Lifestyle

ISSUE NO. 1
JANUARY 2019
LIFESTYLELAGUNA.COM

Laguna

The Utter

Laguna
Coolness of ALDEN
RICHARDS

Bae STORY BY EMMIE G. VELARDE

HISTORIC, BUCOLIC, DYNAMIC LAGUNA • FRIENDS & FRIES • JAPANESE BREAD • MARIA MAKILING
CONCHA’S GARDEN • HEIRLOOM FOOD • GALLERY CAFES • PAMPERED PETS

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 PUBLISHER’S NOTE
IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE NO. 1
JANUARY 2019

#LagunaLiving
4 A Tour
of Bucolic
6 HOA Updates:
Avida Settings
8 Sip & Dip:
Friends
Laguna Nuvali & Fries

Team Lifestyle Laguna: (Top row, from left) Gladys Claron, Bong Muallam, Laarni
Bautista, Ding Lanao; (bottom, from left) Bangs Colona, Ayi Conde, Mari Santilles

W
hat you have in your hands is a magazine that reflects
9 Paete Gallery
Takes
10 Santa Rosa’s
Bashful,
11 Laguna’s
Eco
our aspiration for our adopted community. We’re not
original Laguna residents; we moved here not just to
Center Stage Little Bakery Mama escape the chaos of Manila city life but also to embrace what our
new province has to offer. We are still exploring our community
and we want to take you along for the ride. We are prepared to
be smitten, if not blown away.
We won’t make empty promises about this magazine be-
coming the best in the province, although we will certainly give
it a try. We think the community is best served by covering the
interests, desires, wishes, even frustrations, of its residents. Life-

12 The Utter
Coolness of
17 Concha’s:
A Dream
18 Filipino
Heirloom
Food
style journalism, we believe, can do that.
We won’t make assumptions about why there seems to be a
Alden Richards Come True with a Twist dearth of lifestyle publications in Laguna but we will strive to fill
this apparent void with competent editorial content, tapping lo-
cal writers, journalists, photographers and content creators. We
will try to be informative and compelling at the same time.
We will, in other words, celebrate the good things about
#LagunaLiving.

19 For Love
of Good
20 How to
Make Your
21 Laguna’s
Beguiling
Coffee Pets Happy Beauty Publisher and Editor AyiSHAH M. Conde
Contributing Editors Emmie G. Velarde, Andres Enojado
Staff Writer Leobel BERNADETTE C. Colona
Styling and Design Consultant Noah Mendoza
NEXT MONTH’S COVER

Layout and Design AyiSHAH M. Conde

Editorial Intern MariCRIS R. Santilles
Marketing Manager Laarni M. Bautista
Marketing Consultant MARIANNE GLADYS M. CLARON
Administrative Officer ROSIEDIN G. LANAO
Operations Liaison YASIR S. MUALLAM

22 Three
Artists,
Lifestyle Laguna is published by Conde Media Publishing Services,
with editorial and business offices at 140 BelAir Drive, Laguna BelAir 1, Barangay
Don Jose, Santa Rosa City, Laguna, the Philippines. All rights reserved.
One Bond Website: www.lifestylelaguna.com
Cover photo courtesy of Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @lifestylelaguna
GMA Corporate Affairs and Email: lifestylelaguna@gmail.com
Phone: (Landline) +63 49 3081396; (Smart) +63 921 7639604
Communications

LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | JANUARY 2019 3

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 T R A V E L

Take a Tour of Laguna de Bay is not only the big-

Laguna
Historic,
gest lake in the Philippines but it
is also the most historically and
economically important. Unfor-

Bucolic, tunately, Laguna de Bay is now

considered to be in an alarming

Dynamic state of pollution and most fish-

es that are being supplied in the
province are prone to poisoning.

Text and photos

Laguna de Bay
LEOBEL COLONA
Illustration
MARI SANTILLES
LaX
Ca
Biñan

As the trading center of the

south, Biñan is home to two major industrial parks
in the province: the Laguna International Industrial
Park and the Laguna Technopark, which contrib-
uted to the rise of local employment, foreign ex-
change and local revenues. Photo from LIIP website

Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa City has eco-cities

like Nuvali, Greenfield City, and
Eton City. These stretch out from Santa
Rosa to the neighboring city of Calamba. In the Nuvali
and Greenfield communities, visitors are able to enjoy
activities such as wakeboarding, boating, and biking. Calamba

THE SHOPS
Shoppers are drawn to the province for the conveni- Calamba is considered
ence of its outlet and retail stores in Greenfield City, the richest city in the region.
in Solenad as well as VistaMall. Local products are also It has 11 technoparks, where
popular; people flock to the municipality of Liliw for most of the companies are manufac-
its footwear, for instance. If one needs high-quality turers of semiconductors. Transna-
gowns and dresses for formal occasions, Lumban is tional companies have established
the town to check out because it is known for its hand- their manufacturing base here, as
embroidered formal wear made from pineapple fiber. well as large food companies.

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 THE CULTURE Travelers and tourists should not
People often visit the UPLB miss the opportunity to visit the
Museum of Natural History Saint James the Apostle Parish in
to see the display and learn Saint James Paete. Rich in history, the church
more about the local flora the Apostle Parish was first built in the 1600s but was
and fauna. Other museums destroyed in an earthquake and
include the Bahay Laguna was rebuilt in the 1700s.
in Magdalena, the Danilo
Dalena House of Paintings
in Pakil, and the Escuela Pia,
which serves as the muse-
um of the town of Pila.
Paete Handicraft

As the handicraft capital of the Philippines, Paete

is mostly known for its woodwork and papier-
mâché. Named after the “paet” or chisel, Paete’s
woodworking has been a primary source of in-
come. For artists, art enthusiasts, and religious
people who want to buy religious relics, Paete is
definitely the place to check out.

Pagsanjan Arch

The old arch of Pagsanjan,

also known as the Puerto
Royal, was built in the 1800s by
the Spaniards using forced labor. This gate was built sup-
posedly to keep away bandits, probably natives who had
been banished when the Spaniards stole their land.

Pila is the oldest town in Laguna. Dur-

ing the Spanish times, Pila became the
home of the landed elite, who built the
stone houses the town is famous for.
Blessed Pila These houses remain intact despite the
war, hence the moniker “ang bayang
pinagpala” (blessed town).

SLEX THE SHORT DISTANCE

Its relative proximity to Metro Manila encourages people to temporarily escape city life for good, old country life.
From Makati by car, for example, one can be in Nuvali, Santa Rosa, in an hour, thanks to the SLEX and the Skyway. L

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 HOA UPDATES

THIS MONTHS’s HOA

Avida Settings Nuvali

espect and Change

Homeowners Association Inc.

for R
A Manifesto
The officers and members of the board of Avida Settings Nuvali Homeowners Association Inc. (ASNHOAI), which
took over the management of the ASNHOAI in October, outlined the challenges they faced recently and the lessons
they all learned from what has been a difficult time for the community.

