A Remarkably Relaxing Travel to Cape Town and the Winelands

A Remarkably Relaxing Travel to Cape Town and the Winelands from Illustrado 

By Al Manlangit

Arrive airport – 09.30hrs. Pick up Avis car – 10.00hrs. Drive to Stellenbosch – 1030hrs. Photograph scenic route. That was the itinerary I wrote before we enplaned in Johannesburg for the two-hour flight to Cape Town. And that’s exactly what we did right on the dot. The only thing I didn’t expect was that the scenery along the 50km route from the airport to the Winelands was more magnificent than I could have imagined.

The wine-producing region in South Africa extends through four popular towns: Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, West Somerset and Paarl. All are within a short driving distance from each other through various routes that have breathtaking views of mountain ranges, evergreen valleys filled with fruit orchards and pastoral plains with nothing but grass, sheep and blue sky.

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Kayaking Adventure Through the Abra River

Kayaking Adventure Through the Abra River 

from Illustrado

Text By Vic Lactaoen  
Photos by Brian Bravo

The current craze in water sports hits anew with the growing popularity of river kayaking. One kayaking hub sought after area in Northern Luzon is the famous Abra River in the Cordillera autonomous region.

 

Often glossed over in tourist brochures and travel guides on Northern Philippines, the province of Abra holds a storehouse of simple pleasures for the traveler who wants to imbibe nature and adventure in refreshing doses. Although Abra has never made it to the list of favorite destinations in the north, except for the corny soft drink commercial on television where four traveling teeners passed through a dark-eerie looking tunnel. The tunnel used in that commercial is called the Tangadan Tunnel, one of the official landmarks of Abra Province.


Parallel to the tunnel is the river unknown to many, but is one of the exciting new destinations in adventure tourism comparable to the waves with Futaleyu, Chile, Apurinmac in Peru and Ciruh in Turkey.

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Inspirational Principles of Financial Life to Start a New Year

Inspirational Principles of Financial Life to Start a New Year - Illustrado

 

Let me greet you all a Joyful, Peaceful, Healthy and Prosperous 2015!

It is time to take stock and change or reform ourselves for the better. Nobody is perfect and spiritual and inspirational articles abound to lift up our lives. What I noticed though is that we tend to compartmentalize our lives. In particular, our financial lives are considered by most as separate from their spiritual and intellectual activities. The fact is that all of these are intertwined. Since I have focused my advocacy on teaching personal financial management, I frequently interpret these inspirational principles in the light of our financial lives.

 

Borrowed from Mac Anderson’s “The Nature of Success”, Mr. Anderson talks about a lesson he learned from a friend’s grandmother.   Mac was having such a rough week and his friend shared with him what his grandmother told him to always remember: ‘Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.’

Mac took the line to heart and took out a piece of paper and listed all the things he had to do in the next three days. As he finished each task, he crossed it out from the list. Three days later, he crossed out the last task left on the list. He felt great!

As Mac explains, “…Success doesn’t come cascading like Niagara Falls; it comes one drop at a time through short-term, realistic goals. If you believe you can do something (the goals are realistic), you’re likely to be highly motivated. If, however, you think you can’t (because the goals are unrealistic) your motivation level falls greatly…”

The same principle applies in each one’s personal financial life. I keep emphasizing the same principle as explained in “Making Your Money Work”.


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Filipino Innovation on Changing Our Mindset About Wealth from Illustrado

Filipino Innovation on Changing Our Mindset About Wealth 

From Illustrado

By: Bo Sanchez

WHEN I was told that this issue is about Pinoy Innovation, I quickly got my book, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich. If I may say so, the book is a Pinoy innovation presenting a new view about wealth for Pinoys. I tackled the issue right away in the preface of the book:

This Book Is About Changing
Your Inner Software

I believe we Filipinos have been programmed to be poor. Especially Filipinos rose with crazy religious beliefs. For over 25 years, I’ve been working among the poor, living in their homes, and helping them get out of poverty. I’ve found out that no matter how much money they receive, unless they change their inner program, nothing happens. They will remain poor forever.

