SUN-STAR WEEKEND

[email protected], April 2, 2011

feature

3The Camerawalls

movies

4Limitless

Clint Holton P. Potestas introduces us to a lady who found a new way of getting healthy.

Heal thyself

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , April 2, 20112CCHERRY ANN LIM Managing Editor, Special Pages and FeaturesJIGS ARQUIZA Editor CLINT HOLTON P. POTESTAS Writer

RALPH RHODDEN C. CAVERO Graphic Designer

cover story

Cheryl takes in her first slice of the steamed cabbage drizzled with breadcrumbs at a café. From how she minces and chews, it looks delectable and actually,

a healthier option than her most likeable menu of feel-good treats – anything fried, broiled, roasted, processed, and a no-brainer criterion, fast.

“Burger at McDonald’s after?” she restrains her laughter and teases me about dinning at a fast food chain next, which is, I anticipate, less likely to happen. Ever since Cheryl Pages-Alba underwent detoxification in January of this year, she now opts for vegetables and fruits in the meal plan. She never diets. And she used to eat voraciously.

“I still eat at fast food chains, but I have observed that my cravings have been lessened. Never deprive your body of the food that you’ve been accustomed to because it could create worse problems than actually overeating it. So for you, one burger is enough instead of two,” she laughs right after sharing a scientific finding she learned during the session called Holistic Approach to Self Healing (Hash).

October 2010, Cheryl complained of a pain in her abdominal region. As always, she self-diagnosed. She decided to pop over-the-counter pills – for migraine, common colds, cough, you name it – which she used to carry in her bag. When the pain became more disturbing and chronic, she submitted to an ultrasound. The doctors found four stones in her gallbladder. After four medical opinions, the only cure was surgery.

Desperate for another remedy, she researched and availed of several detoxification procedures that can be done at home, but none of them worked: the pain, the toxic

thyself

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , April 2, 2011 3C

feature

stones, and the fear remained. So she hoped for courses unseen: divine intervention

“Anything but surgery,” she says, recalling the many days searching for an alternative solution that included asking a shaman (famous for his miraculous healing ability, according to hearsay) to intercede using a stick poked onto the affected region and a visit to the icon of the white dancing Sto. Nino that (as witnessed by Cheryl) moved around, seemingly following a dance step.

“It was an answered prayer. Early this year, my mom came across a magazine article about this detoxification system in Manila. I never lost hope, so I flew there with my husband to join,” she goes on. “My husband was complaining ‘why do we have to listen and stay for the seminar?’. Ironically, when he heard about the little-known facts about eating well and staying healthy, he was the one who took down notes and became a believer.”

She is married to Jay Alba, the owner and manager of Alba Uno Hotel, with two daughters: three-year old Milana, and Summer, 1 year old. Juggling her mom and wife duties, she also manages Bright Academy, Taters (in Ayala Cinema and the newly-opened branch in Parkmall), Play House, and My Playroom – all under Pages Holdings, a family-owned group of establishments. Cheryl has always been on top of her game even when she was still studying Business Management at the Centre for International Education and completed the program in Northwood University in Florida.

“Since the last detox, I never felt the pain in my stomach. During the 36-hour program, I learned that indeed the body has its natural way of healing. We just have to learn how to tap it according to how it responds,” she relates, a little apologetic for the days when she overly relied on over-the-counter pills for instant relief. “I could not explain the inner peace I felt after the program. I thought all the while that I am completely healthy because I am still 26 years old.”

Today until tomorrow, with Cheryl’s marketing arm, Hash is in Cebu for the first time at the Marco Polo featuring the testimonies of fashion designer (who supplies Philippine-made fabrics to Chanel) Jean Goulbourn. She explains, “I want to share to the Cebuanos that inner peace. That’s why I am bringing it here. My entire family will be joining, and I know that it’s my word against everybody. I am a little bit anxious, but let’s see the effect.”

And then Cheryl confesses, “Okay, it’s actually for selfish reasons – I am scared of short flights.”