W
e are Nuvali’s pilot community, one of the very first respectful community. There will always be disagreements
to be launched and, naturally, to develop and ma- but they can be overcome through respectful communication
ture. through the proper channels.
The community has been through very trying times the Communicate
past couple of years. Hard lessons were learned not only by Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Don’t be
members and residents of the community but also by the sur- afraid to voice out your thoughts and opinions but make sure
rounding villages of Nuvali and maybe even those in Santa Rosa that it is delivered through proper channels and delivered in a
and Calamba cities. We are looking forward to a more inclusive respectful manner.
and respectful ASNHOAI and a bright future ahead for the as- HOAs will always have issues but it would be best to person-
sociation. ally investigate and discover what is really going on in your com-
Here are some key takeaways from what the community has munity versus just listening to what our neighbors have said or,
been through: worse, have heard. Technology has helped communicating with
Know Your Rights our neighbors extremely easy; however, this also sometimes
Read Republic Act No. 9904, or the Magna Carta for Home- means that gossip and lies are circulated just as fast. Seek out
owners’ Associations. Here, the HLURB has detailed the rights of the proper channels and, if they’re not available, encourage your
a homeowner and the functions and limitations of an HOA. Even HOA to set up an official Facebook page, forum and/or website.
if you’re renting, knowing what are detailed in this document Always be mindful and respectful. Having clear channels of com-
can prove useful in the future. Reading this law, along with your munication drives the spirit of cooperation.
village rules and other pertinent documents regarding your Cooperate
property (whether owned or rented ), can help make living in Join committees and volunteer. Your community is only as
your community and transacting with your HOA more fruitful, good as you make it. It may be difficult to find the time to volun-
productive and less stressful. The rules and the law are in place teer, especially with the very busy lives that people lead nowa-
to benefit all members of a community. days, but one way of enacting the change that we want to see is
Work for the Common Good to help to make it happen ourselves. Always have a mindset of
Common good refers to policies, actions and other aspects an entrepreneur, biased for actions versus empty words. Com-
affecting a community or subdivision that are beneficial to the ments and complaints can only go so far; be involved, cooper-
whole versus to only a certain group of people. This means al- ate, be part of the team that helps make things happen.
ways finding the win-win in all situations and making sure that Be Vigilant
no one is excluded or left behind. It’s true that we cannot please Being aware of all the above can help with this very last
everyone but having the mindset or vision of working toward one. In a nutshell, if something’s not right, try to check and learn
the common good can help achieve a more harmonious and more about it. Reality check: We live in a world, unfortunately,

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 COMMUNITY NEWS

N
ovember proved to be a good month for the residents
of Barangay Don Jose, one of the more progressive
barangays in Santa Rosa City. Under the leadership of
Chairman Irineo “Bong” Aala, the barangay received on Novem-
ber 19 a generous gift in the form of two ambulances from the
city government of Santa Rosa. The new units upped to three
the ambulances the barangay uses.
A week later on November 29, the barangay distributed
dozens of eyeglasses for several Don Jose residents who had
themselves checked last October. These glasses can be claimed
at the barangay health center. L

Don Jose barangay chairman Irineo “Bong” Aala with Santa Rosa City mayor Dan
Fernandez (top photo) during the turnover of two ambulances. Above: Kap Bong leads
the distribution of glasses to Don Jose residents.

where people with different agenda and self-interests exist. But

if we stand up for what’s right, cooperate with our neighbors,
communicate with them and with our HOA and with the author-
ities, work toward a situation where not only a select group will
benefit but everyone in the community all the while knowing
our rights, the law and the rules and regulations — if we do all
this, we can create an environment where people with different
agenda and self-interests cannot operate. See something. Say
something. Do something.
As we at the ASNHOAI puts this chapter behind us, the com-
munity is looking forward to implementing community-benefi-
cial projects, making things right for the wrongs of the past, and
moving forward to a better and brighter community not only for
our homeowners, lot owners, residents and employees, but also
for the larger Nuvali community.
Here’s to the future and to a progressive Nuvali!
The officers and board members of ASNHOAI are: Cesar
Caubalejo, president and board of director; Ric Mercado, vice
president and board of director; Leni Cruz, treasurer and board
of director; Connie Caragan, Auditor and board of director;
Bong Lalatag, board of director; Gena Roxas, secretary.

HOA Updates is a regular feature of Lifestyle Laguna magazine

in print and online. We edit and publish — for free — HOA press
releases, statements, and announcements. Contact us if you
want your HOA to avail of these free services. Terms and condi-
tions apply. L

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 #LAGUNAEATS

Fries
Friends &
#BEINSPIRED
How the boys of Sip & Dip turned their
college thesis into the next big thing in
to-go snacks. BY LEOBEL COLONA

I
t all started with a thesis project by two childhood friends BelAir in Santa Rosa City has grown
who were just trying to finish their business degree in De big enough for them to now plan for
La Salle Canlubang. “We designed the thesis just so we have its future. According to Galza, they
something to pass to our professor,” says Garwyn Galza, one of are taking the next step to be fran-
the two founders of Sip & Dip, a favorite snack joint on the cin- chise-ready by early 2019. Eventu-
ema level of Solenad, in Nuvali, Santa Rosa City, Laguna. ally, they dream for Sip & Dip to be-
The concept for the snack is a mixture of come the model in the to-go snack
fish and fries with drinks placed on a single industry, to be able to provide qual-
cup. With a capital of Php 10,000, Galza ity to-go food for an affordable price.
and his friend, Jasper Santos, experi- No matter what the future holds
mented with the business in campus for them, Sip & Dip is their baby,
in 2015 but soon saw its potential an investment conceived through
when that capital doubled in no time. friendship that they hope will inspire entrepreneurship in peo-
The boys, who were both 23 at the time, ple. A recent recognition affirmed all that hard work: Sip & Dip
knew they were on to something. was awarded the No. 1 Single Cup Snack and Drink Brand at the
They also knew by then that they needed additional help Philippine Buyers’ Choice Awards last October 20.
and so they asked Ramjo Tejada, another one of their childhood “Although many doubted us and were worried for us -- some
friends, to handle marketing. “Since we were very hands-on with said it might somehow destroy our friendship -- we decided to
this small business, we needed all the help we could get,” San- go through with it. And we are more than proud that we are able
tos tells Lifestyle Laguna. “The two of us were still in school and to make it this far,” Tejada says. L
[Tejada] was already working [so] his experience was really help-
Sip & Dip is on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @sipanddipmnl.
ful in getting the word out.”
In 2016, the boys also tapped the help of another childhood
friend, Julian Ponce, to run the financial side of the business.
They also brought in another childhood friend, Irving Montano
-- thus completing the team that formed the corporation. The
boys soon found out that Sip & Dip was more than just a busi-
ness but was now a product of lifelong friendship and brother-
hood.
What makes Sip & Dip different from other to-go snacks?
The innovative part is in the use of the popular fish and chips
but with a twist: Instead of using manufactured fish fillet or
chicken strips and fries, Sip & Dip uses fresh fish, chicken and
potatoes that are cut and prepared per order. The dip is also a
welcome change, a departure from the other to-go snacks that
use powdered flavoring. The boys behind Sip & Dip (top photo, from left): Julian Ponce, Ramjo Tejada,
What started as a thesis project by these boys from Laguna Garwyn Galza, Jasper Santos, and Irving Montano.

