Saturday, April 30, 2016

Move into tomorrow...today








"Move into tomorrow…today"
Sun.Star Davao, April 30, 2016

One of the biggest dreams of every Filipino family is to live in their own home.

We hear stories of OFWs trying their luck abroad for a better life and to find the means to build their dream home. Oftentimes, it doesn’t even have to be a huge abode. A comfortable, safe and affordable roof over their heads is more than enough to raise a happy growing family.

Recently, Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), a homegrown real estate developer best known for its premier property developments, introduced its newest brand, Nurtura Land & Home. Its maiden project, Narra Park Residences, is the 9th residential project developed by Alsons Dev and the first under the Nurtura Land & Home brand.

According to Eric de la Costa, Vice President and General Manager of Alsons Dev, the introduction of Nurtura Land & Home is Alsons Dev’s continuing initiative to provide quality residential options for Filipino families.

“This is a significant step in the corporate growth of Alsons Dev. Through the introduction of this new brand, we are diversifying our corporate offering. Nurtura Land & Home will be a continuing reflection of Alsons Dev’s lasting commitment to quality, design and sustainability. We are looking forward to providing best-in-class homes and communities that are within reach of the modern Filipino family”, de la Costa explains.

“One thing you will notice when you enter our Narra Park Residences model units is that it does not feel small, despite measuring only 45 and 63 sq.m., respectively. While outside the house, you will notice that there is ample space to move around even if these model houses are on a 100 sq.m. lot, our minimum lot size. Our houses have good ventilation and come with an enclosed service area. While the two-storey model house even has a powder room and storage room. It was really important for us to show that a small space does not mean a lower quality of life”, describes de la Costa.

In addition, Narra Park Residences has amenities beyond what would normally be expected. It boasts of two access points with gate and guardhouse, and clubhouse with pool.

The sports facilities will be located in Phase 2 along with two very large parks and playgrounds at 1.4 hectares each. All these are intended for an enjoyable living experience of the future residents.

“All those things that made our projects successful will now be offered to a broader market of Filipino families as we invite them to “Move into Tomorrow...Today”, ends de la Costa.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Elaine's box of chocolates









"Elaine’s box of chocolates"
Sun.Star Davao, April 16, 2016

Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get”, uttered Forrest Gump in the award-winning movie with the same title.

Indeed, life is full of surprises, with its highs and lows; as well as unexpected twists and turns.

For Elaine Lim, her world changed dramatically at age 19. With only a semester short of graduating from her AB Communication Arts course at Ateneo de Davao University, she suddenly felt a slight pain in her left knee. Results from her X-ray and MRI tests showed tumor on her left distal temur.

“Everything went by so quickly after that day. Next thing I knew, I was flying to Manila to get further tests and treatment. From the airport, we went straight to the hospital where my doctor recommended biopsy (which further confirmed osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor in a bone) and chemotherapy. For one year, I went through seven cycles of chemotherapy and several operations. Life, as I knew it, turned a full 360 degrees. All the truth I knew became no more. The only constant thing in my life that time was change”, recalls Elaine.

Relentless

Thankfully, in 2001, she was declared to be in remission by her doctors. She excitedly went back to Davao with a goal in mind and that is, to finish her studies. In 2003, the relentless Elaine finally got her much-coveted bachelor’s degree.

“My first work experience was with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation in Manila as a concept developer. Our group was designated to come up with ideas for new and existing TV shows on Channel 2. Eventually, I became a writer and segment producer of a show that involved women empowerment, a TV show idea which I strongly believed in”, describes Elaine.

“I also worked as a writer/segment producer for “Wazzup Wazzup”, a comedic-news program on Channel 23, which featured Toni Gonzaga, Vhong Navarro and Archie Alemania. I was likewise involved with “Breakfast at Studio 23”, a morning news show with Atom Araullo, Patty Laurel and JC Cuadrado as hosts”, she continues.

Dream job

In 2007, Elaine fulfilled her goal of working in a magazine. She transferred to Summit Media Publishing and was assigned at the then recently launched “Yummy” magazine.

“I have always loved writing and working for a magazine was my number 1 dream job. My editor then gladly took a chance on a newbie like me, with no prior magazine experience and hired me as an Editorial Assistant”, Elaine divulges.

Eventually, she was promoted to Assistant Style Editor and then to Associate Style Editor. Aside from handling several sections in the magazine and writing, she was largely involved with prop and food styling for the magazine.

