner on the beach. Every evening a delicious buffet is prepared of local and international cuisine - from Filipino and Japanese to French and Italian. For an especially romantic evening couples can request a candlelit dinner at the ‘Rock Bar’, positioned on a rocky outcrop some 109 steps above the beach. Here Palawan hornbills fly among the treetops, sleek bodied with unusual shaped bills, making their distinctive calls to one another. For compete seclusion, it can be arranged for guests to dine in the ‘Honeymooners’ Cave’, on the east side of the island. Behind the cliff front this airy cavern, carved by water over billions of years, has a very special allure.

On my second day, I wake before dawn to visit the Irrawaddy dolphins of Malampaya Sound. We travel through the still, misty morning to Taytay’s east coast and reach the sound as the sun is beginning to rise. The mountainous landscape is shrouded in fog and the brackish water is totally calm. It is not long before we hear a pod of dolphins surfacing close by and the distinct sound of their breathing. They allow us to remain near and we watch them rolling through the water, sometimes jumping and splashing.

Sadly, it is this friendly and playful nature that is endangering the Irrawaddy dolphins of Malampaya. First discovered in 1986, their number has dropped sharply from 77 to just 47. Many drown by becoming entangled when playing among the fish traps which are so common in the sound. The World Wildlife Fund Philippines is working together with local fishermen to prevent by-catch and secure a future for these rare marine mammals.

We arrive back at Club Noah in time for a late breakfast and a lazy morning on the beach. The ‘kelang-banwa’ is a new native style lounge with low tables and huge cushions and floor mats. It is designed as a cultural centre and is decorated with indigenous musical instruments from the Pala’wan tribe. Perhaps the most relaxing place to drink a coffee or one of the many herbal teas on offer, this is also a great refuge during the odd rain shower.

Lunch is served on the west beach. No ordinary picnic but a veritable feast of seafood, barbequed meats and delicious salads followed by blueberry roll and mango sponge cake. It is high tide and small waves lap on the shore beneath my table. Behind the beach are tall cliffs and what looks like an impenetrable forest. But when I opt to walk back to the main beach, I find carefully marked out pathways along the cliff side and through the trees. I visit Café Isabel, a restaurant over the water open for special occasions and, as I make my way along the west side of the island, I hear the screeching of insects and the chatter of birds all around.

For those interested in trekking, Club Noah offers two-hour guided nature walks through the island’s interior. Look out for anteaters and Philippine mouse deer – an endemic species which is the smallest hoofed animal on earth. You will see, or at least hear, a huge variety of birds and should watch for snakes slithering through the undergrowth. Strangely, rabbits are also a common sight - an introduced species that has successfully made a home on the island.

That afternoon, I join a trip to Pabellon Island, a fifteen-minute banca ride from Club Noah. This is where the nido harvest takes place. Twice a month, daring climbers gather swiftlets’ nests from Pabellon’s towering cave complexes. The nests – constructed from fine threads of the birds’ saliva - are sold for ‘bird’s nest soup’, a Chinese delicacy famed for its health benefits and one of the most expensive foods in the world. Inside one cave is a deep turquoise lagoon where visitors can swim in the chilly, crystal clear water to admire the dramatic limestone rock formations above and below.

My final day I devote entirely to diving. The reefs are extensive and there are many different dive sites. The natural diversity is astounding, especially close to the drop off where a statue of an angel kneels on the seabed and shoals of bluefin travellies glide past giant clams with iridescent mantles.

The key to the richness of Club Noah’s underwater world is the fact that fishing is prohibited with in one mile of the island. “When we first arrived here, the reef had been quite damaged by fishermen”, says Bong Romero, Manager of the resort. “So we transplanted small corals from other areas and provided the right conditions for them to prosper. Since then our reefs have flourished and now act as nurseries for young jacks, sharks and other pelagic species that will spend most of their lives in the open sea”.

At Club Noah time drifts by in a leisurely way and, although I only stayed two nights and three days, when it was time to go home I was already completely rested. Even for just a short break, living so close to nature in this luxurious retreat restores the body and replenishes the imagination. The El Nido divers who were inspired to found Club Noah dreamt of creating “a return to the essentials of life” and this they have surely done.

Club Noah Isabelle
Apulit Island, Taytay, northeastern Palawan, Philippines
(63 2) 844 6688 or 8446166
info@clubnoah.com.ph

Adventure Bliss

The idea of going to El Nido for a holiday makes me blush with excitement! I’ve been there before with friends and family but it never ceases to gift me with an amazing experience in each visit.

