ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

The inauguration and blessing of the 5-storey YGQ building along Boardwalk Avenue beside Smallville solidifies the stand that Skinetics Wellness Center is truly among the region’s premier medical tourism destination. In a simple, yet at the same time lavish, ceremony last Oct. 27, 2011, the all in one medical spa, skin clinic, boutique hotel and restaurant of Ms. Yul Garcia Quiampang has awed the invited guests, friends, relatives and the media. A Dinagyang presentation opened up the event after which VIPs led by Gov. Arthur Defensor, former Sec. Mike Defensor, Pavia Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta among others, cut the ribbon that finally opened the one stop wellness destination to the Ilonggos. A short mass followed and finally the whole facility was blessed. I was fortunate enough to have been part of the event upon the invitation of Ms. Regine Algecera who is producer the TV program Good Day Western Visayas over Sky Cable Iloilo. The first level of the building houses the Ohana Japanese Re

Halloween in the Philippines is celebrated with a variety of somber, spooky and fun traditions. The observance is much more popular in rural areas as local beliefs and customs mesh, creating a distinctly Filipino version of Halloween. It has always been a holiday filled with mystery, magic and superstition. People would share stories of the dead, witchcraft, tell each other's fortunes and mischief-making of all kinds. Ghosts are often depicted as more fearsome and malevolent, and our customs and superstitions are scarier too. Halloween is traditionally the time when common superstitions, folklore, myths and omens carry more weight to those who believe. Bad fallacies far outweigh the good. Many people still believe that omens can predict our destiny and misfortune such as avoiding to cross paths with black cats, afraid that they might bring us bad luck, or avoiding to break mirrors, stepping on cracks in the road or spilling salt. And as they say, those who follow Halloween supersti

" Filipinos, beloved countrymen! Let us never destroy our precious rights because their loss will be our death and shame. Even if we do not have a single rifle, if all the towns will refuse to surrender, with one mind and one heart, the Americans will be ashamed to subjugate or kill us all. If this is the fate that will be ours, you will be greater, Filipinas, than all the nations!” General Martin Teofilo Delgado, the Ilonggo revolutionary leader and Filipino nationalist penned the previous lines with pride and high hopes for the nation. Popularly known as Tan Martin, he was responsible for the start of the revolution against the Spaniards, and later the Americans in Iloilo. With his leadership and gallantry, his hometown of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo is known to be the seat of revolution in the Visayas and Mindanao and where the first Philippine flag was raised outside Luzon. Standing proud, the GMTD Monument at the plaza of his hometown, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo His bravery and heroics a

They’re young, they’re hip and they bring a “fishpalaxing” experience to everyone from all walks of life. Meet Flord, Noel and Rex – still twenty-something yet these “Iskolars ng Bayan” already have success in the bag. As schoolmates from University of the Philippines Visayas in Miag-ao, they started a business venture in 2009 that is now a novel form of relaxation at the same time a tourist attraction. Despite the busy schedule in college, they pooled their talents, funds, and spare time to come up with the concept, technologies, and strategies for the successful operation of Tibiao Fish Spa . A form of ichthyotherapy, fish spas make use of small fish to clean and exfoliate the skin. The distinct sensation produced by the skin-nibbling fish adds to the cleansing benefits and relaxing ambiance of fish spas that made them popular in many Asian countries. MEET FLORD The Aggressive Guy “Collecting fishes as pets was my hobby when I was younger,” said Flord Nicson Calawag. When he entered

“It all started with a dream and two glasses of Mojitos” says founder & Editor-in-Chief Joanne Marie Combong-Pijuan. “I dreamt of someday having my own magazine after years of being editor of several publications” In the same league is co-founder Deputy Editor Georginna Marie Jarantilla Desuasido. “Ginna, a professional makeup artist, wanted to have a business related to the bridal industry.” Joanne says. Her visit to Manila last January was a meeting of the minds, a business proposal and over two glasses of Mojitos sealed the deal. And, yesterday V Weddings , the only wedding magazine and suppliers’ guide in the Visayas, had its unveiling and launching at Robinson’s Place Iloilo. With no less than Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (in white) and Regional Tourism Director Edwin Trompeta (leftmost) present in the event , the duo together with the founders led the ribbon cutting ceremony that started the program. A quick word from the founders gave the audience a taste of what’s

To promote the inspiring stories and work of recognized development workers in the Visayas and Mindanao, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) is calling on individuals between 13 and 35 years old based in the Visayas and Mindanao to join the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest. The contest highlights the RAFI Triennial Awards and its awardees and finalists. Guided by the theme, “Shaping the big picture of change”, entrants are expected to do background research on the lives and works of RAFI Triennial awardees and finalists nearest their area. The RAFI Triennial Awards is an awards program of RAFI given every three years to recognize the philanthropic, humanitarian, and holistic efforts of individuals and institutions in the Visayas and Mindanao in enhancing the quality of life of the communities they serve. It is now on its 5th run with conferment of awards in 2012. To join the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest, individuals should register through www.rafi.org.ph. Entr

9In commemoration of the 150th year birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Municipal Tourism Council of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo is having an ongoing exhibit featuring the life, works and loves of our national hero. “We came up with the exhibit as our own little way of participating in the nationwide celebration and to show the Santa Barbaranhons' humble way of honouring Rizal” says Irene Magallon, Municipal Tourism officer. Photo from Hon. Demy Sonza's Facebook account A simple ceremony, attended by town officials and employees led by Vice Mayor Rema Somo, representatives from the academe, historian Eugene Jamerlan and the media, opened the exhibit weeks ago. Guest of Honor and Board Member Demy Sonza led the ribbon cutting ceremony at t he 2nd lev el of the Sta. Barbara Centennial Museum that unveiled the Rizaliana exhibit. CONNECTION “We put Rizal on a pedestal that we possibly cannot connect with him because he is a hero” informs Ms. Maricon Paguntalan, in-house tour guid