Lifestyle

ISSUE NO. 2
February 2019

Laguna WWW.LIFESTYLELAGUNA.COM

Cindy Cadiz
MODEL

MOM
JOSE RIZAL’S MANY LOVES • SOLENAD’S COFFEE PADAWAN • HOMESCHOOLING AS AN OPTION
RUNNING FOR FAMILY • ARTISTS SPARK FOOD AID MOVEMENT • ‘LOWLY’ ALAMANG GOES ‘SOSYAL’

LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019

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LL_Issue2.indd 2 21/01/2019 7:10 PM
 THE PARENTING ISSUE Issue No. 2 / February 2019 WHAT’S INSIDE

Homeschooling
10 as an option

4 HOA Update: Avida

Parkway Settings Cindy Cadiz: 17 The young 20 A spark in emergency
food aid movement
12 Model mom
padawan of coffee

5 Jose Rizal and all the 18 Cozy, modern,

Instagramable
22 Alamang boy
girls he loved before How running can
16 energize your family
ABOUT THE COVER

Publisher and Editor AYISHAH M. CONDE

Contributing Editor ANDRES ENOJADO
Staff Writers LEOBEL BERNADETTE C. COLONA,
NEAL ANDREI A. LALUSIN
Styling and Design Consultant NOAH MENDOZA
Layout and Design AYISHAH M. CONDE
Lifestyle Laguna is published by
CONDE MEDIA PUBLISHING SERVICES, Editorial Interns MARICRIS R. SANTILLES,
with editorial and business offices at SHANE VALERIE B. MUALLAM
140 BelAir Drive, Laguna BelAir 1, Barangay Don Jose, Marketing Manager LAARNI M. BAUTISTA
Santa Rosa City, Laguna, the Philippines. All rights reserved.
Marketing Consultant MARIANNE GLADYS M. CLARON
Website: www.lifestylelaguna.com
Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @lifestylelaguna
Administrative Officer ROSIEDIN G. LANAO
Email: lifestylelaguna@gmail.com Operations Liaison YASIR S. MUALLAM
Phone: (Landline) +63 49 3081396; (Smart) +63 921 7639604

Photography ANDRES ENOJADO

Styling NOAH MENDOZA
Hair and make-up ARTISTHREE SALON
THE TRAVEL ISSUE
NEXT MONTH’S COVER

LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019 3

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L avida Parkway
ush greeneries, relaxing open spaces, and family-friendly
shared areas. These are the common things you will find
in most villages within Nuvali. With reputable develop-
ers, outstanding urban planning, as well as the steady growth
of commercial presence in the area, there is really nothing much
that one could ask for when looking for a place to live in. So what
sets Avida Parkway Settings Nuvali (APSN) apart? It is our com-
munity.
With barely 20% of the units occupied, there are still a few
residents living in APSN. We also have fewer staff members com-
pared to the neighboring villages. But what we lack for in num-
bers, we make up with our unity, cooperation and optimism.
APSN has just been turned over officially last November 24,
2018, and our homeowners association has also been recently
formed, with less than six months in office. However, the com-
munity, in cooperation with Avida, has been successful in get-
ting things done within the past year. Residents have constantly
participated in community events like the board of directors
election, Christmas party, trick or treat for the kids, as well as
regular meetings and updates.
Here are some of the milestones accomplished by one of
Nuvali’s newly established communities:
APSN Leadership
Leading any group with various professional, cultural, and
social backgrounds is never easy. This is especially true if the
leadership has to cater to the individual and collective needs of
such a wide demographic while also fulfilling their own full-time
jobs and attending to their families. Thankfully, the residents of
APSN have united to select and vote for a group of people who
are now called the APSN board of directors. These individuals
will be in the forefront as the community starts standing on its
own by 2019. Despite the demands of their role, the board has
decided to forgo any benefits or advantages commonly enjoyed
by those who willingly give their time and effort for such po-
sitions. Hopefully, this serves as one of the testaments of the
group’s dedication solely to the common interests of the com-
munity.
APSN Committees and Clusters
Aside from the board, there are also a number of residents
who have volunteered to lead different village clusters and
working committees. These sub-groups are expected to meet
by the first quarter of 2019 to plan for activities and projects for
the upcoming months. These initiatives are anticipated to raise
funds for village improvements and foster camaraderie and
friendship among all residents.
Completion of HOA Punch List
Right after the election of the board and the general as-
4 LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019
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HOA UPDATES
settings nuvali
reaches milestones
toward community growth
BY ABIGAIL FABRIGAS-TIANGSING
sembly of APSN homeowners, a long and detailed punch list
has been given to the property management for their necessary
action. Included in the list of items were clubhouse repairs, in-
stallation of streetlights, and maintenance/upkeep of common
areas among others. The board, together with some concerned
residents, and the Avida management then scheduled a walk-
through to closely inspect the village and make sure all con-
cerns have been attended to.
APSN By-Laws
Another major accomplishment of the APSN community
is the drafting, review, and filing of the association by-laws as
required by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. This
document will serve as a basis for the rights, duties, and obliga-
tions of all homeowners. This is also crucial in the management
of all other matters necessary for the proper and convenient
transaction of village affairs.
Looking Ahead
Establishing an organization from scratch is not an easy
feat. APSN is just beginning its journey to instituting itself as the
most organized, transparent, and responsive community within
Nuvali. There are still a lot of issues left unanswered and disa-
greements here and there. Also, there are still a lot of committee
positions that have yet to be taken and commitments that have
yet to be fulfilled. Nevertheless, the outlook is positive and the
progress is steady.
With more and more residents com-
ing together to share their expertise
and genuine love for the place they
call home, there is no stopping this
village from reaching its fullest po-
tential as an asset to the greater Nu-
vali and Laguna community. L
The APSN board of directors is com-
posed of Mari Grace Sy, president; Carlo
Antonio Tiangsing, vice president; Michael Ong, secretary;
Rochyll Amarille, treasurer; and Arnel John Ibarrola, auditor.
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Jose Rizal
and all the girls he loved before
BY MARI SANTILLES
M
an of dignity and bravery. That’s how most Filipinos
regard Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero who
was born in Calamba, Laguna, in 1861. He was raised
in a home filled with humility, respect, and love.
Ah love!
Rizal had lots of it. He was one of those guys women eas-
ily fell in love with. He was not too tall and he often described
himself as someone who was not handsome. As far as physical
features went, he did not see himself anywhere near compara-
ble with the Spaniards and Americans who lived in the country
back in the 1800s.
But what “the great Malayan,” as Rizal came to be known,
lacked for physical attributes he compensated for intellect,
charm, and an unstinting belief in love.
#PABEBE
Rizal was 16 when he first fell for a girl, Segunda Katigbak.
In his diary, Rizal called her “love at first sight.” Segunda’s fam-
ily was close with Rizal’s grandmother and Segunda’s brother,
Mariano, was Rizal’s friend. When Rizal and Mariano went to visit
the old woman in her house in Trozo, Manila, he met Segunda,
a short young lady with alluring eyes, rosy cheeks and a capti-
vating smile. Segunda, 14, was a friend of Rizal’s younger sister,
Olympia; both girls had been studying in La Concordia College
and Rizal would visit his sister every week so he could see Seg-
unda. The two grew more than just friends.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go smoothly between the two.
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CULTURE
Rizal thought he stood little to no chance with Segunda. He was
too shy, even nervous, to tell her what he felt. Besides, Segunda
was already engaged to another man. When the young girl went
back to her hometown in Lipa, Batangas, to meet her betrothed,
a forlorn Rizal waited by the roadside for her carriage so he could
see her one last time. Segunda saw him, even waved at him, and
Rizal raised his hat in response. He followed the carriage with a
frustrated gaze as it disappeared in the distance.
After that episode with Segunda, Rizal courted a girl from
Calamba who he named “Miss L.” No one knew who this girl was.
He often went to see her in her house but soon stopped after he
realized that he still had feelings for Segunda. Worse, his father
Francisco didn’t like “Miss L.”
#LOWKEY
On his second year at the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal
met a tall and graceful woman named Leonor Valenzuela, from
Pagsanjan. Called Orang, she was his neighbor during his stay at
Doña Concha Leyva’s house in Intramuros, Manila. Rizal would
often give Orang love letters but because the elders frowned
upon romance at such young age, Rizal would write those let-
ters surreptitiously, even using an invisible ink made of table salt
and water. He taught Orang to read them by heating the paper
over a lamp or a candle.
Those thrilling moments of secret romance expressed
through love notes ended soon, however. Rizal had been evoca-
tive with his feelings but Orang wasn’t. The one-sided affair end-
ed soon after.
LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019 5
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 All images from www.knightsofrizal.org; The Loves of Rizal and other Essays on Philippine History, Art, and Public Policy by Pablo Trillana III
#TOTGA
While Rizal was courting Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, anoth-
er Leonor was in his mind — Leonor Rivera, his longtime sweet-
heart for 11 years. Leonor, who Rizal called Taimis in his letters,
was the daughter of the cousin of Rizal’s father. Although blood
related, the two carried on with their affair even when Leonor’s
mother expressed strong opposition.
Leonor played a great role in Rizal’s life. She had been his
inspiration, a source of his strength. She was always in his mind
even when he set forth to foreign places but the distance did not
bother him; just the thought of her kept him alive and made him
look forward to seeing her again. From time to time, he wrote
letters to Leonor and faithfully waited for her replies.
Then in the fall of 1890, Rizal received a letter from Leonor
in which she begged for forgiveness because she was about
to marry an Englishman chosen by her mother. Leonor also
claimed that she never got any letters from him. It turned out
that her mother hid them all, making her believe that Rizal had
already forgotten her. Rizal’s heart was torn to pieces.
#FRIENDZONED
Rizal traveled to Madrid in 1882 to take further studies. He
didn’t tell anyone about this, not even his parents and his be-
loved Leonor because he knew that they won’t allow him. Every
Saturday in Madrid, he would drop in on Don Pablo Ortiga Y Rey,
a former Manila mayor. Rizal, a talented and fine gentleman,
captured the heart of Consuelo, Don Pablo’s daughter. The lady’s
beauty so captivated Rizal that he wrote a poem for her titled “A
La Señorita C.O.y.P” (For Miss C.O.y.P).
However, before their relationship grew deeper, Rizal decid-
ed to stay away from her because he was still in love with Leonor
Rivera. Besides, his friend Eduardo de Lete had feelings for Con-
suelo and Rizal didn’t wish to ruin the friendship.
#KAWAII
As Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere was roiling the Philippines after
its controversial publication in 1887, Rizal decided to travel back
home to Calamba. There, his parents obstructed him from visit-
ing Leonor Rivera because her parents didn’t like Rizal for their
6 LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019
LL_Issue2.indd 6
daughter. Reluctantly, he followed his parents’ orders as he was
still living in with them at the time.
Meanwhile, Noli Me Tangere earned the wrath of Rizal’s
powerful enemies and so, for the second time, Rizal left the
country against his will. He went to Hong Kong, then moved to
Japan in 1888, where he met a lovely Japanese, Seiko Usui. He
introduced himself politely to her one afternoon as Seiko strode
by, fortunate that she knew how to speak English and French.
Since then, Rizal started calling her O-Sei-San. His life in Ja-
pan was harmonious and O-Sei-San’s love for him made it more
blissful. He saw her as the woman perfect for him to marry at the
age of 27. But, contrary to what his heart was yearning, he de-
cided to break away again for he still had a mission to complete
— a mission made stronger by the fallout from Noli Me Tangere
— and that was to help his country.
#THANKUNEXT
After living in Japan for 45 days, Rizal moved to London. He re-
sided temporarily in the house of the Becketts. Rizal caught the
heart of the Becketts’ eldest daughter Gertrude, a girl with blue
eyes, scarlet cheeks, and bronze hair. Rizal called her “Gettie” and
Gettie called him “Pettie.” Gettie would always look at Rizal with
warmth and affection. She helped him mix colors and prepare
clays when he was painting or sculpting. But again, Rizal decid-
ed to end the romance even before the relationship got more
serious. He still had a mission to fulfill and could not settle down
yet. And so he chose to leave, hoping that Gettie would forget
him.
#SUMMERBB
In January 1890, Rizal transferred to Brussels, Belgium, where he
rented a small house owned by the Jacoby sisters. There were
two things that Rizal loved about this place: the many festivals
during the summer and his relationship with Petite Suzanne
Jacoby, the niece of his landladies. Just like the previous women
in Rizal’s life, Petite fell deeply in love with him. Although she
was willing to offer her whole heart to him, Rizal was still think-
ing of Leonor. He didn’t want to betray Leonor so he left Belgium
and went back for Madrid.
21/01/2019 7:11 PM
 #REBOUND girl who had gone to Dapitan
Rizal went to Biarritz, a with his foster dad, George
beautiful city in the French Taufer. They had both gone
Riviera, to rest for a while. He to Dapitan from Hong Kong to
was a guest in Villa Eliada, the see Rizal, hoping the ophthal-
home of the Bousted family. mologist could cure the blind
There, he met Nellie Bousted, man.
the younger daughter. (Rizal Rizal and Josephine fell
had thought of marrying Nel- in love and, after a month
lie when he found out about of courtship, decided to get
Leonor’s engagement with married. It was not an easy ro-
another man.) mance, however. Rizal’s family
Nellie was one of the rea- thought Josephine was a spy
sons for Rizal’s fight with one of from Spain. The priest of Dapi-
his friends, Antonio Luna, who tan didn’t give them blessings.
also had strong romantic feel- Taufer opposed their marriage
ings for the girl. But upon real- plans, even threatening to kill
izing that Nellie had fallen for himself if that were to happen.
Rizal, Luna accepted his fate, But Rizal and Josephine
even writing Rizal a letter en- were committed; they vowed
couraging him to marry Nellie. eternal love for each other be-
The relationship did not fore God even though there
prosper, however, because were no priest to bless and
Rizal refused to be converted guide them. Josephine be-
Photo collages by Ayi Conde
to Protestantism. Besides, Nel- came in the early part of 1896
lie’s mother frowned at Rizal’s but, unfortunately, she had
lack of wealth: a doctor who wouldn’t receive payment from his a miscarriage eight months into her pregnancy. The baby boy
patients, a writer with no earnings, and a reformist condemned lived only for about three hours. They named him Francisco, af-
by his own country. ter Rizal’s father.
#BAE Despite all these misfortune, Rizal and Josephine lived hap-
When Rizal was exiled to Dapitan, he was alone, missing pily as husband and wife — a love that lasted through Rizal’s
the warmth of a family. He knew that he needed someone who darkest moments until his last dying breath in Bagumbayan. L
could fill the void in his heart. It was during those lowest mo- Reference: Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writing of a Genius, Writer,
ments that Rizal met Josephine Bracken, an 18-year-old Irish Scientist and National Hero by Gregorio F. Zaide and Sonia M. Zaide