There is a sense of mystical magic in this paradise resort that keeps me coming back. Allow me to take you there for a weekend of adventure.

Enlightenment in a Small Lagoon
My adventure buddy Hector and I took a speedboat from our Lagen Resort to the small lagoon near the Miniloc Resort. The journey through the surrounding grandeur of El Nido is truly magical. The mere experience of traversing the towering limestone cliffs amidst the varying hues of the waters from turquoise to emerald green and the resounding silence of nature will make one see that there is something mystical about this experience that embraces one’s soul.

According to our El Nido guide, a limestone cliff takes more than two hundred years to develop and we are indeed lucky to be able to take a tour and be surrounded by this natural wonder.

We transferred from the boat to the two-seater kayak and we paddled through the entrance of the famous small lagoon. As we reached the entry point, we were challenged by the experience of getting through the narrow passageway in between sharp rocks. We gently pushed our kayak within the tiny hole that can accommodate a standard body size at a time. With patience, gentleness and teamwork, we managed to cross the rock and we were awed by the spectacular beauty before us. It was like entering paradise. Surrounded by grand limestone cliffs with protruding green plants and welcomed by the morning rays that illuminated the emerald water, I could never ask for a perfect venue for a leisure adventure other than this. As we kayaked smoothly around the lagoon hugging the contour of the area, I heard nothing but the soothing splash of the water coming from our own paddle. How solemn it was to look up and see the shining light smiling bright at us.

As we gently moved around this amazing discovery, I felt Hector moving from the back as if trying to get his balance. In a split second, our kayak flipped over and we suddenly found ourselves into the water, with our fiberglass canoe on top of us! What was that?!? It all occurred too fast for us to know how it even happened. All I know is that we ended up laughing so hard that we heard nature echo our laughter. That was fun! What an experience indeed.

Lesson learned: You have to be in harmony with your kayak buddy and take extra precaution when moving. The kayak is light enough to flip over easily.

Tip to share: If you want to surprise your kayak partner with fun adventures, just keep on moving and shift your weight to one side and feel the kayak tilt and flip over! It makes quite a laugh!

Sea Kayaking in the Pouring Rain
“For those who think that only sunshine brings happiness, they have not danced in the rain.” - from the tent card of Real Coffee in Boracay.

The leisure kayak was fun but we wanted to experience the real thing and elevate the level of our adventure. Ergo, we asked the friendly concierge of Lagen Resort to schedule us for a sea kayak escapade.

We were assisted by a sports activity instructor who gave us a briefing on sea kayaking. Before we boarded the kayak, we were provided with a life vest and a plastic bag to store our valuables in a compact storage of the canoe. We are all set and excited to move forward together with our guide who went before us to lead the way.

The sea kayak was unbelievably light and it moves faster, which means we have a tendency to flip even more easily. Thus, sensitivity and alertness are required. Our guide led us to the open waters. The sea gave us a sense of ultimate freedom to move, talk, laugh aloud and simply be one with nature.

My imagination has been set ablaze despite of the overcast weather. I let the surroundings inspire me as we moved in sheer excitement in this solitary world occupied by only us and the sea. The sky was beginning to darken with gray clouds and the rain suddenly poured down to kiss the sea and our faces as we looked up the sky. The water started becoming rough that we needed to traverse some bumpy waves to reach the big lagoon. We didn’t care about the rain because nothing can be more exhilarating than this experience! As we reached the big lagoon, we found a shelter under the limestone cliffs to rest a bit as Hector started to sing merrily in the middle of the pouring rain.

As we felt our stomach complaining of hunger, we decided to move on and row with our stored energy and found a little corner of paradise with white sand and a small nipa hut and waited for the El Nido speed boat to bring our lunch. Our food arrived in a charming picnic basket and as we opened it, we found some rice wrapped in banana leaves, a variety of grilled seafood and chops that were neatly packed in ceramic plates together with an assortment of tropical fruits. Oh, they came with silver utensils, too! What else could be more luxurious and pampering than that?

Whenever I travel, I always check the weather forecasts to ensure that I will be blessed with the glorious sun. That used to be my perfect concept of travel until I experienced the pouring rain in El Nido and ended up chilling out in blissful solitude.