PHOTOS: AGNES ANNE GARRIDO

The Camerawalls is the proverbial phoenix rising from its ashes for singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Clemen Castro or simply Clementine, the new moniker he goes by. The unceremonious departure from the now-defunct band Orange and Lemons resulted in the emergence of The Camerawalls. Almost like karmic retribution, the band wasted no time garnering laud and laurels amongst peers and discerning listeners after an internet release of their first single, “Markers of Beautiful Memories.” The subsequent release of their debut album, “Pocket Guide to the Otherworld” and the live events allowed the band to widen their fan base. It wasn’t a stretch for Clementine, having been the impetus of his successful erstwhile band.

Released in December of last year, the second album is an EP titled “Bread and Circuses.” It opens with the summery track “A Gentle Persuasion” evocative of 60s pop sound. It is an artfully seductive yet genteel song. Clementine crooning the lines “Tonight I’m in spades of light in my heart. Please indulge me. Don’t stop me. Oh gentle persuasion…” almost reads like an anachronistic Arthurian romantic verse. The song is followed by the equally peppy “My Life’s Arithmetic Means” with piano tracks by the accomplished and sublime Kate Torralba. The listener finds a song about trust and the relevance you give to a person. “Like a bubble at a touch I won’t let you break. I won’t even pretend ‘cause you’re the value of my life’s arithmetic means.” Listen to these songs when you feel that the world is against you. I promise you, that same world will now be awash with sunshine and life will be beautiful again. The next track has a more somber message in spite of its upbeat tune. “Longevity” sings about the harsh reality that love can die for no apparent reason except that it has reached its zenith and can go no further. Painfully wrought in these lines “Your longevity in my heart now appear as a handicap. I can’t function no more”. “Birthday Wishes” is a quiet song of maturity. If one listens carefully, there is (almost) another voice track that is singing the verses in a whisper. It’s a perfect milieu for exploring the realization that it’s the things that you can’t touch that matter. “And in this fog I use my heart as a compass and in the darkness my faith is my lamp and in depression I learn the real value of living...” Those lines speak wisely that it is human connection that makes us go on. “All these years I think of nothing, no one but myself in birthday wishes. Now I think of you.” Finally, the title track “Bread and Circuse” with these lines “We

choose what we have and sometimes lose more than our bread. You’ve given life your trust and it’s been thrown back at your face...” laments ruefully about how life is at times, not fair.

Regardless of the absence of the rondalla-type instrumentation characteristic of their past songs, with Clementine’s signature androgynous voice, this album is still nevertheless distinctively, The Camerawalls. Extolling the virtues of Clementine’s lyric writing is not an arduous task. It is plain to hear that all the songs are well-written and erudite but devoid of any esoteric thus, making it is easier to relate to. While most songwriters employ fillers, a quatrain of “yeah’s” and “ohh’s” and “aahh’s” if you will, the band is guiltless in this instance. Although some themes may have been sung countless times, their songs are eloquently riddled with idioms that may be familiar but never encountered in song. One rarely hears the same overused, unimaginative lines. Bread and Circuses is an honest soulful imagery of human nature whether in doubt, in woe, in disenchantment and in love.

The collective of Clementine, Law Santiago

and Joseph “Bachie” Rudica (bassist and drummer respectively) and their fusion of sophisticatedly arranged music and the brilliantly penned poetic lyrics have established themselves as a band to be reckoned with. While the airwaves are teeming with inane songs with paltry songwriting, they urge you to listen not just with your ears but with your heart and mind. To real musicians, their job is done when their music evoke that catharsis. The Camerawalls easily surpassed that a thousandfold. (Xiomara D. Glindmeyer)

Depth of Field: The Lyrical Brilliance of The Camerawalls

The Camerawalls L to R: Law Santiago, Clementine, and Joseph “Bachie” Rudica

The Camerawalls with session guitar Ian Zafra, from Sheila and the Insects

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , April 2, 20114C

movies

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET

Bradley Cooper shows he can truly act, truly com-mand a screen – and not just swagger and preen and flash that sexy smile – in “Limitless,” and his

performance goes a long way toward making this sci-fi thriller more entertaining, and more plausible, than it probably should be.