LL_Issue2.indd 7 21/01/2019 7:11 PM

 Parents told:
Vaccines
can save lives
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Vaccines have
been getting a
bad rap in the
Philippines lately
— a deadly, trag-
ic, totally need-
less rap.
Reports indicate that more and more
Filipinos are choosing not to have them-
selves and their children vaccinated. As a
result, there have been reported increas-
es of infections from diseases that are
preventable through vaccinations, such
as measles.
“Diseases which have almost disap-
peared such as measles can be fatal both
for children and adults. They are com-
ing back to wreak havoc not only to the
health of our people, but to the economy
as well,” said Prof. Lulu Bravo, executive
director of the Philippine Foundation for
Vaccination (PFV).
The numbers are worrisome, to say
the least. Childhood vaccine coverage
in the Philippines used to be as high as
90% to 95% in the ‘90s but is now down
to less than 60%, the lowest in Southeast
Asia. Some provinces and barangays even
have coverage of as low as 30%.
LL_Issue2.indd 8
“If this trend continues, it will not be
long until the Philippines will be declared
the sickest country in Asia with the advent
of more outbreaks of measles, diphtheria,
pertussis, polio, and, of course, dengue,
avian flu, and influenza,” she added.
The World Health Organization
(WHO) enumerates three key benefits of
vaccination: 1) vaccines protect against
related diseases, 2) extend life expec-
tancy, 3) allows countries to save costs
through vaccination programs.
Parents do not want their children to
suffer from potentially fatal and debilitat-
ing diseases that, in the first place, are vac-
cine-preventable, Dr. Bravo said. “Without
vaccinating their children, they are expos-
ing them to the risk of developing these
severe illnesses,” she said. “Parents love
their children and they have a responsi-
bility to protect them and prevent them
from the sufferings and diseases that can
claim their lives. Their safety is our biggest
concern. Children and every one of us are
exposed to these diseases every day. We
also want to protect ourselves and save
the lives of everyone in our family,” Dr.
Bravo pointed out.
The fears about vaccines are largely
unfounded, fueled mainly by erroneous
claims. Vaccines are tried and tested. They
go through complex and lengthy research
and development and strict regulatory
processes to test their safety and efficacy.
They are also being monitored and evalu-
ated constantly. However, no vaccine is
without side effects. All medicines have
side effects. But the health benefits of
vaccines outweigh risks associated with
them.
“As a mother, grandmother and pedi-
atric health advocate, it is frustrating to see
that there have been measles outbreaks
and deaths,” Dr. Bravo said. “Measles was
almost gone. Why did this happen? Why is
it back? There are also other diseases that
have disappeared. Imagine seeing a child
who would develop polio because he was
not vaccinated. This child would bring the
consequences of polio with him until he
gets old. We do not want to see that any-
more. Vaccines have a proven track record
of saving lives and preventing potentially
fatal diseases. Vaccines can save your
children’s lives. Please trust your vaccines
experts and talk to your physicians about
the value of vaccination.” L
Source: Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines
21/01/2019 7:11 PM
 30 minutes can lead to a
long, healthy life
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MANY women
can easily get
discouraged from
committing them-
selves to an active
lifestyle because
they think it’s difficult or time-consuming.
Some tend to ignore this important
aspect of their lives, perhaps convinced
that exercise is only for others and that it
has no room in their busy lives. These are
perhaps mistaken notions but they are
real. But everyone needs to stay strong
and more so as time goes by.
Which is why helping women stay
strong is the main focus of Curves, a new
fitness center in Arcadia Building, Paseo
de Santa Rosa. Curves was especially
designed for women and caters to their
needs and concerns — such as their body
measurements and firmness, weight, and
lifestyle.
Curves specializes in a 30-minute
workout called Curves Circuit. It includes
Source: Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines
LL_Issue2.indd 9
cardiovascular training that
works on the heart, combined
that with strength training for
muscle endurance, and stretch-
ing that decreases muscle ten-
sion and increases flexibility — all
the essential workout activity in
just half an hour. The Circuit uses
hydraulic resistance machines designed
especially for women; these machines
respond based on the exerted force, de-
pending on how fast or slow you use it.
One session covers two rounds of
exercises consisting of 12 stations that
targets the upper, middle and lower
body and 12 metabolic conditioning sta-
tion. Working out with Curves develops
the muscle mass, raises metabolism and
burns body fats. The Curves program de-
livers proven results, with studies reveal-
ing that women can burn up to 500 calo-
ries in the 30-minute workout.
Working out at Curves is fun, freeing,
and wonderfully engaging. It is not the
typical gym where you face the machine.
People at Curves make the difference. The
coaches are always there to help and the
members always have stories to tell. And
every month, coaches conduct Celebra-
tion Week by monitoring progress to en-
sure that each one reaches her goals. L
Curves is located at 3rd Level Arcadia
Building, Paseo De Sta. Rosa, Greenfield
City, Don Jose, Santa Rosa City, Laguna.
Its phone numbers are +639175066559
/ (049) 5360344. Its website is http://
curves.com.ph/ while its Facebook page
is Curves Paseo De Sta Rosa. It’s also on
Instagram at curves_pdsr.
21/01/2019 7:11 PM
 EDUCATION

Homeschooling as an option
Homeschooling promises to take the stress
and pressure away from learning. It also gives
families more time to bond with, and learn
from, each other. BY MARI SANTILLES

