there`s a new game in town… - American Women`s Club of the

| February 2015
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SECTIONS
04
06
07
08
10
11
16
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23
Editorial Section
President’s Message
Letter from the Editor
Mabuhay
Out and About
Coron, Palawan
Dreaming Away on the Big Island
There’s a New Game in Town...
Finding Everyday Authentic Expression
Through Aubade
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21
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CONTENTS
On the Cover:
Palawan
Photo by: Teresa Pantaleon
EDITORIAL TEAM
SANAZ RASOULI AND ALISON PARTIN ZABALETA
ANNE DAUENHAUER, Copy Editing
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING
CONTRIBUTORS
Carol Cunningham, Mary Anne Hickey, Barrie M.
Tugade-Hlatky, Barb Molloy, Deanna Masunaga,
Teresa Pantaleon, Sanaz Rasouli, Lisa Stuart and
Kellie Timko.
Ellen Kupers, Advertising Manager
THE AMERICAN WOMEN’S CLUB OF THE
PHILIPPINES (AWCP) IS AN ORGANIZATION
OF AMERICANS AND SPOUSES OF AMERICAN
CITIZENS RESIDING IN THE PHILIPPINES. THE
CLUB PROMOTES AND FOSTERS AMERICAN
CULTURAL VALUES IN ITS ACTIVITIES WHILE
CELEBRATING THE DIVERSITY OF AN
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE AWCP IS
A FOCAL POINT FROM WHICH ITS MEMBERS
NETWORK, BUILD AND SEEK SUPPORT,
DESSIMINATE INFORMATION, AND PARTICIPATE
IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.
2014 Board of Trustees
Executive Committee Board of Trustees:
Kellie Timko, President
Camilla Brooks, Chairman
Kathy Gold, Vice President
Meghan Mebruer, Secretary
Claudine David, Treasurer
Deanna Masunaga, Assistant Treasurer
Carolyn Butler, Community Services
Meghan Mebruer, Community Services Co-Chair
Deanna Masunaga, Membership Chair
Barb Molloy, Membership Co-Chair
Standing Committees:
Kathy Yulo, Bazaar Chair
Karen Gotianse, Bazaar Co-Chair
Vacant, Blood Donors Chair
Deanna Masunaga, Blood Donors Co-Chair
Vacant, Blood Donors Committee
Vacant, Hospitality Chair
Christina Zerbin, Hospitality Co-Chair
Sanaz Rasouli, Inklings Chair
Alison Partin Zabaleta, Inklings Co-Chair
Ellen Kupers, Inklings Committee
Vacant, General Meetings
Judy Renna, Message Board/Website
Lisa Stuart, Message Board/Website
Emily Barber, Special Events Chair
Rebecca Dineen, Special Events Co-Chair
Brigitte Swanson, Tours Chair
Chita Domingo, Tours Co-Chair
ATTY. Jill Genio, Corporate Secretary
President’s Message
J
anuary and February have been hectic as I prepare for the
end of the AWCP year. A huge thank you to the outgoing
2014/2015 board. The new year officially starts March 1,
2015. But before then, sadly we say goodbye to some of our
2014/15 board members.
Firstly, a legacy within the AWCP, Kathy Gold leaves our board
after serving for 11 years. That is dedication! Kathy has held
the positions of Recording Secretary and Domestic Registry
Co-Chair, General Meetings Chair, 3rd VP and most notably
the bazaar chair and co-chair roles. I love listening to Kathy’s
stories from years past, and I will miss having her and all her
experience by my side as we start our new year.
Another asset departing the AWCP board and also the
Philippines is Deanna Masunaga. Deanna has been a board
member for two years and held multiple positions… at one
time. Blood Donors Committee, Membership Committee and, if that wasn’t enough, she also stepped up to be
our Nominating Committee chairperson. Deanna has also been the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer in years
past. I have had to find three people to replace Deanna. She was a dedicated member of this board and will be
missed by many. Best of luck to Deanna and her family as they move to Texas in the summer.
