There is an unspoken pressure during summer—you have to lose weight and you have to plan a getaway with friends. Though plane and resort rates skyrocket during this season, people still go and get a taste of the sun, somewhere else. And if you were not smart enough to take advantage of unbelievable promo rates, then there are other things that you have to cut down on expenses. So here are some tips from your kuripot columnist, which hopefully could help you get the best out of your travel this season.

Go used or edited for your summer getup
One of my favorite personal ideologies is: Why blend in when you can stand out? There will always be clothes and accessories which would catch your attention. Sarah, a friend of mine, could not help but ask a stranger in a yellow floral “vintage” top where she got her cute blouse. The answer was, “Somewhere.” So in my mind, I thought: “Ah Ukay…”

For our foreign or super sosyal readers, ukay is the Filipino slang for second hand items sold in thrift shops. If you could get a Banana Republic top for PhP 35, without damage or a funny smell, I say why not? All that it needs is soap, water, and an anti-bacterial fabric conditioner. So don’t be afraid to shop in these thrift shops for your summer wardrobe. But definitely not your swimsuit and I do not want to start to explain why.

Also, you could start “editing” your clothes. Go wild and creative with your old items and risk to place its future into your hands. One tip is to get an oversized shirt, cut the sleeves shorter, widen the neckline, tie dye it, asymmetric, exposing one of your shoulder blades, and voila! You get a cool oversized summer shirt which could also serve as a swimsuit topper.

The magic of quadruple sharing
No man is an island, especially, when you’re on an island. Quite confusing huh? But it is true, if you’re planning to save on your summer getaway, make sure you get your friends to come with you. The rates go lower when you share your room with a companion or two. Though internet rates usually just show twin sharing (two persons in a room) rates, it is still better to call the resort if they offer triple or quadruple sharing.

Also, tour rates go even lower as you find more people to share the boat/van rate with you. For example, a tour boat around Coron usually costs PhP 1,500 per boat which could carry around four persons. A multi-cab around Camiguin usually costs PhP 1,500 per vehicle which could carry up to 10 persons. Imagine how much you could save if you could share the cost. However, if you’re a lone rider or traveling with a special someone, you could join tour groups or ask strangers in your resort if they’re planning to go on a tour. As the Goldilocks restaurant saying goes, “Share a seat, win a friend.”

Explore transportation options
Try not to get carried away with bad publicity. Though plane crashes and ship sinking have been shown in terrible fashion through news reports, remember that these vessels still travel everyday and those few horrible instances have a great chance of NOT happening to you.

On the contrary, it is best to take advantage of bad publicity, because rates go lower. Don’t be afraid to try other flight carriers, which was usually not on your top of mind. Believe me—I’m still alive.

Another unpopular mode of transportation for some is the shipping lines. Though travel time usually lasts for at least 12 hours, you could consider travel time as a part of the trip. If you wish to splurge a little, you could avail of the suite for a more comfy ride. Also, some of these shipping lines, like Negros Navigation, offer free bus rides to and from the pier.

RORO (Roll on-roll off), where your own vehicle or a bus line is loaded into a ship, is another way to travel cheap. Bus terminals in cubao now offer trips to Boracay, Cebu, and anywhere else in the Philippines.

Emergency Eats
Sometimes, no matter how much you plan, you tend to be short on budget when it comes to food. This is why
it is still best to bring emergency eats with you to make sure you don’t get hungry. My usual set of emergency eats consist of a box of 3-in-1 coffee sachets (I don’t think I could survive without caffeine), a box of cereal (Almond Nut Clusters preferably) and two instant cup noodles.

The joy of summer is phenomenal. It’s as if the sun, when felt somewhere else, has the capability of making things happier and lighter. So go ahead and be creative in planning for your escapade. Enjoy the freedom of these months because when the rainy season comes, tan lines become coined as uneven skin tone.

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Practically everyone is familiar with this children’s rhyme. We remember it (and even sing it) particularly when an unexpected downpour ruins a virtually perfect day for traveling. On your way to the office, or to a special date, or to a wonderful tour of your dream city, the rain could no doubt dampen your cheerful spirits.

With a bit of preparedness and a little creativity, you can counter any rainy spell. Keep these things in mind (and in your bag) and enjoy your daily travels and holiday trips, rain or shine.

