“The Last Mile: Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) One Year After” Photo Exhibit: (Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

“The Last Mile: Super Typhoon Odette (Rai)
One Year After” Photo Exhibit

This coming December will be the first anniversary of Typhoon Rai (known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Odette), the costliest typhoon in Philippine history after Typhoon Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda) and many are still recovering from the impact of the typhoon. The European Union, through its EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations (EU-ECHO) and various organizations, have set out and help those who were greatly affected.

 

To aid the seven provinces (Bohol, Cebu, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Negros Occidental, Palawan, and Surigao del Norte) affected, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, together with its humanitarian partners, re-launched “The Last Mile: Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) One Year After” photo exhibition at the lobby of S Maison in Conrad Manila in Pasay City. 

Three of the 22 photos on exhibit

The photo exhibition was first held in August 15 in Siargao Beach Resort in Gen. Luna, Siargao Island, just a few days before the commemoration of World Humanitarian Day (August 19).  In humanitarian parlance, the “last mile” is the final stage of the humanitarian relief chain in which we make sure that we reach those most vulnerable wherever they are and being true to the essence “that no one should be left behind in disasters.”

 

H.E. Mr. Luc Veron (European Union Ambassador)

The exhibition, organized by A-List & Partners (represented here by CEO Ms. Ailene Chua-Co and Ms. Victoria Elgin Santos, Director of Events & Partnerships), aims to raise awareness about the impact of Typhoon Odette and the concerted efforts of residents and various groups in rebuilding the affected communities.  On display are 22 (0.60 x 0.85 m.) from almost a hundred images captured by organizations that implemented the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (EU-ECHO) emergency response for the survivors of Typhoon Odette. 

 

Ms. Rhoda Avila (Humanitarian Portfolio
Manager of Oxham Philippines)

Ms. Rhoda Avila, Humanitarian Portfolio Manager of Oxfam Philippines  and H.E. Mr. Luc Veron, European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines, gave messages at the opening event of the exhibit.  Both discussed how calamities are becoming more unpredictable and powerful amid climate change and global warming and that highly destructive typhoons and other extreme weather phenomena are expected to became more frequent due to this.  Then, Mr. Veron, Ms. Millie F. Dizon (SM Senior Vice-President Marketing & Communications) and Mr. Hans Sy Jr. (President of SM Engineering Design and Development) cut the ribbon officially opening the photo exhibit.

 

Mr. Hans Sy Jr., Ms. Millie Dizon and
H.E. Mr. Luc Veron 

EU-ECHO’s funding of the Typhoon Odette emergency response enabled the provision of emergency services to almost 500,000 individuals in seven provinces through two consortia: one led by CARE Philippines, with ACCORD Incorporated, Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (National Rural Women Coalition - PKKK), Plan International Philippines, and Action Against Hunger Philippines; and another led by Oxfam Pilipinas, with Save the Children Philippines and Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion (HI), together with local partners Sentro para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT) Inc. and Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services Inc. (IDEALS, Inc.).

 

The joint efforts of these groups resulted in the distribution of food and livelihood assistance to 70,643 individuals; water, sanitation and hygiene packs for 75,394; protection assistance for 147,549; shelter provision for 72,902; health services for 68,317; and “education in emergency” assistance for 41,205. After the initial rescue and relief operations came the work to ensure people could start leading normal lives.  The EU, and its member states, has delivered more than Php920.4 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the communities affected by Typhoon Odette.

 

The exhibition, running until November 30, wants to be a message of hope, offering a glimpse of the different phases of EU's relief and early recovery operations following the typhoon and is a powerful account and reminder of our humanitarian obligation to save lives and help communities recover from natural disasters like Odette.  

In addition, it also highlights the importance of preparedness which is crucial in limiting the number of fatalities during a super typhoon.  Other humanitarian organizations involved in the exhibit include Community Organizers Multiversity - CO Multiversity and United Youth of the Philippines-Women. 