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 #L AGUNAART

PaeteGallery
Takes Center Stage
#BEINSPIRED A Laguna couple put up Gitna Art Studio, thanks to grit and a nurturing partnership.

A
rt is a way of life in the town of Paete, so much so that the stress of the city took its toll on her,
it has gained the moniker “bayang masining” (artful she quit her job, did freelance work, and
town). Paete is known for its woodwork and handi- only then did she push through with
crafts that are all handmade, a tradition that has been the town’s the business. Fortunately, while bat-
primary source of income for 400 years. Look everywhere and tling self-doubt, she got support from
you’ll find different shops and houses offering their own handi- her longtime partner Matt.
crafts, which are mostly religious items. Most of the artworks and sculptures
Right in the middle of the intersection of the national road, displayed in the gallery are made by local
you’ll find a rather picturesque gallery café. Situated at Plaza artists. The gallery is also open to showcase works by younger
Edeza (also known as “gitna,” or center, to locals), Gitna Art Stu- artists from neighboring municipalities. “If you look at it, most of
dio is the brainchild of Mitzi Villanueva and Matt Pahutan, both the people from our generation here in Paete has not followed
30 years old. The former, a Paete native, has had the idea for a the path of woodworking or art,” Mitzi says. “It would be good
café similar to her Kape Kesada, which is established by her god- to cultivate the younger generation of artists and giving them
father. What she wanted for a café, however, is not just to show- a venue.”
case artworks but to promote and revitalize the local art scene Mitzi and Matt are organizing art workshops, especially
as well. on calligraphy. The gallery café would also like to hold events
In July of 2018, Gitna Art Studio had a soft opening. The cou- and the promotion of alternative products and revive the lo-
ple invited people – locals and tourists alike -- to try the estab- cal woodworking economy by encouraging sculptors to create
lishment. After the soft opening, it closed temporarily so they could more practical items compared to the traditional religious busts
work on the final menu and once again opened a month later. and sculptures.
Naming the café after the place where it is situated has “Art, when it is good, would provide challenges but regard-
proven to be a good marketing strategy for the business. Ac- less of that, you will pursue it. You can give up anything, even
cording to Matt, it has easy name recall since it is synonymous your day job, because you know it will be worth it,” Matt says. “If
with the place. It also helped that the place where they built the it isn’t worth it, then it isn’t good art.” Leobel Colona
gallery café is an old retail store owned by Mitzi’s parents.
Gitna Art Studio is located at 05-007 J.P. Rizal St. Plaza Edesan,
But starting the business has not been an easy process for Paete, Laguna. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm.
the couple. As a graduate of BS Development Communication It can be reached through Facebook at @GITNAartstudio and In-
at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Mitzi first paved stagram at @gitnaartstudio_paete.
her way in the corporate world, working in customer com- The love story of Mitzi Villanueva and Matt Pahutan is vital to
munications for various telecommunications company. When the development of Gitna Art Studio.

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 #LAGUNAEATS

Bakery
Santa Rosa’s #BEINSPIRED
Her long maternity leaves
Bashful ignited this Laguna mom’s
Little passion for Japanese bread.
The result is Pan-onymous,
an unusual bakery that has
become a favorite among
Santa Rosa residents.
BY LEOBEL COLONA

E
ach time Yumiko Cruz went on maternity leave, she ate catchy name. “Back in 2015, we attended a school event where
bread and pastries. Lots of it. While serving barley tea we were provided with a small booth to sell our products.
to her visitors in her home in Santa Rosa City recently, Someone asked what our name was because there is no label
she reminisced about the time she was pregnant with her first in our booth. My husband just blurted out ‘Pan-onymous’ since
and then second child -- pregnancies that started her love affair we’re selling bread and we’re anonymous.” To this day, the shop
with bread. Since Japan allows women to take a maternity leave along Champaca Street in Santa Rosa Village 1 bears no store
for more than a year, this allowed Yumiko to stroll around her sign. Passers-by will have to do a double-take to know that it’s
neighborhood in Togichi, a prefecture not far from Tokyo where a bakeshop.
her family hails, and try bread and pastries from different bake- Aside from satisfying her nostalgic cravings for bread, Yu-
shops. miko aims to bring Japanese bread recipes to the conscious-
When she spent her third maternity leave here in ness of her mostly Filipino neighbors and friends. Most
the Philippines (she and her Filipino husband Ramses of the bread sold by Pan-onymous are Japanese reci-
had met at work in Japan, where they were em- pes, like the melon pan, the pork curry bread, and
ployed by the same company), Yumiko was con- the red bean bread. Some recipes are a combina-
fronted with a problem: She missed her Togichi tion of various ingredients like the bread made of
bread. The solution? She started baking her own. wheat with cream cheese, walnuts, and molasses.
All she baked at first were pastries. Yumiko re- The bagels are moist and soft, already perfect when
membered the time when her family still lived in Crown plain but especially tasty when flavored, like the edama-
Asia in Santa Rosa city where, due to her boredom and craving me cheese bagel.
for Japanese bread and pastries, she began checking Pinterest So what’s next for Pan-onymous? Aside from fruit tarts and
and started pinning pictures and recipes of fruit tarts. She would bread, Yumiko has now ventured into cakes. She has also began
then post her creations on her Instagram feed. The tarts were a supplying bread to cafés and restaurants in Santa Rosa City and
hit; friends would soon place orders and, by March 2016, she Tagaytay City. Yumiko also wants to establish branches all over
officially started her small business of made-to-order pastries. the city and the nearby areas of Silang and Tagaytay.
On September 1, 2017, she turned the garage of her house In all this, Yumiko has high hopes to be a catalyst for a deep-
into a small bakery. Yumiko sells bread that were once found er appreciation of Japanese bread: packed, filling, not too sweet.
only in Japan. She also started introducing bagels and her own It may well just be the perfect recipe for a bashful little bakery
version of the pandesal to appeal to her Filipino neighbors. In to catapult to fame. L
less than a year, her little bakery gained attention. Ironically, it’s
Follow Pan-onymous on Facebook and on Instagram at @cruzyumiko.
called Pan-onymous.
Yumiko, 39, says Ramses came up with the undeniably Yumiko Cruz with some of her creations.

10 LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | JANUARY 2019

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 EcoMama
WELLNESS

Laguna’s

#BEINSPIRED
Green Mama is the realization of Andie Reloza’s desire
to do good by her family and the environment.