Sanaz Rasouli, our Inklings Chairperson and editor of this magazine is going to be very busy with a new baby this
year. I wish her all the best with motherhood! Having two children myself, I know the commitment it takes to
be a new mom. She leaves the board after a great year of “Inklings” issues. I have had fun going to her planning
meetings and writing for this magazine under her leadership. I encourage you all to explore the opportunities this
magazine can offer. Go ahead, attend a planning meeting.
Kelly Toth returned to her home in Virginia this past January. Kelly ran our General Meetings. It takes a lot of
confidence and personality to get up and speak in front of a group of people. I will be running the General Meetings
until a volunteer can be found who is willing to take on this role. Please reach out if you would like to help organize
and run these meetings. Perhaps you have some suggestions for guest speakers, or you have some ideas how to
make it more interesting. We need you! Please email me at awcppresident@gmail.com
Our Hospitality Committee will take on a new look this year as our Newcomers coordinators, Yoshie and Christina,
depart. From its inception, a goal of this club is to assist newcomers by offering activities like coffee mornings,
happy hours, dinners and cocktail parties (to name a few), where our new friends can meet, seek support and
network. Thank you for your important contribution to this organization and for all the fun events you’ve planned.
Fortunately, it’s not all goodbyes. I am so glad to welcome our new our 2015/2016 Board of Trustees. I am looking
forward to a fun and eventful year and hope you will be a part of it.
Kellie Timko
President, AWCP
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6
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
Letter from the Editor
W
ow is it already February? Where did the time go?
The past year has been wonderful. After what felt
like moments of arriving, I joined the AWCP Standing
Committee and decided to dive in and take on the role as Editor
of Inklings. I was quite nervous, having never been the editor of
a magazine before. Despite my fears and nervousness, I quickly
got the hang of it and I am so glad that I did dive in. Through this
role, I have met such wonderful ladies who have shared their
experiences throughout the year with us and the membership.
March 2015 marks the beginning of the new AWCP term. I will
be stepping down as Editor as I get ready to dive into a new role
as a mom and welcome a new baby. I would like to sincerely
thank the Inklings Co-Editor Alison Partin Zabaleta, our Copy
Editor Anne Dauenhauer, and our Advertising Manager Ellen
Kupers. I couldn’t have asked to work with a better Publications
Committee! You ladies made an outstanding contribution to the
magazine, and I so enjoyed working with you all.
I also would like to thank all of the contributors to Inklings - we couldn’t have done this without you, and we
hope that you are excited to continue writing and sharing your experiences with the Inklings Publication
Committee.
Stay tuned for the next Inklings Planning Meeting where you can meet new friendly faces and join in on the
fun conversations.
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February 2015
7
By: Deanna Masunaga and Barb Molloy
M
“
MABUHAY
abuhay (pronunciation: mah-BOO-high) is a word from Philippine languages including Tagalog. It is used
to exclaim “long live!” or a sentiment similar to the famous “live long and prosper.” The expression is
most often used at toasts during gatherings and parties, at rallies, political conferences, or for praising
notable individuals. It is also an expression used in welcoming guests and a way of showing hospitality. The
root word buhay means: 1. life 2. alive 3. live; to become alive. (Wikipedia)
“
We are delighted to WELCOME the following new members.
It is great to meet so many new members
who have lived and traveled all over the world!
Amila Dunuwille
Amila has recently arrived in Manila
with her husband and young daughter.
Previously, she worked in the fields
of accounting and management. She
has also volunteered at the Palo Alto
Wildlife Center in California. In addition,
she has a great passion for rugby! Her
interests also include traveling and
cooking.
Nancy Von Feldt
Nancy has recently arrived in the
Philippines with her husband. They live
in breathtaking Baguio; they also live in
Clark two weeks per month. Previously,
Nancy was involved in a RN Educator
Health Occupations Program. In the
past, she has volunteered in the PTA,
Humane Society and the Wylie Retired
Teachers’ Association. In her free time,
she likes to garden, read, travel and
river boat!
works in Hanoi and two grown up sons.
She likes to bike (bad luck here in
Manila, but she is determined to give it
a try) and likes book clubs and reading.
