My issues with Miss Universe 2011

Let me begin by saying that I agree with Miss Angola Leila Lopes' win at the Miss Universe Coronation Night last Tuesday at Sao Paulo, Brazil. Many, especially Filipinos, voiced out their disappointment with her being the Miss Universe 2011 but I actually like her and believe she deserves the title. 


I'm not belittling our own representative, Shamcey Supsup. She is definitely a Pinoy proud when she delivered her answer, quick, sensible and straight from her heart. However, I believe she fell short in the other categories. I must say--my opinion spare me for saying this--that she did not stand out during the Swimsuit and the Long Gown portions. 


Unlike Miss Angola, her dark skin, already a shout among her fair companions, plus her grace and confidence, and angelic features. And she did not give a bad answer during the question and answer portion too. 


So my verdict, it was not enough that Shamcey topped the Q&A. Still, I ADMIRE her BIGTIME I swear! :)


OK so much for the long intro. I have no issues with the pageant's result whatsoever but I have issues on my own regarding what happened to the news feature that I wrote for our newspaper's frontpage to be used for the the day after the pageant issue.


Well, I finished the article and in my opinion I did it justice. But then I saw my byline in a Miss Universe story that does not include a single paragraph I wrote. 


There was a tagline "WITH AFP." So I reckoned then that the story was the one from AFP, maybe tweaked a little, I really don't know. 


But my point here is that, THAT was not the story I wrote. I wanted to say to the new news editor that she could just remove my name there since I didn't have any say. But I backed out because she might think I'm too proud of myself. Or maybe that byline was for the effort I gave. SO I just let it be. 


I don't understand why the new news editor did that though. Did she not like the story I wrote? I'm not claiming I'm a good writer, but I write with the style I developed as a Lifestyle reporter. 


I wrote that news feature with how our section would have wrote that. If my editor read that story I know she would publish it in our page. Plus, I've been submitting features to the news pages and they used it without removing my soul and style to the article. 


I didn't even plan to publicize about this because it's not gonna do our paper good in any way. BUT when I found out that the wrong information AFP said in their story, "Ninety-eight young women took part in the contest..." (I even posted this mistake in my FB page while I was researching for my article! What turn of events!)


I just can't keep quiet anymore. Well I deserve to give myself justice. And I've always voiced my concerns and issues here in my blog. So if I don't do this, I'm lying to myself when I say I'm a writer. 


I'm not saying I don't make mistakes, but wth, that mistake was put under my name and when I even did not commit it! And when I think that my original story said '89 women represented their countries'!


They could put an erratum if they want to but it will only clean the newspaper's mistake, NOT the mistake that was put under my name. 


SO this blog, is my ERRATUM FOR MYSELF. 


***
I know everything I said here should be told instead to the person involved but if they ever come across with this, I hope they understand. 


If you want to read the TRUE story I wrote go here! :)


***
On a lighter note, enough with my grievances! My lovely Lifestyle editor gave birth to a healthy second son on September 14. So happy for her! :)

Tears shed for last 'Harry Potter' premiere

“EMOTIONAL” was exactly how everyone—from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, the filmmakers, JK Rowling, to the fans — felt at the last red-carpet premiere of the Harry Potter saga on July 7 (July 8 in Manila) at Trafalgar Square, London.

The red carpet for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was set on a backdrop of thousands of fans who gathered and waited for days to catch one last time their favorite Harry Potter actors.

And as the last film adaptation of Rowling’s seven-part book series ends a 10-year journey, main characters Radcliffe, Watson and Grint could not help but be moved to tears.

Counted at 3,000, fans not only from the United Kingdom but also from other countries including Canada, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Sweden, Belgium and Singapore camped out at Trafalgar Square for days under bad weather.

More fans became part of the red-carpet premiere as Warner Brothers Inc. showed a live stream through its Harry Potter fanpage on Facebook.

Arriving at the much-awaited event, Grint, Watson and finally Radcliffe (who flew in from New York where he was rehearsing for Broadway to catch the premiere) were welcomed by the excited screams of the fans at Trafalgar Square.

