filipino-japanese journal april 2016

APRIL 2016 • FREE

Are You Election Ready?

Kyotoin Spring

Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone: Philippine Cinema’s Dream Team

Baguio, Just What Summer Ordered

The RevenanTTHE ONLY FILIPINO MAGAZINE AT THE JAPAN PREMIERE “I don't know if I will ever have the opportunity

to do a film like this ever again, but it’s certainly been a huge chapter of my life, and something

that I will always look back on with great thankfulness.” – Leonardo DiCaprio

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Editor’s Note

Being the only Filipino magazine in Japan that covers international celebrities, we are privileged to be given the once in a lifetime opportunity to have on our cover Hollywood actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio who recently visited Tokyo to promote “The Revenant,” the film that earned him his very first Oscar Award for Best Actor.

We also have the pleasure to meet box office Filipino directors and real life sweethearts Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone who granted us an exclusive photo shoot during the 11th Osaka Asian Film Festival.

Who among the presidentiables is the best choice to lead the Philippines? Read our take on the upcoming May 2016 elections.

Looking for the perfect spring getaway? Let us take you to beautiful Kyoto and other famous hanami spots across the country.

Of course, for our kababayans, spring break wouldn’t be complete without going home to the Philippines to experience the summer heat.

There is an abundance of ways to enjoy spring here in Japan and summer over there in the Philippines. Take some of our suggestions and enjoy!

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CONTRIBUTORS

Herlyn Alegre is a graduate student at Waseda University in Tokyo. She is in love with the Tokyo Tower and crazy about Japanese history. The works of Haruki Murakami stir her thoughts and inspire her writing. The Beatles relaxes her and puts her in a mood to dream. She is a fangirl, a baseball fan and a sucker for jazz. She is a lover of arts, a seeker of adventures and a chaser of stars.

KikoCagayatis a stylish Japan-based Filipino blogger whose motto is “fashion without limits.”

Din Eugenio is a Tokyo-based Filipino press photographer whose work has appeared in publications like TIME (digital edition), ABC News, Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Pinoy Gazette, Philippine Digest and FILJAP Magazine. He completed his professional photography course at the prestigious New York Institute of Photography in 2004. Before coming to Japan, he worked as a still photographer for Regal Films, a film outfit in the Philippines, from 1997-1999. He was the only Filipino press photographer officially accredited to cover the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) since 2013 and the Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) since 2014. He regularly covers Hollywood movie premieres in Tokyo.

Ari Simangan

is a Manila-based fashion photogra-pher with Japanese roots. He finished Associate Hotel and Restaurant Management in Baguio, trans-ferred to Manila and got a degree as private pilot from the Philip-pine State College of Aeronautics. His love for photography became his way of expressing himself and unleashing the artist in him that is waiting to be tapped. He got his biggest break when he landed a job as a contribut-ing photographer at One Mega Group, a publish-ing company of glossy magazines in the Philippines. His favorite work includes a special feature for Louis Vuitton and Maserati in the August 2013 issue of Mega Man.

Arlene Donaire

is a development economist and project management specialist by profession. She has worked in various government and consulting assignments for the past 27 years. She also served as Information and Public Relations Officer of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organization back in 2010-11. Combining her love for travel and writing with photography, her goal as a photographer-writer is to create visual stories that will inspire and bring joy to readers. She has been featured as Photographer of the Week by Manila Bulletin's Picture Perfect and won the nationwide Masskara Festival Photo Contest in 2014. Last year she traveled to Sri Lanka for a photography safari, together with members of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, where she is an alumna. Arlene's favorite genres are street and travel photography. She shoots with her Fujifilm X and Benro system.

While enjoys writing about the U.S. banking industry to pay the bills, he spends part of his free time pursuing two of his passions - photography and travel.

Tim Ramos

contents

HEADLINEAre You Election Ready?