 

“The Last Mile: Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) One Year After:” Level 1, S Maison, Conrad Manila, Seaside Blvd., Pasay City.

A-List & Partners: 7/F, Finman Bldg., 131 Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City.  Mobile number: (0917) 536-6856. E-mail: info@a-listconsulting.com. Website: www.a-listconsulting.com. 

European Union of the Philippines: 30/F, Tower 2, RCBC Plaza, 8819 Avala Ave. cor. Sen. Gil Ppuyat Ave., Makati City, Metro Manila. Tel: 8859-5110. E-mail: Delegation-Philippines@eeas.europa.eu.  

Oxfam Pilipinas: 3/F, 150 Corporate Center, 150 Panay Ave., Quezon City, Metro Manila.  E-mail: infoph@oxfam.org.uk. Website: www.philippines.oxham.org.

ACCORD Inc.: Unit 202-203, Bldg 1223, Casa Rafael, 1223 Quezon Ave, Quezon City, 1104 Metro Manila.  Tel: 8351-5010. Mobile number: (0947) 896-5012. Email: info@accord.org.ph. Website: www.resilientphilippines.com.

Action Against Hunger Philippines: 4/F, Gloria Bldg., 109 Aguirre St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Tel: 8840-1808. E-mail: contact@ph.acfspain.org. Website: www.actionagainsthunger.ph.

CARE Philippines: Unit 512 Cedar Executive Bldg. II, 26 Timog Ave. cor. Scout Tobias St., Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila.  Tel: 8351 6458. E-mail: carephl.info@care.org. Website: www.care-philippines.org.

Community Organizers Multiversity - CO Multiversity: 18 Marunong St., Brgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila. Tel: 8922-0246. Website: www.comultiversity.org.ph.

Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion (HI): Unit 1401, 139 Corporate Center, Valero, Makati, Metro Manila.  Tel: 8812-6990.

Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services Inc. (IDEAL): 13 Matipid St., Brgy. Sikatuna Village, Quezon City, Metro Manila.  Tel: 8241-7174.  Mobile number: (0917) 527-5356. E-mail: go4ideals@gmail.com.  Website: www.ideals.org.ph.

Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (National Rural Women Coalition, PKKK): 54 Bukidnon St. Brgy. Ramon Magsaysay, Bago Bantay, Quezon City, Metro Manila.  E-mail: ruralwomencongress_ph@yahoo.com.  Website: www.pkkk.org.

Save The Children Philippines: 4/F, Sunnymede IT Center, 1614 Quezon Ave., Quezon City, Metro Manila. Tel: 8682-7283.  E-mail: Philippines@savethechildren.org. Website: www.savethechildren.org.ph.

Sentro para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT) Inc.:
Brgy. Mauswagon, Dinagat, Dinagat Islands.  Website: www.sikat-philippines.org.

United Youth of the Philippines-Women: Block 26, Lot 3, Peñafrancia Village, Cotabato City, Maguindanao.

Restaurant Review: Rodrigo's Roast + Resto + Bar (Santiago, Ilocos Sur)

Rodrigo's Roast + Resto + Bar

The beachfront, two-storey Rodrigo’s Roast + Resto + Bar, with its equally relaxing Santorini vibe of blue and white, is an all-day dining restaurant affiliated with the nearby Santiago Cove Hotel and Restaurant.  

Check out “Hotel and InnReview: Santiago Cove Hotel and Restaurant”

 

The beachfront side

We arrived at Rodrigo's late in the afternoon in time for a sumptuous merienda of noodles/pasta (Php230-270, pansit canton, pansit bihon, pansit palabok, lomi, Rodrigo’s lechon pasta  and Adela’s spaghetti), dumplings, sandwiches (Php110-189, roast chicken, BB lechon, ham & egg, ham & cheese and Rodrigo’s club), various kakanin and Ilocano empanada.