They were not disappointed as the three signed autographs, had their pictures taken with them and returned gratitude to their loyal fans.

The three young stars made a quick stopover at the big stage in the middle of the square to share their feelings on what is dubbed as “the end of an era.”

The actors, who first became Harry Potter (Radcliffe), Hermoine Granger (Watson) and Ron Weasley (Grint) at the age of 10, grew up filming Harry Potter.

Now at 21, they said that they cannot believe that it really is the end.

The three admitted how emotional they were when they shot the last scene.

Still, Radcliffe, cannot help but feel “incredibly happy” despite the saga’s end especially on how the last film turned out.

He said, “The way it [Deathly Hallows: Part 2] turned out, we cannot have made a better version.”

And summing up, Radcliffe, who gave life to boy wizard Harry Potter, described the whole journey to be “inspirational, surreal and bizarre.”

The three then became really emotional when they said thanks to one another.

Watson, who really cried hard said that she will definitely miss the two boys.

Grint, however, expressed it best when he said, “The best half of my life, I shared with you two. I love you.”

Fans at Trafalgar Square and around the globe cried with their idols as they tweeted messages of sadness and happiness in Twitter.

They, too said that Harry Potter had been a part of their lives growing up reading and watching the saga.

Besides Radcliffe, Watson and Grint, the fans also showed their love to the Harry Potter creator, JK Rowling. Cheers of “JK! JK! JK!” from the crowd made the author cry.

She said that she did not imagine that Harry Potter would be such a phenomenon. But all the credit she gave to the readers saying, “No story lives unless someone wants to listen.”

And to Rowling, Radcliffe said, “Whatever happens for the rest of my acting career, I owe it to you.”

Other favorite Harry Potter actors who also arrived, much to the delight of the fans, were Robbie Coltrane as the half-giant Hagrid, Ralph Fiennes as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Lord Voldemort, Helena Bonham Cater as the evil Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange, Alan Rickman as Professor Severus Snape and Tom Felton as arch nemesis Draco Malfoy.

Distributed by Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:Part 2 will be released in Philippine theaters and IMAX, in 3D and 2D on July 14.

It opens worldwide on July 15.

First published for The Manila Times. See here. 

Boracay 101: A first timer's guide to the island paradise

EVEN though we’re right in the middle of the rainy season, there are still countless reasons to visit the country’s prized destination that it is Boracay—from the sugary-white powder sand and its clear waters, to the endless gimmick spots along the beach—especially if it’s your first time. 

But before you start packing your bags and start booking tickets, it would be best to read up on the stories of people (Filipinos and foreigners alike) who’ve been to the island paradise, to spare you from looking like a lost child and make the most of your first time.

That's white sand, clear waters, and blue skies for you.

Flight to Bora

With Boracay’s every rising popularity in recent years, traveling to the island has become much more convenient—whether you are traveling by land, sea or air.

Many airlines now offer flights to Caticlan airport in Aklan. There is also the improved Roll on-Roll off system (Ro-Ro) that has evolved as means of public transportation especially for those on a tight budget. Today, at least four Ro-Ros arrive at Caticlan port with most of the passengers bound for Boracay.

The easiest and fastest however is via Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR) since it takes directly to Caticlan in just 45 minutes. The airline, founded in 1995 has two nine-seater planes that made the first flight from Manila to Caticlan.

For 16 years, SEAIR is the longest running domestic airline that flies from Manila to Caticlan. It served as a pioneer in leisure airlines for opening access to Philippines’ most famous beach, Boracay.

Serene sanctuary 

The inevitable development and commercialization of Boracay also brought a lot of business opportunities for those involved in hotels and accommodations, and unless it is the peak season, there are plenty of places to stay in the island.

With so many choices of where to stay in Boracay, there’s definitely a place fit for any type of budget or theme (spotted Facebook Resort). But if you’re looking for peace and quiet, a refuge away from the busy and hyped up beachfront, there’s the Boracay Garden Resort at Station 2.

Located inside the busy strip of Boracay, this hotel and resort offers guests utmost privacy. Boracay Garden Chief operating officer, Alfonso Chusuey, said in an interview “Every time I go to the beach, there’s a lot of people. But when I go back here, it’s so quite and relaxing. It’s like a different place.”

