Offers one-way fares to international destinations for as low as P1,099

October 04, 2018 – The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific, allows passengers to “SEA more with Visa” as it offers special seat sale fares to some of the most popular international destinations within its extensive flight network.

This sale marks the sixth year of partnership between Cebu Pacific and Visa.

The Cebu Pacific seat sale is exclusive for Visa cardholders. It begins today and will be available until October 06, 2018 (or until seats last). Travel period will be from January 1 to March 31, 2019.

“We thank Visa for continuously working with us to fulfill our vision of enabling more Filipinos to maximize their travel opportunities, not only within the Philippines but to international destinations as well. We urge everyJuan to make use of this ongoing seat sale and book flights early, so that they may save up on airfare, and have more budget to splurge on other activities,” says Atty. JR Mantaring, CEB Vice President for Corporate Affairs.

Kick-start 2019 with getaways from Manila to Kota Kinabalu for as low as P294 base fare, or a quick escape to Brunei (Bandar Seri Begawan) for as low as P1, 099 base fare, or to Taipei for only P1, 199 base fare. Flights to Kuala Lumpur are also up for grabs for as low as P1, 494 base fare, along with flights to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam available at only P1, 499 base fare. 

Those who want to see Bangkok and beyond can fly via Manila for only P1, 899 base fare. Flights to Hong Kong from the Queen City of the South (Cebu) are also available for the same low fare. Adventure-seekers can also fly to Bali, Indonesia for as low as P1, 999 base fare. 

Passengers can also fly from Manila to Hanoi at P2, 099 base fare; Cambodia at P2, 299 base fare; Jakarta at 2, 499 base fare. 

Quoted base fare rates are inclusive of a seven (7) kilogram-hand carry baggage allowance, but exclusive of Web Administration Fee, the PHP550.00 International Terminal Fee and Fuel Surcharge. Passengers may also add-on additional baggage allowance, meals, travel insurance and other ancillary products and services.

AirlineRatings.com, one of the world’s leading one-stop airline safety and product rating review website, has given Cebu Pacific Air the highest 7-star safety ranking.

After careful evaluation and feedback from the airline and aviation industry, AirlineRatings.com upgraded its seven-star safety rating system to give more importance to IOSA, thus elevating Cebu Pacific up to 7-stars – the highest ranking.

IOSA – the International Air Transport Association Operation Safety Audit – was first introduced in 2003 to curb the disturbing trend in airline accidents and improve safety that could be attributed to simple processes and maintenance programs. Since it was introduced airlines that have completed IOSA have up to a four-fold safer safety record than airlines that do not do the audit.

Cebu Pacific’s new Avi Ramp Mobile Boarding Ramp here shown undergoing field testing at Laguindingan (CGY) airport is another step forward in passenger safety especilly for PWDs, pregnant women, seniors and children.

In 2017, the all accident rate for airlines on the IOSA registry was nearly four times better than that of non-IOSA airlines (0.56 vs. 2.17 accidents per million flights) and it was nearly three times better over the 2012-16 period.

Of significant importance to Airlineratings.com is that the audit is done every two years and covers over 1,060 parameters.

AirlineRatings.com now awards an airline that has completed IOSA three stars.

AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas congratulated Cebu Pacific on this achievement.

“Cebu Pacific has become a major part of the fabric of life in the Philippines bringing affordable travel to most,” said Thomas.

“The airline has a very modern fleet and operationally is now up there with the best.”

“That is great news for the traveling public,” said Thomas.

Suggested read: How we work out each airline’s safety rating 

Of the 425 airlines surveyed,  Cebu Pacific is among 148 that have the top seven-star safety ranking, while almost 50 have just three stars or less. 

Cebu Pacific achieved full compliance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), joining a roster of 429 airlines worldwide that have strictly complied with the most stringent of international standards governing aviation safety.  It is considered as the accreditation with the highest standards for safety in the airline industry.

Cebu Pacific commenced services in March 1996, initially only domestic operations but launched international operations in November 2001. It was the first local airline to introduce e-ticketing, prepaid excess baggage and seat selection in the Philippines.

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For the third straight year, Nail-a-holics has been steadily increasing the scope of duration of its National Pampering Day, held every October 17th in all Nail-a-holics Nail and Salon Spas nationwide.

“We’ve been into development frenzy since 2016, when we offered National Pampering Day from 10am-12nn with one service,” said Arvin A. Amaro, Nail-a-holics Marketing Head on the sidelines of the National Pampering Day Pre-Event held at the Centrio Nail-a-holics Nail and Salon Spa.

“October 17 last year, we offered it from 10am to 1pm so with an additional hour and three services. This year, its 10am to 2pm so we’re up to 5 hours with 5 services (manicure, hand spa, foot spa, hand massage and foot massage),” he added.

Nailaholics Centrio

October 17 essentially serves as a nationwide reminder for everyone dealing with the hassles of daily life to take it easy and slow down.

This year, to celebrate #NationalPamperingDay, Nail-a-holics is inviting everyone to head over to choose from their dedicated menu of #NationalPamperingDay services, which include a manicure, hand spa, hand massage, foot spa, or foot massage.

You can avail of any one of these services for just P10 between 10am to 2pm—the amount of which will go to Nail-a-holics’ community partner, the La Verna Aged Care and Dementia Village.

“Last year, when we shouldered the cost of the donations, our customers didn’t want it and wanted to shell a certain amount of money,” Arvin disclosed. “Last year we supported Save Philippine Seas, TAWS and World Vision. This year we’re supporting La Verna Age Care and Dementia Village, the only dementia care village in the country.”

“We do this because we believe stress is one of the hidden causes of Filipino deaths.  It is very important to us as a brand and as a company to get rid of stress and the ultimate way for doing that to be pampered, thus National Pampering Day.”

Based on the company’s insights and research, they discovered that one of the major reasons for the early onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is actually stress. So as early as now, Nail-a-holics are generating awareness about this and hoping the people respond positively.

National Pampering Day Centrio Mall

“In our survey, half of our 1,000 respondents are our customers and half are not. The ultimate reason people come to Nail-a-holics is because they want to relax, they want to de-stress, “Arvin noted.

“Actually, we’re not getting any revenue from National Pampering Day; we just want to generate increased awareness that stress is something that kills a lot of Filipinos every day.  You don’t want the dry skin, dandruff in your hair, and all but these are the signs you are being stressed. That’s what Nail-a-holics are all about, and that’s National Pampering Day,” he added.

Career-driven, busy lifestyles mean people today are expected to be working day in and out. While it can be very fulfilling, it can also be very stressful. In fact, a study conducted by CNN Philippines notes that things like bosses, deadlines, co-workers, schedules all contribute heavily to daily stress.

Stress-related disorders and diseases have been on the rise, often manifesting itself as anxiety or illness. But while we can’t really do anything about having to go to work, or easing the traffic, we can do something about how we cope with stress. Because unless something is done to manage it, people will end up stuck in this endless vicious cycle.

A day dedicated to self-care, relaxation, and your wellbeing is more relevant in a day and age where pampering always seems to take a backseat to priorities and responsibilities. And this is where #NationalPamperingDay comes in.

“Since the start, Nail-a-holics much loved by the Kagay-anons. We are so happy with the performance of Nail-a-holics Centrio back then,” Arvin noted. “Even years ago we were very positive about the performance of the store. That’s why we opened another store in SM CDO Downtown Premier. We are looking at other locations in the city.”

Bloggers were invited to a National Pampering Day Pre-Event at Nal-a-holics Centrio to help build awareness about the event (RMN, NPN)

“We are also offering spa parties in-store and outside (mobile spa parties) and we give freebies to our customers like free snacks if you go to a spa party. In several occasions, we’ve closed several of our stores for several hours to give way to parties being requested by customers for social occasions like birthdays, baptisms, even bridal showers.”

“All work and no play is no way to live life. Take the time to pamper yourself—it’s more important that you do so in these stressful times. Relax, refuel, reinvigorate and pamper yourself at Nail-a-holics today—you deserve it,” Arvin invites.

Last September 29th at 4 p.m., Media Wise Communications Inc. and Muse Books in cooperation with Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), The Philippine Jesuit Aid Association and Jesuit Communicationsrecently launched the coffee table book  On the March – The Jesuits in the Philippines Since the Restoration at the Zuthera B. Zalamea lobby of the Arts Wing at the new Arete complex on the sprawling Ateneo de Manila University campus.

The Philippine Jesuits Province with the Ateneo community came together to celebrate the launch of the book to the lush stylings of the Blue Symphony band. Published by Muse Books under the Media Wise Communications  umbrella the book was developed for the benefit of the elderly and infirm Jesuits residing at the Jesuit Wellness Center found on the ADMU campus grounds.

Front : Fr. Rafael Borromeo SJ, Fr. James O’Donnell SJ, Fr. Florencio Cuerquis SJ
Back: Lito Cruz, Rey Fuentes, Manuel Engwa, John Nery, Fr. Jose Quilongquilong SJ, Fr. William Abbott SJ, Fr. Karel San Juan SJ, Ramoncito Cruz, Fr. Nono Alfonso SJ and Bro. Al San Buenaventura SJ

 Principally written by historian Fr. Jose S. Arcilla S.J. the book itself is divided into three chapters, each one detailing the rich history of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines; more specifically tackling the history of the Society after their return to the local shores, the Jesuit ministry in education, and the many aspects of the order’s apostolate in the Philippines.

On hand at the event were the book’s editor John Nery, as well as Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz and Manuel P. Engwa, the executive publishers.  Fr. Joe Quilongquilog SJ, President/ Executive Director of the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association and Fr. Emmanuel “Nono” Alfonso S.J., President/ Executive Director of Jesuit Communications, and Fr.  Antonio Moreno S.J., President  of Jesuit Conference of Asia.

Media Wise Communications Inc. was founded in 1993 and is now a leading name in coffee table book publishing in the Philippines. They have since been recognized locally and internationally by a variety prestigious organizations such as the IABC and the Anvil for their excellence in producing books that told stories of some of the country’s foremost organizations and companies through consistent writing and photography.

A video of the launching can be viewed at this link.

For more information please contact Monching Cruz at mediawise02@yahoo.com

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Biggest Developer Conference in PH

Cagayan de Oro is hosting the biggest developer conference in the Philippines on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Capitol University.

Expected to attend are over 600 software developers and information technology professionals and hobbyists from Cagayan de Oro and adjacent areas, the second edition of DevCon Summit features a myriad of events in a day including talks from both local and international personalities, fun and exciting games.

DevCom 2017 Summit Goers lining up to register.

Themed “Transformation in Action”, this satellite conference aims to follow the success of its maiden edition last year in promoting the growth and competence of Kagay-anon developers.

One of the round table discussions for DevCom Summit CDO 2017.

The conference will tackle topics ranging from emerging technologies of artificial intelligence and machine learning, to the classic and timeless discussions on trends and best practices on product development. All of this brought by local and international personalities whose technologies, practices, and advocacies made an extensive impact in the IT and related communications industries.

#DevConSummitCDO is organized by DEVCON CDO, a Cagayan de Oro Chapter of Developers Connect (DevCon) Philippines, a volunteer organization that promotes the growth and competence of Filipino developers.

A full house in one of the DevCon Summit 2017 sessions.

This summit is made possible with the support of the sponsors and partners who are actively helping the IT community in Cagayan de Oro City: Co-presenter CDO ICT Business Council, Bronze Sponsors AWS, Streetby and Coffeemate, and Contributing Partners Digital Ocean, Stackoverflow, Josbtreet, Nescafe, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Canva and Innovuze Solutions.

