From Climbers to Sailors

After braving the dangers of the world’s highest peak, the women of the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team embark on a new adventure: sailing the Philippine seas on a replica of our ancestors’ boat.
By Angel Constantino
Photo by Dix Perez

Published: Women's Health, November 2009
Section: Life Skills

I first met Janet, Carina, and Noelle shortly after they got back from Everest. I interviewed them for a feature in Candy magazine and was inspired by what they had accomplished. Meeting them again as they embarked on the Voyage of the Balangay was equally inspiring. Amidst these trying times, I believe it is people like them who remind us every day that yes, the Filipino can!

Below is an excerpt from the article:  

On May 16, 2007, Janet Belarmino-Sardena, Carina Dayondon, and Noelle Wenceslao, became the first Filipinas and the first Southeast Asian women to reach the peak of Mt. Everest. After doing this seemingly impossible task, you’d think they’ve already achieved their dreams; instead, it instilled in them a greater sense of responsibility. They came home empowered and raring to share the lessons they learned, inspire the youth, and spread their adage across the country: Kaya ng Pinoy.

After Everest, the team’s expedition leader, Art Valdez, came up with the idea to build the Balangay, the Philippines’ ancient boat. “Art instilled in us a love for our country,” says Dayondon. “Everest seemed impossible, but we showed the world that it is possible. As mountaineers, this was our contribution to the country, to inspire the youth. The ‘Voyage of the Balangay’ is another contribution to the country. It’s closer to our hearts since we are an archipelago and we’ve been using boats since early history,” she adds.

The Balangay is a wooden boat, 15 meters long and 3 meters wide, with a nipa cover. Thousands of years ago, it was a common form of transport in Southeast Asia. “The waters were our highways and the Balangay was used to transport people and goods. When the Spanish came, they discouraged boat-building. They took us away from our natural environment in order to conquer us,” says Belarmino.

In the beginning, the team never thought their simple idea would turn into an epic voyage. “We just wanted to sail, to have an adventure,” says Belarmino. “But over time, we realized the impact this project could have on Filipinos. Simple fishermen to academics who wrote their thesis about this showed their support. Like Everest, which started as a dream, this became a reality.”

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Live Like a Star

Who says you need to be a celeb to get star treatment? You can live the good life right here at Thunderbird Resorts – Rizal!
By Angel Constantino and Mia Custodio
Photos by Patrick Martires

Published: Candy Magazine, November 2009
Section: Field Trip

1. Lounge by the pool and aim for a sunkissed glow. Don’t forget those glam sunnies and a chic swimsuit!

2. Stage your own scene from High School Musical 2 on the bridge by the pool. Get ready to belt out the lyrics to “Gotta Go My Own Way” as you channel Gabriella bidding a dramatic farewell to Troy.

3. Ask your dad to teach you some golf basics and strut around the course like you’re the next Tiger Woods.

4. Grab your journal, sit on the balcony of your room, and list down your blessings while gazing at this breathtaking view.

5. Have your own fashion shoot by the pool—or even in the pool—just like in America’s Next Top Model. (Just make sure your camera is waterproof!)

6. Go for a jog around the compound then dip into the jacuzzi to relax your tired muscles. Better yet, have a Shiatsu or aromatherapy massage right in your bedroom!

7. Enjoy a hearty meal at the pool bar. Try the Mixed Grill Plate for your main course. For dessert, don’t miss the Mango Panacotta with blueberry and orange garnish. Yum!

8. Gather your barkada and have a posh slumber spa-rty like Blair Waldorf’s at the Presidential suite. Then, get the most blissful beauty sleep in this ultra-comfy bed.

ESCAPE THE CITY
Located in a highland valley along the Sierra Madre range, Thunderbird Resorts – Rizal is just 45 minutes away from the Ortigas business district by private vehicle. Whether you’re with your family or friends, this mountain sanctuary is the perfect place for a quick and relaxing getaway!

For more information, e-mail rizalreservations@thunderbird-asia.com, call (632) 651-6888, or log on to www.thunderbirdresorts.com/philippines.