Enjoy the peace and quiet. 

“People stay here because not everyone like the crowded beach,” he added.

Formerly Hotel Seraph, Boracay Garden Resort was acquired by Hennan Resorts in 2009. This group also operates Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa, Regency Lagoon Resort and Hennan Resort at Alona Beach.

The hotel boasts of 200 spacious rooms. It is also equipped with topnotch facilities like the gym, pools that lies just outside the terrace of your room and sunken bar. It recently opened Garden Café, the hotel’s new restaurant that offers Asian cuisine.

If you want a spa treatment, just head over to its sister resort, Boracay Regency’s Kai Spa for a very relaxing therapy.

Foodtrip

While you’re on it, don’t forget to satisfy your food cravings. You can already do so inside Boracay Garden Resort.

The Garden Café, created to cater to the hotel’s guests (mainly Korean and Chinese), offers a menu featuring Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino dishes. Executive chef Patrick Obia recreated all the favorites with a twist.

Sweet huh?

Starting off with the Filipino menu, get a taste of the favorites Ensaladang manga at Ampalaya and Shrimp Camote Ukoy. There is also Inihaw na Adobong Manok at Baboy and Inihaw na Tilapia sa Gata, both Filipino staples. 

Japanese specialty include chicken yakitori, prawn tempura, sushi and sashimi, kamemashi crab rice and sukiyaki hot pot while Chinese specialty include Schezwan fried chicken, sautéed beef and broccoli, salt and pepper squid, steamed fish fillet with garlic, pork pata tim and yang chow fried rice.

Spicy kimchi!

Then get ready to go crazy over the spicy Korean dishes. Watch and learn how the popular Kimchi (spicy cabbage) is made. Enjoy dwen-jang chi-gae (beef and vegetable soup), chap jae (vermicelli noodles), budlak (spicy fried chicken) and nak-ji bo-kum (spicy stir fry squid), all hot and spicy.

Outside the hotel, don’t forget to try Chorizo burger, freshly cooked seafood like the giant lobsters, and the famous Banana Choconut smoothie from Jonas.

Souvenir hunt

Walking along the beachfront and seeing things for yourself is one thing you must also do in Boracay. Watch people as they get henna tattoos or hilot from local therapists, watch poi dancers, hear live bands, catch the sunset and see different nationalities make their way in the famous Philippine beach.

Taray!

Buy pasalubong at Boracay’s D’ Mall. But if you want to buy everything at half the price, go to Boracay’s d-Talipapa. There you can buy two Boracay T-shirts at P140, bracelets at P10 each, piyaya at three for P100, and many more from handmade bags, rattan materials, sarongs, maxi dresses, hats to danggit and pusit. Just be a good haggler and you’re sure bring a lot home.

Come night and Boracay transforms as the “gimmick spot in white sands.” Feel the summer breeze and booze. Visit the hottest bars like Epic, Summer’s Place and Juice Bar.

Take your pick.

If you don’t want to spend a lot in beverage, try grabbing a drink from a nearby convenient store and stay along the seaside. Smell the seawater and gaze at the stars. Just don’t forget to properly dispose your garbage.

Swim!

Don’t forget, you’re in a beach. It would be a crime not to enjoy the water.

The best time to swim is in during the morning when the sun’s rays are not too strong. It will also give you that golden tan. Wear your killer two-piece, goggles and sunscreen then go hit the beach.

Take a dip

If you’re the adventurous type, try the different water sports offered in the island like jetski, sailing, banana boat, parasailing and many more.

First published for The Manila Times. Read here. All photos by me.

‘Varekai’: A spectacle of color, art and acrobatic drama

Even the floods and the heavy downpour could not dampen the excitement of the people inside the Grand Chapiteau, or the big top tent. They sat on the edge of their seats throughout the two-hour spectacle of color, art and acrobatics that is Circque du Soleil’s: Varekai.

The majestic yellow and blue big top that had a sitting capacity of 2,200 resounded with gasps of amazement—sometimes even fear—as spectators witnessed the reason why everyone has been talking about this world-class circus performance since it premiered on June 20.

