It’s good that blue-chip corporations such as PLDT make it a point to make a splash in Mindanao. It shows confidence in our region, and builds goodwill and faith. It works both ways: Mindanao’s image is further improved (somehow), and Mindanaoan’s trust in the company is solidified.

I was there to represent the IT organization of which I am Executive Director, the Association of Solution Integrators in Davao (ASID). Many of Davao’s prominent businessmen were also in attendance. The good thing about this event — and this is extremely rare among such corporate bashes — was that, PLDT did not make any marketing presentations or product briefings or anything of the sort. It was just pure socials and enjoyment.

Their cry was: enjoy good friends, good entertainment and good food.

The entertainment was good. Knowing that most of the audience would be the 80s-music types, PLDT flew in the Rage Band! Boy, that was some blast from the past! I’d planned to slip out early that night, but found myself staying almost till the end of the whole show.

Of course, it helped that PLDT was raffling off some rather desirable prizes, like a Phillips 37″ LCD TV! I didn’t win. I rarely do in raffle contests. But I did get to bring home a door prize — an Oster indoor grill.

The “good food” part was not terribly accurate, unfortunately. I’m afraid I had a rather bad run-in with the fish that was served. The Marco Polo Hotel served a dazzling buffet for us, yes, but food is primarily meant for the tongue. And mine went itchy after sampling the sashimi canapés. Maybe I’m just too sensitive about fresh fish, but then I wouldn’t exactly call the fish they served fresh.

So I dispensed with the appetizers and proceeded to try some of their pork dumplings. I absolutely love it at Lotus Court (The Marco Polo’s Cantonese cuisine at the 3rd floor), you see. Another bust. It was a good thing that the lechon baka was really good.

On the whole, however, it was an enjoyable experience that left me with good vibes for PLDT.

Film actress, TV host, product endorser, fashion model and mother Angel Aquino shares her life, her passions and her unforgettable return to Mindanao in the latest issue of m. (Life and Living in Mindanao). A CineMalaya Film Festival Best Actress awardee, Aquino was once referred to as the “Ingrid Bergman of Asia” by a renowned Japanese filmmaker for her versatility in her craft.

In its third release, m. goes west of the island to rediscover the Philippines’ Latin City, Zamboanga, and uncovers its irresistible attractions and nocturnal haunts. For the adventurous, m. treks to Mindanao’s offbeat destinations, drifts into to the tranquil waters of Lake Sebu to celebrate its Helubong Festival, and takes a culinary excursion to uncover Mindanao’s leading chains of restaurants.

As homage to extraordinary Mindanawons, m. celebrates the artistry of fashion designer Garimon Roferos who triumphed in the Concours International des Jeunes Créateurs de Mode in Paris; reminisces the life-changing expedition of Mount Everest conqueror Pastor Emata; traces the journey of peace of the all-women theatre ensemble Mebuyan Peace Project; and highlights the man behind the top designs of Cagayan de Oro’s contemporary abodes.

In this issue, m. also takes a peek into Mindanao’s thriving film industry; Zamboanga Peninsula’s thriving seaweeds trade; Davao City’s flourishing BPO industry; and the distinctive designs of local fashion designers inspired by the island’s famous icons and destinations.

Read, get inspired and learn as m. reveals an exciting, bustling and peaceful picture of modern Mindanao. m. is now available at National Bookstore, Fully Booked, PowerBooks, Forewords, Christian Ventures, hotels, resorts, cafés, spas, airport lounges and leading bookstores and magazine outlets nationwide.

(This press release was sent in by Ian Garcia, who is part of the magazine’s editorial board. Check out an earlier post I published about m.)

More photos on Facebook from the Toto’s gig. And here’s another slideshow of photos taken by my brother, Jake, mostly at Urban Club.

One of the things that made the affair an eye-opening experience for me was discovering that there are quite a number of Dabawenyo or Davao-based bloggers who made it this year’s Top 100 Philippine Blogs (a project of the DigitalFilipino.com Club in cooperation with Ratified.org). Among the top ten blogs are Jehzlau Concepts, Pinoy R.N., and Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. The MindanaoBloggers community blog also made it to the roster of notable Filipino blogs.