Diving Paradise
I went to El Nido without my C-Card. I lost it a long time ago and I applied for a renewal but my card didn’t arrive in time for this trip. El Nido has a strict “No C-Card, No Diving” policy. I eagerly wanted to dive so I ended up calling my Dive Instructor, Ney Ney Guevarra, for the details which he immediately sent me through a text message. I gave it to the El Nido staff but they had to check the records first before they confirmed my claim to be valid. It truly is a professional resort that puts the safety of its guests first.

Lesson learned: If you want to experience diving in El Nido, bring your C-Card. No amount of charm and twisting of arms will ever work.

Gerry, our dive instructor, guided us in our underwater exploration. The experience of diving again made me realize how much I have missed the underwater paradise as I came face to face once more with the gentle creatures of the sea. I went up close and personal with sea turtles together with an amazing array of colorful corals and reef fish living in a pristine habitat. The diversity of El Nido’s marine sanctuary is truly spectacular!

I was touched by Hector’s own experience underwater. He said that the majestic force that was the ocean captivated his mind and body the moment he broke the waters’ surface and his thoughts oscillated between fear and peace by the grandeur and mystique that surrounded him. Whether it was the curiosity of the clown fish, the gentleness of the sea turtle or the stealth of the blue spotted ray lying in wait, he was overcome by a sense of humility.

Forest Room
After feeling the sore muscles from fun adventures, nothing can beat the sense of winding down in a luxurious room. How lovely it was to chill in the comfort of a cool room, a large size bed and to shower in a spacious bathroom complete with amenities.

The moment I woke up the next morning, the magnetizing view from my terrace called out and prompted me to walk out and open the glass window. I curled up on the couch of my spacious veranda and was stunned with the panoramic vista of a lush rainforest in all its glory. As I took in the scent and stillness of nature, the misty morning greeted me with delight as I heard a mélange of sounds from the cicadas and saw a flight of birds dancing gracefully in circles.

My trip to El Nido has gifted me again with another perfect moment of rapture beyond compare.

If you are after a luxurious tropical vacation bundled with adventure bliss and exceptional service that will make your holiday truly memorable, Lagen is the only way to go.

Travel Notes

El Nido Resorts
(63 2) 894 5644 / 750 7600
holiday@elnidoresorts.com
www.elnidoresorts.com

Endless Adventure Activities that can be explored in El Nido:

Kayaking
Scuba Diving
Bottom Fishing
Hobie Cat Sailing
Pedal Boat
Snorkeling
Mangrove Tours
Fish Feeding
Rock Climbing
Cave Exploration
Trekking to a panoramic view from the top
Sunbathing and having lunch in private islands of various locations
Stargazing

How to Get There
Island Transvoyager, Inc. (ITI) and SeAir are two airline companies that have regular routes to El Nido. ITI prioritizes guests traveling to El Nido. Travel time from Manila is one hour and 45 minutes.

Island Transvoyager, Inc.
(63 2) 851 5674
www.islandtransvoyager.com

Wakeboarding at CWC

“Intense.” Coming from the mouth of a professional wakeboarder when asked to describe his chosen sport, just hearing it is justifiably electrifying. You could almost feel the adrenaline rush just patiently, purposefully wanting to burst. The queasy feeling in my stomach only means one thing: this is it. My first taste of the extreme. But is wakeboarding really that intense? What with the coma-inducing faceplants and the nerve-wracking flips that occur day in and day out at the cable park, one cannot ignore the exhilaration. As I scour the scene for a fidgety rookie like me anxious to get the first taste of lake water, it was the cozy vibe that grabs my attention. Where is the much hyped up intensity that seems to fuel these riders, I begin to wonder. Could it be disguised within the laidback atmosphere exuded by this extreme water park, or could it be thinly veiled as an inebriated group watching the action from the shore? Intoxicated with beer, with the rush of extreme sports, who knows? A mixture of both, probably. Because once you set foot here at Camsur Watersports Complex, you would have to dig deeper in to unearth the intensity. It’s quite subtle, really. Only felt by those seconds away from being stoked. It is not kitschy. It is definitely not obvious. It comes with the lifestyle.