A snapshot of the Candy Team after our fun planning-slash-bonding session at Thunderbird Resorts - Rizal

For more awesome features, grab a copy of the November 2009 issue of Candy. :)

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Countdown to New Moon

Here’s why watching New Moon will be the best early Christmas present you can give yourself!
By Angel Constantino

Published: Candy Magazine, November 2009
Section: On the Cover

1. The transformation of Jacob Black. In New Moon, Jacob goes from scrawny teenager to full-fledged werewolf. To play the role, actor Taylor Lautner had to go through a physical transformation as well. At the 2009 Comic-Con, Taylor shares, “I knew Jacob's character changed a lot so if I wanted to continue portraying him correctly, I had a lot of work ahead of myself. As soon as I finished filming Twilight, I started hitting the gym. I got a personal trainer, ate a lot of good food—proteins and good carbs—and cut the sugars. It was a lot of work but it was definitely worth it.” We sure can’t wait to see him flex those muscles. Go, Team Jacob!

2. New director, new script. We’re all excited to see how Bella, Edward, and Jacob grow in this movie and we’re confident Director Christ Weitz will take New Moon to a whole new level. He says, “It’s a really extraordinary cast they’ve assembled for the first film, and I was very keen to work with them… Once I read the books, I realized they dealt with all these deep emotions everyone feels like love, heartbreak, and the ecstasy of reunion.”

3. More action, more drama, more love. While Twilight introduced us to Bella and the Cullens, New Moon explores the world of werewolves. Taylor says, “I'm excited that there are werewolves involved now because they definitely step up the action in the movie. There's also a different dynamic. Now it's not just this romance between a human girl and a vampire, but the beginning of a love triangle.”

4. The breakup scenes. We’re all for happy endings, but we all love a good breakup scene as well—and this movie has not just one, but two! At the 2009 Comic-Con, Kristen Stewart shares, “It's my favorite scene in the movie. We call it a breakup scene because Jacob basically tells Bella that they can't be friends anymore and he's transforming.” Taylor adds, “It was also painful to shoot because it was 35 degrees and we were being poured rain on and it was ice cold.” Meanwhile, Rob’s favorite was Edward’s breakup scene with Bella. He says, “Hopefully it'll come off as having quite a few more levels than the relationship in Twilight. It completely bypasses all the supernatural elements of the story as well, which I found quite interesting.”

5. The Volturi. If you thought James, Laurent, and Victoria were scary, wail till you meet the Volturi, a coven of vampire royalty who implement the laws of their world—with creepy red eyes to boot! They're played by a cast of new and veteran actors including Dakota Fanning (Push, Charlotte’s Web) as Jane, a high-ranking and powerful Volturi member, and Michael Sheen (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) as Aro, their fearless leader. We can’t wait to see how Bella tries to save Edward from this intimidating pack of vampires—even scarier than those werewolves.

Photos courtesy of Pioneer Films and Summit Entertainment

For more on Rob Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and New Moon, grab a copy of Candy's November 2009 issue and the Candy New Moon Special—available in bookstores and magazine stands nationwide!

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Robert on the Rise

Just because you won't see him as much in New Moon, doesn't mean you're going to forget about him. Here are five reasons why hottie Robert Pattinson will always be your leading vamp!
By Angel Constantino

Published: Candy Magazine, November 2009
Section: On the Cover

1. He has evolved as an actor. Rob first caught our attention four years ago as sweet Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Robert has since moved on to star in more serious flicks such as The Summer House and Little Ashes. But nothing could have prepared him for the role of Edward Cullen, this generation’s most loved vampire. At the 2009 MTV Movie Awards where he won Breakthrough Performance Male, he thanks Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke “for casting me when I was completely unemployable.”

2. He stays true to himself. You’d think being the hero in one of the biggest movie franchises ever would make Rob’s head just as big. But this cutie doesn’t seem fazed by all his fame and fortune. When asked how being a part of Twilight changed him at the 2009 Comic-Con, he said, “I'd like to think I haven't changed that much… it's kind of extraordinary. I don't think any of us expected any of this to happen.”

