Fashion and Floods

     I don't know why it is but we Filipinos, though living in a country where monsoon rains prevail on certain months still don't know how to dress appropriately for the rains...

 

     It's common knowledge we are flood country. So why on earth do we brave the floods on barefoot or flip flops? It would have been okay if we were living during the Spanish colonial times. Word has it that back in the day, the mighty Pasig river would overflow at the height of the monsoon season and the old city of Intramuros would get flooded turning Manila into a virtual Venice of the east. The rich would frolic in the flooded streets in all sorts of floating canoes and small boats.

     But these days, widespread pollution and the threat of water-borne bacteria which can cause anything from skin irritations at best, to leptospyrosis at worst, I would dread wading in Manila's floods. My best solution would be to wear Wellies. The term Wellies is a diminutive term for Wellingtons. These lightweight rubber boots are perhaps the most practical solution for these rain-drenched days. 

     Nowadays, they don't just come in black... I've found plaid, faux croc, polka dots and camouflage patterns. wellington boots don't come plain anymore which is good news for fashionistas. Even brand name Tretorn has come up with lively colored versions that have become a fashion statement. There doesn't seem to be a limit to the designs and the imagination of these boots which were considered a lowly type of footwear. Now, wellies have become a must have fashion accessory...

     Some fashion houses are cashing in on the item. In the US, wellies are usually on sale during the spring season or fall and winter. It might be too hot and humid to be wearing them here, but on monsoon season and during tropical depressions, I would certainly recommend having a pair or two around ( I actually have four pairs, and I'm a guy.) Goodness knows what type of disease you could contract walking through Manila's flooded streets. So you'd better put these on when the waters start to rise...

      Okay, so what if you're a guy? There are patterns for men too... and these boots na pambaha have come a long way, mister... J Crew, Tretorn, Gabriella Rocha, Sperry Topsider, Gucci, Dickies, Dunlop have come up with their own versions. You don't have to look like you're going to milk a cow when you put them on... Men in London wear them regularly specially on cold, wet, muddy days. Time to bring the wellies here

         However, in some of Manila's low-lying areas flood waters rise to waist or neck deep in murky water... so if you live in Malabon or Navotas... I would recommend an inflatable boat... =)

AZKALS Take Their Final Bow

     By now, I'm sure you've heard that the Philippine Azkals lost to Kuwait in their second game on home turf last night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. The open air stadium was filled to the rafter despite heavy rains with some celebrities showing up to lend their support to the rag-tag football team composed of twenty something hunks.

     For whatever it was worth, the Azkals had an amazing run in the qualifying games only to succumb to two straight losses to the superior and more experienced team Kuwait. For whatever it was worth, it was a gallant last stand with the Philippine squad scoring a goal. Final score: 2-0. Alas, the Philippines needed a  4-0  to beat Kuwait in the standings and end up in the World Cup. Too bad we didn't win, but hey, it was all about the fight.

     Steffan Schrock, who wasn't allowed to play in Kuwait on their first of two games due to a yellow card penalty, was the lone scorer of last night's game. Well... he more than made up for his absence the first time around... I would say... I would have liked to have seen Yannick Tuason play too, though...

     This isn't the end of the road for all of them... some have to finish their studies while those who've completed higher education have been spotted by talents scouts to play in other teams. Others have been lured to the lucrative world of endorsements. And why shouldn't they? They have the nubile bodies and the looks to boot (pardon the pun).

     Still and all, the Azkals played football like the gentlemen that they are... and they played well... KUDOS to the AZKALS for popularizing football and for placing the Philippines on the world football map...

Short and Sweet - State of the Nation 2 and the Azkals Game

     I didn't think it was all that necessary to cancel classes and redirect traffic just to ease the arrival of the president to the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City. After all, the second SONA was not as dramatic nor as earth-shattering as we expected it to be...

      As usual, P-Noy's speech was replete with more exposes on the past administration prompting the Arroyos to completely snub the event in Congress. Is their absence just snobbery? Or is it some sort of an admission of guilt? You know the old Filipino adage... "batu-bato sa langit, tamaan huwag magagalit..." Gets one to think, doesn't it?

