From the moment I first saw the film TOP GUN, I have been always captivated by the idea of planes being able to land on a ship in the middle of a sea. It’s been more than a decade since that discovery, but I finally just had my first personal “Top Gun” moment.

Two weeks ago, the enormous, 97,000 ton, U.S. navy aircraft carrier made famous by being the ship which dropped Osama Bin Laden’s body into the sea, docked at Manila Bay for a few days. The American Embassy in Manila organized a cocktail reception aboard the nuclear powered USS Carl Vinson, and by a stroke of good luck, I was invited along.

Late afternoon on a perfectly clear day, a few hundred guests boarded a water taxi, and enjoyed every moment of the beautiful light of the setting sun on Manila Bay, on the 45 minute journey about 6 miles out to sea to where the carrier was anchored.

The ship was in Manila for routine replenishment, maintenance of shipboard systems and to give its 6000 strong crew a few days of liberty. The crew also participated in events planned to allow them maximum interaction with Filipinos- such as sporting events and community assistance activities.

The approach to the carrier was nothing less than dramatic. At first we could only see faded silhouettes in the distance of the 3 ships making up the carrier strike group-and there was some debate as to which boat was “the one”. But as we got closer, and the silhouette’s became more crisp, the sheer size and strength of the Carl Vinson made it obvious.

The flight deck of the ship was filled with fighter jets and transport helicopters, their jagged outlines intensifying the drama of the scene. When just minutes away, everyone’s voices hushed to a whisper, and the only audible sound was the clicking of cameras.

Miraculously, the sun set into the mountains of the Bataan Peninsula just as we reached the rear of the carrier, leaving us to board the quarterdeck in the mystery of twilight.

The reception was held in the hanger bay and the US Ambassador Harry  K. Thomas, Jr., the Admiral and the ship’s Captain spoke about the importance of the Philippine- US relationship to a crowd of naval officers, Filipinos from government, military, private sector, and civil society as well as Americans from the military, diplomatic and expat community.

In between enjoying food, wine, and the mingling of conversations, a platform elevator, normally used to bring fighter jets up and down from the flight deck, gave us a ride up to the deck. The night was dark, but some lights on deck and a full moon right above us helped illuminate the shadows enough to be able to differentiate one type of aircraft from another. Although my dream of seeing a fighter jet land and take off from an aircraft carrier was not yet fulfilled during this little adventure, being next to these jets, learning about the weapons they carry and how they take off and land was close enough to keep my imagination happy. As I left the ship, I closed my eyes for a moment and could swear I saw one flying by.

Watching the news today, we are filled with images of conflict and war, and talk of military strategies and bombing. It can be too easy to tune out and only pay attention when scenes of devastation hit. But I think it’s just as important to remember that the military that protects any country is made of men and women, of flesh and blood like the rest of us, but who have chosen to devote themselves to a greater cause than themselves. I have always had a great respect for those who choose to serve, and it seems those  who live months at a time in what easily resembles a floating city, have certainly given up a sense of their own freedom in order to protect a larger one. An experience such as this, where you can see a glimpse into how these sailors live and work, and speak to them as individuals instead of as a concept- is something I will remember forever.

Manila-based Silverlens Gallery had a mix of paintings, sculptures and photographs by Patricia Eustaquio, Mariano Ching, Elaine Navas, Nona Garcia, Luis Lorenzana and Frankie Callaghan.

Luis Lorenzana:

Elaine Navas:

Mariano Ching:

Another Manila gallery, The Drawing Room also had quite a selection – sculpture, paintings and installation by Alfredo Aquilizan, Diokno Pasilan, Mark Salvatus, Roderico Jose Daroy, Kawayan de Guia, Riel Hilario and Troy Ignacio.

Alfredo Alquilizan:

Mark Salvatus:

Riel Hilario:

Italian art gallery PRIMO MARELLA, based in Milan, dedicated their entire gallery to the work of Ronald Ventura – from painting to sculptures to installation.