3. He can adapt to change. New Moon literally spelled new changes for the cast and crew of the Twilight saga. A new director, Chris Weitz, came on board, and Rob had to deal with less airtime than before. He says, “I was much more of a supporting role in this one. I did a lot of my first scenes doing the apparitions which involved me saying maybe one word a week. It was one of the most relaxing jobs I've ever done. Chris was a very peaceful presence and I got on really well with him. I had a pretty much stress free job for three months. It was great for me. All the pressure was on Taylor!”

4. He knows that girls can save guys too! “There are so many people looking at Edward like a romantic hero. In New Moon, the way that I read it anyway, he's just so humbled," shares Rob about his favorite book from the series. "He's looking at Bella and thinking that he loves [her] too much but he can't be around. He deliberately breaks up their relationship which I think is a very painful  and relatable thing. In the final fight sequence, Bella ends up saving Edward, as she does in every single one of the books. So it's really funny how everyone looks at Edward as the hero, but he's been continuously saved by the damsel in distress.”

5. He loves his fans (a.k.a. you!). Robert won Choice Male Hottie and Choice Movie Actor for Drama at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards. In his acceptance speech, Rob sent a special shout-out to his fans. He said, “Thanks, guys, I really appreciate it. I have to say, the hottest teens to me are the Twilight fans.”

Photo courtesy of Pioneer Films and Summit Entertainment 

For more on Rob Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and New Moon, grab a copy of Candy's November 2009 issue and the Candy New Moon Special—available in bookstores and magazine stands nationwide!

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Michael Jackson's This Is It

By Angel Constantino
Photo courtesy of Sony Music Philippines

Published: Spot.ph, October 2009
Section: Movie Reviews

This Is It is a film about what could have been.

From March through June 2009, Michael Jackson and his crew were busy preparing for his final comeback—a series of sold-out concerts that would have been staged in London’s O2 Arena—if it weren’t for the 50-year-old performer’s death on June 25.

The movie gives audiences a glimpse of what went on during those rehearsals. It begins with Michael Jackson’s dancers talking about their experience of working with the King of Pop. Some of them are teary-eyed and barely able to speak, as performing with MJ has been their lifelong dream. A few minutes into the film, as snippets of the auditions are shown and the lucky chosen ones perform “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” with MJ, you begin to get immersed into their world.

This Is It is not an ordinary documentary. While there are a few interviews with different people who worked on the concert with MJ, this film is more about his music. Film director Kenny Ortega, who was also MJ’s creative partner and the director of the stage show, did an inspiring job of selecting the most poignant moments from over a hundred hours of rehearsal footage. The smooth transitions from different periods of rehearsals (with MJ and the dancers in different outfits) allow you to see the progression of the songs, which were arranged in the same order as they would have appeared in the concert.

But unlike the experience of watching an actual concert where everything is smooth and polished, this movie allows you to actually feel like a part of it. You see the mistakes they made, hear the odd instructions MJ would give that somehow make perfect sense (“Let it simmer…” he tells his musical director while rehearsing, “The Way You Make Me Feel”), and finally witness something close to the end product. Even the combination of high definition videos with blurry, low-resolution images gives the film an intimate feel—as if you’re seeing something you weren’t supposed to...

Read the rest of the article in Spot.ph!

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Live the Adventure

A project for my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark (Asian Center for Journalism, Ateneo de Manila University, October 2009)

Live the Adventure from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

Every year, AMCI Mountaineering Club conducts the Basic Mountaineering Course, a five-month long training program that aims to promote the sport of mountaineering and equip trainees with the necessary skills to survive in the mountains. The course is composed of a mix of physical activities, academic lectures, and training climbs, where trainees can apply the skills they have learned and appreciate the beauty of nature.

This video shows what this year’s Basic Mountaineering Course was like through the eyes of two trainees, Charles Ty and Lelet Volfango. As they have experienced, mountaineering is not just about having physical strength, but also about having the patience, mental fortitude, and willpower to go beyond one’s limitations.