DevCon Summit 2017 Delegates pose for a Memento.

The world is changing at an exponential rate; the frontrunners led by those who believe in the potential of innovation. Be part of this movement and venture into the transforming world of IT in this year’s DevCon Summit: Cagayan de Oro Edition. For more details, you may visit http://cdosummit.devcon.ph.

Presenting trends and the future of development in one of the DevCon Summit 2017 sessions.

For partnerships and sponsorships, email cdo@devcon.ph.

Event Website: http://cdosummit.devcon.ph

Poster URL: http://bit.ly/DevConSummit2018CDOPoster

DevCon CDO Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DevConCDO

DevCon Summit CDO FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2054508587933733/

Official Hashtag: #DevConSummitCDO

11 October 2018 – The ever-increasing threats from climate change, evidenced by the increasing severity and frequency of disasters, require concerted efforts to build and strengthen resilience of communities in countries most vulnerable and at-risk from disasters, like the Philippines.

In response to this challenge, and to mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction on 13 October, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) have signed today a Memorandum of Understanding that will enable collaborations on emergency response, preparedness, mitigation and building livelihood resilience.

The partnership will promote and strengthen joint actions to restore livelihoods and improve the levels of food security and nutrition in areas vulnerable to natural and human-induced hazards, in particular by supporting vulnerable communities and providing assistance to increase resilience.

To mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction on 13 October, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will enable collaborations on emergency response, disaster preparedness, mitigation and building livelihood resilience. In photo are (L-R): FAO Humanitarian and Conflict Resolution Specialist Bonifacio Javier III, FAO Assistant Representative for Programme Tamara Palis-Duran, FAO Representative in the Philippines José Luis Fernandez, PDRF President Rene Meily, PDRF Chief Resilience Officer Guillermo Luz, PDRF Executive Director Veronica Gabaldon, and PDRF Operations Center Director Ninoy Castro.

PDRF, founded in 2009 by some of the country’s largest private corporations and leading non-government organisations (NGOs), is an implementing NGO in the disaster risk management sector promoting disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery.  PDRF works with field experts and reputable humanitarian institutions to organize and coordinate private sector solutions to disaster management. It has also established the world’s first private sector-led national emergency operations center in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

FAO’s disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation work in the country, on the other hand, focuses on building the resilience of vulnerable farming and fishing communities to both natural and human-induced disasters, and enhancing the Government’s capacity to address threats and respond to crises.

“FAO has led the way globally toward food self-sufficiency, nutrition and resilience and PDRF is proud to partner with it in making the Philippines a healthier and safer country,” said Rene Meily, PDRF President.

The partnership will allow joint activities on: a) surveillance of geographical areas vulnerable to disasters, b) information sharing on damage and needs assessments for joint response and recovery efforts, c) capacity building for disaster recovery, d) collaborative emergency response efforts to disaster-affected communities, and e) supporting resilient livelihoods and environmental sustainability in disaster recovery and rehabilitation.

“Disasters and climate change impacts, including shifts in weather patterns and extreme weather-related events disrupt economic activities and livelihoods, and ultimately threaten food security. Increasing the resilience of agricultural communities to these threats and crises is at the heart of FAO’s work in the Philippines. FAO therefore welcomes the opportunity to expand our partnership in this area with the private sector through the PDRF,” said José Luis Fernandez, FAO Representative in the Philippines.

Raja Baguinda and Nigel Mason

Following a recent visit to the Mason Elephant Safari Park in Taro, Bali, Indonesia, I became curious about how the pachyderms ever got to Indonesia, believing elephants in South East Asia only existed in Indochina, most prominently in Thailand. What I found after surfing the internet piqued my curiosity even more.

Jumbo Wash of the Sumatran Elephants at Mason Elephant Park

It seems there once came to Southern Philippines a prince from a Minangkabau kingdom in Sumatra, Indonesia called Pagaruyung (Baguinda is a Minangkabau honorific for prince.) He became the leader of what eventually became the Sultanate of Sulu.

Baguinda Ali arrived in Buansa, Sulu in the year 1390 CE, and lived among the Muslim people of Sulu who later named him Raja Baguinda Ali.

According to one story, the Raja of Java gave two Bornean elephants to Raja Baguinda around 1395. Elephants were appropriate gifts from one ruler to another, or to a person of high standing, and it was customary to transport them by sea.    

The Sultanate of Sulu enjoyed peaceful ties with the Hindu Sultanate of Java, and as a token of appreciation, the rulers of Java sent their elephants to the Sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao, and skeletal remains of small elephants were later found in the latter area in the main island of Mindanao. 

You can step off the porch of your room to the back of the elephant at Mason Elephant Lodge

The story goes that because of the lack of land ideal for their habitats, the elephants were shipped by the Sultan of Sulu to northeast Borneo to help in hauling logs used in the construction of their sailing ships. Most of the elephants under the employ of Sulu’s shipbuilders and traders were later released into the forests of Borneo and became the ancestors of a feral population at the western end of Borneo in the Indonesian province of Kalimantan.

Another version relates that the elephants were presented to the Sultan of Sulu in1750 by the East India Company and later set free in Northern Borneo. A still later account tells of a wild elephant population that existed in Jolo during the pre-Spanish era, who were the offspring of the two elephants given to Raja Baguinda, but which eventually died out in 1850.

What is certain is that the arrival of elephants in the north Kalimantan region of Borneo coincides with the rule of the Sultans of Sulu over Sabah.

Here indeed was a historical link between the elephants of Borneo and the Sultanate of Sulu in Southern Philippines.

Bathing with the Elephants at Mason Elephant Park can be quite an experience as they are not only good swimmers but can swim underwater as well

Considering the origins of Raja Baguinda as a prince from the Minangkabau kingdom in Sumatra, Indonesia, one can say with some certainty that there exists a mystical link spanning centuries between the Raja from Sumatra who sent his elephants to the jungles of Borneo so they may sustain themselves in their original habitat, and the British adventurer and conservationist Nigel Mason, who set up the Elephant Safari Park in Taro, Bali, Indonesia.

In the same way that many consider Raja Baguinda as a key figure in the continued existence of the Bornean Elephant, so do many view Nigel Mason as a key person in the continuing struggle for the conservation of the critically endangered Sumatran elephant, coincidentally or not, from the same island where the prince from the Minangkabau kingdom once ventured forth to Sulu.

The origins of the Mason Elephant Safari Park is an epic in itself worth its own separate story of how Mason rescued 10 endangered Sumatran elephants held captive in government training camps in Sumatra.

The epic 3,000 kilometer journey which transported the elephants through three Indonesian islands to their safe haven in Taro is immortalized in the 55-minute documentary “Operation Jumbo” produced and directed by Australian film maker Brad Cone.

“I filmed this documentary for Threefold Films, over two trips to Indonesia in 2002/3. It is a story about 10 endangered elephants, and the man who defied the odds, to transport them three thousand miles, across Sumatra, Java and Bali,” Cone said. “At the time it seemed what we were doing was quite dangerous, but on reflection, it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. A very worthy cause.”

Set against the backdrop of Indonesia’s ongoing struggle with terrorism, “Operation Jumbo” is the documentary behind that incredible journey plagued by personal hardship, in-house conflict and some very unhealthy elephants. You can view the movie online here.  URL: https://vimeo.com/70089388

The documentary tells the story of how 27 Sumatran elephants were rescued from ‘Elephant Concentration Camps’ in Sumatra where they were suffering from malnutrition, poor medical treatment and short life spans of 5-10 years.

Our hosts Ayu and Devi

“Through many years and much adversity, we’ve managed to bring as many as we could to a safe haven in Bali. Since then we have managed to naturally produce 4 babies as well – seeing as most elephants in a non-wild environment almost never reproduce naturally, I guess we must be doing something right. Please be assured that our elephants were brought to Bali to save, not to exploit.”

 “Produced in 2006, it’s still very relevant because it really shows our determination to save these elephants above all the tragedies that were taking place all around us because it was the same time as the Bali bombings,” Mason added.  The film was nominated for the prestigious PANDA Award/BBC’s Newcomer Award at Wildscreen 2006.

Since it started in 1997, Mason Elephant Park has set the bar high on how elephants should be cared for in captivity. Set in the misty hinterlands of Taro, the multi-awarded park is Bali’s only dedicated elephant rescue facility and is home to 31 endangered Sumatran elephants, four of which were born at the park.

The park provides guests with the opportunity to interact and learn from the elephants while providing a safe and healthy environment for the pachyderms.

A Jumbo Wash of the Sumatran Elephants is one of exciting things you can do at Mason Elephant Park

“The health and well-being of our elephants is, and has always been our top priority at the Elephant Safari Park & Lodge in Taro,” explained Mason.

“Elephants are extremely expensive to keep as they each require 150 kilos of food per day plus 24 hour care by a multitude of staff and experts. Of course this is not the jungle so some compromises have to be made.”

“However, the Elephant Safari Park is renowned as a place where elephants are respected, treated well and trained to accept humans without fear, as only reward and repetition is used in our training methods. Here we have zero tolerance for animal mistreatment and if any of our elephant keepers ever do hit an elephant, they are instantly dismissed on the spot.”

“Despite a stable number of visitors each year, our park actually does not make a ‘ridiculous profit’. We are not in any way funded or supported by any form of local Indonesian (or international) aid from the government, or private donations, and consequently the only way for us to maintain looking after our elephants is through our visitors.”

A Safari ride on the back of a Sumatran elephant at Mason Elephant Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Mason said most of the income is plowed back into the park, not just for the support of the elephants (both at the park and towards their family back in Sumatra), but also to provide income and support for the local village of Taro where 95 percent of over 200 of the park’s staff lives.

“Taro was one of the poorest villages in Bali before the opening of the Elephant Safari Park. The income is also constantly re-invested into the park, the surrounding local forests and into local projects. We also of course pay taxes, upkeep and numerous other expenses to keep our elephants happy, well looked after and properly medically treated, as well as keeping the park pristine and up to world standards,” Mason noted.

“Elephants are only tethered either at night or for food breaks throughout the day for themselves or for their keepers (mahouts). If left un-tethered at night, they would do enormous damage to the surrounding area and to each other (certain elephants don’t actually get along with other certain elephants). They would also steal each other’s food, thereby depriving younger and smaller elephants a healthy diet. It is also by law a government requirement to keep the animals tethered if they are not with their keepers so they do not stray into and destroy village property.”

“Our Park is a self-sufficient rescue facility for displaced elephants from Sumatra, where their jungle home has been decimated in the last 40 years by indiscriminate felling of rain forest for either Acacia or palm oil plantations. Unfortunately there is nowhere for them anymore on that island, except for a very limited population. Sadly the choice is to either leave them there to die or bring them to Bali, where tourists can enjoy seeing them or help to support them.”

 “We’ve been asked to open parks in other islands in Indonesia many, many times. I’ve been personally asked to open elephant parks everywhere from Israel to Saudi Arabia, but no; we are a Balinese family, we love Bali, this is where we live, we don’t wanna go anywhere else. It’s not about money, what we do we love doing. We just don’t look at the profit; we look at the whole quality of our life, the quality of the company, the quality to the customers.”

Nigel Mason with wife Yanie and son

 “At our park they will live a long, happy and comfortable life rather than the alternative in Sumatra. Numerous international animal experts have praised our park as unique, well-looked-after, pristine, and all of our staff here at the Elephant Safari Park and Lodge are proud of that reputation.”

