Tuesday, July 22, 2014

I am still here :-)

Freelance now, with no set schedule or office hours. It has its highs and lows. 

Highs - I can sleep as late as I want, then wake up as late as I want too. But as the work streams in, I find that I do have a schedule. Well, at least Thursday is ABS-CBN day. Then depending on closing time, I copy edit for People Asia and Aesthetics and Beauty, so Monday to Wednesday, and Friday sila. If I need to interview someone for a story, I just find some time within the week. Saturdays are normally lazy days. But I don't work on Sundays, just so you know.

Lows - No 15th and 30th so must be judicious with resources.

Lesson learned - Matthew 6:  30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.


Monday, May 6, 2013

Pasensya na naman

RANT: When I was a little girl, my elders admonished me whenever I wanted anything with the words: "Dapat magpapasensya ka sa matatanda. Dapat ikaw ang nakakaintindi sa mga matatanda." My little brain could not process that at that time but nonetheless, at five years old I learned that children must always give in to the whims of the adults.

Now that I'm an adult, I am told: "Dapat magpasensya ka sa mga bata. Dapat ikaw and nakakaintindi sa mga bata."

So, I missed my chance there somewhere? Kelan ba ako naman ang pagpapasensyahan? Puro ba ako na lang ang nagpapasensya at nakakaintindi sa lahat? UNFAIR!!!!!!!!

still here

I haven't posted in a very long time. But I'm still here. Soon, there will be more to say. Abangan!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

This is worth going back to!

Spectacular in Singapore
Text by Malou E. Rosal





 
You can see it from the sea. There it stands, with towers strong and mighty, dominating the landscape with its awesome and powerful beauty. But unlike monoliths of old, the Marina Bay Sands does not guard and defend against foreign invaders. Instead, it welcomes visitors to Singapore with the graciousness of Asian hospitality and the promise of memorable good times ahead.

Along with his high-powered team, Sheldon G. Adelson, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corporation recently translated the integrated resort concept to a wider Asia-Pacific and European markets with the opening of the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. This is the same concept that successfully shifted the perception of Las Vegas from "sin city" to one that offers visitors "an amazing collection of amenities and experiences - like celebrity chef restaurants, world-class entertainment, all-suite accommodations, expansive shopping, spa and fitness facilities, and more" under one roof. Departing from the "casino-centric" paradigm, Adelson has proven that gambling is not the primary reason why people go to Las Vegas. In fact, more of them just want to enjoy "enertainment for grown-ups". "We broke the mold," Adelson says. "We taught Las Vegas that you can make money out of the casino-centricity."
 
Betting on the best

The Marina Bay Sands Casino, then, is not the hub but only one of the spokes that help the whole integrated resort's wheel run. Oh, but what a spoke it is. Housed in its own building and complemented by four levels of gaming, the casino offers a luxurious setting by which to win (or lose). Players can enjoy a wide array of popular table games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and sic bo, as well as slot machines with the latest games such as video poker, as well as electronic sic bo and roulette.


                        Look up!


Every once in a while, players look up from their cards or bets. And when they do, they behold a most magnificent sight. For suspended 40 meters over the casino's ceiling is one of the world's largest crystal chandeliers. Made of 132,000 Swarovski crystals, the chandelier weighs 7.1 tons. Its brilliance emanates from 16,500 light nodes custom made in Korea totaling 66,000 LEDs.




What the cricket is it?


Different eyes offer different perspectives of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Sands SkyPark. For some, it looks like a table with three legs. Another one was reminded of Stonehenge. Still, a Brit remarked how the towers looked like cricket stumps. Many more saw a boat on top of three towers. But in fact, world renowned architect Moshe Safdie who designed the Marina Bay Sands, explained the design evolution.

From day one, Safdie wanted to create an exciting design. Yet the original idea of one grand building tended to block off the view of the city and the sea. So they opted for three towers instead, with the gaps between the towers providing a glimpse of both city and sea, a free-flowing concept that was both transparent and inviting.


