During our very interesting chat, she proved to be a very warm, intelligent and engaging conversationalist and is very passionate about her job as the first South African ambassador to our country. In her presence, anyone will agree that possesses the kind of personality that easily draws people in, which all the more makes her a true leader and representative of her home country.

She worked in the private sector as an educator, development worker and entrepreneur until she started her diplomatic career just after South Africa became a new democracy in 2005. She was Consul General in Dubai & the Northern Emirates, a position she held for four years until she was appointed South African ambassador to the Philippines in March 2010.

Her educational background includes a master’s degree in Agriculture from Reading University in the United Kingdom, a Management Advance Program Studies certificate from Witwatersrand University and an MBA from U21 Global (Singapore). She is currently enrolled for a Doctoral in Business Administration (DBA) with the Swiss Management Center.

She does not seem fazed by the hectic schedule that she keeps. With her studies and shuttling back and forth to Cape Town and Manila, she still manages to keep in step with her many duties and responsibilities at the embassy. “It is quite a difficult task, but our goal is to improve what has been achieved so far such as enhancing the trade, investment and tourism relationship between our two countries,” she says.

She cites the two important areas of cooperation between South Africa and the Philippines as mining and tourism. “We have over a 100 years of experience in the mining sector so we have the expertise and the technology, because although the Philippines is rich in natural resources most of it remain untapped,” she says. She believes that South Africa can contribute towards skills enhancement through joint ventures with local companies. To date, two of the biggest mining companies in South Africa, Gold Fields Limited and Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd, has expressed their interest in investing in the Philippines, particularly in Mankaya, Benguet  and the Tampakan copper gold mine in General Santos City. On the other hand, South Africa would like to cooperate with the Philippines in the maritime sector, specifically maritime training.

The remarkable growth of our call center center industry has also awakened their interest in the business process outsourcing sector. While South Africa currently imports Philippine products like car components, electronics, furniture, tuna and wood, the Philippines on the other hand, import quality products from South Africa like maize, wine, juices and electronic components. South African wines are among the best in the world through trade agreements, wine of this quality can be sold 30% to 90% less than wines of similar quality from the US, Australia, New Zealand and Chile.

Ambassador Pitso says tourism will play a big part in developing bilateral relations between both countries, which can be achieved through an effective tri-media campaign and formulating competitive tourism packages to South Africa and vice versa. It’s not so much about investments, she says, as it is fostering a friendship that promotes trust. “The friendship between the two countries is still very young so I think frequent interactions between the two communities through tourism would be our main goal. Tourism “demystifies” people and with it you open a gate for the two countries to know each other more as a people and as a nation. Cooperation would be lacking if there is no frequent interaction between the South African community and the Filipino community,”   she explains.

She describes the Filipinos as “a friendly, forever-smiling and warm people” and she feels at home here. Culturally, she says, both our countries share the same temperament – we are both hospitable and cheerful, outdoorsy people and we share a love for music and the arts, inspired perhaps by the beauty of our natural surroundings. Some of the world’s best music traces their roots to the African tribal beat. Our musicians, on the other hand, have earned worldwide acclaim. She further encouraged us to come and see the many attractions of South Africa so we can see how much more we have in common with them, such as beautiful destinations. 

Apart from the majestic Table Mountain, exotic wildlife and its many tourist attractions,  South Africa continued to be well profiled in the Philippines long after its successful staging of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Cape Town. The country recorded a remarkable 15%increase in tourist arrivals. The goal is to increase the number of foreign tourist arrivals to 15 million by 2020, making South Africa one of the top 10 global destinations.

Football is South Africa’s national sport and transcends class such that it has unified the once strife-worn country. “Football or soccer as we call it back home is a poor man’s sport. In high density areas where there is a great number of blacks, you can see it played in the streets and everywhere else, sometimes they just roll and ball up the paper and – voila –  there you have it,” the ambassador shares, smiling.

Warming up in the interview, she recalls her growing up years in South Africa as the most inspiring part of her life. “I had a mother who was so convinced that her children would not live the life she had so there was no compromise when it comes to education. She always reminded us that we have to study “so you can take yourselves out of this poverty.”  Back then, students were segregated – if you’re black you go to a black school, if you’re white, you go to a white school – and it instilled in us, her children, a strong will to make something of ourselves,” she recalls.

The Ambassador is a loving mother herself. She has a daughter who at present is pursuing a masters degree at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She went on to share one special memory in their lives when Nelson Mandela was visiting the United States. “I had just started my diplomatic career and I was busy working. I found my daughter, who was around four years old, in the company of the famous Mandela and, you won’t believe this, she was telling him — of all things — that she was hungry and that her mom had forgotten to feed her,” the ambassador laughs heartily.