          The session hall had it's share of cleaning and scrubbing, some touch-ups on paint, the red-carpet was rolled out specially for the occasion. As usual, they doled out money just to make sure everything was spic and span for the event. Don't they clean daily?

        It was another excuse for members of the Philippine Congress and their spouses to doll themselves up and get a taste of a red-carpet walk of fame. Some to the point of looking ridiculous. Fashion victims rather than icons. One representative from the south however, resplendent in her Muslim finery, got noticed by Ambassador Harry Thomas of the US prompting him to ask her out on a date on the spot.

     The left-wing and P-Noy's critics were  expecting miracles to happen after 100 days in office. They maligned and even ridiculed his current programs. To be candid, the opposition is so out of it! I wonder if they can really effect the change they want in a hundred days in office if they were in his shoes... C'mon!!! Cut him some slack!!!! One senior citizen viewing the proceedings on TV quipped we can't just rely on the president to lead us to the straight and narrow... True that. It is, after all, a national effort.

     Even if the SONA was so lackluster it lulled me to la-la land, it still gives me some pride to believe that the Philippines and its citizens are a resilient lot. So there everyone... GET TO WORK!

     I had more fun watching the AZKALS  vs. Kuwait game on ABS-CBN. The Azkals lost 3-0. Of course, Neil Etheridge (cutie of a goalie) complained to the referee that some nitwit of a Kuwait fan was directing a laser pointer his way... there were photos of the fan with the laser turned on to prove it. We're not sore losers but that needs some looking into... We may have lost the game, but you can see how well the team strategized their defense... Kuwait is a strong team, yes! But the Azkals were no pushover...

     

      

Poor Filipino Kids Get Education Through Facebook

     In a spate of internet-related crimes, many parents have shown concern for their children's safety online. However, not all is cause for worry. Someone had this brilliant idea of using the internet for tapping into the kind hearts of individuals who are only too willing to help. Not all is evil on the internet.

     To assuage the net donors that the site is not bogus, photos and videos of the schoolchildren are constantly updated and donors are sent assurances that their hard-earned money goes to good use. Because of these concerned netizens, 34  poor Christian and Muslim kids in Zamboanga City are going to school this year as scholars and thousand more will benefit from receiving books, use free computers and study in private.

     The Kristiyano Islam Peace Library (KRIS) was founded by Armand Dean Nocum to help poor kids pursue their dreams of an education. He aims to empower these children to become independent and productive citizens after formal schooling. This development should be welcome news to Mark Zuckerberg who envisioned Facebook as an online dating site. Proves to show that a worthy cause will always draw in financial support. Nocum's advocacy, in its ten year existence has received at least US 1,500 , new and used computers and books and money from his friends and relatives from here and all over the globe. The funds were used to complete the KRIS Library, construct restrooms for the female scholars as well as computer and livelihood rooms and the improve educational facilities because their parents can't afford to send them to school.

     Not to venture too far, but just recently, the Malate Catholic School Batch '76 has been active in soliciting the support of friends and classmates living abroad to help put some disadvantaged children through school with pledges of financial support....

     Now, isn't that heart-warming?

NEW DESTINATIONS in the PHILIPPINES

     Out of 7,107 islands it isn't much of a surprise that the Philippines still has virgin territory left undiscovered. Although we have tried and tested scenic spots, we still need to develop other areas to draw in other tourists for tourism.

     Just recently, the Department of Tourism regional director for Region 8 has announced the development of new interesting spots in the eastern Visayas region that would enhance eco-tourism in the area. Leyte and Samar are two provinces that lie close to each other geographically and is linked together by a modern architectural wonder that is the San Juanico Bridge.

   
Long before Leyte was known as the province where  Imelda Marcos was born, it had occupied a space in history as the landing site where General Douglas Mc Arthur  fulfilled his promise of returning to the Philippines. With General Carlos P. Romulo beside him, he laded on the shores of Leyte to start the Leyte Campaign to liberate the Philippines from Japanese forces. A monument stands on the site where the event took place.