T
o many entrepreneurs, putting up a business is not
only about the potential to make money. Often, the tles and containers. Among the products
need to solve a problem or fix a predicament is the ini- sold are the VCO Dual Makeup Remover,
tial -- even main -- motivation. Andrea Reloza is a case in point. Facial Cleanser, the Apple Cider Toner along
Andie put up Green Mama, a shop tucked among plant sell- with the Grapefruit Shower Gel, and the Tur-
ers and homemade snack stores in Solenad 3, Nuvali, because meric and Lemon Bath Soap. It also sells home-cleaning prod-
ucts and organic pet essentials, even insecticides.
one of her children had allergies and her husband had asthma.
She chose to put up the shop in Solenad because her family
She didn’t like to depend on pharmaceutical drugs and other
lives nearby. She finds this setup perfect since she wants to be
chemical products to alleviate their conditions. Green Mama
a hands-on mom to her children, who are, after all, the reasons
sells the kind of organic and natural products that Andie’s fam-
why she is Laguna’s green mama. Leobel Colona
ily uses.
Before Green Mama came along, Andie, 35, busied herself Visit www.greenmamaph.com or follow on Facebook at @green-
mamaph and Instagram at @greenmama_ph.
with part-time bazaar selling. That’s mainly because she has a
variety of interests. She loves shoes, dresses, and kitchenware.
Many years ago, she frequented bazaars and was soon selling
shoes. But after spending some time in the business, Andie felt
it was not her calling.
In 2010, Andie’s husband Raffy, who works at a major
school, got transferred to Silang, Cavite. (Before this, the cou-
ple and their two daughters lived in Makati.) Being a stay-at-
home mom gave Andie time to do research on alternative and
natural products. It was while doing this that she met different
experts and suppliers of organic cleaning products, particu-
larly coconut-based ones. This gave her the idea to establish
Green Mama.
Being an HRM graduate from St. Scholastica’s College in
Manila, Andie admits that she is not knowledgeable about the
production process that her business requires. Her connec-
tions with suppliers helped her achieve this goal, utilizing a
key tenet in entrepreneurship: Build networks; surround your-
self with experts and people who know the product and the
market; be open to ideas other than your own. “I have no back-
ground whatsoever in chemistry so it really helped knowing
these people,” Andie says.
Green Mama started in October 2014 as an invitation-
only party where Andie invited guests to her house to try her
products. As the number of clients grew and her social media
accounts gained attention, she decided to put up the store. It
was a major move but Andie knew she was on the right track.
One key feature of Green Mama is it also acts as a refilling
station for its products: regular clients can bring their own bot-

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 COVER STORY

The Utter Coolness of

Laguna
ALDEN “T
RICHARDS

Bae
BY EMMIE G. VELARDE

I
f the telling of Alden Richards’ story were paused right life changed. I changed.”
here — “26 years old, single, Twitter legend, Guinness Not that anything happened while he wasn’t looking. “Three
record holder, award-winning actor and recording artist, years ago when it started, that was my fifth year in the industry.”
businessman, Good Samaritan” — that would already be But his course was not clear, and until a more consistent account
two, maybe four, astonishing lifetimes. comes along, exactly what happened is best handed to Fate de-
No one is more mystified about this than he is, although ciding to intervene.
what the public sees is the picture of utter coolness about a Alden is still regarded as half of AlDub, a strategic if unlikely
series of unbelievably fortunate events that has transpired for pairing in 2015 by the GMA 7 Network that even BBC News saw
three years now. as “television taking on social media in the Philippines.” At the
“Okay, that’s all been beyond awesome; I will forever be grate- start of this year, Twitter proclaimed the tandem — the other
ful, but I am moving on.” half is Maine Mendoza, first known as a “Dubsmasher” with a
That’s it, in a nutshell, but when he breaks it down, it is quite steady online following — first and second “most tweeted Fili-
the opposite of simple. For the record, he did not go through the pino accounts” in 2017. An AlDub fan account came in third.
stages of success backwards. He did not open his front door one Much earlier, before the team-up’s first anniversary, Guin-
day and find fame and fortune waiting to take him on the long- ness World Records declared the hashtag #AlDubEBTamangPan-
est thrill ride of his life. ahon one of five that made history on the social media network,
He says, speaking rapidly, palms wrapped around a cup of alongside such landmark events as Twitter founder Jack Dors-
hot pandan tea, “This phenomenon took me by surprise, and I ey’s first tweet and the 2014 World Cup semi-final match be-
didn’t expect things would go this fast, certainly not this far. My tween Germany and Argentina, which previously set the record

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“This phenomenon took
me by surprise, and
I didn’t expect things
would go this fast,
certainly not this far.
My life changed.
I changed.”

Photo by Sonny Yabao

Photo by Andres Enojado

Photo courtesy of GMA Corporate Affairs and Communications

for most tweets per minute (618,725 in the 60 seconds after the
final whistle, and a full-day total of 37.6 million).
The Philippine entry’s score: 40,706,392 from October 24-
25, 2015, representing 24 hours surrounding AlDub’s first ben-
efit concert witnessed live by 55,000 people at the humongous
Philippine Arena. Twitter executives declared the tweets “real,
fresh and organic” and the hashtag “the most used in 24 hours.”
This record has not been broken.
There. Beyond awesome.
Continued on next page

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 COVER STORY
Other People’s Dreams
He Gets It He finds his apparent knack for fulfilling other people’s
Throughout this conversation in Concha’s Garden Café, a dreams amusing. “I wanted to be a pilot — that was my father’s
Quezon City restaurant that he co-owns, Alden refers to AlDub dream for himself, as show business was my mother’s, for me.”
as “this phenomenon” or simply “this,” echoing the way that Recognizing that sustained celebrity puts him in a position
some of the world’s biggest celebrities/events are known by a of power or, in the very least, persuasive influence (he has over
single name. 40 product endorsements), he understands that his biggest and
“This will always be a part of me,” he says, “and I don’t mind.” best roles will be played off-cam. “The lives of people closest to
To his credit, he got the whole picture early on: Why he was me changed as mine did,” he says. That is, some more profoundly
where he was, how he got there and…. what next? “Do I de- than others, starting with his grandparents. “My Lola Linda and
serve this? If it’s happening, good or bad, it was meant to be.” Lolo Danny [Peralta] are in their 80s, and both very motivated to
A light-bulb moment here from 19th-century inventor and stay healthy for as long as it takes to watch me fulfill all my dreams.”
visionary Thomas Edison, who might as well have said it about In this frame of mind, not surprisingly, he found his own
Alden: “Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets dream: to be a philanthropist. An Alden Richards Foundation?
with planning.” Maybe Richard Faulkerson Jr. (his real name) Foundation? He has
This young man is a believer in strategy. Soon as he saw his not decided what to call it, only what it would do. “Education.
world swiftly evolving, the first two things he did were, “sealed That is my advocacy.”
my professional relationships and set goals.” These are not empty words. “I’m still at the exploratory/net-