ON THE COVERLeonardo DiCaprio Returns to Japan

to Promote ‘The Revenant’

TRAVEL JAPANKyoto in Spring

ENTERTAINMENT‘Spotlight’ Star Rachel McAdams

Sympathizes with Kyushu Quake Victims

CENTERFOLDDan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone:

Philippine Cinema’s Dream Team

PROUDLY PINOYSinag Maynila Film Festival

Now Poised For Its Second Year

FEATUREAcross Regions: The Best Hanami Spots in Japan

WHAT’S NEW, WHAT’S UPWhat to Wear in Japan in Spring

Sanrio Characters Get McDonald's Happy Meal Toys Hello Kitty Doll in a Bell Staff ’s Uniform at

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Fast Lane Service Begins

at Narita Airport Immigration

VISIT PHILIPPINESBaguio, Just What Summer Ordered

PHILIPPINE ADVENTURESA Week of Everything That Flies:

The 2016 Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival

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HEADLINE

Few days from now and millions of Filipinos will troop to different voting precints to exercise their right to suffrage. At stake in the coming May 2016 elections is the choice of a rightful president who will lead the Philippines in shaping and charting the country’s destiny in the next six years.

Ready to take on the responsibilities of leading the country and hoping they get the majority of votes are Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator

Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe and Secretary Mar Roxas.

Since the campaign rolled out, each presidential candidate laid out their platforms and their stand on various socio-political issues like the passing of Freedom of Information Bill, same-sex marriage, graft and corruption, political dynasty, peace and order, dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, lowering of income taxes and the situation in Mindanao among others.

We see them on campaign trails, on political advertisements, on newspapers and television visiting different places in the country to woo the votes of every Filipino, making promises and offering solutions to issues and problems. They’ve been trying to offer the sun and the moon and if we give in without qualifying and thinking many times over what they are offering, we will soon find ourselves falling into the traps of empty promises and mere exchange of words.

In a time where information are so accessible with the advent of the internet

and the social media, it is now a responsibility and a challenge for Filipino voters to keep up with all the information and facts about the election candidates vying for our sacred votes. It is time to make educated and informed choices by looking into the facts – track records, credentials, experience, and platform – before coming up with a decision.

It helps that there are mediums that offer information and facts that we can read and dissect so that we can scrutinize and elect our future leaders. One medium is the “Bilang Pilipino 2016” website (www.bilangpilipino.com) where you can see impartial, current and factual stories about the candidates “promising unparalleled engagement with Filipino voters via data-driven content pushed over broadcast, digital, mobile and social platforms.”

Second, voters can also visit the PiPOLL website (http://pipoll-alpha.appspot.com/), which is a compatibility test format app where the users are asked to answer questions on certain political issues and at the end of the survey the user will be shown percentages of compatibility with each presidential candidate. The user will also be given a breakdown of where each of these presidential candidates stand on every issue and credible links they can read to support the information. This app will clearly validate on whose candidate you’re leaning towards or will allow you

to make second thoughts and consider other candidates based on your stand on several issues. This encourages users to make informed voting.

Third, after 24 years, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) spearheaded and organized a three-part public debate, “PiliPilipinas Debates 2016,” covered and broadcasted by different media organizations to help Filipino voters decide whom to give their votes to.

The first debate, Mindanao leg, happened at the Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City where all five candidates participated and where the voters had a look on the candidates’ track record, their stand on the issue of poverty in the country, political dynasty and the situation in Mindanao.

The second debate, the Visayas leg, was held at the University of the Philippines in Cebu, participated by all except for Santiago who attend a clinical trial.

The third debate, Luzon leg, will be held on April 24 in Pangasinan.

It is time that we make our standards high in choosing our future leaders; to stop going for someone just because of popularity or appeal to the masses. Because if we do not make informed choices, we will continue to be a part of a traditional and corrupt cycle of politics and then find ourselves in the losing end.

ELECTIONREADY?ARE YOu


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PHOtOgRAPHS DIN EUGENIO

TOKYO, Japan – Fresh off his Best Actor win at the Oscars, Leonardo Dicaprio is back in the spotlight with the promotion of the Japanese opening of his latest film, “The Revenant.”

ON THE COVER

Leonardo diCaprioreturns to Japan to promote ‘The revenant’

PHOtOgRAPH COURtESY OF 20TH CENTURy FOx


DiCaprio made his first trip to Tokyo in two years as he attended the film’s press tour last March 23.

He told the Japanese and foreign media at a press conference held at The Ritz-Carlton that it was great to be back in Japan again.

“I don't know how many times I’ve been here, maybe it’s been 15 or so now but it’s always lovely to come back. I’m excited to see the cherry blossoms.

