Timtim portfolio

a clean-up in their respective places. Incidentally, the Cebu clean-up organized by Aquadive is happening today (photos here are from past events). From the Maribago area up to Agos, Aquadive will remove the trash and illegal fishing paraphernalia that they will find on the coast and under. “We will also create an artificial reef,” Eric said, “It’s still on experimental stage. We’ll see if it works and if it does, we might go on a bigger scale.” It is safe to say that nearly every part of Cebu is home to an impressive diving spot. “Everywhere you go, you see different creatures,” Ofir said. For instance, Mactan is where one can find small critters like pygmy seahorses, while Moalboal is where one can find the bigger ones like sardines and whale sharks, and then up north in Malapascua are the thresher sharks. “We have never gone on a dive and people said they didn’t see anything,” the three diving instructors agreed. The diversity found in the nearby waters is what also led their group to organize dive safaris. “It is normally conducted around the Visayas triangle,” Eric shared. Their jump off point is Cebu and they move to the neighboring islands like Negros and Leyte. Their participants are as diverse as the creatures they’ll be seeing—from the hardcore underwater photographers, to recreational divers,

and environmental divers; basically people who are interested in seeing what life is like underwater. The safari goes on for about three days, in which the participants can go on three to four dives per day.

Eric, who is a businessman, said that diving is his way of alleviating himself from the stresses of work. “You get peace and quiet underwater,” he said, “But most of all, after I learned diving, I had a better perspective on environmental awareness. Diving gave me a better perspective on the importance of the smallest fish to the biggest shark.” (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

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SUN STARlive!LETECIA SUAREZ-ORENDAIN Editor

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NELIA G. NERI Editorial Consultant CHERRY ANN T. LIM Managing Editor [Special Pages & Features]

people | environment | health | leisure Divingwith

purpose

If you’re in Cebu and you have never tried diving, Ofir Yudilevich likens it to “going to Paris and

never seeing the Eiffel Tower.”

For a true blue Cebuana who wasn’t even sure what scuba stands for, hearing that statement was overwhelming. According to professional instructors Ofir Yudilevich, Eric Casas, and John Melendres of Aquadive, Cebu is a diving mecca because of its rich and varied marine life. Divers from other countries would come here just to see and experience for themselves the wonders of the world underneath. But as John Melendres pointed out, “you can’t keep on diving if there’s nothing to see.” There are many factors constantly threatening Cebu’s marine life like dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, collection of corals, and the exporting of reefs. The three divers do their part in taking care of the marine environment by participating in the World Environmental Clean-up. It is a yearly event held on September wherein divers from all over the world do

BY FIONA PATRICIA S. ESCANDOR

A NO NO. A diver holding illegal fish pens.

ALL-TIME FAVE. “Let’s include this picture,” Eric said, “because everyone loves Nemo.”

AWESOME. One of the beautiful sights underwater, a Chromodoris Kontiki (a sea slug).

HARMLESS COMPANION. Swimming with the whale shark, a slow-moving filter feeding, harmless creature, and the largest living fish species.

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Sunday

NELIA G. NERI Editorial Consultant CHERRY ANN T. LIM Managing Editor [Special Pages & Features] LETECIA SUAREZ-ORENDAIN Editor

people | leisure | health | soul

Dealing with friend who stole boyfriend

Ramgen beat me: Janelle

t’s something like a minor miracle, the gifts we get from the Sto. Niño in these modern

times when we tend to forget, in the breakthroughs of science and communication, and in the dizzying array of goods in malls, that we do have a reason for our existence other than being consumed by consumerism and dazzled by the latest gizmos.

Every so often, He makes sure we remember, and we turn to Him for solace, for guidance, for solutions to our problems, whether major or minor.

The Sto. Niño of Cebu draws people to Him, not just because He is such a lovable figure, but also because He is known to be generous in answering prayers. We asked Val Sandiego and Ben Chua to share some of their experiences with the Child God.

Choreographer Val Sandiego knows for certain that his prayers were answered. He cites two gifts he received from the Sto. Niño. The first is his wife, the former Ofelia Zozobrado, for whose heart Val had asked the Sto. Niño. The second is the gift of life, of good health for his second daughter, Andie.

