ROCKYOUR GUIDE TO THE ROCKWELL CLUB DECEMBER 2010

the

INSIDE

Explore & Discover

OLD MANILA WITH KIRJA PARCELL AND THE WALKAPEDIA TOURS

EFREN PEÑAFLORIDA& THE KARITONDREAM

MORENEW SOCIALS,

CLASSES, FACILITIES& CULTURAL TOURS

EXCLUSIVE TO ROCKWELL

CLUB MEMBERS

R O C K W E L LA member of the Lopez Group of Companies

BIG LEAGUE HERE.

When even small starts big, you can expect the gains to be bigger than big league. Contrary to the common belief that condo units depreciate in value in ten years’ time, Rockwell is exactly the opposite.

Let’s put it in black and white. A prime Rockwell property priced at P70,000/sqm in the year 2000 is now valued for as much as P140,000/sqm. On top of that, leasing a Rockwell unit brings in a consistent rental yield of 8-10%. Edades is one prime property that’s definitely very Rockwell in terms of big time returns. Now, that spells the big difference between getting the small one secured and getting him made.

As always, big news never ends at Rockwell.

R O C K W E L LA member of the Lopez Group of Companies

BIG LEAGUE HERE.

When even small starts big, you can expect the gains to be bigger than big league. Contrary to the common belief that condo units depreciate in value in ten years’ time, Rockwell is exactly the opposite.

Let’s put it in black and white. A prime Rockwell property priced at P70,000/sqm in the year 2000 is now valued for as much as P140,000/sqm. On top of that, leasing a Rockwell unit brings in a consistent rental yield of 8-10%. Edades is one prime property that’s definitely very Rockwell in terms of big time returns. Now, that spells the big difference between getting the small one secured and getting him made.

As always, big news never ends at Rockwell.

CONT ENT S

MEMBERS ONLY

COMING SOON

NEWS

THE SCENE

7 THE LOFT BY DAY, JAZZ BY NIGHT8 OUT-OF-THE-BOX EVENTS10 PERKS OF STYLE and LIFE

13 RXWELL’S GOT YOU COVERED15 CLUB SPECIALTIES

32 GOLF TOURS34 HOGWARTS HALLOWEEN

35 MY RW CLUB: A ROCKWELL CHRISTMAS

3 GM’S MESSAGE4 ADVISORIES

22Cover storyThe Walkapedia Tours

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December 2010

How much did we love 2010? Let us count the ways: Walkapedia Tours, Vacation Perks, Golf and Camera Club Outings, Ovation Concerts, preferred Cinema reser-vations, airport shuttles, a wellness corner, a boxing gym, doctors and ambulance on call, uplifted facilities, refreshed menus, wine and cheese, plus Alice, Madascar and Potters to boot! If all that’s a mouthful, wait till 2011 rolls around.

Additionally, this issue’s new look should give you a feel of how the club will continue to evolve in the com-ing year. Introducing Kirja Parcell, a proud Rockwell Club member and a welcome cover to end a good year. So from the management and staff of your club, we wish each of you “A Blessed Ho-ho-holiday and a Joyful New Year!”

JP Masakayan VP - General Manager

ROCKthe

EDITORIAL DIRECTORRaymond Ang

MANAGING EDITORSJay Abastillas

JC Alelis

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Tricia Gosingtian

LAYOUT ARTISTAmanda Cruz

CONTRIUBORSRico Cruz

Joseph Ralph Hilario

The Rockwell ClubDirectory

GM’s Office756-1516

Membership Services756-1533 / 897-8310 loc. 7446Membership Administration

450-2984Billing & Collection

450-2991Sports & Recreation

897-8310 loc. 7431 or 7434Spa

450-2994

BANQUETSThe Loft @ Manansala

756-1561/ 450-2989Palm Grove

& Meeting Rooms450-2998

FOOD & BEVERAGEChef Jessie

450-2993 / 450-2995Rocky’s Café & Bar

756-1534Juice Bar by Fruit Magic

8978310 loc. 7432

LETTER FROM THE FRONT

Happy new year, pretty new Rock

ADVISORIES

To better manage the use of limited parking at the Manansala Gym, the Manansala Building Man-agement, which owns the parking slots, has come up with guidelines to bring order and efficient use of the limited parking slots in front of the Manansala Gym. An advisory was provided by the Manansala Build-ing Management and this has been posted at the Manansala Gym for our members’ information. We are compelled to abide by these guidelines since we do not own the parking slots and we, like-wise, deem it beneficial to the interest of the general membership.