For a comprehensive list of blog posts covering the event, click here.

Speaking of play, PAGCOR not only hosted our dinner and drinks, but also a poker game! Many of the bloggers who signed up for the "tournament" were beginners — but it was fun for everyone nevertheless. Problem was, there was a band playing rather loudly at the function hall where we were. It was a good band (who played mostly 80s music), but I couldn’t concentrate on my game, so I just begged off after a few rounds.

On the more serious side of the affair, Janette presented what the Club is currently busy with: the DigitalFilipino.com Web Awards, which is now on its 2nd year; and, the Top 100 Philippine Blogs project. Each one was also given the opportunity to introduce himself and his blog(s)… it was hard to imagine how we didn’t take the whole night doig that!

This networking event for bloggers and some of Davao’s IT professionals was refreshing for me, particularly because I didn’t have to organize it. Now I look forward to the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in General Santos City!

My new favorite cheap, hassle-free fast food joint is now Tapa King. There’s one on Burgos St., which is near my buddy’s condo where I stayed. I had brunch there more than a couple of time, and my choice order: the Tapa Queen, because it’s spicy. They may even be better than Rufo’s… but then again, I’ve never eaten at Rufo’s except after a night of drinking, so it wouldn’t be fair to compare.

For pizza, what I always look forward to in my trips to Manila is Brooklyn Pizza. I never fail to order Porko, but I’ve discovered that I also like their White Pizza, which has 4 different cheeses in it. I’m salivating right now as I write this! I wish it was Brooklyn Pizza that opened here in Davao, and not Yellow Cab…

Another place that makes me drool just thinking about their food is Cyma. I absolutely love Mediterranean cuisine, and Cyma is one of the best. Their beef and lamb steaks are to die for! And the prices aren’t steep either, considering. There’s this watermelon salad with feta cheese and lamb chops that my friends introduced to me there (too bad I can’t remember the name of the dish). If you haven’t had that yet, ask for it next time you’re at Cyma — I recommend it vigorously!

Speaking of Mediterranean, one of my first stops during this last trip was Ziggurat, also on Burgos. I hadn’t been back there in years, so it was a long-overdue experience for me. I’m happy to report that their food is still top-notch. Spicy foods make me crazy!! And curry makes me absolutely certifiable.

One other place that I revisited was Fiesta San Miguel in Dusit Thani. It had been more than a decade since the last time I’d been there. It was a delight to find that they still have their micro-brewery. Some friends brought me there after a hearty dinner at the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati. Fiesta San Miguel’s home brews (especially the draft variety) were a perfect night cap to a splendid meal, which was hosted by Google for the launching of MapMaker.

Two new places for me: The Soup Kitchen (or is it just "The Kitchen"?) and Paul Calvin’s Deli. The first, in Greenbelt, was a very interesting experience: good Filipino food and a very relaxed atmosphere. I’ll definitely go back there on my next trip.

Paul Calvin’s Deli had a taste-testing of their new buffet breakfast offering, so they invited a group of bloggers last 5 October. I must say, it was pretty good! It was an abundant spread of 5 or 6 dishes, with various kinds of breads and pastries. Plus, I really loved the fact that they also serve taho.

Looking at the buffet spread, you get a feeling that you’re in a hotel. That’s probably because the chef (Calvin) used to work for a 5-star hotel. One of the owners, Jay Em, said that they plan to offer their breakfast buffet thrice a week (MWF). Paul Calvin’s Deli is at the ground floor of the Forbes Town Center on Rizal Drive, Fort Bonifacio. (By the way, they have free wifi there.)

As much as there are delicious food offerings in Davao, I miss the restaurants of Metro Manila. There simply is a lot to choose from over there — a week’s stay in barely enough to sample even a small percentage of the capital’s gastronomic delights. If nothing else — and despite the traffic and pollution — it’s the food that makes my trips to Manila worthwhile.