They were then in the United States, and Andie was having splitting headaches that made her constantly cry. A doctor said she had some kind of meningitis. Val was in a quandary, not only because of the condition of Andie, but also because as a devotee of Our Lady of Carmel, he had made a promise to be in Cebu for Her procession in Barangay Mabolo and it was time to leave for Cebu.

In his distress, he remembered that he had this handkerchief he always carried whenever he traveled: it was a handkerchief that he had wiped on the original statue of the Sto. Niño of Cebu.

He explained that when he was a choreographer for the Colegio del Sto. Niño, the rector, Fr. Galindez, would invite some people to venerate this particular statue in the room where it was kept, before it would be brought down for the yearly procession, and they were permitted to wipe the Niño with their handkerchiefs.

Val took that handkerchief and placed it on Andie’s head and soon enough, she calmed down, stopped crying and the following day, was fully well and playing without medication. Val was able to fly back to Cebu knowing that his daughter was well.

For businessman Ben Chua, the Sto. Niño granted his prayers in a specific way, “in His time.”

Years ago, when Colon St. was still a busy business hub of Cebu, he asked the Sto. Niño for a place for his business in Colon St. along where the yearly Sto. Niño procession would pass. True enough, he was able to get a place for his business, right across Gaisano. When malls opened and business in Colon became slow, Ben asked the Sto. Niño again for a place he could buy somewhere in Osmeña Blvd., still in Cebu City.

Ben specified that he wanted a place where the Sto. Niño procession would pass. And true enough, he was able to find one; at first he found the price too steep but later on, it was the owner who approached him if a particular price was agreeable to him.

I have experiences of the Sto. Niño working in my life, too. Some decades ago, on a random day, neither a Friday nor a “Mass” day, I decided to make a short visit to the Niño at the Basilica del Sto. Niño in Cebu City. It was a pleasant surprise to meet Prof. Felix B. Bautista, my former University of Sto. Tomas professor and also my former editor at the defunct Evening News, at the Juan Luna entrance gate of the basilica.

It turned out that he had flown to Cebu particularly to invite me to be a stringer for the Union of Catholic

Asian News based in Hong Kong. He did not know my address and I’m not even sure

if he knew my married name, but he was positive he would meet me

at the basilica! Wow! What trust he had in the Sto. Niño’s power and how right he was in his trust.

Another time, two years ago, I was at a wake where a woman

(I never got her name) had this mission of distributing

statuettes of the Sto. Niño, not particularly great-looking,

with a stack of folded casino bingo cards as their base. A

cousin asked her to give me one because, she said, I commute so I

have a need for the statue. Going home later that evening,

my car died on me right before the corner of N. Bacalso Ave. and

Maria Gochan St., Cebu City. I called Wheelers so the car could be towed.

While waiting for the tow truck, an old man asked me if I wanted my car towed and

I said yes, please. He nodded, walked across the street, and never came back. Then a younger

guy, this time on a motorcycle, stopped and asked if I needed help. When I said yes, he told me he would park his vehicle (he happened to live in the corner house) and then come back.

He not only pushed the car to Maria Gochan St., he also tinkered with the engine and told me flatly that my engine was dead. He said he was a mechanic and if I needed one, to call him on his cell phone the following morning when stores would be open and the needed car parts could be secured. Since my mechanic lives in another city, Talisay City, and the car would be towed to my children’s place in Cebu City, I certainly needed one.

I had to pray to the Sto. Niño that the mechanic would give me the “right” numbers because my cell phone, also in a dying mode, would not register two digits, 5 and 6, when pressed. Eureka! His number skipped them! To this day, that statuette, minus the bingo cards, is glued to my dashboard, a constant reminder that He is there, always on call, whenever I need Him.

There are more of these stories of the Sto. Niño in our lives. No wonder He is the biggest crowd drawer to Cebu. Happy fiesta, dear Sto. Niño de Cebu!

BY JENARA REGIS NEWMAN

Why marriagescares men

Is AngelinaJolie pregnant?