For more information please contact:

Jalan Elephant Safari Park, Banjar Desa Taro, Tegallalang, Kabupaten, Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia | +62 361 8988888 or visit masonadventures.com  

A Shared Heritage of Pachyderms

Elephants of the Philippines and Indonesia
by Mike Baños

Indonesia has two sub-species of the Asian Elephant: the Sumatran and the Borneo elephant. The latter’s ancestors were actually in Southern Philippines, and their prehistoric kin right here at our very doorstep!

Borneo Pygmy Elephant

In the Museo de Oro of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan is an exhibit of the fossilized bones identified as those of a Stegodon, an ancestor of the elephant which lived from 11.6 mya to the late Pleistocene, and found in Asia and Africa, when it was more prevalent than the Asian elephants.

“Dr. Angel Bautista of the National Museum later corroborated the finds, and identified it as Stegodon Mindanensis,” said Luis Ostique, museum operations and administration officer. “The fossils included some pieces of the tusk, pieces of rib bones, and fragments of leg bones which were found in Barangay Sinai, Municipality of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, some 30 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro in 2010.”

Stegodon Bones & Tusk fragments at the XU Museo de Oro (photo by Mike Baños)

Aside from the Stegodon, Dwarf Elephants were also believed to have lived in the Philippines during the Pleistocene era, specifically in Luzon and Panay.

It is believed that the Stegodon along with other prehistoric mammals entered Mindanao through the land bridge known as the Sunda Shelf and migrated northward.

Stegodon diorama at the XU Museo de Oro

But the Stegodon and the Dwarf Elephants eventually became extinct and it wasn’t until much later that elephants were again found in Southern Philippines when Bornean elephants were gifted to the Sultans of Sulu and Maguindanao by the Sultanate of Java. These elephants were eventually shipped back to Borneo by Raja Baguinda of Sulu, while those in Maguindanao eventually died out (see main story).

Elephants comprise three living species and are the largest living land animals. One species, the Asian elephant – unknown subspecies like those on Sabah, once lived in both the Sultanate of Sulu and Maguindanao, though became extinct on those areas because of hunting and/or were transported back to Sabah.

Two of the four sub species of Asian elephants are found in Indonesia. The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is only found on the island of Sumatra and was originally thought to be the smallest of the Asian elephants.

Stegodon Notes at XU Museo de Oro

However, it was discovered in 2005 that the Borneo or pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) was a separate species from those found on the Asian mainland. The Borneo sub species are found in the Indonesian province of Kalimantan, which shares the same island with Borneo.

Cebu Pacific flies to (Denpasar) Bali four times weekly every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Starting October 28 (Sunday), CEB will be flying DAILY to and from Bali with a lowest year-round base fare of P2,088.

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A Solo Art Exhibit by Albert “Bet” Vamenta at XU Museo de Oro

Bet Vamenta’s Mabuhi ug Dugay Pa!

Kagay-anon Artist Albert “Bet” San Juan Vamenta opened his sixth one-man show Mabuhi ug Dugay Pa! Petition Insignias (Distortion In Pen And Ink: Minus Two: Part Two) at the Xavier University Museo de Oro last October 12, 2018.

Recently retired from Museo de Oro, Abet has resumed pursuit of his life’s passion as a visual artist in the local art scene after an absence of some time.

Bet Vamenta cuts the ribbon to his latest one man show at XU Museo de Oro with fellow artists and grandson (photo courtesy of Michael Bacol)

“Abet’s work is a kind of unique form of expression. It is a combination of many styles; distortion, expressionism, and others,” said Pennesencio “Nonoy” Estarte, Abet’s long time colleague at the XU Museo de Oro and a fellow artist. “Abet is really a talented artist, but just lacks a bit more of expression, that’s why a lot of people don’t understand his work. But that’s because many people don’t realize the importance of modern art.”

“Abet’s art is focused on folklore, especially the historical and folklore aspect, and he has a lot of historical paintings that could be  considered a heritage to Cagayan de Oro to understand what is Cagayan de Oro and its culture,” he added.

Bet Vamenta entertains students from fellow artist Mike Bacol’s class from Liceo de Cagayan University during the launch

“Grabe akong respeto ni Abet ug Nonoy,” echoed local performance Artist Nicolas “Nic” Aca, now a commissioner of the Cagayan de Oro Historical and Cultural Commission. “Wala pa ko nagseryoso sa akong art pero nakita nako ni sila nga seryoso na. Nawala siya for a while sa art scene tungod siguro sa trabaho ug sa  iyang health, pero karon dako ang akong kalipay nga nibalik siya sa art nga maka inspire sa mga batan-on. Nalipay ko para sa iya.”

Abet has made his mark as one of Cagayan de Oro’s pre-eminent artists, gaining prominence in solo as well as group exhibits. His third one-man show DISTORTION was held at Gallery Three of Ayala Museum, Makati City in 1995, where he again held his fifth solo exhibit Distortion Minus Two (Distortion in Pen and Ink) in October, 1998. He was selected to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) “100 YEARS, 100 ARTISTS” handled by National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) that same year.

Guests discussing Bet Vamenta’s Masterpiece in Pen and Ink during the exhibit launch

Later, he was included as one of the “2,000 OUTSTANDING ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS OF THE 20TH CENTURY” published by the International Biographical Centre (IBC) of Cambridge, England, with the citation: “In honor of an outstanding contribution within the artistic medium of Postmodern Expressionism.”

Hobart P. Savior, Director, Xavier Center for Culture & the Arts (XCCA) describes Abet’s art a combination of Van Gogh, Monet and Dali.

Apo (Grandson), Collage of a Standing Fan, 2017

“Albert’s expressionist and quasi realist-surrealist creations bring me to the reverberations of life and its beauty crisscrossing thought, emotion and movement, whether in happiness, in pain and in love,” Savior said in his message read by his representative Flora Magriña during the exhibit launch.

“Albert’s contributions to visual arts are significant and inspiring, and many colleagues and friends in the arts, young and old, revere him. His works are worthy of this generation of audiences, for them to appreciate the sensibilities and sentiments of Albert Vamenta,” he added.

Peanut & Boiled Banana Vendor, Pen & Ink, 1997

Abet himself introduces his new pen and ink drawings depicting a betel nut container in the foreground as a visual prayer, “a type of various insignia linear representation, a sort of petition to God for a much longer life.”

Referencing the late esteemed folklorist and author Rev. Fr. Francisco Radaza Demetrio, S.J., and ULAHINGAN author Dr. Elena Maquiso, Abet describes the process of attaining immortality as the transformation of human intestines into gold to enter Yandang (paradise in the Manobo epic Ulahinghan). 

The Origin of Cagayan de Oro, Mixed Media – Watercolor & Collage, 1999

“By chewing some betel nuts which were brought by the Maya birds, Agio, his clan  and some fellow Manobos became immortals. The Maya was our former national bird,” the artist noted.

“In this trend of mind based on the Manobo epics, my buyers and I have a clear petition to God to plead for a much longer life to accomplish our lives’ goals and mission to serve mankind and God,” he added.

The Mischief Maker, Oil on Canvass, 2000

Fellow artist Patrick Gabutina, who now works at the Cagayan de Oro City Government as executive overseer for the Office for Community Affairs, commented on the new direction of Abet’s art.

“Bet comes from a family of artists, and he exhibited in Ayala. I love his works because like Van Gogh, there’s always movement, and he mentioned that the skin tone is so colorful because our emotions change, that’s why our aura changes that’s why there’s so many colors in the skin tone. According to him, the skin tone represents the changing emotions of a person.”

Like A Mermaid, Collage on Board, 2018

“For this one it’s totally different, it’s like a different artist but you see the old still, everything’s still fluid, but it’s more modern now,” he noted.

Asked how the new works connected with his earlier ones, Bet replied, “The real artist has not really a style. As a senior citizen artist with 43 years of museum work; putting up exhibits, and recently accepted as one of the 2018 LAMBAGO awardees of Cagayan de Oro City; I could now be free to express almost instantaneous doodle-like linear strokes.”

Wondering what’s happening, Collage on Board, 2018

“I have no more concern of the society’s norms, styles and the demands of academics /aesthetics. I rather enjoy most of my works that are appreciated by my fellow Kagay-anons and by other art enthusiasts.”

Admitted as a Fine Arts Advertising student at the University of Sto. Tomas in 1973, Bet had been a working student since third year high school up to his college days. In 1970, he became a working student as Xavier University Museum Artist. By 1981, he was designated as Assistant Curator  1 for Artifacts, eventually becoming its resident artist before retiring a few years ago.

Umaga na Mahal, Oil on Canvass, 1994

Mabuhi Ug Dugay Pa! Petition “Insignias (Distortion In Pen And Ink: Minus Two: Part Two) is sponsored by Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, XU Office of Mission and Ministry, Xavier Center for Culture & the Arts, and XU Museo de Oro.

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Cagayan de Oro leads the World in  “Walking 20 Million People for 20 Minutes by 2020, to Reduce Stroke Risk 20% Worldwide”

Two Cagayan de Oro based stroke groups are aiming to make a bold stroke (pun intended) to curb the rising global incidence of stroke.

World Stroke Dayo 2018 Poster

“We will conduct a 20-minute walk on October 28, Sunday (instead of October 29, which falls on a Monday), from Rodelsa Circle to Gaston Park in preparation for a bigger, more ambitious event,” said Dr. Arturo F. Surdilla, Director of the AKBAY Stroke Care & Neurological Rehabilitation Center and president of the Stroke Society of the Philippines-Northern Mindanao Chapter (SSP-NMC).

“Through World Stroke Day 2020: Walk 202020, we aim that by October 2020, Cagayan de Oro would have led the world in “Walking 20 Million People for 20 Minutes by 2020, to Reduce Stroke Risk 20% Worldwide,” Surdilla said.

Surdilla stressed that stroke is now the number two killer of people above 60 years old and it remains the number one cause of chronic disability worldwide.

“By simply convincing people to walk regularly we can achieve a significant reduction in the incidence of stroke globally,” he stressed. “Thus, we aim that by October 2020, Cagayan de Oro would have led the world in “Walking 20 Million People for 20 Minutes daily, to Reduce Stroke Risk 20% Worldwide.”

Walk 20 minutes, 20 Million, reduce stroke by 20 percent by 2020

“SSP-NMC and AKBAY Stroke Team join the World Stroke Organization (WSO) campaign celebrating World Stroke Day (WSD) every October 29th. This year we highlight post-stroke support and the preventive aspect of stroke,” he added.

For this year, Surdilla said they are recruiting 2,000 or more healthy citizens and patients to walk on October 28 in Cagayan de Oro together with simultaneous walks against stroke to be conducted in other cities.

“We would like to invite your institutions and organizations in this mass walk for health,” Surdilla said.  “After the walk, we will have a short program followed by stroke prevention activities in Gaston Park (i.e., lay forum, mini-lectures; and free hypertension, anemia and diabetes screening for participants.”

Included in the program will be testimonies from Stroke Survivors Atty. Manuel Ravanera and Mrs. Minda Ravanera.

Interested groups and individuals who wish to join the walk please contact AKBAY Stroke Care & Neurological Rehabilitation Center, Polymedic Medical Plaza National Highway, Kauswagan 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, PHILIPPINES akbaystroketeam@gmail.com with mobile #s +63 917 308 9633 or +63 922 892 9331.

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The organization of Zamboangueños residing in Cagayan de Oro City marked the 61st anniversary of their celebration of the Feast Day of their mother city’s patroness with a mass and comida communal at a local restaurant.