Other restaurants I got to like: RedBox in Greenbelt 3, and Shawarma Snack Center in Malate (Sales St. I think). Of course, my favorite coffee shop is still the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

A Manila-based foodie blog that I recommend is Manila Foodistas. Do check it out.

Eve’s biting the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden was not original sin but the first disobedience. It is today something for her descendants not to be repentant of, but one worth celebrating.

So spoke the body language of more than 100 surrealists during the grand costume ball that opened the art exhibit and stage performance attributed to the 400th birth anniversary of John Milton, author of the greatest English epic poem, Paradise Lost.

The notion of Original Sin is the metanarrative by which Jewish, Christian, and Islamic believers see humankind as fallen. Sin, guilt, and restitution constitute the plot of these major religious traditions since time immemorial. It is because of our progenitors’ original sin that humankind is in deep shit: pain, disease, old age, death, not to speak of greed, corruption, and destruction. There is reason for everyone to repent and believe in the Messiah, or the Prophet, if we want out of the hole and go to everlasting bliss.

Not so. Artists, poets, writers, musicians, composers, stage performers and other followers of Surrealism, from all over the world, converged, threw open the portals of collective Subconsciousness, and revealed its stuffings of fantasies and absurdity. If you are a mediocre person your sensibility will most likely suffer. But these people are different. For the time being, they turned WAH Center into a vortex of a dream — not solely theirs but humanity’s.

You cannot really blame them if they so accurately portray your worst fears for they are just holding up a mirror. What you outwardly see also lurks in the innermost recesses of your mind. Amazingly they are not ridden with guilt, but joyful!

After more than 3,000 years, Israel’s savior is its warheads. All of Christendom for two millennia remains waiting for the Second Coming. The Quoran is being served to justify terrorist activities. Are we serious about accepting the burden of original sin and then pass it on to somebody else? Are we joking?

Supposed to be no, not after millennia after millennia; the rationale is clear.

Hey, it’s the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge that the first woman, mother of us all, sank her teeth into. Why then should we now eat each other? If God were anti-science, bigots and hypocrites are welcome to get themselves off this modern planet.

There is something else to Adam and Eve’s fall from the Garden of Eden. And it is shrouded in Miltonian mystique and semantics, some scholars suspect, while purists disagree. What do you think is the reason why Rich Buckler made Milton’s portrait a la Mona Lisa (see photo 10)? Why would a Ph.D. react antagonistically to Arthur Kirmss’s sculpture of Milton’s head as wearing a crown, looking like his nemesis, King Charles I (photo 9)?

If writers of The Bible suffered oppression, physical torture and death, blind Milton did not do less mentally, emotionally, financially, and visually. He too was as much inspired. His is the new plot of the story; a mini-narrative brewing, developing silently, steadily, in human thought. What it is is still taking form, and the surrealists in WAH Center last September 27 are putting it down in history: the Judeo-Christian metanarrative is transforming. Along with transformation are fresh possibilities.

The only Filipino featured in the visual artsfest, Davao surrealist Bienvenido Bones Banez, says, “My visions are all at once religious and mundane. I present these visions through harmonies of line, shape and color that bring the other realm into our own reality, our world of experiences. Satan was full of wisdom, perfect in beauty, and faultless in his ways until unrighteousness found a vessel in him. That’s why Satan is a good model for my 666 art world because people of the world borrow his style and ways.

Humankind is verging on unprecedented self-liberating discovery.

Last 4 October, a group of bloggers was given a sneak peek into the movie, as well as the chance to interact with the producers. Also, we were able to witness the actual processes involved in creating Dayo.

I’ve seen — and been fascinated by — several documentaries shown on TV about the making of animated films, especially those by Pixar and Disney. This time, I was right there interacting with the artists, and having conversations with the producers, directors and writers!  The tour of Dayo’s impressive production outfit in Makati is something I will never forget.

I’m pretty sure what we saw and heard that wonderful Saturday barely scratched the surface of the whole production effort. But it was enough to give us an appreciation of the level of talent, creativity and professionalism that has gone into the movie’s creation.