And so with a total of over 2,500 rooms and suites, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel is now the biggest hotel in Singapore. It was said that one new hotel floor was built every four days, "the fastest pace ever for a development of this scale in Singapore." From their rooms, guests are afforded breathtaking views of the South China Sea, the Marina Bay, and the Singapore skyline. The hotel offers eclectic dining choices. Serving buffet and ala carte breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late supper, Rise is an all-day restaurant featuring world cuisine, particularly South East Asian specialties. The lobby lounge called Rise Loung serves ;ight fare, express continental breakfast, afternoon tea, and refined wines and cocktails. Fuse is the lobby bar, while Sweet Spot is an espresso bar, bakery, and cake shop. Jin Shan is a high-end Chinese restaurant.


A resort up in the sky

After the hotel and other features such as the Sands Expo and Convention Center had been built, the team realized that they had run out of space on which to place the resort facilities. Safdie turned his eyes to the sky and created the SkyPark.


                  Top shot of SkyPark

            
            'Tis me at SkyPark

The Sands SkyPark is an architectural masterpiece that straddles the three towers of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. At 1.2 hectares, it is longer than the Eiffel Tower and large enough to park four-and-a-half A380 jumbo jets. At 200 meters up in the sky, it offers a spectacular view of the city and the harbor from its observation deck. The SkyPark also holds a 150-meter infinity swimming pool, "the world's largest outdoor pool at that height". Landscaped gardens fill this space and guests can lounge on cozy chairs, lost in their own reverie.

Celebrity bites

    Moi again, this time with celebrity chef Daniel Boulud

Guests at the Marina Bay Sands do not only get the chance to reach for the sky at the SkyPark. They can also enjoy stellar bites at the seven world-class dining destinations in the hotel, each with a renowned celebrity chef at the helm. Catch sightings of Chef Daniel Boulud while dining casually on French-American cuisine at db Bistro Moderne; Chef Guy Savoy at the fine dining French restaurant that bears his name; Chef Santi Santamaria at the melange of Mediterranean and Catalan at Santi; Chef Tetsuya Wakadu's subtle flavors at Waku Ghin; Chef Wolfgan Puck with the finest prime rib available at CUT; Chef Mario Batali and Italian favorites at Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza; and of course, Singapore's culinary son Chef Justin Quek serving Asian flavors with a modern twist high up at the SkyPark.

Marina Bay Sands' CEO and President Thomas Arasi remarks: "Individually, these celebrity chefs are culinary stars in their own right. But collectively, these chefs, with their talent, repertoir, and dedication, make up a dream team that is nearly impossible to surpass. Marina Bar Sands is most happy to have the privilege to introduce such a diverse and world-renowned group of chefs to Singapore. They will bring the authenticity of their cuisine and pursuit of perfection to the table, and raise the bar for Singapore as a must-visit dining destination."
 
MICE matters
With over 120,000 square meters or 1.3 million square feet of meeting space, the Sands Expo and Convention Center is the biggest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facility in Singapore. It also has the largest ballroom in Southeast Asia, which can host up to 6,600 for sit-down dinners or 11,000 delegates on a theater-style set-up. With five floors of exhibition and convention space, the center can accommodate 2,000 exhibition booths and offer 250 meeting rooms. Then after convention hours, the delegates have easy access to the finest leisure and entertainment facilities in the country.
 
So there it stands, the destination that would make for an even more spectacular Singapore. Perfect for conventions, leisurely stays, shopping sprees, or just enjoying the finer things in life. Or even as Adelson himself puts it: "No longer will Singapore be looking for something to do at night."




Beijing was a blast!



The Beijing experience
Text by Malou E. Rosal
Photos by Rosemarie B. Razon

At first glance, it seemed like we were traveling on any other ordinary road. But a closer look revealed that this was no NLEX rushing towards provinces up north. The countryside scenes were different. The poplar trees stood straight at attention, with bare branches reaching up to the sky. In a week or so, spring would come to awaken the green in plants and trees. But right now, it was still winter. And we were in Beijing, China.