Photos by Sonny Yabao

He explains: “I made sure nothing changed immediately working phase. Meanwhile, I have several scholars at different
around me — mentors, core staff, advisers, personal assistants, levels, and last summer I received great news: Two were graduat-
handlers... I asked everyone to stay. It was my way of remain- ing. One finished Accounting; the other, Engineering.”
ing on track and not getting lost in the new landscape. I knew I There it is again, fulfilling others’ dreams. Alden himself
would always want to be reminded of when I was at my lowest, did not finish college. “The family ran short on funds. That was
and they were there.” traumatic for me. So now I help students who definitely should
not be leaving school but cannot enroll for the homestretch of
Goal-setting was something that he happily found he had
whatever level they’re at. I am also trying to build a school for
the smarts for. “It proved [crucial] in what followed,” he says. “At
the Aetas in Bamban, Tarlac [about 100 kilometers from Manila].
the start of… anything… you should ask yourself, where do
I visited the community to celebrate my 24th birthday and… so
you want to go? What should you be doing now? For me, that
much needs to be done.”
spelled the difference between opportunity seized and oppor-
He remembers a vague sense of “something lacking” at
tunity wasted.”
about the time when speculations about his net worth started
Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior running into hundreds of millions. “Sharing was the answer to
He still asks himself the same questions every day, “for mo- that longing,” Alden says. “I was very happy to figure it out.”
tivation.” The industry is fraught with simultaneous “physical, He has known poverty, that’s for sure, and talks about it
mental and emotional” obligations, he notes. “It can be exhaust- freely. Among his most vivid memories of life in Santa Rosa City,
ing. For me not to feel weighed down, it should always be clear Laguna, where he grew up, is living in cramped apartments on
what I am aspiring for.” crowded streets, bumping into roaring tricycles only steps from
He has put to work even his is OCB, which he casually ad- the front door.
mits to. “Obsessive-compulsive behavior. I see to it, personally, Alden never gets to meet his scholars, and they don’t get
every single day, that to-do lists are made and followed.” At this to know where the help is coming from. “Making a difference in
stage in his life, Alden says, “I cannot be reckless. I don’t like be- someone’s life is the best feeling in the world.” It is also the best
ing caught off-guard.” part of being Alden Richards and, “Celebrity amplified my reach.”

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 ‘Materialized Aspects’
Very few see this side of him more than what he calls his
“materialized aspects.” No offense taken — he’s not even the
type who would mind if he walked into a place and no one
recognized him. On the contrary, he considers that a checking
point. “I do know of celebrities who [crave] attention all the time.
I think that is a burden.”
All he needs, Alden says, is “someone to calm me down
when I need it, or just listen … or just sit with me in silence. In
fact, merely knowing there is such a person is good enough.” He
is describing a composite character, no one in particular. “There
is always family, and I have friends that I trust, although they are
few.”
“Family” would be the compact universe under his roof —
dad Richard Sr., grandparents Linda and Danny, younger sisters
Riza and Angel, a cousin who cooks for him, and two dogs — a
Siberian Husky and an Aspin. (Plus, he did joke once that he talks
to the life-size Ironman figure in his room.) His mother Rosario
Photo by Sonny Yabao
died 10 years ago and older brother RD lives abroad.

Relationship Status: Unknown does he have one? Either he’s very good at hiding and keep-
Of late, starting his own family—wife, maybe four kids — ing his nose clean, or very poor at searching. There is not one
has been crossing his mind. “I’m 26, and for me 28 to 30 is the single girl that Alden has been seriously linked to in that way.
best age to settle down,” he says. How close Maine Mendoza came, or if she even wanted to, is
First there’s the question of a love life or, more to the point, Continued on next page

LifestyleLaguna_Issue1.indd 15 05/12/2018 1:19 PM

 COVER STORY
a continuing mystery and, for now, a matter of opinion (or fan
fantasy). If, at any point, there was anything between them that
they could run to the bank with, the countless speculations dis-
cussions, analyses and rationalizations that spiced up the biz
narrative would have all been unnecessary.
For now, Alden is happy to dispense the safe and expected
line: “Maine and I are happy about everything that happened
and is still happening, because it was historic, however you look
at it. At this time, we are individually exploring and discovering
possibilities. But there’s been no memo so far that says there is
no more AlDub. Anything is still possible.”
As a solo act, it is easy to assume that Alden is a favorite at
GMA Artists Center. “Oh no, please!” he protests, laughing. “There
is no favoritism. FLG [Felipe L. Gozon, network big boss] will not
allow that. The managers are very reasonable when matching
artists with projects. I think I get my share because I am known
to throw myself completely into every assignment.”
He is occasionally reported to be “dating” this or that col-
league — but nothing big enough to concern his fan base that
consists largely of, according to network surveys, pre-teens and Photo courtesy of GMA Corporate Affairs and Communications
pre-seniors.
They are devoted to him for diverse reasons: He looks clean, lates. “I consulted my usual advisers, but I did not overthink, like
smells nice, he is fun but courteous, reserved but sharp, and al- I often do. I learned from my Lola Linda that something inside
ways available for selfies when seen in public. Amen, he says. “I would present obstacles if you’re headed the wrong way. There
try to be all that; it’s the least I could do. For fans, I am tireless, pa- was no such thing in this case, so I trusted my gut, which has
tient, cheerful. I know that seeing me makes them very happy; it remained reliable to this day.”
is usually a long-awaited experience. I couldn’t burst their bub- From his mother, a Pampangueña, he inherited a sharp pal-
ble just because I am not ‘in the mood.’ I would always find time ate. He cooks occasionally, but is mostly a consumer/critic. “I can
for a selfie, and I would be smiling the whole time because… tell if something is off, or even just slightly different from the way
that’s not hard to do. I guess it’s my default setting.” I remember a dish. [He is a desserts person, incidentally.] That is
But he’s not — and he is emphatic about this — perfect. He an attribute of OCB,” he adds, laughing. He was a very satisfied
can be frantic and fussy at times, he confesses, but his fans have Concha’s customer when the chance to co-own it came up.
remained loyal just the same, “because they see my heart. That is Once he went down that road, he stopped being a critic and
the true measure of a person, what others respond to.” became a jolly boss. His two worlds collided in the best ways.
There’s not much difference between the Alden on screen “As an actor, I learned long ago that I should focus on my part
and off, he insists. “My effort is to be as much of my real self as and trust that the people around me are good at theirs. I use
possible at all times, although a lot of things in the biz don’t al- that mindset in my involvement with Concha’s. I don’t meddle in
ways let you.” the kitchen or any other aspect of operations. It cramps people’s
Safety Net styles, upsets the overall rhythm. As an industrial partner, I come
Planning ahead as usual, Alden went into business two in only for the big decisions.”
years ago, buying into Concha’s Garden Café. He sees it as a His people skills improved vastly. There are life-size standees
“safety net.” Although so far the career in show business is still of himself in the restaurants but in the first few months, he regu-
“my goose that lays the golden eggs,” he is determined to never larly turned up in person to chat with the customers. “I would
again stand on fickle footing, money-wise, given his to-do lists. ask about their experience with the food, service, ambience. It
Since he partnered with Gemma Sembrano, the restaurant was something I brought back to my job as actor, singer and TV
has spawned two branches, and they’re now into franchising. If host. Audiences, like the diners, should have good experiences
this wonderful new high should crash sooner than expected, he to remember you by.”
says, at least he would have learned a lot, not the least about Alden is having such great times from both ends that, 30
himself. For instance, he now knows for sure that, while he is de- years from now, he figures, “I would still be in a business of some
cidedly practical and logical, he has intuitive capabilities as well. sort, but also still in entertainment—the first for sustenance, the
“You could say Concha’s is something I jumped into,” he re- latter for the fulfillment of making people happy.”