First announced in March, the excitement over Varekai escalated over news that performers from different parts of the world have been brought together for the grandest live event of the year.

Varekai, which means “everywhere” in the Romany language, is a magical forest on top of a volcano’s that is inhabited by creatures beyond human imagination. This is where, Icarus, a Greek mythology character that fell on earth, landed.

Icarus, portrayed flawlessly by Mark Halasi will meet different creatures, face many adventures and eventually learn how to fall in love.

The show opened with a bevy of enchanting beings crawling out of the stage. The colorful and playful costumes accompanied by the striking music instantly captivated the audience’s attention. Then, Icarus fell from the sky and was discovered by Varekai habitants.

The Flight of Icarus

Excitement peaked when the first act, “The Flight of Icarus,” went high above the stage. Icarus flew high with acrobatic stunts using a diamond-cut net connected to a rope.

Other aerial acts included the “Aerial Hoop” featuring Leysan Gayazova on a hanging hoop; the “Triple Trapeze”; an act of four young women in a fixed trapeze; and the “Aerial Straps” by a duo of flyers suspended by wrist straps that glide gracefully above the stage in synchronized movements.

Besides the gravity-defying acts, Varekai was also interspersed with a bit of comedy featuring the duo of Steven Bishop and Mercedes Hernandez as a magician and his voluptuous partner. The fight between Skywatcher (Gordon White) and Guide (Otis Cook) also had the audience in fits of laughter.

A Varekai woman

Among the other notable acts were “Balancing on Canes” which features the contortionist Yulia Mykhailova as Icarus’ The Betrothed, hand-balancing on a series of canes; “Meteor Shower” featuring three young children in complicated somersaults; the “Icarian Games” by three brothers tossing each other in the air; “Solo on Crutches;” as well as the Gregorian dance and “Slippery Surface” dance.

Varekai climaxed with the “Russian Swings” with acrobats hurled high into the air, alighting on their partners’ wrists or on a landing canvas, sometimes even flying from one moving swing to the other swing. Truly astonishing.

Icarian Games

At the end of the show, everyone left with on a high with memories of an unbelievable performance they will not soon forget. It just goes to show, no one is ever too old for the circus.

Varekai’s limited run is ongoing until July 24 at the Grand Chapiteau at the Quirino Granstand. For tickets, visit the on-site box office at the Grand Chapiteau or log on to www.hoopla.ph. For more information, call 775-0939, 881-0947, 0919-4508125 and 0917-4436463.

First published for The Manila Times. Read here. 

The 'Little Red Roof' changes lives

“What do we teach our children?” This is a common question when it comes to primary education.

It is also an important question because many believe that the earliest form of education is that which will shape and guide children as they grow—the foundation of learning. The most important lessons like love for God and country, core values, and basic science and math generally comprise a student’s early years.

With a curriculum in a place, in the Philippines, it is a sad fact, however, that the next question often asked is, “Where do we teach our children?” Corruption in government sadly results in the lack of funds to give every Filipino child the right to education.

Thankfully, golden hearts in the private sector are there to provide the answers to the question. One such organization is Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc., which has long helped out to provide students with a school roof over their heads.

Solutions sought

The shortage of classrooms in the Philippines is shockingly in the hundreds of thousands. With such a backlog, countless children who are determined to study often resort to walking unimaginable lengths, just to reach the “nearest” public school.

Once there, yet another problem arises. Not only are the schools remote, but the classrooms are old and dilapidated, or too small for the huge number of students, making them unfit for learning.

To address the endless problems, Coca-Cola Foundation established a corporate social responsibility arm in1998 called the Little Red School House program, under its Live Positively campaign. Since then, they have been helping elementary schools in far flung areas all around the country to build school houses and rehabilitate classrooms in the worst conditions.

Little Red School Houses: The red roof shines brightly

Red roofed classrooms

Coca-Cola Foundation constructs Little Red School Houses from the ground up. The red roof is the trademark of this benevolent endeavor. Every school house has three classrooms, complete with blackboards both in front and at the back to serve a multi-grade setting. In other words, each classroom can accommodate two consecutive levels at the same time—Grades I and II, Grades III and IV, and Grades V and VI. 