A
s early as the 1900s, many Filipino families have been
practicing home education, taking inspiration from
the homeschooling movement that had emerged in
America and Europe. In a nutshell, homeschooling is a type of
educational method where the child is taught academic lessons
outside of the classroom by their parents, tutor or online teach-
ers. It is considered as the best alternative to traditional public
or private schooling.
It is important to point out that homeschooling, regardless
of the connotation, is not a repudiation of the mainstream edu-
cational system and is not meant as a substitute for the class-
room education that most Filipinos are accustomed to. Home- As parents, Arlene and Chyll Amarille educate their children “to be better individuals,
to enjoy life and apply their life skills without worrying too much about high grades
schooling is an option that parents can take for their children, and how to become honor students.” (Photo by Dek Fernandez)
regardless of the reasons.
Mothers like Arlene Amarille and Jen Mayuga-Cruz, both 42,
embraced home education as a new way of learning for their
Where to Begin
children. The Laguna mothers, however, have different motiva- Like traditional schools, homeschooling requires prepara-
tions for shifting to homeschooling. tion. Before you take the shift, have a thorough evaluation and
In the case of Arlene, her children Charlize Kim, eight, and ask yourself these: Is homeschooling the best choice for you and
Kate Charlene, 10, had been complaining about waking up early your child? Are you a capable parent to homeschool your child?
and sleeping late because of too much schoolwork, quizzes, and Are you ready to face the challenges?
school activities. They are often tired after school; Arlene pitied Answering these questions are not as tough as it sounds.
them so she decided to just tutor the girls herself. Keep in mind that you’ve actually been homeschooling your
Jen, on the other hand, is an entrepreneur who also works children since birth. You taught them how to walk, speak, and
as qualitative research director for a market research company. do basic tasks. You’ve also instilled in them the values that they
She started formally homeschooling Mateo, 11, from the onset must learn before they set out on their own. As Jen puts it, “I
of his education in 2011 and Daniela, 4, just recently. She wanted trust that I am the best teacher for my children because I know
to see if she could hack it but also believes that a hands-on ap- them better than anyone.”
proach in her children’s education is crucial to enable them to But parents don’t know everything, so research is key. Go
become God-fearing, positive and productive. online, buy books, read articles, and watch videos for guidance
and knowledge. Link up with homeschooling institutions and
get accredited. Arlene is accredited as a “homeschool provider”
at Homeschool Global while Jen is with Catholic Filipino Academy.

Mateo and Daniela Cruz (top); Kate Charlene and Charlize Kim Amarille
(right). (Photos by Dek Fernandez)

10 LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019

LL_Issue2.indd 10 21/01/2019 7:11 PM

 There are also basic requirements, such as a college degree gress without too much pressure on her.
for the parent. You might be required to submit your kid’s pre-
vious grades. There are also seminars about homeschooling Less Sociable Kids?
where you can join other parents, participate in social groups, Many often think that homeschooled children are less so-
among other activities. ciable, introverts who lack the skills to communicate or relate
You will also have to pay fees for tuition and books, which with people. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
brings up the question: Is homeschooling more cost-effective “Homeschooling is more geared toward individualized and
than traditional education? “Cost depends on the provider and customized learning,” Arlene says. “It focuses more on the child’s
the parent,” Jen tells interests and passions
Lifestyle Laguna. “If you and the speed of teach-
spend more time for ing is based on her
extra-curricular activi- pace. Homeschooled
ties, it might turn out children don’t need to
more expensive than keep up with others
regular school.” only to feel frustrated
Jen adds that “one at the end.”
thing to understand Both Arlene’s
is that there is a differ- daughters are enrolled
ence between cost of in different extracurric-
money and value, so ular classes. They also
even if homeschool- go on playdates where
ing is more costly, it is they meet and bond
higher in value because with friends. They often
the child-to-teacher ra- travel to further explore
tio is low, there is more the lessons they need
time to explore con- learned at home.
cepts that interest the “In terms of social
child, even less time relationships, home-
commuting to school schooled kids can so-
Jen Mayuga-Cruz believes that a hands-on approach in her children’s education is crucial to enable
or waiting in traffic.” them to become God-fearing, positive and productive. (Photo by Dek Fernandez) cialize vertically,” Jen
points out. “They are
No Different able to relate with peo-
The curriculum in homeschooling is no different from tradi- ple of different ages and social classes because they are among
tional education. Math, English, Filipino, Science, MAPEH, Home similarly aged peers all day.”
Economics, Sibika at Kultura, Araling Panlipunan, and Christian
Living and Values Education — all these have to be taken up be- The Fun Things
cause they are required subjects by the Department of Educa- Parents always love quality time with their children. Seeing
tion. your child learn things from you and watching them grow on
Arlene and Jen usually start their lessons at nine in the morn- their own is one of the most fulfilling rewards for parents who
ing and end by noon, with only four subjects tackled, unlike in homeschool.
regular schools where seven to eight subjects are taught from “I want them to learn better without the stress, to give them
7:00 am to 4:00 pm, some extending until 5:00 pm. In the Ama- more time to play and do the activities they love most, and most
rille and Cruz households, afternoons are spent on extra classes importantly to bond with them more,“ Arlene says. As parents,
that focus on a specific field, like sports, music or the arts. There Arlene and her husband Chyll educate their children “to be bet-
is also an allocated time for chores, projects and exposure trips. ter individuals, to enjoy life and apply their life skills without
Jen tries to employ the Charlotte Mason approach to make worrying too much about high grades and how to become hon-
her teaching more effective. The goal is for her children to enjoy or students.”
learning using both so-called living books and those required by Arlene says homeschooling gives her family more freedom
the Department of Education. She also makes sure she moves to do the things they love without compromising their educa-
through lessons when she feel that her children are develop- tion. “Any place can be our classroom and every day is play and
mentally capable of it, especially when learning to read and learning time,” she says.
write. For example, in literature, Jen will read her children a story. For Arlene and Jen, homeschooling is an opportunity to
From time to time, she will pause for a while to ask them what teach values to their children. “I believe that what has kept us
is being discussed. In this way, the kids will easily remember the here” – homeschooling in the past eight years – “is to fulfill our
details. vision and mission to raise our children to have strong faith
How long does homeschooling last? “There is a homeschool- in God, to be positive and productive Filipinos who love their
ing option from zero age up to 12th grade,” Jen says. “Complet- country.” says Jen.
ing each grade level may range from four to 10 months, depend- It’s also an opportunity for parents like Jen to learn from
ing on each child’s ability to learn,” she adds, emphasizing that their children. “I feel that my son has taught me so much more
the length of homeschooling largely depends on the child’s pro- than what taught him!” she quips. L

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 COVER STORY

A
sk anyone who knows Cindy Cadiz and they will tell you that she is an extrovert, extremely outgoing, a social butterfly, a
very well-traveled person. She’s also a print and commercial model who runs a household of eight children. Yes. Eight. Kids.
She can be forgiven, therefore, if she decided to get flaky but she does not have that reputation. This busy 44-year-old
mother always finds a way to honor her commitments to friends or anyone she has an appointment with.
Close friends often wonder how Cindy — or Cindoi to many of them — can keep up with herself. How does she manage the
decidedly gargantuan task of being Cindy Cadiz?
“To be honest, I do not know,” she quips one late afternoon in her Ayala Westgrove home that has a spectacular view of Laguna
de Bay. She’s joking, of course, because she does have a system — and the stamina and the patience — required to run such a huge
household.
Friends often see Cindy as a glamorous, always well-dressed woman, but not many know her struggles in raising her children.
Some of her friends, many of them having only two or three kids, can’t be faulted for being awed at her ability to handle eight of her
own. “What they don’t know is that it is stressful,” she says.
Even deciding what they will have for breakfast, lunch and dinner, let alone planning activities for the day or for the weekend,
takes a lot of work, as every mother knows. The need to be strategic is important, she says. And that entails focus: the secret is in
putting her attention where it is needed most.