1. Umbrellas are essential for the daily traveler, especially if you take public transport. You don’t want to look like the proverbial “basang sisiw” now, do you? There are a variety of foldable umbrellas available out there. Make some room in your bag for one.
2. Carry some wet wipes. If you accidentally get splashed by muddy rain water, you want to have somthing clean and disposable to wipe off. We wipes, you may be surprised, work better on removing stains from clothing. Tissues fall apart easily and leave unsightly white fibers stuck to your clothes.
3. Disinfect with alcohol or hand sanitizers. This one is not only for rainy days but quite more important during this time since there are potentially more sources of unwanted bacteria. Pour some on your palm and rub it on until you can wash up properly.
4. Layer your clothes and turn to your hoodies. If you are heading out during a drizzly, muggy sort of day and an umbrellat seems a bit unpractical, wear layered sweatshirts and use your trusted hooded shirts and jackets to protect yourself from the elements.
5. Turn it up with turned up jeans and boots. Drenched pants and soggy socks are big problems during rainy days. Stay fashionable under the rain with boots (or half boots) and turned up jeans.
6. Take it slow and easy. Drivers should know this rule by heart. Driving fast in the rain is not only very dangerous, it is also discourteous (imagine the persons you will splash with dirty rainwater).
7. Pack some rainy day companions. If the rain is really torrential for your day trip, why not stay in and enjoy a book, a game on your portable device, a cup of coffee, or a bowl of chocolate porridge.

Do not let the rain wash away your happy mood; turn it into an opportunity to discover new things, bond with your significant other, or enjoy solitary solace. If you get caught out in a heavy downpour, just make the most out of it – sing and dance in the rain without a care for the world!

Dining out need not be an excuse for poor nutritional eating, however. You can still eat healthy, nutritious meals if you make the right choices. The following tips can guide you in choosing the right foods when eating out.

Filipino food
Our very own cuisine is basically light in preparation with heavy ingredients used only moderately. Nothing beats the traditional preparation of Filipino foods at home like fish and seafood that may simply be boiled, cooked as pangat or paksiw, or broiled; beef, pork and chicken that are roasted or charcoal-broiled or cooked with simple sauces like adobo and paksiw or prepared as a one-dish meal with soup and vegetables as in sinigang, nilaga and tinola; and, vegetables simply sautéed in a little amount of oil or plainly boiled or steamed then eaten with bagoong.

Asian Food (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese)
Most Asian foods are low-fat and low-cholesterol. The good choices are those foods which have not been stir-fried, breaded, or deep-fried. Here are some examples:

• Steamed vegetable pot
• dumplings
• steamed rice and entrees
• noodle dish (not fried)
• sushi or sashimi
• tofu items (not fried)
• chicken or fish, broiled, cooked in broth or steamed
• Hot and sour soup
• fortune cookies
• Native cakes (rice based)

American Food
Many American restaurants now offer low-fat, low-cholesterol alternatives to high-fat fast food. Some good choices:

• Salad bar (avoid too much eggs, bacon and dressing; go heavy on fresh vegetables and fruits)
• Broiled, grilled, baked, or roasted meat, chicken, fish, seafood (not breaded)
• Turkeys sandwiches without too much cheese and mayonnaise (have more mustard, catsup, lettuce, pickles, onions, and tomatoes instead)
• Small servings of hamburger with lettuce and tomatoes (less cheese and mayonnaise)

Mexican Food
Mexican cooking can be made healthy if you avoid fried or re-fried food, guacamole, sour cream, or cheese. Good choices include:

• Chicken tostada
• Chicken enchilada
• Burrito without cheese
• Steamed tortillas
• Beans (not fried) and rice
• Baked cornmeal tamale
• Ceviche (marinated raw seafood)
• Fish la Veracruzana
• Salsa (as a condiment)

Italian Food
Starchy Italian food cooked with olive oil can be healthy if you avoid lots of cheese, meat and cream sauces. The following are good choices:

• Pasta with marinara or clam sauce (not cream sauce)
• Spaghetti with tomato sauce (less sausage and meat)
• Pizza (less cheese and with more vegetable toppings)
• Ravioli
• Tortellini
• Potato gnocchi
• Minestrone soup

Middle Eastern Food
Most Middle Eastern food is healthy, made form ingredients such as rice and yogurt. Here are some good choices:

• Stuffed grape leaves
• Tandoori (oven) cooked meat and poultry
• Grilled lamb
• Curries (made without coconut milk)
• Legumes dishes
• Pita bread
• Chapati (roti)
• Chutneys

European Food
European sauces can be loaded with added fat, so always ask for sauce “on the side”. Healthy alternatives:

• Fresh oysters and clams
• Broth-based soup
• Chicken or meat stewed in tomatoes or wine sauce
• Poached, steamed or broiled entrees
• Fillet of sole (not fried)
• steamed lobster or shrimp ratatouille
• Fresh fruits

You now have some ideas on how to treat yourself to a healthier meal when eating out. So eat well and stay healthy.

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In the case of Elizabeth Gilbert, a not-so-fulfilled woman, travelling would pave the way to a complete, balanced life. She finds the value of and balance between eating and praying, and learning to trust and love again.

Whatever reason one has for visiting new places, it is helpful to follow a guide to achieve holistic gratification. Aside from having a well-planned the itinerary, here are tips to make the most out of that much-awaited caper.

