Why Don't We Go Somewhere Only We Know?

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 28, 2014

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You’ve been to Boracay 435 times and concluded that the Philippines is a beauty. It is, but there is more to the Philippines than the island’s powdery white sand and its world-class hotels and restaurants. Have you heard of Palawan’s Long Beach? We bet you haven’t. Just so you know, it’s Boracay magnified three, four times.

With our 7,107 islands, the Philippines has a lot of potential and still uncrowned jewels yet to be discovered.  In the Department of Tourism (DoT) website, however, the top tourist destinations only include Manila, Bohol, Boracay, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, Cagayan, Camiguin, Cebu, Davao, Ilocos Norte, Negros Occidental, Puerto Princesa, and Zambales. What about the thousands of places to see that are just as sparkling and striking as the usual vacation haunts?

In the article, “DoT chief lists 6 ‘underrated’ PH destinations” published on ABSCBNnews.com, DoT Secretary Ramon Jimenez says that the only thing left to do is to “develop and promote the areas,” which is the main trust of the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign.

While President Noynoy Aquino is focused on hitting the 10 million foreign tourist arrival target and 56.1 million domestic tourists before his term ends on 2016, tourism officials say that the Philippines may have a tough time achieving the targets, no thanks to bad roads, lack of infrastructure, and other setbacks (read: the world’s worst airport).

Besides these, Jimenez also adds that  Pinoy travelers have the tendency to limit themselves, only focusing on Luzon and Visayas regions. This, or they tend to revisit, yet again, the already established spots, which are, alas, overcrowded. Most of the time, mainstream domestic travelers, especially the well-heeled ones, are too busy flying out of the country.

We say widen your horizon and discover the roads less traveled.

Here, we list five of the most underrated places in the Philippines and why they should be on your radar and travel bucket list, with hope, however, that as we continue to explore our treasures, we won’t exploit and ruin their beauty. If this isn’t the case, we’d rather have unfamiliar, unblemished sites.

San Vicente, Palawan

SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN

Coron and Puerto Princesa are traditional favorites among local and foreign tourists. But more than 180 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa, there is San Vicente, an unspoiled beauty that features 14 kilometers of powdery white sand dubbed as “Long Beach,” which faces the West Philippine Sea and replete with virgin forests and coconut trees. For those backpackers (it’s a challenge to get there) who have visited the place, they say Long Beach is like Boracay, but magnified many, many times. Unlike Aklan’s Boracay, San Vicente is still largely untapped. It houses 23 of the 25 wildlife species found in the island of Palawan and it is gifted with thriving coral reefs, waterfalls, mangroves, and endemic flora.

MT. HAMIGUITAN, DAVAO ORIENTAL

Although its height is a “bonsai” compared to the towering Mt. Apo, Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Mindanao. The mountain range is best known for its unique collection of pygmy trees, a 225-hectare of deemed to be centuries-old bonsai trees, which are only about eight centimeters wide, and a meter and a half tall. It is also home to unique animals like the golden crown flying fox, Philippine tarsier, Philippine warty pigs, Philippine brown deer, and Philippine mossy-pygmy fruit bat. The area was declared as a protected area in 2004 and among the UN protected areas in the Philippines including Cordillera Rice Terraces, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Tubbataha Reefs, Vigan City, and baroque churches.

STA. CRUZ ISLAND, ZAMBOANGA

We have doubts if Sta. Cruz Island should be included in our list, not because it doesn’t offer anything new and exciting. In fact, it has unique features for the books: A beautiful, blushing sand strip of the Great Santa Cruz Island, all thanks to the coloration effect of the pulverized rare red Organ-pipe corals. The sand is pinkish, glimmering under the sun. Unfortunately, Zambaoanga.com website says that illegal coral reef mining in the area has wiped out most of the Great Santa Cruz Island’s beautiful coral collection and its accessories, the fish and the rich marine life diversity. All that is left is their dead skeleton. No matter, the beach is still a beauty.