MODEL
Mom Cindy Cadiz has racked up a pretty impressive portfolio as a
commercial model but she’s proudest about running a large
household of eight children — yes, eight! — and not losing
her charm and equanimity. How does she do it?
BY LEOBEL COLONA
Photo by Ayi Conde

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 ‘EACH CHILD IS DIFFERENT’
Cindy says she applies this to everything she does and she
does it very meticulously. “It is very difficult and I think that dif-
ficulty is a part of it (parenthood). Each child is different and has
a different personality so you have to deal with them” with that
in mind.
She keeps a close eye on every one of her children and one
of the ways to do this is through the PTA. Cindy was PTA presi-
dent, for instance, of Miriam College Nuvali in 2016-2017 and is
active in the PTA in Xavier School Nuvali. She keeps tabs of her
children’s activities through the PTA, along with the inevitable
growth of her circle of friends in all of those schools. There have
been times when she was forced to juggle her tight schedules
attending PTA events and such.
Having young adults in her brood is a different story be-
cause they pose a different kind of challenge. For this, open
communication lines between her, her husband Jing and her
children is crucial, especially since two of the eight — both girls
— are attending college in Manila. Social media, especially Viber,
are important tools in this regard.
‘KEEP THE TRUST’
But more significantly, Cindy says she tries to keep the trust
between her and her kids and to respect their choices, whatever
they may be. She “suggests” things to them, she points out, but
they always make the decision for themselves. Case in point: She
and her husband had hoped to have a doctor among the kids
Photo by Andres Enojado

Photo by Ayi Conde

since Jing’s family owns a hospital in Lipa City and most of their
relatives from his side are doctors and health professionals.
But Cindy’s children had other ideas. Her eldest son Jean
Tate, who is 24, recently transferred from De La Salle–College
of Saint Benilde where he studied consular and diplomatic af-
fairs to Adventist University of the Philippines in Tagaytay. Cindy
finds a silver lining here: At least the kid is nearer his family and
studying in Laguna is less aggravating than in Manila.
Cindy thought her second child Isabella’s interest in com-
munication arts (she’s enrolled in Ateneo de Manila University)
was just “a stepping stone” for something loftier but Isabella, 22,
fell in love with the program and now wants to finish it.
As much as she respects her children’s decisions, a part of
her is pained by the thought of any of them being away, practi-
cally on their own. So she copes, as she often does. She makes
it a point to visit Cia, her 19-year-old who studies psychology
at the University of Santo Tomas, every week. “Every Sunday, I
make sure I am the one who drives her to her condo in Manila
and stay there overnight. That way she’ll know that I am there for
her,” she says, now waxing emotional.

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 Photo by Ayi Conde

Photo by Andres Enojado

‘KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER’

Keeping the family together, preventing chaos — these chal-
lenges persist. Cindy’s solution is a no-brainer: proper organization
and time management. She says it is important to take note of
every schedule and every commitment down to its last detail. And
no – she doesn’t have an app for that, strange as that may sound in
this day and age.
“This is also what I want to instill in my kids, to manage their
time and activities well,” she says. And she has her hands full on
her kids’ activities. Her boys, Jean Tate, Anton, and Fonzy are into
sports -- ultimate frisbee, football, and track and field. Her daughter
Isabella is also into frisbee and has been competing nationwide.
(Isabella is the most likely to follow her mother’s footsteps in mode-
ling, as her Instagram feed shows.) The younger daughters, Daniela
and Crissy, are into gymnastics and football.
Cindy says she hates wasting time. Her day job as a print and
commercial model — the number of VTRs she has to attend, the
casting calls — and the PTA meetings and other commitments re-
quire that she remains organized. Cindy has her household staff to
thank for helping her handle the other more tedious chores around
the house. Most of her staff have been with her for years. “It is my
mom who chose them. Most of them are from Bicol because that
is where my mother came from,” she explains. Most of the cooking
is done by Fely and Cindy is being driven to her various appoint-
ments by her driver Joseph, who attests that Cindy is the easiest
Photo by Andres Enojado boss to work with.

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 A
s one can imagine, stress is a major issue with Cindy. It
may not be obvious because she is always smiling and
bubbly but, luckily for her, she has a lot of things to do
to distract her.
Cindy travels a lot. Traveling is longtime passion that began
when she was in her early 20s. “I like traveling very much, espe-
cially with my family. If not for their classes and the cost, I would
have done it every month,” she says. “Sometimes I think that, if
not for all of this, I’d be a backpacker, traveling a lot, out of town,
out of the country.”
Many of her travels are on a whim, like the one she took in
December in Hong Kong. She usually joins her friends in their
trips, as when they went to Pattaya and Bangkok in Thailand last
year, and occasionally tags Jing along if his busy work schedule
allows. The whole family travels out of the country at least once
a year, most recently in Osaka in Japan and, locally, Misibis Bay.

STRESS BUSTERS
Cindy also dabbles in the arts. She has a number of her
paintings in her massive house, usually acrylic and oil. Painting
is a way for Cindy to free herself from the woes of parenting. Or
deal with boredom, which would be an odd thing to happen to
somebody as preoccupied as she is. Whenever she feels alone,
she paints. Landscapes, portraits, abstract — she has done all of
it. Nowadays, Cindy paints when the spirit moves her. And when
it does, she mostly paints with her family in mind.
And if none of these can restore her equanimity, there’s al-
ways driving. She says she often drives aimlessly, which gives her
a natural high, especially with ‘90s grunge and alternative mu-
sic blasting on the radio. (Pearl Jam and Oasis are favorites). She
finds this exercise cathartic.
Having a lot of friends also helps and it’s no wonder Cindy
is still fond of night outs and parties where talk and laughter
pair really well with good, red wine, mainly merlot. Of course, a
house on top of a hill (designed by acclaimed architect Ed Cal-
ma) overlooking Laguna de Bay also helps.