Pack lightly. Whether traveling via your own wheels or public transport, packing only what is extremely necessary would help you lessen different hassles. Bring clothes and other items that are comfortable and portable but still presentable. Be sure to leave some space in your luggage for good buys or free souvenirs.

Get to know your destination. At least, have an idea as to what makes the place special or what it is known for. Researching the culture of the place would help one to adapt easily to the environment. It pays to be street-smart, indeed!

Document. With the plethora of authentic (and sham) devices in the market, there’s no reason one cannot afford to document the majestic views or fun activities in a foreign land. Surely, scanning through these images in our later years will make one sigh, smile, and say, “I’ve been there.”

Make your own discoveries. Upon entering the place, it would be fun and enriching to explore the place entirely—learn about its people and culture with a sense of self-discovery. Just remember, should anything undesirable happens, remain calm and pray for His wisdom.

Leave them with pasalubong. Don’t be a passive tourist. Aside from buying pasalubong for family and officemates, try to leave a simple legacy to the people who heed you live wonderfully in the new land.

But I never thought that Mati is also famous for its Sambuokan Festival and skimboarding competition. This I discovered during my recent visit at the town which is about 165 kilometers away from Davao City.

“Why don’t you visit us again?” cajoled Richard L. Villacorte, the municipality administrator. “You can come during the time when we will be celebrating our Sambuokan Festival.”

So I decided to go. Bringing along my two friends – Dr. Dante Comedido and Armand Mortejo (who works for a beach resort in Samal) – we left Davao at six in the morning. We arrived in Mati three hours later (if by bus, the travel time is about five hours).

Entering the municipality, I called tourism officer Dashiel Indelible, Jr. that we were on our way to Casa Rosa, where we were billeted. We checked-in and put our things in our room.

Since we were hungry already, we went to Seaside Restaurant and ate breakfast. We ordered kinilaw, tinolang isda, and fried shrimp. By 10:30 am, we paid a courtesy visit to the town mayor, Michelle N. Rabat, and presented her an article I wrote about George Plaza, a surfer who helped kids hone their skills in skimboarding.

After a few tete-a-tete with some government officials, I bade adieu and proceeded to Casa Rosa and took a quick nap. We woke up only when it was time for our lunch. I told my companion that the much awaited street dancing will start at 1:00 pm and someone by the name of Yza Marundan would come and be our tour guide.

Sambuokan, comes from the word buok, a Mandaya term that literally means “one.” Mandaya is the ethnic group that inhabited mostly in the hinterlands of Davao Oriental. Now on its 10th year, Sambuokan is touted to be one of the country’s most colorful festivals. In Davao region, it is now second to Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival in terms of importance, extravagance, and elegance.

“For the past nine years, Sambuokan has gained its ground through its strategies and projects that leaves a mark in the tourism industry as one of the alternative tourist destinations in the country,” one Mati scribe noted. “Sambuokan is not just a festival but a manifestation of how government works for its constituents.”

One of the highlights of the festival is the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, a street dancing competition that brings together the best contingents from different schools in elementary, secondary and tertiary for a unified celebration. Through their well-planned choreography and songs, each contingent presents the distinctive dance elements, colorful and creative costumes, and legendary stories of Mati.

Although it was hot, we decided to walk along the main thoroughfares where the contingents were walking and did their presentation. I have seen several street dancing festivities – in Davao, General Santos, Koronadal, and even in my hometown – but Mati has its unique moves, choreography, and gaiety.

There were 10 contingents vying for the top two prizes (one in elementary and another in high school/college levels). The showdown was held at Mati Park and Baywalk. People from all walks of life – and even some foreigners – packed the open-wide area.

Aside from Sambuokan Festival, Mati is also becoming popular for its skimboarding competition. Skimboarding is a boardsport in which a skimboard (a much smaller and shorter, thinner version of a surfboard) is used to ride on an incoming wave.

While surfers await larger waves many meters from shore, skimboarding begins on the beach on the small, breaker waves. The skimboarder runs and drops their board onto the thin wash, then jumps on the board so as to use their momentum to ‘skim’ out to breaking waves, which they then catch back into shore in a manner similar to surfing.

Even if it was still raining, we went to Dahican Beach, about 15 minutes away from the heart of the town. The beach is noted for its crystal clear blue waters and a 7-kilometer pure and white sand shore. You have to pass over rough roads before reaching the beach but the good thing is that there is no entrance fee and it is open to anyone -whether locals or foreigners.

Dahican Beach was the venue of the Mati Annual Skimboarding Challenge. Skimboarders from Davao, General Santos, Surigao, and even from Tanuan, Leyte (where skimboarding in the Philippines started), joined the competition.

At the end of the two-day contest, Sonny Boy “Bayogyog” Aporbo from Mati emerged winner in the champion category, bringing home the P12,000 cash prize and Mayor’s cup. In the advanced category, a skimboarder from Tandag, Surigao was declared winner of the P5,000 cash prize and was also given a trophy.