   
     Aside from this, Leyte is blessed with magnificent natural wonders which are nowhere more evident than in the campus of the Visayas State University ( better known as VISCA), in Baybay, Leyte. The 1,479 hectare campus is a haven for eco-tourists as it stretches from the shores of the Camotes Sea all the way to the Panasugan mountain ranges, giving tourists multiple experiences from sea, farm and hilltop experience. They also operate a beach resort with swimming pool and pretty good lodging amenities.

   

    Right off the shores of the Camotes sea and in betwween Leyte and Cebu is the Kalanggaman island where the Palompon beach resort is gaining recognition for its powdery white sand.

     Samar, on the other hand, has exciting new attractions as well. The Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) boasts of 455,700 hectares of virgin land. It is a habitat to 38 mammal species, 215 bird species, 51 reptile species, 26 amphibian species and over 1,000 plant species. The Philippine Eagle was first spotted here  100 years ago. They also have the Tour Guide and Boat Operators for River Protection and Environmental Development Organization (TORPEDO) which is a an hour long, adrenaline-pumping white-water ride on a dug out canoe on the Ulot river.

     They also have the Borongan-Llorente closed canopy forest, Mt Huraw, Amandaraga falls, Taft Philippine Eagle Santuary, Bangon falls and Pinipisakan falls in the area.

     The most famous sites would have to be the Galbiga and Sohoton Caves, though. Calbiga is said to be the most extensive cave system in the country (arguably so.) What about the Tabon caves (another story)? While the Sohoton caves boasts of an amazing river-eco-system, limestone cliffs, natural stone bridge and breath taking formation of both stalactites and stalagmites said to be millions of years old.

     I have been to these sites (while on a national tour when I was still dancing) even before the DOT of region 8  has decided it wss high-time the Philippines let our visitors in on some of our little known secrets...

     The Philippines truly is blessed!

BORACAY Is 4th Best Island in the World!

     I've always believed that the Philippines is blessed with natural beauty and abundant wonders. My conviction has been proven right now that Boracay has been declared the fourth Best Island in the world. Please don't refer to it as BORA lest it become confused with another island get-away in the Pacific. This comes after a poll was undertaken by Travel and Leisure Magazine (no less) for the WORLD's BEST AWARDS.

     Long before Boracay landed this favored distinction, it was a haven for those on a tight budget but wanted a really great way to sate their wanderlust. Located off the shores of Aklan, one has to take a twenty-minute ferry by pump boat to the island. Gone are the days when there were no resorts in the island. A hut can be rented overnight for PhP 500.00, (buhos toilet included) and you needed to stand underneath the spigot of a deep well pozo to rinse off the salt water after a dip in its crystal clear waters. There was only one disco called Basura and it was run on a noisy generator to keep the music going.

     All this is just a memory now, as Boracay has evolved into a world-class destination for celebrities and the rich and famous (or simply those who can save up for a grand holiday of sorts). One can simply experience the luxury of getting a massage on its powdery white sand or simply walk along the length of its sugar-fine beaches and forget all your cares in the world. Amenities have reached sky-high prices as famous hotels have replaced the iconic thatch-roof huts that dotted the shoreline.

     Boracay's recognition comes as no small surprise for Filipinos and tourists (who keep coming back) alike since it captures an idyllic paradise with a sprinkling of  comfortable and chic lodgings and things familiar in some European countries like gelatto, pizza, beer, scones... thanks to foreigners who fell in love with the beauty of the place and/or the locals and decided to get married and stay in the island. Can you blame them? It's a proverbial slice of paradise on a verdant tropical isle...

     The top choice for the  Best Island was Santorini (Greece) 90.61,  followed by Bali (Indonesia) with a score of 90.45, then Cape Breton (Nova Scotia, Canada) 89.90. BORACAY garnered 89.83. The rest would be: Great Barrier Reef islands (Australia) 89.68, Sicily (Italy) 89.51, Big Island (Hawaii) 89.11, Kauai (Hawaii) 89.11, Maui (Hawaii) 88.59, Galapagos (Hawaii) 88.22.

     I have been to most of them, so I'm probably not biased when I put this in writing. Boracay's silky-soft , powdery white sand which will pass through a sieve is comparable to none!