Behind the Scenes: The Making of the Video
I made this video as a final project for my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark. The topic is close to my heart because I myself was a trainee back in 2005 and have been an avid mountaineer since I was inducted into the club.

I really wish I could have documented all the events of this year’s BMC since it started in June. However, due to time constraints, I was only able to join two major events: their third training climb in Mt. Pulag and their orienteering weekend in Corregidor Island.

On our second night in Mt. Pulag, a storm hit the mountain. Our tents were literally bending at the poles and a lot of the trainees and AMCI members could not sleep a wink because they were wet and shivering inside their tents. While trekking back to civilization the next day, needle-like rains pelted our faces and we were buffeted by winds so strong that we almost toppled over even with our heavy backpacks.

When I asked Lelet about her experience at the time, she said: “In the midst of the fierce weather, it was also beautiful in a way. It’s a different kind of beauty—it’s fierce, it’s in your face. It’s just you and nature and God. When we were in the grasslands and I was [on the edge of the] cliff hanging on for dear life… at the back of my head, I thought, I’m so scared but this is so cool! I hope I can get to the other side. I’m glad I’ve been given the chance to go there and see it and experience it.”

I wanted so much to include that quote in the video, but it’s long enough as it is. And I couldn’t very well whip out my camera during that crazy weather while I myself was hanging on for dear life. I really wish I could have documented those moments though. Now that would have made for a great story!

The photos at the beginning of the video were taken by Roland Aquino during our climb of Mt. Pulag in 2006. The photos show Mt. Pulag at it’s best. I showed these photos to the trainees and encouraged them to go back to Pulag during the summer so they can see the awesome views for themselves. Roland also took the photo of Mt. Apo when we climbed the mountain in 2007.

Videos for the interviews with Lelet and Charles were shot with a video cam I borrowed from the office. Photos and videos of the Pulag climb, orienteering weekend, and interview with Tonyboy were shot with my Canon Ixus 850IS. I also borrowed a few photos from Mardel and Maida, my teammates during the Pulag climb. A big thanks also goes out to Carlo, Tina, and Marissa—the other trainees whose interviews I was not able to include in the video—and my other teammates Renelle, Merari, Jay and Nelson.

I really enjoyed working on this video as well as all the projects for my Multimedia Journalism class. Hopefully, I can further upgrade my skills and equipment to come up with even better, high quality videos in the future—videos of people who have amazing stories to tell.

November Update: Both Charles and Lelet have successfully completed their induction climb at Mt. Apo and are now AMCI members. :)

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Task Force Ondoy Going Strong in Ateneo

A personal project inspired by my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark

Published: Ateneo.edu, October 2009

Task Force Ondoy from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

September 28, 2009, Quezon City — Task Force Ondoy is in full swing at the Ateneo College Covered Courts. Volunteers are busy receiving donations, repacking goods, and preparing for deployment to areas struck by the typhoon.

According to volunteer Eric Santillan, mobilization for Task Force Ondoy started last night. It was spearheaded by the Ateneo Sanggunian, the university’s student council, with the help of some Jesuit social organizations.

Santillan is heartened by the sheer number of goods and people who came to help. “Last night it wasn’t this big. Donations were coming in and organically it just grew and grew. Now we have around 800 to 900 volunteers from everywhere. I saw a grade 5 kid volunteering and a 70-year-old grandmother sign up. People of all ages came. We are helping out several areas, like the Gawad Kalinga areas of Ateneo. I heard they are also sending goods out to Barangka, Marikina. Just this afternoon, they sent to Cainta, which is probably the hardest hit area right now.”

Volunteers first sign up at the registration booth. A short orientation follows so the volunteers know what to do. Various donations are also welcome. Santillan says, “Water is really needed right now. Slippers would be a good thing to donate. There’s also a need for mattresses, blankets, canned goods, and plastic bags for the individual packing.”