As the skimboarding competition was held, Arman, Doc Dante, and myself were talking with George “Jun” Plaza. He urged us to learn surfing. At first, Arman and Doc Dante were hesitant. But Jun wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. So, Arman finally relented.

About twenty minutes later, Doc Dante suddenly gave his camera, car key and cellphone to me. “Where are you going?” I inquired. He replied, “I want to learn also how to surf. Since I am already here, why not take the chance?”

I was left alone – taking photos of them having fun. “It’s addictive,” Arman pointed out. “Once you start, you want to learn -fast. You want to ride the waves. But it’s too hard for me to stand. I have to learn first the tricks before I can really surf.”

“Surfing is tiresome. For someone like my age,” said 37-year-old Doc Dante, “I think I have to pass this kind of sports. This is very good for the teenagers and younger generations.” Both Arman and Doc Dante have one thing in common: they will return to Mati one of these days to enjoy the beauty of the scenic spots and mesmerizing beaches of the town.

Mati is accessible by land and sea transportation, with Davao City as the entry point. Vans for hire are readily at Villa Victoria Terminal in Bajada and commuter buses regularly leave the Ecoland Bus Terminal every 30 minutes.

By Henrylito D. Tacio

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Among the more popular ones among tourists are the travertines of Pamukkale, a quaint old town around 350 kilometers from Istanbul, or 19 km north of Denizli, which is the city closest to it. Pamukkale is well known as Turkeys foremost mineral-bath spa, with a beauty only nature can create. It has hot calcium- and other mineral-laden water springs abundantly flowing from the earth and cascading over a cliff, eventually forming naturally sculpted travertines as they cool.

Travertines are stone formations resulting from complicated chemical reactions which to some extent are dependent on the surrounding environment. In the case of the hot springs in Pamukkale, the resulting reaction on the rocks due to massive deposition of carbon carbonate is a glistening white-as-snow surface making it look like a small heated snow field.

Cotton castle
Pamukkale is actually the Turkish word for ‘cotton castle’ because the travertines also look like a large field of cotton from afar. According to Mete Mutluay, our excellent guide from Plenus Tours, when the calcium carbonate is initially deposited, it is as soft as jelly but over time, it hardens and becomes a rock-hard travertine. The travertines form basins which catch the abundantly flowing hot spring water. These basins, which range from around 10 to 250 square meters in area, have naturally arranged themselves in asymmetric layers looking like a thermal terrace from a distance.

There are 17 hot water springs in Pamukkale with the temperature of the water ranging between 35 and 100 degrees. The water that emerges from the mountain spring flows through numerous narrow canals and into the basins or small pools.

Tourists from all over the world come here in droves, and the breakfast area at the hotel looks like a United Nations assembly with people of different colors and attires eagerly looking forward to getting their ‘healing treatments’ at the travertines.. The are basically the same travertines in which people from ancient times dating back to centuries B.C. have also bathed or waded to heal whatever problems they believed could be healed by the mineral-rich thermal water.

“Then and up to now, many people swear they have been healed of their ailments,” said Huseyin Ceyhan, director of Turkish Airlines for the Philippines, Hongkong and Taiwan. Though the cold of Turkish autumn deterred us from bathing, Huseyin convinced us to take our shoes off and at least walk on the carbon-carbonate-covered surface of the travertines, and wade in the small basins—which we did for more than an hour. I must say my sore legs—from days of long walks in this hectic trip covering 10 cities and quaint small towns of Turkey in eight days—felt better. “I told you so,” Huseyin said with the same confidence a doctor would show after a successful treatment with a patient.

Healing properties
Although mainstream modern Medicine does not really regard the healing properties of hot springs as tried-and-tested, it does not also seriously contest its benefits. There seems to be no question that its high mineral content in the spring water emerging spontaneously from the Earth’s core, is responsible for its medicinal properties. Aside from carbon carbonate, among the many minerals it contains are fluorine, iron, bromine, boron, iodine, chrome, sodium, phosphorus, arsenic and carbon silicon.

I theorize that the hot temperature opens up the body’s pores and the minerals are deposited in the fat tissues just underneath the skin, which allows for gradual absorption of these minerals. These substances are well known for activating metabolism in the body through the secretion of enzymes and hormones. This mechanism leads to the benefits that advocates of thermal spring baths like Huseyin and Mete believe in, which include:

• Stimulation of the body’s immune system and defense mechanisms;
• Neutralization of the body’s toxins including notorious free radicals;
• Relief of inflammatory conditions; and,
• Nerve relaxation.

Specifically, it may be beneficial for relief of arthritis, skin allergies and other dermatological problems, chronic conditions of the lungs like asthma and chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis and pharingytis, especially those caused by allergies, control of blood pressure and other metabolic problems, and alleviation of stress and anxiety problems. There is no hard scientific data proving the efficacy of thermal spring water on these conditions, and I used to be one of the skeptics; but like they say—who can argue with success?