Batanes Island

BATANES

Imagine you’re Heidi, or Maria von Trapp, or the iconic Marlboro man emerging from Batanes and its collection of canyons, hills, boulder-lined shores, and cliffs. You can do so many activities in the northern tip of the Philippines: Swim on its beaches, visit its historic churches and lighthouses, island hopping, and, most of all, unwind and be one with nature. Batanes, even with its popularity, is still underrated because it is hard to reach, with only two airlines (Philippine Airlines and Skyjet) that fly directly to Basco, its capital. The airfare is also generally more expensive than other local and even international destinations. Still, it is worth ticking off on your travel bucket list.

Kapurpurawan, Ilocos Norte

ILOCOS NORTE

Ilocos Sur has Vigan, Bantay Bell Tower, Baluarte, and Bojeador Lighthouse. But its neighbor is not to be outdone. Ilocos Norte is a coastal province that is peppered with sands in different hues: black in Laoag, brown in Currimao, and white in Pagudpud. Also among its many hidden gems, reached only by private car or a long walk under the sun, is the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos, which is a favorite among shutterbugs and nature lovers for its natural beauty shaped and created by the ocean waves.

Barber’s tales

3 hotspots to get your dose of debonair

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 28, 2014

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Nowadays, a usual trip to a street corner barbershop only requires two things: P50 and 10 minutes max. But major throwback: Men used to gather and hang out in barbershops to unwind, chill, make new friends, and, of course, get a haircut. It was a momentous affair: No one visited a barbershop in tattered pambahay outfit, or slippers, or stained shorts, or loose sando.

But things are changing (yes!). Blame it on #selfies or men’s reawakened self-consciousness—whatever the reason—but a trip to a barbershop these days has become more, well, like it used to be: Extensive and expensive (because of the extra pampering services).

Enter a new tribe of men’s lounges that offer not just a simple hair cut but a meticulous overhaul: Spa, massage, movie marathon, or drinking session, name it. The difference, these modern barbershops say, lies in the details. Men, after all, have that inner “goddess” they’re just afraid to unleash. Who doesn’t love to be pampered, anyway?

We scouted three new, young, male salons you (and your dad, uncle, grandpa, brother) should visit now. Don’t tag along your girlfriend, she’ll be jealous!

FELIPE & SONS

Mezzanine A, LPL Mansion, San Agustin Street, Salcedo Village, Makati

Where is the perfect place to hang out and look good at the same time? It’s definitely not in a salon geared for women. Felipe & Sons owners Marco Katigbak, Martin Warren, and Paulo Canivel were looking for a place “where a man can relax as a man.” It was nowhere to be found so they decided to build their own. Tadah! What came out was a baby they’re proud of: Felipe & Sons, a traditional barbershop and a modern haberdashery, with the comforts of a lounge and the service of a traditional barbershop. Here, you can do so much more than a selfie in a full-length mirror. Get a well tailored suit, a crisp white shirt, a choice of cool sneaks, a book or magazine to read, and booze and drinks to set the mood. Of course, of course, you should get a proper shave and clean haircut, too. It’s their bestseller, after all.

“We believe that Manila’s becoming more and more cosmopolitan. It’s having its own unique vibe and we’re loving it. Men’s grooming should be on the same level as exercise and diet because taking care of himself is always the nature of a man. We believe that a man should be an easy blend of style and substance,” explains Ervin Maca of Felipe & Sons Haberdashery.

Replete with quirky, hand-me-down mementos like vintage shoes, typewriter, and a Louis Vuitton luggage, Felipe & Sons transports you to the old Manila swag ambiance our lolos would surely love to revisit and relive.

BRUNO’S BARBERS

Liberty Plaza 102 H.V. dela Costa St., cor. Valero Salcedo Village, Makati

You’re the boss when you’re at Bruno’s. It may sound so masculine, but expect to unleash your inner feminine side. Get ready to indulge in an array of stress-busting treatments once only reserved for a spa: Facial care, massages, hair color, styling, and even shoe cleaning. Bruno’s may be associated with a traditional barbershop: leather seats, scissors, and mirrors, but the comparison ends there. Enter a predominantly whitewashed area that’s homey and not clinical, comfy and not overwhelming, relaxing without the fuss and frills. Bruno’s Barbers also offers women services (yay! you can tag your girlfriend or wife along). What the barbershop promises is a quality service that is nothing over the top. 