MODEL MOM
Cindy has forgotten why she went into modeling career. It
was not her thing, she says. “I was a shy person,” she says. That
shyness aside, Cindy managed to create an impressive portfolio
in commercial modelling with such brands as EQ, Eden, Red Rib-
bon, McDonalds, Jollibee, Uber, BDO, to name a few.
Cindy started her career as a commercial model in the early
2000s back when she only had two kids. She remembers she was
at the mall that time when her soon-to-be agent Ronnie Arciaga
of Modelshop bumped into her and asked her to do a VTR —
old-school jargon for “video tape recording” — for Pantene.
Raised in Makati, Cindy is the eldest among seven children.
Before she discovered modeling, she pursued a rather different
path. After graduating in high school from Colegio de San Agus- Photo by Ayi Conde
tin, she enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (nutrition and
dietetics). “I really wanted to become a doctor, “ Cindy says. She thing here is accessible: you have the supermarkets, shops, and,
then transferred to Saint Louis University in Baguio where she of course, the schools. It’s good that they are making their way
eventually shifted took a business course. to the south.”
A Makati girl, yes, but Cindy has her roots in Laguna. She Despite all the hardships and challenges that come with
was born in Daet, Camarines Norte but spent time in Banlic, parenting and life in general, Cindy remains thankful. Nowadays,
Cabuyao, her father’s hometown, and she is staying the south she feels closer to God, praying whenever she needs patience
for good. “What I like about Nuvali is that they are introducing a and guidance. “We are not getting younger,” she says, “and pray-
better quality of living — the eco-living, they call it. Also, every- ing helps me deal with the problems that life throws my way.” L

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 FITNESS
How RUNNING
can energize you and
your family BY GLADYS CLARON
R
unners have become a usual sight for us in Nuvali, San-
ta Rosa City, ever since we moved to our new home in
Palma Real last 2016. With a picturesque view, clean air
and ample grounds, it was inspiring to see these people running
freely. This is one of the reasons why we wanted to live in a com-
munity where our family, especially our kids, can do such activity
without us having to worry about their safety.
Prior to living in Biñan, we used to drive to Nuvali on week-
ends early in the morning where my son, Elijah, would ride his
bike and my husband, Elmer, ran alongside him. But because
biking is faster than running and because Elmer was a bit on the
heavy side back then, he had a hard time catching up with his
son. This ignited his goal to, as they say,
up his game and to live healthy and stay
fit.
Three years later, he is still as dedi-
cated as he was when he first started. It
has become a lifestyle for him. Proper
diet, waking up early and signing up for
endless so called “fun-runs” have been a
norm for him. From 10 kilometers to 16
to 21 kilometers, Elmer ran those dis-
tances and, together with friends, has
been getting ready for his first 42-kilom-
eter run. They now have weekly train-
ings — thanks to YouTube tutorials — to
keep them fit until the actual event.
You see, running takes will power.
You don’t just wake up one morning
and decide you want to run. Research
is important; ask friends or people you
know who are into it. Go online for in-
spiring videos and educational articles
about running. You’ll know, for instance,
that there is a “proper form” in running
so you don’t injure yourself. You’ll learn
about pre- and post-running exercises, setting your pace, and
why knowing the different types of road or trail surfaces is im-
portant to prevent injuries.
All this can be quite overwhelming for the newbie runner
but Elmer has a tip: You should set a goal so that when you feel
like giving up you can go back and realize the purpose of run-
ning.
Running can also inspire. Having a soft heart to help others,
Elmer started an advocacy to join his employer’s annual “Run for
a Cause” program where proceeds are used to assist employees
with terminal illness. He has also been joining “fun runs,” most
recently in Paseo where majority of those who joined were
women and children.
I didn’t get running at first and was even irked that Elmer
spent so much time on it. But I have since accepted the fact that
16 LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019
LL_Issue2.indd 16
Elmer at the Pinoy Fitness 21K Challenge 2018 Sub 230 held last November (below).
The author (above) with Elmer and their three kids Elijah, Erin, and Eimy.
it meant so much to him and that
this — Elmer, the runner — is him.
This brings me to my main takeaway
from this experience: The key to un-
derstanding running as a passion is
to understand what it does to the
runner.
In Elmer’s case, it energizes him
even after a day’s work at the of-
fice. It has made him more active
at home. With three children and a
house to clean, who wouldn’t love
a husband more when he does the
laundry or cleans the house?
Slowly, he has introduced to
Elijah the discipline required in run-
ning, like waking up early on his
own and, when running, starting at
a slow pace. The “fun runs” or even
just the ordinary runs have become
an occasion for bonding.
Elmer, of course, had asked me
to join him and I gave in at some
point. After battling the torturous early mornings, I got the hang
of it and had fun “running” with him whenever I could. I start-
ed joining “fun runs.” Recently, a five-kilometer run that should
have been finished within 30 minutes on the average took me a
whopping 58 minutes! When Elmer asked what took me so long,
I shrugged and said, “It’s called a ‘fun run’ so I took my time run-
ning while looking around so I can have fun.”
But, just as I feared, I found excuses not to run. No one will
look after the kids, our two-year old daughter will cry if she re-
alized that I’m not home, I slept late because I did the laundry,
and so many other reasons that runners like my husband would
find flimsy. Although I still try once in a while to run around our
village, running can be a drag. But, as Elmer has shown, it’s all
about getting used to it — and to appreciate the value and joy it
brings to the runner and his family. L
21/01/2019 7:11 PM
 #BeInspired
H
e might be young and only starting but 20-year-old Jer-
emy Catabijan is passionate about coffee. Although he
began his barista career in the summer of 2018, Jem’s
interest in coffee started ever since his dad, Jerry, acquired a li-
cense for 18 Days Coffee Roasters and established the first arti-
san coffee shop in Solenad 3 in August 2016.
For Jem, coffee is not just about a steaming black liquid in
a cup. It’s about the roasting process, the farmers, the commu-
nity. There is a lot to know about coffee than what mainstream
coffee shops offer. “I think most people are traumatized by cof-
fee because the standard they have is it’s bitter,” Jem says in an
interview with Lifestyle Laguna. “What they don’t know is that
coffee has a lot of flavor. It can be sweet, fruity, and would even
taste like chocolate if processed correctly.”
There is a lot to know about coffee than what
mainstream coffee shops offer, says Jem Catabijan of
Nuvali’s 18 Days Coffee Roasters. BY LEOBEL COLONA
Jem’s love for coffee transcends to his love for country. When
he was starting his training as a coffee barista under Basil and Vie
Reyes, founders of 18 Days Coffee Roasters, he realized that the
market for local coffee is promising if not hindered by the heft of
the big, often multinational, coffee brands. “It’s frustrating that
we, as Filipinos, have a lot of good coffee blends but here we are,
satisfied with just instant coffee,” he says ruefully. What Jem is
trying to achieve with 18 Days Coffee is to educate people about
coffee and encourage them to understand and appreciate cof-
fee and agriculture.
In his short time as a barista — a coffee padawan, if you
will — Jem learned about the different blends. This led him to
now believe that, while everyone puts a high premium on Ara-
bica and its different varieties, the popular Barako roast has not
been given its due. “Although the standard for the Barako is the
Liberica variety, the good Barako roast consists of Arabica, Ex-
celsa, and, of course, the Liberica,” Jem explains. The uniqueness
of the Barako, Jem believes, should put the Philippines on the
coffee map. “The common misconception about the Barako is
LL_Issue2.indd 17
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Jem Catabijan is passionate not just about coffee but the farmers who grow them.
He says educating people about coffee is important because there’s more to cof-
fee than instant coffee. At 18 Days Coffee Roasters, it’s all about the roast. Cof-
fee is best consumed within 18 days after roasting. (Photos by Dek Fernandez)
The young
padawan of
COFFEE
it’s strong but that’s only because it’s roasted until it’s black. In
fact, the Liberica tastes a lot like jackfruit,” Jem points out.
Again, it’s all about the roast. The real secret to a cup of great
coffee, he emphasizes, is the roast — and 18 Days Coffee is proud
of its air roast technique, which uses a roaster that was designed
by Basil Reyes himself. The roaster is designed to be user-friendly
for farmers, Jem says.
Throughout the interview, Jem never fails to include the
farmers in the narrative. For him, the relationship between the
farmers and coffee is the most important element to ensure the
success of the coffee industry. He hopes that, someday, he will
be able to have a farm to employ farmers and educate them
about coffee. His shop’s customers are also a target of this edu-
cation. “I want to show people that there is a big difference be-
tween mainstream coffee and real coffee,” he says. “There is a lot
more to discover about coffee.” L
18 Days Coffee is located at the ground floor of Ayala Malls Solenad
3, Nuvali, and is open as early as 8:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM
LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019 17
21/01/2019 7:11 PM
 HOME & LIVING