Over the years, more than 80 schoolhouses have been built by Coca Cola Foundation in the Philippines and over P100 million has been allocated for the campaign.

Claveria’s Little Red School House

One remote and fortunate barangay, which the Coca-Cola Foundation has helped is Sitio Bulahan in Claveria, Misamis Oriental. When the foundation first visited the area, they found a wooden public elementary school, which was built in 1970s. Too worn down to serve as a place of learning for the students, Coca Cola went straight to work and built the community a brand new school in 2008.

Organizing a media trip in April, the foundation showed just how the quality of education had changed in Bulahan after the Little Red School House was erected.

Bulahan Elementary School's principal

Principal Prescila Balaba, who also teaches Grades V and VI, recalled that the original two-classroom school house of Bulahan had been used by the community for a total of 35 years. Because they were made of wood, the old structure decayed rapidly and was unsafe for the children who continued to study there. 

When she heard about Coca-Cola’s search for beneficiaries of the Little Red School Houses, she went as far as telling a few white lies to convince the foundation that Bulahan is an ideal choice.

“I told the district supervisor facilitating the search that Bulahan Elementary School is not too far from the town proper even though it is!” she laughed. “I had to do it because they really needed to see the dilapidated condition of the classrooms we were using.”

True enough, after seeing the classrooms, Bulahan Elementary School was singled out in Claveria, and construction began in November 25, 2008.

Caring for the classrooms

The advocacy also stirred a change in the whole community of Bulahan. First, the number of enrollments in Bulahan Elementary School has seen a significant rise in the last three years since the Red School House was built.

Claveria's district supervisor for education

Panfilo Picot, public schools district supervisor for Claveria, added, “We also worked on improving the quality of education [with the Little Red School House]. The building itself is really conducive to learning [that is why] even the student’s learning abilities got better too.”

Moreover, the community also saw the value of caring for the classrooms, enticing parents themselves to see that the school house is always clean and well-maintained.

Balaba said that while the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) has no money for the upkeep of the school, they willingly give their services instead. They even built a garden in the school’s backyard and planted crops like camote and onions. The earnings they make from selling their harvest are automatically turned over for building maintenance.  They have also been able to build a cemented pathway for the children, and are almost done with the construction of a small stage for school presentations.

Encouraging new partnerships

The Bulahan Elementary School still needs more of your support

Seeing the vast improvement of Buluhan Elementary School, other nongovernment organizations were encouraged to follow suit. The Rotary Club of Claveria donated books to organize a small library small library. Other donations also came in from new partners.

Principal Balaba’s next goal is to have computers in the school, in order to arm their students with the requirements of the outside world. She knows someday it will happen, just as the Coca Cola Foundation made the dream of new classrooms come true.

*First published for The Manila Times. Photos by Jonathan Neri and Bon Roa.

Louis Vuitton uplifts the Filipino family

Partnership for children’s future.” Louis Vuitton has pledged a total of $120,000 to help the SOS Children’s Villages’ projects for striving families in Davao, Tacloban and Lipa

Louis Vuitton and SOS Children’s Villages Philippines will work hand in hand to protect Filipino children from being separated from their families. According to the high fashion luxury brand, “family-strengthening” will be the major focus of its local partnership with the non-government organization, which was formalized on June 16 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

To support the many programs for the said cause, Louis Vuitton has pledged a total of $120,000 to be utilized within a two-year course. 

The announcement was made by Louis Vuitton president for Asia Pacific Jean-Baptiste Debains, Louis Vuitton Country Manager for the Philippines Rhea de Vera-Aguirre, and SOS Children’s Villages Philippines National Director Bienvenido Delgado.

Global partnership

According to Debains, the global partnership between Louis Vuitton and SOS Children’s Villages International began in 2010 when the two institutions signed a five-year agreement, which they called, “Partnership for Children’s Future."

This program focuses on a child’s right to education and protection from any form of child labor and abuse. When the agreement was signed, the key beneficiaries that were chosen were China, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines. 

