PAHIYAS PARADE. Guyito, the carabao mascot of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, gamely poses with tourists and visitors of the Pahiyas festival in Lucban, Quezon. The Inquirer sponsored the Bikas-Gayak parade, which featured 19 carabaos pulling carts festooned with fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers. DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN

No, the flotilla of bancas is not going to Panatag Shoal in defense of Philippine sovereignty. The colorfully decorated bancas, 160 of them, joined the fluvial parade on the Agno River in Lingayen and Bugallon towns in Pangasinan as part of the province’s “Pista’y Dayat” (Sea Festival) celebration. RAY B. ZAMBRANO/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

For couples wanting some alone time, get the Studio Deluxe Room Accommodations that’s perfect for 2 persons. You can enjoy spacious rooms, tastefully designed, with the following amenities - cable TV, bath tub and shower, personal ref, electric kettle, microwave oven and more.

Families or groups of up to 4 persons will find the Two Bedroom Suite just perfect for their needs. Everyone can enjoy set breakfast and dinner, compliments of this deal, so really all you have to do is relax.

Subic offers a wide range of fun activities for its visitors. Pretend you’re superman and fly up, up in the air at their Extreme Tree Top Adventure, interact with wild animals at Zoobic Safari while Ocean Adventure allows you to pet sea creatures.

Truly your stay and vacation at Subic Holiday Villas will leave you good memories to bring back home.

Discover all that Subic Bay has to offer with Subic Holiday Villas. All 60 guestrooms at the hotel provide all the comforts and convenience guests would expect in a hotel. Each guestroom is tastefully appointed with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, desk, television, and bathtubs. This Subic Bay accommodation features on-site facilities such as shops, casino, elevator, coffee shop, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities, restaurant, and room service. To unwind, guests can enjoy the leisure facilities provided on the hotel’s property, including pool (kids), gym, outdoor pool, and garden. With elegant facilities and hospitality, guests at this hotel will surely have an impressive stay.

For inquiries and Booking, please call Subic Holiday Villas at 4340148/ 4361317/09275185727. Email: sales_marketing@subicholidays.com

Seaside Reverie

From out the depths of the sea, the majestic pawikan swims onto the shores of Anvaya Cove. This sea creature, with its powerful flippers and colorful carapace, wanders onto the beach at night digging a hole on its soft gray sand. Weary from her labor, she proceeds to lay a whole bunch of soft-shell eggs, numbering anywhere from 50 to 200. Her mission accomplished, the pawikan saunters back to the ocean from whence she came.

In the morning, staff members of Anvaya Cove guard these eggs zealously, placing protective nets around the hole. A month or so later, it is time for the baby pawikans to be released to the sea; and members of Anvaya Cove gather around the quiet beach, feeling fortunate to witness such a wondrous event. It is occasions such as this that make Anvaya Cove an almost otherworldly place.

Situated in a quiet corner of Morong in Bataan, it’s easy see the appeal of this seaside community. Spread over 320 hectares, Anvaya Cove features vast tracts of open space where nature can grow unencumbered. Neighborhoods are planned with respect to the natural lay of the land. Thus, instead of a flat landscape, the community has rolling hills and terrains, adding more beauty to the whole package.

The same thoughtful consideration for nature comes to play in the design and building of the various facilities from the Welcome Pavilion and Bamboo Café to the Lookout Tower and Tower Bar, all of which are characterized by the use of local materials with accents of greenery.

It is the beach, however, that is Anvaya Cove’s major attraction, says Glenn Fabricante, Anvaya Cove Events Manager. Not only is it accessible to Manila residents, it is also very clean, pristine almost. Its clear blue waters invite swimmers to stay all day while its fine white sand serve as the setting for a variety of fun activities. Because Anvaya Cove is an exclusive community, the beach never gets crowded. This is especially important for members and guests who value peace and privacy.

Lounge chairs strategically placed along the coastline are perfect for sunbathers. Those who prefer more active getaways may fancy a round of beach volleyball or a game of flag football. Others who like their action in the water can enjoy the many water sports equipments available from kayaks and aqua trikes to banana boats and paddle boards.

Because night swimming is discouraged (so as not to disturb the pawikans that might be laying their eggs), members like looking out to the clear skies, pointing out constellations and watching out for shooting stars.

Anvaya also hosts regular activities for its members and their guests including the Great Amazing Race to Anvaya Cove on October, the Invitation Triathlon on November, and the community’s anniversary celebration on March. However, says Fabricante, it is still the releasing of the baby pawikans onto the ocean that is the most anticipated event in Anvaya Cove.