Outside, the air was chilly at four degrees. Yet nothing could dampen our spirits. This jolly group of Filipinos were warm and cozy inside the bus, thank you, excited at the prospect of conquering the famous Great Wall.

Contrary to popular myth, the Great Wall was not built as a single continuous wall. In fact, it is a series of wall segments constructed over the centuries by various dynasties in an effort to protect China's northern boundary. The wall measures 6400 km or 4000 miles long, five to eight meters (16 to 26 feet) high depending on the terrain, with a thickness of 4.6 to 9.1 m (15 to 30 feet) at the base and 2.7 to 3.7 m (9 to 12 feet) at the top. The Herculean task of building the longest man-made structure in the world was said to have "cost the lives of one million people". Several legends are associated with the Great Wall, foremost of which are about the helpful dragon that traced the plans for the wall which the workforce followed,and the story of Meng Jiang Nu, the woman who cried so hard that her tears melted part of the wall.

Modern day tourists visiting the Great Wall are spared the long hard climb by cable cars that ferry passengers up and down the Mu Tian Yu and Ba Da Ling gates. Once on top, visitors have the option to walk as far and as high as they can, or enjoy the spectacular scenery from the view deck. After the bracing experience, they can buy souvenirs at shops and stalls near the cable car ticket booth.

Indeed, I came, I saw, but the Great Wall was just too much for me. While my more intrepid companions ventured further on to climb the walls, I sheepishly stationed myself beside a colleague on a bench at the observation deck. I suppose it would require a great amount of stamina and high fitness level to really walk the entire stretch of generally uneven and undulating surface of this world wonder. Alas, I had very little of those qualities. Upon stepping onto the first gate, vertigo took its treacherous hold and I couldn't move. But although trembling and shaking, I still had my picture taken. Mission accomplished.

Beyond the wall
Now, there is more to Beijing than the Great Wall. Lovers of Chinese films will surely recognize the familiar landmarks.

If you've watched "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" countless times, you may remember the scene where Yu Shu Lien (played by Michelle Yeoh) passes through the gates and into the Forbidden City. Play it back in your mind now; see the horse-drawn carts trudging their way up and hear the creaking of wooden wheels rolling on the stone floor. Yes, according to our guide Eric, those were the same stone streets and mighty gate used centuries ago. We were walking on the original stones!

Eric also said that the movie "The Last Emperor" was shot right there on the actual palace and throne room. But he added that this was the last film to be given permission to shoot as the filming process could cause some serious concerns regarding the safety and preservation of the original site.

The Forbidden City was actually the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It was built in 1406 to 1420, with 980 buldings and 8,707 rooms on an area of 720,000 sqm (7,8000,000 square feet). Located in the middle of Beijing, it used to be the home of the emperors, their families and households, including their concubines. Today, this UNESCO heritage site houses the Palace Museum which is visited by millions of tourists annually.

In front of the Forbidden City is the Tiananmen Square. Standing in the middle of this famous site, I could not help but feel a profound sense of history. Yet is seems ironic that the same place where Chinese heroes are honored also witnessed some of its most intense conflicts. Etched in people's minds is the scene of young Chinese students facing tanks as they fought for democracy.
Moving on, our little band of Beijing brothers and sisters visited other places of interest. There was the Temple of Heaven, which is also considered a UNESCO heritage site. This complex of Taoist buildings was built from 1406 to 1420 by the Yongle Emperor, mainly for the purpose of annual prayer ceremonies for good harvest.

Yet another UNESCO heritage site is the Summer Palace, of which the main attractions are Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. The soil excavated from making the lake was used to build the hill. Aside from these two features, tourists can also find other small palaces and gardens in the Summer Palace.