     

Villoria and Pacquiao - RP's Winningest Boxers

     I'm not much of a boxing fan... I don't see why sportsmen would actually train hard and get stronger only to allow themselves to get beaten to a pulp. However, I admire two of the Philippines' best boxers. Whenever they have a fight, it's about the only time that the country gets together as one nation. The crime rate goes down, traffic jams are non-existent and there's a modicum of peace that blankets the land.

     Brian Villoria was born and raised in the West Honolulu district of Waipahu which is a blue-collar sugar plantation area of Hawaii. He just recently received international attention  after winning the World Flyweight Championship bout last Saturday in Las Vegas beating opponent Mexican Julio Miranda on a unanimous decision. The 30-year old champ had trained long and hard to win the hotly contested championship belt.

     Out of this win comes a timely gesture from ESPY awardee and 8 title boxing champ Manny Pacquiao who sent Villoria a congratulatory greeting via taped interview. Manny's road to greatness was no less an easy task. All he ever wanted when he was a little boy was a sturdy roof over his head and a heavily-laden table so he wouldn't have to see the moon through the thatch roof of their hut as he went to bed hungry. at age two, they moved to Saranggani. He would walk five kilometers to school with only a banana for lunch. Both he and his brother were ridiculed for being poor. He would hike six kilometers a day to the nearest shore to help fishermen haul nets to shore only to be given a few pieces of left-over fish. He would keep one or two for the family meal while he sold the rest to earn some money.

     

     Mommy Dionisia would do laundry and clean homes and roast peanuts for her children to sell to provide for her family after their father had deserted them. Dropping out of school at twelve, he would be a roving one-man store selling all sorts of wares from bread, peanuts, water. At fifteen, he stowed away from General Santos to come to Manila and train as a boxer... the rest is history... He has a total of eight World Boxing Organization Titles and belts to boot. He is a multi million endorser for international brands of sportswear and consumer goods. He is a TV/ movie personality. And just recently, he is representative  of the province of Saranggani in the Philippine Congress.

     It just proves to show that no matter what your station in life is, patience, hope, determination and hard work can help you rise up over adversity. He is currently the richest congressman in the country with wealth generated from his own decent means.

    Two different boxers with two different backgrounds. One a Fil-American, the other a grass-roots proviciano at heart. Two hearts passionate about the sport of boxing. Both of them Filipino. Both reaching for their own niche in the sun. To top it all... both succeeding and making us proud...

     

     

     

Rollie de Leon Wins in Prague

 I have two portraits in watercolor. One hangs in my bedroom. the other adorns the gallery of the living room. Both were created by Rolando de Leon. The portrait in my bedroom captures me languidly sitting on a wooden stool with my feet up and resting on a desk. As I have very few dance photos, this one depicts me in my black unitard and waiting for the next dance class.

     The other portrait that is prominently displayed in the sala of my home along with portraits of my family shows me in a more pensive mood. With my chin resting on my palm, I look pensively into the distance. One would think the painting was an old photo as it was done in stark black watercolor with the white paper providing background and highlights of the entire portrait.

     I just happened to casually mention these two watercolors not to brag, but because I'm so proud that I own two original works and have had both for a few years now. I also want people to know that I'm happy for artist Rollie de Leon who has put the Philippines on the world map once again for his award winning art/design. To quote Bulletin editor Crispina Martinez-Belen; "de Leon recieved the Rainbow Cormorant Award for his winning pavilion represented the iconic  bahay kubo made of bamboos where the three major Philippine regions - Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao - are represented in three major cultural iconographies of the Christian, Muslim and Lumad cultures." And to think that, de Leon's work was the only Asian entry in the competition. 

     Rollie is a good friend whom I have known over the years. He is no stranger to the Philippine art scene. He has done scenographies for resident companies of the Cultural Center of the Philippines such as: Tanghalang Pilipino, Ballet Philippines, and CCP produced shows for many years. Then he moved on to do work for television networks. Eventually he landed with the GMA 7 Kapuso Network which he represented in the competition. There were works from 70 countries on 5 continents and winning the award is a sole distinction for the Philippines. Rollie recieved the award at the Czech National Gallery in Veletrzni Palace  last June 24. 