Icons of the Nuestra Sra Virgen del Pilar venerated by members of the Circulo Zamboangueño

Luis “Chito” Potenciano, one of the head coordinators of the over six decades old association of families who originated from Zamboanga, then known as “The City of Flowers,” said the Circulo also held the traditional nine-day novena for Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza, the city’s patron saint at the  Immaculate Conception Church at Aluba Village Subdivision, Barangay Macasandig.

As has been traditionally practiced by El Circulo for the past 61 years, a Comida Comunal followed the celebration of the mass at the Our Lady of Manaoag Chapel, near Shopwise, Limketkai Center, El Circulo Zamboangueño de Cagayan de Oro was organized in 1957 by Carmelita Willie Larabaster, Gloria Atilano-Rivera, Ester Causin and Col. Manuel Jaldon (Ret.)

Another of the original Circulo members is Sonny Larabaster, son of Carmelita W. Larabaster who was present during the first Circulo celebration of Fiesta Pilar in 1957 hosted at their residence.

“The first gathering was at our residence then at Del Mar corner Carmen streets where Gazebo is now (present day Don Apolinar Velez and Mayor Gaerlan streets),” recalls Jose “Sonny” W. Larabaster, Carmelita’s son, during the 61st anniversary gathering. “I was 6 years old at that time, “Our old house burned down a long time ago.”

He remembers Col. Jaldon as an Olympic celebrity at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games who later became police chief at Zamboanga City at age 25.

Also present was businessman Nonie Rivera, son of one of the original Circulo organizers, Gloria Atilano-Rivera, who shuttles his time between Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro.

Jun Chee Kee leads the Circulo Members in a Thanksgiving Prayer before the Cena Comunal

Approximately seventy five Zamboangueños and their kin attended the fiesta celebration held at Alavar’s Seafood & Grill, one of Zamboanga’s iconic restaurants which was brought over to Cagayan de Oro by Tessie Alavar, who originally concocted the famous sweet, mildly spicy, aromatic Alavar Sauce, and gained a nationwide following through their branches in Manila, Cebu, Iligan and now, Cagayan de Oro.

Among those who joined this year’s fiesta celebration were Dina and Raul Rodriguez; Titing and Alexandra Morales; Baby Escudero, Glor Delado, Jun & Julie Chee Kee; Edwin, Judith, Julienne & Erick Amik; Mike, Gardy and Leon Baños; Rhia Sebastian, Jonathan Fernandez, Emil Santos, Sam Xavier Kumar, Carmelia Namoc, Emilie Apdian, Reeno and Cherry Cabato;  Manny, Manjo & Marca Aliñabon; Thomas & Eiya Pupos; Isidro & Juana Audal; Nonito P. Emilio, Chito, Dulce, Angelo and Luigi Potenciano; Paul and Joy Paladio; Ana Bella Patiño, Art & Krista Surdilla; Absin Sebastian, Natz, Mae, Beth & Kaye Jumangit; Emmanuel Sebastian, Queenie Sabastian, Bobby, Annika & Arlyn Enriquez. 

The veneration of the Lady of the Pillar as Zamboanga City’s patroness is closely tied with its historic Fort Pilar.

A highlight of Circulo Zamboangueño’s Fiesta Pilar celebrations is the introduction of fellow Zamboangueños to each other. Nonie Rivera is the son of one of the original organizers Gloria Atilano-Rivera.

Perhaps no other institution has played as big a role in shaping Zamboanga City’s Christian Hispanic Heritage as Fort Pilar, and has made it the sole city in Asia that can rightfully lay claim to the moniker of “Asia’s Latin City.”

Started in 1635, it was built at the instance of Jesuit missionaries and Bishop Fray Pedro of Cebu to ward off Moro pirates. Originally called Real Fuerza de San Jose (Royal Fort of Saint Joseph), its cornerstone was laid by the Jesuit engineer Fray Melchor de Vera, on June 23, 1635 on orders of then Spanish Governor of the Philippines Juan Cerezo de Salamanca.

The most applauded portion of this year’s Fiesta Pilar celebration was the Battle of Chabacano Songs led on one hand by Natz Jumangit and Paul Paladio on the other.

This event marks the founding of Zamboanga as a city, formerly known as Samboangan. However, subsequent events related to the construction of the fort have sealed its place in the Chabacano heritage of the city which it unique among similar local cultures in the Philippines and Asia.

Renamed the Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar Zaragoza (Royal Fort of Our Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza) in honor of the patron saint of Spain, Our Lady of the Pillar, it was also the venue of many Marian apparitions, most notably on December 6, 1734 when she appeared to a soldier, and again on September 21, 1897 when she appeared over the Basilan Strait and saved the city from a tsunami following a strong earthquake.

Manny Aliñabon, Chito Potenciano & Natz Jumanit lead Circulo Members in Community Singing of old Chabacano favorites like No Te Vayas (de Zamboanga) and Zamboanga Hermosa

Tradition reveals the Virgin Mary appeared to a soldier on December 6, 1734, at the gate of the city. Not recognizing her, the soldier asked her to stop. Upon recognizing her, he fell down to his knees. A relief of the Our Lady of the Pillar was subsequently placed above the eastern wall of the fort making it an outdoor shrine with an altar for praying. 

Old folks said the image actually mysteriously appeared in its present site after a pirate attack on the fort while a procession in her honor was being held. 

On September 21, 1897, a strong earthquake struck the western region of Mindanao. According to the people who witnessed it, they saw the Virgin Mary floating in mid-air over the Basilan Strait, with her right hand raised to stop the onrushing waves, and saved the city from a tsunami.

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There are few places in Bali as picture perfect as the emerald-green rice terraces of Tegallalang Village, a mere half hour drive north from Ubud, the cultural center of this most picturesque island of Indonesia.

The Tegellalang Rice Terraces are a favorite of tourists who enjoy promenading on its terraced rice fields

From the main Ubud art market, go east to the large statue intersection and head further up north.

Like the Philippines equally famous Banaue Rice Terraces, some of Bali’s rice terraces have existed for over 1,000 years, were likewise carved into the hills using hand tools, and  like the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces found North West from Ubud, similarly protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I had the opportunity to recently visit these famous rice terraces as part of a Familiarization Tour for Visayas and Mindanao Media courtesy of Cebu Pacific, JG Summit Holdings and Aneka Kartika Tours & Travels of Indonesia. It’s impressive to know how Bali has attracted approximately the same volume of tourists as the entire Philippines, and it’s easy to see why.

The island’s unique culture is of course the main reason why it attracts some 40% of the annual tourist arrivals in Indonesia, contrary to the widely held belief it’s the sea and beaches which bring in the visitors.

Rice Paddies and Terraces

For instance, just take the rice terraces (or paddies, if you must). Like stairways for the gods leading up to the heavens, one can immediately sense the spiritual connection between the land and the sky. You can actually feel this like an emotion, as you view the Tegallalang rice terraces located in-between Kintamani and Ubud running alongside the river.

The Pastoral Setting of Desa Visesa

The Balinese consider rice as a gift from the Gods and you can see these from the shrines in and around the villages surrounding the rice paddies.

“All over Bali island we have rice,” explained our guide, I Wayan Widiada “Dada” of the Bali Tour Guide Association.  “In the south the rice fields are being reduced because the city is growing so fast. Because of the restriction on the heights of buildings, we need more land for residences and business. So there are few rice fields left in the south because of this as well as the lack of water for irrigation like near Denpasar and Nusa Dua which is very dry.”

The traditional Balinese way of life revolves around the cycle of planting, irrigation, upkeep and harvest of rice.

“Rice is our staple food and for breakfast, lunch and dinner; we always eat rice,” noted Dada. “Because we eat rice so much the government still imports rice from Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan and even India for some restaurants.”

Panorama of the famous Tegellalang Rice Terraces of Ubod

Besides the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, one can also find rice paddies and terraces to the south of Ubud. There are also paddies to the north of Tirta Gangga, nearer the Candidasa and Amed beach resorts.

Paddy tourism in Bali has developed to a point that it’s now possible to book trips and accommodations to the most scenic spots, where tourists can go hiking or trekking, with great opportunities for photography or just time traveling to simpler world where time stops. Souvenir shopping like to the artisan village of Pakudui is also an experience in itself.

Desa Visesa Ubud

But for those who’d rather experience their paddies far ‘far from the madding crowd’, Desa Visesa Ubud resort provides a unique opportunity to those who wish to immerse themselves in the rich cultural traditions and heritage of Bali.

Gede Parmita

“Visesa Ubud is a resort of choice for meditation, spiritual retreats and healing senses,” said Gede Parmita, Director for Sales and Marketing. “Visesa is a sacred place where traditional Balinese ceremonies and real daily life are celebrated. Offerings and prayers converging towards the resort majestic temple pervade the entire property with an atmosphere of spiritual harmony.”

And indeed, the place exudes stillness and harmony, a welcome respite for us weary travelers still reeling from our travels from our respective home towns in the Philippines, early morning flight to Denpasar, and coach ride to Ubud.

Balinese musicians welcome guests at the grand main lobby of the Desa Visesa Resort

With the little time we had to enjoy the place, Gede and his staff welcomed us with a pictorial dressed in the Balinese sarong, as we took turns having mementos taken in the lavish throne seats in the lobby, which I believe is patterned after the throne of the King of Ubud, whose family owns this magnificent piece of real estate.

Next we were treated to a 3 courses set menu at the Lesung Organic Restaurant at the Main Lobby, which offers a magnificent view of the 3.5 hectare rice paddies and the resort’s 66 villas and 40 106 rooms nested amidst its organic farm where guests can pick their own fruits and vegetables.

Thanks to the kitchen for the savory mushroom soup, grilled beef tenderloin, Babi Guling (suckling pig) family style, home-made Alfogato Tiramisu and coffee and tea to go!

“We provide fresh Balinese food, and our guests can pick fruits and vegetables from our all organic garden (no fertilizer) and you can also do Balinese cooking class,” Gede said. “Everything here is about Bali.”

The perfect pastorale setting of the Desa Visesa Tubod villas in the middle of its verdant rice fields and farm (photo by Joros Razon)

The resort has other restaurants like the Lumbung which serves traditional Balinese cuisine where you can view the river and waterfall as you dine; the bamboo Warung Tani beside the orchard and farm, where you can enjoy rice dishes with various types of curry while you enjoy the sedate view of the rice fields; and the Padi Fine Dining restaurant  where you can enjoy grilled Balinese fish, shellfish and vegetarian dishes.

After a brief interview with Gede to better familiarize ourselves with the place, we were off in two golf carts turned people carriers for a quick tour of the ten hectare property.

“The hotel is called Visesa Ubod Resort while the village is called Desa Visesa,” explained Gede.

The koi ponds, rice paddies, and overall greenery shows beyond a doubt the resort’s resolve to retain Ubud’s reputation as a privileged place to reboot mind, spirit and body.

First off we toured the children’s farm nestled in the midst of the emerald green rice paddies, where we saw a stallion and his mare, calling out to their frisky colt roaming around the farm; a brace of ducks hurrying to their pond, and one of the local cowboys wrestling with a yearling. Kids may ride the horses or feed the other livestock. Truly a pastoral experience worthy of a traditional Balinese farm.

Now a Zero-Waste Resort, employees knock off work daily at 5PM to clean up the entire complex. We saw staff dressed in traditional Balinese attire doing about their work as we toured the road around the rooms and villas.

