Climb a mountain, take pics, and share in real time
By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
MOST FILIPINOS are currently addicted to two things. One, the lure of travel and adventure thanks to promos and sales. Second is the penchant for blow-by-blow documentation and sharing of the travel experiences, whether here or abroad, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Photos from Trail Adventours Instagram
A tie-up between a tour company and a major communications company now makes both possible.
ADVENTURE Thanks to our 7,107 islands filled with pristine forests, mountains, and beaches, nobody is short of adventure travel options.
Gido Sarreal, the founder of Trail AdvenTours, one of the country’s leading outdoor adventure providers, was just a boy in 1997 when he realized he had a passion for nature activities — he climbed Mt. Halcon in Mindoro together with his younger brother, Coby. Now 28, Mr. Sarreal’s most recent climb, done with his brother and some friends, was hiking through two of Taiwan’s highest peaks, the Jade and Snow Mountains.
In 2010, the Sarreal brothers started the Trail AdvenTours, with Mt. Pinatubo as its first climb. From three climbers, the team now has 40 professional climber-tour guides.
Photos from Trail Adventours Instagram
It is one of Trail AdvenTours’ main goals to promote the seemingly under-appreciated beauty of the country. As a senior climber and tour guide, Mr. Sarreal notes sadly that often groups of Filipino adventurers say things like: “Ang ganda naman, parang wala ka saPilipinas!” (It’s so beautiful it feels like you’re not in the Philippines.)
“While we don’t have winter, the Philippines is a beautiful and rich country. Everything you need is here,” he pointed out.
The group offers more than 40 expert-guided hikes and adventures in the country. The destinations include Pico de Loro in Cavite, Mt. Batulao in Batangas, Batad in Ifugao, Mt. Apo in Davao, and Mt. Daraitan in Rizal.
HASHTAG HEAVEN Mr. Sarreal said that while mountain climbing is good exercise and the perfect excuse to bond with friends, perhaps more importantly it is an opportunity to be one with nature and appreciate its beauty amid the fast pace of modern life.
Photos from Trail Adventours Instagram
“We don’t want anyone worrying about their Internet connection when on the summit — and mostly likely there’s no signal up there. What we want is for the hikers to appreciate the beauty of the moment, the clouds, the rainbow. After all, you hiked for more than eight hours. Posting [on your social media accounts] could wait,” he said.
But most Filipino netizens want to share (or humble brag?) their adventures on their social media accounts in real time and not wait until they have gone down the mountain to get a signal. This is where Smart Communications comes in. These social media addicts can post their selfies and #unfiltered pictures on Instagram and Facebook in real time thanks to a tie-up between Smart and Trail AdvenTours — they get a 20% discount on all trails offered by Trail AdvenTours as long as they present their Smart Bro pocket Wi-Fi and prepaid 4G. The promo runs until November 2016.
Before securing their gadgets, however, Mr. Sarreal said that first-time hikers should prepare their other gear, food, and selves. He said the most important hiking tip is to check one’s fitness.
Day tours range from P1,600 to P2,100 per person while an overnight adventure costs around P4,100 per person, inclusive of transportation fee, tolls, and tour guide fee. Climbing gear and food, however, are not provided by the company.
JOSE MARI del Rosario was a nominee for this year’s Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines award. He is the president and chief executive officer of Microtel Inns and Suites (Pilipinas), Inc. (MISPI) and Microtel Development Corp, which provides no-frills hotels in the country, particularly targeting the middle market. His success story based on his determination and a keen eye.
JOSE MARI DEL ROSARIO -- BW FILE PHOTO
“Look at opportunities as keys, in the sense that you have your eyes wide open to seize them,” he told BusinessWorld at the sidelines of the Hotel Restaurant Cafe travel and tourism event for 2015, where he was the guest speaker.
With eyes open for business opportunities, Mr. del Rosario has been able to change the hotel landscape in the country. In 2001, he was able to put up the first international hotel under MISPI in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac, after securing the master franchise of Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham -- an international hotel group with 7,670 hotels worldwide, including recognizable brands like Ramada, Travelodge, Baymont, Tryp, and Wingate, among others.
Almost 15 years later, Microtel has now expanded to 13 hotels across the country, including in Metro Manila, Palawan, Boracay, Batangas, and General Santos City.
Many, however, thought that the now-57-year-old businessman wouldn’t stray from the five-star hotel business. After all, his working life revolved around the ins and outs of luxury hotels.