Cooper stars as Eddie Morra, a struggling and depressed New York writer living in a cluttered, rundown apartment. He’s already divorced and his latest girlfriend, Lindy (Abbie Cornish), has just dumped him. These early scenes, in which he stumbles around the city in a shlubby, stubbly haze, reveal a depth we hadn’t seen from Cooper in his previous films, like “The Hangover,” “The A-Team” and “He’s Just Not That Into You.” And that makes them just about as exciting in their own way as the ones featuring the amped-up version of Eddie we’ll see later on.

One day, he runs into his former brother-in-law, Vernon (Johnny Whitworth), on the street. Turns out Vernon is a pharmaceutical rep with a new wonder drug called NZT,

which allows you to tap into your full brain potential. Eddie thinks, why not? He’s got nothing to lose.

Suddenly, he’s not only pounding out chapters on his long-languishing novel, he’s cleaning up, picking up new interests, learning new languages and wowing everyone he meets. He loses weight, gets a haircut, buys some stylish new clothes and looks like ... well, he looks like Bradley Cooper. More importantly and more realistically, though, he does the thing we’d all do with frighteningly expanded brain power: He turns it into a way to make millions of dollars. Fast.

Director Neil Burger, whose first feature was the intriguing “Interview With the Assassin” from 2002, moves the story forward with an infectious energy. “Limitless” recognizes the insanity of Eddie’s predicament and has a little fun with it – that he’s seemingly unstoppable, even as he sinks deeper into addiction and discovers some troubling side effects. Burger didn’t need to rely on some of the visual tricks he employs, though – words dropping from the ceiling

to indicate a break in Eddie’s writer’s block, or multiple Eddies accomplishing tasks around the house. The fact that Eddie’s world is brighter, faster and more sensory is enough.

Still, Cooper is surprisingly good as the down-and-out version of his character in the beginning, and as the wildly improved version of himself on NZT. Robert De Niro is quietly fierce (and does some of his best work in a while) as the financial guru who’s fascinated by Eddie, and has a couple of scenes with Cooper in which he reminds you of just how formidable he can be. Cornish, meanwhile, probably doesn’t get enough to do as Eddie’s on-again, off-again girlfriend, who’s skeptical of the new him.

You could probably scour the film for deeper themes: an indictment of the pharmaceutical industry, or our need to have it all and have it now. You could pick the script apart for impossibilities. But why bother? It’s much more enjoyable to shut your brain off and have a good time. (AP)

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , April 2, 2011 5C

short reviews

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET

audiosyncracy

foreview

Mark Anthony Fernandez makes special guest appearance on I ♥ YOU PARE

Jane EyreNow, yet another take on the 1847

novel has come to the screen, with Cary Joji Fukunaga directing Moira Buffini’s script, which shakes things up by messing with the narrative structure. It begins with Jane fleeing the imposing Thornfield Hall in hysterics and is told mainly in flashback, which creates tension from the start – even if you know the story. Fukunaga may seem like an odd choice to direct such revered literary material; his last film, “Sin Nombre,” was a contemporary and violent tale of Central Americans making their way through Mexico on their way to the United States. But both are about people searching for a place to belong, and they share a visceral immediacy. Visually and tonally, his “Jane Eyre” is muted, stripped-down; it’s gooey and marshy, vast and grassy, anything but lush – and that’s what makes it beautiful. The pacing might even be a bit too low-key, but because it is, and because the attraction between Jane and Rochester simmers for so long, it makes the passionate bursts stand out even more. This version also emphasizes the tale’s darker Gothic elements, adding a sense of horror that’s both disturbing and welcome. (AP)