 

Noodles (spaghetti) and pansit (bihon, canton and palabok)

For dessert, we were served refreshing halo-halo. Other desserts in their menu include leche flan, saging/macapuno/mais con yelo, fruit salad and ice cream (per scoop).

 

Sandwiches and empanada

During our visit, Mr. Mark Christian “MC” Urbano and Ms. Lorraine “Lauren” Garingo of Kuys Acoustic were performing live acoustic music.  The staff was accommodating, friendly and the service was efficient.

 

Lorraine "Lauren" Garingo and Mark Christian "MC"
Urbano of Kuys Acoustic

Specializing in authentic Filipino and Ilocano dishes, its menu was prepared by the young and dynamic Chef Chester Delos Reyes Velas.  Being an all day restaurant, they also serve silog (sinangag and itlog) meals (daing, beef tapa, tocino, hot dog and bangus. 

Chef Chester Delos Reyes Velas

Refreshing halo-halo

 

Its menu features Whole Roasts (Pork/Bangus/Pusit Lechon, Whole Roast Chicken) and Roast Plates (chicken, pork) served with kambuaya sauce.  The cactus-like, oblong-shaped karimbuaya leaves (scientific name: Euphorbia neriifolia linn) give needed acidity and help removed the foul smell pigs normally have.

 

Breakfast silog meals 

Also in the menu are Fried Chicken Buckets (6 and 12 pieces), appetizers (Php90-250, dinakdakan, calamares, pork barbecue, garlic peanuts, French fries, potato chips, lumpia and butterfly squid), vegetable dishes (Php179-250, pinakbet, chopsuey, tortang talong, dinengdeng, laing, dinuduy, gulay na gata and kangkong con lechon), main dishes (Php300-450, buttered chicken, insarabasab, bagnet with KBL, binagoongan bagnet, Bicol express, sinigang na lechon, lechon paksiw, crispy pata/ulo, beef kaldereta, pinapaitang kambing, kalderetang kambing, kare-kare and bistek tagalog).

 

Sabangan Beach and Santiago Cove

They also serve seafood (tuna kilawin, pritong hito, adobong pusit, sinigang na bangus, hipon ala Rodrigo, sinigang na hipon, hipon sa gata and crispy buntot ng tuna), rice (lechon, seafood, malunggay, longanisa, garlic and plain) and sizzling dishes (chicken and mushroom, spicy tuna, gambas na pusit/hipon/chicken/lechon/bangus/tuna sisig, sizzling burger steak/pork chop/hot dog).

 

Roof deck

All these can be washed down by juices (pineapple, dalandan, mango and orange), iced tea (lemon and honey blend) in glass (php60) or pitchers (Php100); coffee (Php60); bottled water (Php40) and fruit shakes in season (Php85).They also serve soft drinks (Php50) and beer (Php70, SMB Light/Pilsen, SMB flavored, Red Horse).

 

View of nearby Santiago Cove Hotel and Restaurant from roof deck

Rodrigo’s can also host business meetings and small gatherings via their 70-pax function room.  You can also dine, alfresco along Sabangan Beach or at its roof deck. Both are ideal places to watch the setting sun.

 

A satellite branch of Rodrigo's along Sabangan Beach

Rodrigo’s Roast + Resto + Bar: Sabangan Beach, Brgy. Sabangan, Santiago 2707, Ilocos Sur.  Mobile number:  (0966) 374-5121, (0917) 654-2078 and (0955) 773-9793. Open daily, 8 AM to 10 PM.

Hotel and Inn Review: Santiago Cove Hotel and Restaurant (Santiago, Ilocos Sur)

 Date of Stay: October 16-18, 2022

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: *******

Rooms: *******

Condition and Cleanliness: *******

Staff Performance: ********

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: ********

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: ********

 

Santiago Cove Hotel and Restaurant

The 3-star Santiago Cove Hotel and Restaurant, one of three Santorini-themed resorts (the others are Vitalis White Sands and Vitalis Villas) along Santiago Cove (dubbed, by many, as the “Boracay of Ilocos Sur”), is a smart choice for a hassle-free and relaxing stay for travelers to Northern Ilocos Sur. 