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 ENTREPRENEURSHIP

D
A
ream
Comes True

Photo by Sonny Yabao

C
oming from a family that loves food and cooking, open-
ing a restaurant was a lifelong dream for Gemma Es-
cueta -Sembrano. Although she did not pursue a career They chose the location along the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road
in culinary arts, Gemma owes her skill and knowledge from her since it’s near the Sembranos’ residence in Santa Rosa.  
paternal grandmother Caridad Concha-Escueta who taught her Concha’s Garden Cafe has become popular since opening in
their recipes of traditional Filipino cuisine while growing up in March 2014 and one of its favorite customers was the young ac-
their family home in Biñan, Laguna. tor Alden Richards, who later became a business partner. Since
Since her love for cooking never wavered even as she having the actor in the team, Concha’s has successfully expand-
worked as a financial advisor in Manulife, Gemma and her hus- ed: it put up a branch in Cliffhouse Tagaytay in April 2016 and in
band Joseph Sembrano decided to finally push through with Scout Madriñan in Quezon City in December 2016.
their plan to establish a restaurant that serves traditional Filipino The main branch in Santa Rosa City recently underwent
cuisine, which differs from other restaurants that feature Filipino renovation. “We are trying to expand our parking lot to accom-
food fused with other cuisine. “We make sure that we don’t use modate more people. Renovations will be finished maybe early
artificial flavoring in our food to maintain that traditional flavor next year,” Gemma says.
in our menu,” Gemma tells Lifestyle Laguna. The restaurant is also looking forward to franchising the
Most of these recipes she inherited from her grandmother, brand. Gemma and her team plan to establish branches in the
which is why the couple called the restaurant Concha’s. “In nam- nearby areas in the south like Batangas, Calamba, Alabang and
ing it after her, we thought of using her last name (Escueta) but also in Makati and Manila. Leobel Colona
it wouldn’t have an impact. We also thought of using her first
Left: Concha’s Garden Cafe has become popular since opening in March 2014 and
name Caridad, but it sounds... old. So we realized her maiden
one of its favorite customers was the young actor Alden Richards, who later became
surname has more impact and it sounds pleasing,” Gemma says. a business partner. Right: Gemma Escueta-Sembrano and Alden Richards

Current Efforts and Time Alone some time alone during those trips, “to be quiet.” He is, there-
He has become a more conscientious student of life, but fore, not attracted to big cities and the usual destinations; na-
also one who now takes every chance “to reflect on things.” He is ture trekking is his thing.
a regular churchgoer, reads the Bible daily, reads “a lot of other Presented with a list of virtues as a 30-second quiz, he is
stuff” when times permits. drawn to the words “serenity” and “introspection.” He mumbles,
(He started and finished an Eric Morris book about acting “Getting there.” And if “contentment” were a test, he is sure he
on a flight to New York. “That’s another thing with me, though,” has passed it. “Every day since this happened, I have been con-
he quips. “When I open a book, I read very fast, before I get dis- tent. I know how discontent starts and I am very mindful of that:
tracted. I probably have ADHD, too.”) It is when what you have is never enough, and you want more
He’s currently trying to be around “normal” people,” he says. and more. That way, whatever it is, will run away from you.”
“I find it relaxes me, and I get to be my real self, Richard Faulker- And then, without warning, he breaks that sudden somber
son Jr.” note: “Right now, all I want is a massage. ” L
He has thought of learning to play the piano, which his dad Emmie G. Velarde is a longtime lifestyle and entertainment
is “really good at,” and maybe follow up on a fan book that he editor who has worked with various Philippine publications,
wrote two years ago, with a daily journal of gratitude. “I find most recently as the entertainment editor of the Philippine
something to be thankful for every day. It’s good to remember.” Daily Inquirer. She has published three collections of essays
He likes to travel with family, but makes it a point to spend and articles, including “Show Biz, Seriously” in 2011.

LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | JANUARY 2019 17

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 #LAGUNAEATS

Heirloom Filipino Food

in Canlubang,with a Twist
#BEINSPIRED Mita’s Kitchen, a restaurant inside the Carmelray industrial complex, offers Filipino
food that are based on recipes from long ago but with modern twists that locals and
foreigners have grown to like.

H
eirloom recipes, in the age of the fast food, have a par- ducing them to Filipino food. “What we
ticular appeal. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s also because really want to cater to are the people
these recipes have evidently survived the test — and, working in the industrial area,” Christian
if we may say so, taste — of time, hence their popularity. tells Lifestyle Laguna. “Most of them are
Mita’s Kitchen, a newly opened restaurant in the industrial foreigners who want Filipino food.”
area of Carmelray, Canlubang, banks on the recipes that its own- Along with the good food is the
ers inherited from their grandmother. “We pictured our restau- great ambience. Christian says he wanted
rant to be really an extension of our home,” says Christian Mar- the aesthetic of the restaurant to evoke his own childhood
tinez, who owns and runs Mita’s Kitchen with his wife Theresa. home. He reminisces about his undergraduate days when he
That extension is not just reflected in the design and deco- and his friends would just hang out and jam. For Mita’s Kitchen,
ration of the restaurant itself but, more important, in the food Christian added a space for customers to do just that, adding to
that Mita’s Kitchen serves. Christian and Theresa’s vision was for the homey and laid-back feel of the restaurant.
Mita’s Kitchen to showcase the recipes that Christian’s mother, Setting up the restaurant in Canlubang was not just a busi-
Carmelita, inherited from her mother, Carmen Arceo. Mita is the ness endeavor for Christian and Theresa — it was also a bit per-
nickname of Carmelita. sonal since Theresa grew up and established her roots in the
This is why while the menu contains familiar fare, the tweaks area. She had met Christian as a student at the University of the
Mita’s Kitchen does on these local recipes make them stand out. Philippines in Los Baños and the couple have never left the prov-
One of the signature dishes is the kare-kare that uses not the ince because, as Christian puts it, “We fell in love with Laguna.”
usual ox tripe but bagnet. The sauce itself is to die for; you can ac- Established in September 2018 near the undeveloped lands
tually eat it without the alamang or shrimp paste that serves as a of Hacienda Yulo in Canlubang, in between a Shell station and
condiment to the kare-kare. Another specialty is the pinaupong The Junction Strip, Mita’s Kitchen might be a young establish-
manok (literally, seated chicken), which is cooked for three hours ment but it is starting to gain attention among locals and tour-
at least. Most of the items in menu are best consumed with the ists. It may be far from the usual commute route — no public trans-
special condiments, especially the tuka, a vinegar concoction portation, for one — but a trip to Mita’s Kitchen is sure worth it.
originally from Marikina, and the chili garlic. Leobel Colona
Cognizant of modern taste, the Martinezes had the recipes
Mita’s Kitchen usually closes at 5 pm but opens as early as 6 am.
tweaked and improved by chefs from the Professional Academy Call them at 09178255460 or email mamamitaskitchen@gmail.
for Culinary Education, a school “that seeks to help aspiring and com for reservations or inquiries. They’re also on Facebook at
current culinary professionals,” according to its website. And be- @MitasKitchenPH and Instagram at @mamamitaskitchen.
cause many of the clients of Mita’s Kitchen are foreigners who
work and live in Laguna, the improvements were crucial in intro- Christian Martinez with the staff of Mita’s Kitchen.