“For an avid foodie like me, working for “Yummy” was truly a dream come true! “Yummy” shoots were always fun and what I loved most from working there was it always involved food—lots of them! And, we always got first dibs on the latest food trends and products”, laughs Elaine.

“Yummy also opened doors for me as a contributing stylist for other magazines like “Candy”, “Total Girl”, “Town and Country”, “Good Housekeeping”, “Martha Stewart Weddings”, “Disney Princess”, and “K-Zone”. I also became a stylist for restaurant menus and ad campaigns. In addition, my work helped me tap my creativity and talent in styling”, she narrates.

International foodie

Another delightful opportunity awaited Elaine in 2011. Upon getting an email for an invitation for a job interview for a publishing company in Singapore, she booked her flight, flew solo out of the country for the very first time, and landed the job she was called in for – as a writer for Food and Travel Magazine and BBC Good Food Magazine (Asian Edition).

“My tasks involved writing articles, food and prop styling, working closely with chefs and contributors, testing recipes, and my most favorite part: checking out the food scene and discovering new food finds in Singapore!”, smiles Elaine.

A few months after, her then boyfriend followed and moved to Singapore as well. In November 2012, Elaine got married to John Wilgeor Balaba, a former colleague in ABS-CBN.

However, while working in Singapore for several months, Elaine received a call from her father asking her to help him start a cacao business using machines he fabricated.

“Of course, I hesitated at first. I wasn’t ready or willing to give up my work and the life that I was just starting to build in Singapore then. But when I went to Davao for a short vacation for a family reunion in 2012 and saw the whole process of chocolate-making, I was impressed. Talking with my former colleagues in “Yummy” magazine further convinced me that starting this business was the way to go. Afterwards, I took a short chocolate-making course in Sydney, Australia to learn more and enhance my knowledge about chocolates”, shares Elaine.

Cacao de Davao

In April 2013, the father-daughter team launched Cacao de Davao, a company committed to producing chocolate products using premium cacao beans that are harvested and sundried in Davao, a source of the world’s best chocolate.

“In Cacao de Davao, we have single-origin 100% cocoa products like Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Roasted Cacao Nibs, Pure Cocoa Butter and Unsweetened 100% Chocolate Callets (Premium Tablea), which we are very proud of. We made sure no preservatives or fillers are added in the products—just pure and 100%. We also buy our beans from local farmers to promote sustainability. We also have ready-to-eat 70% Dark Chocolates with organic coconut sugar (plain, mint, calamansi and chili variants) which is a natural sweetener safe for diabetics and those watching their sugar intake; Durian-Filled Dark Chocolate; and 50% Cacao – Milk Chocolate with Cacao Nib Brittle. Our newest one, to date, is the Dried Mango Strips covered in Dark Chocolate”, explains the 36-year old Elaine.

As a bone cancer survivor, a part of Elaine’s advocacy is to help other patients by visiting them and sharing her story. Now, with Cacao de Davao, she is also trying to commit to donating a portion of its sales to UP-PGH’s Department of Orthopedics Tumor Unit with the help of her doctor, Dr. Edward Wang of Manila Doctor’s Hospital.

“Cancer left me with these valuable lessons in life: know that everything can change in a flick of a finger so cherish each moment, appreciate what you have and what your body can do. Take care of your health. Savor family time. Nourish friendships. Don’t hesitate or be afraid to ask for help when you can’t do things on your own, it doesn’t make you lesser of a person”, reflects Elaine.

“Travel. See more of the world. Do the things that move you. Open your heart to new people and experiences. And, with fervent prayer and unwavering faith, nothing is impossible with the Lord. Trust God’s plans for you”, she adds.

Just like the dark chocolates that she is passionate about, Elaine’s journey in life may have been bittersweet, but this brilliant writer/segment producer/food stylist/chocolatier/entrepreneur is definitely made of the finest ingredients full of positivity, energy, and purpose!

Cacao de Davao products can be purchased at Cacao de Davao, San Pedro Ext., Davao City. For inquiries/orders, contact (mobile) 09172502226; (Facebook) www.facebook.com/cacaodedavao; (Instagram) cacaodedavao; and (e-mail) cacaodedavao@yahoo.com.

Special thanks to Marisol Lagrama and Erika Soriano-Mata for Elaine’s Bayong de Humabi photos as well as Nikki Gotianse-Tan and Mima Tan for the Cacao de Davao photos.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.