In 2008, Beijing was the site of the Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Olympic events were held at the Beijing National Stadium, which was dubbed "Bird's Nest" because of the structure's resemblance to the avian abode. Adjacent to the Bird's Nest is the Beijing National Aquatics Center. Earning the nickname "Water Cube", it was built to complement the Beijing National Stadium for the swimming competitions of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Chow down in Beijing
Of course no visit to Beijing would be complete without feasting on some Peking Duck. Thin slices of roasted duck skin laced with hoisin sauce, accompanied by a sprig or two of spring onions, are tucked into delicate crepes. Fold into small bite-size pieces and enjoy.

A short side trip to a jade factory took us for lunch at Run De Ju restaurant. Here, we sampled Chinese delicacies that left us so satiated and reaching for the teapot.

We also experienced a contrast in food choices. We were filled to the brim with lamb, beef, pork, fish, shrimps and a wide selection of vegetables at the Nan Men hotpot dinner at the Hou Hai area, a district frequented by locals. On the other hand, we were given a taste of what expats in Beijing love to eat. A hearty dinner of foie gras, Wagyu beef, and king prawns washed down with chilled Reisling at Mosto Restaurant at Sanlitun hit the spot.

Don't drop the shopping
Apparently, there's no separating shopping from Filipino tourists. Just ask our patient guide Eric, who realized that the mere mention of the word "shopping" drew the utmost attention and cooperation from his noisy Pinoy brood. Riding on this mood, he took us to shopping centers in Sanlitun and Silk Road. Bargaining took on a life of its own as shopgirls in both areas cajoled, threatened and even harrassed us just to make a sale. In the end, we were able to purchase what we wanted but that shopping experience was not something so thrilling as to be repeated.
 
Bonding in Beijing
It's remarkable how enduring bonds can be formed on a trip to a foreign country. This visit to Beijing, upon the invitation of Cebu Pacific, saw nine journalists climbing the Great Wall, taking photos at the sites at every given opportunity, feeling the effects of Peking Duck overdose, freezing in extremely low temperatures in the middle of Tiananmen Square, or contending with obnoxious shopgirls at Silk Road. Yet despite the fun and camaraderie, days away from home can make us long to hear voices from home. For this, Sun Cellular offers a solution with their international roaming features. Initially available for five countries (China, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia), Sun's prepaid roaming service is a convenient way to keep in touch with the office for some pending workload or the house for a cheery 'hello' to our loved ones. (For details, contact Sun Cellular Hotline at (02) 395-8000, or toll free from Sun Cellular mobile phones: 200; or visit: http://www.suncellular.com.ph/.)

In keeping with their slogan saying "It's time everyone flies", Cebu Pacific has direct flights to Beijing thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, with return flights to Manila on Wednesdays, Fridays and Mondays. For more information on rates and flights schedules, contact Cebu Pacific at telephones (Manila office) +63-2-70-20-888 or (Cebu office) +63-32-230-8888 or visit their website: http://www.cebupacificair.com/


Sidebar:
Knowing where to go in Beijing

For so long, visitors to Beijing have grappled with the very important issue of toilets. Commentaries on internet blogs, and even traditional guidebooks, have offered tips and issued warnings that can intimidate the challenged bladder. But these days, Beijing has more comfort rooms to provide a respite from all the walking, sightseeing and shopping. The good news is, most major tourist spots have toilets. The bad news is, squatting is the norm in most of these toilets. But there is hope! The visitor is offered a choice between the squat type and the Western style. A sign on the toilet door indicates a seated form or a squatting one. But ultimately, if you have to go, then you have to go. And if the only available toilet is a squatting one, then just hold your breath, balance carefully, and just do it.

Getting lost in Hong Kong
(and finding the way back home)
Text by Malou E. Rosal
Photo by Robby Sibal

On this trip, home was the Langham Hotel, right smack in the center of Hong Kong's very own Rodeo Drive. Sitting at #8 Peking Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Langham Hotel is touted to be "a paragon among luxury hotels in Hong Kong." This award-winning five-star luxury hotel is conveniently located in the Tsimshatsu area, so the shopping experience starts right outside your door. It also offers easy accessibility to transport networks: a five-minute walk to the Star Ferry, which takes you across to Hong Kong Island in 10 minutes; a five-minute walk to Tsimshatsui MTR station, which connects you to major urban areas, the airport and mainland China; a 10-minute walk to the China Ferry Terminal that offers ferry services to Pearl River Delta cities like Macau, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Shunde and Panyu; and 40 minutes from the Hong Kong International Airport when taking the regular airport-hotel transfer.