She mentioned that “when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” It reflects the vital role of women in any society. “Women are nurturers by nature and it’s our natural instinct to share; we like to teach so we never hold information to ourselves. Growing up and seeing for myself how women were regarded as lesser beings – second class citizens – my belief is that South African women are the most empowered women although we don’t appreciate the fact that they are. Since the victory of democracy in our country, South African women have contributed so much to the progress of our country. Women now share equal representation in the South African legislature, where the ratio of men and women lawmakers is getting close to 50-50%. At the national level of government, women make up 41% of the President Zuma’s cabinet. South Africa ranks third in the world (after Sweden and Rwanda) when it comes to female parliamentarians with 45% of the National Assembly represented by women,” she shares.

When asked what legacy she wants to leave behind as the first woman ambassador of South Africa to the Philippines, she has this to say: “I started off as an ambassador at a time when the South African government has put all the mechanisms in place. I would like to be known as an ambassador who advanced the work of my predecessors. It’s exciting and fun and when I’m at work I feel energized,” she says. That energy extends to the workplace and the people she comes in contact with daily.

But then it’s not all serious work. “Sometimes you need to sit back and enjoy and know when to laugh at yourself,” she chuckles characteristically. In her free time, she plans to go around the country and explore. She has been to Boracay and was amazed by its powdery white sand beaches.

She admits she hardly has time to read books and takes her duties as a challenge. “I don’t see things as a difficulty or a problem because if you’re a curious person by nature, your instinct is to look for solutions.”

The energetic and vibrant Ambassador Agnes Nyamande-Pitso moves around in her office bedecked with South African tribal art, showing off some of them and explaining their origins. In her flowing, colorful dress, she is a true embodiment of everything South Africa, and she is proud to show it.

 Samal island, otherwise known as the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), may not easily come to mind, as the hidden beauty of this coastal island does not easily present itself, but then those who would brave the long journey – a genuine expedition by plane, bus and ferryboat (ro-ro) – are well rewarded in the end. In this paradise island, you swim in pristine beaches and contemplate coral gardens inhabited by fish of extraordinary forms and sizes.

 Fifty-three out of 73 genera of corals usually found in the Philippines are in Samal. No wonder it is called the Coral Reef City of the South and a favorite dive spot. And if you seek more, its limestone caves and extensive mountain present even more challenges.

The highest peak in Samal island is Puting Bato, a limestone mountain standing  at 1,346 feet where you can see the panoramic view of Davao Gulf . Add to that are the numerous caves distributed within its nine islets. The local government and the Department of Tourism (DoT) is promoting all these and more when it formally launched the Visit Samal Island Tour.

 To date, there are 67 resorts in IGACOS and the local government is stepping up its efforts to put itself  in the tourism map with a formal unveiling of the Visit Samal Island logo at the Holiday Oceanview Hotel last March . Twenty-eight of the 67 resorts dotting the islands extended value added promos for the three summer months through the Samal Passport, given free at the Davao International Airport, Davao malls, Manila and Cebu airport info counters and tour operators. The launch also coincided with the festivals in Samal island.

 Apart from the 13th founding of Samal into cityhood, which falls on the 7th of March, the Caracoles (meaning shells), a flamboyant celebration of the island’s rich marine environment, falls on the 28th and 29th of April.  Count the Hugyaw Madayaw festival  and Bat Festival, all happening in August and you have yourself an island awash with festivities. Incidentally, the culmination of the Visit Samal island tour falls on the 28th of May, the Kabasan Festival, the showcasing the different talents of the locals and the richness of its culture and native products.

 Recently, the local government of Samal, the DoT and the private sector initiated a media familiarization tour of the island and I was among those fortunate enough to experience what IGACOS has to offer.

Discovering Samal

Samal island, now better known as the The Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), is a seaside city in the in the heart of the Davao Gulf . Physically unattached to the mainland of Mindanao, the island is 900 meters east of Davao City and 10 kilometers west of Compostela Valley Province. It has a stretch of over 118 kilometers of continuous coastline with a total land area of 30,130.

Inhabited by approximately 100,000 people, is one of the thirteen newest cities of the country. Its unique birth was made out of the merger of the three former municipalities of the island namely, Babak, Samal and Kaputian.  Agriculture and fishery are its main source of revenue. Through the years, however, tourism has become a top priority as the city is endowed with a natural white sand beach frequented by tourists, offering an opportunity for the residents to develop tourism as an economic alternative.

 Camp Holiday

 Camp Holiday was our home for the rest of our stay in Samal island. In terms of comfort and location, it is the best choice in the area because aside from having direct access to the barge, it offers reasonable rates.  Spread out within its 1.2 hectares are 12 cottages, a 22-room hotel, a swimming pool, nipa huts, a function room, a lobby with free Wifi and a restaurant serving affordable dishes. Aside from being a place for the family to spend weekends, it is popular as a venue for conventions and seminars. The function room is the biggest in the island with a capacity of 600 for theater-type set up and 450 for a banquet style set up. The hotel rooms are at Php1,500 a night while the cottages are at Php1,800. Day tours at Php80 include use of the pool and facilities. For overnight stays, you may pitch a tent on its small sand beach. While bringing in food is allowed, it is best to first peruse what the in-house resto has to offer, which surprisingly enough, serves delicious Filipino food and grilled dishes. Glen Germino, operations manager of Camp Holiday , says a three-storey hotel is being built in the area, which when finished will add 43 more rooms. A convenience store and gas station right around the corner of the complex can provide most of the necessities you might need during your stay.