He started as a front desk receptionist at the Hotel Lausanne Palace in Switzerland then became a food and beverage coordinator at The Manila Peninsula Hotel. His hard work paid off; he eventually became the first Filipino general manager and chief operating officer of the iconic Manila Hotel.
But he deviated and chose the mid-market, which he thought was underserved.
“‘Sana’ (with hope) was the operative word. Sana may malamig na aircon. Sana okay ang kama. Sana may cable. Sana may fire exit (With hope, there’s cold air-conditioning. With hope, the bed is okay. With hope, there’s cable. With hope, there’s a fire exit). I want to answer the sana category,” he said.
Despite Microtel being a budget, no-frills hotel, Mr. del Rosario is quick to say that Microtel isn’t a motel.
“The quick answer is no. The brands you mentioned have a recognition [of being motels]. Let’s put it this way; as they call it in Japan, they are ‘love hotels.’ In terms of marketing and positioning, we don’t think there’s a direct competition. Even if you stay in our hotel for three hours, overnight pa din ang rate. Lugi ka. (The hotel rate is still overnight. You’re short-changed),” he said, smiling.
Microtel caters to what he calls the “road warriors” -- pharmaceutical agents, auditors, and businessmen who are always on the go. It is also home to families and barkadas(friends) on vacation and on a budget. The peak seasons are usually the first and last three months of the year.
But, how hard or easy is it to handle the Microtel franchise?
“It is straightforward. We sit down with the prospect. The franchise lasts for 20 years. It’s as if you’re going to marry. I want to know who am I going to bed for the next 20 years. That’s how long the franchise contract is,” he said.
The one-time franchise fee is $1,000 per room he also said. After that, there are royalties once you start operating.
Still, the real challenge is maintaining the franchise and keeping up with competitors.
“Keeping the momentum going is not an easy task. When we started, everybody was looking at five-star hotels. Now, people are looking midmarket, where we are. Robinsons, SM, and even Ayala have their own. All are of these are challenges,” said Mr. del Rosario.
To keep up with these challenges, Microtel banks on word of mouth. During the first quarter of 2014, Microtels in Baguio, Puerto Princesa, and Davao received certificates of excellence from TripAdvisor, an American Web site for room ratings, and reviews from travelers.
“Word of mouth is very important. TripAdvisor is a form of word of mouth. Patay na ’pag ’di maganda ang rate. (You’re dead if you don’t get a good rating),” he said.
“We engage replies immediately. I have instructed our managers to refund money if it [comes] to that,” he added.
Microtel sees no slowing down, especially now that, according to Mr. del Rosario, “there’s a growth of disposable income [among Filipino travelers], the infrastructure has improved albeit complaints, plus [there are] budget fares in airlines.”
Looking forward, Mr. del Rosario, a father of four, said his firm has also acquired the Philippine franchise of Tryp hotel, also under the Wyndham group.
“This time it is sexier,” he said, clarifying that it would have “more vibrant colors and [a] hip restaurant.” He plans to open at least five Tryp properties.
BOOK Beyond All Barriers: Coincidence or Miracle? By Flor Gozon-Tarriela and Butch Jimenez Published by Conquest for Christ Foundation, Inc.
IT WASN’T PART of Alden Richards’ plans to become “The Pambansang Bae” (The National Babe) nor it was Tess E. Santos and Kim Atienza’s wish to get sick. But, despite troubles, there is always a reason to seek the good and to celebrate triumphs, no matter how small they are. This is the key reminder of the book Beyond All Barriers: Coincidence or Miracle, the fifth installment in the series which compiles people’s stories on the “miracles” of life.
“Life isn’t always sunny, but we can always look forward to rainbows,” said Flor Gozon Tarriela, a BusinessWorld columnist and one of the book’s two authors — the other is Butch Jimenez, senior vice-president of PLDT — during its launch on Nov. 25 at the Manila Polo Club in Makati.
From tales of struggles in love and health to career and business, the paperback has 100 stories, all with various versions of a happy ending.
Among the stories told are those of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, theater and TV personality Isay Alvarez Seña, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Nix Nolledo, and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr., who wrote about how they turned barriers into blessings.