#LagunaHome

Cozy,
modern,
Instagramable

18 LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019

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 TEXT BY MARI SANTILLES
PHOTOS BY DEK FERNANDEZ

N
uvali, the Ayala development in Laguna, has been
a place of comfort for the Amarille family. They built
their home in Parkway Settings in 2015 and have en-
joyed it since then.
The façade is modern and minimalist, with the absence of a
fence making the two-story house more welcoming. The living
room is compact but with elegant touches of Earth colors that
give off a warm vibe. A mir-
ror wall made it more expan-
sive, which is probably why
Rochyll, the man of the house,
enjoys his time in the living
room the most, watching his
favorite NBA games.
The furniture and other
details — such as the vases,
wall paintings, and shelves —
are all perfectly matched. The
rooms of their two daughters
are quirky and quite Insta-
gram-able.
Arlene, Rochyll’s wife and
a hands-on mother, conceptualized most of the design. The kitchen is her favorite spot, she
says, where she prepares hearty meals for the family. She home-schools her daughters and
they would often do their study sessions in the comfortable dining area.
The whole house and the interior are done tastefully. Not too extravagant, if one looks
closely, but cozy and comfy enough for a family of four. L

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 “ “
VOLUNTEERISM

WE FEED THE
HUNGRY
IN TIMES OF
DISTRESS,
THIS IS OUR
CREED.

Alex Baluyut and Precious Leano,

the duo behind ARMK.
(Photo by Dek Fernandez)

In Los Baños kitchen, a spark for

emergency food aid movement
ARMK is a volunteer movement that provides teered to cook for the delegates of a photojournalism workshop.
homestyle meals to those displaced by disasters While news of Yolanda survivors arriving at the Villamor Airbase
in Pasay City started streaming in, the couple decided to make
and conflicts all over the Philippines. better use of their cooking skills. They gathered Chris Quintana,
BY LEOBEL COLONA Al Benavente and other photographer friends who remained
at the workshop, inventoried the small number of kitchenware

T
that Alex had bought for the event, and went to work.
ucked inside a com- What was originally a feeding session that Alex and compa-
pound at the Univer- ny had envisioned just for a few days became a 24/7 routine for
sity of the Philippines the next 22 days. Friends, many of them artists like the couple,
here, the house of couple Alex flocked to the base to volunteer — an estimated 2,000 helped
Baluyut and Precious Leano has provide food for the survivors of the typhoon.
hosted lunches, dinners and The couple posted on Facebook for help in logistics like ac-
get-togethers for friends. The cess to the base, drivers, food ingredients, and volunteers. “We
couple call it “the Garden Cot- packed our entire kitchen, borrowed a big pot, and an additional
tage” because the compound is, stove from our friends in Los Baños and bought ingredients for
in fact, a garden. It’s where they have the first lugaw (porridge) meal we were going to cook,” Precious
been pursuing their passion for home cooking. It’s also where a said.
movement started. The feeding session inside the base became the catalyst for
It was 2013, when typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated Art Relief Mobile Kitchen (ARMK), a new type of volunteerism
large parts of the country, particularly Tacloban, and took the that aims to immediately provide for the food needs of those af-
lives of 10,000 people. Earlier that week, Alex, a renowned pho- fected — a rapid disaster response for the hungry. “We feed the
tojournalist and documentary photographer, and Precious, a hungry in times of distress, this is our creed,” Alex said in a recent
former art curator for Crucible Gallery in SM Megamall, volun- Facebook post about their nonprofit humanitarian organization.

20 LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019

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 Alex outlined what Now. “We must know what
ARMK does: “Just like the the available goods in the
fire departments, people do local market are. Are the
not think of them until fire people there largely Cath-
hits their homes. Our ser- olic or Muslim? What is the
vice is emergency food aid situation in the area? We
because when calamities or must know down to the
disasters happen, rescue/ last detail so that we will
water and food are the first be prepared and we know
response.” how to maneuver in case
He added: “ARMK is con- something comes up.”
stantly evolving, just like Ever since ARMK
firefighting techniques and started, the couple has
equipment evolved through received a lot of support
the years. We are constantly from friends and even
trying to improve our cook- small companies that pro-
ing (techniques) and our vided them with the in-
equipment (depending on Alex Baluyut (seated, left) and Precious Leano (seated, second from left) with some of gredients and condiments
ARMK’s volunteers. (Photo courtesy of ARMK)
our funding). We are always they need. “Before, we just
trying to shorten our response time to the ground zero situa- started with the kitchenware that Alex bought. Nowadays, peo-
tion. We track every storm and monitor every manmade or natu- ple would give us industrial cookers, even condiments,” Precious
ral calamity and also gauge the dangers that may threaten our said.
volunteers.” The challenge of preparing meals for several people isn’t
Since its inauguration on November 15, 2013, ARMK has new for them. “We have the confidence and skill to cook for a lot
fed the hungry affected by calamities and conflict from all over of people. Every year since 2012, we organize an art event called
the country — from Hernani town, Samar, to Marihatag town, WiSiK (Wika, Sining, at K) and in 2013, Alex suggested we do a
Surigao del Sur, to Addition Hills in Mandaluyong. In 2016, ARMK potluck lunch for those who will attend. So when Yolanda came,
came to aid of victims of the extreme drought in Arakan Valley we were ready,” Precious explained.
in Mindanao. In 2017, the group deployed to the battle-stricken Community work and immersing with the less privileged
city of Marawi where volun- are also not a new thing for
teers served 3,000 meals for Alex and Precious. Alex, who
those displaced by the conflict is considered one of the pio-
as well as local government neers in Philippine photojour-
personnel, military personnel, nalism, documented conflict
and journalists. and disaster for his work and
In September 2018, ARMK has been to places where a lot
went to Ucab, Itogon, Ben- of displacements occur. “I am
guet, after typhoon Ompong curious about people’s stories,”
devastated the Cordilleras and he told Lifestyle Laguna. His
served hot meals to more than interest in photography devel-
1,000 adults and children with oped when he was younger
the help of cooks and chefs back when he and his brothers
from Baguio and local volun- owned a Nikkormat camera.
teers. The group welcomed Meanwhile, Precious
2019 with a relief mission in stayed in the art scene as a cul-
Tiwi, Albay, which was affected tural worker even after becom-
by typhoon Usman. An ARMK feeding session in Tondo. (Photo courtesy of ARMK) ing an art curator. She then
ARMK has launched 41 worked as a public relations
emergency missions around the Philippines and now has chap- officer in various companies and, later, as a media consultant for
ters all over the country (its headquarters is in Los Baños) and the government. The couple has two children, Rickee and Dylan.
will open more soon. Through these local chapters, “we move Artists such as Alex and Precious find gratification in the
our mobile kitchens into disaster/calamity areas… to feed the things that they do professionally. But food aid through ARMK
hungry evacuees. Our volunteer cooks make homestyle com- has significantly changed their outlook in life. To them, ARMK
fort meals which are culturally adapted to the regions (that) we is not just about a hot bowl of soup in the hands of a cold and
serve. We have served vegetarian meals, steaming hot soups homeless Filipino battered by disaster or conflict. ARMK is not
filled with goodness and fiery halal curries to our Muslim sib- just about feeding – “It (is) a means of empowering the commu-
lings,” Alex said. nities,” Alex said. L
Alex and Precious and their volunteers are very meticulous To help ARMK in its work, you can contact Alex or Precious at
in the preparation for each mission. “Before we go to the site, 09989791629 or 09178288690, or via facebook.com/artrelief-
we do our research,” Precious said in an interview with Laguna mobilekitchen.