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leisure | art | people | travel | culture

There have been many Miss Cebu lovelies and this year, the 28th beauty queen of the

city will be chosen not just for her good looks, but also for her winning personality; in a sea of lovely faces, it’s the personality that stands out that will give the Miss Cebu hopeful the judges’ nod.

Miss Cebu started out as Miss Cebu Tourism in 1984, becoming Miss Cebu in 2002. The title may be different, but the beauty search is essentially the same: a search for a beautiful young lady who will stand for Cebu and represent the city in official functions where her beauty and grace will enhance the dynamic face of Cebu.

There have been 27 such worthy beauties and Sun.Star Cebu got in touch with four of them to see how they fared after their Miss Cebu reign.

The first Miss Cebu Tourism was Janice Bañez, who joined the contest in 1984 for the fun of it

after her University of the Philippines professors urged her to join. She said the contest boosted her self-confidence. She learned how to be a good representative of Cebu and of the country. She was sent to Tokyo and was featured in Tokyo’s newspapers and magazine, as well as television.

She said she still sells Cebu to this day: the skills of the people, the professionalism of the industry, the products of the place which should make it worth it for buyers to come over. This is because Janice ended up in the furniture export business when she met and married Paul Minor (he was her mother’s tenant and when her mother left for the United States, she was left with the task of receiving his rent).

She and Paul set up their furniture export business under the name Janice Minor. She points out that Paul is the technical man, his background being in the furniture manufacturing business. She handles the marketing. After years of being exclusively an export company, the Minors decided to have a retail store for the furniture and household accessories. Last year, Janice launched her Binibini line of fashion jewelry, hats, shoes and bags.

Over a decade later, Jo Ann Castillo became Miss Cebu Tourism 1997, after prodding from the student

affairs office. Being Miss Cebu Tourism had “a great impact” on her. As a teenager, she was not outgoing. She learned to be at ease in meeting all kinds of personalities which has stood her in good stead after she earned her hotel and restaurant management degree from the University of San Carlos.

She was in the pioneering batch of that course and when she graduated, there was not much of an opening for her kind of degree. She worked two years as a teller for a bank until she finally found a job that fit her educational background.

She started as public relations assistant in Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan and worked up the ranks and became assistant marketing manager. After eight years she moved to Club Ultima as corporate sales director. Now she is with Crimson Resort and Spa. In her words, “coming from a business hotel, being with Crimson is another learning experience for me since it’s more of a leisure hotel.”

In 2007, Loise Angelique Moile Tan was Miss Cebu. In her words: “I won not only the title of Miss Cebu but also the experience of a lifetime. I was just a student then but I was able to travel to different places here and outside the country, met

Yesteryear’s

BY JENARA REGIS NEWMAN

Miss Cebu

Quartet ofA

. .

JO ANN CASTILLO

LOISE ANGELIQUE MOILE TAN

JENNIFER WEE-TANJANICE BAÑEZ-MINOR

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Pre-marital sex shatters family

5 films in race for SAG ensemble

Downtown

Oasis ofGreen

Plaza Independencia, at 2,500 square meters, is the largest park in Cebu City, an oasis

of green that has been there since the Spanish times. In the 1600s, it was called Plaza de Armas, which the Spanish military, based in Fort San Pedro, used as its training and parade ground. A brief history of the place notes that “Later, by realizing its necessity to the public, it was widened, reaching far enough to the properties (near) the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.”

It was later known, towards the end of the Spanish era, as Plaza Maria Cristina in honor of the reigning Spanish queen. The Americans changed its name to Plaza Libertad, and the place became known as

Plaza Independencia after the Americans left. Today the complex consists of the main plaza and Fort San Pedro, including the grounds surrounding the fort.

Because of its place in Cebu history and the city’s need for an oasis of green, Mayor Michael Rama, as city vice mayor in 2004, formed the Plaza Independencia Redux Design Team to redesign the plaza when the “subterranean tunnel project of the national government was at its initial phase.” With the tunnel project finished, the Parks and Playgrounds Committee under chairman Dr. Librado Macaraya Jr. is finally implementing the design made by the Rajah Humabon Cebu Chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines.