 Camp Holiday ’s sister hotel, the Oceanview Park , located in Ilihan, Camudmud, Samal City , serves a more upscale clientele. The nine-hectare development which opened in October 2010 is a three-in-one high end hotel, residential and resort  which showcases a row of townhouses (rentals), a hotel, a beach resort and an island spa. The highlight of the hotel however, is its marina, a first in Davao , with a 110 parking slips for sailboats.

 Hagimit Falls

 Hagimit Falls used to be a hydrothermal plant in the 1970’s and a primary water source of the Penaplata district. Now it is a tourist attraction in Samal, privately-owned by five families, namely, the Batucan, Colmenares, Neri/Dawa, Legaspi , Boston , Pelayo Family and Cinco families. With help from the city government of ICAGOS, paved roads and a concrete stairway going down to the base of the falls was constructed in 2009 to promote the falls as a tourist spot.  To get to the falls, you need to hike down 96 steps until you reach the first level body of water. Nevertheless, the arduous task is worth it when you finally reach this enchanting falls where the waters run clear along limestone rocks, branching out into inlets inviting you to dive right in. A series of pathways lead to the different areas of the falls and to the many cottages and open huts.

 Dr. Mahelinde Colmenares, otherwise known as Doc Mahal, owns the Datungganan Resort (Samaleno for “meeting place”) and the five cottages within her side of the falls. She used to serve as city district hospital admin when she was a practicing OB/gyn. Now retired, she runs the Datungganan Resort and spends her time entertaining guests.  She says her family along with the other four families who own lots along the stretch of Hagimit Falls have been cultivating the area since the 1950’s until it was turned into a hydrothermal plant from 1978 to 1979. When the city government turned the area into a tourist spot, the stairway leading to the falls was constructed for easier access.  Security measures, such as guards on duty, were also placed for overnight staying guests. Since then more visitors have been drawn to the enchanting waterfalls with its limestone formations and a cave at its far end called the Beto Cave , where freshwater shrimp called uwang breed and flourish.

 Doc Mahal has many stories to tell about the Hagimit Falls such as the time when a wild monkey from the mountains found its way into the area in search of its lost baby, only to find it feasting on bananas planted in a remote area of the falls. Or, the mystery that surrounds the death of one of the kin of the other resort operators, the Eagle’s Nest, whose lifeless body was found in the Beto Cave . A marker was placed in Hagimit falls in memory of his name.

 Stretching two kilometers, the falls’ beauty lies in its different rock formations. Thalassic pools at the far end of the falls in secluded areas invite you for a leisurely swim. For a rejuvenating back massage, stand underneath the rock formations and let the rushing water pound away aches and pains. A few enhancements were made with concrete shaped into rocks for kids to slide on but in some areas, the water is deep, hence cautionary signs are placed. After swimming in the cool waters, feast on suman,  ripe golden Samal mangoes and hot chocolate provided by the resort.

 For a small entrance fee of Php 40 for adults and Php 20 (children 2-7 years old), the Hagimit Falls is a welcome respite for day tourists who would like enjoy one of Samal’s natural wonders, but to really experience a new way of life, an overnight stay is recommended in one of Mahal’s rustic cottages for Php 700 a night, with only tiki torches and the sounds of nature lull you to sleep. 

 Getting there:   Hagimit Falls is located at Cawag, Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal. A number of resorts in Samal island, including Davao Pearl Farm, offer tours of Hagimit Falls . Roughing it out, however, would mean a 15-minute barge ride or ro-ro ride from the Davao pier, another 30-40 minute bus drive to Penaplata and upon reaching the terminal, another 20 minute motorcycle (habal-habal) ride to Hagimit Falls. For entrance info, contact  0920-5872430, 0920-5872430. For cottage info, contact Eagle’s Nest Cottages at  0923-3924288, 0923-3924288  or Dr. Mahelinda Colmenares of  Mahal Cottages at 0910-9383837, 0910-9383837.  Her email is  luzmahalelemente@yahoo.com.

 The Monfort Bat Cave is the largest colony of Geoffrey’s Roussette Fruit Bats (Rousetteus amplexicaudatus) in the world, earning for itself in 2010 a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.  A total of 1.8 million bats live within the caves as per estimate by the Bat Conservation International and according to the guides, so big and overpopulated is the colony that efforts are being made to relocate some of the bats in another part of the facility. Bats, like humans, produce one offspring a year so it is remarkable how so many bats came to reside in the caves. Credit goes to the Monfort family, who for so many years, has protected the bat colony.

 According to a marker detailing the history of the caves, the Inigo-Monfort family has owned and safeguarded the caves that sheltered humans against World War II bombing raids in the 1900’s. Left untouched, the caves became an ideal resting ground for the bats from nearby islands and from as far as China , who were dislocated from their natural habitat by human encroachment. In the 1990’s, the family enclosed the property and posted a guard round the clock to discourage bat hunters and other uninvited guests, allowing no one except conservation scientist to enter the caves.

