EXPERIENCE ROMANCE IN DECEMBER WITH BALLET PHILIPPINES’ “THE SLEEPING BEAUTY”

“The archetype of the sleeping princess holding promise that is released by true love’s kiss is the basis for all our romantic notions,” says artistic director Paul Alexander Morales.

The Sleeping Beauty on December 2 to 11, 2011 at the CCP Main Theater is the third and penultimate offering of Ballet Philippines for its 42^nd Season: Faces of Eve.

Magnificent sets, breathtaking costumes, sweeping orchestral music, and the brilliance of homegrown and international guest performers come together to cast a magic spell when Ballet Philippines presents “The Sleeping Beauty”. Slated to mesmerize audiences from December 2 to 11, 2011 at the CCP Main Theater, this is the third and penultimate offering of Ballet Philippines for its 42nd Season: Faces of Eve.

“The Sleeping Beauty” is celebrated for its lovely waltzes, lilting music composed by the great Tchaikovsky, and beautiful, pristine dancing choreographed by Marius Petipa. Ballet Philippines will also stage a special children’s version of the ballet for young audiences.

This Ballet Philippines’ production will be restaged by BP ballet master Victor Ursabia, best known for coaching the company’s successful delegations to international and local ballet competitions.

Top-billing the show are principal dancers Katherine Trofeo, Carissa Adea, and USA International Ballet Competition silver medalist Candice Adea as Princess Aurora.  Prince Desire will be portrayed by USA IBC semi-finalist Jean Marc Cordero, alternating with special international guest artist Nobuo Fujino, former principal dancer of the Hong Kong Ballet.

“The archetype of the sleeping princess holding promise that is released by true love’s kiss is the basis for all our romantic notions,” says artistic director Paul Alexander Morales. “This typifies the hope that is within us—the hope that we awaken to something beautiful.”

For more information and for tickets to The Sleeping Beauty, contact Ballet Philippines at 551-1003 or visit www.balletphilippines.org. You may also contact Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

CHARMING CHALET Y IN BORACAY

Chalet Y's two-storey log cabin-style façade opens up to a private beachfront garden.

Serenely tucked away along the prime section of one of the world’s top tropical destinations, Chalet Y is a charming secret hideaway on Station 1 (between Discovery Shores and Two Seasons Resort). The much-loved serviced beach home holds countless precious memories for those who have made it their “home away from home,” whether on a family holiday, a corporate outing or executive holiday, a “barkada” getaway, a romantic escape or honeymoon, or even for the bride and groom-to-be, looking for a private space to simply “be”.

The quaint beachfront property is secluded within in a private compound, sheltering it from its neighboring high-end resorts, while providing its guests an exclusive and much-coveted address along the most exquisite portion of Boracay Island. While being at the center of the action, a verdant front yard patio with a barbecue grill and relaxing hammocks separate the cozy indoors from the crowds, while providing a wonderful playground for the entire family, that opens up to the glorious pristine powdery sand and crystalline waters of Boracay.

One of three well-appointed spacious rooms at Chalet Y--a place to dream in.

The house can comfortably accommodate as many as 12 persons, with two large double beds in each of the three well-appointed rooms, including one suite, all of which are equipped with standard hotel amenities such as air-conditioning, cable TV, a mini-stereo, Wi-Fi, spacious bathrooms with hot and cold showers, a telephone and fax machine, and a stand-by generator. The spacious split-level affair offers the comforts and relaxed atmosphere of a Filipino home, tastefully decorated with indigenous Philippine furniture and fabrics, combined with the flexibility and benefits of five star accommodations, with a few homey accoutrements that evoke a sense of place.

The living room features a large day bed that connects to the dining room that comfortably sits ten persons. Immediately behind the dining area is a well-appointed kitchen where the family cook whips up her Filipino specialties. Set menus of both local and international cuisines are available to choose from, but guests can also choose to customize their meals based on their preferences or on what is available in the fresh market.

With an outdoor terrace on both floors, the second floor verandah offers a picturesque panoramic view of the beach and each breathtaking sunset, while cushioned lounge beach beds and umbrellas make the perfect spot to enjoy the most unforgettable lazy days of your life! Chalet Y offers various services by request, including baby-sitting, so “child-friendly” is quite the understatement. In fact, you know you’re coming back on your next holiday when your child refuses to leave!