Many claim they have been healed of their medical conditions., and I admittedly feel better and somewhat energized each time I try it. But just like any medicine or therapeutic intervention, there are also potential adverse side-effects. One must be fully hydrated when one goes into thermal baths. “We’ve had tourists with severe heart problems developing heart attacks,” Mete cautioned. So drinking lots of water or juices before getting into the bath would be a good idea to prevent an excessive drop in the blood pressure which can be due to relaxation of the arteries. One should not also stay too long in the bath. “Maximum of 30 minutes to be safe,” advised Mete.

A Turkish gentleman we met at Pamukkale said that for thermal bath therapy to be effective, one must have 15 to 20 sessions, so he comes to this town at least two weeks every year. “I do that to make me youthful,” he chuckled. If it’s true that he is already 80 years old and still has that spring in his steps like he showed us, then it must really be effective. Well, I don’t have two weeks to stay in Pamukkale, but I sure could spend some time in our very own Los Banos in Calamba, Laguna.

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I am a spa addict and somehow I know a lot of spas like the back of my hand. Imagine my surprise when my good friend, Paolo Florenda, gave me a thumbs-up sign on the latest addition to the roster of spas along Roxas Boulevard called Sparga Wellness Spa.

But wait. Roxas Boulevard? This got me thinking. Without intending to be judgmental, most of the spas in that stretch also house KTVs and night life happenings that are not, for me, offered in the spas I usually know of. Good thing Paolo decided to bring me to the spa he was talking about for me to see and prove for myself that this one’s a whole lot different.

A few blocks away from the Department of Foreign Affairs sit this quaint spa shielded with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that entice passers by to enter and immerse themselves into a relaxing experience.

A pocket garden, complete with a mini water fall greets one upon reaching the reception area. Usually, Ruth Gautier, Sparga’s owner, is on hand to give guests a heart-warming welcome.

“Why the name Sparga?” I asked Ruth since the question has been nagging me in my mind. Ruth explained that the spa’s name was coined when she decided to combine her first and last names with the word spa (SPA+R+GA), thus, the name. A well-traveled former food and beverage corporate director for Sun Travels, she added that the name was also inspired by her favorite restaurant, Spargo, in Beverly Hills, California.

She then ushered me to their simple and homey indoor garden-restaurant and asked if I wanted to try their concoctions such as talbos ng kamote and lemongrass juice, avocado leaves and pandan juice, and basil and pineapple shake. I gave a smile and an excited nod.

Sparga’s spa cuisine
You’d be hard-pressed to find metro-based spas that offer their own healthy cuisines. Most merely offer massage and therapies such as detox programs or salon services. Ruth told me that there would be Indian and vegetarian dishes to be served in a little while. That sounded like a tempting invitation no one could resist; but quite honestly, a bit of uncertainty came over me for a moment. A picky eater, I wasn’t quite sure if my taste buds could easily adjust to a new type of dish they have not quite been accustomed to. For one, I tend to be squeamish when it comes to munching on veggies that are bitter and somewhat slimy. But then, veggie is healthy—I told myself; and after murmuring a short prayer, I felt confident enough to try whatever Ruth would serve me.

Their vegetarian menu consisted of Spicy Bean Salad which is tossed crunchy sauteed beans with black mustard seeds and topped with fresh, shredded coconuts; Kachumber, refreshing salad combination of tomato, cucumber coriander, and seasoned with black salt; Aaloo Tikki, potato cutlet with mint chutney; Vegetable Curry, vegetable medley in curry sauce; Chana Dal, split chick peas simmered in masala and coconut milk and served with steamed rice or chapatti; and Carrot Halwa, a sumptuous homemade carrot fudge with nuts and spices topped with vanilla ice cream.

Of course, Ruth bears in mind the diversity of Sparga’s patrons; thus, she also has a menu for non-veggie eaters. She takes pride in their Stuffed Papadom, lentils wafers with chicken potato and fresh herbs stuffing; Chicken Tikka, boneless chicken fillet marinated in yogurt and special spices; Prawn Curry, Tiger prawns simmered in coconut milk with chili, cumin and curry leaves; and Guab Jamun, fried milk ball with spiced syrup.

Combination massage
Few minutes of chit chat provided a timely interval to digest the sumptuous and healthy feast we just had. After an hour or so, I was ushered to their massage room so I could try their popular and most availed service which is the combination massage. Ruth, a CIBTAC (Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology) certified therapist, told me that I should have the combination massage after simply looking at my posture and feeling my arms and back.

A Biology major with knowledge in dentistry and dental laboratory, Ruth said that for one to be an effective therapist, one has to have a thorough knowledge of human anatomy. Ruth takes pride that this is a strong asset of her staff brought about by stringent training. After the massage session I had, I couldn’t agree with her more. I felt so relaxed with the soothing strokes and relaxing muscle manipulation tha almost lulled me to dreamland. It was as if the therapist had x-ray vision that allowed her to see right beneath my dermis and through my skeletal muscles. She knew where it hurt and where to press hard, and where not to put too much pressure on.