Win WinAfter making just two movies – “The

Station Agent” and “The Visitor” – writer-director Tom McCarthy already had established himself as a filmmaker with a real knack for creating beautifully fleshed-out characters, full of humour and believable flaws. He continues to impress with “Win Win,” and once again amasses an excellent cast; a longtime supporting player himself, McCarthy always brings out the best in his character actors. Paul Giamatti stars as Mike Flaherty, a small-town New Jersey attorney who agrees to take on the guardianship of an elderly client (Burt Young) who’s starting to suffer from dementia. Mike thinks he’s got a good little deal going: Instead of caring for the old man on a daily basis, he sticks him in a nursing home and pockets the $1508 stipend every month. It’s a win-win, he figures. His wife, Jackie (Amy Ryan), and two young daughters could use the money, and the client gets better care this way. It’s not that much cash, so it’s not like he’s really stealing. (AP)

Even when Britney Spears was in the midst of her Charlie Sheen-esque breakdown, she was putting out grooves to wear out the dance floor; 2007’s “Blackout” is the best album she ever made, though the drama of that time overshadowed it.

Since then, she’s continued to pump out taut jams that have kept her musically relevant, even if she’s turned into sort of a Howard Hughes in private. The larger-than-life persona that morphed from jailbait to sex kitten to wild child has been rendered bland, perhaps the most dangerous thing that can happen to a pop star. The mother of two, whose personal and financial affairs are controlled by her father, is rarely heard from, and when she is, every move seems to be calculated by an army of handlers instead of determined by her own will: Any edge or personality she demonstrated seems to have been permanently dulled.

Thankfully, there is one

place where she still shows her spark – in her music. On “Femme Fatale,” the follow-up to 2008’s “Circus,” Spears – with plenty of help from megaproducers like Dr. Luke, will.i.am, and longtime collaborator Max Martin –

shows that she can still give the Lady Gagas and Rihannas of the pop world a serious challenge on the dance floor.

“Femme Fatale” is a nonstop party, starting off with a fun flourish with the poppy “Till the World Ends”

and winding down with the dark, downbeat “Criminal.” There’s nothing especially original on the tracks in between, but Spears’ vocals give already catchy tracks even more appeal. While she’s never been on the vocal level of Beyonce or even Gaga, her voice, though thin and occasionally nasally, does have a pouty charm. On the throbbing “Inside Out,” she sounds like a sexy cougar; “Trip to Your Heart,” with its electronic synths, has a dreamy disco feel.

The driving “Hold It Against Me” is one of the album’s better tracks, though it suffered from the nonsensical, product-placement video that accompanies it. In it, Spears looks listless and off her game, and it’s a reminder that she’s not the Brit who wowed us just a few years ago.

But when you block out the visuals and focus on the songs, Spears once again sizzles, and her flame burns as bright as ever. (AP)

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Some of the best songs on “Femme Fatale” are on the deluxe disc: “Up N’ Down” is a naughty teaser that should be the 2011 theme song for pole dancers everywhere.

Britney Spears, “Femme Fatale” (Jive)

GMA Network’s romantic-comedy series, I ♥ YOU PARE continues mesmerizing viewers with its unique and engaging storyline that redefines family entertainment on the weeknight primetime block. This week, viewers get to see the reunion of Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid with her handsome Ako si Kim Sam Soon and Diva leading man Mark Anthony Fernandez who makes a special guest appearance in the series. Mark, who is very ecstatic to work again with Regine, plays the role of Chito, a policeman who will convince Tonette to finally come out and face the accusations thrown at her. Aside from Joel (Marc Abaya), Chito could

be Kenneth’s (Dingdong Dantes) greatest competition in winning the heart of Tonette. With his killer looks and killer smile, any girl including the drag queens in Club Love would fall head over heels in love with him. Will Tonette give in to Chito’s proposal and surrender herself to the police? Meanwhile, Mandy goes completely fixated over Tony Boy and resorts to all crazy schemes just to get his attention. To end her illusion, Kenneth and Tony Boy pretend they are a couple. Another level of role playing happens for the two and this leaves Mandy heartbroken for the nth time. What will Mandy do to get her revenge on the two pretend lovers?