Desa Visesa Ubod is a 10 minute drive from the center of Ubud  but you can take a shuttle service, 3 times a day. It enables you stay close to the action at the Ubod Art Market, temples and palace, but offers you peace and respite at the end of your day, just like it aims to do.

Table for two in the rice paddies of Desa Visesa

Cebu Pacific flies to (Denpasar) Bali from Manila four times weekly every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Starting October 28 (Sunday), CEB will be flying DAILY to and from Bali with a lowest year-round base fare of P2,088.

For further inquiries, contact Jl. Suweta, Banjar Bentuyung Sakti, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia Phone: +62 361 2091788

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Accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award from His Alma Mater,
John Gokongwei Jr. Shares Some of his Life Lessons

Fourteen years after the University of San Carlos bestowed an honorary doctorate in Business and Enterprise Development on John L. Gokongwei Jr., the Cebu-based institution has  again honored JG Summit Holdings’ founder and chairman emeritus. 

During his acceptance speech, John L. Gokongwei, Jr. expressed his deep appreciation for his hometown and his alma mater. “I flew this morning on the airline I named after the city I love, Cebu Pacific. I went to school here at the University of San Carlos for my primary and high school. I was valedictorian in grade school and I was number one in high school and because of that, I received free tuition in school. I thank the school for that,” he said with gratitude.

University officials led by USC President Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD, and USC Alumni Association Chairman Ronald Po presented theLifetime Achievement Award to Mr. John at the first Grand Reunion for Alumni Champions of the University of San Carlos held on October 18, 2018, at the Summit Galleria Cebu hotel.

What a life it’s been for Mr. John, now 92 years old! 

His arc has been described as a twist on the classic rags to riches tale, as Mr. John began his life born to privilege. 

However, a variety of circumstances pushed his family to lose everything, forcing the then-13-year old John Gokongwei, Jr. to rely on his wits, intelligence, hard work, and perseverance to pull himself and his family out of despair, molding him into the man that he is today.

After the university presented Mr. John with the Lifetime Achievement Award, given “For a lifetime, fully lived, of invaluable contributions that addressed the needs of local, national, regional, and global communities, and for having deeply touched, empowered, and transformed the lives of others through a legacy of entrepreneurship and education,” a commissioned portrait of Mr. John was unveiled. Then, it was time for the man of the hour to speak. 

Addressing school officials, fellow alumni, close friends and family members, Mr. John began his brief yet inspiring acceptance speech by showing his deep appreciation for his hometown and his alma mater.
 

The University of San Carlos (USC), led by president Fr. Dionisio Miranda SVD (extreme right), USC Alumni Association chairman Ronald Po (extreme left) and Outstanding Carolinian Alumnus Awardee Jesus Alcordo (2 nd to the right), presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to JG Summit Holdings founder and chairman emeritus, John L. Gokongwei, Jr. Joining them onstage are (from left): Augusto Go, Elizabeth Gan-Go, Edward Go, Elizabeth Gokongwei, Lily Ngo Chua, Judy Gaisano, Jack Gaisano, Edmund Gaisano, Sr., and Antonio Go.

“I flew this morning on the airline I named after the city I love, Cebu Pacific. I went to school here at the University of San Carlos for my primary and high school. I was valedictorian in grade school and I was number one in high school and because of that, I received free tuition in school. I thank the school for that,” he said with gratitude.

Displaying his still sharp memory, Mr. John then shared a recollection from his younger academic years, back when the school was still known as Colegio de San Carlos, drawing chuckles from the crowd. 

I especially remember Fr. Smith, who was the disciplinarian, because one day he caught me running in front of his office, and I had to stand in the corner for one hour,” said Mr John, providing a rare glimpse of his mischievous side.

Mirroring his own life, the speech then grew serious. 

“When I was 13 years old, my father died, leaving me to take care of my mother, my brother and my sister. At the time, my youngest brother James was only nine months old. I took care of them all because the family has always been my priority,” he said. 

As life’s twists forced him to drop out of school, Mr John honed his entrepreneurial skills, first by selling peanuts from his backyard, then by becoming a peddler at the market. Along the way, he also developed his legendary toughness and resilience. 

“It was here in Cebu that I earned my first few pesos. I always used to wake up before dawn to ride my bicycle to the public market many kilometers away. I set up a little table in the market to sell spools of thread, bars of soap, and candles,” he said. “I earned about 20 pesos a day by working longer and harder than everyone else, but it didn’t matter because I really loved my work. I loved being an entrepreneur.”

Using himself as an example, he proved that it’s never too late to learn and that you are never too old to be working—as long as you have the passion for it. 

“Today, I am 92 years old. I still wake up early and I still love what I am doing. I still know everything that is going on in my company,” said Mr John. “I still love to learn and I’m always reading books, and now, online stories in this digital age. I always tell my children, my grandchildren, and my colleagues: Love your work, Work hard at it. Love your family. Love your country, never stop learning, and always look back and be grateful to where you came from.”

From a precocious, intelligent child to one of Asia’s most admired businessmen, it’s a lifetime achievement definitely worth celebrating.

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There’s more to the ‘Island of the Gods’ than sun, surf & sand

Perhaps nothing epitomizes the world traveler’s perception of Bali better than its sand, surf and sunshine.

Already drawing some 40% of Indonesia’s total tourist traffic, hanging out on a beach in this “Island of the Gods” must be on the bucket list of surfers, beach lovers, photographers, and plain tourists from the world over.

The resort town of Kuta Beach with its surfeit of party hounds, surfers and clubs is a dream haven for millennials who travel in groups looking for adventure. Or maybe they prefer the romance of Padang-Padang Beach featured in the movie “Eat, Pray, Love” where they can channel their inner Julia Roberts to find the lifetime partner of their dreams.

Then there are hidden enclave like Bias Tugel and Green Bowl Beach for those who value their privacy and like going further than usual. Getting to Karma Beach and Nyang Nyang (no showers, restrooms or vendors) is even tougher, but hikers and nature lovers say it’s worth the blood, sweat and tears of getting there. Balangan Beach is preferred by advanced surfers and photogs for the breathtaking views from its nearby cliffs, much like the white limestone cliffs of Bingin Beach in Bukit Peninsula.

For the well-heeled willing to pay top dollar for more varied pursuits, there’s the exclusive high end beach club of Karma Beach, or  Jimbaran Beach in southwest Bali where luxury resorts are found.

Bali attracts approximately the same volume of tourists as the entire Philippines every year, and it’s obvious to any observer that many of them come to bask in the  surf, sand and sunshine of its famed beaches.

I recently had the opportunity to visit one of Bali’s top beaches as part of a Familiarization Tour for Visayas and Mindanao Media courtesy of Cebu Pacific, JG Summit Holdings and Aneka Kartika Tours & Travels of Indonesia.

Nusa Dua beach in Bali

Nusa Dua Beach is ranked among the Top 10 in TripAdvisor’s 2018 Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Beaches in Asia, with four out of five reviewers giving it an Excellent to Very Good Rating.

It also ranks among the top 5 in 15 Things to Do in Nusa Dua of TripAdvisor’s Nature & Parks, Outdoor Activities and Beaches.

History of Nusa Dua Bali

Located 15 kms from Ngurah Rai Airport, and 22 kms from Denpasar, I’s relatively easy to get to Nusa Dua in a taxi, rental cars or bikes.

The name Nusa Dua comes from the word ‘Nusa’ (island), and ‘dua’ (two) or literally “two islands’’. This refers to two tiny uninhabited islands at the southern Bali separated by a white sand sandbar.

Honeycombers.com, ranks Nusa Dua as “Best for a Family Day Out” and remarks how “not only are the beaches impeccably clean and the waters calm, the shoreline is full of family-friendly restaurants, water sports  and even a shopping complex, so it’s the ideal destination for a fun-filled family day out that won’t leave the little ones hot and bothered thanks to plenty of places to cool off and recharge.“

Nusa Dua Area Map (InvestBali.com)

In 1970 the Indonesian government engaged the French consultancy firm Société Centrale pour l’equipment Touristique Outre-Mer(SCETO) to draw up a master plan for an environmentally sustainable and integrated model for a tourism destination in Bali which would address spatial zoning design, shoreline boundaries, landscaping, utilities and security systems.

Among the plans proposed by SCETO was a self-contained resort complex by the sea, far enough from the main population centers of Kuta, Denpasar and Ubud, to minimize the impact of tourism on Balinese culture, and the site they proposed was Nusa Dua. World Bank financing was secured for the project and development began in 1974.

According to our guide I Wayan ‘Dada’ Widiada of the Bali Tour Guide Association, the Indonesian government decided to develop Nusa Dua into a tourism complex since it was very arid and not suitable for agriculture.

Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) developed Nusa Dua with an eye on cultural tourism aimed at protecting the heritage and culture of the Balinese and the island’s resources, through a self-contained resort on under-populated and under-productive land.

ITDC also placed a premium on environmental protection and rehabilitation. As a result, Nusa Dua has earned various awards for this including Kalpataru of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, certification of Tri Hita Karana from the Tri Hita Karana Bali Foundation, and most importantly, the first Certification of Green Globe 21 Asia Pacific in the world for the Community Resort category in 2004, awarded by the Green Globe Foundation, a global institution supported by the UN, for tourist zones that place a premium on the preservation of the environment.

Nusa Dua is home to some of the island’s (and the world’s) best hotels and resorts, (there are 19 star rated hotels in the enclave offering over 5,000 rooms,) which boast fantastic facilities, safe, pristine waters and clean white sand beaches, a shopping center, a museum, cultural venues, the Nusa Dua Golf and Country Club, BIMC hospital and two international MICE facilities; the Bali International Convention Centre (BICC) and the new Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre.

Such  variety of attractions has served not only Nusa Dua, but the entirety of Bali as well. As shared by Adjie Wahjono, operations manager of Aneka Kartika Tours & Travel, they began promoting Bali as a beach destination but found it didn’t quite work out.

“So we thought it’s the unique culture and the food could be more like it, and it worked!” he noted. “Of course shopping and the beautiful nature are the complements.”

Odalan, the Hindu Temple Ceremony at the main temple Pura Giri Natha located at the north side garden of Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, is considered the birth day of the temple.

“Balinese culture, their way of life is truly unique. Do you know that they have many celebrations, and unique rituals too? Just recently, the local government mandated that every Thursday all workers (public and private) must wear traditional dress at work. Nice ha!”

Melasti is a unique Hindu Balinese purification ceremony held at the edge of the beach to cleanse oneself of all negativity & throw it into the ocean. It is held days before Nyepi (the day of silence).

In fact, our guide Dada wore the traditional dress on this second day of our tour, complete with sarong and udeng (headwear). We also noted most of the staff in the four hotels and resorts we visited during our short stay wore traditional Balinese attire. A nice touch, indeed!

Thus, while Nusa Dua is Bali’s most developed resort area, it’s replete with history, heritage and tradition with temples, museums and unique natural landmarks dotting the scenery.  Shopping for souvenirs and art is easy at Nusa Dua’s Jalan Pantai Mengiat, and contemporary shopping can be experienced at the huge Bali Collection complex. If you’re an art lover, you can admire the expansive collection of art and artifacts at Pasifika Museum.  

Tanjung Benoa has becomes the center of various water sports, such as jet skiing, boating, diving, parasailing, flying fish, and many more. You can either book directly with the service providers or you hotel can organize a day trip for you.