The tour of the animation studios of Cutting Edge Productions, the creator of Dayo, was an eye-popping experience for all of us. Everyone was ooh’ing and aah’ing while the animators did their magic on their high-tech workstations. They were doing actual work while we stood there watching wide-eyed. Of course, fellow Dabawenyo and blogger Jehz just had to have a first-hand feel of the digital animation process, so he unabashedly asked one of the animators to show him how. Some of us were lucky to follow suit. There’s this studio with about 15 artists, and each of them has a high-powered Mac computer equipped with a Wacom Cintiq monitor/tablet. You could see they’ve really invested a lot in this movie.

Beyond the obvious monetary input, the passion for this momentous undertaking was also palpable. During the presentation by Dayo executive producer and Cutting Edge CEO, Jessie Lasaten, I could feel how passionate he and his colleagues are about the movie. And I am certain this dedication to producing a quality film will translate to a movie that’s going to be worth watching and cherishing.

Dayo is all about a young boy, Bubuy, who encounters the world of the enchanted. The movie is populated by Philippine mythical creatures like the manananggal, tikbalang, siyokoy. While these creatures from folklore are based on what’s been handed down through the generations, the Cutting Edge team has taken some artistic license in creating the characters. For example, you’ll see one of the lead characters, Anna, who’s a manananggal, will have two sets of wings. Tito Romero, the creative director, explained that they decided to give their manananggals an extra pair of wings to justify their ability to hover. Neat huh?

Dayo will be launched to the viewing public at the Metro Manila Film Festival on Christmas Day 2008. This is a major feat for a new production outfit. In my opinion, the inclusion of Dayo in the annual filmfest raises the bar for all filmmakers, animation or otherwise.

But much more than that, Dayo is a shining showcase of Filipino ingenuity and creativity. It is an adventurous and inspiring undertaking. It is, in fact, brave of the producers to have delved into this project — but it’s high time that Filipinos took it upon themselves to prove that it can be done.

Have I mentioned that the movie’s theme and musical score are performed by professionals? The theme, which has a new and upbeat sound, is rendered by Leah Salonga, as well as by a SonyBMG up-and-coming band that proves to have a bright future ahead. The musical score will be performed by no less than the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Other heavyweights in the music industry have also been tapped to contribute to the soundtrack, including Joey Ayala. And, everything will be recorded on Dolby Digital.

Director Robert Quilao and Lasaten (who is also the musical director) proudly pointed out that Dayo is 100% Filipino-made. For several years already, Filipino artists have been receiving outsourced work for Japanese anime projects; however, these were partial components of larger projects. Now, thanks to Cutting Edge, Filipinos have embarked on a higher plane by producing animated movies locally. (Dayo, by the way, is planned to become a trilogy!) What does this mean?

Well, this means more jobs and we’ll get to keep our talent once we start producing more of such movies. It also means we produce value locally. And who knows, we might even be exporting our films in the foreseeable future.

There’s so much more that I’d like to tell you about the movie… but I’ll just spoil it for you. So this December, I invite you to go to your theaters and watch Dayo.

The bloggers’ Dayo tour was organized by Dave Quitoriano & Mike Abasolo of RedMedia and yours truly, through Cutting Edge’s marketing officer, Jinky Salvador.

Kudos to Cutting Edge and break a leg!!

Davao Surreal Artist features in New York Exhibit celebrating John Milton and Paradise Lost

Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo* were the first Filipino visual artists to achieve international recognition by virtue of their winning gold and silver medals, respectively, in international painting competitions in 19th century Europe, during years when Modernism was still swelling as a wave to eventually sweep the world. Luna, especially, did it as a form of propaganda disclosing imperialist Spain’s unjust treatment of its then colony, Las Islas Filipinas. Unknown to these two Philippine art icons, a trail of artist followers would form behind them a century later, in terms of desiring to be recognized internationally, this time as a way out of the difficult artist condition (whose condition is easy anyway?) in the Philippines. As result, a number of contemporary pinoy painters are now represented by established galleries in some of the world’s art centers. Whether they are financially better off now and happier is, of course, another question.