Back then, Louis Vuitton’s Intellectual Property Department donated and distributed $500,000 among the SOS Children’s Villages in each country. 

Debains clarified that the donations do not come from the company’s sales but from Louis Vuitton’s anti-counterfeiting activities.

He explained that the luxury brand continuously fights counterfeiting in countries where big organizations are involved in the manufacture of fake Louis Vuitton bags. 

“There’s a lot of money involved around it [counterfeiting]. We believe that the persons selling the bags in the streets or in the stores are not the big criminal but the organizations behind them.

Turning to counterfeit laws, Louis Vuitton is able to get damages from the organizations involved in this criminal activity.

Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific President Jean Baptiste-Debains, Louis Vuitton Country  Manager Philippines Rhea  de Vera-Aguirre and SOS Children's Villages Philippines National Director Bienvenido Delgado

Local cooperation

The month of June saw Louis Vuitton’s first initiative to aid the SOS Children’s Villages Philippines. The funds from its Intellectual Property Department will go to SOS Children’s Villages in Davao, Tacloban and Lipa, the three oldest children’s villages in the country.

It is also notable that while Louis Vuitton’s partnership with other countries focuses solely on the SOS Children’s Villages, here, the partnership extends all the way to the local community.

This was explained by Delgado, who told The Manila Times, “We move from the Children’s Villages in Davao, Tacloban and Lipa to the communities around it. And this cooperation [with Louis Vuitton] is significant because these communities are the natural areas of growth. We go out where the children live with their biological families.”

SOS Davao, Tacloban and Lipa will soon hold its family strengthening programs, the top priority of which is to send as many children to school as they can. Louis Vuitton and SOS value education as the cornerstone of their partnership. Meanwhile, parents will also undergo training programs to learn how to best raise their families, so they will not resort to giving their children away due to hardships.

“This is actually the specific program that we’re [Louis Vuitton] supporting because it focuses on protecting the family and keeping the family together. I suppose a lot of these children have the risk of eventually having to go to the [SOS] villages that is why these efforts aim to prevent that situation from happening,” concluded Aguirre.

*First published for The Manila Times. Read here. 

A bigger and better Ballet Manila

Philippines' Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde

In the next three or four years, prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde will just watch her beloved company, Ballet Manila (BM) from the sidelines.

“My major, major assignment as artistic director of Ballet Manila is to prepare the company and its 53 dancers to be on their own,” Macuja proudly announced at a press conference at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. “I will just be leading, teaching and coaching them the way I’m doing [right] now, but without being the principal dancer on stage.”

The 47-year-old ballet prodigy believes that it is important for “Ballet Manila to live on and prosper as Ballet Manila,” and not as “Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s ballet company.”

To do so, she is taking BM on a tour of London, Ireland, Singapore, Indonesia and Korea for the 2011 to 2012 performing season, in order to expose the dancers to an international audience. The company’s official calendar includes the “East Meets West” tour in London from June 30 to July 2, and in Ireland from July 4 to 6; “Ballet Under the Stars” in Singapore from July 15 to 17; the “5th World Gyeongju Culture Expo 2011” from September 4 to 11, and the “Andong International Mask Festival” from September 30 to October 9 in Korea; and lastly “Ballet Manila and Ballet Indonesia” in Indonesia from January 27 to 29, 2012.

Classical ballet foundation

Lisa with Ballet Manila's best dancers,
Rudy de Dios and Jennifer Olayvar

It is not known to many that at this stage, Ballet Manila’s dancers can already divide themselves into separate groups and perform in different venues without Macuja as principal ballerina.

Over the years, Macuja is proud to have trained highly skilled ballerinas, owing to the foundation of classical ballet. Together with co-artistic director and former dance partner Osias Barossa, she starts everyone off on the Russian Vaganova technique.

“I think with the Russian Vaganova technique, we properly train the dancers to tackle any form of ballet, whether it is contemporary dance, modern ballet or Filipino ethnic ballet,” Macuja explained. She further believes that it is this particular foundation that distinguishes BM from other ballet companies.