She also enjoys knitting, arts and
crafts, and restoring old furniture. She
enjoys travel, fine arts, movies, theater,
learning new languages, exploring and
would like to volunteer in a library or
a local NGO who works with children
and/or women.
Madhulika Jawa
Kathy Lynch
Kathy has 20+ years’ experience in
banking, primarily from an operations
perspective. She is relocating to Manila
the first of February for two years and
hopes to travel across Asia during her
time in Manila.
Myda Prieto
Carine Gardin
Carine hails from Belgium and has been
living overseas on and off since 1985.
She has lived in Burundi, Nicaragua,
Guatemala, South Africa, U.S., and
now in Manila where she works for
the European Union Delegation to the
Philippines. She has a husband who
They have two children, Ishan and Sana.
While she is employed with Mindshare
Philippines, Madhu’s interests lie in
Southeast Asian Art and Culture. She
has been a docent with the Asian
Civilizations Museum in Singapore and
the National Museum in Bangkok. In
addition she is a “craftaholic”, a hobbyist
potter and a part-time cupcake
decorator.
Madhulika Jawa
Madhulika has recently relocated from
Singapore along with her husband
Rohit, who is working with Unilever.
Myda has four children ranging from
a fourth grader to a college graduate.
Previously, she worked for United
Airlines. She has also volunteered
at both church and school. She likes
arts and crafts. She and her husband,
Andrew, are originally from the
Philippines. Andrew is an interventional
cardiologist. They had moved to
Michigan in the U.S. for his studies and
stayed on for 21 years. But now they
are back!
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8
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
MABUHAY
By: Carol Cunningham
R
ay and I moved back to the US on December 22,
just in time to enjoy the Christmas holidays with
our family. Our home is now in Gold Canyon, AZ,
an Eastern suburb of Phoenix. We are located inside
the gated community of Superstition Mountain Golf
Club overlooking two fairways towards Superstition
Mountain. For us, the move is a double event, as not
only are we moving back to the US, but we are now
officially retired, although we both continue to be active
with charitable activities, Ray with AAP and me with Dam
Good Stuff.
Having lived in the Philippines for 17 years, there are
many adjustments. We certainly miss all the friends we
made in the Philippines. However, we are now very much
enjoying the improved air quality (I can now walk around
the house barefoot and not end up with black feet), great
highways, fresh berries, the abundant parking spaces
and the fact that I can drive myself around in my new
Ford Escape.
Giving up our full time jobs has not been difficult! We
now have time to go to the health club, practice and play
golf, cook, drive to California to visit relatives, hang out
with friends, etc.
We will be returning to the Philippines Feb 16 to March
10 to attend to DGSI business and the AAP George
Washington Gala, so we hope to catch up with many of
our friends during our visit. Or, come and visit us! We
have a guest room and a casita. Don’t forget to bring
your golf clubs.
Ray and Carol at the Superstition Mountain golf course
February 2015
9
OUT AND ABOUT
Ayala Museum Tour
January Newcomers’ Coffee Morning
Happy Hour at Barb Molloys
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10
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
CORON, PALAWAN
By: Teresa Pantaleon
I
f you think you’ve seen and
been to the best places in the
Philippines, wait until you see and
experience Coron.
We had repeatedly heard how
beautiful Coron was prior to our first
trip there last Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2014,
during the weekend of All Saints and
All Souls Day.
We landed at Busuanga airport. We
included transfers to our hotel, and,
after 30-40 minutes on a somewhat
narrow National Highway, we arrived
at rows of hotels, restaurants, sari
sari stores, a Catholic church and
BPI bank (all of which were walking
distance from our hotel).
If you can’t reach other spots on
foot, a tricycle ride can take you
there. Fares depend on how far you
are traveling; minimum fares start
at 10 PHP per person when the
destination is nearby.
Coron boasts seven lakes, one of
which is nationally acclaimed as
the cleanest in the Philippines –
Kayangan Lake. Unlike Boracay
& Bohol, Coron has pocket island
beaches as opposed to long strips
of white sand.