Anvaya means home in Sanskrit—and Anvaya Cove offers a world of glorious possibilities for those in search of a good one.

TURISTA GUIDE

Getting there

Take the North Luzon Expressway through San Fernando Exit, SCTEX, and Angeles Exit. Anvaya Cove is about two and half hours away from Manila by land.

Accommodations

Anvaya Cover is community of weekend homes and condominium buildings. You can choose to buy a lot, a condominium unit—or even a whole cluster of units. You may also purchase shares at the Anvaya Beach & Nature Club to enjoy its facilities. Entrance fees are waived for guests of members (for up to 10 people) on weekdays. Member guests of more than 10 will be charged day visit fees.

Food

The Bamboo Café serves a variety of foods from Filipino favorites to Continental entrees. Not only are the portions generous, they are also very reasonably priced.

Activities

Have fun at the Great Lawn. Equipments and facilities for playing frisbee, volleyball, soccer, flag football, billiards, foozball, table tennis, air hockey, and darts are available.

Sweat it out at the Nature Camp. Take the various fitness challenges at Nature Camp. Go wall climbing or rapelling. Or whiz through the adult zipline, which is 100 feet high and 260 meters long. There’s also a less daunting kiddie zipline for children 12 and under.

Explore Bataan. Want to explore the area? You can drive up to West Nuke Beach, a strip of sand adjacent to the white elephant that is the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Or you can go trekking up Mount Samat.

Enjoy the heat of fire. Anvaya Cove staff members can set up a bonfire by the beach, where you can toast hotdogs and marshmallows or grill lean meats and veggies while exchanging ghost stories.

Thumbs up

Service at Anvaya Cove is exemplary. Staff members are always ready with a smile or a helping hand.

Contacts

Anvaya Cove

Morong, Bataan

(632) 908-3908

ask@ayalalandpremier.com

www.ayalalandpremier.com

[PAGE 3: photos of interior design renderings]

[HEAD] Cocoon of Tranquility

Interior designer Ito Kish gives his vision of a weekend home at the Sea Breeze Veranda.

On the highest ridge of Anvaya Cove will stand a cluster of residential buildings sprawled over four hectares. From its windows and verandas, one can take in the pleasure of looking out to the South China Sea and the Ilingin Cove and seeing the mountain ranges of Bataan and Zambales. Such treats are what await families who choose Sea Breeze Verandas to be their weekend home.

The vision of interior designer Ito Kish for the Sea Breeze Veranda weekend home is a refreshingly contemporary one. You’ll find no wicker furniture here, and you won’t encounter billowing white curtains either. “We didn’t want to do what’s expected of a weekend home,” says Kish.

Taking cues from the surrounding environment, Kish wanted to create a cocoon of tranquility, a space where families can restore their spirits from the stress of city living.

The color scheme is stylishly neutral, which complements the blues and greens of nature. Kish says, “We didn’t want it to look feminine or masculine. We wanted it to appeal to both genders.”

The materials comprise of a mix of the hard and the soft, the indigenous and the modern.

In the living area, the white sofa is set against a wall of mirrors, giving the illusion of spaciousness. Providing additional seating are chairs of wood and stools of powder-coated metal. The side tables of ailing grey as well as the more ornately designed lamps give a touch of modern while the carpet of abaca serves as a nice anchor point. Opening the glass doors brings in the cool breeze as well as fantastic views of the surroundings.

The kitchen and dining area follows the same scheme with the dining table and chairs made of natural wood. “Our furniture pieces are loose, so that you can move them around,” says Kish.

Accent pieces, like the paintings and the lighting features, were well chosen to evoke a feeling of quiet elegance.

In the bedroom, the vibe is much more dramatic. The accent wall of grayish blue sets the mood for a restful evening. Instead of a headboard, Kish chose to use a panel with up lights, which showcases the artworks and the vases and gives the room a relaxed ambiance. The bed linens of muted gray hold the promise of a comfortable slumber.

The weekend home is a place to relax and rest in a lovely setting, and all these design elements definitely give the Sea Breeze Veranda an easy luxurious feel.

[PAGE 4: photo of architectural rendering for inset, please put photos of golf course, photos 065-074]

[HEAD] Elegance Amidst the Greens

[SUBHEAD] Architect Mike Pena designs a modern tropical abode for Parkway Vistas.