In order to safeguard the integrity of the Club’s ex-clusivity, be reminded that presentation of a valid membership card is required prior to availing the Club’s services and facilities.

If you have inadvertently lost or misplaced your membership card, visit the Club’s Membership Ser-vices Office for the issuance of a replacement or a temporary card.

We have all been missing you!

Please let us know what we can do to make you come and enjoy your membership privileges.

Send us an e-mail at club@rockwell.com.ph and share your wishes and insights on things that we need

to improve on.

Meanwhile, if you simply do not have the time to enjoy the privileges that come with your Rockwell Club

membership, you may want to considerhaving your share leased.

Call the Membership Services Office at 8978310,extension 7445/7446, for inquiries

on the lease process.

Your Rockwell Club share is now selling at P350,000.00 in the secondary market. This is a big

leap from P280,000.00 in the year 2009!This is good indication of the public’s confidence in

the Rockwell Club!

Rockwell Club Car stickers are available at the Club’s Membership Relations Desk. Call 8978310, ext. 7444 for informa-tion about Car Sticker issuance policies. Parking privileges are under the direct supervision of The Manansala Building Man-agement. For the benefit of all Club members, your considerate cooperation with the Manansala building security guards will be most appreciated. The above policy has been in place since September 2010.

• Use of the parking space is strictly for Rockwell Club members with valid car stickers only.• The space is free for a maximum of two (2) hours for gym patrons.• A one (1) hour limit shall be given to Rockwell Club members, with valid car stickers, who will go to the following establishments: Power Plant Mall, R5 Tennis/Basketball Courts, Joya Gym or Boxing facilities. • Php 100 will be charged for every hour, or a fraction thereof, in excess of the time limit.• Overnight parking by a member from 10PM – 6AM shall be charged Php 500 over and above any fees accumulated prior to 10PM. • Cars which parked overnight and are without any valid/current Rockwell Club or Manansala car sticker shall be booted. Only upon payment of the fees may the boot be taken off.

Calling All InactiveRockwell Club Members

and Shareholders!

“No Card, No Service”Policy

great news!

Use of Manansala gyM parking space

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The LoftJazz

by day

by night

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Did you know that The Loft is perfect for venue for your seminars and private functions? Rockwell Club takes you back to the rollicking 1920s, to the days of flapper girls, endless champagne, and Great Gatsby. In the first quarter of 2011, prepare for an event that will transform The Loft into a wine and music bar by night. Featuring a full wine bar, a rustic yet cozy set-up, and some of the best jazz artists out there, all that’s missing is you. It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing so get join us as we party like it’s 1929.

S C E N E S P O T T I N G

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CO

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NOut of theBox Events

GOLF OUTINGS. With the success of our past golf tours the past year (see Page 32 to see who got their share of green fun), we’re putting together another round of golf outings for all you enthusiasts and experts alike! So keep practicing your drive and watch out for updates on our next course destination.

It seems everyone’s a photographer nowadays. With everyone running around, toting DSLRs like there’re little Mark Nicdaos, it’s tough to see which photographers are worth their salt. Rockwell Club helps you pass muster by offering more work-shops and exposure trips for 2010. The first quarter will focus on por-trait and studio photography for beginners, while the summer season will include a trip to Batanes for some unique landscape photogra-phy. Keep your eyes out for updates.