Today, the main plaza sports a new look and a new atmosphere: gone are the vendors inside the plaza; the terrain has been flattened to make visible all the corners of the plaza. It is well secured night and day and well lighted at night.

The heritage park and fountain, the Legaspi Obelisk, the Ramon Magsaysay statue, the War Veterans memorial, and the Japanese peace memorial have been retained. Gone is the skating rink, and except for the structure needed for any emergency in the tunnel that may arise, the view of the plaza is unobstructed.

The fort is clearly visible from M.J. Cuenco Ave., and the Malacañang sa Sugbo is visible from its Legaspi St. side. It has a perimeter walk, a main concourse, a pedestrian concourse, and benches under ancient trees. The clean, green and peaceful atmosphere has lured a different kind of visitors to the plaza: families, joggers, people out for exercise or for a need for fresh air, students relaxing or studying, instead of the mostly shady characters and lovers that sought the shadows of the Plaza Independencia of yesteryears.

The fort itself has also undergone renovation under Dr. Macaraya. It’s cleaner, greener with trees and shrubs well trimmed, its toilets clean and clean smelling. But Dr. Macaraya says there’s a lot more to be done. The area surrounding the fort is envisioned to be a children’s playground. And though the playground fixtures are not yet there, it is still a place for children to have fun. It has been used by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation for native games like tubig-tubig, sungka and takyan for children during Children’s Month in October.

Plaza Independencia is now a park worthy of Cebu, the Queen City of the Philippine south. It is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekends and holidays.

TEXT BY FOTOS BY ARNI ACLAO

A view of the plaza from Fort San Pedro.

In charge of transforming the Plaza Independencia complex is Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds chairman Dr. Librado “Ado” Macaraya Jr., an ophthalmologist by profession and a horticulturist by avocation.

Plaza Independencia, from Legaspi St. Strollers on a rainy day inside the plaza.

Sunday, September 4, 2011 SECTIONB

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Developingintimacy


Sunday

CHERRY ANN T. LIM Managing Editor [Special Pages & Features]

Sometimes, you just got to level up a bit. You can’t stay on “101” forever. Meet Gumer, Dave and Zach. These guys are not only music teachers that share their craft in a music school, but are also local artists as well, that have contributed their skills in excellent performance and songwriting in the Cebu music scene.

That said; imagine how these classes are going to be like. “In our school and also personally, I don’t just teach my students how to play instruments but also teach them how to play music,” shares Gumer Entero, frontman and guitarist of Happy Days for 11 years now. “We constantly let them play along with other instruments, allowing them to develop their timing and rhythm. We also monitor their progress periodically by letting them jam with their fellow

students,” he adds. The trio shares that although mastering theory is very good, it’s a whole different lot when it comes to giving out a performance in real life. Dave Gonzales, guitarist for progressive metal band Stallions of the Burning Church and instrumental band Tsunami, shares: “I do not teach musical notation, although I talk about it and explain it to my students a little, but I do not dwell on it too much. I approach teaching in the most practical way, I focus more on how they can apply what they have learned to the real world in real situations.” So perhaps, from the proper “rock stance”, to troubleshooting your equipments and gadgets on stage, these guys try to impart their knowledge which they themselves have gained from experience gigging around the country. “We want them to enjoy while learning at the same time, without forgetting about the fundamentals of music theory,” keyboardist Zach Escobedo adds and agrees with his bandmate Dave. Both are members of the same bands. Besides all three being musicians, they all took up Engineering courses at the University of San Carlos also. Clearly, their passions in life have led them to take up teaching in I Love Music Cebu, a school set up in Talamban, Cebu City. Together with other teachers, they try to share—to the best of