You may think that Sparga, given the fact the dishes they serve are world-class and that it is accredited by the Spa Association of the Philippines, charges its customers with sky-high prices. You are utterly mistaken. In fact, their combination massage, the one I just had, costs merely PhP 500 while the rest of the massages cost PhP 500 and no more than thousand pesos. Great deal huh?

“When I conceptualized Sparga, I was thinking of a place where I can relax but is affordable—where you can have treatments that you can afford,” said Ruth. “Luxury is not for every one and I don’t want to be in a spa and pay for very expensive treatments,” she added. Her vision is to make Sparga a place th offers a sanctuary that provides an effective bi affordable massage.

I left Sparga with my muscles more relaxed ten-fold than when I came in. I also had the pleasant discovery and realization that veggie refreshments and dishes are not necessarily yucky and with some focus on the premium it offers in terms of better health, I’m intending to retrain my palate to eat more of them. And yes, I shall b spreading the news of this affordable relaxation haven right in the midst of the big city.

By Ana Carmela Ledesma

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Piqued with curiosity about the newly-emerging art and in love with the symbolism it stood for, the Filipino group then rallied to bring a Brazilian teacher to the Philippines and teach them Capoeira. Eventually, Brazil heard their cries and responded by sending an instructor, and thus, Capoeira Philippines was born.

“We are the pioneers of Capoeira here, and it’s all thanks the Filipinos” says Capoeira instructor Alejandro Fantasma. For seven years, Fantasma has been teaching the martial art to students enamored with Capoeira. What started as just a handful of Filipinos has turned into a group a hundred person strong, with classes held at different locations in Manila throughout the week.

Unlike traditional martial arts, Capoeira differs by integrating elements of music and dance into its routine. The music itself is an integral part of the fighting style, as it determines the tempo and what kind of moves to pull off.

“Here, we say: ‘You don’t fight with Capoeira, but you play the game of Capoeira,’” explains Fantasma. “This game is dictated by the music and it is the one that determines if it’s fast or slow, or if it’s more of a fight or demonstration.”

Capoeira music is used exclusively for this purpose of setting the mood within the roda, or the circle of people where Capoeira is played. A game of Capoeira utilizes several instruments, with the songs being varied, ranging from narratives about great capoeiristas, or inspirational chants to encourage players to perform better. Sometimes, a chant can even be lighthearted and whimsical.

“Capoeira is a martial art that most aren’t used to used to,” says Fantasma. “It is a way of having fun, meeting friends and learning the history of Brazil. It’s learning about the music and how to play the instruments.”

Another thing that makes Capoeira unique is its origins – from when it started as a self-defense method up to the time it became an art form. During the 1500s in Brazil, slaves used this to protect themselves from their oppressors. To avoid the wary eye of their slave captors, practitioners then disguised it as a dance form and developed it further, adding musical heats and putting emphasis on kicks and sweeps. It was at that time when the art of Capoeira transcended from a simple martial art into of preserving culture and lifting morale am the slaves.

Much of their strong-spirited attitude can still he seen in the modern version of Capoeira, which practices tenets of respect and responsibility. Despite it being a martial art, fighting isn’t everything in Capoeira: you can win without having to land a single blow, according to Fantasma.

“It is all about maintaining respect with each other, not really about hitting someone hard,” says Fantasma. “Most of the time, we don’t need to make contact to show that we have the technique to hurt someone.”

“Sometimes in Capoeira, you get hurt without getting hit,” jokes Fantasma, referring to the jaw-dropping moves that would take an average person at least a year to master. The easier and more basic moves, however, can he learned easily by anyone, even without having a background in dance.

“I get e-mails from people saying they’re too old to try Capoeira, but I tell them there is no age to start and no age to stop either,” says Fantasma, who claims that his students range from three years-old to 60. “We start from the beginning, and step by step you learn everything and discover a side of you you’ve never imagined and you respect that fact.”

In the end, Capoeira students not only learn how to fight but they also learn how to sing and play musical instruments as well, as these are integral parts of the fighting style. The experience of learning three kinds of talent in a session opens their eyes to a world of possibility, and most become hooked the first time they step into the gym. Some students even get addicted so much that they start calling themselves “Brazilians,” a byproduct of being exposed to another culture for so long.

The same can be said for Fantasma, who can be called an honorary Filipino for having lived so long in the Philippines, en route to teaching others of his culture. It was here where he met his Filipino wife, a Capoeira student, an fathered a four-year-old kid, Yara.

“I was super welcomed when I arrived here and I had no problems,” he says. “Today, the Philippines is my home and I love it here.”