 In 2003, regional tourism and local government officials asked Norma Monfort, the current owner of the property, to donate the cave, promising royalties but sharply limiting her control in its management. Fearing that changing government leaders could not guarantee permanent protection for the bat colony, she declined and started planning the Monfort Bat Conservation Park . Then she faced possible loss of the cave through agrarian reform laws that limit individual ownership of agricultural land to 12.39 acres or 5 hectares. An application to convert the property from agricultural to ecotourism zoning pending with the Department of Agrarian Reform. Meantime, Norma Monfort needed expert guidance in managing the bat caves wisely, seeing it for its tourist as well as education potential. She turned to the Bat Conservation International for help.

 Despite their ecological significance, bats are often hundred and poached, their cave dwelling disturbed threatening their survival.  Bat droppings or guano, with its high ammonium nitrate content, is grade A fertilizer selling at USD 150 a kilo. Highly flammable, it is used in the manufacture of gunpowder.

 Aside from being natural insect controllers (a single bat can eat up to a thousand mosquitoes in just one hour), the bats are the most important pollinators of durian, contributing to Mindanao ’s growing fruit industry.  Protecting them would also mean saving the rainforests, as they are also major agents of forest generation, pollinating flowers and dispersing large quantities of seeds.

 The facility hosts eco tours for tourists and students.  Night viewing of “emergence” at dusk, when the bats would come out of the caves to hunt for food, started in August 2010. Other efforts to bring awareness to bat conservation are also in place in Roxas Avenue in Davao City , where the Davao Run Club stages a benefit fun run each month.

 The Monfort Bat cave is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tours to the caves come with a brief introduction and a request to observe silence so as not to disturb the bats. By day, the overpowering smell of guano (bat droppings) notwithstanding, guests would marvel at the cave’s limestone walls densely studded with fruit bats as they roost in remarkably exposed locations, giving visitors an up-close look from outside the five cave openings. 

 Davao Pearl Farm

The Parola

 No visit to Samal island comes without dropping by the Pearl Farm, the only triple A resort in Samal island. Once a breeding ground of white-lipped oysters, cultivated for their pink white and gold pearls, the original Pearl Farm, owned by Floirendos, a prominent family in Mindanao , was converted into a resort in 1992 and is now operated by Fuego Hotels. The resort sits on a 14-hectare hillside land bordered on the east by a two-hectare tropical forest. The Parola Bar is its identifying structure and from there a pathway leads to the Maranao Resto, which serves Filipino and international cuisine. The resort’s Ilang Ilang spa is just a few steps from the main pool across the resto.

 Pearl Farm’s claim to fame, however,  is its deluxe accommodations. All 73 guestrooms – suites, cottages on stilts -  feature the art and skill of  Mindanao‘s native tribes, such as Maranao, Mandaya, Bagobo and Sama.

 Offering a westward view of the sea, sunset and surrounding islands and Mt. Apo, are 21 cottages called Samal houses that are patterned after the stilt houses built above the water of seafaring Samal tribes of the Sulu archipelago. Set back from the shore above the hill are 19 hilltop rooms, with verandas overlooking the Davao Gulf or the lush forest. Also called balay, or home in the local dialect, all rooms are rustically appointed with bamboo and wood materials.

 Located near the aqua sports area and amidst the palm trees around one of the two swimming pools at the resort’s south end are 20 Mandaya houses, duplex- type bungalows with its own pocket garden and a private balcony. At each house’s entrance is a jar locally known as banga with a dipper made of coconut shell placed there so that guests can wash the sand off their feet, a customary gesture that symbolizes cleansing of the spirit.

 A few hundred meters off the resort are the luxury island villas at Malipano island, with its own three holes of golf and private beach – a separate resort in itself. The Floirendo patriarch Antonio Sr. built these exclusive villas for his seven children hence each villa has a personality of its own. Tastefully designed by Filipino architect Francisco Manosa, each displays a skillful blend of modern and ethnic, utilizing native materials such as bamboo, coconut and yakal. Villa No. 5, owned by Maricris Floirendo, can accommodate a family of 12. Its master bedroom features intricately-whorled dagmay fabric in its headboards and throw pillows, which can also be bought at the resort’s boutique shop.

 The seven Malipano waterfront villas feature roofs inspired by the salakot or traditional Filipino hat. At Php 7,000 a night per person, these villas guarantee complete privacy as each has its own veranda overlooking the sea and private stairs leading to the beach. Malipano also has beautifully-kept gardens and a gazebo, a perfect setting for a delightful tropical wedding.

 A variety of activities are available at the Pearl Farm like tennis, basketball and badminton. A recreation center located near the row of Mandaya houses has three billiard tables, darts and a mini bar. Aqua sports such as snorkeling, pedal boards, fish feeding, beach volley, soccer and water polo, sea kayaks, hobie cats and wave runners are also available. For divers, two sunken World War II Japanese vessels lie 60 meters away from the resort and marine life teems around it. According to Vevien Febra, guest service supervisor, the resort is building a zipline in May to add to the many attractions of the resort.