Arario Gallery, a Korean gallery with a presence in Beiking, Seoul and New York, devoted a corner of their space to the work of Geraldine Javier.

And Hong Kong based OSAGE GALLERY showed the work of Alvin Zafra, Poklong Anading, and Louie Cordero.

Poklong Anading:

The Philippines may be famous for its beautiful beaches, often surrounded by crystal clear, swimming pool flat waters…but the ocean and sea’s surrounding the archipelago offer another treasure – the Philippines also has some amazing SURFING spots!

Here is an intro guide to those who might want to know  a bit about the who, what, why how and where of “Surfing Philippines..”

THE SCENE

The Philippines is great for surfing because the growing local surf scene still has many undiscovered surf spots, and locals are friendly with limited if no aggression in the water. As an avid surfer told me, “It’s a throwback to the 60s style California scene in the Gidget days.”

The scene is a mix of international surfers who come from Australia or the USA, and Filipino surfers who have come out to escape the big city for awhile. Locally, the surf scene’s growth is driven partially by its rapid popularity in Manila. While initially attracting mostly young people from the Universities, the Manila surf demographic today ranges in age from 14-36 years old. Cheaper flights going to more and more destinations also has helped to grow the sport’s popularity.

WHEN

The best time of the year for surfing is October to March. Most areas offer waves for the beginners but Siargao and Samar boast world class breaks for the advanced surfer.

SCHOOLS

Stokedinc Surf Schools partners with a collective of local surf schools (San Juan SurfSchool in La Union, Aliya Surf Camp in Baler, and Siargao Inn Surf School in Siargao) that aim to professionalise the local surf school industry and meet global standards of safety. The instructors are all Red Cross certified and the head instructor has a bronze medallion and Level 1 certification from Surf Australia, an internationally-recognised certification. And all schools are equipped with soft-top surfboards for the safety of students.

SURF COMPETITIONS HELD IN PHILIPPINES

Recent surf competitions held in the Philippines include The Baler annual surf comp, the La Union Longboard surf competition, and the annual Manila Surfers Cup.

Here are some highly recommended surfing spots:

1. San Juan, La Union

Considered Manila’s surfing capital, given easy access (buses, flights) from the Philippine capital. Surf lessons offered all along the beach and easy access to surf equipment. The beach breaks are ideal for learning how to surf. And the consistently softly-peeling Mona Lisa point break is ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. There’s a growing mix of friendly-local, people from Manila and a flourishing European backpacking community.

Places to stay include Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa, San Juan Surf Resort,
and the Little Surfmaid.

2. Baler, Aurora

This historic town (part of the Sevilla/Acapulco/Baler-Manila galleon trade route), is nestled at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains, and lies on a bay that faces the Pacific. With a lush rainforest serving as its backdrop, the beachbreak is extensive, ideal for beginner surfers. When a swell kicks in, it’s an ideal beachbreak with wedges and pitches for the more advanced progressive manoeuvres. The nearby Cemento reef break is a barreling howler offering tube rides for those who dare challenge it.

Places to stay include Aliya Surf Camp, Bahia 2 Resort, and Bay’s Inn.

3. Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte

This place is considered the mecca of Philippine surfing and is home to Cloud 9, a world-class barreling right-hander that is the Philippines’ most famous wave. A jewel of an island regardless of surf, given its coves, blue waters, waterfalls, and a handful of mesmerizing islets. Siargao offers waves for all skill levels.

Places to stay: Siargao Inn

4. Calicoan Island, Samar

Beach breaks and reef breaks abound in this out-of-the-way island. Still not crowded in this white sand blue ocean playground.

Places to stay: Calicoan Surf Camp

5. Zambales

This place has friendly if unspectacular beach breaks. With some solid
waves on rare occasions pounding on reefs that can only be reached by
banca (local outrigger). Surf is inconsistent and fires primarily during
rainy season. Its proximity to Manila (3 hours away) is its selling
point.