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 ENTREPRENEURSHIP
A
s a boy back in Marikina City, Edwin Palestroque
loved green mangoes smothered in alamang.
Growing up in that city, Edwin was all-too fa-
miliar with the popular snack. Filipinos love the cheap
alamang and the sour green mango that usually went
with it. Anywhere in the Philippines, one can see a
man pushing a cart selling the peeled green fruit
stuck on a stick, the shrimp paste spread all over it.
Even then, Edwin was aware of what the alamang
represents, at least that it was not something rich peo-
ple consumed. It was not a surprise then that, years later,
he would give wealthy people -- particularly the coños of
the world -- a taste of this commoner food through Elemeng,
his version of the alamang.
That he branded Elemeng by using a name that’s based on
how he thinks rich kids pronounce alamang is not out of spite.
It was all about his belief that the name would resonate. “I want
to reach the upper-class market and catch their attention with a
product that they usually would not put in their grocery list” be-
cause of its funky smell, he tells Lifestyle Laguna. Fair
enough.
The clever branding aside, Edwin is an
odd person to be peddling shrimp paste.
The 30-year-old Laguna native -- he was
born in Biñan, grew up in Marikina, and
is now back in his hometown -- is an art-
ist. Tall, lanky and with tattoos covering
his arms, Edwin belongs to a band LTNM
(Love Thy Neighbor Movement); you will
never guess he hawks alamang, or that he
personally cooks Elemeng.
It all began a year ago, on December
6, 2017, when Edwin brought home green
mangoes that he had bought in the local mar-
ket. He cooked the shrimp paste to go with the
fruit -- salty, sweet, pungent. When his Aunt
tried it, she was pleasantly surprised
by its distinctive flavor. Why don’t
you make more of this and turn it
into a business, she told Edwin.
Filipinos abroad would love it.
Encouraged by his family and
friends, Edwin did just that.
The Hotel and Restaurant
Management program he took
in college came in handy, as did
the fact that, even when he was
as young as 10, he already knew
how to cook food for himself. His
mother, Cleofe Andrea, managed
a canteen they owned at the For-
tune Tobacco Corporation factory
in Marikina. When school was out,
Edwin would go to the canteen
Edwin dreamed of just playing in a band.
Shrimp paste changed all that.
The “lowly” alamang has been given a boost
by Elemeng. (Photos by Dek Fernandez)
22 LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | FEBRUARY 2019
LL_Issue2.indd 22
to help out, either as a cashier or in the
kitchen.
Concocting his version of the
shrimp paste took a series of trials
and errors before Edwin finally got
the mixture right. The product that
is now being sold mainly online
is sweet and spicy and could be
spread on almost anything, in fact,
not just mangoes.
Edwin also took time to perfect
the technique in storing Elemeng with-
out using preservatives. “I use only just
the basic ingredients. We don’t use tomato
because it rots easily,” he says. He experimented with it by tap-
ping his friends, letting them try it, giving Elemeng it away for
free.
The business officially started on December 8, 2017.
Through his networks and connections, he started selling on-
Alamang
BOY
A heavily tattooed musician who
dreamed of playing in his own band
turned his love for the shrimp paste
(and his amusement with Filipino
coño speak) into a thriving business.
BY MARI SANTILLES
line by creating a Facebook page. He
was selling a 12-ounce plastic jar of
Elemeng for Php65 back then. He
changed the packaging to glass jars
to prevent spillage and increased the
price to Php150.
It was not long before people
took notice. A writer from a Philippine
newspaper wrote about Elemeng in
his Facebook account saying “it’s like
Nutella chocolate” that you can eat on
its own. Elemeng was featured in many
other publications since then and, just
recently, it was recognized as “The
Number One Most Trending Product of
2018” by Let’s Eat Food Magazine. To-
day, Elemeng’s network of distributors
is growing, expanding outside of Ma-
nila to as far away as Davao City. Most of
the distributors are home-based while
some are restaurants. Market demand is
21/01/2019 7:12 PM
 #BeInspired
clearly growing: months ago,
Elemeng sold an average of
350 jars a month; today, it’s
a minimum of 1,500 jars a
month.
It had not been easy, of
course. Edwin and his team
had to go through the stress,
deal with the complexity of
sales and management, and
experience the exhaustion
from production. “It’s nice to
be a businessman because
there’s no one to boss you
around, everything is up to
you,” Edwin says. “But it’s also
hard because if you won’t
make the move, you’ll earn Since establishing Elemeng in December 2017, Edwin Palestroque has been juggling roles in his business. (Photo by Dek Fernandez)
nothing.”
Together with his family, Edwin produces Elemeng right and never imagined he’d have this thing going and growing out
from his house kitchen in Biñan. He hopes that he’ll be able to of a product many find embarrassing to have. His real dream
put up a small production area, like a mini factory, sometime was to become a musical artist, to just perform onstage with his
soon. He cooks the shrimp paste himself but also manages the band. He and, evidently, the many who love Elemeng have come
business. His stepfather, Julio Paraiso, helps him in the prepara- to accept and even love the incongruity of a tattooed bassist
tion while the rest of his family helps with the distribution. His with braces and massive earrings selling spicy shrimp paste.
girlfriend, Sweet Llevado, is in charge of accounting and financ- “Elemeng reflects myself,” he says. “This is me: makulit na
es. “It is a family business,” he quips. masarap (persistent but delicious).” Or, as the coños would prob-
Edwin still laughs at the thought of how Elemeng started ably put it, mekelet ne mesherep. L

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