by Jude A. Bacalso

Almost exclusive to the degustation of seafood is a macabre preprandial satisfaction in watching the subject thrash about in a cold metal scale.

Weighed down with life, the numbers rise steadily in crimson LED, announcing heft and corresponding monetary value like a boast; pincers and carapace full of the promise of the inevitable. An uncertain future that forks the question: chili crab or steamed?

I should have gone for the latter. After all, just-caught is to gourmet what hand-made is to couture; everything else is just seafood and clothes. Who needed the coconut milk and spice when I was in Roxas City, Capiz, Seafood Capital of the Philippines?

Read the whole article in our July 2009 issue.

Designer Milo Naval studied Architecture at the University of Sto. Tomas and took up Interior Design at the Philippine School of Interior Design. After more than 15 years of experience, he set up Evolve Designs, a company engaged in designing contemporary and modern furniture and accessories. His line of furniture has been exported to Europe, the US, Australia, South America, Asia, and the Middle East. His works have also been showcased in various international shows abroad: in Valencia, Spain; Maison & Objet in Paris; ICFF in New York; I Salone in Milan; and at the IMM in Cologne, Germany. He recently won the Bagong Sibol (Most Promising) Award for All Bottled Up (Recycled Product) – Manila Now 2009. His novel furniture collections are displayed in his first retail store and showroom O.M.O. (On My Own).

O.M.O. is located at the ground floor of the LRI Design Plaza, 210 Nicanor Garcia Street (formerly Reposo), Bel-Air II, Makati City; tel. +632 403 1208.

By Ernest Reynoso-Gala
Photos by Jorem Catilo

On the prowl for delicious Angus steak? Then I’m Angus is the place for you. Comfortable yet elegant, guests will lick their lips in anticipation as the menu showcases a wide variety of dishes both well-presented and perfectly cooked. The Seared Mahi Tuna Piri Piri (Php250/US$6) is top notch, and the wasabi mayo complements it well with its creamy and spicy flavor. The 21-ounce Tomahawk Steak (Php2,550/US$54) is the best in town. With its melt-in-the-mouth texture and savoury taste, the quality is second to none. The Chilean Sea Bass (Php1,090/US$23) is magnificent with its freshness and balanced mixture of ingredients, while the Montana Lamb Chops (Php1,290/US$27) will leave a lasting impression. Just as impressive is the wine list, an extensive array of over one hundred old and new world wines. I’m Angus is a gastronomic gem waiting to be discovered.

I’m Angus is located at 7431 Yakal Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City; tel. +632 892 6206; www.werdenberg.com.

Photos by David Angel

Currently residing in: London

Started designing young: From an early age, I was making Barbie clothes for my friends!

Favorite Filipino designer: I love Pitoy Moreno. He designed my mother’s wedding dress that I adore even to this day–his workmanship is impeccable.

Design principle: Treating and working with fabrics, not against it [sic]; movement, fluidity, a contrast of elements that all relates to the body form with a touch of surrealism.

On traveling: I always bring my favorite pair of tailored trousers that I designed for myself. You can create so many different looks with just one basic tailored garment.

On his designs: There is always an element of fantasy in my work. A piece of clothing can transform one’s being. My designs are figments of my imagination and when fantasy is made a reality, it becomes surreal, making the finished garment whimsical.

Visit www.jaspergarvida.com.

By Cristina Arzadon
Photos by Joseph Uy, Jr.

10 Places to Visit

1. Fort Ilocandia
A hotel complex with five Spanish-inspired colonial buildings finished in cool red radrillos (bricks).

2. Malacanang of the North
This turn-of-the-century-inspired edifice used to be the residence of Ferdinand Marcos in Paoay.

3. Cafe Herencia
The home of the original pinakbet and diniguan pizzas. It has a magnificent view of the world-renowned Paoay Church.

4. Sitio Remedios
A heritage resort facing the South China Sea that’s reminiscent of mid-20th century Ilocos.

5. Marcos Mausoleum
The Marcoses’ ancestral home sits in a sprawling lot in Batac City. It houses an airconditioned mausoleum where the refrigerated remains of former President Marcos have been kept since 1993.

6. San Nicolas
The “Damili” center in the North where the ancient art of terra cotta pottery still exists.

7. Pasuquin
The home of the famous Biscocho bread and the site of Ilocos Norte’s salt-making industry.

8. Burgos
The site of the tallest functional lighthouse in the Philippines. The majestic lighthouse sits on a three-level complex with sweeping vistas of the sea, rolling mountains, and the Cape Bojeador.

9. Bangui
“Home of the Green Energy.” It has placed the town on the international map after having the first commercial wind farm, a first in Southeast Asia, was built.

10. Pagudpud
“The sea paradise of the North.” Pagudpud is a two-hour ride from Laoag by private transport and less than three hours by public transport.

Read the full article in our February 2009 issue.

By Jojie Alcantara
Photos by Paolo Petrignanti/LA VENTA

My excitement upon visiting  Puerto Princesa came from curiosity at first. I’m from Davao City, which has a lot in common with Puerto Princesa. Apart from both claiming to be the largest city in the country (Davao has a land area of 244,000 hectares, and Puerto Princesa has 253,982 hectares), both are also consistent and proud recipients of Presidential Awards like the Cleanest and Greenest Highly-Urbanized City in the Philippines.

But once I arrived at the airport for a three-day trip, my mind became more open to exploration. Puerto Princesa is teeming with lush, dense forests, amazing and unique species of flora and fauna (I have read that Palawan was once connected to mainland Borneo millions of years ago, thus having closer similarities with the wildlife of Borneo). Imagine living in a quiet provincial city with a tropical paradise within its borders.

Read the full article in our April 2009 issue.

By Marguerite A. de Leon
Photos by Eddie Boy Escudero

Whether listening to lyrics tinged with tender rage on the radio, head-banging with the throng in concerts, or cradling their own guitars on Saturday nights-in with friends, Filipinos connect with the distinct sound of Pinoy rock’n’roll music through and through.

Pioneer acts like the Juan dela Cruz Band and The Dawn, the alternative edge of ’90s groups such as the Eraserheads and Teeth, and the broad range of recent aural ambassadors like Urbandub and Sandwich make up the current soundscape of Pinoy rock. It helps that the industry is a small and closely-knit one, too; the familial atmosphere among bands makes for a prolific rock scene, with new groups and collaborations sprouting up frequently.

Not surprisingly, Pinoy entertainment is laced with rock influences. Some of the most popular nigh spots in Metro Manila are rock bars: Mag:Net, Saguijo, and Club Dredd, while rock FM stations NU107.5 and RJ100 enjoy solid fan bases. Rock concerts are also common and oft-buzzed about events; the Eraserheads’ reunion concert in August, for instance, can easily be considered one of this year’s pop culture milestones. Rock frontmen such as the Eraserheads’ Ely Buendia, the Juan dela Cruz Band’s Pepe Smith, and The Dawn’s Jett Pangan are personal heroes of many young Pinoys as well.

Its image may get raucous, but rock music remains a mainstream phenomenon in the Philippines. It bodes well with Pinoy sensibilities, an apt soundtrack for a people who embrace friendship and freedom–two pillars this genre is quite vocal about, and stridently so.

See our list of Manila’s best rock bands and rock haunts in our January 2009 issue.