SITES IN CORON
You have to take a boat ride from
Busuanga to go to the sites. Be
sure to ask your boatman or do
your research to maximize your
day. Arrange a tricycle ride to go to
the pier with a side trip to the wet
market to buy ingredients for lunch,
charcoal, etc. Conveniently, the
boats have a built-in griller where
one person will grill/cook food and
the other will accompany you to
the sites (please request this to be
sure). If you are finicky about using
someone else’s plates, utensils and
glassware, then consider buying
or bringing disposable ones from
Manila instead (not sure if you can
easily find them in Coron).
Be mesmerized traversing in between
limestone formations; a picture
perfect view from the top to Kayangan
Lake; a surreal red mid-size sail boat
docked in between two islands,
experience the fresh and salt water
combo of the lakes.
Twin Lagoons
During low tide, you can swim
between two boulders to go to its
twin, while at high tide you need to
climb rope stairs. For some reason,
I personally found it easier to swim
around doing the backstroke. The
outer lagoon is where boats typically
dock and where you can swim/play
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February 2015
11
CORON, PALAWAN
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with kids (make sure kids are always
supervised here), while the inner
lagoon is more tranquil, allowing
you to hang out for a leisurely
swim, chatting and bonding with
your family. Your boatman or
helper accompanies you to cross
the other lagoon.
enough - dive and try to touch
the tip. Marine life is so vibrantly
colorful here.
Barracuda Lake
Kayangan Lake
Locals say barracudas were seen
here before, hence its name. There
is a short hike to go to this lake.
The water is clear, so you can see
the bottom of this lake from the
man-made jump off point only.
Once you are in it, the water is as
fantastic as the twin lagoons.
A bit of a hike up and down; you
will have an awesome surprise
when you reach the top of the hill
– make sure you ask people where
the slight detour is to your left to
see the jaw-dropping picturesque
beauty nature has created. When
you reach the lake, the water is as
wonderful as the other two lakes.
Skeleton Shipwreck
This site is amazing; you can truly
see the tip of the mast. If you are
a strong swimmer - and brave
12
Coral Reefs
We docked at a small area where
marine life was abundantly happy
and in full swing.
Malcapuya Beach
Still open to the public, but rumor
has it that the new hotel chain owner
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
will close it down for construction in
2016 or 2017. The beach has white
sand, crystal clear water and lots of
“ghost” fish (I call them that cause
they are almost transparently white
and blend with the sandy bottom).
This beach hosts giant clams being
cared for by a local who is in the
vinegar packaging industry. I asked
him how to know whether the clams
were alive and he lifted one up
and it closed. I was intrigued, so I
hovered around the small collection
of clams. You do need to be careful
though, as there was a strong wave
that washed me close to one, it
snapped shut and fortunately, I just
felt it on a bit of the skin on my arm
– no harm was done. This fellow
rents a boat that will take you to an
area with bigger clams. We decided
not to go to the other beaches on
our itinerary because we hadn’t had
enough of Malcapuya Island.
CORON, PALAWAN
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Other Places of Interest:
Hike Mt. Tapyas to have a view of the islands
Take a dip at Maquinit Hot Springs to relax. A tricycle
ride will take you there for around 350 PHP.
Lusong Gun Boat Shipwreck
Other beach spots
For Foodie Adventurers:
Try the crocodile sisig
(only one restaurant serves this)
Not to miss: marinated Danggit (fish) for breakfast;
not as salty as the famous ones from Cebu and
Samaral. All seafood here is fresh since you buy
them from the wet market.
Entrance Fees:
100 PHP/person for most sites except Kayangan
Lake and Malcapuya Beach are 200 PHP/person
(all subject to change). A table in Malcapuya can
be rented.
February 2015
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CORON, PALAWAN
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Other Tips:
PLEASE REMEMBER to wear your life vest constantly,
water is extremely deep.
Bring a first aid kit, sunblock, paper plates,
utensils, cups.
Bring small bills for the tricycle rides and market
purchases.
When going on a day trip bring plenty of water,
snorkels, and sunblock. Do not bring a lot of money
and unnecessary valuables since you will have to
leave them in the boat when docked; also we used
other boats as bridges/pathways, and others may
do the same with your boat.
There are island resorts with exclusive use of their
beaches. They do come with a price, or you can stay
at modest hotels or mid-range hotels in Busuanga.