Places to stay: Punta de Uian, Canoe’s, Nora’s

In a world where seeing the differences between people can come all too easily, its good to be reminded that when you really think about it, we all have more in common than that which divides us. HUMAN SOUL, a UNDP (United Nations Development Program) sponsored multi-media exhibit on Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender (TG) Filipinas, does just that.

Designed to raise awareness for the rights of transsexuals and trans genders, the exhibit uses a combination of photography and audio interviews to give a glimpse into the lives of those who are often caught living between worlds, between everything. Although the terms transgender and transsexual are often used as synonymns, there are slight differences- transsexuals have started changing their body (hormones, surgery…), whereas transgender are more likely to be cross-dressing.

HUMAN SOUL profiles 9 different individuals –7 transsexuals, one gay man and one HIV positive person and gives them a chance to share their experiences, insights, hopes, fears, and in many cases, stories of discrimination and harassment. Although transgender Filipinas have often been stereotyped as dancers and entertainers, they are also businesswomen, human rights activists and political candidates. This exhibit shows what lies beyond their pretty faces- and quite simply, reminds us that they are people too.

The exhibit was created by French journalist Sebastian Farcis and photographer Romain Rivierre and was inspired by an article Farcis wrote for Paris Match

http://www.parismatch.com/Actu-Match/Monde/Actu/Philippines-terre-promise-des-transsexuels-187193/

Recently on display for a week at Philippine Congress, HUMAN SOUL also attempted to lobby support for the Anti- Discrimination Bill filed in Congress. The exhibit will be traveling around the Philippines and will be at Cebu City Hall (June 6-10,  the Alliance Francaise de Cebu (June 13-17),  the University of the Philippines Dilliman (June 27-July 8),  and to Davao City Hall (August 8-12).

Exhibits such as HUMAN SOUL, which attempt to pass a message, are refreshing because as so many of us have lives with lots of noise and activity, its important to stop every once in awhile and listen to the things you can’t hear. Everyone needs a voice – transexuals and transgenders have one, but its just harder to hear, and harder to understand.

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/two-hurt-as-ceiling-collapses-at-worlds-worst-airport-20110519-1etz6.html

And then there were the bees…

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/1987/airport-operations-disrupted-by-swarm-of-bees

The Philippine government and private sector have made tremendous (and very successful) efforts to promote travel to the country, yet it is as if they have left the doorway to a beautiful palace (i.e. Philippines) in a state of disarray. Not only is this ironic, it could also appear counterproductive.

Now if you wanted people to come to your home, would you not logically make the first thing they see the most welcoming and engaging of experiences?

Luckily, the beauty and magic of the country’s more than 7000 islands continue to attract more and more travelers annually from all over the world- and the Philippines is becoming the “secret garden” of Southeast Asia, a place where those who want to discover the “next great thing” will explore.

Thankfully, these travelers do not let the doorway to this new world influence the light in which they see the country. But wouldn’t it be nice if someday soon, the Manila airport that greets them upon arrival to this undiscovered world could be something which complements the natural beauty of what lays beyond it?

Guidebooks and travel websites don’t tell you everything. We have all traveled to places and had those “Oh I wish I had known this before I arrived” moments where a tiny piece of information, if given before hand, might have made an experience that much more enjoyable or planning a day that much more effortless. Having had many friends come to visit, and having had my own share of such moments while exploring the country, I have made a list of some HELPFUL TRAVEL TIPS which people visiting Manila or traveling in the Philippines will find useful.