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Have Perks,Will Travel

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A new year calls for new beginnings and who doesn’t feel refreshed after a good vacation? Slated to happen before the summer season, Rockwell Club’s Travel Fair will mainly feature our lifestyle perks partners Discovery Group, Asya Premier de Boracay, Dos Palmas and more. Watch out for the exclusive discounts and special package offerings which can only be availed of during the expo.

GET EXCLUSIVE PACKAGES AT THE EXPO

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Tucked in the corner of Boracay’s coast-line, tranquility and serenity are assured, while not being too far away from the lights, sounds and activities that Boracay has to of-fer. There is a certain sense of grandeur with a touch of class once you enter the Asya. Its modern Filipino architectural design screams “vacation” while simultaneously whispering “home.” It’s a place where you

can stay to get away from the drudgeries of city life but still manage to keep a sense of familiarity. Courteous and friendly, I was quite surprised when all the staff, from the driver that picked me up from my resort, to the front desk receptionist, already knew my name and greeted me in a very amicable way. That’s personalized service.

NEW

S Perks of Style

During this time of hustle and bustle, vacation getaways have become few and far between. And sometimes, vacations themselves become more of a hassle rather than an escape of relaxation. I guess that is why we now

have the saying, “taking a vacation from this vacation.” Irony aside, there are still a few places out there where the concept of “escape” is still widely

evident. One such place is Asya de Premiere Boracay.

Jay Abastillas of the Rockwell Club ventures toAsya de Premier Boracay and experiences an escape like no other.

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Asya is a two-hectare paradise with 10 more hectares under development. Its lush greens and verdant foliage adds more to its already well-established theme. Cur-rently, it has 20 suite rooms, four of which are presidential suites and the rest, premier suites. Each suite is extremely roomy and is patterned more to a villa rather than a hotel room. Presidential suites come with their own verandas, some of which have a spec-tacular view of the entire Boracay coastline.

If one would like to have a more active vaca-tion, Asya offers a multitude of activities to ensure a fun-filled vacation. One can book with the resort to tour the entire Boracay island via boat. Activities include snorkel-ing, diving, boating, and an assortment of other water sports. If one wants to go to Station 1 or 2 and go shopping, dining, or take part in other activities the island has to offer, Asya offers a shuttle service that will bring one to where one wishes and bring one back to the resort at any given time. In-house, Asya has a swimming pool, as well as spa services as a perfect end to an upbeat day in Boracay.

Dining in Asya is a different experience altogether. Its restaurant, Palay, boasts a menu of fusion cuisine at its finest. Its menu includes Asian dishes, Western dishes, and concoctions that fuse both sides into a sym-phony of amazing flavor. While I was not fortunate enough to sample all the items on the menu, the Striploin steak was sim-ply exquisite. It was presented in its usual Western way but had a tinge of Asian fla-vor in it, with its spices and sauces. It was absolutely impeccable. During one’s stay in Asya, a dinner in Palay is a definite must.

There is a wide array of resorts in Boracay. It has grown difficult to find one that really separates itself from the rest, from theme to facilities, to service, to accommodation, to food, and to the finest details. Without doubt, Asya Premier de Boracay has suc-cessfully distinguished itself as one of the finest getaway spots on the entire Boracay island. Your long awaited vacation awaits! For inquiries and bookings, please contact

our Membership Services Desk at 897-8310 loc. 7445

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Perks of LifeA little extra of life’s not-so-little pleasures

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Rockwell Club Members’ perks go way beyond the Club, and this coming year, we’ve got luxury resorts opening their doors with special discounts and exclusive packages for you. Arrange your reservations through us to the following resorts: Discovery Suites, Discovery Shores Boracay Island, Country Suites Discov-ery Tagaytay, Asya Premier Suites, Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort Palawan and Eagle Ridge Golf and Residential Estates.

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S Living in Rockwell offers you life’s great pleasures--from the best food to the best travel. But your Rockwell family isn’t only with you for the good times. Here in Rock-well, we look out for our own. Enter Lifeline, Rockwell Club’s in-house clinic. With a complete battalion of doctors, nurses, and even an ambulance on standby, we’ve got you covered. This is your one-stop shop wellness center. Service is also personalized, as is the Rockwell experience. Lifeline provides customized PT packages and diet plans for members.