their abilities—their art and craft. “The youngest student that I ever taught was five years old. The oldest student was around in his 50s,” Dave explained how age doesn’t really matter when one wants to learn. Just like any teacher too, these “engineers” find fulfillment when they watch their students during recitals. “To witness their journey from being a beginner to becoming advanced students is a very fascinating view. I feel very proud when I see my students perform, because the way they perform is a direct reflection of how good you are as a teacher,” states Dave. “It’s very heart warming. No words can explain it, especially if you can see the students and their parents are enjoying,” Gumer adds. Here’s a little tip from teacher Zach for aspiring musicians: “For those who want to learn how to play, don’t force yourself to learn at first. Crave for a while and it is your interest that will make you want to learn. Second, exchange ideas with other musicians, you’ll learn from them and they’ll learn from you too. Third, be humble and play for God. And of course, always be happy with what you are doing, enjoy while you learn and don’t stop learning.” Any more questions? Ah no. Jack Black is not running the school, nor is he part of the said faculty.

TEXT BY LUIS A. QUIBRANZA IIIFOTOS BY ALEX BADAYOS

people | relationships | health | leisure

Guitar’s busted? Call in sick and look for this

guy. At least, that’s what people perceive him to be or what his practice so far says about him: a guitar “doctor” who is willing to attend to any

musical need.

How’d this all start? Quite a funny story actually.

“Since the first time I performed on stage, I have used my own custom-built guitar. Some

people thought at that time that if they’ll have my guitar too, they can play or sound similarly.

So orders started to come,” shares Edgar “Edz Anch” Anciano. Edz was the lead guitarist for a rock band called Abyss decades ago. Their music according to him, was influenced from a variety of

stuff the guys in the group listened to: 80s rock, Scorpions, Metallica,

Air Supply, Michael Learns to Rock, The Beatles, Duran Duran, Rush, Nirvana, Santana, and Joe Satriani. “Abyss started due to vandalism inside our high school campus before. The next day we were caught by the guidance councilor. We were called “big trouble airheads,” but we explained that what we did was just to promote our band

name on the campus walls.” “She didn’t buy it so she said to us that

as punishment, we should ‘repaint the walls and ask our band

to play in a

science quiz.’ And that’s how it all started.” Edz has a guitar shop set up along A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue that has been in business since 1995 while Abyss was still touring.

They customize guitars of all types and repair and

restore your instruments also. Not only that, the man also set up his own school that offers lessons in playing the drums, bass guitar, and keyboards. But the

choice specialty of the school would

always be giving out basic or advanced guitar

lessons. “I have a lot of customers who brought their dear guitars to the wrong person and lost the value of their musical instrument.” Doctor’s orders? “What we do here is first assess the situation and the condition of the instrument before we do any major operation. For example, the neck truss rod problems. We will do the best that we can to restore it to the original condition as you first bought it, maintaining the original value.” Edz and his group have had their share of fame, as they played in the professional circuit for over 10 years. Recording two albums, the group toured all over the Philippines and Singapore then. Although the band, according to Edz, can still play up to this day (though very rarely), he shares that a lot has changed about him and his ways since then. “As of now I’m serving in the church I belong to. I also share my knowledge in music and skills, as well as teaching people especially musicians to learn and understand the word of God and to walk in the light.” Perhaps, musical instruments may not be the only thing this guitar doc, would like to help care for these days.

Keira can love 2 men at once

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B4NELIA G. NERI Editorial Consultant

B5Shaving tips for men LETECIA SUAREZ-ORENDAIN Editor

leisure | art | people | travel | culture. .

CHERRY ANN T. LIM Managing Editor [Special Pages & Features]

y gSo ord

Edg roaw

stuto: 8

Air Suppl

BY LUIS A. QUIBRANZA III

HUMOROUS START. “Some people thought at that time that if they’ll have my guitar too, they can play or sound similarly. So orders started to come,” said Edgar Anch” Anciano as a joke.

How can youquit smoking?

“Breaking Dawn”:The AP review

Monday, November 21, 2011 SECTIONB

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B2 B4 LETECIA SUAREZ-ORENDAIN Editor


leisure | art | people | travel | culture. .

TEXT BY FOTOS BY ALEX BADAYOS

INDIE EYE OF A

TEENAGE FILMMAKER

He used a cell phone to make simple films, and learned to cut, to put everything together for simple and short vignettes. Aside from filming, he was also into music and was a vocalist in a band. But he realized he could not excel in a band.