Last hurrahs

Now that Macuja has fully recovered from chronic tendonitis in both her ankles (she underwent surgery in December 2010), she is all set to perform the last full dances her favorite classics for the season.

In October, she will take on her final performance of Swan Lake as the twins Odette/Odile, to be followed in 2012 with her final bow as Kitri for Don Quixote.

The prima ballerina also plans to do the The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Giselle before permanently going back stage.

Macuja confessed though that she will definitely find it painful to say goodbye to these full length classics, and will miss the feeling of being able to grow as a character from one act to the next.

Lisa shares Ballet Manila's busy season

Acceptance

Dancing for almost three decades now, Macuja admitted that she envies her current crop of dancers whose bodies are younger, jump higher and spin faster.

She knows she can never go back to her 20-year-old physique, even if she gives “200 percent” in training. “Tomorrow, ganun pa rin, mas mataas pa rin ang talon nila kaysa sa akin [it will be the same tomorrow, the younger dancers will still jump higher than I do],” she laughed. “I cannot jump as high as them anymore, ever. And that kind of acceptance is so important to me.”

But the prima ballerina still has something the younger generations of dancers don’t have. She has wisdom, experience and an illustrious reputation gained through sheer hard work throughout the years. Despite her age, it is certain that any performance by Lisa Macuja-Elizalde will draw in the crowds.

“It’s just what a live performance brings,” she humbly remarked. “A painter leaves behind a piece of work that can be hung on a wall—100 years from now, we will still be marveling at Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa.’ But a performing artist leaves behind a memory of the performance where audiences see the sweat, the blood, the human machine that was pushed to the limit to do something very athletic and at the same time very artistic. Iba yon, hindi na yon mauulit [It’s irreplaceable].”

*First published for The Manila Times. Read here. Photos are mine. 

Unicef launches online fundraiser

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) takes its fundraising efforts online to give everyone a chance to show their support in caring for the lives of our children. 

“Auction for Action: A Unicef Fundraising Online Auction,” goes live starting May 25 at www.ebay.ph/unicef. Up for bidding are the donations of Filipino artists and designers not only recognized here but also in the international market.

The 30 plus items consists of paintings, furniture pieces, lamps, photographs, jewelries, as well as few experiential packages.

The participating artists and designers include Manny Baldemor, Michael Cacnio, Celestina, Seb Chua, Kenneth Cobonpue, Araceli Limcaco Dans, Kristine Dee, Janina Dizon, Mich Dulce, Tom Epperson, Accessory Lab, Ito Kish, E. Billy Mondoñedo, Ramon Orlina, Debbie Palao, Ling Quisumbing Ramilo, Benji Reyes, Popo San Pascual, Joey Samson, Vito Selma, Victor Sollorano, Paul Syjuco, Reg Yuson, FIRMA/Felicity’s Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre and Galerie Joaquin artists Benito, Jomar Delluba, Hamzah Marbella, Dominic Rubio and Juvenal Sanso.

While the experiential packages include a dinner by Chef Tonyboy Escalante of Antonio’s and a dugout experience with the Philippine Football Team Azkals on July 3 at the World Cup qualifiers in Manila.

Auction for Action is the brainchild of Unicef Special Advocate for Children Daphne Oseña-Paez. Paez also donated some of her personal belongings for the auction.

At a press conference held at the Unicef Philippines office in Makati City, Paez shared the reason behind the fundraiser together with Bianca Gonzales, who is also a Unicef Special Advocate for Children.

First, Paez expressed that not many knows that Unicef relies entirely on voluntary contributions from individuals and groups for its fund. It Auction for Action’s aim to change this notion and raise awareness that everybody can help in this aspect

But more importantly, the online action seeks to raise money to support Unicef’s programs for protecting the welfare and rights of the children. The benefits of this particular fundraising auction will especially be allocated for the Unicef’s programs in the conflict-affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Unicef Country Representative Vanessa Tobin said Auction for Action would focus on the health, nutrition, education and social protection of children suffering in these high risk areas.

*first published for The Manila Times. Read here.

Long live Café Adriatico!