Rxwell’s got you Covered

Lifeline is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a

doctor on duty from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Good-to-GoThe G2 Specialist

Rockwell Club is known for its many friendly faces and none friendlier than Erika Ocampo herself. The club’s go-to (G2) spe-cialist handles the concierge service dedi-cated to attend to members’ needs. This fair-skinned chinita, her of the generous smile and accommodating eyes, is just the right woman to ask, if ever you find yourself in a bind. The various services offered are:

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o Vacation PlanningWe have lined-up a list of packages for our Perks

partners plus chartered private plane and chopper. If you’d rather a trip that fulfills your preferences, our G2 Specialist will be your primary contact for planning your vacation.

o Airport Shuttle ServiceContact our G2 hotline for an airport taxi to pick

you up from your residence and drive you straight to the airport.

o Reservation AssistanceFrom cinema tickets to dinner reservations, our G2

specialist and Membership Relations Associate will gladly assist you with your needs.

o Plane and Chopper RentalWhether it’s for a business trip, vacation or picnic

out of town, our G2 specialist is dedicated to arrange this for you. Enjoy breathtaking trips with INAEC’s Eu-rocopter and Super King Air 3.

o Rental Car Arrangement Provided By (Nissan Rent-a-Car )Let us know if you prefer an SUV or a Limousine and

we will reserve this for you.

Get the G2’s assistance through the Membership Deskat 756-1516 or 450-2988.

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Club SpecialsRocky’s and Chef Jessie’s menus

evolving with your taste

R o c k y ’ s U p c o m i n g s e l e c t i o n

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Named after the beautiful daughter of former matinee idol Armanda Goyena, the Cita Revilla SalaD is quite a steal for the seemingly pricey tag of P695. Lusch Mesclun greens are tendered with fresh fruits and considerably-sized grilled prawns. Mushrooms are an unexpected addition to the dish, with raspberry vinaigrette dressing giving it even more flavor. It’s a refreshing salad with just the right tinge of flavor to go with your holiday cheer.

January – Mexican SpecialsSteak and Queso Fries

Chicken Quesadilla with Creamy Cilantro Dressing

February – Chinese SpecialsSweet and Sour Pork

Steamed Kangkong with BagoongKung Pao Chicken Breast

March & April – Mongolian Barbecue

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NEW

S Mean MachinesNew TechnoGym and Kinesis equipment

for more effective training sessions

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The main gym is now equipped with the latest body wellness machines that will maximize your workout sessions.

KEISER M3 SPINNING BICyClE. The unique M3 features an innovative magnet-ic resistance system. Designed, engineered and manufactured in the U.S. you can also connect the M3 with the intuitive M Series computer.

TECHNOGyM ElEMENT STRENGTH EQUIPMENT and KINESIS ONE. Kinesis brings you an innovative training method. The uniqueness of the total body move-ment and the ability to offer a personal experience ensures everyone achieves results, stays engaged and motivated. Per-fect for free use & with a personal trainer.

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Class of 2010Mat-based Pilates group exercise

The Pilates Method is an exercise form based on developing functional strength by performing specific moves. Joseph Pi-lates, the founder of the method, created a number of machines with which to execute these moves as well as a repertoire of exer-cises to be performed without machines.

Add a fitness ball to your Pilates mat work to increase the level of difficulty. Mat work can range from relatively easy moves for beginners to extremely difficult moves for more advanced, experienced practitio-

ners. Pilates mat work utilizes the “core” or abdominal muscles, and it features moves lying on the back, sides, stomach as well as standing. As you progress, you can in-tegrate small apparatus, such as a fitness ball, fitness circle, weights, resistance bands or foam rollers, to increase the dif-ficulty of the work. you can also find Pilates mat work materials for working on such specific issues as Pilates for pregnancy, osteoporosis, back pain, cardiovascular fit-ness and weight loss.