SUCCESS STORIES Among the storytellers is 22-year-old actor Alden Richards (a.k.a. Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr.), who is currently celebrating his newfound A-list celebrity status, thanks to his Eat Bulaga stint and his AlDub (Alden and Yaya Dub) fans. But the road to becoming a household name was not easy. Entering showbiz wasn’t even part of his plans. “I wanted to be a pilot when I was growing up and my mom was very supportive of me,” he is quoted as saying in the book. But his mother would always tell him that she wanted to see him on television. “I would meekly say ‘yes’ to appease her,” he said.
When his mother died when he was only 16 years old, he realized he wanted to fulfill her wish. And so he auditioned countless times, and was rejected. Then GMA network saw his potential in 2010. He started acting. Early this year, however, his career had reached a plateau and he felt “restless and empty inside.” That was when he started to yearn for a deeper spiritual life. It was only when he surrendered himself to God that he was able to achieve his dreams and his mother’s wish.
The turning point for Kim Atienza also came when he sought spiritual healing. His story, called “The Ironman,” tells how he battled Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system, weakening and paralyzing the limbs. Before developing GBS, he already had a stroke that led him to change his lifestyle. He started joining marathons. It was only when he got GBS that his spiritual side grow stronger and deeper.
Actress Isay Alvarez-Seña has a similar story, called “My Heart Full with Every Curtain Call.”
It was the last quarter of 2012, and she was busy with corporate shows, TV series, and rehearsals for the production of the musical Katy! where she was the lead star. In between rehearsals, she would feel uncomfortable. “In one rehearsal, I felt faint and was having a hyper-acidic attack. One time, as I was lying down, I felt a big lump on my left side,” she is quoted as saying in the book. She was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a cancer of the blood.
She did not question God — her illness prompted her to strengthen her spiritual relationship with Him. She also helped herself by eating organic food and living a healthier lifestyle.
She said in the book: “I was not only prepping myself physically but spiritually, too.”
It has been two years since she got sick, and she said she is enjoying life to the fullest.
The book has tales of love especially for the hopeless romantic. Cynical about love and the concept of “forever?” Read “Single No More” about Tin-Tin Uy-Enriquez, director of Trans World Trading Co. Her story proves that there is a happy ever after, no matter one’s age is.
“When I was in my fifties, I had given up hope of ever getting married,” she says, while she may have been alone, she was not lonely. She was happy being single — until her friends set her up on a date. As you may have guessed, the date worked out, but the struggles of the romantic relationship are up to the reader to learn.
“To the single ladies who are still hoping for God’s best, continue to honor and serve your parents; serve the people,” she says in the book, “and the Lord will give you the desires of your heart.”
The book is not available in bookstores. For orders call 847-0522 to 25 or e-mail ccfionline.mission.ymail.com.
Have diabetes, hypertension, or lung disease? Get a pneumonia vaccination
SMOKERS and people with chronic respiratory illness, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases have a greater risk of catching pneumonia.
Adults with diabetes have two to six times more at risk than healthy adults of catching the serious lung infection; those with cardiovascular diseases are three to 10 times more at risk; and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are five to 17 times more at risk, said Dr. Rontgene Solante, chairman of Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Section in San Lazaro Hospital, at a recent forum marking the World Pneumonia Awareness Day.
“Cigarette smoking is the strongest independent risk factor for pneumonia in immune-compromised adults aged 18 to 64,” he pointed out.
Dr. Solante said getting a vaccination is important for people with pneumonia and those with the high-risk medical conditions mentioned. But it isn’t cheap. It costs at least P2,000 to P3,000 per vaccine and one must get two pneumonia vaccinations, and it isn’t covered by most health maintenance organizations.
INFECTION Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, virus, fungi, or parasitea. It is a common form of pneumococcal disease, which refers to a group of illnesses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia. Symptoms include cough, fever, shaking, chills, and difficulty in breathing.
People at both ends of age spectrum are most at risk. According to the 2009 Center for Disease and Control Prevention report, the highest incidences of pneumonia occur on people ages five and below and 55 and above.
“People get [pneumonia] by inhalation of microbes via direct person to person contact,” said Dr. Katrina Florcruz of The Medical City and a member of the Philippine Pediatric Society.
Air pollution and overcrowding are also factors.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.6 million people die annually because of pneumonia. While it isn’t in the top 10 death-causing diseases in the world, according to WHO data in 2012, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and COPD, are included in the top 10 list.
According to the Philippine Health Statistics data in 2013, in public hospitals, pneumonia is the fourth leading cause of death among aged Filipinos. It is the top cause of mortality among children ages one to 14. — Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
THE BORACAY of simple nipa huts and backpackers’ dreams is long gone.