Selamat Datang at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa

We were billeted at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, one of the 5-star hotels along Nusa Dua Beach and ranked by TripAdvisor among the Top 37% of 54 Hotels in Nusa Dua, with nine out of ten of over 6,000 reviewers giving it an Excellent to Very Good Rating.

The magnificent Lobby with the Fountain in the foreground.

A pioneer of luxury accommodation within Nusa Dua, this 5-star diamond resort has welcomed royalty and world dignitaries since its grand opening and now boasts of an extensive range of rejuvenated rooms and facilities while retaining its Balinese heritage.

Nested within beautifully landscaped gardens, its 382 guest rooms and suites feature all the elegance of a Balinese palace, while offering every modern amenity and convenience of a luxurious gateway.

Nusa Dua Spa Pavilion

The Nusa Dua Spa is impeccably designed to highlight its rich Balinese heritage with a variety of indigenous treatments; and dining here is an epicurean journey with five choice restaurants and four bars under the stewardship of an award-winning culinary team.

We arrived late afternoon and were warmly welcomed by Ms.Iva Farida Aminaty, Director of Sales and Marketing, Ms. Yanty Zhang, Assistant Director for Sales China & Asia, Ms. Tri Widiyastuti, Marketing Communications Manager and Ms. Thio Angelia Rose Elizabeth, Assistant Marketing Communications Manager.

Ms. Yanty and her team personally toured us around the fantastic premises of this property now owned by Dorchester Collection, a holding for the Sultan of Brunei, the resort underwent a major renovation in 2011 covering all guest rooms and suites. Public areas were also renewed and a new lagoon pool installed, all in keeping with its classic charm of colonial Bali and tropical palace.

Both top suites at the hotels are connected to the main building providing direct access to all facilities, but also have their own separate, private driveways and entrances.

Before we started our brief tour, our hosts joined us in a photo opportunity at the hotel’s landmark Candi Bentar, a traditional Balinese gate that is equally split into two structures, creating a passage in the middle. The split gate refers to the designation of two similar arch-shaped structures that limit either side of the entrance. The two parted sides have no fusion and are only connected at the bottom by a set of stairs.  

A Candi Bentar is often found in a temple as an entrance to separate the inside and outside sections or at the border of one village to the other. It is thought to date back to the Hindu period of Singhasari and Majapahit in 13th to 14th-century Java.

Candi Bentar is often found in a temple as an entrance to separate the inside and outside sections or at the border of one village to the other.

“The Balinese believe that a Candi Bentar is a symbolic gateway to attain harmony in life, a philosophical attribute to a building design for the Balinese.

Another beautiful architectural landmark of the hotel are its Bale Kulkul, or drum towers. In olden times it was used to call villagers for an assembly, emergency or mourning.

The Bale Kul-kul (Drum Tower) is framed by centuries old banyan trees and the Candi Bentar gate (Joros Razon)

 The kul-kul, most commonly a four-poster pavilion on a tall, mason stereo base, has one or more wooden drums hanging within it. The hotel and spa has two Bale kul-kul elevated in the left and right hand corners of the lobby wing. 

Still another of its many awe-inspiring structures is the Tamarind Mediterranean Brasserie Restaurant built entirely of bamboo with two levels. The upper and lower floors are adorned with sophisticated furnishings along with lounges for you to enjoy the ocean breeze and panoramic views under its majestic thatched roof. The beach deck seating area is another exclusive setting, surrounded by stunning beach trees along the idyllic shoreline.

The Master Bedroom at the Royal Residence.

One of the most secluded and elegant villas in Nusa Dua, the Royal Residence was built as a private residence for the King of Brunei. It has since been opened to guests.

Built over two floors complete with expansive entertaining areas, a catering kitchen, and 200 feet long swimming pool surrounded by carved Balinese stone reliefs and royal fittings, the nearly 7,000 square feet Royal Residence is where the Sultan of Brunei stays when he visits his hotel. It has its own private entrance and is a short walk to Nusa Dua Beach.

But the climax of our evening here came when our hosts prepared a dinner we will long remember at the Raise Garden, an al fresco venue amidst its trees and blooms with a breathtaking view of the Lombok Straits and the Indian Ocean.

A Feast for the Ages in al fresco elegance under the moon and stars at the Beach Garden with a breathtaking view of Lombok Straits & the Indian Ocean (Joros Razon).

A Feast for the Ages

I have traveled previously to Europe, many points in Asia and the United States, but never in my entire life have I experienced a “Feast for the Ages” prepared for us by our hosts. To make a long story short, allow me to just list the various items in that mind-blowing menu they served us:

Amuse Bouche: Udang Pantung Megulung (Lobster asem manis with tomato, cucumber, sambel terasi, mayonnaise rolled with rice paper)

Appetizers

Kripik Bayam (spinach crackers with chili dip), Gorengan Soroh (sweet corn fritters, potato patties, crispy bean curd), Lawar Kelungah Sareng Udang Mepanggang (salad of young coconut with grilled king prawns), Ulam Ayam Mesitsit (shredded chicken with chili and lime sambal), Gado-Gado (steamed vegetable roll with honey peanut dressing), and Be Pasih Mepanggang (pan fried snapper with Sambal Matah)

Ares Babek (simmered duck with banana trunk broth) (Joros Razon).

Soup: Ares Bebek (simmered duck with banana trunk broth)

Main Course

Ulam Kambing Mepanggang (Joros Razon).

Be Salem Mepanggang (Joros Razon).

Nasi Goreng Base Bali (Joros Razon).

Ayam Betutu (chicken marinated in blend of spices), Ulam Kambing Mepanggang (grilled lamb cutlets with blend of galangal, turmeric, lemongrass, and candle nut sauce with ‘Lawar kacang’). Be Salem Mepanggang (grilled salmon steak with sambal Rajang and ‘Jukut urap’), Tambusan Tahu sareng Tempe Bali (baked tofu and bean curd with turmeric, chili and coconut milk sauce), Nasi Goreng Base Bali (Balinese spices fried rice, with prawn, squid, snapper & fried egg), and Nasi Putih Kukus.

This is just the dessert portion of the Royal Feast they served us. (RMB, NPN)

Dessert

Dadar Guling (Pandanus leaf pancakes with jackfruit & palm sugar filling, served with honey ginger ice cream), Pisang Rai (Poached bananas in coconut batter with honey & black rice ice cream), Rayunan Penyineb Bali Sane Kasub (a selection of favorite Balinese desserts), Buah-buahan Segar (tropical fruits selection with coconut sorbet), Balinese petit four, and Wedang Bali sareng Teh (coffee or tea).

Fitting indeed that Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa won third place as Best Presentation of the Melapa Melapi in 2016, one of the most prestigious award in Balinese Cuisine and a of its dedication in supporting Balinese Culinary Culture and Traditions.

Awards

It’s no wonder perhaps that Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa has won accolades from global tourism bodies no less, such as Luxury Beach Resort (Regional Winner, Southern Asia) 2016 by World Luxury Hotel Awards, a consumer based program aimed at showcasing and encouraging the highest standards of service within the luxury hotel category.

The Lap Pool at the Award-winning Spa.

Earlier, it was also recognized as Best Luxury Resort Spa 2015.

Not the least, it was also awarded the Super Platinum category by the Tri Hita Karana Foundation, the highest category in Bali’s prestigious Tri Hita Karana Awards 2017 for  promoting and developing sustainable tourism in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible and culturally acceptable manner.

A dreamy pool of blue amidst the trees and blooms of Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa (RMB, NPN).

Cebu Pacific flies to and from (Denpasar) Bali DAILY from Manila with a lowest year-round base fare of P2, 088.

For further inquires contact Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua Lot North 4, Nusa Dua 80363, Indonesia through tel.+62 361 771 210, fax +62 361 772 617 or visit their website at www.nusaduahotel.com

The country’s first online open high school has been launched in Cagayan de Oro City.

Kagay-anon Singer-Songwriter & Education Advocate T.J. Monterde endorses ACADEME Philippine Online High School

Academe Philippine Online High School (APOHS) was officially launched on October 23rd at Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City with Kagay-anon Singer-Songwriter T.J. Monterde, also an education advocate, as its official endorser.

TJ headlined the school’s grand launch, speaking about the advocacy and performing his original compositions. He hopes to use the influence of his music to further a significant cause in the field of education.

Kagay-anon Singer-Songwriter & Education Advocate TJ Monterde graces the grand launch of ACADEME Phil. Online High School 23 October 2018 at Centrio Mall Activity Center.

“Sometimes, our passion, location, age, or background becomes an obstacle to getting a good education,” TJ said. “But with the APOHS, these obstacles are overcome. APOHS makes education beyond borders possible. No matter what we do and where we come from, we should all have the opportunity to a good education, to prepare us for the real world.”

The school is a partnership between QUIPPER, a Japan-based e-learning platform, and CDO-based school Little Me Academy. The partnership ensures the highest quality digital curriculum that is rigorous, engaging and aligned to Philippine’s K-12 Basic Education Curriculum. Little Me’s community of specially trained instructors and counselors help keep students on track with daily reminders, check-ins, tutoring, live instruction and corrective feedback.

Mr. Yuki Naotori, Country Manager, Quipper Philippines.

APOHS students have the freedom to complete their 100% online coursework wherever they are in the world, ensuring accessibility for Filipino students from around the globe. Since lessons are modular, learners can work whenever they want and at their own pace. This is helpful for students who have fallen behind, optimal for those who want to get ahead and accessible for any Filipino learner.
 
With the influence he has on his listeners, TJ hopes to serve as a source of inspiration to Filipinos, not just through music, but through education as well.

Latest innovation in EdTech

APOHS is aimed at learners from grades 7 through 10, that gives learners a challenging and engaging digital curriculum that is also aligned to Philippine’s K-12 Basic Education Curriculum.

Mayor Oscar S. Moreno graces the opening of ACADEME Phil. Online High School during its grand launch 23 Oct 2018 at Centrio Mall Activity Center.

Little Me Academy’s Chief Education Officer, Teacher Ram Olandesca, noted that a large percentage of high-school age students and a considerable number of adults who lack access to high school education due to personal limitations, like location, work, and physical ability.

“It is difficult for the traditional, brick-and-mortar classroom to accommodate these learners,’ Teacher Ram said. “But in an online learning environment, these limitations – from location to physical ability, from availability to age – are overcome.”
  
“The faculty and staff at APOHS are highly qualified educators passionate about teaching, having undergone rigorous training for years at Little Me Academy,” she added. “Little Me-an teachers are known throughout CDO for their dynamism, creativity, and outstanding communication skills. They’ll bring that and more to the online school setting with tutoring, live instruction, corrective feedback, daily reminders, and check-ins.”
 
Personal connections and communications are made possible through mandatory, weekly online meetings and in-person meet-ups.

“With this,” Teacher Ram said, “the APOHS learner gains not just the intellectual profits of a high school education, but the social and emotional growth of a complete high school experience.” 

APOHS addresses OSY & undergrad adults

As of last year, it was confirmed by the Philippine Statistics Authority that one of every 10 Filipinos aged 6 to 24 are an out-of-school youth, which translates to around 3.9 million kids.

The APOHS aims to address a large portion of this number through its 100% online, accessible, affordable, and highly flexible online learning platform.

With its online structure, the APOHS ensures flexibility, accessibility, and affordability, qualities that must be present in a school ideal for the independent, 21st century Filipino learner.

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Filipinos are known to share strong bonds with their families. It is one of the values that motivates them to work hard, with some even going as far as flying abroad to become overseas workers (OFWs), just to give their families a better life.