When he was in junior high, he concentrated on filming, and made a simple summary film on the Count of Monte Cristo using a 7.2 megapixel digital camera. After making that and receiving positive response from people, he was encouraged to pursue his craft.

His parents then did not expect him to excel in this.

He recounts: “A painful episode was when I was accused of doing drugs because I had stayed out late, editing in my cousin’s computer. I was depressed and thought of stopping, but I realized that there’s no reason to stop if you love what you are doing. And if there’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing, you’re okay. It’s worth fighting for, to go for your dreams.”

He was in second year when he formed a team called Arcos Lineage Productions, mostly with his classmates who shared his passion.

As years passed by, some fell away and the group is now composed 80 percent of young people

aged 18 and below, from different schools, and 20 percent of professionals, like Rudy Aviles, playwright (Bisikleta is his work) and theater director.

Keit says: “Last December, my dad gave me a Canon 550 D, which is what most indie filmmakers are using right now. It’s what I used for Bisikleta, only one camera. Nagbalikbalik gyud ang mga cuts.” (The shots had to be repeated.)

His other works aside from Bisikleta include the University of Cebu 2011 advertisement for which he is credited as the creator, and a film, Kung Nahibalo Pa Lang Ka, his entry to “Project Luv” sponsored by the UC Council of Presidents, which won him the grand prize, and best film director and best production. His next film is a psycho thriller which he hopes will be finished by December.

Keit describes himself as “the type who wants to share with people, to touch people’s lives. When I

made ‘Bisikleta,’ I just wanted to help people out, for them not to be afraid to express themselves. Though “Bisikleta” is a gay film, the story is not just about gays. It’s about sharing feelings with someone, even if there’s a risk. For me, money is just a bonus. On my birthday last May, I fed little children. As an indie filmmaker, I know money is not forthcoming. Appreciation is all I aim for.”

Filmmaking is the career Keit sees in his future. “I really want to promote Cebu through my films, as well as the Filipino culture. I will preserve the Visayan language in the films I will do.” The biggest dream for him is his very own TV station!

Those who want to know more about Arcos can see what it does in www.facebook.com/arcoslineageproductions or www.youtube.com/arcoslineagepro.

t age 17, Keit Nicko Pastorite already has an indie film, Bisikleta, to his name.

A high school graduate of the University of Cebu now taking film studies at the University of San Carlos, Keit reveals his love affair with videography started when he was 10 years old and in Grade 5.

KEIT NICKO PASTORITE

“Comfortable” may not be the first description that comes to mind where yoga, with its prolonged breaths and pretzel-like poses, is concerned. But at the Surya Nanda Yoga studio, teachers emphasize how accessible yoga can be.

Beginners who try their Yin-Inspired Restorative Yoga classes find that while some of the poses do test their physical limits, at the end of the 75-minute sessions, they feel rested, comfortable, and yes, even happy.

Blanche Ladera, one of the owners and instructors at Surya Nanda, says they wanted to create a space where anyone interested in yoga would feel welcome. They opened the studio in November 2011, on the fourth floor of the Krizia Building near Gorordo Ave., Cebu City, just behind West Gorordo Hotel. The studio’s name combines the Sanskrit words for “sun” and “bliss.”

“We keep the atmosphere warm and bright and happy,” says Benilyn Formoso-Suralta, one of the four teachers who put up the studio “with an intention to make yoga more accessible for everyone who wants to try it.”

That intention is reflected in their prices, which, at P75 for members and P100 to P150 for walk-in students, are among the best deals in town.

While some of the poses or asanas can intimidate, especially those among us who are overweight or inflexible, the teachers make it a point not just to challenge, but to show compassion. Beginners are taught modifications until, with sustained practice,

they develop the flexibility, balance and strength to hold the full pose.

Benilyn, who teaches Power Core Vinyasa and the Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series, says she was drawn to yoga because it matches her “active, yet serene” personality. She began practicing yoga in 2006, while pregnant, and has found many benefits beyond core strength and taut abs.

“Through the regular practice of Yoga, I have learned several positive values, such as patience and determination,” she says.