 Getting there: The easiest way to Davao Pearl Farm is a 40-minute boat ride from the wharf of Davao city. Be prepared however, when you tour the island, as the roads can be rough.  Inquire at the front desk for guided bus tours to Hagimit Falls and Monfort Bat Caves (countryside tour) or to Davao City (city tour). Day tours are at Php 1,550 per person inclusive of lunch and boat transfer.  The Pearl Farm Beach Resort is at Kaputian, Island Garden of Samal, Philippines with tel.  Nos. (082) 221-9970/ 221-9979. Its Manila Sales Office  is at the 15/F 139 Corporate center, Valero St. , Salcedo village, Makati with tel. nos.  750-1999, 750-1894 and 750-1893 (fax).

 There are creams and treatments that lessen the severity of cellulite. Diet, coupled with exercise, has been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite, and practitioners of Bikram yoga claim that the exercise promotes lymphatic drainage, thus preventing cellulite or improving it so that it becomes less unsightly.

 There are however, other options that can deliver fast results, such as non-invasive procedures that employ machines and massages.

 The Spa on Bonifacio High Street offers Velasmooth Pro, a non-invasive body contouring and cellulite reduction treatment. Applied to problem areas, Velasmooth helps contour the body into better shape, using light energy and electric current in the form of radio frequency. The device is used on the hips, abdomen, buttocks, arms, calves, neck, and bra line; and treatments are meant to tighten the skin and improve its texture. Velasmooth is pain-free and requires no down-time. Eight sessions (at Php 6,000 each) of the procedure are recommended to achieve optimal results. Benefits last for eight months.

 The treatment starts with the application of a gel to the problem area before the device is applied to heat the skin with infrared light. Once the skin is warmed, the device employs a gentle suction or vacuuming action to help bi-polar radio frequency reach the deeply buried fat deposits up to 20mm deep. The rationale behind this is that it improves circulation and stimulates metabolic action, thereby causing fat cells to shrink.

 As a treat to The Spa’s loyal clients and in celebration of their 15^th year, they are offering the The Spa Privilege Pass which entitles members to discounts for Velasmooth and other procedures at its Skin Dermatology & Laser Center; day spa treatments and luxury pampering; and barre3, a workout program that combines the benefits of Pilates, yoga, and ballet. Those who sign up for an annual membership by December 30, 2011 will get additional three months’ access to membership perks. The privilege card comes with discounts and treats from The Spa’s beauty and wellness partners such as Pevonia Botanica, Selvert Thermal, Shiseido, GNC, and others.

To know more about its privilege cards or wellness, dermatological, laser, and contouring treatments, call The Spa Wellness branch nearest you. Or visit www.thespa.com.ph.

 At Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa in Marinduque, BDO Elite cardholders are entitled to special privileges. Booking reservations for a two-night stay will entitle the cardholder to two more nights, on the house. Inclusive in the “two-for-two deal” are luxurious accommodations as well as complimentary access to Bellarocca’s recreational facilities. The cardholder can avail of this exclusive privilege up to Dec. 31, 2011.

 Discovery Shores Boracay is offering an outstanding package for BDO Elite cardholders for only Php18,888 net per person. The package includes three days and two nights in a Junior Suite, inclusive of buffet breakfast, one chef’s dinner, a 60-minute massage at Terra Wellness Spa, and Caticlan roundtrip boat and land transfers.

 The Misibis Bay Escape Package of Php17,000 net per person offers a three-day, two-night stay with full-board meals, roundtrip airport transfers, and complimentary access to the resort’s recreational facilities and activities, which include kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, biking, fishing, riding the zip line, and island hopping, among others.

 El Nido Resorts has likewise made special arrangements for cardholders from Php34,000 to Php40,000 net for two persons. At its resorts in Lagen, Miniloc, and Apulit, the El Nido package for two persons for a two-night stay in a well-appointed room includes roundtrip boat transfers, full-board meals, island-hopping tours, use of snorkeling gear and non-motorized marine sports equipment, and a one-hour massage.

 BDO Elite Cardholders can take advantage of their preferred rates at Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa until Dec. 22. The cardholder can stay for three days and two nights together with a partner and two kids below 12 years old at the exclusive rate of P25,000 net for a Deluxe room and P28,000 net for a Deluxe Seaview room. The deal includes daily buffet breakfast for two adults and two kids at Vintana, roundtrip land and speedboat transfers via Caticlan Airport, and Element head, neck, and shoulder treatment for 30 minutes for two adults at Chi, The Spa. Meanwhile, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa offers 20-percent savings on the Best Available Rates and 10-percent savings on the Value Vacation Package as well as exclusive privileges at the spa and food and beverage outlets for BDO Elite cardholders. For more information, visit www.bdo.com.ph or call the BDO Customer Contact Center at 631-8000 or domestic toll-free at 1-800-10-6318000.

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You certainly don’t want to look shabbily dressed when you go of on your luxurious vacation. If you’re looking for the right outfit, look no further because Filipino retail brand Collezione-C2’s holiday collection features the hottest styles in travel dressing.