HEALTH

1. Always drink bottled water that is properly sealed. Do not drink from the tap.

2. Bring Off or mosquito repellant in case you go to places that have a lot of bugs

3. Bring hand sanitizer at all times. You will find plenty of toilets but very rarely will they have soap.

4. The restroom is known as the “CR” or Comfort room

5. Ladies- bring tissue in your purse. Toilet paper is not often available in public restrooms.

PACKING

1. Sunglasses or a hat are always good to have as it is sunny most of the year.

2. The weather is always hot however malls, offices etc are air conditioned so helpful to always bring a sweater or scarf.

3. Bring a travel adaptor if you’re not from the USA (our plugs have USA-type prongs)…universal travel adaptors can be found in hardware shops but that’s one extra errand to run.

If you’re from the USA, remember electricity here is 220v not 110v…110 plugged into 220 will pop.

GETTING AROUND

1.Tipping – nice restaurants pHp100 is good. For taxis, hotel valet etc PhP20 is enough

2. Taxis are generally safe but best to get Taxis from hotel lobbies, mall lines or reputable areas that give you the details of the taxi. There are some dishonest drivers out there so make sure they have a meter and helpful to have someone write down the taxi license # just in case. Some drivers don’t seem to know the city very well so it’s also best to check and make sure they know where they are going before you get into the taxi.

3. Always lock your door when in a taxi.

4. Traffic is bad so if you are traveling from city to city give 30 minutes more time to get to your destination.

5. When traveling to Boracay, you will be walking a plank to get on and off boat- high heels not suggested

6. Double check all details when making travel plans locally- as friendly and helpful as the Filipinos are, attention to detail is not their forte.

7. Don’t schedule appointments one after the other if you need to travel between venues…to be safe, give yourself 2 hours between meetings.

8. If traveling on business, book a hotel near where most of your meetings will be, or meet in the hotel. Traffic is awful.

COMMUNICATION

1. Get a local sim card and phone when here- easy to get and not expensive and easy to buy reload for the card. Pretty much no one uses voicemail here and many people won’t pick up the phone if they don’t know who is calling so if you have trouble getting through to someone, send them a text message. Everything is done by text in the Philippines.

2. Though not announced, many coffee shops, salons, restaurants, etc. have wifi. Some (like Bo’s Coffee in High Street in the Fort) have it for free (you just need to ask for the day’s password). For those that charge for it, ask a waiter/cashier/someone from the place and they’ll probably sell you a P100 scratch-off card with a code to enter.

MONEY

1. Be aware that ATM cards from foreign banks don’t always work for all ATM tellers and there are varying limits per day so its good to always have some cash with you to exchange. You also might end up traveling to somewhere remote without a working ATYM or in a place where there is only one with very long lines.

2. It can be a hassle to pay by credit card here if you can’t bring the credit card in person i.e. many travel agents won’t take cards over the phone. There are also often varying surcharges (diff percentages added on) to use your credit card.

It’s Philippine Fashion Week and the media is buzzing with news of the latest fashion events. I have been to many events where the Filipino love for “dressing up” in the latest styles is more than evident, but last week I did something I had never done: I attended a fashion show of local designers. Fashion Week took place from May 8-15th and consisted of shows featuring over 75 Philippine-based designers.

The 45-minute show I attended was held in two function rooms at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia complex and featured five designers: Kristel Yulo, Michele Sison, Philipp Tampus, Ralph Ng, and Roland Lirio. As over 500 chic fashionistas and media from all walks of life eagerly awaited the lights to go down, the room was buzzing with anticipation. I took my place in the sixth row of seats, close enough to see the clothing but far back enough to be able to see the whole scene unfold.

While an army of photographers snapped away, Filipina and Eurasian models of varying sizes glided down the lemon yellow colored runway, to a mix of songs that ranged from soulful to “loungy” to energizing. I loved the fact that the music was enough to move you but not overpower the runway.

The Holiday Collection featured men and women’s clothing, from casual “beach chic” outfits to dinner wear to cocktail dresses. There really was a bit of everything; the flowing mixed with fitted, the matte joined together with metallic, sequins met feathers. And while some super short dresses were things I would only dream of wearing, many others were pieces I could easily imagine myself buying.