For Blanche, one of yoga’s greatest benefits was that it taught her to “breathe out negative energy and stress” and helped her “become more focused and less panicky in an out-of-

control situation.”Instructor and co-owner Ferilyn Magno

recalls how she began to be interested in yoga when she read, in high school, that the singer of her favorite band was

also a yogi. A chance encounter with a yoga teacher in 2009 led her to a regular class, and later awakened a wish to teach others.

“Yoga is new to Cebu, so only a few people know about this,” she says.

When meeting beginners, Jeanne likes to explain the greeting that starts

and ends each yoga class. “Namaste,” she says, “means, ‘The divinity in me bows to

the divinity in you.’” Shorn of its Hollywood associations, yoga is, after all, a discipline that

helps practitioners unite body with mind, self with God. At Surya Nanda, they teach it in a way that is forgiving and approachable—and

that’s part of what makes each class divine.

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Life ‘not fair’for eldest sister

Ted Turner juggles 4 GFs

“If one can breathe, one can do yoga,” says Jeanne Torrefranca, who traded a 15-year career in the corporate world for the challenge and privilege of

teaching yoga full-time. “There are many types and one just has to explore which yoga makes him comfortable, happy, and challenged within limits.”

ApproachableYOGATEXT BY FOTOS BY AMPER CAMPAÑA

EACH ONE, TEACH ONE. The studio’s teachers offer a variety of styles, includingthe classical Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series and newer variations like Yogalates and Yoganastics. Surya Nanda’s teachers include (clockwise from center) Jeanne Torrefranca, Benilyn Formoso-Suralta, Blanche Ladera, Arlien Alcoseba-Buhain and Eric Linihan.

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EACH ONE, TEACH ONE. The studio’s teachers offer a variety of styles, including

FREE CLASSES. Instructor and co-owner Blanche Ladera, shown here during one of the studio’s free Karma Yoga classes, says it was her first teacher’s patience and kind instruction that inspired her to keep practicing and, eventually, to teach.

HOLD THE POSE. Students hold the bow pose, which opens the chest and strengthens the back muscles. Other poses to try are swan, warrior, camel and pigeon.

Most people are familiar with the Hollywood

hit Marley and Me, that popular film featuring the adorable yellow Labrador Retriever that captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Probably, most Cebuanos have also shared such a bond with their very own pet.

Parkmall has now transformed itself into a venue that allows customers to bring their beloved pets along with them while they hang out.

This concept started way back in October 2010 when the mall launched its first fashion show for pets, dubbed “Pawshionista.” From then on, doors were opened for owners and their pets alike in the area’s premises, both outside and inside the main mall.

“Parkmall always wants to enhance family and relationships, and we have noticed that there are already a few Cebuanos who have—to a certain degree—considered their pets part of their family,” shared Maria Carla Estella, the public relations officer.

Since the move to become a pet-friendly mall in Cebu, the response has generally been good. “We have received positive feedback from our customers, telling us that they are so happy since they always felt sad going to the mall before since they had to leave their pets behind.”

“To maintain the cleanliness of the mall, we have pet hygiene kits available at the customer service counter, and we have several pet stations around Parkmall for easy disposal of pet wastes,” said Carla.

The first thing that enters people’s minds when the word “pet” is mentioned is their canine companions. But here, every kind of pet is welcome. In fact, a few events in the past have turned this mall into a mini zoo of some kind for the entire family.

“We’ve seen different sorts of pets coming in and out of Parkmall, especially when we had the Animal Awareness

Week and the Pet Expo events. We had people bring in huge breeds of dogs. We’ve seen cats. Some bring sugar gliders, tarantulas and scorpions, geckos, fighting fish, hedgehogs and other different pets (for display to the public).”

But do humans and animals dwell together in harmony? This question might be posed by some members of society who could find it a little disturbing to share the escalator with a Doberman.

“As of now, we see that Cebuanos are very receptive to the concept of bringing their pets along when they come to shop. We see this in the increasing number of registered pets ever since the launch of Parkmall as a pet-friendly mall. We are also very happy that pets and pet owners are disciplined when they come to Parkmall.”