Check out “Resort Review: Vitalis White Sand”

 

A place to relax, drink a cup of coffee or sip a glass of wine

Sabangan Beach at Santiago Cove

Opened in 2019, their 50 Minimalist-style, aesthetically blue-and-white accented room options, all non-smoking, are the 25 sq. m. (269 sq. ft.) De Luxe Room (Php4,300), the 28 sq. m. (301 sq. ft.) (Premium De Luxe Room (Php6,400), the 30 sq. m. (323 sq. ft.) Junior Suite (Php8,100) and the 36 sq. m. (388 sq. ft.) Family Suite (Php9,100). The last two are good for 4 persons.  

De Luxe Room

All rooms have airconditioning with climate control, a flat-screen cable TV, coffee and tea-making facility, a mini fridge, work desk/dresser and ensuite private bathroom with bidet and free toiletries.  The Family Suite has a dining area and sofa. Free high-speed wi-fi is offered in all areas.

The 24-hour Front Desk

 Aside from the beach, the hotel also has a free form, 5-ft. deep outdoor swimming pool (the centerpiece of the property), a kiddie pool, beachfront bar, a 24-hour Front Desk, business center, a banquet room, conference facilities, an onsite ATM/cash machine, gift/souvenir shop and free onsite parking.  

The free form swimming pool - the centerpiece of the property

The beachfront bar

From its view deck, you can take in the panoramic scenery of the cove and the mountains of the Ilocos in the distance which serves as the beach’s backdrop.

 

Tiny Wave Restaurant

Its indoor Tiny Wave Restaurant offers a breakfast of corned beef, Vigan longanisa, Hungarian sausage, beef tapa, spam, daing na bangus/espada/danggit, chicken adobo flakes, and bacon, all served with egg (any style) and garlic rice or bread; coffee (latte, expresso, macchiato, American) as well as oatmeal champorado, French Toast, pancakes, golden waffles and sandwiches plus an egg station. 

 

Tiny Wave Outdoor Pool Restaurant

At the Tiny Wave Outdoor Pool Restaurant, we tried out the Asian Pork Spring Roll (Php160), Gojuchang Chicken Wings (Php260), Salt and Pepper Pork Riblets (Php240), Crispy Calamari (Php260), Nori Cheese Sticks (Php260) and Pork Sisig (Php300) for appetizers; and Korean Fried Chicken (Php250), Chili Shrimp (Php320), Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chop (Php250) and Braised Beef Shank (Php290) for our main course; complemented by Dragon Fruit Shake and a dessert of Ube Cheesecake.

 

An array of delectable dishes

Both F&B outlets also serve soup, salads (Cove House Salad, Caesar Salad), seasonal sashimi (tuna and salmon), sandwiches (Cove Burger, Cheesesteak Sandwich, Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich, Crispy Seafood Roll), noodles (Pad Thai, Japchae, Asian Stir Fried Noodles), Baked Seafood Nachos (Php330), Asian Salmon Fillet (Php330), US Ribeye Steak (Php780), Seared Tuna Steak (Php290), soft drinks and juices.

 

The just inaugurated hotel annex

The just inaugurated four-storey Hotel Annex, beside the hotel, also sports the Santorini vibe and houses Premier Suites, a 300-pax grand ballroom and a coffee shop.