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SCHeDUleTuesday & Saturday 10:30am to 11:30amWednesday – 7:30pm to 8:30pmThursday – 8:30am to 9:30am

For further inquiries please call the Sports & Recreation department, 450-2994; 897-8310 local 7434and 0917521ROCK

Sampaguita Ice Cream

Sinagtala Ballroom Main Dining Room Kuatro Kantos Bar & Cafe

Discoverywith the

Family

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These past few months, Rockwell Club has been bringing you outside its grounds and into the heart of Manila. From the crash course through Philippine history that is the Carlos Celdran tour, to the dimsum-and-then-some Ivan Man Dy, the tours bring you the Manila you never knew, its glori-ous golden era and secret cultural heritage. If you’ve taken the tours, turn the page to relive the experience. If you haven’t, here’s what you’ve been missing.

The Walkapedias

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Quirky yet informative tour guide of tour de force proportions Carlos Cel-dran has certainly made locals and foreigners alike obtain a different per-spective of Manila. His motto, “Changing the way you look at Manila,” is an understatement. After a tour with Carlos, one will definitely gain a much deeper appreciation for Manila. Its history and its culture are all presented to you in such an interesting way, “Wow, I didn’t know that” moments pro-liferate. With sometimes eccentric costumes coupled with his bubbly and feisty demeanor, the tour isn’t so much a tour as it is a journey. The stories of the past breathe life and Carlos effectively paints a picture of how it all really happened, with a twist.

On the tour, you’ll get to see historic landmarks such as Fort Santiago, where Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, was detained right before his execution. You’ll be brought to Manila Cathedral, one of the Philippines’ most iconic Churches, as well as San Agustin Church, one of the Philippines’ oldest and most story-filled. One of the best things about Carlos’ tours is the fact that his entire tour is covered simply by walking. One will observe not through a vehicle and glass windows, but actually be able to live, experi-ence, and walk through history.

It’s an aspect of tourism that goes far beyond what is usually expected and is something that should be made known to all the visitors of Metro Manila. Foreign or local, it is something one must definitely try and recommend. -Jay Abastillas

San Agustin ChurchIntramuros

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Art. Facts. Artifacts. This simple play on words cannot do justice to what The Philippine National Museum promises. It absolutely captures Filipino heritage and paints a profound image of what it means to be a Filipino. It houses some of the most prized and meaningful pieces in Filipino culture. A home-grown Filipino walking through its colorful hallways might obtain a sense of belonging, while a visitor might feel a sense of amazement and admiration for the country’s legacies.

The National Museum is split into two buildings. The first is called the “Museum of the Filipino People.” The building is dedicated to the history of Filipinos. There, one will find pieces like a sunken galleon, precious vases, figurines and other objects of trade, and even ancient, elaborate attire worn by Filipino ancestors.

The second building is the “Museum of Art.” In this building you will find a multitude of priceless works by Filipino artists with different kinds of media and style--from abstract to Impressionism. An art-ist at heart will spend hours appreciating the different pieces found in this museum. The most notable of which, is the “Spoliarium” by Juan Luna. Upon gazing at this work of art, one will come to notice that its majesty is only equaled by its tragic beauty. One could literally spend minutes upon minutes just absorb-ing every little detail that the painting has to offer.

-Jay Abastillas

NationalMuseum

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What starts as a brief open air lecture in the middle of Plaza Calderon de la Barca quickly becomes an epicurean expedition into the hidden heart of Chinatown. First, a side note: for all the various words of warning about how grimy and off-the-beaten-path the tour could be, the sights and sounds would be familiar to anyone who calls Metro Manila home. Jeepneys and cars jostle over every inch of road, just as religious icons and lewd advertisements create a visual cacophony on every available surface. You taste the local flavor even before you take the first bite.