The establishment also holds Responsible Pet Ownership Seminars from time to time to encourage proper handling of pets, especially in public places, and for owners to understand their pets and really meet their needs.

From the beginning, the mall was not just about creating a family-friendly

atmosphere but also about providing a place where every Cebuano could just chill and relax. This time, it looks like Cebuanos won’t be the only ones enjoying the homey ambiance.

Now they’ll be hanging loose with Lassie, or bumming out with Beethoven, or Garfield—whatever. (CONTRIBUTED FOTOS)

BY LUIS A. QUIBRANZA III

Sunday, March 11, 2012 SECTIONB

SeizeEACH DAY.

ALSO INSIDE:

Kids r us

Light

B6 B8

B3 B4


Sunday



Interferingmother-in-law

Weight question riles celeb chef

Malling with

‘Marley’

Negative attitude

Sunday, November 6, 2011 SECTIONB

SeizeEACH DAY.

ALSO INSIDE:

Kids r us

Light

B6 B8

B3 B5Celeb Q: making eyes


Sunday



Glancing upon this house located in a 543-square-meter lot, on an elevated portion of a subdivision in Talamban, the same aura radiates from the dominantly white physiognomy. The architect, Jose Mari Canizares, had “function” on top of his priorities when he was asked by a Cebuano couple based in the United States. They are coming back to Cebu (for good) within three years and they want their permanent home ready as early as possible. “Architecture, just like the human anatomy, has always been ‘form follows function.’ The façade or surface, like the human anatomy, is superficial and may be adjusted as long as it is functional,” says Canizares. The site may have been an ideal one

for a house for balikbayans, so one may wonder if there are still immediate and compelling essentials that the architect needed to solve. “We needed to maximize the allowable building height provided by the subdivision in order to take advantage of the various views like the city and Mactan Island across,” explains Canizares. He also pointed out that the building had to adjust to the usual conditions like introducing natural light and ventilation into its spaces. With hundreds of projects tucked under his belt, the architect is well aware of the benefits of working with the natural conditions in achieving savings in energy-consumption and maintenance costs for his buildings. The final product was a contemporary

“tropical” house that adapts to its surroundings. Its white walls sticks out in a positive way, the same way as the minimalist buildings of the International Style when its leading architects, including Le Corbusier, believed that ”white” buildings promote clarity and organization of cities. Its masters’ bedroom is perched on the highest part of the residence further emboldening the space as an ultimate refuge for its main user. “I decided to use the time tested tropical louvers on the side and rear portions of the house for natural cross air ventilation. With the rising cost of electricity, louvers are the most practical architectural element to go side by side with the tropical climate

since it can be fully open and can retain certain degree of openings depending on the needs. Louvers are extensively used in buildings in tropical and sub-tropical areas such as the ones seen in CSI Miami and Hawaiian Five-O,” he discusses. So how is this house different from his previous residential projects, architect Canizares says that the difference will always lie on the clients’ needs. Since one has to deal with clients each having a variety of visions and concerns, every project is always a venue for something fresh. Best of all, it epitomizes good architecture and that is a building that is truly functional by snugly fitting in with its environment. (CONTRIBUTED FOTOS)

BY KARL A.E.F. CABILAO, UAP

“This Monastery does not show off…it is on the inside that it lives.” This remark came from the famed modernist architect of the International Style, Le Corbusier, when he described his notable residence for Dominican monks, La Tourette in Eveux, France. The monastery was situated in a sloped portion of a wooded hill and possessed an austere yet functional exterior, affording its users a breathtaking (and contemplation-inducing) view of the outside.

SPARKLING WHITE

A SPOT OF SUNSHINE. Most of the interiors and “airy” and unified with its low “accent” partitions like this one in the kitchen.

EVENING BREEZE. The upper level balconies give the residents a taste of the fresh breeze coming from the hills while they appreciate the view surrounding the house.

SPARKLING JEWEL. In these evening shots, the facade of the hill-top house glows dramatically with all its strategically placed lights. Its good-looking exterior seems to dictate the functionality of the spaces inside the house.

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