OngoingHats off to the Graduates! One of Ayala Center’s most promising retailers, Tsim Sha Tsui Dimsum and Tea Bar, celebrates graduation day by offering the following treats:

• For ala carte diners, enjoy twenty percent (20%) off the food bill to any graduation party with a minimum of 10 guests.

•EAT-ALL-U-CAN at the conveyor during lunch for only P250.00 per person (exclusive of drinks)

• EAT-ALL-U-CAN at the conveyor during dinner for only P350.00 per person (inclusive of drinks)

Tsim Sha Tsui also offers their Lenten offering, “The Lenten Catch” for Holy Week.

Ongoing until April 20A Toast to the GraduatesMarco Polo Plaza is offering a special treat for this year’s graduates! Dine at the Café Marco for buffet lunch or dinner as a group of five and the graduate’s dinner is for free!

April 8 to 17Ilocos flavors CebuTaste the flavors of Ilocos as the Marco

Polo Plaza once again takes you on a culinary journey at the Café Marco! Guest chef Danny de la Cuesta flies to Cebu to recreate Ilocos heritage cuisine featuring specialties eaten by our heroes from long ago.

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , April 2, 20116C

bottomsupAileen Quijano

Dear Readers,I have traveled far to visit the famous and most photographed island called Bali,

Indonesia. To be blunt, getting to the ‘land of the gods’ was not exactly a walk in the park. It’s almost like journeying to Narnia. First, fellow adventurer Jan and I have to go through the confusing maze of Kuala Lumpur’s airport and run through the mad crowd towards the tiny plane that would take us to the island. But then you have to guess which plane among those lined up in the runway as there were absolutely no signs or clues, how could that be? But following our gut, we passed the test on that and climbed aboard the right one. Then, upon landing, there were the dragons at the gate, otherwise known as Customs, who just had to pick on you just because you’re a damsel without a knight in shining armor. Well, there’s nothing left to do but smile, play the game and, if you’re lucky, tame the dragons, which we did. Finally, outside the gates of Ngurah Rai airport, there were the hyenas that welcome you with a smile, bring you to your coach… and then, ta-da! charge you almost like an arm and a leg of your carry-on rupiah. Shameless, just shameless. But after surviving the challenge of the maze, the dragons and the hyenas, it was almost like the gods were smiling down on us. From the distance, we could hear the enchanting echo of the gong. We were ready to enter Bali. Ah, Bali. For a glimpse of this delightful island, let me share with you some postcards. – xoxo –

Postcard #1 Kuta BeachDear Bro,How’s Boracay? Would you believe it, I’m frolickin’ here in southern Bali – the

famous Kuta Beach to be exact. The locals tell us Kuta used to be a sleepy fishing village half a century ago, but slowly expanded since the 1960s after its long sandy beach was discovered by travelers from Asia and wandering surfers from nearby Australia. To tell you the truth, the beach is kinda disappointing, it’s grayish and not that smooth – nothing like the powdery white sands of Boracay. But the sunsets? Wow, simply spectacular. A short walk on the beach leads you to the Boardwalk, where you’ll find the chic beachfront ‘Discovery Shopping Mall’, a line of shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants. I know, I know, so what, right? But you see, aside from being a shopping mecca and the centre of night life activities in Southern Bali, Kuta is also famous for its breaking waves and waist-deep water, making it perfect for surfing, wakeboarding, and of course your sport- kiteboarding. You’d love it here, bro. Miss ya. -xoxo-

Postcard #2 Bintang BeerDear Drinking Buddies,I have a confession to make. For the first time, I

passed over my fave margarita for a few bottles of the local beer. I don’t normally drink beer, right? But Bali’s ice-cold Bintang Pilsener is simply irresistible. Originally from Java, Bintang (which means “star” in Indonesia) is by far the smoothest beer I’ve ever gulped down without an aftertaste. I’m hereby sending to you a postcard of Bintang. Have you seen it? Would you happen to know where we can find it in Cebu? If not, perhaps, you can forward this to our favorite bars and hopefully, they will import it soon. Till the next drink. Cheers! – xoxo –