     My congratulations to Rollie de Leon... my portraits have just appreciated in value... =)

Prof. Jun de Leon - NCCA's New Chairman

     I have had the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting and being under the tutelage of PROF. JUN DE LEON when I signed the commitment form to become a MABUHAY GUIDE. This was three years ago when I was jobless and had just arrived from the US. I became a Mabuhay Guide simply because it was either working for a BPO or remaining jobless until I found work that i felt was suitable enough.

     Prof. de Leon with Ms Medina in an animated conversation with the MGs

Out of the 250 applicants who took the qualifying examinations, 50 people were scheduled for a panel interview of Department of Tourism heads and industry leaders. 25 made it to the accreditation rites as Mabuhay Guides. Our training was considered a breakthrough of sorts. It was designed to upgrade the level of tour guides/guiding in the Philippines. We were exposed to a barrage of lectures on everything Filipino: the arts, theater, culture, music, history, architecture, geography, flora and fauna, heritage, literature. To top it all, there was a three-week intensive course on tour guiding techniques by no less than The LONDON BLUE BADGE. Needless to say, Professor Jun de Leon and his lectures were a huge part of our training and for that the Mabuhay Guides will always be grateful.

     Prof. Jun with Susan Calo-Medina at Cibo with the MGs

     So when I saw the announcement in the papers that Professor Jun de Leon was appointed Chairman of the NCCA the Mabuhay Guides were elated. No one else, to my mind, would have made a better chairman than him. 

One big, happy family: Prof. de Leon with the Mabuhay Guides and Ms Medina

     The man has a list of credentials and pedigree to boot. He is the son of National Artist for Music Felipe Padilla de Leon. I guess the genes in his family run strong, as he himself is a composer writing music for plays like Noli Me Tangere. He has also done numerous research on Philippine musicology. His use of  music to make Filipinos understand their culture is another distinct contribution. He was commissioner of UNESCO Philippines from 1992 to 2002 and Chairman of its Committee on Culture in 2002. Prior to that, he has had a long and productive stint with the NCCA as hairman of the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan from 1993-2007, commissioner for theSubcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts from 1992-1998 and head of NCM and SCA from 2004.He also teaches humanities, aesthetics, music history and Philippine Art and Culture at the University of the Philippines and is lecturer on social transformation courses at the Asia Social Institute.

Prof. de Leon  with amused MGs in the background

     With Professor de Leon's appointment, I am optimistic that the NCCA will help promote cultural awareness to strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding not only among Filipinos but with other nations as well... after all, we Filipinos are everywhere... =)

Banay-Banay Restaurant

     If you happen to be on the road heading south and you're in the vicinity of the towns of Lemery, Lipa, San Jose or Taal and you're getting hungry and it's nearly lunchtime, Banay-Banay restaurant is the perfect rest stop for you.

     Our recent road trip saw our party trailblazing all the way to Banay-Banay with stomachs grumbling. It was nearly three in the afternoon and none of us has had lunch. Thankfully, someone had this bright idea of stopping over to the pink resto with ample parking space at the back.

     The service is fast and turn-over of patrons is just as furious. The cafeteria style dining has loads of viands for the weary and hungry road hog to choose from. Authentic Kilawin (pig's innards marinated in local vinegar) and Batangas style Goto (pig's innards made into a stew), Lumpiang Shanghai (fried Spring rolls), Sinigang na isda sa Miso (Fish Soup in Miso), Calamares among a bevy of meat dishes can be had for a minimal amount.

      Banay-Banay is like Batangas' answer to Everybody's Cafe in San Fernando, Pampanga, or Palaisdaan in Quezon. It's a brilliant concept, really... all the hot meals you want for as little as you can afford. On this particular Sunday that we visited the restaurant, five of us had ordered Kilawin, Lumpiang Shanghai, Goto, Calamares, two orders of Daing na Biya (dried, salted fresh-water fish) steaming hot rice and sodas for refreshment. The bill was a whopping PhP (Pesos) 470.00 or about US$12.00 (try to beat that!)... and they don't even charge for parking... =)

Our Lady of Caysasay

     Our usual Sunday routine was altered a bit when our friend announced, enroute to Quiapo church that we were about to take a road trip to Batangas after mass at the Black Nazarene in Quiapo. So instead of our usual breakfast at Binondo and weekly shopping sprees at 999, 1188 and 168 Malls we found ourselves motoring south to Taal, Batangas.