Enjoy specialty home-cooking by Chalet Y’s family cook at the dining area that comfortably sits ten persons.

The rustic beach house, with its log cabin-style façade used to be a private duplex until the owners decided to open its doors to tourists in 2004. Since then, cousins Bernice Palanca-Go and Chantal Ysmael-Nubla decided to take over. As Palanca-Go puts it, “The idea was to provide tourists with accommodations in a homey and relaxed atmosphere. It is like their home away from home.” The good news is, guests can rent out the entire house, for as low as Php11,550 per night during the off-peak period from July to October, which is much more affordable than booking 12 persons in a hotel room, any day!

For inquiries contact the Manila Sales and Reservations office at (+63 32) 807.5043 or Boracay at (+63 36) 288.5808, Tel/Fax (+63 36) 288.5883, Mobile (+63 917) 538.8855, Email y_smael@yahoo.com/ inquiry@chalety.com/inquiries@chalety.com or visit their website at www.chalety.com.

PONTEFINO HOTEL AND RESIDENCES: LUXURY IN THE HEART OF BATANGAS

The stately Pontefino Hotel offers creature comforts, traditional Filipino hospitality and excellent cuisine--making it a perfect residence for businessmen traveling to Batangas City.

Lording over a two-hectare rolling terrain in Batangas City, Pontefino Hotel and Residences is a magnificent four-storey edifice built along the lines of a stately European manor with infusions of lighthearted Filipino and Spanish details. The yellow stucco walls provide warmth and a welcoming spirit while the terracotta bricks lend a homey appeal. Leading to the main entrance of the hotel is a fire tree-lined drive that shades the main street and cools the air.

Upon entering, the well-designed and airy lobby welcomes guests while the grand piano provides a clue to the hotel’s culture of luxury. Every evening, as guests take a breather, a pianist creates soothing music to ease the mind and pamper the senses.

Pontefino Hotel presents a home away from home with especially-designed luxury suites. Every room has been designed and decorated with furniture pieces from the province and period most of which features comfortable beds, reading chairs and writing desks, flat screen television, DVD players, with cool, roomy bathroom fixtures and amenities. The hotel also has a 25-meter swimming pool including a Children’s wading pool, a game room for table tennis and billiards and a KTV Entertainment Center.

Excellent cuisine is another one of Hotel Pontefino’s major attractions. Surrounding the lobby are the hotel’s three restaurants that give guests a wide array of options to suit their preferences. There’s the lobby lounge for all day dining, Robusta for coffee, snacks and cocktails and Pastorelli for fine dining. The menu presents a list of global, native and local cuisine that features the province’s best produce.

Upon entering, the well-designed and airy lobby welcomes guests while the grand piano provides a clue to the hotel’s culture of luxury. Every evening, as guests take a breather, a pianist creates soothing music to ease the mind and pamper the senses.

Pontefino Hotel presents a home away from home with especially-designed luxury suites. Every room has been designed and decorated with furniture pieces from the province and period most of which features comfortable beds, reading chairs and writing desks, flat screen television, DVD players, with cool, roomy bathroom fixtures and amenities. The hotel also has a 25-meter swimming pool including a Children’s wading pool, a game room for table tennis and billiards and a KTV Entertainment Center.

Excellent cuisine is another one of Hotel Pontefino’s major attractions. Surrounding the lobby are the hotel’s three restaurants that give guests a wide array of options to suit their preferences. There’s the lobby lounge for all day dining, Robusta for coffee, snacks and cocktails and Pastorelli for fine dining. The menu presents a list of global, native and local cuisine that features the province’s best produce.

The charming spirit of the Victorian era comes alive in Pontefino Residences--a well-planned community of open spaces, lush gardens and picturesque homes.

The Pontefino Residences, on the other hand, is an exclusive Neo Victorian-themed townhouse development composed of elegantly designed and fully furnished units that sit next to Hotel Pontefino. It presently has 33 units already open for occupancy and another 76 units to be ready in the coming year. This well-planned residential development presents a well-rounded community that combine nature’s refreshing qualities and modern amenities right in the heart of Batangas City’s urban development.