While Boracay is still a consistent top choice among the world’s best beaches — the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents voted it as the “Favorite Beach Destination in 2015,” while TripAdvisor called Boracay the world’s seventh best beach this year for its clear waters and white powdery sand — it has transformed into a party town with a vibrant nightlife that saw the travel-dating site MissTravel.com ranking it as the most popular destination for Millennials who want to skip the usual family get-togethers especially on holidays.
“Boracay has changed now. It’s primarily a party town. You don’t go to chill or relax anymore, especially in Station 2,” said Annabella Wisniewski, president of Raintree Hospitality Group (RHG), during the launch of Boracay’s newest hotel on Nov. 12. “The market is young. The Millennials are very active, they have high energy,”
Tapping the energy of the Millennials, who are a growing market of Boracay-bound vacationers, RHG, in partnership with Cyrus and Luisa Sta. Maria’s Beach Design Hotel Group, Inc., will open a 71-room “Millennial-friendly” hotel called Coast at Station 2 in the first quarter of 2016.
“It’s a ‘new-gen’ resort that has a lot of energy, but in an organized chaos,” said Ms. Wisniewski. But she was quick to add that it can be family-oriented, too. The room rate averages between P6,000 and P8,000.
Setting it apart from the rest of party-ready hotels in Station 2 — it is located at the middle of the bustling beach, just a few steps away from the restaurants, bars, and pasalubong (souvenir) stores of the D’Mall — its beach butler service which comes at no extra charge. And it has cotton candy and popcorn available at the lobby (“Just to add something unique.”).
Food is also a focus at The Coast — after all, RHG owns Metro Manila eateries like the Museum Café and Kabila at the Ayala Museum in Greenbelt 4, and the Japanese restaurant Saboten, among many others. At Coast, vacationers can choose from a rooftop bar and lounge (The Coconut Club), or a pica-pica (finger food) food truck, a grill (Cafecito), or an all-day dining restaurant (Cha Cha).
“We don’t need to be high-end [to have a superb service.] My mission is to improve the standard of service. The Filipinos have this gaya-gaya(copycat) mentality, which has a good side. We have to uplift the standard — while we’re not five-star hotel, we have to be good. We have to represent the country, and Boracay is a showcase,” Ms. Wisniewski said.
The gaya-gaya mentality was in reference to the air-conditioned boats that HSAI-Raintree — which developed and managed Discovery Suites, Shores, and Country Suites from 1999 to 2012 — started offering to transport tourists from Aklan to Boracay. Soon the rest of the island’s hotels started offering their own comfy boats.
Now, she said Coast hotel wants to lead by example, as a budget hotel with five-star hotel-like service.
IF HONG KONG Disneyland (HKDL) is in a romantic relationship, it has grown past the seven-year itch, because it is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary — and is looking forward for more years to come.While the hash tag #walangforever (there’s no forever) reigns supreme among embittered Filipino netizens, there is forevermore and a happy ever after in this 28-hectare theme park.
But the past decade was not easy. The park had its fair shares of difficulties, including fluctuating tourist arrivals and competition from neighboring parks (and it looks like it will soon be competing with a sibling when Disneyland opens in Shanghai next spring). The South China Morning Post said that the theme park, which is a joint venture of the Hong Kong government and Disney, “finally reported a profit in 2012 and now has ambitious plans.”
PINOY PERFORMERS Gian Magdangal and Raki Vega in Mickey and the Wondrous Book
While unable to interview HKDL bosses to ask about, say, its challenges and future plans, we were able to experience what the theme park has in store for the coming years. A few media people were invited to celebrate Disney’s decade of fun on Nov. 16-18, which coincided with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in the Philippines. Many flights were canceled and rescheduled, including ours, but it was a good problem — there’s no best place to be stranded than in “The Happiest Place on Earth,” right?
In line with its 10th birthday celebration, here are 10 reasons to spend your holidays at Hong Kong Disneyland.
1 A NEW SHOW After a decade of The Golden Mickeys, HKDL finally decided to stage a new musical show. The replacement is a better version in terms of stage setup and musical lineup.