Ateneo Alumnus and singer Miguel Escueta has been going around giving help where it’s needed. He invites others who are capable to help out too. “Me and my family were fortunate enough not to be hit badly by the storm. For the people who are still okay, I think it’s your calling to help out as much as you can. A lot of people are in need of help, they’re stranded, they haven’t been able to come home, and they don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s useless if you stay home. Try to do whatever you can. There are a lot of relief centers—in Alabang, in Paranaque, near Quezon City. Just ask around and for sure you’ll be of great use around the Metro. Be informed and do what you can.”

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Typhoon Fails to Dampen Spirits of Candy Fairgoers

A project for my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark

Published: Candymag.com, September 2009

Candy Fair 2009 from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

September 26, 2009, Manila — Despite the heavy rains and floods caused by Typhoon Ondoy, loyal readers of Candy magazine braved the storm to get to the Candy Fair at the Mega Tent Events Venue in Pasig. Candy is the Philippines’ number one magazine for teens and the fair is an annual event for their readers.

Candy’s Team Publisher Christine Ko explains more about the magazine and the Candy Fair. “We help Candy girls about every aspect of their lives like school, relationships with their friends, families, and boys. We tackle all their interests: books, pop culture, music, movies, the latest celebrities, and other stuff like fashion and beauty. The Candy Fair is an annual event which is basically a gathering of all the Candy Cuties, the Candy girls, and the TeenTalkers.” TeenTalkers are members of TeenTalk, the message board of Candymag.com.

At the fair, guests could go around the different booths to play games, shop for items like accessories and bags, watch a fashion show by clothing line Terranova, and interact with the Candy Cuties—a pool of the cutest guys the magazine features every year. The Candy girls could even “get married” to a Candy Cutie of their choice at the Goldilocks Marriage Booth.

Actors and former Candy cover boys Dino Imperial and AJ Perez also graced the event despite the storm. They came up with an impromptu dance tutorial which the girls enjoyed.

Despite the low turnout, Candy girl Ana Gonzales, who has been reading the magazine since she was in grade school, attests that the event was not a failure. “It’s super fun to interact with the Candy editors, celebrities, and all the Candy girls. It’s all rainy outside but here it’s super fun. Everyone’s having a great time with all the freebies and the program.”

Though the event was cut short due to the weather, the Candy girls went home with lots of goody bags, autographs of their favorite celebrities, photos with the Candy Cuties, and even more fond memories with their “best-est friend.”

Listen to the Candy Fair 2009 Podcast:

Powered by Podbean.com

View the slideshow for more photos from the Candy Fair:
Click on the image to read the caption.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

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My Favorite Place: Kapurpurawan White Rock

Last summer, my friends and I went on a road trip to Ilocos. Of all the places we visited, the Kapurpurawan White Rock Formation in the town of Burgos left the biggest impression on me. Watch the video to see why.

My Favorite Place from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

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5 Top Spots to Run In Without Getting Lung Cancer

City sidewalks are busy sidewalks dressed in exhaust and smog. Take these paths instead.
By Angel Constantino
Photo by Roland Aquino

Published: Spot.ph
Section: Entertainment

1. La Mesa Eco Park
Known as "the lungs of Metro Manila," the La Mesa Watershed Resort and Ecological Park in East Fairview offers runners a respite from the smog-infested streets of the city. The park is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it's best to go on weekdays, as the park tends to get crowded during the weekends. For only 50 pesos (P40 if you're a QC resident), you get to breathe in the fresh air as you run through trails with varied terrain. You can opt to run on the road around the park or go into the forested mountain bike trail. The entrance is near the Petron Fitness Trail and the butterfly garden, so you might just see some colorful butterflies accompanying you on your run. For an added challenge, run up more than a hundred steps that lead to the La Mesa Watershed, Metro Manila's primary source of drinking water. The dam is off-limits though so once you hit the fence bordering the dam, it's time to run back down again.

How to get there: From Commonwealth Avenue, turn right at East Fairview Subdivision's Winston Street (after Mercury Drug Store). Turn left at Dunhill Street and go straight till you reach the entrance to La Mesa Eco Park (www.lamesaecopark.com).