Postcard #3 Bali CoffeeDear Mom,I took a whiff of the best-tasting coffee here in Bali (even perhaps the world)

and thought of you. We visited a coffee plantation in Wedang Sari, Sebatu Village in Kintamani where they also grow their own honey, lemon, cinnamon and more. We saw how they harvested, ground and prepared their coffee. The most interesting was the Kopi Luwak - coffee made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet (weasel-like face, cat-like body and long tail with fur which may be either gray or brown with darker stripes). These beans pass through its digestive tract, then defecated seemingly without losing their original shape. These are then collected, washed, sun dried, roasted and ground as required, yielding an aromatic coffee that is noted as the most expensive and rare in the world. Unfortunately, we didn’t try it though as it’s so expensive and the whole process frankly just weirded me out a bit. However, they did offer us a free taste of their ginger tea, lemon tea, ginseng coffee, ginger coffee, chocolate coffee and the original pure Bali coffee. It smelled so

good and the taste was unlike anything I’ve ever tried. It’s just heavenly, mom. I’ll bring you some. – xoxo-

PostCard #4 Ubud MarketDear Sis,I know you sent me to Bali

on a mission – to find one of your uniquely shaped purses. But despite going to different markets already, I still couldn’t find it. Are you sure that even exists? Nevertheless, Balinese bazaar-hopping is fun. I get a kick out of being asked “How much would you like to pay, daahh-ling?” or “Don’t you like this one, dahling? It suits you dah-ling.” Apparently, Bali is the land of the dah-lings. Anyway, we will continue on to the colorful Ubud market where they sell all things from batik, silver, handcrafted bags, jars, paintings and hopefully, your purse. Don’t worry sis, I’m not giving up on the mission. You are, after all, a dah-ling. –xoxo-

Postcard #5 Balinese PaintingTo my artist friends,Bali totally inspires in the richness of its art and

handicrafts, especially in the Ubud art villages of Celuk, Batubulan and Batuan. In Celuk, we met the gold and silver smith who lured us into buying silver rings we couldn’t resist. Batubulan, which our guide explained means “stone” (batu) and “man” (bulan), is famous for its intricate stone carvings displayed in houses and lined up on the streets. Finally, in Batuan, we visited the house of the master painter I Wayan Mardiana and his brothers Made (2nd); Nyoman (3rd) and Ketut (4th) – also all painters—whose gallery simply explodes in color and the most variety I’ve ever seen from elephants to Hindu gods, women, landscapes and more. As you can see, I stole a shot for inspiration. –xoxo-

Postcard #6 Jimbaran SeafoodDear Popsy,For our last supper, our

Balinese guide, Made, took us to a fresh grilled seafood restaurant in Jimabaran Bay, said to be the best place to enjoy dinner at sunset, with a unique Balinese dance from the lovely Hindu epic Ramayan. And what a feast it was with crabs, shrimps, fish, mussels and veggies, plus Bintang beer. I know you won’t be easily impressed with this, after all, you can find all these food in your own backyard. Anyway, how’s your side of the sea in Medellin, pops? As I prepare to eat this feast, sadly I realize I still don’t know how to pinch a crab. Wish you were here. –xoxo-

Postcard #7 Tanah LotDear Elizabeth Gilbert,One fine day in Bali, we took a long drive from Kuta to Kintamani to gaze at the

majesty of its semi-active volcano Mt. Batur. Then we proceeded to see the amazing rice terraces at Tegallalang and ended by sunset in Tanah Lot, where a great temple stands on a huge rock by the Indian Ocean. Somehow, between the peak of Mt. Batur and the uneven rice plains of Tegallang, I began to wonder about your journey and search for balance between devotion and pleasure in Bali. In the temple at Tanah Lot, before they granted us entry, they let us drink from the holy spring, put a yellow flower behind our ear, and dabbed some grains on our forehead. Yes, I felt both the devotion to their faith and pleasure over beauty, but balance? It’s such a tricky thing

isn’t it? Bali, since I set foot on the island, has been consistently throwing me off guard. In Tanah Lot, as I sit between a huge rock and the Indian Ocean, I feel my world shift yet again. Still, I smile at the setting sun as I remember your words, “Even in my underpants, I feel different.” –xoxo-([email protected])