So what’s on the menu? How about a sampling of authentic southern-Chinese dimsum served in a restaurant that’s about as hole-in-a-wall as an actual hole in the wall? Or perhaps you fancy something more filling: sticky rice with peanuts, fresh lumpia (yeah, none of that fried “shanghai” stuff), and the most unique siopao you’ve ever tried? Top those off with an extra helping of history and sociology and what you’ve got is a recipe for enlightenment—or at least, a really good time.

Want to spice up your trip to Binondo? Take the Pasig river ferry all the way to Escolta and see the metropolis from a new perspective. Believe it or not, it’s a pleasant ride and gets you in the right mood for Wok-ing. -JC Alelis

BinondoFood Wok

Ivan Man Dy isn’t out to change the world. With the aptly named Big Binondo Food Wok, Ivan and his fellow tour guide Anson have a simple goal in mind: to fill your stomach with Chinese street cuisine, and fill your brain with insights on Chinoy culture.

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You grew up here, right? Were you born here too?I grew up in Australia and the Philippines. I was born in Sydney, Australia and I’ve basically been liv-ing back and forth between Australia and the Philip-pines.

What have you been up to? We know you help out with the family business and you’ve been doing some modeling.I’ve been helping out with our family business Chocolate Fire and I’ve also been doing some mod-eling here and there! In my spare time I like to hang out with my boyfriend and friends. I love hanging out at the Rockwell Club by the pool and upstairs at Rocky’s Cafe, I’m basically there everyday with my boyfriend working on our upcoming business before going to the gym!.

Do you like modeling? You seem to be a natural at it.Yes, I do like modeling but I do it as a side thing, as the market for a Caucasian model in the Philip-pines is scarce. But when I do get the opportunity to model, I always enjoy it.

What do you like about living in Rockwell?Living in Rockwell has so many advantages. Its easy living! You have the Power Plant Mall as your back yard which is so handy because everything is so ac-cessible. It’s also really nice to have access to all the pools and gyms as I like to keep fit and healthy! Rockwell, for me, creates a small haven where I can just relax!

Why did you choose to join the Walkapedia Tour? You joined the Intramuros one, right?Yes, I joined the Walkapedia Intramuros tour. My mum and I love art, design, and history, therefore, we thought this tour would be perfect for us. And we also got to see some of Intramuros!

And how did you like it? What kind of things did you learn?The tour was very enjoyable and educational. On the tour, we went to the National Museum where we were able to see amazing relics from ancient ship-wrecks. One part of the exhibit that really intrigued

Old ManilaYoung Kirja

From Mia Farrow to Nicole Kidman, to Taylor Swift, Kirja Parcell has a way of making you recall a gamut of beautiful women.

Shooting the beautiful and business-minded Kirja was a treat for this magazine’s team. Even though it was essentially a guerilla shoot around the beautiful city of Intramuros, Kirja stepped up to the plate and gave

us a bevy of faces we won’t soon forget.

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Old ManilaYoung Kirja

PINATUBOThe word “pinatubo” means either “grown,” in

Filpino, or a fertile place where crops can be made to grow. The former suggests the aftermath of the volca-noe’s epic eruptions, while the latter falls in line with its frequently fertile lands. Either way, it says a lot about Pinatubo. While sometimes treacherous, it is also of-ten fertile, nourishing, and gorgeous. In the years af-ter the 1991 eruption, Pinatubo has become a sort of mecca for mountain treks, hot springs, and volcanic mad baths.

There’s also a lot to do here, by way of history. The Capas National Shrine is a memorial to the Filipino and American soldiers who died in Camp O’ Donnell at the end of the Bataan Death March. While that doesn’t sound like a particularly life-affirming activity, the shrine’s monument, museum, and parkland make the trip worth it.

PAMPANGAYou don’t get tagged the culinary capital of the

Philippines for nothing. Kapampangan cuisine is wide-ly thought to be among the most refined of local culi-nary traditions. While the longganisas and tocinos of Pampanga’s Best and Mekeni Food might be the capi-tal’s most recognizable export, speciality dishes like lechon (roasted pig), kamaru (mole crickets), and bu-langlang (pork cooked in guava juice) are the real draw, not to mention delicacies like pastillas and turonnes.