Bienvenido Bones Banez is a surrealist artist from Davao City who is not after monetary rewards in his artistic pursuits, but is definitely happier since he based himself in New York because he is experiencing acceptance and recognition of his talent. Now, he is posed to enter the portals of art history as the only Filipino invited to exhibit work in what is projected to be the grandest-ever celebration honoring the blind man-turned-literary immortal John Milton and his classic masterpiece, Paradise Lost. Banez’s participation is more significant in that of the more than 60 visual artists from all over the world, who will display work, he is one of only three who are distinguished as featured.

In his emailed letter to this writer, WAH Center President and Executive Director Terrance Lindall announced that Bienvenido Bones Banez has been named a "Featured Artist" in the Paradise Lost show in September 27-November 2, 2008, at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn, NYC, USA, along with two other outstanding artists, Kris Kuksi and Rich Buckler. Terrance said of Ben (Banez’s nickname):

"I know of no artist whose work so sincerely expresses his heart felt belief and knowledge that we live in a Satanic time. Ben calls this his ‘666 World.’ He sees humans as possessing the ability to make a Paradise on Earth and yet devoting their energies for wealth, power, and self gratification at the expense of their fellow beings. It is a contradiction to pursue selfish interests for one’s own satisfaction by creating misery for one’s neighbor. No lasting satisfaction can ultimately come from it. Ben is right in that Satan surely has the world in his clutches while encouraging nations and individuals to dominate one another for wealth and resources. Until another Jesus or Ghandi appears to lead us to the light, we are in dark times and dire straits. One should look deeply into Ben’s paintings to see what we have become and are becoming in this ‘666 World’. True poets and artists must be called upon to sound the alarm. Ben has answered the call!

“He paints as if he is plugged into a wall socket and the energy that pours forth through his brain and fingertips to the canvas comes out in pulses of scintillating colors,” adds Lindall.

Kris Kuksi is one of the most highly regarded artists in the contemporary surreal/visionary movement. His work is in the collection of Chris Weitz, Director of the movie, The Golden Compass, based upon Philip Pullman’s book and grounded in John Milton’s Paradise Lost. Richard “Rich” Buckler is an American comic book artist best known for his work on Marvel Comics’ The Fantastic Four in the mid-1970s. He will be producing a portrait of John Milton for the 21st century, unveiling of which will be at the Costume Ball.

Of the participating performing artists, Polish surrealist fashion designer Olek, herself a stunning beauty, will be of particular interest to beholders of the absurdly beautiful as she unravels her latest unique creation with her company of models parading, preening and posing throughout all three floors of the exhibit venue during the ball (see sample photo of her 2003 debut also at WAH Center). Another is playwright/musician/composer Peter Dizozza, described as an “incredibly unique talent,” who will present his musical mystery play “Paradise Found!”

Other performing artists are scheduled intermittently to grace the celebration all the way to November 2: the jazz bar-favorite JC Hopkins Biggish Swing Band; Yana Schnitzler with Human Kinetics Movement Arts – a “mesmerizing”, interactive, cutting-edge dance group; a band of musicians led by Arthur Kirmss dressed in 17th century costume belting out Baroque tunes; and poet S. David as tour guide.

The historical exhibit includes Miltonia; a handwritten Torah scroll of the Book of Genesis — approximately 300 to 400 years old, original copies of Paradise Lost; old woodcuts and engravings; and Royal British memorabilia.

Entrance ticket to the ball is very affordable at $40 for art and entertainment that could go into the annals of history.

* Simon Flores y de la Rosa was reported by the Ayala Museum as having won silver award in the Philadelphia Universal Exposition in 1876, several years earlier than Luna and Hidalgo earned their medals; thus, accordingly, should be credited as the first Filipino artist to receive international recognition.

(Watch out for the concluding Third Part of this series after the grand costume ball in September 28!)

The much-awaited Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and Anflocor project took a significant stride with a groundbreaking ceremony held on site last 23 September 2008 for their joint venture dubbed as Abreeza.