“Kyoto is always my go-to place. I love the rich history; try to absorb myself in all various temples and stare at the Buddha and reflect; and be part of that ancient Japanese culture,” he revealed.

The Hollywood actor said it was an honor to receive the Oscar but stressed that awards are not the reason he does movies.

“It’s certainly gratifying and it feels fantastic, but you hope to remain with your initial ideals and dreams of what you want to be as an actor, and all I can hope for is that I’ll continue to keep trying

to make the best movies I possibly can.”The 41-year-old leading man shared

how special “The Revenant” is for him. “I don't know if I will ever have the

opportunity to do a film like this ever again, but it’s certainly been a huge chapter of my life, and something that I will always look back on with great thankfulness.”

He also praised Oscar Best Director Alejandro Iñárritu for his “groundbreaking cinematic techniques.”

“I still don't know how he did it; I’m just very honored to be a part of a piece of cinematic art that will live on for generation.”

The “Titanic” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” actor also suggested that his upcoming documentary on climate change could help raise awareness about the phenomenon and stated that the United States “should not have a candidate who doesn’t believe in modern science.”

“Climate change is one of the most concerning issues facing all of humanity, and the United States needs to do its part,” he said, adding they visited China, India

and the North Pole and South Pole to shoot the documentary that will be released before the November election.

He also mentioned that one of the collaborators for the documentary was Fisher Stevens, a producer of the documentary film, “The Cove,” which analyzes and questions dolphin-killing in Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture.

DiCaprio and his foundation have been active in fostering awareness on a wide range of environmental issues, such as global warming, biodiversity and nuclear weapons since 1998. Last year, he attended the COP21 climate change talks in Paris, France.

The Oscar-winning best actor capped off the global press tour for “The Revenant” by hitting the red carpet at Roppongi Hills Arena where he was welcomed by ecstatic Japanese fans, some of them dressed as bears.

“The Revenant,” which also stars Tom Hardy, tells the story of legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass who fought off a bear and survived against the odds.

Distributed by 20th Century Fox, it opens in Japan on April 22.


Kyoto in Spring

Kyoto in Spring


Spring arrives in Kyoto in late March as the sakura starts to bloom, and reaches its peak

during the first week of April as the iconic cherry blossoms come in full swing. Visitors flock to the city’s parks, gardens, temples and shrines to feast their eyes upon the beautiful cherry blossoms.

Empress Travel & Tours conducts private and small group tours to Kyoto. For inquiries, please email [email protected].

TRAVEL JAPANTRAVEL JAPAN

It can be said that any time is a good time to visit Kyoto, but the best time is in autumn and spring. Situated in the central part of the island of Honshu, Kyoto is an ancient city famous to both local and foreign tourists

for its beautiful temples and shrines, especially during the cherry blossoms season.

Kinkaku-ji Temple

Tourists wearing kimono at Kiyomizu-dera Temple


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ENTERTAINMENT

TOKYO, Japan – Canadian actress Rachel McAdams has expressed her sympathies for those affected by the two powerful earthquakes that rocked southern Japan.

"Iwant to share my heartfelt condo-lences to all those affected by the recent earth-quakes,” she said

before thanking her Japanese fans who watched the screening of her latest film “Spotlight” at TOHO Cinemas Screen 1 in Yurakucho on April 16.

McAdams who portrays Boston Globe reporter Sacha Pfeiffer in the Oscar-winning film made her first visit to the country on April 13, a day after a magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture.

A second powerful temblor with a magnitude of 7.3 hit Kyushu region early Saturday.

At least 42 people died and hundreds were injured.

‘Spotlight’ StarRachel McAdams

Sympathizes with Kyushu Quake Victims

WORdS & PHOtOgRAPHS FLORENDA CORPUZ

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Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone: Philippine Cinem

a’s Dream Team


Box office hit directors and real life couple Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone are on a roll. Since directing “Six Degrees of Lilia Cuntapay” (Tonet) in 2011 and “English Only, Please” (Dan) in 2014, their names have been synonymous to quality films particularly in the romantic-comedy genre.


CENTERFOLD

ExCLU

SIV

E


Dan and Tonet never fail to give the movie-viewing public a reason to watch their films that are always relatable, stories

revolving around characters with ordinary life and their everyday highs and lows mixing it with memorable one-liners now known as “hugot.” They have released a string of hit movies that are products of their collaboration, reaping accolades from film critics and their audiences.