Friendly advice: do not say anything negative
about nature. Per our boatman, the Tagbanua
tribe recommends it.
Take your trash with you.
Please apply sunblock and insect repellant to a
minimum; they are protecting the eco system.
Do not bring home shells or sand.
No feeding of fish.
There is a much bigger lake within the island (the
map in Kayangan Lake will show it), but this is sacred
to the Tagbanua tribe, so no one is allowed to go
there except their kinsmen.
Enjoy!
14
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
DREAMING AWAY ON THE BIG ISLAND
By: Sanaz Rasouli
Volcanoes National Park
O
ne of my most favorite places on earth is Hawaii.
Having been lucky enough to have had visited
this precious state twice already, I wasn’t shy
of insisting that we go yet again this summer. With our
sixth wedding anniversary coming up the day after a
family wedding in Los Angeles, and rainy season under
way in Manila, I couldn’t think of a better stopping off
point to break up the trip and catch our breath.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) offers direct flights to Honolulu
(Oahu), Hawaii departing from Manila three times a
week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Round-trip
airfare starts at just $1100, with a 10.5 hour flight leg
each way.
Hawaii is the 50th U.S. state, joining the Union on August
21, 1959, precisely our planned date of arrival, a fitting
and cool little fact that I learned upon researching this
article. The state is composed of eight main islands:
Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui
and the Island of Hawaii (Kona, Big Island). We decided
to head to the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big
Island or Kona.
Memories of Mai Tai cocktails, sandy beaches, clear blue
ocean water, driving on quiet and peaceful roads, and
fresh air eluded me for weeks leading up to the trip.
Activities
You really can’t get bored on Kona; there is almost too
much to do, and even more so for the adventurer at heart.
Between snorkeling, surfing, swimming, exploring the
volcano national park, discovering beaches, etc., there
is something for everyone. You could easily spend two
weeks here with something to do every day; however, if
I had that much time on the island, I would prefer to visit
other Hawaiian islands like Maui or Kauai.
Beaches
Kona Island is the lesser-known Hawaiian island for
beaches. However, the white sand beaches that it does
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16
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
DREAMING AWAY ON THE BIG ISLAND
Crystal Clear Beaches
offer along the northern coast have been touted as
some of the best in the state and even in the country.
Hapuna Beach, with its clear blue water and pristine
white sand stretching for miles, and has been voted
best beach of the nation many times. Close behind is
Mauna Lani beach. The best part about the beaches
in Hawaii is that they all have public access. You can
freely enter any resort (no matter how ritzy) to visit any
of the beaches on the island. I love this aspect and the
fact that we could pretend to be Robinson Crusoe and
just discover gems along the way. Our favorite beaches
included: Mauna Kea Beach and Mauna Lani Beach at
the Fairmont Orchid Resort.
Kilauea Volcano
and Volcanoes National Park
A two-hour drive away from the town of Kona -- and
perhaps what the Big Island is most famous for -- lies
the Kilauea Volcano, the most active volcano in the
world! Depending on the time you go, you may or may
not get to see surface lava flows after dark. Conditions
are always changing, and it’s advisable to check
online (www.wizardpub.com) for the lava flow status.
Unfortunately, at the time that we visited, we didn’t get
to see the surface lava flow; however, we had a great
time nonetheless. I succumbed to buying a canvas
photograph for a memory instead.
The Volcanoes National Park is a real gem, and one
that we definitely did not do justice. This is what I
mean by how there is so much to do! The park is open
24 hours a day and offers great hiking, underground
caves and more, all for the price of a $10 car entrance
fee. What a bargain! Two days of exploring has been
recommended, however we only got to explore for a
few hours.
Hilo and Puna
If anyone tells you that the Big Island isn’t lush, don’t
believe them. The island is made up of two stark
contrasts, split by east and west. While the eastern coast
of the Big Island is less visited due to higher amounts
of rainfall, it’s definitely not to be missed. This is where
you will find lush tropical rain forests, waterfalls and
great restaurants.