 

Rubra Sky Lounge (photo: Mr. Fernan Nebres)

Chef Chester Delos Reyes Velas

At Rubra Sky Lounge, located at the roof deck of hotel annex, we tried out a special fish-themed dinner set prepared for us by the young and dynamic Chef Chester Delos Reyes Velas -  Boat Snacks (smoked poblacion escargot, Ambucao sea urchin cream, Bantay ipon tartare), Float (Nabang River balingasang, scallops, bamboo shoot, bacon), Bai (San Jose river shrimps, Sinker (Ambucao tanigue, cassava okra seeds, dragon fruit), Catch & Release (Gabao dorado, kardis, broad beans, katuday), Hook (Ambucao tuna bladder, 8-hr. roast beef, truffle polenta) and Sweet Cruise (cornick panna cotta, seaweed brownies, smoked buko) for dessert.   A short distance from the hotel is the  beachfront, two-storey Rodrigo’s Roast + Resto + Bar (open 8 AM to 10 PM).

Check out "Restaurant Review: Rodrigo's Roast + Resto + Bar"

 

Rodrigo's Roast + Resto + Bar

The hotel also offers educational tours around the town (abel factory, blacksmith shops, Mapisi Rock, Church of St. James the Greater, etc.) and to the nearby towns of San Esteban (Bateria, Church of St. Stephen Protomartyr, etc.), Santa Maria (Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Vigan City, a UNESCO World Heritage City.

Check out "Bateria," Mapisi Rock," Church of St. James the Greater" and "Church of Our Lady of the Assumption" 

 

Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (Santa Maria)

Abel weaving

At the nearby, almost kilometer long Sabangan Beach, you can try out a bevy of marine sports offered by the hotel – single and tandem kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, banana boating and jetskiing.  We also tried out their sunset cruises.  The hotel also offers daily housekeeping, room service and massage.

 

Ms. Nicole Paler, Ms. Ruth dela Cruz, Ms. Jacquelou Colitoy, Ms. Tina Punzal
and the author on a banana boating

The author on a Yamaha Wave Runner

Kudos to Santiago Vice-Mayor Josefino “Boy” Miranda, Chef Chester Delos Reyes Velas, Ms. Dianne Tongol-Miranda (Sales and Marketing Director), Ms. Lualhati Fausto, Ms. Jen Gacusan Real and our tour guide Mr. Adrian Sigua for making our stay truly an enjoyable and memorable one.

The best the author can do on a stand up paddle board

Mr. Anton Delos Reyes and the author enjoying the sunset cruise

Santiago Cove Hotel and Restaurant: Sabangan Beach, Brgy. Sabangan, Santiago 2707, Ilocos Sur.  Mobile number: (0917) 115-4495 (Globe), (0917) 654-2078 (Globe), (0968) 851-5446 (Smart) and (0955) 773-9793 (Rodrigo’s).  E-mail: hsantiagocovehotel@gmail.com.

How to Get There: Ride any bus bound for Vigan City and get off at Santiago where you can get a tricycle bound for Santiago Cove. By car, Santiago is a 370-km. (6-hour) drive via North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlax Expressway (SCTEX) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

Resort Review: The Cocoons at Club Laiya (San Juan, Batangas)

Date of Stay: September 14-15, 2022

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: *********

Staff Performance: *******

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: ********

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: ********

The Cocoons at Club Laiya

Since its first-ever iteration in the world (the Capsule Inn in Osaka, opened in 1979), capsule or pod hotels (from solo-bed boxes to full-on small-sized rooms) have been around as an accommodation option, spreading to other countries and cities. Here in the Philippines, they always offer something new.  An interesting example is the Cocoons at Club Laiya, part of Landco Pacific Corporation’s 24-hectare development managed by Millennial Resorts, its hospitality arm.

 

The Cocoon area

Here, they converted and utilized large, repurposed large drainage pipes and trailers refurbishing them into experimental, unconventional and cylindrical sleeping pods for an intimate and cozy overnight stay. Built one on top of two (the upper pod is accessed by a steel stair),  they have vibrantly painted beach-themed murals on its exterior celebrating the diverse marine life of Laiya.  Now Instagram-worthy accommodations complete with modern conveniences, robust Wi-Fi for Work from the Beach (WFB) is part of the set-up.