After a 35-minute flight from Manila to Naga Airport in Pili and a 5-drive from the airport, I have arrived at what is considered to be the “best cable park in the country”: the Camsur Watersports Complex. A six-hectare complex, CWC has become a sanctuary for beginners and pro riders alike not only from the Philippines but from all over the world. As I was on the short plane ride, I had no idea what to expect. Maybe see a lake with convoluted cables that serve as puppet strings for the riders, or maybe find myself amidst a chock-full of riders waiting for their turn. I imagined those things, but never this. What I saw was more than just a cable park. It was an alternate world, if you will, where the free-spirited gathered around and got out of bed searching for a sense of thrill. Show any sign of ennui, and you’d feel left out. The scene was that surreal, it almost seemed like the park was in constant inhale-exhale. Or maybe it was just me. It was a theme park for the extreme, if there was one. And CWC’s theme? Live for the rush. Aside from being a cable park—the country’s premiere, no less—CWC also has a winch park setup with an A-frame obstacle running between a pond and a swimming pool, a boat lake, an area for whale shark diving, a beach and hot springs. A place like this with all the facilities, one would think that it would cost an arm and a leg. Think again. A stay at CWC is, surprisingly, affordable—considering the plethora of thrills that the complex could offer.

You would be numb not to be able to feel a peculiar breeze in the air. It was both of tranquility and elation, at the opposite ends of the spectrum, yet both very much alive at CWC. The longer I stayed at CWC, the more I understood the principle. CWC has somehow become a middle ground, a gray area wherein the hectic pace of the workweek and the reassuring calm of the weekend meet. For the professional wakeboarder, this has been the wakeboarding lifestyle. Spend the weekend at the cable park armed with their thirst for excitement, drive out to the lake with fellow riders and ride all day. After which, chilling ensues, goofing around follows, engaging in friendly banter as to who got the highest air and who pulled off the most difficult trick. I break into a smile as I unintentionally eavesdropped on a group of riders recalling their latest adventure with the board. They reminded me of kids in the playground bragging to one another after an afternoon of sweating it out in the sun. But then I look up at the six-point cable towering over me and the 700-meter long cable lake that could swallow me should it desire and I came to a much thought about conclusion: this is no playground.

My sort of kindergarten theory was proven right when I witnessed one of the riders’ wipeout. I cringed and almost found myself back up an inch or two from the water. Sure, I felt a vicarious rush from the rider who just pulled off a trick for which I cannot find a word for other than “awesome”, but it didn’t exempt me from feeling the pain of those who fumbled and tumbled in the lake. It was a scary sight, to say the least. However, as with all things, fear is insurmountable not by its nature but by your approach. Head in to the waters with shaky knees and a squirmy mindset and don’t expect to be able to stand on your board. Wiping out though, is pretty much overrated. It’s a natural hazard that comes to every extreme sport. Pros consider wiping out as a rite of passage --- get over it and rise above it with a newfound courage. Figuratively and literally speaking, of course.

Keeping in line with the unperturbed nature of CWC are the competitions held here. Naturally, these competitions are nothing more than to showcase a rider’s skill or show off a new trick. It doesn’t really matter who gets top prize at these events, because each and every competitor gets a shining moment. Thus, a competition at CWC always blossoms into one big party, a shindig that gives riders from Manila and Camarines Sur the opportunity to hang out and engage in friendly contest. There are a couple of competitions held at CWC that cater to both local and international riders: Nationals, the CWC Open and the WWA World Championships. But before getting ahead of myself, it is now my turn to test the waters. After a couple of hours in the water (keeping track of the time is impossible once you’re in the thick of things), I was finally able to stand on the water. Unimpressive, maybe, but it was an achievement, nevertheless. To be part of the CWC lifestyle, to absorb all the energy, to channel the adrenaline. It’s all, very, intense. And coming from the mouth of a first-timer, it is definitely no misnomer. Make no mistake about it.

Travel Notes

CamSur Watersports Complex
Provincial Capitol Complex
Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
(63 54) 475 0689 / 475 4784
www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com

Getting There:
By Plane - Air Philippines flies daily to Naga Airport in Pili and to Legaspi City. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air also has daily flights via Legaspi City.

From Naga Airport - Tricycles are available en route to the complex for around Php150.

From Legaspi City - Rent a service vehicle. Priced at around Php2,500 – 3,000 for an hour and 15-minute ride to the town of Pili. Shuttles are also available from the airport but should be booked ahead of time.

Rates: (CWC Weekday Wakeboarding Package)
Php 3,150 per person
Inclusion:
3 days/2 nights stay at Villa del Rey Cabanas or Trailer Homes
Two (2) breakfast
Three (3) whole days of Wakeboarding
Free Instructional session from top pro riders
Free use of wakeboard gears
Free roundtrip airport transfers