Postcards from Bali

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , April 2, 2011 7C

TEXT AND IMAGES FROM WWW.FULLYBOOKEDONLINE.COM AND THE WEB

Got something to share with us? Sun.Star Weekend invites readers to contribute original, unpublished poems and essays or commentaries about funny or memorable moments in your life. Please email your

contributions to: [email protected]

49 Gen. Sepulveda Street, CebuTel. No (032) 255-0105 & 412-5551

Fax No. (032) 412-5552Email: [email protected]

website: www.palazzopensionne.net

BED & BREAKFAST

books

scribblings

crossline

An awe-inspiring, often hilarious, and unerringly honest story of one mother’s exercise in extreme parenting, revealing the rewards-and the costs-of raising her children the Chinese way. Here are some things Amy Chua would never allow her daughters to do: • have a playdate • be in a school play • complain about not being in a school play • not be the #1 student in every subject except gym and drama • play any instrument other than the piano or violin • not play the piano or violin The truth is Lulu and Sophia would never have had time for a playdate. They were too busy practicing their instruments (two to three hours a day and double sessions on the weekend) and perfecting their Mandarin. Of course no one is perfect, including Chua herself. Witness this scene: “According to Sophia, here are three things I actually said to her at the piano as I supervised her practicing: 1. Oh my God, you’re just getting worse and worse. 2. I’m going to count to three, then I want musicality. 3. If the next time’s not PERFECT, I’m going to take all your stuffed animals and burn them!” But Chua demands as much of herself as she does of her daughters. And in her sacrifices-the exacting attention spent studying her daughters’ performances, the office hours lost shuttling the girls to lessons-the depth of her love for her children becomes clear. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is an eye-opening exploration of the differences in Eastern and Western parenting- and the lessons parents and children everywhere teach one another.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Motherby Amy Chua

Emman glides through from one corner of the lake to the other and then to another, as if there’s a swimming coach scouting for new athletes. At times, he dips into the bottom. Every resurfacing comes with a surge of glee despite the occasional glint of sun on his face. Emman is one of the boys here in Pawod this Sunday afternoon.

In the island of Lapu-Lapu that has no known river, Pawod is an anomaly of sorts. How was it formed? When? Where’s the source of its water? Does it flow toward the sea? What it is exactly?

Emman is thirteen years old. The other boys, a motley mix from nearby barrios, are much younger than him. They converge here for several reasons, mostly swimming. This is their idea of fun on random afternoons, especially weekends when there are more kids to share good times with.

It is difficult to classify Pawod. It isn’t large enough for a typical lake. It has no noticeable current to be a stream. With its indeterminate current and brackish water, Pawod can pass as spring, creek, billabong, or cove even. There’s also its cave-like façade and underwater pathways to further complicate things. Underwater cave? But then people generally refer to Pawod as a lake – so it is.

The boys don’t care what Pawod is and what Pawod is not. They don’t need scientific accuracy to enjoy it. It’s here for the taking, free to plunge and all. Sometimes they cut classes just to be in Pawod. On a lucky day, foreigners throw coins at them. Two boys simultaneously take a dive from the nine-footer rocky overhang that roofs a third of Pawod.

Pawod is a reservoir of myths and creatures. People from different generations who ever went to the lake have heard its stories. Pawod is said to have formed after a huge tornado struck the land.

Others believe that a rich engkanto Don Rafael had a house atop where Pawod is now. A kind fairy, he let people borrow kitchenware over two conditions: get the utensils themselves from the depths of Pawod and return them to the same place after using. All hell broke loose one day when someone failed to return what he borrowed. Don Rafael would take a life or two each year, usually children, since then.