However, traveling out of the country also means missing out on important moments and memorable experiences with the family. That’s why when holiday season draws near, many OFWs make sure to return to the warm embrace of their loved ones and spend quality time with them.

To enable these modern-day heroes to fly home, Cebu Pacific makes travel more affordable and accessible with its low fares and wide network of destinations. The airline showcases how it allows everyJuan to reunite and celebrate occasions with loved ones in the latest video for its #MakeFirstMomentsHappen campaign.

Following the story of Leah in First Break, Cebu Pacific introduces the story of an OFW who rushes home to the Philippines to be with her daughter as she gave birth to her first baby. 

First Kiss spotlights a middle-aged lady working in Hong Kong who books a flight home just to see and kiss her first grandchild for the very first time. Osang’s story is derived from a comment posted by a netizen in the Cebu Pacific Facebook Page.

CEB offers the most number of frequencies for OFW-heavy destinations, paired consistently with its year-round low-fares.

In September, Cebu Pacific launched its #MakeFirstMomentsHappen campaign to inspire Filipinos to keep on creating and celebrating real-life moments with the airline.

Watch and share Cebu Pacific’s latest video on its official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cebupacificairphilippines/videos/390801801458206/).

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He was the most successful Asian owner of a top notch professional football club in England. To Filipinos, however, and even to a majority of the Filipino football community he was still an unknown, until tragedy struck on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the King Power Stadium in Leicester City, England.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha with Leicester City Manager Claudio Ranieri and their 2016 Premier League-Trophy

The Thai owner of EPL 2016 Champion Leicester City, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, 60 , died with two of his staff and the pilot and his friend when the helicopter they were in crashed into the car park shortly after taking off long after a regular home game of the English Premier League (EPL). 

The profound grief and shock that engulfed the premier league team, the entire City of Leicester and this great footballing nation were beyond one’s imagination. Tens of thousands of home fans visited King Power Stadium in the ensuing days to pay their respects, the city went into mourning, British royalty and football greats from Europe to Asia to the Americas and Africa expressed their deepest, heartfelt sorrows.

Vichai holds the Premier League trophy with his son, Aiyawatt, alongside members of his family. (Getty Images)

Vichai was a Thai billionaire of Chinese descent and ranked third richest in the Kingdom with a net worth of USD4.9 B. He was Owner and Chairman of King Power Duty Free in Thailand who had meticulously built his fortune and empire through this retail business.

His other business interests include Accor’s Pullman Hotels in Thailand and Thai Air Asia.

Like most Asians (Filipinos excluded, sigh), the love for football was eminent in Vichai. With his vast wealth and the passion for football, he paid 39 million English pounds for Leicester City Football Club in 2010. It was rumored that he was greatly influenced by former Thai Prime Minister, Takshin Shinawatra who as a one-time owner of the top club, Manchester City. 

Vichai holds the 2016 English Premier League championship trophy during their victory parade in Leicester City

Leicester rapidly gained promotion to the Premier League in 2014 from the Championship Division and in 2016, against 5,000 to 1 odds, won the English Premier League. They did this in grand fashion, brushing aside the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool among others in a fairy tale league run.

One does not have to guess how this great achievement sealed the close ties between Vichai and Leicester City. As a true philanthropist, he donated to charities in both Thailand and in Leicester. Vichai was bestowed an honorary Doctors of Laws from the University of Leicester in 2016.

Vichai (center) with the 2016 English Premier League Championship Tropjy & Leicester City players and coaching staff

The entire Leicester team and club officials traveled to Bangkok to pay their last respects and attend the funeral of Vichai, the boss, straight from a highly emotional EPL match against Cardiff which they won 1-nil.

My admiration for this individual, now gone, led me to discover that there are at least half a dozen more crazy rich Asians who are present owners of football clubs in Europe. 

They may not have success stories or accomplishments like Vichai’s written in the clubs’ annals, yet but their passion for the most popular sport in the world and their true grit in consummating their business successes in their home country with harnessing a dream of football glory in elite leagues is most admired.(to be continued)

Charles Lim is one crazy Asian football enthusiast who runs a PR consultancy in the Philippines. He went to school in England and worked in several Asean countries and is now a leading force in advocacy for sports tourism in the country.   Email: charles.selrahco@gmail.com                  

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Tony Fernandes, 54, is the Malaysian owner of English club, Queen’s Park Rangers. Tony is best known to Filipinos as the Chairman of AirAsia, the largest low cost carrier, with formidable operations in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India and, naturally, Malaysia. 

New Chairman of QPR Holdings, Tony Fernandes, poses for a picture at Loftus Road (photo by Javier Garcia)

Tony went to school in London, worked there with Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group and, naturally, loves football. He bought the London club, QPR in 2011 but had seen the club’s performance fluctuate between EPL and Championship levels. 

Tony’s passion and involvement in sports obviously created immense marketing opportunities for his brands particularly in the EPL and the Formula 1 where he owned the Lotus Racing outfit in the 2011/2012 season. Unfortunately, the later turned out to be a “disaster” by his own admission and he no longer owns a team in F1.

Erick Thohir during a recent visit to Inter Milan (InterMilan.IT)

Erick Thohir, 43, is a media mogul in Indonesia and earlier this year was chairman of the organizing committee of the highly successful Asian Games held in Jakarta and Palembang in 2018.

Erick is, until recently, the majority shareholder top flight Serie A club, Inter Milan. Erick is currently eyeing buying Oxford United, a level 3 English club from its Thai owner.

He also owns American major football league club, DC United and, take note – is the first Asian to ever own a NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers! 

At his early age, we can only expect more acquisitions and spectacular moves from this young Asian in the global sporting world. Watch out for Oxford United, guys!

Valencia C. de F. owner Peter Lim

Peter Lim, 65, became the first Singaporean to own a top European football club in 2014. He invested 420 million Euros for Valencia and groomed it into a credible number 4 standing in the highly competitive Spanish La Liga in the 2017/18 season.  

Peter also owns another football club in the UK, Salford City, apparently with some of Manchester United’s former stars who have become great buddies of his and his family. He also has invested in Hotel Football with a 50% stake in British carmaker, McLaren Automotive. 

Peter also owns Mint Media Sports, a company that owns the image rights of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar who played previously with EPL’s Manchester United and La Liga’s Real Madrid and now plays with Seria A Champion Juventus.

Vincent Tan has three European clubs to his name (SkySports)

Vincent Tan, 66, the Malaysian billionaire with a diversified conglomerate known as Berjaya, owns newly promoted EPL club, Cardiff City. His interest in the sport also saw him mix-match his philanthropic inclination with the acquisition of FK Sarajevo and KV Kortrijkin recent years.

Berjaya has been involved in the Philippines since the early 1990s. It owns and operates a hotel in Makati, apart from running a gaming operation, to name a few. Vincent’s philanthropic qualities also saw Berjaya Philippines built and turn over 1,000 units of low cost housing under the Gawad Kalinga Foundation with pledges of more to come after seeing the country’s ravaged environment after every storm or disaster.

Neil Etheridge, the only Filipino to play in the English Premier League, as first choice goalkeeper for Cardiff City.

Cardiff City FC is where Philippine’s only footballer in the EPL plays. The Azkal’s top notch goalkeeper, Neil Etheridge is Cardiff’s first choice and we are on a watch on what this bond between Vincent and Neil, hatched thousands of miles away in England can bring to uplift football in the Philippines.

Neil Etheridge, Cardiff City goalkeeper, the only Filipino to play in the English Premier League

Vichai, Tony, Erick, Peter and Vincent are in a league of their own. Ah, these crazy rich Asians. Comically, they will divulge that they were never good in playing football when they were young, but the passion for “the beautiful game” has continuously grown in them all these years, so with their present status,  owning a football club is a passion to improve the sport and its local community.

Author: Charles Lim is one crazy Asian football enthusiast who runs a PR consultancy in the Philippines. He went to school in England and worked in several Asean countries and is now a leading force in advocacy for sports tourism in the country.   Email: charles.selrahco@gmail.com         
        

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CAGAYAN DE ORO. – Households in the Cagayan de Oro City Water District’s East Service Area will soon enjoy improved water supply and pressure following the commissioning and turnover of the newly rehabbed Camaman-an reservoir today, November 9, 2018, by bulk water supplier Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc. (COBI).

The newly retrofitted and waterproofed Camaman-an Reservoir will be turned over by COBI to COWD today. The facility is expected to improve water supply and pressure in COWD’s East Service Area (photo courtesy of COWD)

 “In conjunction with the additional supply from COBI through the East Pipeline, COWD will be better able to serve the Eastern part of our service area specially during peak demand,” noted COWD Acting General Manager Engr. Bienvenido V. Batar, Jr.

“Besides this we will also harness the water source from a recently completed deep well in Camaman-an which we hope to commission within this month,” he added.

With a storage capacity of 5,300,000 liters, the newly-activated facility will boost water supply and pressure in barangays Camaman-an, Gusa, and Lapasan, specially within the Limketkai Center central business district.

The P26 million Retrofitting and Waterproofing of the reservoir brings it back after it has lain idle for the past few years.

The new pipeline and reservoir to improve water pressure and supply to the East Service area was originally planned for completion by June 2019 but is ahead of schedule.

The new facility will initially supply an additional 20 million liters daily (MLD) of treated potable water to benefit the East Service Area from Barangays Lapasan to Tablon, (including Camaman-an) during its first phase, to be augmented by an additional 20 MLD during the second phase.

This would bring to 100 MLD the total bulk water supplied to COWD by COBI to 60MLD daily in the West Service Area 40 MLD daily to the East Service Area.

“The reactivation of this facility will help address the increasing demand for water supply in Cagayan de Oro City,” said Rodrigo O. Yabut, COBI general manager.

The retrofitting of the reservoir is part of COBI’s P251-million nine kilometer pipeline in Camaman-an project, which aims to improve water supply to the city’s east service area by next year.

The project involves the laying of a 600 millimeter (mm) steel pipeline along the South Diversion Road in Barangays Taguanao, Macasandig and Camaman-an, which would carry treated water from the COBI’s bulk water treatment plant in Baungon, Bukidnon to the COWD Camaman-an Reservoir, and a new off-take point in the barangay.

The project will be entirely underwritten by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MWIC) but will be turned over to and operated by COWD upon its completion under its joint venture COBI.

“Ultimately, this pipeline will carry 40 million liters daily (MLD) and increase our capability to deliver water service to areas such as Taguanao, Mandumol, Upper Cugman, Upper Gusa, and Camaman-an, Batar said.

“This will also help us balance the existing supply from Macasandig and Bugo, and hopefully improve water service in the entire eastern part of the city,” he added.

Leading property developer Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) broke ground Wednesday, 07 November 2018 for its biggest mixed use development in the Visayas and Mindanao at the Misamis Oriental municipalities of Laguindingan and Alubijid.

Groundbreaking of Habini Bay, Ayala Land’s biggest mix use development in the Visayas and Mindanao 07 November 2018 at Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. L-R Patrick Avila General Manager of Laguna Technopark Inc., TG Limcaoco, Chief Finance Officer, Ayala Corporation, Meean Dy Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Land Management Group, Ayala Land Inc. Bobby Dy President and CEO Ayala Land Inc Gov. Bambi Emano, Laguindingan Mayor Diosdado Obsioma , Alubijid Mayor Alvin Labis, Misamis Oriental Board Member Lucille Gallogo, Jun Bisnar Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Visayas and Mindanao, Ayala Land Inc, Rico Manuel Assistant Vice President, Business Development Head for Mindanao, Ayala Land Inc (photo courtesy of Ayala Land)

In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the press launch held earlier at the plush Seda Centrio, Aniceto “Jun” Bisnar Jr. vice president and chief operating officer of ALI Visayas-Mindanao Group said the 526-hectare master-planned Habini Bay would make it as anew center of trade and commerce in Northern Mindanao.