Filed under their names as directors are the movies “Always Be My Maybe,” “Walang Forever,” “The Breakup Playlist” and “English Only, Please” for Dan; “All You Need Is Pag-Ibig,” “You’re My Boss,” “Relaks, It's Just Pag-Ibig,” “That Thing Called Tadhana” and “Beauty in a Bottle” for Tonet.

Their collaboration in the movie “English Only, Please” with Dan as the director and Tonet as the writer emerged as one of the best films in 2014 getting seven major awards in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) including best actress and best actor for Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsey, best director for Dan and best screenplay for Tonet.

They did it again in the 2015 MMFF with their “Walang Forever” entry starring Jennylyn and Jericho Rosales, both getting the best actress and actor awards. They also bagged the Best Screenplay, Best Original Story and Best Picture.

It’s only a matter of time before they are recognized internationally. And it happened when their movie “Walang Forever” competed in the Competition section of the recently concluded 11th Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF), a prestigious festival that aims to facilitate human resources development and exchange, to invigorate the Osaka economy, and to increase the city’s appeal, through providing opportunities to watch excellent Asian films, supporting filmmaking in Osaka and attracting filmmakers from Asian countries and regions to Osaka.

Dan and Tonet were both elated and honored to be a part of the festival. Facing journalists from different Asian countries, the two shared how it means to them to be able to create films that transcend cultures and how they are more inspired

to make films for the world to see, hoping that it would make a difference.

“I attended OAFF last year as a producer and it’s my first time to attend a festival as a director so I’m really happy.

“Actually I was kind of nervous [yesterday] because I didn’t really think that some of the parts were greatly translated. Maybe I was afraid that the audience particularly the Japanese audience will not get what the film’s trying to say so when I see everyone crying at the end of the film, I was so happy,” Dan said during the OAFF press junket that was well-attended by local and foreign journalists.

Tonet emphasized how she looks forward to attending festivals and how it reminds her of what she’s meant to do,

and that is making films.“Film festivals give me that natural

high that just tells me that cinema is really where I belong. And when you’re film transcends cultures and languages it just really shows how powerful cinema can be and you just want to make more movies that you want to show to the world,” she said who look up to Direk Joyce Bernal and whose film “Don’t Give Up” pushed and inspired her to make movies.

She thanked the OAFF for “this experience and opportunity for a romantic comedy like what we did to be part of a film festival that are usually for art house and socially-relevant films.”

With Dan and Tonet at the realm, the future of Philippine cinema looks so bright.


2nd Sinag Maynila filmmakers with Founder Wilson Tieng and Festival Director Brillante Mendoza

Mes De Guzman

Jay Altarejos

Gino Santos

Adolf Alix Jr Ato Bautista

SinagMaynilaFilmFestival

After the success of its pilot year, Sinag Maynila returns this April for its second edition featuring five films that reflect the Filipino culture while

illustrating messages that will resonate globally from notable independent filmmakers.

Conceptualized and helmed by its CEO and Founder Wilson Tieng, together with world-renowned and i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y

acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza, Sinag Maynila gives grants to independent filmmakers so they can develop their individual material to a full-length film for public exhibition. For this year, the Festival has been

opened to any Filipino independent filmmaker who wishes to apply for a film grant.

Since its successful inauguration in March 2015, the first set of featured films has debuted in various international film festivals.

“The exposure of the filmmakers in other countries brings pride and honor to Sinag Maynila and to the Filipino Filmmakers,” Festival Director Brillante Mendoza said.

This year, Tieng and Mendoza collaborated with five filmmakers namely, Adolf Alix Jr. (“MRS.”), Ato Bautista (“Expressway”), Mes De Guzman (“Dyamper”), Joselito Altarejos (“T.P.O.”) and Gino Santos (“Lila”).

The 2nd Sinag Maynila Film Festival will run from April 21 to 26. For more updates, look for Sinag Maynila on Facebook (SinagMaynila), Twitter and Instagram (@sinagmaynila).