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 ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Coffee
For
Love
of Good
#BEINSPIRED
Five Los Baños friends started talking
about putting up Siento Café back in the
early 2000s. In 2017, it finally happened.
And no, the café does not have wifi.

L
et’s get this out of the way first: The coffee shop does not blend is made of mostly Sagada Arabica although they some-
have wifi. It’s not because its owners couldn’t afford to times offer other beans when their friends who travel abroad
install one. It’s not that they loathe the sight of custom- would bring back coffee beans indigenous to the country they
ers hunched before their laptops, crowding the place, making it had visited.
look like an internet cafe. No, none of those. Siento Café is proud of its V60, coffee that is made through
It’s because, according to its manager, they want to slow brewing. The freshly ground coffee is funneled to un-
encourage customers to engage in conversation with dergo “blooming,” a process that draws out the flavor.
each other. And conversations usually go well with What people love about the V60 is that it is smooth
coffee, which is what Siento Café is all about. in the mouth and can have pronounced flavor.
Siento Café began with planning sessions -- Aside from the “serious” type of coffee, there
over coffee, of course -- between friends from the are also the coffee shop staples; the milk-based
University of the Philippines Los Baños during their coffee recipes such as latte, cappuccino, and frappe.
undergraduate years in the early 2000s. Manuel Mar- Siento Café also offers cakes and cheesecakes that are
caida, III, 35, met his four co-owners -- Dr. Ronaldo Soriano, uniquely found in their shop: “tablea” cake, Cerveza Negra
Vida Grace Sinohin, Meggy Lou Katimbang, and Arllet Portugal cake, and the Calamansi-Basil cake. Most of these are made by
-- while finishing his undergraduate studies in UPLB. They first Hiraya Bakery, based in San Pablo City whose owner is a friend.
met while attending the Lakas Angkan Ministry, a Baptist Chris- These desserts use local ingredients as well that is why the avail-
tian organization. The group immediately bonded over a lot of ability of some of the cakes depends on the season of the fruits
things, their love for coffee being one of them. used.
Every time the group got together, they would joke about Since planning and establishing the café almost on a whim,
creating a coffee shop that will offer the menu and service that Marcaida and the other owners of Siento Café admit that they
couldn’t be found in the present coffee shops in UPLB. The plan only have short term plans for it. “We just want to be recognized
came into fruition 16 years after they graduated and had by in Los Baños,” Marcaida says. There’s talk of expansion with other
then established their respective careers. When the group spon- friends coming in to help and also to franchise the brand but, as
taneously met in 2016, they finalized the coffee shop business of now, Siento Café will remain a third-wave coffee shop. Wifi or
and opened the next year. no wifi. Leobel Colona
They named the café Siento, a Spanish word referring to
Siento Café is open from 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM. It is located at
the number 100. When asked why, manager Edzel Narvaes ex- 10665 Demarces Subdivision in College, Los Baños, Laguna.
plained: “Because the coffee experience here will surely make
Right: The coffee lovers behind Siento Café (from left): Dr. Ronald Soriano,
you feel 100 percent good about yourself.” The group also aims Arllet Portugal, Meggy Lou Katimbang, Vida Grace Sinohin, and Manuel Marcaida, III.
to promote local beans and other local ingredients. Their house Left: Coffee Halo-halo, one of the experimental offers of Siento Cafe.

LIFESTYLE LAGUNA | JANUARY 2019 19

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 #LAGUNAPETS

Pets
How to
Make Your

#BEINSPIRED
The Barker Shop, a unique pet salon in
Happy Greenfield City, understands and
appreciates the bond between
cats and dogs and their humans.

F
or 26 years, Dodie Santos worked at a company that pro- and, of course, because our clients are dogs and cats,” Dodie
vided commissary services to Jollibee, probably the best says. Kim further explains to Lifestyle Laguna: “We want it to be
place on Earth if you’re in the business of making Filipino different from most of the grooming salons that we see, which
children happy. Upon his retirement in 2011, Dodie, now 65, are often violet, pink, or sassy.”
found himself spending more time with his dogs and, largely Finding The Barker Shop is quite a chore for those who are
because of that, he’s now in the business of making pets and unfamiliar with the area. Dodie found the spot during one of his
their owners happy. early morning exercises and thought the place was per-
Dodie owns and runs The Barker Shop, a unique fect and intimate. “My clients don’t mind the distance
pet grooming salon tucked in an isolated building as long as there is a big parking space,” he says.
behind The Medical City in Greenfield City, Santa There’s another thing about The Barker Shop
Rosa City. that makes sense: Unlike other grooming shops, it
There are many pet salons nowadays that offer does not offer veterinary services. “Let us keep the
not only grooming but also veterinary services. But sick pets separate from those who are not,” Dodie
not every grooming salon lets the owner watch how says.
their pets are being groomed and pampered. Except per- Although walk-in clients are welcome, The Barker Shop
haps The Barker Shop, which opened in November 2017 with encourages people to avail of their free lifetime membership to
the goal of giving pets a quality – and affordable -- grooming schedule an appointment. The point of this is not to be snobbish
service. It was designed to allow owners to actually interact with or come across as exclusive but to prevent crowding inside the
their pets as they are being groomed. This means, for one, no shop so pets remain calm and relaxed.
glass barriers. Pet owners are treated as well to a discount during their first
The Barker Shop is Dodie’s retirement project. Originally a four appointments with the shop. And, dig this, the Barker Shop
Manileño, he and his family moved to Laguna in 2006 and im- gives gifts to pet clients on their birthday.
mediately fell in love with the place. An active dog breeder (his Clearly, and with due respect to pet owners, they are not
favorite breed is the Doberman), Dodie focused his attention on The Barker Shop’s main clients. This explains why Dodie gives
his dogs upon his retirement. value to the interaction between cats and dogs and their hu-
He would frequent YouTube to learn how to groom dogs. mans while inside his shop. Dodie obviously appreciates this
His passion for his pets and pet care prompted his daughter Kim bond and that, he says, makes him happy. Leobel Colona
to suggest that he open his own grooming salon, especially af-
The Barker Shop is located at Unit 105 Brain Train Center, Green-
ter realizing that there are no pet salons that allow owners to field City, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, Laguna. Call 09054897299 or
actively observe the process and interact with the pets and the contact them via Facebook and Instagram to set an appointment.
groomers.
Apart from dogs, Dodie apparently likes puns so he named Retirement allowed Dodie Santos (right) the time to take better care
the shop The Barker Shop. “I got the concept from a barber shop of his dogs. That, in turn, gave birth to The Barker Shop.