 A fitting ode to the fashionable jetsetter, the highly anticipated collection aptly finds its inspiration in the Himalayas, one of the world’s most intriguing cultural wonders. Comprised of separates from the main Collezione brand and dresses from exclusive women’s line Due|Collezione, the anthology evokes the free-spirited sense of wonder and mystique associated with the Himalayan travel experience.

 Layering is clearly encouraged by the holiday offering, with pieces creatively designed to help perfect looks that take their cues from the popular high street trends. Expert draping techniques are also prominent in most pieces, resulting in flattering fits for both men and women.

The collection also plays around with comfortable, loose silhouettes, featuring a color palette of neutrals and earthy hues that make for effortless mix-and-match travel must-haves.

 Most impressive, however, is the clever use of light fabrics such as easy knits and cool linen, which has resulted in a welcome fashion feat for Filipino style-setters: season-relevant offerings translated into climate-conscious looks, perfect for the year-round warm weather.

 A worthy lesson in borderless fashion, Collezione-C2’s holiday collection offers style-savvy global Filipinos and avid travelers a stylish way to “wear” the world through its pieces.

 Collezione-C2’s complete holiday 2011 collection is now available at the following store branches: Greenbelt 5, Power Plant Mall and Eastwood Mall. Select pieces from the collection are also available at the following branches: Festival Mall, Glorietta 3, Mall of Asia, Market! Market!, Robinsons Galleria, SM North Edsa and TriNoma.

Hundred year old ulong

You need not venture far if you seek a one-of-a-kind spa experience steeped in Filipino traditions and culture. Nestled in a 2.6 square meter property in Pulong Sagingan is a rustic little village of native wooden huts called the Nurture Spa Village, considered  one of the pioneers in bringing worldwide attention to our very own hilot, the Filipino ancient art of healing massage.

Inside the ulong

 When Catherine Brillantes-Turvill decided to put up Nurture Spa in 2002, she had in mind a spa that that would draw from our own heritage. After researching into the healing traditions of our forebears she bought four authentic hundred-year-old ulogs, native Ifugao huts from the Mountain Province , knocked them down and re-built them piece by piece in Tagaytay.  From those initial four huts, they spa now has 14 accommodations – the four naturally-ventilated Ifugao huts, six couple rooms and two family rooms.  All are sprawled within the confines of a lovely flowering garden on a sloping hill with stone paths that lead surreptiously  to various parts of the property – among them, a wellness center  for long-stay guests called the Kanlungan, four outdoor treatment rooms, an herb garden and a healing path called the Lakad Kagalingan (reflexology stone path).

Asian fusion cuisine may be enjoyed inside air-conditioned Dulang Bistro restaurant while seated cross-legged on embroidered pillows or at the trellised garden studded with creeping vines and mini ponds made of talyasi and ancient banga with small kois and floating water lilies in them. An array of healthy dishes with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options uses only the freshest ingredients sourced from around Tagaytay. A must- try is the Nurture Salad that has fresh greens, kesong puti and oriental dressing, and the Osso Buco, beef shank served Batangas kaldereta style, washed down with a healthful drink of carrot pineapple juice. A pavilion at the west side of the property can accommodate 150 persons, perfect  for team buildings and corporate functions, while the garden can be made to accommodate 200-250 guests for a truly romantic garden wedding.

Lakad Kagalingan

Nurture Spa receives overnight guests who want to relax and unwind for the weekend or walk- in guests who may want to experience the embrace of a truly Filipino spa experience for an hour or two.  Treatments start and end with a relaxing hot ginger tea locally known as salabat. An ancient feet bathing ritual called Banos (meaning “a bath”) is performed as well where feet is soaked with warm water steeped in healing herbs to promote blood circulation and remove pain or fatigue. Then, as you lie back to enjoy the soothing massage, a music ritual using a Palawan rain flute is performed.

 Sinaunang Lunas, the spa’s range of ancient cures offers the traditional Philippine provincial Hilot Kagalingan usually done to cure cold, sprain, fever and relieve fatigue.  If you have back pain and colds that won’t go away, you are likely to have lamig, excess air, that stays inside the muscle and causes body pain.  The spa has two kinds of hot massages therapies to alleviate this condition. Lunas ni Nanay is a ventosa massage performed by placing a glass in specific accupoints on the back to create a vacuum and suck out the lamig. The Filipino version of the hot stone massage called Nilaib uses steamed hot pouches of Filipino herbs wrapped in banana leaves placed on the back and on the hands and feet.  The Dagdagay foot massage is also offered at the spa. This is an authentic tribal massage using herbal clay to cleanse and purify the feet, using bamboo sticks to stimulate the soles.  Armie, one of the therapists, says our forbears practiced this unique kind of reflexology since massaging their bare feet, with soles thick from not wearing footwear and being exposed to the elements, can be difficult. It was also unhygienic to massage feet with the hands.