Against the backdrop of Anvaya Cove’s rich terrestrial ecosystem will spring structures in harmony with the natural elements; this is what Architect Mike Pena sees for the future of this picturesque seaside community, particularly for Parkway Vistas.

Located amidst a natural terrain of gently sloping hills, Parkway Vistas will feature a seasonal brook alongside a golf course. It is envisioned to be the most extensive of the neighborhoods located on the southern point of Anvaya Cove.

For Parkway Vistas, Architect Pena says, “The concept of the design is tropical modern to be in tune with nature. Anvaya is a nature’s haven and so we have to align our design with Anvaya.”

This two-level home combines the indigenous and the modern. The floor to ceiling plate glass windows not only give its residents an abundance of natural light, they also provide almost panoramic views of the outside surroundings. Because Parkway Vistas is 45 to 80 meters above sea level, residents can look over the mountains of Silanguin and Natib.

Architect Pena adds, “We harmonized the natural elements such as wind and light.” For example, the structure has been oriented as such to avoid the harsh rays of the sun and the heavy drops of rain. The large ceiling eaves also protect the home from heat and rain while expansive windows encourage natural ventilation and lighting.

The incorporation of great quantities of recycled wood as well as natural indigenous stones gives the hoe a sense of place. He says, “We made use of a lot of recycled wood so as to have a tropical forest setting and also as to be able to reuse old wood rather than cut new trees. We also made use of the natural indigenous stones for wall cladding. These stones were unearthed when we were doing excavation. Glass and steel were also used to inject a modern feel to the house.”

[PAGE 5: photos 036-052]

[HEAD] Space Bliss

[SUBHEAD] Seascape Ridge makes communing with nature such a breeze.

If your family treasures the concept of privacy, but is partial to the security of condominium living then the Seascape Ridge may just be your ideal weekend home.

One of the lowest density neighborhoods at Anvaya Cove, large tracts of Seascape Ridge have been dedicated to open spaces and landscaped gardens. With only 14 quads spread across an area of 4.5 hectares, every unit features a commanding front yard and an expansive back yard.

Indulge your green thumb and grow an herb garden. Your friends and family will be pleased no end as you serve them with pesto prepared from basil grown in your own backyard. Or roll out a portable grill and invite relatives over for sumptuous weekend barbeques.

Bonding opportunities such as these make purchasing an entire quad for your whole clan ideal. Instead of booking your entire family in expensive getaways with all the hassles associated with managing large groups, you can meet up every weekend and leisurely enjoy each other’s company. It’s like your family has its very own weekend resort in the seaside haven that is Anvaya.

If you’re not the type to entertain, then you can install some lounge chairs in your backyard and do a bit of reading and sunbathing. You’ll have no problem getting into sun-worshipping mode as every unit offers exciting vistas. Choose from a seascape, mountain, or garden view. Mix up some margaritas for good measure.

With the quads built on an elevated location, your eyes can feast on an array of panoramic delights. Have your architect make room for bigger windows and even bigger balconies. Opt for natural lighting and ventilation in your interior design. Set aside the curtains. Throw open the windows. And delight in the warm breeze of the mountains and the sea.

Photos courtesy of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

Time and again, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa has been cited by various travel-oriented groups as one of the world’s best—and we have no doubt as to why this is so.

Situated on the eastern side of Mactan Island, the resort encompasses a sprawling area with 547 suites and guest rooms surrounded by lush, abundant foliage. The sheer size of the property begs for exploration, made easy by pathways that snake through the facilities. There’s a large air-conditioned indoor play area for children, a dedicated spa village, expansive pools, and a private beach. For some electronic entertainment, there’s the E-zone with its video arcade and karaoke rooms.

Sanctuary at Sea

I spent most of my first day investigating the resort’s culinary offerings, which, I am happy to report, is welcoming even to a vegetarian. First up was Tides, an all-day restaurant featuring a buffet of international dishes in an open kitchen setup. I then went to Acqua with its panoramic view of the ocean for some authentic Italian cuisine.

Spending the next day outdoors was practically a necessity to burn the indulgence from the day before. Because I just love the water, I had to visit Shangri-La Mactan’s new marine sanctuary. About five hectares in size, the sanctuary has seen different species of fish “migrate” to the area. This underground haven now has about 100 species of sea creatures including angelfish, banner fish, blue tang, butterfly fish, clownfish, clown sweetlips, goldfish, lion fish, pipefish, puffers, rainbow fish, and wrasse. Swimming with these beautiful creatures is an experience one will not easily forget.