The ceremony was attended by ALI & Anflocor executives and guests, who witnessed Anflocor Chairman of the Board Antonio O. Floirendo Sr., Ayala Corp. Chairman of the Board Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, Ayala Land Chairman of the Board Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land President Jaime I. Ayala, Ayala Malls and Ayala Businesscapes Group Head Ma. Victoria E. Añonuevo, Head of Ayala Land Vis-Min Emilio J. Tumbocon, Anflocor Vice Chairman Antonio R. Floirendo Jr., Anflocor President Alexander Valoria, Anflocor Senior Vice President Ricardo R. Floirendo, Anflocor Directors Ma. Cristina R. Brias and Vicente R. Floirendo, with Davao City Administrator Wendell Avisado, break the ground at the Abreeza site along J. P. Laurel Avenue to formally signal the start of building work for the joint venture.

Abreeza is the first major entry project of Ayala Land, Inc. in Davao City. When completed, Abreeza is envisioned to be an integrated mixed-used development that will innovate the city’s urban landscape. It will include a three-storey shopping mall, two Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) buildings and, in the future, a hotel and residential and commercial lots. The first BPO building will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009 while the first phase of the mall will open in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Abreeza is not the Ayalas’ first development in Davao City, however. We mustn’t forget that the venerable Insular Hotel (now owned and operated by the Waterfront chain) was built by the Ayala family. The high-end Insular villages were also theirs, as well as the Insular Life and BPI buildings.

During the press conference on the same day, this time held at the Pearl Farm Marina, ALI President Jim Ayala, Anflocor Senior VP Ricky Floirendo and the other executives of these two corporations related how Abreeza will become a business-cum-leisure center that Dabawenyos will be proud of. If we are to base our expectations on Makati’s Greenbelt, Abreeza is certainly something to look forward to — in two short years!

The representatives who were at the presscon were the decision-makers of the joint venture, and so the media — as well as the bloggers — were able to glean juicier details than what was printed on the press releases. For example, Jim Ayala revealed that the total project cost up to 2011 will be Php 4 to 5 billion (but the question regarding ROI was predictably left unanswered).

Also, and this is something that I’m sure we will all appreciate, Abreeza will reportedly have around 20% of the 10-hectare property dedicated to open spaces. Think of those beautiful gardens and parks that dot the five Greenbelts in Makati.

Davao City has long been identified as a favorable investment destination for BPO companies, as well as a viable source of skilled manpower. Thus, Abreeza’s first finished product will be the 10,000-sqm building reserved for BPO and IT firms. The executives said that there have already been inquiries from such operators who have existing deployments in other ALI properties.

Prompted by questions from the press and from yours truly, the executives of ALI and Anflocor also talked about their dealings with the city government. Jim Ayala, who reiterated his company’s confidence in the city’s peace & order stability, also discussed plans to address the flooding situation along J. P. Laurel Avenue, as well as other plans to ensure the success of Abreeza’s development.

The entry of Ayala Land, in partnership with Anflocor, is a gleaming beacon of investor confidence in Davao City. Progress is inexorably in our midst.

The name Abreeza was coined from "breeze" and the Italian word for embrace, "abbraccio".

Booking for my flight to Manila in October, I noticed that the Web site’s interface had undergone slight changes — some layout changes and minor improvements in the user interface. Then I was pleasantly surprised when I was presented with the Seat Selector screen (screen capture below).

It’s pretty neat! But, it’s a premium service — meaning, it ain’t free. After choosing my preferred seats, I noticed an extra charge of P448 on my total airfare. Oh well. Anyway, reserving seats isn’t compulsory. But at least passengers now have a choice, especially people who are particular about seating, like me.

Another change that I’ve noticed is an option to prepay for excess baggage. I find it deplorable that Cebu Pacific lowered the baggage allowance to 15kg per passenger on domestic flights, and this new online service doesn’t really alleviate the pain. However, I do appreciate it that the airline has put in place this measure that makes it less of a hassle for passengers to check in.

CebuPacificAir.com also now has a way for passengers to donate to the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines). To quote: “Your donation will be used to support the WWF-Philippines climate adaptation work in Mindoro. The amount is based on the estimated carbon dioxide emission versus the actual flight distance being purchased.”

Kudos to Cebu Pacific!