PHOTO OP with Mickey and Minnie
The folks behind Mickey and the Wondrous Book, the 25-minute show on view at the Storybook Theater, made sure that it’s never short of spectacle. It is a Broadway-inspired musical featuring seven beloved Disney tales. It starts with Mickey Mouse and Goofy sneaking into a library and accidentally opening a hardbound book that sets Olaf, the beloved snowman from Frozen, free from its pages. They then have to find a way of bringing Olaf back before he melts. While Goofy stays with Olaf to make sure he’s still frozen, Mickey meet other beloved characters like Merida ofBrave, Queen Elsa of Frozen, and Baloo Bear from The Jungle Book on his quest.
The music numbers change from Broadway to Bollywood to hip-hop, jazz, and even gospel.
“To be part of the development of the music was a thrilling experience,” said Filipino music director Rony Fortrich, who’s been with the park since day one. “The creative team worked closely with the musical directors and arrangers from the US and took all-time favorite classics and gave them a contemporary twist for guests of all ages.”
Mr. Fortrich oversees all the music requirements, vocalists and musicians in all HKDL productions. Before becoming the musical director, he worked with Filipino theater companies Trumpets, Atlantis Productions, and Repertory Philippines.
Mickey and the Wondrous Book will run until the management decides to change it.
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: the Frozen tree lighting ceremony
2FILIPINO PRIDE It’s impossible not to spot a kababayan (countryman) when in Disney. After all, of the more than 7,800 crew members in HKDL, the majority are Filipinos working on and off the stage, on the streets, and behind the kitchen. In fact, in Mickey and the Wondrous Book, 80% of the talents are Filipinos. Singers Gian Magdangal and Raki Vega, for instance, opened the show with the theme song “Happily Ever After.”
The two performers were both products of local talent shows before trying their luck in Hong Kong. Mr. Magdangal was a runner-up inPhilippine Idol in 2006. He started working in Disney a year ago — “I’m doing this for my son,” he told reporters.
Ms. Vega shares the same motivation. She’s helping her family in Cebu. The singer was a finalist in ABS-CBN’s reality singing show Born Divain 2004. She has been working at HKDL for five years, and is currently its voice principal.
THE NIGHTLY FIREWORKS display, Disney in the Stars, at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle
“We’ve given another, bigger, stage. We have millions of people watching us every day. I think it’s more of the palaban ang Pinoy (the fighting spirit of Filipinos) because you’re not only representing yourself but the whole country. This is a blessing,” she said when asked what Filipino flavors they bring to the Disney table.
Mr. Magdangal agrees. He said: “For me it’s the experience and the culture we carry to the stage. Kahit ’di ako nakaipon na isang taon lang ako dito, ito lang ang nakuha ko, basta andito ako, ito ang kaya kong gawin. (Even if I wasn’t able to save for a year, it’s okay because this is what I can do.) This is what I feel whenever I sing to an audience. You always bring your background, ’yung ipakita mo na ito ang kaya kong gawin, (to show that you can do conquer the stage),” he said.
3 FOOD: TOO PRETTY TO EAT While Mickey Mouse dimsums may be cute, they’re so last season. In line with the upcoming theatrical release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Dec. 17, HKDL has come up with Star Wars-themed food. Darth Vader burgers, anyone?
THE NEW musical, Mickey and the Wondrous Book
But one can still find Mickey Mouse waffles; Minnie Mouse hakaw (a Chinese dumpling with shrimp); Olaf as a mung bean steamed bun; and Queen Elsa on top of a chocolate-coated apple, among others, in the park’s cafes and the Disney Hotel and Hollywood Hotel restaurants. The catch is: they’re too pretty to eat!
According to HKDL culinary director Rudolf Muller, who’s been at the helm of the Disney kitchen since 2003, the culinary team has a “Mickey check” plan, which ensures that the food menus are “healthy, fun for the kids, and with certain amount of calories needed by the body” to fuel up a day of trying out the rides.
4 THE RIDES An ordinary vacationer has to line up for at least 10 minutes, depending on the ride and the crowd, before getting on a ride at Disneyland. Thanks to our media passes, however, our group of Filipino reporters from different publications was able to use the express lane and try out Disney’s iconic rides minus the long queues. “Just don’t look at the people in line unless you want them to shout at you,” a friend warned me.
The theme park is divided into seven attractions: Toy Story, Mystic Point, Grizzly Gulch, Adventure Land, Main Street USA, Fantasy Land and Tomorrow Land.
A STAR WARS-themed burger
Here’s a suggestion when planning your rides, go from mild to wild so as not to upset your stomach.