 Since Nurture Spa is surrounded by coffee plantations, it specializes in the aromatic Kape Barako coffee scrub. Other scrubs available are Aliwalas Dead Sea Scrub, The Halimuyak Rose Petal body polish and Mayumi Coconut body polish. Body wraps include the Manggang Yakap (mango), Sarap ng Papaya (ripe papaya) and Hilom (healing) Dead Sea Mud Wrap. Facials available are the Maharlika Lavender (lavender scrub and mud mask), the Makisig Gentleman’s Facial (green clay mask) or the Marikit (honey and lavender scrub with protein mask). The hair also gets special care and attention with the Kaaya-Ayang  Buhok treatments that include Hasmin Royal Hair Spa (jasmine oil and extra virgin coco oil) or the Sabila Hair Luster (aloe vera).  

meditation nooks

The spa assures guests a garden enclave of solitude where meditation nooks are situated on various areas of the property – in the verandas of the garden houses or in open spa treatment areas. Visitors are requested to keep their voices down or maintain silence by signs posted all over the property. Quaint tent structures decorated with white flowing fabric, massage chairs made of native kamagong hardwood and footbaths are used for outdoor treatments. There, you can enjoy a relaxing foot spa with massage (Hele) or the combo hand and foot massage they call Pawi. To relieve sore neck and back muscles, opt for the Iglipang Ginhawa.

Nurture Spa, known for its signature “floral” strokes, uses only freshly prepared natural ingredients.  An excellent pre-treatment to these massages is the suob, where guests are made to inhale healing unguents to open the skin pores and remove toxins. Their massage menu includes the Kambal Kamay, or four hands touch. Also popular are the Aruga (care) massage, Haplos ng Ayurveda, or the Magsing-Iirog lovers massage for couples. Combinations of several of the packages (wraps, scrubs, facials, foot spas) are available such as their Maharlikang Lubos which can range from two to three hours. 

 Catherine’s husband and business partner Dr. Mike Turvill, a British national and a chemist, created the Amuin product line, a range of aromatherapy and massage oils used at the spa. Amuin is a Filipino term for “caress” or “to tame”. Their lemongrass oil is sourced from Mambugsay, Negros . This, along with other native products such as gift bags and boxes made of Abel fabric from Bangar, La Union, and Bulua ceramic cups from Cagayan de Oro, is sold at the spa’s curio shop.

 Long-stay guests (2 days/1 night minimum) at the Institute of Natural Healing (INH), headed by Dr. Samuel Dizon, a doctor of natural and alternative medicine, can avail of the Joyful Health Packages. Among the treatments being offered in this range are the Glowing Beauty, an anti-aging program that includes facial treatment using Biodroga products and Algotherm products for the contouring body wrap. Weight loss and total detox coupled with holistic healing methods, planned menus, computerized health scan, Qi breathing exercises, acupuncture and colonic enema are likewise offered to aid in serious ailments such as kidney, and liver malfunction, hypertension and even cancer.

The INH Wellness Center

Last  June, Nurture Spa will start expansion of the INH building, include more services and promote it as a medi spa. A condotel with 50 rooms will be built at the adjacent lot and the forest trails to the banana and coffee plantations will be cleared for guests to enjoy guided eco-tours.

 Overnight billeting is recommended to make the most of the relaxing visit to Nurture Spa and weekdays, from Tuesday to Thursday, are the best time to visit. The more adventurous may opt for the ulog accommodation, with the cacophony of night sounds and the gentle rush of an artificial waterfalls lulling one to sleep.  By day or night, the cold Tagaytay air and charming gardens of Nurture Spa puts one in a contemplative mood. There, you are safely cocooned in your own private space, embraced in the warmth of the Filipino’s healing touch and hospitality.

Getting there: By private car, Nurture Spa is 45 minutes from Makati via SLEX. Take Sta. Rosa exit then turn right following the main road to Tagaytay. Turn right to the small road going to the subdivision of Pulong Sagingan and follow the signs leading to Nurture Spa.  Weekday discount of 10% may be availed from Monday-Thursday on all treatments (complimentary snacks included). Ifugao rooms are at Php 3,500, garden view room at Php 4,500 and forest view rooms are at Php 5,500; all have toilets and bath, and LCD television. Wifi access in the pavilion, reception  and restaurant. Reservations may be made directly at Nurture Spa through sales manager Noel Tindogan at tel. nos. (63 46) 483-0805, mobile (63 920) 950-5724 and (63 918) 888-8772.

 Who’d think you could lose weight while defying the laws of nature? In an AntiGravity Yoga class, students are suspended in a silk hammock above the ground while stretching and working core muscles. The technique is a combination of yoga poses, coupled with acrobatics, calisthenics, and Pilates.

 AntiGravity Yoga was developed by Christopher Harrison as an acrobatic performance company with the mission of merging athletics and artistry.

 “AntiGravity Yoga has become so popular worldwide that there are already similar classes available,” says Alex Schlempp, managing partner of AntiGravity Yoga. “We’d like Filipinos to experience the real AntiGravity class, which is backed by over 10 years of research with acrobats and professional dancers.”