But if you don’t want to put on too many pounds, Pampanga is also a burgeoning tourism hotspot. St. Peter Shrine in Apalit, Mt. Arayat National Park in San Juan Bano, and the Paradise Rach and Zoocobia Fun Zoo in Clark are some of the spots you need to visit in the area.

After the Manila tours, Rockwell Club expands its horizons by going out of the city and taking treks to nearby Pampanga and Pinatubo. If the prospect of a butt-numbing hours-long ride isn’t particularly exciting, the culture and wonders at both sites make the trip worth it.

Upcoming Walkapedias

me was viewing preserved animals and insects from past centuries. There was also a skull that still had beautifully engraved pure gold teeth. Really fascinating! We also learned that there are 200 different ethnic groups in the Philippines, each with its own language. We learned so much about Filipino culture. When we transferred to the National Art Gallery, we viewed magnifi-cent paintings by Filipino master painters such as Amersolo, Hidalgo, Luna and Joya. To finish the tour off, we had a delicious gourmet lunch at Ilustrado which is situated in a historical Span-ish building.

What’s next for you? When are you leaving for school?I’m moving to Melbourne late December to start University in Melbourne, Australia. I’ll be studying Bachelor of Communication Design at RMIT. So that’s what’s next for me. I’ll keep coming back to the Philippines though, for vis-its, as my family is based here.

From Mia Farrow to Nicole Kidman, to Taylor Swift, Kirja Parcell has a way of making you recall a gamut of beautiful women.

Shooting the beautiful and business-minded Kirja was a treat for this magazine’s team. Even though it was essentially a guerilla shoot around the beautiful city of Intramuros, Kirja stepped up to the plate and gave

us a bevy of faces we won’t soon forget.

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Pay It ForwardA friend in need is a friend indeed

CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Penaflorida, has been a fre-quent guest at our Club as a guest of fellow-member, Susan Dimacali. We took the opportunity to chat with this iconic

ambassador of charity over brunch at Chef Jessie.

To donate or volunteer, please visit Dynamic Teen Company’s website athttp://dynamicteencompany.org

We’ve all heard our fair share of underdog stories. About how the regular Joe rises up against all odds, with no distinguishable characteristics, no famed and glorious past. Peter Parker. Frodo. Luke Skywalker.

Why are we so fascinated with such tales of serendipi-tous valor? Because like the heroes we look up to, we too search for the same kind of success. We relate to these fig-ures and draw copious amounts of inspiration from them. Through them, our lives have more flavor, meaning, and ultimately, more purpose because we, too, want to some-how change the world ourselves.

Efren Penaflorida is no different. Except, unlike Spider-man and the Order of the Jedi, He actually exists. From humble beginnings, He grew up in an urban slum area in Cavite. He would often play along the dirty, garbage-filled side streets of the slums and was subject to grave bullying as a child. Downtrodden and miserable, he almost lost is way, becoming part of the growing population of troubled youth. But through persistence and perseverance, he was able to graduate high school and later on, two university degrees.

During high school, Efren started the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) with some of his peers, striving to make sure other young people wouldn’t have to go through what he had to. He started off with around 20 members which, through the course of time, grew exponentially. Eventually, the organization Club 8586, another commu-nity service organization joined DTC’s cause. This group was led by Efren’s mentor, Pastor KB Manalaysay. It was he that aided Efren to rise up from his stature and make a difference. And since that time, Efren has vowed to devote his life to make the same difference in the lives of others. “I was influenced by Pastor KB,” says Efren. “He’s always showed me just how important what we’re doing really is. He helped me when I was young and our deal was that whatever I learned, I would pass on to others.”