Saturday, April 2, 2016

Livin' the Disney dream











“Livin’ the Disney dream”
Sun.Star Davao, April 2, 2016

“I’m sure everyone’s thinking that it must be so great to be able to enter Disneyland every day. Well, let me tell you this, you are right. It is!”, gladly confirms 23-year old Ana Isabela Mempin or Belay.

For over a year now, Belay has been living her Disney dream as one of Hong Kong Disneyland’s energetic parade dancers tirelessly performing different roles in front of thousands of eager spectators.

The young Dabawenya’s fascination to work for Disneyland started a few years ago while she and her family were on vacation in Disneyland California.

At 14, Belay vividly remembers watching the Disney parade dancers with starry eyes. When she and her family went back six years later, Belay boldly declared to her mom Joy, “Ma, I’m going to be one of those dancers someday!”.

And, somehow, the universe made her ardent wish happen.

That thing called ‘tadhana’
                 
“One day, I was just browsing online and stumbled upon the Hong Kong Disneyland job opening announcement. Some call it an accident, I call it fate”, says Belay.

Describing the screening and audition process as “nerve-wracking”, Belay recalls that there were so many talented applicants in their batch. “I was almost disheartened. But, I passed the first screening and the rest is history”, states the Ateneo de Davao University Major in Entrepreneurship graduate.

Belay’s love affair with dance began when she was four years old. As a child, her doting parents, Joey and Joy, enrolled her for summer ballet classes at Locsin’s Dance Workshop and Royeca Ballet and Performing Arts School. Meanwhile, in high school, Belay took hip hop summer classes at LCB Performing Arts Center and joined the Ateneo Dance Club until college.

When she was 16, Belay was awarded a scholarship at LCB where she was able to strengthen her foundation in several disciplines, particularly: ballet, jazz, hip hop, belly and contemporary.

“Unfortunately, after four years, I had to give up my scholarship because the schedules were in conflict with my full time job at our family business. However, the passion for the craft was burning in me, and I just had to find an outlet to keep it alive”, intimates Belay.

So, the avid dancer enrolled for two classes at LCB, became a licensed zumba instructor and taught belly dancing and pole burlesque at Trimlab.

“How I was able to juggle all of that and keep up with my day job, with my father as my boss, I may add, is still a mystery to me!”, chuckles Belay.

New roles

“The life of a Disney parade dancer is kind of like that of a cast member in a musical. We come in, warm up, do our makeup, perform, rest, and prep again for our evening parade. It's just like the day of any performer, except more magical”, describes Belay enthusiastically.

Belay reveals that various roles are assigned to the parade dancers. They are then trained for a few days depending on the difficulty of the role.

But, being a Disney parade dancer is not the only new role that Belay is playing in Hong Kong. For the first time ever, she is also experiencing life as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

“This is my first time to live away from home. Growing up, we were blessed to have all basic needs readily available and I think everyone would agree with me that one of the biggest struggles when living away from home, especially in a different country, is to have to do everything for yourself. No one else is there to pick up your dirty clothes from the floor, or wash your dishes, or make your bed, or nag you to do all of that!”, laughs Belay.

Paying the bills was also one of the biggest reality checks. Thankfully, despite their comfortable social status, Belay’s parents always made it a point to instill in them the value of saving. So, budgeting was not that much of a struggle.

“Actually I was so frugal during my first few months that I turned down every invite from colleagues to go out for dinner or some drinks”, reminisces Belay.

Biggest reward

“The biggest reward for me as a performer, and I speak for all performers, is the smiles we see while we are out there”, expresses Belay.

“What I think is even more heartwarming is when I see my fellow Filipinos cheering us on. When we hear them scream "kababayan!", we sometimes can't help but tear up. It's like a little taste of home”, she continues.

Belay considers seeing all the families and missing her own as the most challenging part of working overseas. “Being the second child in a brood of five and having two of the kindest and coolest parents, I miss going home to them. I miss being part of my siblings' milestones. I also miss having a car. I miss my yayas!”, divulges Belay.

“That's why, when you do get the chance to watch fellow Filipinos perform overseas, don't forget to show your support. It's far greater than all the riches in the world!”, Belay points out.

The brilliant performer’s advice for aspiring Disney dancers is an inspiring quote from no other than the founder, Walt Disney, himself, "All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."

“And most importantly,...whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)”, the bubbly Belay concludes. 

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.