For the coming years, the instructor envisions a future wherein Capoeira will become more accessible to Filipinos, interested both in learning the art and Brazil’s culture. This might not be so far off considering the growing interest of Filipinos, all thanks to the effort of a select few who wanted to experience another world’s culture.

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St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City sits atop a little hill in the heart of the city’s business district. It is more than just a landmark, however, having been established in 1903 as a dispensary hospital by American missionaries and then becoming an independent, non-stock, non-profit corporation in the 70′s. It is the country’s leading medical institution receiving only the second JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation in all of Asia and the first in the country.

Growth only seemed natural, then, that along with their philosophy to “make available to the Filipino people and to the Filipino doctors the best and highest technology that will help them diagnose and treat their patients,” in the words of Dr. Joven Cuanang, Chief Medical Officer, they laid the groundwork for another complex in Bonifacio Global City. St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City opened its doors in January 2010. With the name St. Luke’s is known for they did not disappoint. Even with over 1,700 doctors in their Quezon City location and 600 in Global City, they are still expanding, on the never ending pursuit of providing the absolute best service for their patients.

In a real sense, the building is an indication of the services in store behind its looming, marble facade on the corner of 32nd St and 5th Ave in Global City. For anyone who comes through its large glass doors which lead to a spacious, hotel-like lobby, complete with concierge and coffee bar, one can deduce that the same care and attention to detail must be given to their patients. “The theme, the core of it,” says Dr. Cuanang of their JCI Accreditation, “depends on how well you take care of patients – from entry to the emergency room or to any one of our clinics, whether it’s outpatient, to the way the healthcare team, meaning doctors, nurses, technicians, all the rest, will take care of a patient in a seamless manner.”

And in such a way, St. Luke’s has done and continues to do just that. Through their five pillars of excellence, they bring unparalleled service once only available abroad to the doorstep of Filipinos. “First,” reports Dr. Cuanang, “is the expertise of our medical staff and nursing staff and technology staff. Second, our high level of technology. Third, we promote excellent customer service. Meaning that the experience of the patient and their families when they come to us must be at a very personal level. Fourth, we are attentive to every need of the patient. Similar to what you experience in a hotel. We’re talking about making sure, again, patient safety is focused. We try to reduce infection rate. And of course lastly, the final thing is the clinical outcome. Meaning how well we take care of our patients because that’s our core business.”

Along with being in the forefront of medical specialties such as cardiovascular medicine, neurosciences, and digestive and liver diseases, among others, the expertise of the over 2,000 doctors at both locations are enhanced by the latest and, as Dr. Cuanang points out, most expensive technology available today. St. Luke’s is the only hospital in the Philippines to be in possession of the PET-CT Scanner, for one, and they are at the head of the pack when it comes to robotics surgery. “We are training a lot of our doctors towards robotic surgery. They are in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Korea for training. And not only for the prostate but also for other organ systems. And our stem cell research is very, very active here in both QC and Global City.”

Other technological breakthroughs in the medical field can also be found at St. Luke’s. Among these are 3 Tesla MRI, 256-Slice Ct Scanner, Extracorporeal Shockwave Myocardial Revascularization System (ESMR) and Prone Breast Biopsy System. However, beyond the technical aspect, they have also given careful consideration to the aesthetic of the hospital. Scattered around the floors are pocket gardens that interrupt the frenetic pace that is often associated with emergency rooms and bustling nurses. There are plush couches in the lobby and master’s collection paintings hanging in the hallways of the complex.

Not only that, but St. Luke’s makes it a point to attend to the needs of the family members and relatives of their patients as well. An entire wing of their Health and Wellness Center has been converted to provide lodging for anyone accompanying those availing of their program’s packages. “It’s heavily philosophical,” explains Dr. Cuanang, “Prevention is better than cure. And so we want to keep our people healthy. Our wellness program is about health promotion and disease prevention by making sure things like obesity, weight management, nutrition, and lifestyle issues, should be addressed.”

“‘Medical tourism’ is a buzzword,” answers Dr. Cuanang when asked about their efforts to bring more foreigners to our shores under the medical banner. “Actually, even before that phrase became popular in the media, we already had been getting a lot of patients from the islands like Guam, Palau, Saipan.” Dr. Cuanang further explains that the primary reason why patients from these outlying islands with developing health systems prefer coming to the Philippines rather than going to the States for treatment, is that they have come to find that they can receive the same service and quality of care here as they would abroad – and for a lower price.

Another factor why they come is because of the readily available services St. Luke’s can provide. Unlike other systems in Europe, for instance, the waiting time here is almost negligible in comparison. “If a patient comes into my clinic,” Dr. Cuanang points out, “and asks for an MRI, I can get in contact with the respective personnel and have it ready within hours. In Europe, the waiting time can last up to months before getting something like a CT scan.” It’s those two very important points alone that make St. Luke’s stand out among the healthcare systems in Southeast Asia and of course in all the provinces in the Philippines.