2. Ateneo and UP Campuses
Rows of towering trees line the streets of these two universities in Quezon City. Aside from providing runners with shade from the sweltering heat, their presence offers a sweet-smelling breeze. For a full workout, run the perimeter of the Ateneo campus, passing the Blue Eagle Gym and the Church of the Gesu, all the way around Bellarmine field. It's best to run before or after school hours to avoid heavy traffic. In UP, one can run around the 2.2 km academic oval, which has one lane exclusively for bikers and runners. (The whole road is closed off to motorized vehicles on Sundays.) But for a more scenic and challenging route, run around the outer periphery of the campus (You can try the route used by UP mountaineers for their qualifying runs).

UP also has a lot of large gardens and lagoons, so if you're feeling adventurous, go ahead and blaze your own trail. Be sure to have some fish balls, kikiam, and a fresh cup of taho (or two!) after your workout.

How to get there: Ateneo de Manila University is along Katipunan Avenue. To get to UP Diliman from Katipunan, turn left to CP Garcia, then turn right at the next intersection. Turn left at the end to get to the UP academic oval.

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Trail Running 101

On Sunday, January 18, I had a different kind of running experience. Instead of running on the paved streets of Manila, I ran (well, more like half-ran, half-wobbled) on the trails at the foot of Mt. Batulao in Batangas. Here’s a blow-by-blow account of my experience!

5:30 am I drove to Evercrest Golf Club with Roland and other AMCI members. It was 10-minutes away from Alfonso Hotel, our digs for the night. The road was winding and enveloped with a heavy fog, pierced by my headlights.

5:55 The 10-km runners assembled at the starting point, ready to conquer the trail. We said a short prayer and sang the National Anthem.

6:00 And we’re off! I was only wearing the sleeveless, dri-fit TNF singlet, my knee-length Mizuno leggings, a Nike cap, and Merrel running shoes. It was cold, but I didn’t mind. I wanted to feel the fresh air brush against my skin.

6:15 I wished I had worn my real hiking shoes. The trail was rocky and I could feel the stones under my feet. I ran slowly at first because it was still dark and I was concentrating hard on where to step, carefully avoiding sharp rocks and cow manure.

6:30 The sky was starting to get light, but the sun’s rays could not break through the thick clouds. I was starting to feel at ease and ran a little faster. By this time, the seasoned 20-km runners, who started running about 10 minutes after us, were beginning to overtake us.

6:35 I reached the water and first aid station with Roland and Kim. We took a quick break to have a sip of water and catch our breath.

6:45 The rest of the trail was gently rolling. It brought us around the hillside, where we could see rows and rows of cornfields. The craggy peak of Mt. Batulao loomed in the distance.

7:00 We had to go down a steep, narrow trail filled with loose stones and mud. Ropes were set up to guide us down. Thank God for the awesome weather. At least the ground was dry and our shoes and socks were spared from being caked with mud.

7:05 We crossed the hanging bridge with ease, then made a steep, uphill climb. I was out of breath by the time I reached the top.

7:15 We were back on the road, where Roland and I met Bitoy as we passed by the Chapel on the Hill. It was tempting to just walk, but we were encouraged to start running again when we saw other AMCI members taking pictures.

7:30 We made one final sprint and crossed the finish line!

7:45 After stretching and getting our freebies (Gatorade, Men’s Health September 2008 issue, and TIMEX discount cards), we grabbed our cameras from the car and took lots of photos.

8:15 We stood by the finish line to cheer for AMCI members in the 20-km category who were just finishing their runs. (Congratulations to my batchmate, Mercy, who won 1st place in the female division!)

9:15 We headed back to Alfonso Hotel to eat breakfast. Coffee, chicken tocino, one egg, and a cup of fried rice was not enough to restore our energy!

12:00 After a quick nap, we headed to Hawaiian Barbecue—my fave restaurant in Tagaytay—with Bitoy, Christy, Marga, Marris and Ver to have a hearty lunch of spam rice, baby back ribs, chicken, barbecue, assorted seafood, and sweet pineapples. Aaah… my favorite part of the day! :)

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