Set amidst natural landscapes and inviting coastal views, it is likewise strategically connected to the Laguindingan airport and will offer a diverse mix of developments to create new lifestyle options and business opportunities.

Jun Bisnar fields questions from media during the open forum (The Explorer’s Channel)

“Over the years, Ayala Land has been committed to enriching the way we live and to enhancing land nationwide,” Bisnar said. “We focus on inclusive growth, sharing our expertise as a full-time property developer to communities around the country. We remain a committed partner in nation building and in improving the quality of life of our fellow Filipinos in the various regions where we invest.”

The estate is a joint venture project of ALI and its parent company Ayala Corporation which earlier donated 183 hectares (has.) to the national government to form part of the 417 has. Laguindingan (IATA: CGY) airport.

Technopark

Habini Bay’s masterplan will be anchored by a 105-hectare industrial park to be managed by Laguna Technopark Inc., the country’s foremost industrial estate developer which brought in the world’s leading manufacturers of electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals and consumer products.

The light industrial park will be constructed by ALI-controlled Philippine Orion Properties Inc. (POPI), which previously announced it would launch new industrial estates in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental and Central Luzon.

“The manufacturing sector is enjoying a growth so we want to be able to seize that opportunity of being there,” said Maria Rowena M. Tomeldan, POPI president and CEO.

“We have fast take up in our Cavite Techno Park, so that was an indication of the prospects of the industry,” she added.

POPI currently has two industrial parks in its portfolio—the 460-hectare Laguna Technopark and the 118-hectare Cavite Technopark.

Patrick Avila, GM Laguna Technopark Inc. (The Explorer’s Channel)

Patrick Avila, general manager of Laguna Technopark Inc. and head of the group’s industrial estate business, said the industrial park in Laguindingan was selected on the basis of its location and would be the first privately owned industrial estate in Mindanao.

“If you look at the Cagayan de Oro area, you have various seaports and airports and it’s primed for logistics. The market is pretty fragmented so we’re going there to put some structures, to provide new opportunities,” Avila said.

“Our business model is historically,” he noted.“What we do is we get an initial phase and normally we expand. So 60 hectares, it can expand to 200 hectares, depending on the demand,” Avila said.

For the first phase of the Laguindingan estate, POPI expects to offer 42 lots with an average size of 7,000 square meters.

ALI recently increased its stake in POPI to 63.9 percent in March from 54.91 percent, positioning the company as its logistics and industrial development arm.

“Our goal is to grow the industrial parks and logistics business of Prime Orion,” Tomeldan said.

One firm keeping a keen eye on the planned industrial park is German logistics giant DB Schenker which believes it would provide a push for the development of international air freight.

“The planned Ayala techno-park could drive a massive increase in air freight for CGY,” said DB Schenker North East Asia & Philippines CEO Jonathon Kottegoda-Breden said in an earlier interview, citing this as a key factor in locating their first Mindanao office in Cagayan de Oro.

Air Water Inc, a conglomerate with interests in industrial gas, chemical processing, medical equipment, energy, agribusiness and food, and logistics, has also expressed interest to further explore the establishment of a logistics hub in Laguindingan through its affiliate Air Water Logistics Co, Ltd. in coordination with Ayala Corp. A fact finding team had previously visited Laguindingan to look at the airport expansion and proposed establishment of a seaport by the Philippine Ports Authority in the area.

Infrastructure Support

Asked if the timetable for the proposed expansion of the Laguindingan Airport and proposed seaport could be a constraint on the industrial estate’s development, Bisnar replied “it’s a chicken-and-egg question.”

“Once industries move in, government will see to it is supported by the appropriate logistics like the expanded airport, Laguindingan seaport and Mindanao Railway,” he noted. “It’s just a matter of timing with the locators.”

In addition, Bisnar said ALI affiliate Ayala Infrastructure would also be ready to lend support if needed.

“Our Ayala Infra is continuously looking for new projects so pinag-aaralan nila, they are very actively looking for this type of development,” Bisnar stressed.

Mixed Use Development

On the other hand, affordable residential developments will also be built in the estate together with mixed-use commercial lots. The municipal government of Laguindingan will also relocate and build a new municipal complex within the estate.

“We’ve also spoken with some key locators: Don Bosco, as well as the government, will also be located within this project,” said ALI President & CEO Bobby Dy in his welcome remarks. “We’re also committed to launch our other products in Ayala Land, in particular, a couple of our residential brands. Both Avida and Amaia will be part of the development.” 

 Other projects include a bus terminal and a technical school. A 30-meter wide road right of way and along the coastline of the property connecting the airport will allow easy access to Habini Bay’s industrial and mixed-use commercial lots, a sea port and other transport facilities.

ALi President & CEO Bobby Dee (3rd from left) and VP & COO for Vis-Min Group Jun Bisnar (2nd from right) lead ALI executive in a pose for posterity at the Press Launch in Seda Centrio (The Explorer’s Channel)

Habini Bay will likewise have pedestrian and bike-friendly roads to encourage a healthy modern lifestyle in an integrated estate that Northern Mindanaoans can proudly call their own.

“We are not new here in Mindanao. We actually started back in 2007 here in Cagayan de Oro we launched our first project in Alegria Hills,” Dy stressed. “Since then we’ve launched several more projects in Mindanao, in Davao we launched Abreeza in 2011, and more recently also in Davao we launched Azuela Cove.  Here in Cagayan de Oro, aside from Alegria Hills, in 2012 we launch this developmentCentrio both the shopping center as well as the hotel.”

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A planned technopark in western Misamis Oriental is foreseen to bring a boom in air cargo traffic to and from Northern Mindanao.

The planned 105-hectare technopark is the anchor project of Habini Bay, Ayala Land Inc.’s (ALI) 26th estate with a total of 526 hectares, making it the biggest ALI development to date in the Visayas and Mindanao.

ALI President and CEO Bobby Dy led a press launch for the new growth center project at the plush Seda Centrio last Wednesday, 07 November 2018, followed by the ground breaking at the project site in the afternoon.

ALI executives and staff pose for a memento during the ground breaking of Habini Bay Estate at Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. (photo by Medard Fiel Hamoy Paler)

“We will anchor this estate with an industrial park, it will be done by one of our subsidiaries, Laguna Technopark, it is the leading industrial estate development,” Dy said. “Our flagship project is Laguna Technopark in Sta. Rosa, Laguna has close to 500 hecteres and currently locators employ close to 100,000 people in that particular development. ”

Logistics boom

In an exclusive interview with BusinessWeek Mindanao late last year, the executive officer of German logistics giant DB Schenker said the influx of light manufacturing industries into the planned technopark of Ayala Land, Inc.  in the municipalities of Laguidingan and Alubijid would drive a “massive increase in airfreight for Laguindingan (ICAO: CGY) Airport.”

DB Schenker opened its first office in Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro late last year. (DB Schenker photo)

Jonathon Kottegoda-Breden, DB Schenker North East Asia and Philippines CEO, said the ALI technopark was one of the key factors why they decided to locate their first Mindanao office in nearby Cagayan de Oro City, some 33 kms. away from CGY airport.

Even earlier, Air Water Logistics Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Japanese conglomerate Air Water Inc. conducted a fact-finding mission in the area to explore the establishment of a logistics hub in CGY Airport, in partnership with Ayala Corp. The mission also looked into the planned airport expansion and establishment of a seaport in the vicinity by the Philippine Ports Authority.

Oro Chamber trade delegation meets with Air Water Inc. Global Business Dept. in Osaka Japan Novermber 2017. (Oro Chamber Photo)

Laguindingan (CGY) Airport

Since it started operations in the second quarter of 2013, Laguindingan Airport has accommodated 58,309 flights; 6,835,913 passengers;  and 87,544 metric tons (MT) of cargo, making it the 5th busiest airport in the Philippines after Manila, Cebu, Davao and Kalibo, which are all international airports.

Over the last four equivalent years it’s been in operation (2nd quarter 2013 to 2nd quarter 2017), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) statistics show CGY averaging annually some 14,600 flights; 1.75 million passengers, and 22,000MT of cargo.

That’s 3,644 flights per quarter moving 428,000 passengers and 5,472 MT of cargo.

The CEB Factor

Other recent developments expected to drive the growth of airfreight in Northern Mindanao is the recent conversion of two Cebu Pacific ATR-72-500 passenger aircraft to all cargo freighters and the addition of palletized A321s to its growing fleet. Cebu Pacific could potentially convert all eight of its ATR 72-500 passenger aircraft to freighters.

The aircraft will have space for seven LD3 containers, and will be able to carry more than seven tons of cargo.

The ATR 72 freighters will significantly improve Cebu Pacific’s position in the domestic cargo market as the airline will be able to transport LD3 containers to regional airports. Cebu Pacific already has a large domestic and international cargo operation, using the bellies of its narrowbody and widebody fleets. However, it is not currently able to provide a cargo service to smaller airports in the Philippines because ATR 72 passenger aircraft have limited cargo capacity. 

Palletized A321s will also drive increase in cargo revenues

Cebu Pacific took delivery of its first palletized narrowbody in Mar-2018, when it added its first A321ceo, then taking another four A321ceos with palletized floors in 2Q2018, and the airline is slated to take a final two A321ceos by the end of 3Q2018.

The palletized A321s have been very successful for Cebu Pacific in the first four months, exceeding expectations in terms of cargo volume and yield. Cebu Pacific has also not had to sacrifice turnaround times, an important component of the LCC model, to accommodate LD3 containers.

CEB took delivery of its first Airbus A321 aircraft on 22 March 2018, setting it up for a year of growth.

Cebu Pacific has also opted for palletized floors on its future A321neo fleet. The group has 32 A321neos on order, which will mainly be used to replace A320ceos that do not have palletized floors, and those are for delivery from late 2018 to 2022.

There are currently only slightly more than 100 ATR freighters in operation worldwide and the total large turboprop freighter fleet consists of less than 600 aircraft, according to the CAPA Fleet database. ATR is bullish on the cargo market and expects 460 turboprop freighters to be delivered over the next 20 years – a combination of newly launched ATR 72-600Fs and converted older models.

Demand is expected to be particularly strong in Southeast Asia. There are currently only 10 turboprop freighters in operation in Southeast Asia, compared to 400 passenger turboprops.  

CEB 7th Regional Hub

Not the least, the convergence of the new technopark, cargo trends in Laguindingan airport, new all cargo and palletized capabilities of domestic airliners, come together just as Cebu Pacific’s launch of Laguindingan airport its seventh regional hub in the Philippines marked its first year last month.

Pres Rodrigo Duterte, Cebu Pacific Pres & CEO Lance Gokongwei unveil the commemorative marker at the Oct 20, 2017 launch of CGY as CEB’s 7th Regional Hub. (courtesy of Charo L. Lagamon)

With the direct flights to nine unique domestic destinations in the Philippines, Laguindingan’s transformation into a regional cargo hub becomes not only imminent as its becomes an aggregator of cargos from smaller regional airports to larger international hubs like Manila, Cebu, Davao and Kalibo and the “massive air freight” foreseen by DB Schenker from ALI’s Habini Bay Technopark reaches its full potential.

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