Continue Reading full story here: http://goo.gl/FoZdMM

 

Filipino Dubai: The First Terno Ball in the UAE from Illustrado

Filipino Dubai: The First Terno Ball in the UAE

From Illustrado

Photos by Eros Goze

Filipino Culture showcased at prestigious Terno Ball in Dubai

Illustrado, under the patronage of the Diplomatic Ladies of the Philippine Consulate General together with the Ladies of the Filipino Community in the UAE hosted a unique and prestigious showcase of Filipino culture in the United Arab Emirates for a select group of VIPs. 

 

The Terno Ball, attended by some 300 diplomatic dignitaries, as well as leading community figures, was held on the 7^th of November at The Atlantis Hotel – The Palm Jumeirah.  A highlight of the event is the “Rigodon de Honor” – a traditional Filipino-Spanish quadrille folk dance, performed by select Philippine Consulate General staff members.  Dancers from the United International Private School and the Filipino Dancesport Social Club performed folk dances “Sayaw sa Bangko” and “Tinikling.”  Filipino fashion designers, including Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos, Jimi Buenconsejo, Bandoix Flores, Carla Fuentes, Alberr Fontanilla, Bambi Alcantara and Nelson Buhain, also showcased one-of-a-kind Filipiniana-inspired couture gowns.


According to Mrs. Lucila Cimafranca, wife of Philippine Consul General Frank Cimafranca and main patron of the event, “It is our hope that through this event, we will able to share and champion the magnificent beauty of the Filipino culture on the world stage. Many Filipinos have experienced great triumph in the UAE. This momentous gathering is an opportunity to pay tribute to these trailblazing kabayans, and also a chance for us to show our gratitude to the country and community that has been a truly gracious and generous host to the Filipino people.”
 

The event is sponsored by BMW, Ghena Tourism, Ayala Land International, Al Saif Group of Companies, The Farm at San Benito, Ariel Weddings and Rotana Hotel.


Special thanks to: MODELS: Ann Llagas, Glacy Marano, Benedickte Namia-Gamelgaard and FLC Models and Events; HAIR & MAKE-UP TEAM: Jhoana Nelissen, Yhence Sioting, Maricel and Bobby Caparas.

Young Hot Pinoy Trailblazers from Illustrado

Young Hot Pinoy Trailblazers

From Illustrado

By Nicai de Guzman with additional reporting by Nicholo Jallores

Photo from Shutterstock

They’re young, they’re good-looking, they’re intelligent, they’re talented. These young Filipino men seem to have it all. And with all their God-given gifts, they find purpose in giving pride to their country and serving their fellow Filipinos.


Meet these young men of good looks and substance who have made it to local and international news – out to save the world or make it just a tad better by simply existing for womenkind.


Here are the list of Young Hot Pinoy Trailblazers:



Click here to read full details about these Young Hot Pinoy Trailblazers!


1.) Kobe Paras: MVP


2.) Barney Almazar: Lawyer


 3.) Neil Perez: Mr. International


4.) Atom Araullo: Journalist


5.) Ronald Molit: Triathlete


6.) Paolo Ballesteros: Makeup


7.) Bryan McClelland: Socio- Ecological


8.) Wesley So: Chess Grandmaster


9.) Kevin Espinosa Murphy: Singer & Dancer


10.) Froilan Malit: Director of Labour Research


11.) Ramon Bautista: Internet Superstar


12.) Erwan Heussaff: Restaurateur


13.) Chino Roque: Astronaut


             

Trippin': Tagaytay Weekend

Trippin': Tagaytay Weekend

By Illustrado

 

Have a mini bakasyon grande every weekend by taking a short drive to the quaint countryside of Tagaytay. Ana Santos shows us that whether it’s just a few hours or a whole weekend you have to spare, there is always something to experience in Tagaytay.

 

Photo: Suronin – Dreamstime.com

 

 

 

 

Just a short 45-minute drive south of Metro Manila, the air is crisper, the view is better and everything just seems brighter. This is Tagaytay, the once quiet town that previously served as a gateway to its neighbor Batangas, Tagaytay is no longer just a place to get fresh vegetables on the way home.

Tagaytay Pineapples

See full story and view more photos in Trippin': Tagaytay Weekend http://goo.gl/4jZ5Nl