“Our philosophy is simple: To provide consistent high-quality and innovative grooming services through generations. As hairstyle trends change, we adapt to these according to the needs and demands of our clients with respect to their personal and generational preferences,” says Bruno’s vice president in business development Jose Marco Pascual. He adds that more and more men are willing to pay a higher price for a haircut, “because men now are more open and are no longer shy about pampering themselves.”

BACK ALLEY

Alpha Salcedo Condominium, Bautista St. corner Sanchez St., Salcedo Village, Makati

At Back Alley Barbershop, expect quality grooming and service even grandpa would love. Its battlecry? For men to become a “better dude.”

“What we want to bring back is the essence of a traditional barbershop, a place where men could relax, feel connected, and get groomed. Our underlying philosophy is  #BetterDude. For us a #BetterDude is discerning in everything_the music he listens to, the beverages he drinks, his overall aesthetic that he would like to present to others,” says Back Alley business development manager Rafael Tan.

Equipped with the best tools of the trade (like a mineral shampoo from Japan), Back Alley takes pride on its roster of talented hairstylists (all men) to execute your dream cut and style. They got you covered from haircut, clean shave, and a massage.

“At Back Alley, we value the customer-barber relationship. It’s quality over quantity. That said, we believe barbers can better groom men by setting an atmosphere that is conducive for them. We value old-school aesthetic by being simple and straightforward, which is reflected in the services we provide: cut and wash, shave, and our treatments,” he adds.

For a total R&R experience, there’s a complimentary drink (Aeropress handbrewed Yardstick coffee and Katipunan Craft Indio Pale Ale) and they play #TBT vinyl records, too. It feels like chillin’ at home, except you’re in a barbershop.

There’s Heart in Art

Hope, optimism, and passion soar high at MADE’s 30th anniversary exhibit

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 22, 2014 (updated)

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Art copies, captures, and cements life. At the Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence (MADE) competition, the effects of super typhoon Yolanda are evident in this year’s roster of winners in painting and sculpture categories.

Grand winner Natalio Gelisanga Alob Jr. creates a unique and interactive sculpture made of terracotta. His Storm Surge is a rotating sphere, which magically conveys his vision of Yolanda.

The Extraordinary Manifestation of Something Undeniably Possible by Sergio Bumatay III

“Storm Surge is an interactive globe that gives two meanings when turned left or right. On the top of the globe is the eye of the storm that threatens a community with its strong waves. People from all lifestyles persevere to survive by holding on to each other. When you turn it clockwise, an illusion is created. The tide surges up, swallowing all the people. But when it is turned counterclockwise, the resilient spirit and unity of the community emerge from the waves. This spirit of overcoming life’s challenges is a metaphor for the virtue of the Filipino,” explains Natalio.

The same vision is depicted in John Verlyn C. Santos’ “Pinagtagi-tagping Kapalaran,” a water-based media on paper that displays the devastating aftermath of Yolanda.  Set in a church that serves as the victims’ safe haven, his painting shows Pinoys’ innate positivity. Despite the desolation, there are smiles, there’s hope. The Bulacan-based grand winner paints an optimistic outlook: Children sewing (pinagtagpi-tagpi) the tattered pages of the canvas. John says he purposely stepped on, crumpled, and almost destroyed the canvas to achieve a worn out effect.

While good vibes emanate in John’s work, oil/acrylic on canvas grand winner Wilbert Custodio’s “Ang Paraiso Nagsisiksikan at Pinatong-Patong” shows a stark contrast. It’s gloomy. It’s sad. It’s hellish. Painted in bloody red, his artwork is rendered in black lines, white and black square rooftops of a chaotic community. But then again, hidden in his depressing, piled-up depiction of poverty is a glimmer of light emanating from roofs and windows shows society’s enduring hope. Poverty, overpopulation, and a lack of decent living have always been the center of his works.