Hilo is the largest city on the Big Island (in fact not
that large). Hilo is host to the Wailuku River, tropical
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February 2015
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DREAMING AWAY ON THE BIG ISLAND
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rainforests, waterfalls and the Hilo Farmer’s Market.
The farmer’s market is best visited on Wednesdays and
Saturdays.
Just south of Hilo lies the town of Puna; once a town
dedicated to the sugar industry, it is now a sleepy
town. Puna consists of rain forests, black sand beaches
and great restaurants. It lies very close to the Volcano
National Park. Avoid going to Hilo or Puna on a Sunday,
as most likely nothing will be open.
Mauna Kea Observatory
Located on the summit of Mauna Kea at an altitude
of approximately 14,000 feet above sea level, lies
a collection of astronomical observatories. This is
deemed as one of the best locations for astronomy
due to its location and isolation in the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors are advised to stop at the visitor’s center at an
elevation of 9,000 feet in order to acclimate and also
to learn more about the facilities. Make sure to come
way before sunset to be able to tour the area, and also
get a nice spot for the sunset before all of the tourists
show up. Sunset views are magical and definitely not to
be missed. For the professional photographers or avid
hobbyists, make sure to bring along your tripod. Those
with health conditions should consult with their doctors
prior to making the long trek up, and some may be
advised to not go any further than the visitor’s center.
Accommodations
There are many types of accommodations to choose
from ranging from hotels to condos. I personally
prefer the convenience of condos where I have the
option to cook my own meals when I want and the
extra available space.
This was our second time staying at the Holua Resort
in Kailua-Kona (20 minutes south of the airport).
The facilities here are great. Rooms are big, clean
and colorful. Equipped with a small but efficient
kitchen, large living and dinning room space and a
bedroom. They also have units with two bedrooms,
just make sure to book ahead. Rooms come with
patios; although some have great views of the ocean,
while others don’t have a great view at all so be sure
to request this if you can. The first time around we
didn’t have much of a view to speak of, but that didn’t
bother us at all. This time, however, we lucked out
with a large patio facing the ocean. I could have easily
spent the whole day sitting on our patio, sipping the
wonderful Kona coffee and snuggling into my book.
There are barbeque grills stationed throughout the
resort if you wish to grill up burgers or steak – did
I mention that the burgers here are melt-in-yourmouth good? There are pools scattered around the
complex, and the facilities also include tennis courts
and a small gym. The resort is conveniently located
close to the town of Kona and Ali’i
Drive, the main strip, where most
of the restaurants and stores are
located, and close to the airport.
There is a KTA supermarket just
ten minutes away where you can
load up on groceries.
Dining
Splashers
An all-American fare restaurant
set alongside Ali’i Drive with great
views of the ocean. Famous for
their massive and juicy burgers
with all the trimmings you can
imagine, make sure to show up
hungry. Breakfast has also been
rated well, however I never got to
try it out myself.
Mauna Kea Observatory
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American Women’s Club of the Philippines
DREAMING AWAY ON THE BIG ISLAND
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Green Flash Coffee
Tucked away on Ali’i Drive, no views to boast about
here, just really great food. Top picks were the breakfast
sandwiches, and they also offer many healthy smoothies!
The Coffee Shack
An absolute gem of a place perched on top of a hill
(south of the Captain Cook Post Office); a perfect place
to munch on breakfast or lunch or just take a break and
sip their homegrown Kona coffee while marveling at the
view below.
Fairmont Orchid Hotel
The sunset views at the Beach House Grill are just
impeccable. Enjoy a nice meal gazing at the setting sun
while being serenaded to Hawaiian music. This is also a
great place to view turtles, called Honu in Hawaiian. They
wash up the beach to take a rest. If you are lucky you
will even get to see them while swimming in the ocean.
We really enjoyed visiting the beach here as it has a kid
friendly section alongside a “quiet” beach, where you
can read your book or just take a nap while the breeze
washes over your face. Your pick! However for the price
of the meal, I wasn’t all that blown away, but the sunset
made up for this difference.
Travel Musts
Most accommodations offer beach towels, so don’t
worry about packing those. My top travel must haves are:
The Coffee Shack_Coffee with a View
a rental car (the island is huge, and you will need a car to
get around), snorkel sets, a cooler and lots of sunscreen.