Emman struggles to catch any of the younger boys as they play tag. The boys don’t seem to mind much whether the stories are true or not. They have heard of scarier stories about cogtong and mantaga that devour humans at whim. Other rumored Pawod inhabitants include: mermaids, white ladies and cigar-puffing agta.

Most parents try to discourage their children from going to Pawod. They could swear to have known a neighbor that was once eaten by the giant octopus or led astray by engkantos. Fairytales aside, some people dump garbage and dead animals in Pawod. The greenish water is feared to have caused skin diseases among kids.

But all this seems to lure instead Emman and these boys to keep coming back to Pawod. They come here not just for respite, but also to test their courage and float their freedom. For a while, they are away from the dictates of their parents. They sure believe they are tougher than those who choose not to be here. For a moment, they feel invincible. This is their gathering.

by Sky Revrews

Lake Of Escape

I placed my poems on the laundry basket. There – they await their song for the melody is not mine to give. Someday, somebody will lather them the music they deserve, using only the finest notes in the detergent business. But now, the net of stench and dirt will disarm them as I await the cure of the washing machine, as I await for that someday to become that somebody. I am hoping against hope that I do have the patience.

I am not the poet I thought I wasby Merin San-san

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , April 2, 20118CCHERRY ANN LIM Managing Editor, Special Pages and FeaturesJIGS ARQUIZA Editor CLINT HOLTON P. POTESTAS Writer

peeps (people, events and places)

Earth Hour, the global movement spearheaded by the World Wildlife Fun, which encourages households and businesses to conserve energy for one hour in an effort to take action on climate change, has gained attention and support the world over, and many companies in Cebu have been willing and active participants to this worthwhile cause.

This year, for the second year in a row, Cebu’s premier boutique events firm, A-List Events, PR & Advertising and 5-star Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort & Spa did their bit for the environment by presenting ILLUMINATED: An Earth Hour Celebration. “Join us in lighting the evening sky with our hopes for a greener world,” so went the invitation to ILLUMINATED, which was held last Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Shangri-la’s Cowrie Cove, with resort lights going out for Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m.,

lights going back on an hour later.At last year’s ILLUMINATED,

guests set wishing lanterns ablaze under the moonlight, while this year guests lighted the evening sky with Earth Hour beach lanterns on Shangri-la’s shore, outlining the number 60, the global symbol for Earth Hour. By purchasing the said Earth Hour lanterns for P500, guests supported Ocean Care Advocates, Inc., the event’s chosen beneficiary. Apart from one Earth Hour lantern, the P500 donation also entitled guests to a complimentary bottle of San Miguel Premium, a 10% discount at Sony Center, a 15% discount at Kamiseta, and a raffle stub, which gave each guest a chance to win exciting prizes from Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Ipanema, Sony Center, Vaio, Kamiseta, and Skyy Vodka.

Fashionista flocked to Magellan’s Landing Pub at the Mactan Marina Mall last Saturday and Sunday, March 26 and 27 for a weekend of fashion and fun. Saturday featured the designs of Paolo Viajar and Salad Dressing boutique, while Sunday saw Eric ALazas’ House of Fusion’s fashion designers and models showing off new and stylish outfits. Marvin Maning also had a short presentation of his photgraphic work.

Right: Event organizer Eric Alazas with a friend.

Below: The models and fashions at Mags’ fashion weekend.

Turning our lights out for Mother Earth

Fashion weekend at Mags

Antonio Aboitiz of Ocean Care Advocates, Joan Zanoria and Mirko Cattini of Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa.

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa Resident Manager Walid Wafik with Kaye Luym and Cybill Gayatin of A-List.

Kelly Uy, Yap Yeung, Ronel Nery and Jhonna Benedicto of Sony Center Cebu.

Shangri-La Mactan Volunteers preparing the Earth Hour Lanterns.Zoltan and Yvette Vass and Berthold Christ

Shibu Thomas, Director of Engineering and Malou Gerra, CSR Manager of Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa

Loida and Renos Augousti

Joan Zanoria, Shangri-La's Marketing and Promotions Manager with Antonio and Ina Aboitiz