“My inspiration is Yolanda. I am from Aklan and we were also hit by the typhoon. I always see poverty, especially in the places we call ‘the paradise of the poor’ like the squatter’s area. Everyone is piled up, constrained in a limited space without proper domestic life and occupation. People from the province force their families to fit inside this so-called paradise,” explains Wilbert.

       THE FUTURE OF ART  From left: Interior Design category grand winner Dr. Rowena Garcia and her Edge of Design; Wilbert Custodio and Ang Paraiso Nagsisiksikan at Pinatong-Patong;  John Verlyn Santos and his Pinagtagpi-tagping Kapalaran (Images by Noel b. Pabalate)

Yolanda may be out of the picture, but hope and second chances also revolve around oil/acrylic on canvas grand winner Sergio Bumatay III’s “The Extraordinary Manifestation of Something Undeniably Possible.” A surrealist-styled depiction of a field of empty glass bottles, where drawn eyes are attached like balloons, his painting is the reassertion of the value of life, renewal, and hope over death, destruction, and despair. “When my father was sick, I had doubts and fears about the future. But he was given a second chance, and it became my inspiration,” says the children’s book illustrator.

“If you look at our 30-year-old history, it is a veritable social history. We don’t dictate a theme. They just paint their sentiment on what they see. In the olden days, these [sentiments revolved around themes like] the Ninoy Aquino assassination, Pinatubo, OFWs, Flor Contemplacion, emergence of technology—anything,” explains Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña. “This year, however, is different. The quality of the works have leveled up that we’ve given special citations because the judges have difficulty deciding.”

             A guest admiring one of the works on display at this year’s Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence Awards Exhibit; Natalio Gelisanga Alob Jr. and his Storm Surge sculpture 

MADE has also launched its Alice Guillermo Art Criticism Award to promote literary arts and criticism. Open to all college students, anyone can submit his or her 1000-page maximum art critic essay about the winners or the finalists’ artwork. (www.mbfoundation.org.ph)

Winners of the special citations are: Ronson Culibrina for La Laguna Estigia Interviente: Human Stavation (painting), Don Bryan Michael Banag for By the River of Fate (water media), Arnel David Garcia for Facets of Tragedy (sculpture). Also announced are the winners of the architecture and interior design competitions. Architects were challenged to design an iconic structure for a civic center for Arts, Culture, and Tourism at BGC Veritown Fort.  For their design concept #StartUP, winners Arch. Joel Anthony Ong and Arch. Melissa Mateo dabble on contemporary urban playground using sustainable design solution. Also interlaced with touches of art, interior design grand winner Rowena Garcia’s Edge of High blueprint highlights rustic design infused with bamboo.

MADE has launched the careers of  Leeroy New, Lynard Paras, and Elmer Borlongan, among others.

Stella steps forward

Fil-Am international ballet soloist Stella Abrera returns home for Giselle and Yolanda.

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 22, 2014 (updated)

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Filipino-American international ballet soloist Stella Abrera is on a double mission: To perform in Ballet Philippines’ (BP) production of Giselle on Sept. 19 and to help the victims of Yolanda.

In between her rehearsals and short and tight schedule, Stella squeezes in her humanitarian advocacy. “I actually just spent the last two days visiting the construction site and the children in Guiuan, as well as touring Tacloban. It was an extremely moving experience. The school is still under construction so there’s still time for people to donate.” She founded the Steps Forward for the Philippines (SFP) organization in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda, and just recently SFP has raised a bit over 50 percent of its $30,000 goal to raise funds to supply schools with materials like textbooks, blackboards, and notebooks. Donating her autographed pointed shoes and dancing photos, Stella reaches out to her ballet fans in order to raise awareness about the needs of the children in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. This gold medal awardee of the 2005 Royal Academy of Dance’s Adeline Genée  in London and American Ballet Theater (ABT) soloist proves that there’s more to ballet than just grace and a pretty face. With hope, she dances her way to a better Philippines. MB Lifestyle gets to know the prima ballerina.

