Travel Cruncher

Who would’ve thought that somewhere, within the typhoon-battered province of Polilio Quezon, lies one island that will soon be a world-class destination? But that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it?  It’s like a secret paradise.  It’s not hidden from plain sight but only a privileged few can set foot on its enchanting territories.
 
Upon the invitation of Balesin Island Club, an exclusive resort destination and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alphaland Corporation, select members of the press were recently flown in to personally witness how the developments are coming along and experience the wonders that the island has to offer.

For starters, the Club offers its members subsidized flights to and from the island on its own private planes.  In Manila, the party boarded the brand new Cessna Grand Caravan at Alphaland’s Hangar inside the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Parañaque.  After about 25 minutes, we landed at EL Tordesillas private airstrip and were met by the company’s project director Marco Diaz.

Marco immediately let us in on some key information about the island, particularly the airstrip which was named after its previous owner who was Marcos’ former trade undersecretary.  “We owe to him, all of the greenery that you see around the island.  Long before it was popular, he was already into having forest and marine sanctuaries.  He didn’t like cutting trees and as you can see we kept with the same principle if you look at how we built things on the island.”

Built 240mm thick and 1,500 meter long, the runway is at par with international standards for it is meant to bring in guests from Hong Kong, Singapore, and eventually, Sydney.  But what’s even more impressive is that the runway is made

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Tags: manila, Philippines, travel, world

MANILA, Philippines — There was no entourage to announce Lilybeth Tan Ng’s arrival at her Philippine Airlines office. What accompanied her, instead, was good-natured ribbing from the other pilots, from the time the MB team interviewed her at her little office, all the way to her photo shoot at the Pilots’ Lounge. “They’re not used to seeing me with makeup on,” she smiled rather self-consciously. And it was not a lot of makeup at that, in fact, a little more had to be added to enhance her pretty features for the photo. Lilybeth, we were told by staff, often comes to work in more casual clothes, not the smart light green outfit and heels that she was kitted out on that day.

The term “other pilots” makes it clear. While other Fil-Chinese progeny cringe at the thought of having to get involved in their family business, Lilybeth, daughter of PAL Chairman Lucio Tan, plunged into it head-on, by training to become a high-flyer in her father’s airline company. In fact, she shares one amusing anecdote: “On time, he pulled me aside and told me, ‘wag masyadong mabilis’!” she laughs. “Feeling nila kasi drag racer ako when I drive a car, so akala nila sa plane, ganoon din ako!” She has not had the chance to have her dad as a passenger — yet. “There was one time when it almost happened, but there was another flight leaving from San Francisco at the time, and he was on that one. He called me on the radio when they were airborne, though.”  

Her dream of flying was inspired by a simple tour around the PAL facilities. “I was amazed by the flight simulator they had. And when they told

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MANILA, Philippines — Successfully achieving citizen participation in building homes for less fortunate members of society and preserving the environment for four years in a row is no mean feat.  Again, over 5,000 runners from different parts of the country attended the recent Globe Run4Home 2012 at the Cebu International Convention Center with enthusiasm and an enriched spirit of community to achieve this goal.

Uniquely philanthropic in purpose, Globe Run4Home 2012 is designed to benefit partner advocacy organizations that are known for their extraordinary track records. This year’s roster includes Gawad Kalinga which received the biggest donation with R155,000; Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Inc., R67,000; Cebu Biodiversity Foundation, R77,000; and Philippine Tarsier Foundation, R36,000.

GK and HFHP are both raising funds for their housing developments in Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City to help those who lost their homes due to Typhoon Sendong. CBF, on the other hand, aims to transform communities in key biodiversity areas into becoming more effective stewards of the environment while PTF spearheads a massive campaign to save the Philippine tarsier and preserve its habitat.

“What Globe does is plant a seed of potential for the communities to grow into positive change. Run4Home, though a Globe initiative, can only be made successful with the help of our partner beneficiaries, subscribers and communities,” shared Globe Corporate Communications Head Yoly C. Crisanto. “The R335,000 raised  for the beneficiaries is truly a successful milestone that everyone who participated deserves credit for.”

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama graced the event. Support from all sectors of the community poured in with participants’ ages ranging from 4 to 72 years old.

The annual charity fun run gathered the running community of Cebu led by Cebu luminaries Yong and Donna Larrazabal, multi-awarded triathlete

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MANILA, Philippines — Everyone who has been to Bicol has been awed by the perfect of cone Mayon Volcano, reputed to be the world’s most beautiful peak. Best viewed from the Cagsawa Ruins Park in Daraga, Albay, it is one of the world’s most restive volcanoes due to its frequent eruptions.