You can get most items at any of the numerous ABC
stores. These are their local convenience stores, akin to
7-Eleven, except much better with lots of great souvenir
finds. We frequented this store once or twice daily,
typically to load up our cooler with drinks, lunch and
snacks before starting our day. Best
souvenirs to load up on include: Kona
coffee (you can get good deals at the
KTA stores or Costco), macadamia
chocolates and pearls.
Best Travel Book
I can’t say this enough, Hawaii The
Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate
Guidebook by Andrew Doughty
was instrumental on both of our
trips. The amount of detail that the
writer goes through makes sure that
nothing goes uncovered, showing
you just how to reach the most
remote beaches (just be sure to have
a 4W drive for some of them). An
adventurer’s delight!
Sunset at Fairmont Orchid Hotel
Mahalo!
February 2015
19
THERE’S A NEW GAME IN TOWN…
By: Mary Anne Hickey
C
ity of Dreams Manila is in soft
opening right now, but by the
time this article goes to press,
they will have had their Grand
Opening on February 2. Situated in
Entertainment City on Macapagal
Avenue, just south of Mall of Asia,
it is Manila’s newest hotel/casino
complex. City of Dreams consists
of three hotels: Crown Towers,
the uber luxurious brand; Nobu,
the funky, hip and trendy; and
Hyatt, familiar and comfortable.
There is also a huge casino, along
with 21 restaurants, two spas, two
nightclubs and shopping. For the
kids, they partnered with Steven
Spielberg’s Dreamworks to create
Dreamplay, scheduled to open in
March. It will be amazing.
There has been a lot of hype surrounding the opening.
You may have seen the advertisement called “The
Audition” with Robert de Niro, Martin Scorcese and
Leonardo di Caprio. Check it out at https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=N8wv2IzbNmE. Robert de Niro
is a co-owner of Nobu Hotel. The only other Nobu Hotel
is in Las Vegas.
Melco Crown Entertainment runs this property--a joint
venture of Lawernce Ho, son of Hong Kong gaming
king Stanley Ho (and a billionaire
in his own right), and James
Packer, an Australian billionaire
and owner of Crown Towers hotels
as well as RatPac Productions.
RatPac Productions produced the
aforementioned advertisement as
well as a couple of other little films,
such as “Gravity” and “American
Sniper.” It is therefore rumored that
some of Hollywood will be there for
the Grand Opening. I’ll let you know.
These guys are sparing no expense
to make City of Dreams the number
one gambling and entertainment
spot, not only in Manila, but in
Southeast Asia. They have hired
over 5,200 employees, making them
one of the largest employers in the
country.
For you foodies in the group, you
won’t be disappointed by the
restaurants. The Michelin rated
Tasting Room in Macau makes its
debut here and is my favorite. Chef
William’s creations are outstanding.
Of course, Nobu restaurant is worldrenowned. The poolside restaurant,
Wave, is great for casual dining al
fresco and watching the sunset. Red
Ginger is top notch for Asian fusion.
Prego has good Italian cuisine (the
same owners of L’Opera). Crystal
Dragon can’t be beat for Cantonese
cuisine. The Hyatt Café has an
amazing buffet. I can’t vouch for all
of the other restaurants, as they haven’t opened yet. I
am dying to try the afternoon tea in the Crystal Lounge
in Crown Towers. I had one of their signature drinks,
and what spectacular presentation!
And if you are a gambler, the casino will definitely be
to your liking. Whether you just play the slots or are a
serious contender, City of Dreams has a seat for you.
In the middle of the casino is Centerplay, a raised stage
providing 24/7 entertainment Vegas style. The fortune
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February 2015
21
THERE’S A NEW GAME IN TOWN…
..................................................................................................
Casino
egg that you see from the outside houses the two
nightclubs, Pangaea and Chaos. I’ve been to Pangaea.
It’s not my style, but I’m past my clubbing days. The
men will love it! Chaos hasn’t opened yet.