BEAUTY AND GRACE
Filipino-American ballerina Stella Abrera during rehearsal at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (Images by Noel Pabalate)

You left the Philippines when you were four years old. What do you miss most about home?

I used to spend summers visiting relatives until I was a young teenager, and then I visited again over a decade ago. I miss the food, specifically the fruits unique to the Philippines. But I am still very Pinoy. I have Filipino blood coursing through my veins, although I have laid down roots in the US. I’m proud to be an American of Filipino descent.  Both my parents were born in the Philippines. They moved to the US when they were young, but they’ve remained close to their Filipino roots. They are both American citizens, as am I.

How is your homecoming so far?

BP has been most welcoming and warm. The company is full of lovely people and we share a common bond in our love of dancing and performing. My parents arrived from Los Angeles a few days ago and we have a big family reunion planned for after the show, which I am very excited about. And it’s been great fun rediscovering my love for Filipino food. It’s a good thing I’m working so intensely in rehearsal, otherwise my partner would be getting more of a workout than he was expecting!

How did your guesting in BP’s Giselle come about?

HOME AGAIN
Fil-Am ballet soloist Stella Abrera is in town for Giselle.

A former CCP scholar, Cristina Escoda, had a dance career in a few ballet companies, including American Ballet Theater (ABT). After she stopped dancing she joined the administrative team and is now the artistic administrator of ABT. I had expressed a desire to dance here in Manila and she thought it would be lovely to reconnect to her ballet roots. So she reached out to some people at BP to see if my guesting would be of interest to them. They suggested Giselle, a ballet I adore.

You joined American Ballet Theater when you were 17. Have you always  loved ballet? 

American Ballet Theater was my dream company and I was thrilled to have been granted an audition, and then offered a job. It was a golden opportunity, and I didn’t think twice about whether or not to take it. Over the years, I’ve taken a few university courses while working full-time at ABT. I did not have a conventional university experience as I began my career early with ABT.

You’ve performed in Europe and US. How was your experience?

Both the US and Europe respect the art form with similar levels of enthusiasm. Perhaps I could say that the traditions are more deeply set in European culture, but it is understandable because the US is a considerably younger country.

What is the schedule like for an international dancer?

Traveling is a big part of the ABT experience. We tour often, both domestically and internationally, and I love it. It’s fantastic experiencing different cultures, seeing some local sights, and eating local food. ABT employs us for 36 weeks per year. During the “off” time, I’ve had the opportunity to dance in galas all over the US and abroad in different countries.

What challenges did you face when you were just starting? 

I was really very lucky. I was fearless and enthusiastic and passionate about my career choice. I couldn’t really say I had any major hardships. I’ve always been very independent, so homesickness was never an issue.

What has been your most memorable experience?

I’ve had many wonderfully memorable performances but one stands out in my mind: Antony Tudor’s “The Leaves are Fading” at the City Center, New York on Oct. 31, 2007. My husband, Sascha Radetsky, and I danced the central pas deux. The music is divine and the couple portrays a young, hopeful love. It was amazing to have that deep emotional connection with my partner in a piece that we both loved so much.

What are your future plans?

I’d like to continue my Stand for the Philippines fundraising. Career-wise, I’d like to dance longer. When the right time comes, I’d like to pass on what I’ve learned to the next generation of dancers as a coach.

Why our ocean garden needs no trimming

by Nickky Faustine De Guzman
September 7, 2014

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“Under the sea, darling it’s better,” so sings Little Mermaid’s neurotic crustacean friend Sebastian—a lyrical statement frequent leisure divers probably sing to themselves, too, when they’re not passionately raving about it to anyone who have the mind to speak of the “deep blue.”

Images by JAYVEE FERNANDEZ

“It will blow your mind,” enthuses Jayvee Fernandez, a leisure diver that frequents the picture perfect marine wonderland of Anilao and Puerto Galera. “There is a whole new world that is waiting to be discovered under the sea. We have to be thankful we have such a beauty in the Philippines. We have some of the best dive spots in the world.”