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MANILA, Philippines — While a majority of Baguiodom was busy celebrating the annual Panagbenga Flower Festival along sizzling Session Road and in all of the summer capital’s downtown area, others eagerly witnessed the unveiling of the latest addition to Camp John Hay’s edifices of class.

Imagine a structure surrounded by the lush greens of the City of Pines’ renowned resort. Accentuated by backside pocket gardens, it presents an extensive view of the camp and the soothing scent of the pine trees on either side.

Well, now, one can no longer just imagine: the place is there, ready to offer the best of Baguio, especially to families going up on a weekend getaway. Named after the great French impressionist painter Claude Monet, Le Monet Hotel intends to recreate the surroundings of his garden.

“We’ve been to Giverny, France, at [Monet’s] house. There you would see the landscapes. That’s what he painted during his time; that’s where he got famous for, from his living in the pond and in the jardin japonais (Japanese garden),” says Le Monet Hotel chief executive officer Kristine Singson-Meehan. “Because we are in Baguio, we can mimic the same kind of look, and flowers are what Baguio is all about.”

Gracious host

A “blooming” building just adjacent to John Hay’s popular fastfood joint, Filling Station, was a welcome sight that sunny February Saturday. Blooming, because the hotel’s façade is made vibrant by flowers of different colors. It was a delightful sight—and a fitting greeting after an almost-five-hour road trip from Quezon City.

The real attention-grabber at the lobby was a chandelier made of 30,000-or-so raindrop-like crystals put together by a Korean designer.  “As you enter the hotel, most of the things you will see are artworks of some of our

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MANILA, Philippines — It’s more fun to skyrun to Mt. Ugo in  Itogon, Benguet. Why? It is not simply a mountaineering adventure called “skyrunning” or high altitude running above 2,000 meters, it has amazing benefits as well –  it is healthy, it provides you nature’s feast for the eyes, food for the mind and inspiration for the soul.

These wonderful experiences were what we got from the recent “Pilipinas Akyatlon”, the Philippine International SkyRace in Itogon, Benguet.

Located in Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon, Mt. Ugo is 2,150 meters above sea level.  Thus, it has been chosen by the Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA) as the ideal testing ground for the virility of mountain-climbers.  The latest skyrace held in February was participated in by runners from Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog, Bicol and the Cordillera Administrative Region, and those from Australia, Kenya and Malaysia.

The winners were: in the male category –  Eliud Kpugut Keing of Kenya; Jackson Chirchir also of Kenya; Mario Maglinao of Albay; and Saffrey Sumping of Malaysia.  In the female category, the winners were – Kuilin Gongot of Malaysia; Julie Green of Australia; and Baby Maritess Bitbit, a Filipino Olympian.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez thanked Benguet’s local government and vowed to work for an annual skyrunning race in Itogon, saying: “Mt. Ugo can be number one for fun, and it’s really more fun in the Philippines.”

Proof: mountain-climbers had more fun from start to finish of the 33-km. out-and-back race as they cut through the crystal clearness of the morning light that displayed the dazzling blue of the sky. The race began with a 1.7-km. downhill jog on paved road and uphill to the summit, where it turned around and went downhill to the finish line at Tinongdan Barangay Hall.

Along

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Aliwan Fiesta is more than just a festival. It is more than just the dancing, the merriment and/or the parade. Aliwan is about harnessing the power of the Philippine festivals to showcase how religion, culture and traditions are intricately woven into our very existence.

Usually held annually to commemorate the foundation of a town or province or honoring its patron saints, traditional fiestas brought together en masse to highlight the Pinoy’s indomitable and ebullient spirit, coupled with the mien for creativity and innovation.

Filipinos celebrate Nature. We honor Mother Earth. We hold fiestas for a bountiful harvest, to thank the gods who were responsible for yielding the fruits of their domain, be it land or sea. Take for instance, the agricultural land of Luzon and the Cordilleras. We heard about the stories and legends passed down through generations talking about nature’s mythical beings who grant a bountiful harvest, deliver the people from harm and help them through rough times. We give thanks to them through quaint traditional rituals and festivities.

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, they brought with them the sword and the Cross. Of the two, the latter left a big imprint on the Filipino psyche. In Visayas, the so-called cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, religious fiestas are ever popular. Folks venerate the Sto. Nino or the Infant Jesus and the Virgin Mary, as well as the individual patron saints.

“Filipinos are well-known for our exuberant festivals. While derived in part from ritual observances of the Catholic Church, Philippine fiestas now co-mingle indigenous and western elements in their intense expressions of identity and ethnicity, while celebrating historical and religious events, displaying popular aesthetics, or simply releasing social energy,” enthuses Manila Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) president Ruperto S.

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