Now Poised For Its Second Year

PROUDLy PINOy


Across Regions:

The Best Hanami Spots

in JapanWORdS HERLyN ALEGRE

PHOtOgRAPH DIN EUGENIO

FEATURE

Not only weather is forecasted in Japan, even the blooming time of the cherry trees is. Every year, the sakura forecast is anticipated by locals and tourists alike who are eager to schedule their trips to the best spots in the country for hanami. The cherry blossoms usually start to bloom from the West of Japan gradually going up to the East. People can view the cherry blossoms as early as the first week of March in the Western end and as late as May on the other side.

Japan is composed of five islands divided in eight regions, each region boasting its perfect spots for hanami:

GORYOkAkU PARk, SAPPORO. This park is a star-shaped fortress completed in 1864. It was constructed by the Tokugawa Shogunate to protect the Tsugaru Strait from a possible Russian invasion. Around 1,600 cherry trees line the park that highlight its beautiful shape even more. A stroll around the park would be nice in a breezy spring day, but a good view of the island is best seen from the 107-meter observation deck of the Goryokaku Tower.

HIROSAkI PARk,AOMORI. Castles are popular hanami spots in Japan, Hirosaki Castle, built in the 17th century, being one of them. There are more than 2,500 cherry trees planted around the castle. These are said to be hundreds of years old already. There are also other areas of interest around the castle such as the Nakamichi Buke-Yashiki or the old samurai houses, the Choshoji Temple, and the Saisho-in Temple that houses a five-storied pagoda.

CHUREITO PAGODA, YAMANASHI. Built only in 1963 as a peace memorial, this pagoda offers an amazing view of Mt. Fuji, somehow making the cherry blossoms just an added bonus. Sitting on a hill, it takes 400 steps from the main buildings of the Arakura Shengen Shrine to climb up to this beautiful spot. It may be tiring, but it’s definitely worth the sweat.

TAkATO CASTLE RUINS PARk, NAGANO. There are around 1,500 cherry blossoms planted around the park including kohigan cherry trees, which are said to have been planted as far back as 1875 when the park was first opened to the public. The Onkyo Bridge, found at the center of the park, is one of the most famous spots to view the cherry blossoms. After a stroll, the Shinshu Takato Art Museum, found at the southern part of the park, is another option to see.

HIMEJI CASTLE, HYOGO. This Unesco World Heritage Site, fully re-opened again to the public after five years of restoration, is not only rich in centuries of history but also an eye candy for cherry blossoms fanatics. It is considered as one of the top three best castles in Japan. During peak seasons, the number of visitors allowed to enter the main castle keep are limited. Better check the people forecast (yes, they do have it!) on their website to see which dates are expected to be crowded.

MIYAJIMA, HIROSHIMA. Though famous for its giant torii gate that seems to float on water during the high tide, this island is also good for cherry blossoms viewing. On this island, you can see the World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shrine, with around 1,900 cherry blossoms lining the island.

MT. SHIUNDE, kAGAWA. Viewing the cherry blossoms with the Seto inland sea in the background would definitely be priceless. Climbing up the mountain, which is 352 meters high, may take around an hour, but the view is worth the hike because the spot gives an unobstructed view of the island and the surrounding waters. On a clear day, you might catch a glimpse of the tip of Honshu.

kUMAMOTO CASTLE, kUMAMOTO. This castle, built in 1607, is surrounded by 800 cherry trees. Together wih Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle, it is regarded as one of the top three castles in Japan. Its beauty exudes a different charm in autumn and winter, but the cherry blossoms in spring add a layer of elegance to its famous stone walls called Mushagaeshi and the long wall called the Naga-bei.

WHAT’S NEW, WHAT’S UP

What to Wear in Japan in Spring

Spring is already here! It is said to be the perfect time to revamp your wardrobe and try out new fashion trends as the season signifies rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth.

But for Japan-based Filipino fashion blogger Kiko Cagayat, “anything goes as long as your outfit is season appropriate and comfortable.” And we couldn’t agree more!

Sanrio Characters Get McDonald's Happy Meal Toys

PHOtOgRAPHS dIN EUgENIO


Fast Lane Service Begins at Narita Airport Immigration

Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) began its Fast Lane operation in the inbound passport control areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 last March 30,

as the first such service at a Japanese airport. The service, which will also begin at Kansai International Airport, is provided with the cooperation of government agencies including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as well as Japan Tourism Agency and airline companies.