Case in point, there’s Tubbataha Reef, along with Apo Reef, Busuanga, and Moalboal, to name a few. With vast waters surrounding our islands, it is unsurprising that the Philippines has an ocean region recognized as the world’s center of marine biodiversity. It is colorful, it is lively, it is photogenic. Called Coral Triangle, because of the abundance of its coral reef life, this 900,000-square-kilometer marine eco-region in Sulu-Sulawesi Sea comprises the territories in Philippines (70 percent), Indonesia (20 percent), and Malaysia (10 percent). Coral Triangle is also home to some 2,500 species of fish.

With vast bodies of water running along our sprawling coastline (36,289 square kilometers), approximately 12,000 or so species of seashells are exclusively found in the Philippines. And, read this, we shelter the rarest, most expensive type in the world: The Conus Gloriamaris or “Glory of the Sea.” According to the Department of Tourism (DoT) of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are in the Philippines. Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the Philippines.

Can you imagine the underwater world and its coral reefs wearing Skittle-like colors, its schools of fish in different prints and patterns? Thank heavens for photos that capture at least a glimpse of our diverse marine ecosystem.

Divers, however, caution that taking photos underwater is very different from taking snapshots and selfies on land. “Marine life should never be endangered or stressed for the sake of a photo,” explains Jayvee. “Divers should learn how the art of buoyancy works so as not to damage the reef with fins. Or learn essential diving techniques like ‘plant your body on the sand or rock but never on the coral reefs and other fauna.’”

But it’s only seemingly in pictures though that the next generation would get to see the ocean’s bounty. Our beautiful ocean gardens, along with their “accessories” (wild sea animals), are slowly wilting, becoming sad and lifeless, says former World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Philippines marine species director and current Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines director AA Yaptinchay. Statistics aren’t lying: Of the seven turtle species around the world, five are found in the Philippines, and all of them are critically endangered. And so are our dugongs, Irawaddy dolphins, and humpback whales.

Their natural habitat is also on the verge of a total wipe out. Only one percent of the Philippines’ vast, beautiful coral reef collection remains healthy. The rest are either dead or dying.

Over the last 50 years, almost 40 percent of our sea grass is lost and balding. Our mangroves, which provide nursery for wildlife species as well as protection for our shorelines against tsunami, have been decreasing over the past 75 years. Studies show that 3,000 hectares of mangroves in the Philippines are dying every year.

“We can attribute the vast destruction of Yolanda to the diminishing mangroves in the shorelines of Samar and Leyte,” says AA. “They could have lessened the impact of the waves.”

As the Philippines increases its population, (we recently hit 100 million and by 2050, the world population is estimated to be around seven to nine billion), Mother Earth is decreasing her ability to sustain the growing needs of her children. Spaces become limited: We found ourselves living near the shoreline. Beach resorts, hotels, and restaurants occupy the foreshore lands. We are bursting in the seams. Besides overpopulation, climate change, overfishing, pollution, and coastal reclamation are just some of the problems the ocean, which covers about 70 percent of the earth, encounters every second, every minute, every hour.

“Did you know that dugong, whales, and sharks used to frequent Manila Bay?” AA asks. He says sharks are indicators of a healthy reef system. Now, what remains of Manila Bay is a filthy, decaying body of water. “The trick is to balance the human population with the ocean diversity. And for the people to have awareness of their nature. You cannot conserve something if you don’t know its importance,” he says. So how important is our ocean? Just in case you don’t know, more than half of the oxygen we breathe come from—not the trees, although they are as important—but from the ocean.  Most of the oxygen the earth produces comes from microscopic ocean plants called phytoplanktons, which live near the water’s surface and drift with the currents.

We have numerous laws covering everything there is about our marine biodiversity, banning this and that, prohibiting this and that, “but what the government needs is a stronger law implementation,” AA says. But there’s no room for cynicism, there’s still hope, says AA, “it’s not yet late to save the ocean.”

After all, we can always start small: Conserve energy, throw trash properly, reduce carbon footprint when traveling, plant trees, support local NGOs, and be concerned with Mother Earth. When you love her—everything else follows.