 Beyond Yoga, a leading yoga studio in the country, is AntiGravity Yoga’s exclusive Philippine partner. “AntiGravity Yoga brings the magic and fun to yoga. We are sure that men and women, young or old, will enjoy this new routine,” says Cara De Ocampo, Beyond Yoga director and head instructor.

De Ocampo adds, “It’s a good routine even for those who are not flexible because your poses are supported by a silk hammock.”

 Beyond Yoga is located at the 3rd floor, Il Terrazzo, Tomas Morato corner Scout Madrinian St., Quezon City. Visit www.igobeyondyoga.com or call (+63917)5BEYOND(5239663).

Samsung Galaxy Note

Christmas is still a  month away, but tech companies are already introducing their new gadgets to the market to entice the Pinoy techie.

In the world of touch-screen smartphones, the scene is heating up with the entry Samsung Galaxy Note. A new type of smartphone, borne of insight and innovation. It is the ultimate on-the-go device, which consolidates core benefits of diverse mobile devices while maintaining smartphone portability, to create a whole new user experience.

The Galaxy Note, with its huge, 5.3-inch touch screen and stylus, resembles a tablet but Samsung, introduced the device as an all-in-one smartphone. While technically a smartphone, its physical appearance and android-powered technology promise fun features commonly found in tablets. However, some may find it awkward to hold due to its size as it measures almost 150milimeters tall and 83milimeters wide. It is, however, surprisingly lightweight, revolves around its screen — the largest screen on any smartphone available today. The screen, with its 1,280-by-800-pixel resolution, is equipped with AMOLED technology that allows for strikingly rich colors and near-bottomless black levels. Thus, this device is brilliant for web browsing, games and video.

The Galaxy Note’s stylus, aptly called the “S Pen”, offers a unique user experience. The S Pen can be used for accurate sketching and artwork. The S Memo application, which works in tandem with the S Pen, becomes a useful feature as it lets you choose one out of four pen styles — a pen, a brush, a pencil and a highlighter. You can adjust the density and color, depending on your needs.

 The S Memo, along with other free applications, can be downloaded from the S-Choice store. The S-Choice store is Samsung’s own download hub designed especially for Galaxy Note users. Unlike many Android-powered phones, the touch sensitivity of the screen doesn’t render any significant loading period. Put simply, if your standard of touch screen excellence is the iPhone, then Samsung Galaxy Note will not disappoint you.

The Samsung Galaxi Note also comes with a 1.4GHz dual core processor and Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. 

HTC Sensation XE

Meanwhile, HTC Corp., a global leader in mobile innovation and design, has unveiled the new HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio — the first in a new line of HTC smartphones to feature Beats Audio technology to deliver studio quality audio.

 The HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio is the first handset to offer a Beats Audio experience — a combination of software and hardware that allows users to hear music the way the artist intended.In addition, the HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio boosts performance and battery life even further with the addition of a blazing fast 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and an extended battery of 1730 mAh that enables users to listen, watch, speak and browse for even longer

When used with the exclusive custom-made Beats headset, the handset automatically switches to the bespoke Beats Audio sound profile, delivering audio tracks tuned specifically for the headphones. Plug in the custom-made Beats headset and users instantly notice a fuller bass and crisper vocals and a new level of clarity and range as the specially designed headphones work seamlessly with the HTC Music application.

 The HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio also ships with a microSD card (8GB) allowing users to carry thousands of songs. The Beats headset features remote control, allowing users to pause, play or skip through tracks and answer/end calls while the phone is in your pocket.

 The HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio is now available in the Philippines through Smart Communications wireless centers at Plan 2,000. It is also available through HTC authorized retailers at a suggested retail price of Php31,500.

Apple iphone 4

The new Apple iPhone 4 may look exactly like its predecessors but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Check out these latest modifications: A new high resolution display that doubles the pixels in each direction (960 x 640) for a 4X overall pixel count increase. Apple calls it a “Retina Display.” It’s rated at 326ppi, which Apple claims is beyond the human eye’s limit of distinction. Similar to the iPad, it’s an IPS display, offering 800:1 contrast. Under the hood is the A4 processor that runs the iPad. Despite the new engine (and the 25% thinner chassis), Apple managed to make the battery slightly larger, and the new handset is rated at 7 hours of 3G talk, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, 10 hours of video, and 40 hours of music. The WiFi? It’s 802.11n now. The camera has been bumped to 5 megapixels, with 5X digital zoom and a “backside illuminated sensor,” which now can also record HD video at 720p / 30fps.

 Applications will automatically get high resolution text and buttons as part of iOS 4 (the OS previously known as iPhone OS 4. The new front camera is enabled for video chat using the new “FaceTime” feature. It’s a WiFi-only (for now) video calling feature that works from iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 with “no setup” involved, and can flip over to the rear camera.

 

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

For gamers, the new Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY combines Xperia smartphone functionality with new levels of mobile gameplay.  The new Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY was introduced recently to the local market with a host of games optimized for the only PlayStation-quality gaming experience on an Android smartphone.