Fast Lane will speed up the Immigration procedures at Narita Airport by providing dedicated passport control lanes for certain foreign visitors who are conference attendees, VIPs, etc.

Hello Kitty Doll in a Bell Staff ’s Uniform at Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo announced its special Hello Kitty original doll in a bell staff ’s uniform offer for its Hello Kitty room guests until June 30.

Hello Kitty rooms were opened in 2014 to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 40th birthday. Keio

Plaza Hotel Tokyo offers a total of eight Hello Kitty rooms, in two themes of “Kitty Town” with the delightfully pop décor and Princess Kitty whose furnitures are dedicated to the charm of Kitty.

On April 15, McDonald's Japan will introduce a new Happy Meal or “happy set”, which comes with toys featuring Sanrio characters that kids and even adults will surely love!


VISIT PHILIPPINES

Baguio, Just WhatSummer Ordered

WORdS & PHOtOgRAPHS TIM RAMOS

When people tell me they plan to head to Baguio, my usual first response is to say, "Take the bus." If you have the extra dough and want a quick, seamless trip, buy some first class tickets; regular air-conditioned if you feel like scrimping. Because unless you plan on hauling a lot of produce and pasalubong back home to Manila, besides the significant amount you're bound to spend on fuel, it's a long drive back and forth, which personally, I'd rather spend sleeping rather than driving. Plus, Baguio's become so congested that it's really not practical to bring any type of vehicle. Besides, the taxis are cheap and cabbies are generally honest.


It's a sad fact that gone are the days when Baguio was pristine and uncongested, but that's just the way things are.

Nevertheless, every trip to Baguio is worth it. The tangy sweetness of strawberry taho, the crunch of the salty and sinful street chicharon, the amazing mountain views, the fresh produce and the flavorful coffee beans from the public market are just a few of the local delights that visitors keep coming back to.

Of course, it's pretty much given that in a tropical country like ours, Baguio's weather is the main attraction, the primary reason why legions still keep coming back. Especially these days when climate change rears one of its particularly ugly head in the form of stifling, oppressive heat, a trip to the Summer Capital of the Philippines is in order. Just open your windows (if you can) as you climb Kennon Road (or Marcos Highway), and feel the cold breeze blow through you, and you'll be glad you made the trip.

A myriad of activities await travelers — biking or strolling through Burnham Park (or better yet, just lay down a cloth and have a good 'ol fashioned picnic), picking through the ukay-ukay (the street market a night is a particular treat, or take a quick trip to the wet market for fresh produce sold for cheap.

Whether you're staying for a weekend or for longer, there's definitely something to do. You can hit the regular tourist spots — shop for souvenirs, take selfies wearing traditional Ifugao garments or take pictures with the giant Saint Bernards, and take in the view at Mines View Park, and head up to the nearby Good Shepherd convent for the best ube jam you'll ever taste (and don't worry about it being sinful, because nuns make it) and if you're feeling particularly Catholic and introspective at the moment, maybe try going through the convent's Way of the Cross path and enjoy some hot pandan tea before you leave. You can also visit the various silver shops scattered around the city like Ibay's, for some

authentic silver jewelry, or visit National Artist Ben Cab's famed museum for a healthy dose of art and culture, and some great views too. While you're there, try some of the offerings of Café Sabel, the museum's in-house café whose food is as great as the art upstairs. If you're lucky, you might also catch Ben Cab himself chilling there — he's usually game for tourists who want a picture with him. For the more adventurous, there's strawberry-picking at La Trinidad, or you can head up to Camp John Hay for things like ziplining and tree-free falling.

Speaking of food, Baguio is a plethora of hole-in-the-walls, canteens, restaurants and eateries that all serve absolutely delicious treats. From the penny-pinchers to those with fat wallets, there's something for everyone. Personally, this writer's first destination is Ketchup Food Community, a compound of sorts that has several different restaurants, each with its own distinct cuisine and flair. A particular favorite is the meaty and tasty bulalo at Rancho Norte, where their bagnet is juicy and soft with scrumptious, crunchy and crispy skin (which also goes into their pinakbet). Then there's the vegetarian pizza (a choice especially noteworthy since this writer usually avoids vegetables like the plague) and their generous serving of barbecue ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender. Happy Tummy, on the other hand, serves authentic Thai food, with a hefty kick of spice to boot. And don't worry about having to pick and choose — the best thing about Ketchup Food Community is that you can cross-order, provided the majority of what you're eating will be from the place you're currently in.