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 C U LT U R E
heart. She swore never to love again. She kept herself away
from people. In her mourning, the trees stopped bearing
fruits, the animals stopped showing up, and the fish in
the lake began to disappear.
The Coward
In another story, Maria fell in love with a farmer. She
helped him with daily matters, letting his farm grow
richer than the rest of the farms in the village. But she end-
ed up miserable after the farmer chose to marry a village wom-
an so he could be exempted from being drafted in the army. This
wrecked Maria’s heart. She left and was never seen again.
The Farmer
Another story took place during the Spanish colonial peri-

Beauty
od. Three men pursued Maria Makiling. One was Captain Lara, a
Spanish soldier. The other was Joselito, a student in Manila. Then
there was Juan, a poor and humble farmer. Of the three suitors,
Juan captured the maiden’s heart. This infuriated Captain Lara
and Joselito that they plotted to murder him. They set fire on the

Beguiling
Spanish barracks and blamed it on Juan. As punishment, Juan
was executed as an enemy of the Spanish regime. He called out
Maria’s name just before the bullet pierced his heart. Maria was
furious. Embracing Juan’s cold, bloodied body, she cursed the
two men. Soon after, Katipuneros killed Captain Lara while Jo-
The many (tragic, cinematic, lit AF) loves of selito died from an incurable illness. In great sorrow and agony,
Laguna goddess Maria Makiling. Maria was never seen again.
The Legend Continues
BY MARI SANTILLES It is still believed that Maria Makiling keeps guarding the

W
mountain, which is now named Mount Makiling. If you wander
ho hasn’t heard of Maria Makiling, the beguiling
around the province of Laguna, you will notice the form of the
goddess of Laguna embodied in myths, legends and mountain resembling a reclining woman. It is also believed that
folklore, told in tales that excited our young imagi- travelers who want to take home fruits from the mountain get
nations? These are vivid stories of pathos and loss that -- along lost in their trip because they are being tricked by Maria who
with Maria’s beauty -- Laguna folk embraced. would change the path that leads instead to beehives or thick
According to the legend, Maria Makiling was a goddess, a thorn bushes. According to the story, when this happens, the
diwata who guarded the mountain and all the plants, animals traveler must leave the fruit, take off all his clothes, and wear
and water reserves surrounding it. She was a deity who people them inside out to show the goddess that he is no longer carry-
ran to for help, especially to prevent natural disasters like storms, ing any fruit. L
Painting by Nemiranda, 1981
earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
She had exquisite and sophisticated features, a real beauty.
People admired not just her physical charms but also her heart
that was overflowing with kindness and compassion for both
human and nature.
More than the tale of Maria Makiling’s kindness and com-
passion that often got abused by humans, there are stories
about her that have to do with romance and heartbreak.
The Hunter
In one story, Maria fell in love. She bestowed her deep de-
votion to a hunter who roamed the mountains of Laguna. They
started out as acquaintances but their feelings for each other
flourished over time. They soon decided to meet every day,
pledging eternal love for each other. But Maria discovered that
he had been married to a mortal woman. Despair engulfed her

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 Artists,
B E A U T Y

Three

One Bond
#BEINSPIRED
The beauty artists behind ArtisThree Salon are
bound by friendship, motivated by professionalism,
and inspired by their happy clients.
BY MARI SANTILLES

A
rtisThree is a clever name for a beauty salon. It has re- It was not an easy start for the
call and, if you’re into puns, actually works. It is also, in a three. The whole year after establish-
way, a declaration of the bond that exists between the ing Sorento felt like a long trial-and-er-
beauty professionals who run and own it. A bond that grew out ror experiment. “It was extremely hard,”
of working together in a different parlor years earlier, deciding to Gena says. “We didn’t even have rest days.”
quit together, starting their own salon, taking the blow of the fall- But they were engrossed with their new-
out with a business partner, and now doing it all over again. found freedom and the acceptance, even praise, by their clients.
But we are getting ahead of our story. Soon, Sorento became the darling of the beauty business in the
ArtisThree Salon, on the second floor of Arcadia mall in Santa community.
Rosa City, is the product of the professional collaboration be- The success allowed them to hire more employees, including
tween RD, Gena and Faye, three of the most sought-after beauty an individual who became their finance partner, which freed the
professionals this side of Laguna. Rona Casalme (RD), 33, Felicity three to focus on their respective roles in the salon. It was then
Aurora Legarde (Faye), 34, and Geneline Viernes (Gena), 34, are that things started falling apart, leading to a disagreement with
the artists whose hair styling, make-up and nail polishing skills are this partner that led to the closure of Sorento in 2017.
driving the success of ArtisThree, which began operations a year The three were devastated. But just when they thought eve-
ago and has been known not only for its quality and friendly ser- rything was over, hope glimmered and lifted their spirits. “It’s our
vice but also for the inspiring story of the three women behind it. clients who have encouraged us to do it again,” Faye says.
RD is from Silang, Cavite. Her passion was driven by fam- ArtisThree will celebrate its first anniversary on December 8,
ily influence: her father and sibling are skilled in haircutting. This now a force to reckon with in the beauty business in Laguna. It
background and a natural desire to learn more convinced RD that has likewise opened countless doors of opportunities for RD, Faye
hair styling and make-up are the best job for her. Faye was raised and Gena. Just recently, they brought home the title of #Colorista
in San Pablo City. She took a cosmetology program in college First Runner-Up in the Hair Asia 2018: Salon Spectacular Competi-
and, armed with the knowledge and passion, pursued a job in the tion held at the World Trade Center in Manila.
beauty industry. Gena is a resident of Tagapo, Laguna. Back in her For RD, it’s all about the quality of work. “Keep trying,” she
province in Tarlac, her mother used to own a small salon where says. “Whether it’s a business like ArtisThree or home service, you
she learned hairstyling and nail polishing. She learned this job as have to keep the quality of your work.”
early as in her fifth grade. It’s also about people skills. “You just need to learn to handle
Fate conspired when the three met and worked together in them well. If you can’t handle her today, make sure that you can
a well-known salon in Santa Rosa City. Faye started to work there handle her the next time,” she says with a beam of enthusiasm.
in 2004, RD in 2007 and Gena in 2009. The three quickly became It’s also about not losing sight of what matters and not suc-
friends. cumbing to the blows of the business. “Just focus on your goal. If
The first challenge came in 2014, when all three decided you fall, stand up,” Gena says. “That’s the thing that we learned:
to quit and did the home service rounds in Santa Rosa City for Don’t give up.” L
months. Nearly a year later, after strong encouragements from Visit ArtisThree on the 2nd floor of Arcadia Mall in Santa Rosa City.
friends and former clients, the three decided to start their own Message them on Facebook at m.me/166715653946893, or call
business and put up Sorento in Barangay Don Jose. or text them at 09175051461.

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