Kristel Yulo’s designs in particular were very wearable and many of her outfits were in what I call “shiny neutrals” — a nice variation on colors such as gold, taupe, and grey, which I find very friendly to the hot tropical climate of the Philippines.

Other designers like Michele Sison gravitated towards the fantastical and exotic, highlighted by the bare-chested men who strutted in wearing headdresses of peacock, parrot, and pheasant feathers. Her collection had lots of red combined with zebra stripes, florals, and deep orange and gold.

I always love it when different industries get involved in humanitarian efforts and perhaps the biggest treat for me was the surprise video shown before the fashion show began. Human trafficking is a huge problem in the Philippines and one that many groups have been trying to bring to public attention. This modern day slave trade involves 27 million victims and the Philippines is one of the top three countries where victims come from.

As prevention and awareness are half the battle, Katie Ford of Ford model agency has created an Anti Human Trafficking PSA, where Filipino models and Katie Ford herself are speaking out to raise awareness of the issue. They warn  people to be on guard against fake recruiters and provide a hotline for help. I hope I will be seeing this very effective PSA on TV and in movie theaters throughout the Philippines!

To learn more about how to help anti-human trafficking efforts in the Philippines, go to :
www.visayanforum.org

The 50 performers from 23 countries representing the Quebec based “human circus” company will present Varekai, which is a story of the adventures of a young man who came from the sky and the quest he is on in a world called Varekai.

I have been watching Cirque du Soleil performance in different cities around the world since the 1980’s and each one transports me through time and place to somewhere where the imaginary and impossible become real. A surreal mix of drama with acrobatics, the combination of acrobatic stunts, surreal costumes, innovative music and vivid choreography is nothing short of magical. I am very excited that the Philippines will get a chance to see what I have always said can only be “experienced, not described.” It will without a doubt leave everyone happily lost in the land of imagination.

The performance will be held at the Luneta, across the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, and tickets are available at www.hoopla.ph or www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Hire a local guide and jump on the back of a motorcycle and spend your days gasping in awe as each turn on the cliff-hugging mountain roads leaves you grabbing for your camera and saying “Wow!” Surrounded by dramatic views of green rolling hills, rugged mountains and rocky cliffs dropping into the blue sea, you literally look left and see green and look right and see blue.

The drive around the island will take you through archaeological sites, old churches, beaches, quaint villages, lighthouses, and boat shaped burial grounds, and when you feel like a snack, stop for some fresh coconut juice at the Honesty Café. This unique self service operates on the goodwill of people- no one watches over it and customers are left to write down and pay for what they take.The road itself will be filled with more wandering caribao and goats than people. With the constant wind at your back, the journey itself fills you with nature, and without knowing it, you will let out a giant exhale.

And just when you think you have seen enough diversity of nature to keep your imagination happy forever, jump on a local boat for a 35 min ride to the neighboring island of Sabtang. As you explore this cultural center of the Ivatan people, seeing the stone boulder houses with thatched roofs, fisherman rowing their boats to sea and farmers wearing traditional woven headdresses in the fields will make you smile as you realize there are corners of the world where maintaining tradition has won the battle over change.

The remoteness of Batanes has also made the Ivatans an incredibly industrious people with a community driven spirit – they believe in an unquestioned respect for nature and helping their neighbor.

Seeing all of this in 2 days might sound overwhelming, but the magic of the island is that you won’t leave feeling overwhelmed or tired. You will have stepped into another world for a little while, a world where time has stopped and where you have no choice but to truly live in the moment.

Sea Air has daily flights from Manila (P15,000) and there are a range of accommodations from basic ( Brandon’s (P1000) per night ) to extra comfortable (Fundacion Pacita at P 6000 Batanes Mountaineers can arrange anything you need, from just a hotel to planning a guide, transport and full itinerary depending on the length of your stay.