Of course, you can go there and just stay holed up wherever you are and drink coffee or read a good book or watch movies on your laptop or just nap the days away — as someone who's doing the eight-to-five and suffering through the Manila heat right now, I definitely wouldn't fault you for doing just that. #Envy.


PHILIPPINE ADVENTURES“I haven’t been everywhere yet, just somewhere…

but everywhere is on my list.”

A Week of Everything That Flies:The 2016 PhiliPPiNe hoT air BallooN feSTival

WORdS ARLENE DONAIRE / PHOtOgRAPHS ARLENE DONAIRE & LUKE MENDOZA

Certainly for me, as a travel photographer, the HAB Festival is a worthy subject. With its display of massive, multi-colored, and sometimes,

whimsically shaped balloons, some of which are brought in by international ballooning pilots and their crews, the HAB festival is worth the pre-dawn road trip that I have made since 2010. This year is the third time that I have photographed it; still, with heightened interest. As a modern-day tradition, I would say that

it is probably similar in stature to the Philippine International Pyrolympics Festival, a high-tech musical pyrotechnics showcase, held in Manila that is also anticipated with excitement by both local and international visitors.

Now the country’s biggest aviation sports event, running 22 years old, the HAB festival continues to be held annually around February in the Omni Aviation Complex at Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Pampanga. Aside from the hot air balloon flights, the festival also includes other activities that are related to flying such as skydiving, small plane fly-bys

and fly-ins, remote-control airplane and helicopter flying exhibitions, freestyle aerobatics, precision maneuvers, ultra-light flying formation, kite-making and choreographed kite-flying. The event also provides a venue for showcasing some of the aircrafts of the Philippine Air Force, which are opened to the curious, photo-seeking public. The atmosphere in Clark during the weeklong HAB festival is essentially that of a fiesta, with visitors from distant locales setting up their own picnic tents in the visitor grounds and vendors plying their wares in the trade fair.

The Philippine Hot Air Balloon (HAB) Festival may be called a modern day Filipino tradition; showcasing activities that are associated with technological innovations in the aviation industry. Since its founding in 1994 by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the event has grown in both prominence and economic significance not just for Angeles City but also for the country. The first festival in 1994 was fueled by the drive to re-invigorate local economic activity and tourism in the Central Luzon region after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo devastated the area.


1994/1995 Three years after the Mt. Pinatubo disaster, then Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor together with international hot-air balloon pilot, Sung Kee Paik, British Airways General Manager, John Emery, German aviation enthusiast Max Motschmann, the Hot Air Balloon Club and Clark Development Corporation, jointly organized the first Philippine International HAB. The vision was to make hot air ballooning an aviation sport in the country and to put the Philippines in the map for sports aviation and travel destinations in the Asia Pacific region. Twenty-one balloon pilots from 10 countries and one entry from the Philippines joined the festival.

1996-1998 DOT assigned to Air Ads, Inc. under Captain Joy Roa, a licensed Filipino balloon pilot, the organizing responsibility for the festival, which had expanded to include other aerosports like skydiving, paragliding, motorized hang gliding, remote controlled model aircraft and kite flying. Aerobatic stunts and precision maneuvers courtesy of the Blue Diamonds and later the Red Aces of the Philippine Air Force became a regular attraction of the festival.

1999-2003 In 1999, the festival was cancelled due to financial constraints but in 2000 it was revived with 18 light planes from Thailand, Japan and Singapore also joining

in an air rally. In 2003, especially designed balloons - a flying newspaper from Korea and a large dog from Japan, debuted in the show. Ballooning participants expanded, with crews from Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Czechoslovakia and the Netherlands coming in to regale the festival viewers.

2004-Present The festival had grown as a popular international sports aviation event. By 2006 it featured 30 multicolored hot air balloons and more than a hundred balloon pilots from the US, and European and Asian countries; drawing an approximated average of 60,000 visitors to the event.

***Arlene Donaire would like to thank Lightroom Philippines Corporation (Benro and Lowepro) and F8CebuPhoto for supporting her photographic gear during her Philippine Adventures assignments.

LAUNCHED February 2016

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