Pontefino Hotel and Residences is located at Gulod Labac, Batangas City and is accessible by the STAR Toll Expressway. For more information please contact the Manila Sales Office at (02) 631-8310 and (02) 635-9364, or the Batangas City Sales Office at (043) 723-3466.

"SAN RAFAEL... A SANCTUARY OF HEALING" IS NOW AVAILABLE!

The cover of the coffee table book "San Rafael... A Sanctuary of Healing" features the icon of the archangel owned by the parish.

The coffee table book "SAN RAFAEL... A SANCTUARY OF HEALING" is now available at San Rafael Parish Church in Park Avenue, Pasay City (at the back of Harrison St., near the Philippine School for the Deaf and the Blind).

In beautiful photographs, the book tells the history of San Rafael Parish Church in Pasay City.

"San Rafael... A Sanctuary of Healing" shows the captivating bridal creations of ace designer Leonardo Dadivas against the breathtaking allure of the church's architectural details.

Photos of the church's festivities and activities give readers a glimpse of the church's active involvement in the community's Christian value formation and spiritual renewal.

For a minimum donation of P2,000, the donor will get a free copy of the coffee table book which chronicles the history of the church, its many transformations, and the programs it vigorously undertakes to help people gain the benefits of genuine spiritual renewal. The hardbound, all-color coffee table book marks the parish church's 60th Anniversary.

For more information, please contact the San Rafael Parish office at (632) 831-1847.

TAPAS AND OTHER SPANISH DELECTABLES AT DALI

The elegant Dali Restaurante Y Bar de Tapas reflects the easygoing ambiance of many tapas bars in Spain.

In between the main meals of the day, the typical Español indulges the appetite to servings of choice tidbits, called tapas, in between sips of wine. The intake of tapas and wine, it seems, is a national passion in Spain—one that is fast becoming an international pursuit.

Having taken in so much from the Spanish outlook, the harried young Filipino urbanite will probably have no problem imbibing the laidback and easygoing ambience of Dali Restaurante y Bar de Tapas in Quezon City. Located at the corner of Lopez Drive and Sgt. Esguerra, Dali serves authentic Spanish dishes—ranging from classic tapas to generously-sized main courses and desserts that cull from traditional Spanish recipes.

The dining room invites leisurely dining amid walls of warm wood and iron details.

The spacious wine room makes for the perfect venue to sample Spanish wines and other imported vintages.

Dali offers tapas frios—cold treats that are nevertheless flavorful—and tapas calientes, which are naturally served hot. These include, among others, the classic Boquerones en Vinagre (fresh anchovy fillets in white wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil), Huevos Rellenos (deviled eggs with assorted savory toppings as tuna, gambas and ham), slices of authentic air-dried cured Spanish ham (better known as jamon Serrano), bacalao (cod), Empanadillas (mini meat and vegetable pies), Quezo Rebosado (that is breaded fried farmer’s cheese drizzled with honey and cracked peppercorns) and the well-loved Salpicado. This list goes on.

Alcachofas Vinagreta

Arroz Negra

Chorizo y Patatas

The mouthwatering main courses at Dali represent the most excellent produce from all over. There’s the bestselling Pescado de Sal—whole fish encrusted in salt, baked to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and served with salsa verde that has just enough bite. The full-bodied flavor of Lengua de Jerez (braised ox tongue with olives and mushrooms) owes much of its richness to the velvety sherry sauce. And then, of course, there’s the sought-after Cochinillo: suckling pig roast perfectly that it is crispy outside yet tender enough to be cut by a plate.

Churros con Chocolate

Cochinillo

Dali also lists some treasured Spanish sweets like the omnipresent Churros con Chocolate and the lesser known, yet equally tempting Churros con Helado: fried pastries dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar, and served with a scoop of chocolate and cinnamon ice cream. And then there’s Flan con Naranja—the creamy caramel kind with just a hint of Valencia orange. Sweet endings, indeed, to cap a meal of robust, lively flavors.

Indeed, Dali’s convivial atmosphere, fine wines and delectable culinary offerings are enough to inspire dreams of sunny—and scrumptious—Spain!

Dali Restaurante y Bar de Tapas is located at #40 Eugenio Lopez Drive, South Triangle, Quezon City. For inquiries, call (02)928-0971.

Text by Vix Sev