I have had the privilege of watching this project come
together. My husband is the General Manager of Crown
Towers. I’ve been checking out the rooms and eating in
the restaurants before opening. Nobu and Hyatt have
Lawrence Ho and James Packer
been operating for a month now,
but Crown Towers opened its doors
on February 2. The staff is excited,
as it has been a long year preparing
for this moment. Nothing against
the uniform people, but you won’t
find any Cintas labels on these
staff. They are all elegantly dressed
in uniforms designed by Filipino
designer Rajo Laurel. You have to
check out the Crown Towers lobby
girls.
So I’ve got my gown and I’m ready
for the gala opening. I’m going to
meet Robert de Niro. He just doesn’t
know that yet.
Robert de Niro, Lawrence Ho and Chef Nobu Matsuhisa
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22
American Women’s Club of the Philippines
FINDING EVERYDAY
AUTHENTIC EXPRESSION THROUGH AUBADE
By: Barrie M. Tugade-Hlatky
E
very year, just weeks before
this month of love begins, my
business takes me to the famed
City of Lights to attend fashion week.
That is where I discovered Aubade.
My love affair with the French
lingerie brand Aubade started about
10 years ago. I felt disconnected
and overweight. Amidst efforts of
exercise and diet, progress was slow
and difficult... until I came across
this brand.
Mind you, it wasn’t quite love at first sight. The reference
of “lingerie” intimidated me. Admiring the pieces, I
found myself having panic-stricken thoughts like: “it’s
too expensive”; “I just need a basic”; or “I’m not skinny
enough” yada, yada, yada. You get the picture. Bottom
line, I said “no” before I even bothered to look closer,
despite being a firm believer in the mantra “don’t knock
it ‘til you try it”.
The following day I reconsidered and decided to put my
belief in action. And there, to my surprise, I heard the
clear, ever-present pitter patter of my heart. Each piece
represented a magical indulgence that made me feel
both luxurious and empowered.
I was drawn to the intricate pink Broderie Anglaise
juxtaposed by a mélange of fuchsia satin straps. I was
captivated by the breathtaking details. My eyes followed
the bold geometric story told by the stitches that
concluded with a ruby red Swarovski crystal. Coup de
foudre – love at second sight!
Am I worthy? Asks the voice in my head.
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February 2015
23
FINDING EVERYDAY AUTHENTIC EXPRESSION THROUGH AUBADE
..................................................................................................
I held the piece for a while and
decided to muster the courage to
try it on. Instantly something shifted.
I felt well supported. It’s true what
they say: “a bra (a.k.a ‘lingerie’) is
like a good friend – hard to find,
comfortable, supportive, lifts you up,
makes you look better, never lets you
down and stays close to your heart.”
But, Aubade offered something
extra. It made me feel confident
from the inside out. It radiated my
authenticity without explanation.
Aubade believes no woman is the
same. She is special - not a basic.
That’s why each collection, though
“basic” in function, is designed
with haute couture artistry to elicit
everyday authentic expression.
Look closer, and you will notice that
there are at least 22 pieces stitched
together to make an Aubade bra,
each part sewn to communicate a
story. For perspective, it takes four
minutes to sew a shirt, anywhere
from three to six hours to sew an
Aubade bra, and even from two
to four hours to sew an Aubade
bottom.. It takes between 18 and 24
months for an Aubade collection to
come to life. The brand represents
a tradition of craftsmanship, fit,
function, and form upheld since
1875. Color combinations are
chosen to elicit personality, and
details purposely placed so as not
interfere when layered with your
clothes.
I chose the styles that matched my
personality. Finally, my inner super
hero had something to wear. I was
schooled that day on the strength
of Calais lace and its ability to
precisely contour, as well as the
genius of using this soft material to
provide full comfort and undeniable
support.
Aubade gave me clarity on the
essence of self-love. There was
no denying the power of wearing
something
beautiful
inside,
embracing my femininity, and
accepting my body shape as it
is. Suddenly, dressing for the
outside world seemed easier. I was
confident just wearing my most
casual. Soon there was a pep in my
step, connecting to the moment
made sense, and even eating had a
purpose.
Dressing from within guided me to
own my authenticity. Yes I am worth
it! You are too.
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24
American Women’s Club of the Philippines