First stop: It’s a Small World in the Fantasy Land. Perfect for families with kids, the 15-minute boat ride is eye-candy for children and the young-at-heart as the cruise takes passengers on a journey around the world, including the Philippines, as cute mannequins and teddy bears sing “It’s a Small World” in different languages.
While at Fantasy Land, try the Cinderella Carousel, which has 60 horses that go ’round and ’round. Nobody’s too old for a good old carousel ride!
At Adventure Land’s Jungle River Cruise, kids of all ages take a mysterious river adventure replete with hidden hippopotamus, elephants taking a shower, and playful monkeys perched on a tree — none are the real thing, although they look it.
THE FAIRY Tale Forest
Voted as the favorite ride among Filipino visitors is The Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. The thrilling multi-direction roller coaster goes up and down, left to right and vice versa — and even backward. Like a worm swimming in salt, the coaster crisscrosses its way through the entire Grizzly trail.
But nothing beats the indoor interstellar roller-coaster ride Space Mountain in Tomorrow Land. Warning: this is not for the weak. The high-speed journey does not take its time — it starts and ends real fast! The riders are first taken into a seemingly black hole, where everything, is, well, pitch dark. This heightens the tension. Then — zoom! The next thing you know, you’re one with the stars and the meteors. Keep your eyes wide open if you can, and wonder at simulated galaxy. But then again, who has time to appreciate the lights and the stars when everything happens in the speed of light?
The minimum height requirement for this ride is 102 centimeters.
5 A NEW ATTRACTION If you think you have already seen all there is to witness and experience in Disneyland, there’s more. Opening on Dec. 17 is the Fairy Tale Forest, a live storybook garden peppered with miniature iconic scenes from Disney’s animated features Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, and Beauty and the Beast. Visitors can activate a music box and then the Disney characters come to life. Tinker Bell is up for a meet-and-greet while she sprinkles some magic pixie dust into your hair.
6 PARADES AND PICTURE TAKING Take a break from all the rides and head over to Main Street, which is just near the park’s entrance. At around four or five every afternoon, the Disney characters gather to showcase their costumes and floats in state-of-the-art parade. Again, it is impossible not to spot a Filipino dancer, singer, or musician clad in a costume. Don’t be too shy to say hi, and take a selfie.
7 Frozen CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING The -ber months, especially December, are the best time to take a trip to Hong Kong and enjoy the winter. It is also the time that Disneyland Hong Kong also celebrates Christmas in its own way. This year, the sisters Queen Elsa and Princess Anna glow and glimmer as they sing the iconic theme song from Frozen, “Let it Go,” while a Christmas tree illuminates the dimly lit Main Street. The show will run only until Jan. 3, 2016.
8 SHOPPING, SHOPPING, SHOPPING! Need we say more? The boutique strip along Main Street has an overload of Disney character collectibles that range from tumblers to T-shirts, car toys to key chains. To give you an idea of how much they cost, a refrigerator magnet costs HK$45 (P1 = HK$.16).
9 AWAY FROM HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS While taking a break from life in the Philippines — or visiting an OFW relative — the theme park can serve as your home away from home. It’s convenient because it’s near the airport, and, besides, it’s the Happiest Place on Earth!
Take the case of Marvin Naadat, an OFW in HKDL. A former dancer with Douglas Nieras’s dance company, he started out at Disneyland as a parade dancer in 2005, then worked his way up to becoming one of HKDL’s dance directors along with two other talented Filipino performers. They make sure of the quality of every dance production in Disney.
“It’s very hard to be away from your family,” said Mr. Naadat, “especially if your kids are growing.”
The HDKL management surprised Mr. Naadat during an early Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner) with the media and the Filipino crew members — his wife, Lhedda, and their two children, Mavie and Maia, flew from Singapore, where they are based now, to meet their dad.
After the press con and the dinner, the Naadat family said they would tour Disneyland first thing in the morning.
10 END IT WITH A BANG! After all the eating, riding, shopping, and picture taking, literally end your trip with a bang and a beautiful showcase in the sky. Running every day at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle until Jan. 3 is a colorful spectacle of modern pyrotechnics called Disney in the Stars. The fireworks show displays 49 Disney characters, including the newest additions Sadness and Joy from the animated film Inside Out, Lightning McQueen of Cars, and Hero and Baymax of Big Hero Six.
HKDL looks forward to 10 more magical years, because, in the words of Walt Disney: “Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.” Who knows what tomorrow brings?