In a joint effort, DTC and Club 8586 pioneered the idea of the “Kariton Classroom” or “Pushcart Classroom.” The Filipino pushcart, which is usually a mobile means to vend goods (such as fruits) on the streets, took a whole new meaning when Efren and KB decided to fill these push-carts with books and school supplies and push it around the urban slum areas of Cavite, providing free education to street children who have no access to it otherwise. Pas-tor KB explains, “The main problem is that these kids are hungry, not just for food, but for love, affection, attention, everything. Their families subject them to child labor so they are not allowed to exercise their childhood. Most of these kids end up being young parents, while some are be-ing molested by their own parents. This is not just a prob-

lem of the government, but of everyone. We’re all affected.”

What was once a small and unnoticed effort suddenly took a drastic change when Club 8586 nominated Efren Penaflorida as CNN’s Hero Of The Year for 2009. “Just to be nominated, you’ve already won. But to actually win it? None of us ever expected it.”

Efren says that there were over 9000 entries from over 100 countries. These entries were cut by the producers to the top 100, which was then trimmed to the top 28, and finally shortlisted to the Top 10. And after the rigorous se-lection process, Efren’s cause was finally reaffirmed by the world by winning Hero of The Year. “Our aim was merely

to be understood. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine people having their pictures taken with our ‘Kari-ton’ when we would pass by. It was a really big change. Before, less people believed in our cause and we had a lot of skeptics. We were laughed at. And at some point, we started doubting ourselves and the cause we were trying so hard to spread. But everything changed after CNN Hero of The Year. It helped a great deal. Now, we have a lot more supporters and we’re no longer ashamed at all to push our pushcarts.”

As of today, Efren and Pastor KB’s cause is helping over 800 underprivileged children and the number is still grow-ing. “We’ll only stop when there are no more children to help. And if there are no more children to help here in the Philippines, we’ll transfer to somewhere with more chil-dren to help. So I guess we’ll only stop on our last breath.”

Efren and Pastor KB recently had an event at the Power Plant Mall promoting their cause and providing different ways to help. Efren also frequented dining at Rocky’s with avid supporter, Rockwell Club member Ms. Susan Dima-cali. “Anyone who would like to help can donate books or even volunteer at our Community Center,” says Efren.

Is Efren a superhero? Is his the kind of underdog story we just love to admire and relate with? At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what a hero has done to become a hero, what matters is whom he’s helped and what he means to the people that admire him. In which case, it isn’t a sur-prise to put Efren Penaflorida along the likes of the pro-tagonists and characters we all look up to.

“Our aim was merely to be understood. Never in our wildest dreams did we imag-ine people having their pictures taken with

our ‘Kariton’ when we would pass by.”

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Our golf enthusiasts gathered for friendly rounds first at the Faldo Course Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club last April 14 and again in September 10, at Splendido

Golf in Tagaytay

Golf Tours

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Golf Tours

Every so often we have a wine appreciation night with our wine distribu-tor partners-- it’s a great way for members to get together and interact over a classy glass of wine. For the whole year of 2010, our exclusive wine partner was Forth & Tay. An art exhibit featuring the masterpieces of Carlos Rocha were also highlighted during

one of the wine tastings.

Wine Nights

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A HogwartsHalloween

The kids of Rockwell Club had their Halloween funlast October 30 at Palm Grove.

Activities included a slime-making workshop,vampire tooth cast making and glitter tattooing.

Wizards from Mad Science Philippines also came tojoin and show the kids a fun and interactive science show.

THE WIZARDING ACADEMY

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MY

RW

CLU

B

Kyle Russel, 10

This Christmas… we’re having an open house because we just moved here. We’re having that for our Christmas party.I love Rockwell be-cause… my whole fam-ily’s more comfortable here.

Samantha Johnson, 12

This Christmas… I’m looking forward to giv-ing presents, getting presents, and waiting for Santa.I love Rockwell be-cause… everybody is so nice and I can walk to the mall.

Chloe Hanford, 5

This Christmas… I’m looking forward to pres-ents from Santa and family.I love Rockwell be-cause… I like going to the park and the swim-ming pool, because it’s so big.

This holiday season, we meet three of Rockwell’s brightest young denizens and talk to them about Christmas and the Rockwell life.

MyRockwell

Christmas

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