Heritage Home of the Agoncillo family in Taal, Batangas

     About two-hour's drive from Manila,  the town of Taal which is famous for its balisong ang panutsa (brittle peanut). The Bassilica of Taal, built by the Augustinians, with its massive baroque architecture reigns supreme as its main  landmark. On this particular Sunday that we visited, the church area and a few streets were closed to vehicular traffic due to a period film being shot on location there. Much as I would have liked to re-visit the church, we had to make a few detours and we ended up in the Chapel of Caysasay.

   The Chapel of Our Lady of Caysasay

     A most revered and visited image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Our Lady of Caysasay. The image is enshrined in Taal, Batangas (in itself a heritage town). The image is said to be miraculous and is, like every other Marian image found all over the world situated near a source of water. 

The arch marking the miraculous well

The carved image of pine wood is 225 mm tall and as legend has it, was fished out of the Pansipit River by Juan Maningkad (then chieftain of the town) in 1603. The image was brought to Fr. Juan Montoya who entrusted it to Maria Espiritu. The latter then placed it in a precious urn for safekeeping.The image was later ensconced in a special niche high in the church's main altar after it had been clothed with pure gold by Fr. Marcos Anton.  

The venerated image of Lady of Caysasay

         The image, according to legend would habitually disappear from the said niche ad reappear miraculously. On one occasion after its disappearance from the altar, two women Maria Baguhin and Maria Talain who were out gathering firewood and drawing water near a well found the image of our Lady atop a sampaga tree and guarded by a kingfisher locally called casay-casay. The Spaniards mispronounced it as Caysasay which has been retained to this day. 

The well with its miraculous healing waters

     Because the locals believe that the Image of Our Lady of Caysasay refuses to stay still in its niche, it is moved from the Taal Bassilica every Thursday and moved back on Saturday afternoon. Devotees of Taal lovingly refer to her as Birheng Gala (Wandering Virgin). Her feast Days are celebrated on the 8th and 9th of December. Incidentally, the image of Our Lady of Caysasay was canonically crowned on the 8th of December 1954 by Cardinal Fernando Quiroga y Palacios, Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela Valley.

Taal Volcano and Philippine Volcanoes Rugby Team

     The Philippines lies along the Pacific Rim of Fire. Our archipelago lies on tectonic plates that proliferate the eastern side of the country. Along with countries like Japan, Guam and California we experience earthquakes and we have just as many volcanoes dotting our emerald isles.

     Perhaps one of the more renowned volcanoes is Taal Volcano. Situated 30 to 35 kilometers south of Manila, Taal is known as the smallest active volcano in the world... it is also one of the deadliest! Recently, there has been some seismic activity in the caldera prompting PAGASA to issue warnings to residents to take precautions.

     Tagaytay, which offers the best views of Taal Volcano, is a great date place due to its cool temperature and sweeping vistas. Ergo, lots of restaurants, spas and cafes offer a multitude of foods and services for the romantic couples and families on a road trip due to its proximity to Manila.

      In Mandaluyong City, volcanoes of a different kind have stirred a commotion. The Philippine Rugby Volcanoes Team are at the center of controversy being the subjects of a risque ad campaign by a popular clothing brand. For three years now, the team of Filipino half-breeds have been reaping awards in rugby. Yeah, they gained support for their skill and teamwork. However, they gained attention for racy billboards that have featured their traffic-stopping nubile bodies and provocative poses prompting Metro Manila authorities to pull out the tarpaulins from public view. Authorities claim the said billboards are something short of immoral... nay, pornographic...

    Passing motorists have had mixed reactions... Love it or hate it, it's obviously made a difference to drivers while plying EDSA's horrendous traffic at rush hour...

       You be the judge... =)