Medical tourism, a buzzword though it may be, is a real concept and one that St. Luke’s is looking into. Dr. Cuanang admits to having no figures on the those traveling to the country for medical-related purposes. “We have to define what a ‘medical tourist’ is,” he says. “We’re still developing the concept. But having said that, we are tying up with hotels and currently, a lot of international patients come from Guam, Palau, and Saipan. And now we are having a lot of balikbayans coming from London, from Canada, from Australia. They’re coming in for their check-ups.” Even local corporate executives, business owners, politicians, and expats choose St. Luke’s for their executive check-ups.

Why that is, in the words of Dr. Cuanang “is because we try to improve the brand at every possible turn that we have – first the building, the facilities, the doctors. It’s about having a good experience, it’s also about word-of-mouth.” The Health & Wellness Center which is fully booked at the time of this writing, is the epitome of holistic wellness and luxury combined. With all the amenities one could ask for in a five-star hotel available – from room service to on-demand movies on your flatscreen TV, there is now no excuse for not getting your yearly check-up.

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In the Philippines, surfing has been around for quite some time, but has only been gaining attention these past years. Synonymous to surfing is the province of La Union where it has been said to have started. A visit to the famous stretch of the Ubiztondo, San Juan beach will show you the emerging lucrative business of surfing through numerous resorts, schools, and shops.

The accessibility of surfing spots paved the way for the emergence of the Manila surfing culture. You can say that out of 10 students who get lessons in spots like La Union, Quezon, or Zambales, more than half will spread the stoke and in turn, will get more people to try surfing. These Manila based surfers can now get the experience of surfing even without going to the beach through the wave pool facilities of Club Manila East. Here, they can also enroll in lessons conducted by the Philippine Surf Academy, headed by Paolo Soler.

But even with numerous surfing spots, or the growing familiarity of the sport and surfing industry, our country is still considered as a fish out of the water compared to surfing hotshots like Indonesia.

Surfing Tourism
Realizing the potential of a new tourism niche, the Department of Tourism, together with numerous advocates, push the idea of emphasizing the development of the adventure and nature tourism through surfing in the country. It also doesn’t hurt that our country indeed has the right resources, like different surfing spots and manpower to sustain the market niche.

The exploitation of surfing tourism will put a domino effect that can span different aspects such as economy and nature. Jobs will be generated in areas of surf spots, from lodging, to food, and even laundry business will thrive once the tourist population sets in. Other services such as surf gear and equipment shops, Internet cafes and bars, souvenir shops, film or batteries for cameras, load for mobile phones, charter boat rentals are also essential to tourists and are of course, income generating.

Unlike other tourism thrusts that do necessary changes to the environment, surfing does not alter the natural flow of life in the environment. Surfers have the respect for the ocean and the environment. During the press conference of the first Philippine National Surfing Convention, Paolo Soler stated, “We are the first ones who will get sick because of the dirty waters,” that is why they ensure the proper treatment of the environment. Sharing the same advocacy, the La Union Surf Club, headed by Lemon Dines, does a weekly beach cleanup on their Ubiztondo beach.

Also, surfers tend to go for lesser populated surf sites, thus encouraging the development of other destinations and avoiding such social problems such as prostitution, illegal drug use and alcoholism.

Importance of Education
Another facet of surfing tourism is the education. Surfing schools in Indonesia train a truckload of surfing students on their beaches every year, citing the fact that it is not only veteran surfers who contribute to the rising popularity of the sport. As fast as the student population grows, the income generated from these schools also flourishes. The importance of these schools are very much taken into consideration in that they have their schools and instructors certified by the Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI), the main international surfing instructor, resort and school certifying agency based in Australia.

In the Philippines, a surf school is a common sight at different surfing spots. In La Union, the beach of Ubiztondo is lined with surf schools such as the Billabong Surf School of Luke Landrigan, while Siargao has the Surf Camp Philippines.

The impact of this is evident in the steady upward climb of the number of students being trained since January 2009. With this in mind, the DOT and the Academy of Surfing Instructors Philippines (ASIP) aims to give world-class surfing education by emphasizing and acting on the need for staff training and development of service standards and the institution of certification, accreditation and classification of surfing instructors, surfing schools and surfing resorts. And with the consistent, beginner-friendly waves and almost secluded beaches in the Philippines, it is possible to rival even the best of Indonesia’s surfing schools.

Is The Philippines Ready For That Perfect Wave?
Gone are the days when our local surfers had to wait for broken boards that the US servicemen left during the 60′s. Today, all the needed equipment are readily available to the public. Education and the spots an accessible to locals and tourists alike, and exposure of the surfing lifestyle even to non-surfers through different means such as conventions, surfing breaks and surfing brands are unlimited.

The Philippines is already a tourist destination on its own, and surfing is another opportunity to broaden its global appeal. With just the right amount of paddling around, it will be sure that in no time the Philippines will ride the waves of international tourism through this new niche.