Ultimate Indulgence

In my book, however, what really puts Shangri-La Mactan ahead of the rest is its Chi Spa Village where the massages and body wraps are second to none. Chi Spa Village, which consists of 15 private villas spread across 10,000 square meters, offers guests the ultimate in rejuvenation and indulgence, spoiling them with over 35 customized therapies to heal the mind, body, and spirit.

I tried the Watsu, a soothing massage which takes place in warm, waist-deep water. Its name, which comes from combining “water” and “shiatsu” gives you an idea of how my treatment went.

After my relaxing experience at Chi, I spent the rest of the afternoon lounging under the sun. Occasionally, I would rise to play some volleyball; I wanted to make the most of my last day in this paradise of a resort.

To tell you the truth, I didn’t want to leave this veritable Shangri-La, but sadly, reality beckons. Till next time!

TURISTA GUIDE

Getting There

Daily flights from Manila to Cebu are offered by Cebu Pacific Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines, and Zest Air.

Accommodations

Get the most value with the Local Resident’s Package inclusive of an overnight stay; breakfast buffet for two adults and two children below 12 years old; unlimited use of such water sports facilities as snorkels, kayak, and beach volleyball; daily city shuttle; 20 percent savings on spa treatments; access to the Health Club facilities; and complimentary broadband in-room Internet access and local calls. Rates range from P6,500+ to P10,500+ depending on type of room. Valid until December 25, 2011.

Activities

A family of four can enjoy the resort’s newly opened nine-hole Lapu Lapu mini golf course. Featuring the country’s scenic spots and heritage landmarks, kids can play and learn at the same time. Or they might want to try the bigger children’s slide at the main pool area.

Thumbs Up

Marine enthusiasts may try nitrox diving at the newly constructed Nitrox Bar with the help of dive experts from Scotty’s Dive Sports Action Network. By increasing the level of oxygen in the compressed air supply, the diver can stay underwater for longer periods of time. Recovery period is also reduced, allowing divers to surface faster.

News

The resort was included in Travel + Leisure 500 Top Asia Hotel Award 2011 and Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award 2010.

Contact details

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa Cebu

Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu City,

Cebu, Philippines

+6332 231.0288

reservations.mac@shangri-la.com

www.shangri-la.com

Scarlet ticks off: Bohol has approximately 1,700 caves, most of which are unexplored. Bohol is where one of only six double barrier reefs in the world is located. There are 1,176 hills of the world-renowned Chocolate Hills. And every day during the month of May, there is a fiesta going on in any one of its 47 towns.

She goes on: Did you know that one of the reasons why this island province has so many churches is that its citizens once settled their taxes in kind than in cash? Yes, Scarlet says that in exchange for helping build all those churches, the citizens were exempted from paying taxes.

Most of those churches were made of coral stones. These are solidified rocks from the sea, she says. And of those coral stone structures, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the town of Baclayon is one of the oldest.

Listening to Scarlet’s assortment of trivia certainly gave a new perspective on my previous trips to Bohol.

My first impression of the island province of Bohol was not such a pleasant one. The unmistakable thud of the captain slamming the brakes because of Tagbilaran Airport’s very short runway was definitely not very inviting. However, that unexpected welcome was soon forgotten when I set my sights on Baclayon Church.

Baclayon Church is a living marvel. And its almost majestic façade is only a promise of the wonders inside, which includes a larger-than-life gold-plated altar and an assortment of centuries-old religious images and artifacts.

Only a few minutes away stands another beautiful structure, the Church of Our Lady of Assumption in Dauis. Here is another exemplar of Gothic architecture that the Spaniard friars were so very fond of centuries ago. A fresh water well, which is known for its healing powers, stands at the foot of the church’s altar.

The Boholanos are a very religious people, Scarlet says. And their religious fervor permeates even their work lives. Look at any of the tricycles plying the streets of Bohol, and you would see a Biblical inscription at the back. Scarlet says those tricycles cannot operate without those inscriptions.

Driving through the coastal towns, I am amazed at how things have remained the same over the years. While other provinces have boomed and blossomed, Bohol has stayed true to its ancestral roots.

Scarlet tells us that the province is committed to the principles of eco-tourism, and so, you won’t find any skyscrapers sprouting from its towns anytime soon. Indeed, the tallest structure around the island is the six-storey DQ Mall and the only facility into mass production is the Coca-Cola plant in Tagbilaran.

True, there are always new resorts opening and new tourist destinations to be visited, but Bohol, a province blessed with many natural wonders, is only too happy to be where it’s at: a place where Mother Earth is treated with utmost respect.