The Cocoon interior

 

The 33 iconic, 10 sq. m. (108 sq. ft.) Poolside and Garden Cocoons have queen-size beds (good for 2 pax), pillows, a comforter, blackout curtains and modern facilities such as window-type airconditioning, a wall-mounted flat screen cable TV, mini fridge, coffee and tea making facility and a safety deposit box for personal belongings.  The interior is designed with star-like lights on the ceiling. There are no phones in the room but staff are nearby to assist with anything.  Instead of magnetic card keys, we were provided with RFID (radio frequency identification) magnetic bracelets to access our pods.

 

RFID magnetic bracelet

Most cocoons have no room for a toilet and bath inside but modern communal bathrooms, just a few steps away, have lockers, lavatories, toilets and spacious shower rooms.   Towels and toiletries are provided.  There are, however, individual cocoons with a toilet for those who wake up at night to pee. For those who want to go to the resort for a day tour, they also have cabanas for bigger groups.  

Club Laiya's white sand beach

 

The Cocoons, a perfect mix of luxury minus the monotony of hotels and the inconvenience of outdoor camping, are a no-fuss, small-sized and a value-for-money place to stay. Cocoons are also available at the 15-hectare Calatagan South Beach (CaSoBe), Club Laiya’s sister cocoon resort. Rates range from Php3700 to Php5,800.

 

The tropical Asian style Laiya Beach Club

By November of this year, a one-of-a-kind beachfront experience will be made available to glampers - two “Camperisti.” Located along the powdery white sand beach, these airconditioned, Airstream-style, 30-ft. aluminum travel trailers can sleep up to six people.  Made in China, it features a bedroom, a bathroom, a U-shaped dinette (with a versatile dining table that makes into a queen-size bed) and a kitchenette with induction cooktop and microwave oven.  

 

One of Club Laiya's two Camperisti

The tropical Asian-style Laiya Beach Club, overlooking the infinity and lap pools and the private white sand beach and its cobalt-blue waters, houses a 24-hour Front desk and the Sands Restaurant (open 7 AM to 6 PM) at the second floor. The all-day Sands Restaurant offers a modern range of Filipino dishes (bulasing, tofu bagnet sisig, hickory porkchops, Chinese-style fried chicken, fish filet with mushroom cheese sauce, etc.) and desserts (mango cheesecake, etc.).  Prices range from Php250 for a plated breakfast, Php229 to 279 for snacks, and Php450 for main course dishes.

 

The beachfront, pirate-themed Captain Barbozza Restaurant and Bar

The beachfront, pirate-themed Captain Barbozza Restaurant and Bar, named after the fictional Hector Barbozza of the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean franchise) serves, on tables-on-barrels, whiskey and beer, hearty chicken and ribs and all manner of hearty cuisine, from noon to sundown. It also has bean bags for lounging around.

 

The infinity swimming pool

The resort also offers jetskiing (Php2,500 for 30 mins, Php4,000 for one hours), parasailing (Php3,000 for 15 mins. for two persons), flying fish (Php1,500-1,800), banana boat rides (Php1,500-3,000 for 15 mins.), speedboat  (Php6,000 for one hour for 6 persons), dragon boat (Php300 for 15 mins. per person) and the disco ball UFO (Php400 for 15 mins. per person). You can also book a sunset cruise on board the Naya, a 46 ft. long catamaran.

 

Beachside cabanas

Cocoons at Club Laiya: Club Laiya, Brgy. Aplaya Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.  Mobile number: (0917) 894-7013 and (0999) 225-3333.  E-mail: inquire@clublaiya.com. Website: www.cocoonc.clublaiya@millenialresorts.com.    

How to Get There: Club Laiya is a three-hour drive from Metro Manila via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR (Southern Tagalog Arterial Road) Tollway and the San Juan-Laiya Road.