For a place to be recognized as a landmark, it has to evoke a sense of familiarity, belonging and timelessness. Malate’s Café Adriatico is one such place not only because it quickly comes to mind as a great food destination, but it has always been strongly entwined with the fame of Manila City’s most happening district.

So when the café—located at Remedios Circle and Adriatico Street in Malate—caught fire on December 13, 2010, its owners and patrons alike were deeply saddened at the closure that followed shortly.

But after five long months of waiting, the Malate tradition finally reopened on May 17 still with the same goal: To be the dining destination it has always been known for. Café Adriatico brings back the good food, warm service and its signature old-world ambience to its devoted patrons.

30 successful years

Café Adriatico is the first café and restaurant of late restaurateur, journalist and bistro king Larry Cruz. The bistro first served the Malate folk on New Year’s Eve of 1980.

At press lunch to announce the reopening, Cruz’s daughter, Lorna Cruz-Ambas, who now serves as the chief executive officer of LJC Group of Restaurants, fondly recalled how the café came to life. She started by talking about how his father always liked to say that his being a restaurateur happened by pure accident.

Cruz, a journalist by profession owned an antiques shop called Koleksyon Antique Store where Café Adriatico is located today. His friend, David Sharuff, son of a Syrian who owns a restaurant in Ermita, convinced him to be partners and convert the place into a restaurant.

However, Ambas remembered that Sharuff bailed out on her father even before they actually started the business. Still, Cruz surged forward and was rewarded with a legendary café.

The bistro was patterned from those on the streets Paris and decorated with Cruz’s personal favorite pieces of antique dining tables, Ilocos chairs, the art collections of his father artist E. Aguilar Cruz, and of course, jazz music drifting from the speakers.

To put it more accurately, Café Adriactico became the first concept restaurant in the country that reshaped the whole dining scene. From then on, it became famous for its “tasteful and warm ambiance.”

Overcoming tragedy

When Café Adtriatico’s closed in December because of the fire that took out the second floor, many patrons felt a great sense of loss.

Ambas shared that as she was watching the fire consume her father’s beloved café, she knew that whether it was damaged slightly or severely, LJC would be determined to revive it again.

Lucky enough, Ambas said, the fire only destroyed the kitchen area of the second floor. Restoration included refurbishing the old moldings, details and furniture. They also repainted the café to be little brighter and made sure that the electrical system is properly installed.

As a whole, Café Adriatico looks the same as the original. LJC decided to do this in order to keep its famed old-world ambiance.

Unfortunately, the water that put the fire out damaged three of her grandfather’s paintings.  “Those were what we couldn’t replace.”


Good food

Artists, fashion designers, government officials, famous actors did not only love Café Adriatico for its ambience; they also flocked to the restaurant because of its delicious menu.

At the prelaunch, the all-time favorites were served to let everyone know that Café Adriatico’s taste lives on. Among them are the Lengua Estofada and Lola Ising’s Adobo Rice dishes, Claude’s Dream dessert, a cold confection of pandan jelly and young coconut milk on buffalo milk ice cream, and the classic Chocolate Eh! hot drink.

To offer old patrons and new diners alike with more delicious tastes, Café Adriatico’s executive chef Ninoy Aquino and corporate executive chef George Lizares are also in the process of creating a new menu that merges the classic favorites and new culinary creations. “Something for the patrons to watch out for,” said Ambas.


The legacy continues

Café Adriatico is the flagship restaurant of the LJC Group of Restaurants which include Bistro Remedios, Café Havana, Larry’s Café and Bar, Abé, Fely J’s Kitchen, Lorenzo’s Way, Abé’s Farm and La Mer Catering. And all these names carry Larry Cruz’s signature old-world ambience.

Every restaurant also carries the dining business formula that Cruz taught his daughter. “He always like to say that a dining experience is being able to have good food with great service in a tasteful ambience with reasonable pricing.”

She added it is her mission to stay true to this formula and keep his father’s legacy alive.  After all, the famous and beloved Larry Cruz worked so hard to make LJC grow. 

Café Adriatico is open everyday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Sundays. For inquiries and reservations call LJC Marketing Office at 522-0403.


*first published for The Manila Times. Read here.