[HEAD] TURISTA GUIDE

Getting there

Located in the Visayas, the island of Bohol can be reached by air or boat. From Manila, there are daily flights to Bohol. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes from Manila to Bohol’s Tagbilaran Airport. You may also travel to Bohol via Cebu. It takes about an hour and a half by boat from Cebu to Tagbilaran.

Activities

If you want it extreme, then visit Danao Adventure Park. A humongous nature park, it offers a myriad of activities including the Sky Ride (cable car ride 200 meters off the ground at P250), Plunge (a canyon swing adventure mounted over a 200 meter high gorge at P700), and Suislide (a zip-line mounted on an incline cliff at P350).

Meals

Of course, what would a trip to Bohol be without cruising down Loboc River while dining on fresh seafoods and regional specialties?

Winding down the river is a relaxing experience made festive by the occasional song from a group of singers. Dining is buffet-style so you can have as much as you want in the hour or so that it takes you to traverse the river and back.

One of the most romantic—and delicious—alfresco dinners you’ll ever have would have to be at Lawis Café in the grounds of Dauis Church. Nestled under a large acacia tree with the beach as its backdrop, Café Lawis offers delicious pastas as well as a changing menu of entrees (less then P200). The Tsokolate Eh Souffle Cake is definitely a must-try.

Accommodations

There are all sorts of hotels and resorts in Bohol, most of which are located in Panglao.

Contacts

Danao Adventure Park

http://www.eatdanao.com/

(038) 412-2338 local 6111

(038) 510-0033

eatdanao@ymail.com

Café Lawis

Rectory Ground Floor

Our Lady of Assumption Shrine

(038) 502-3016

With a little one in tow, it’s really more about family now. We usually spend weekends in the south, where the air is fresher and life is a bit more relaxed. The Alabang community is self-contained. Everything you need is there!

During the week, I take my girls to friends’ houses within the metro for playgroups with other babies, and we usually find ourselves enjoying parks close by. The crawlers get to take in some (relatively) fresh air, and the bigger kids get to run around, climb the monkey bars, slide to their hearts’ content, and basically just be free from the constraints of being indoors.

If you wanted comfort food, where will you go and why? Ooh, so many great places that serve excellent comfort food now! In terms of comfort food as a cuisine, there’s a lot of buzz about 2nd’s at Bonifacio Global City. I love their Caprese Salad and Leche Flan Turon! A new favorite, after trying a good number of dishes in one go coupled with some of the pub’s amazing Belgian beer on tap, is Draft over at the Fort Strip. But essentially, comfort food is all about old reliables that may not be flashy or fancy, but you’re ensured a good meal—Cibo, Milky Way, Isshin, People’s Palace, Mandarin Oriental’s Deli and Tin Hau, Pancake House, Corner Tree Café, Terry’s, The German Club, and La Nuova!

Where do you and your hubby usually go for date night? When we do date nights, it’s to quaint little restaurants (Italian is always a contender, for some reason—La Grotta in Legaspi Village and L’Opera in the Fort) without the crowds and noise. Apart from excellent food, we tend to look for the right ambiance to transport us to another state of mind and allow us to focus on us, even just for a few hours.

Though my husband and I enjoy a good movie every so often (we just discovered the Resorts World Cinemas, we’ll be frequenting the movies more now because of it!), it’s difficult to catch up while engrossed with what’s happening onscreen. We are more of a theater-going kind of couple. We enjoy straight plays and the bigger musicals that several
theater groups—from UP to Repertory Philippines, Atlantis Productions to PETA, 9 Works Theatrical to World Theater Project—stage throughout the year. It is such a beautiful art that could use more recognition, and I’m hoping that city dwellers realize this fact.

What is your idea of a perfect day in the city? As time has become a bit of a frivolity recently due to work, a
perfect day could be in any setting—at the park, in my parents’ house, at the mall to grab a bite. The one thing that would make that day complete would be quality time with my husband and two little girls.

What is it that you love the most about Manila? Why? I am lucky enough to have a job that allows me to explore the city the way not many get a chance to. Restaurants old and new, art exhibits, spas, plays and other live performances—there are so many things to do and see! I was guilty of being a complacent city girl, just sticking
to the things I knew and not allowing myself to expand my horizons and experience new things that Manila had to offer. I think many of us are guilty of it. We should all give Manila a chance. There’s always an interesting find in the most unexpected of place. We just have to keep our senses open and never be afraid to try something new.