We were in Hongkong recently to attend the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards Regional Finals. This annual competition sponsored by HSBC "aims to inspire young people's interest in entrepreneurship." Teams from all over the region are asked to develop an innovative business idea that can become a successful business venture. The team that presents the most creative and commercially viable plan in a convincing and impressive way wins the "Best of the Best Award". Team Philippines, composed of Czaesar Emil Callo of the University of the Philippines, and Mary Kathleen Chan and Eduard Edwynne Capacio both of the Ateneo de Manila University, beat six other teams from Bangladesh, Brunei, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Shanghai (China) and Thailand with their project called "ECOntainer", an environment-friendly solution for coffee cups and food boxes made from corn cobs and rice stalks produced by small-scale farmers. The award came with 100,000 Hong Kong dollars from the HSBC business development fund to help them implement their winning business plan.

In between briefings and the competition itself, we had some down time. And while my companions were out buying apparel and accessories at H&M and other trendy shops, I was in search of DVDs. Still Cirque du Soleil crazy in anticipation of Varekai in Manila, I wanted to purchase videos of other Cirque shows which were not available back home. Robert, the Langham’s concierge was very helpful. With his Les Clefs d’Or crossed keys proudly pinned on his suit’s lapels, he took my map and drew detailed instructions to Gateway, where I can find Hong Kong Records on the third floor.

That should do it! How simple was that? With Robert’s voice echoing in my head, I was ready. Upon exiting the hotel, I turned right towards Canton Road facing Harbour City. I made my way on Canton Road, past The Sun Arcade, past the H&M satellite shop, until I reached Silvercord at the corner of Haiphong Road. Right across Silvercord was Gateway. True enough, at the third floor, right beside Ricepaper Restaurant, loomed Hongkong Records. Just like Robert said. This map works! And at the video shop, I was able to buy DVDs of Cirque’s Saltimbanco and Quidam. Very promising, this shopping trip.

But I wanted to explore some more, not as much for shopping but just to see what’s out there. After a few minutes of roaming around Gateway, I realized that I was losing my bearings. At a department store, I chanced upon a conversation being carried out in Tagalog. A Pinoy family was shopping. I edged my way towards the group and then politely asked for directions to other shopping sites. The mother was gracious enough to give me instructions to get to Nathan Road from there.

She said to get out of Gateway and cross Canton Road, back to the side of Silvercord. Continue walking on Haiphong Road, past Ashley Road (where I would see a market), past Hankow Road, past Lock Road. At the end of these roads would be Nathan Road, famous for its endless rows of shops. Following instructions, I did find the landmarks that she mentioned. But it was getting on to noon as I walked and the summer heat was bearing down on me. I bailed out and decided to return to the hotel.

But on the way back to Langham, I passed through Silvercord. It was there where I bought new luggage, a sleek bright blue hard body 360 degree-four-wheeled item that I could easily drag anywhere and everywhere. Happy with my purchases, I walked back to the hotel.

And got really lost.

So there I was, with my brand new maleta in tow, when "uh-oh, I’ve passed this corner twice already." Confused, I had apparently been going round and round the same block. Thank God for the good-natured and patient personnel in Hong Kong establishments, who are probably so used to lost tourists like me asking for directions. The doorman at Cartier ("Excuse me please, where is Langham Hotel?") who, with white-gloved hand gestures to me to turn right; the parking attendant at 1881 Heritage ("Excuse me please, where is Langham Hotel?") who halts an incoming vehicle in order to address my query ("Madame, you need to go back where you came from, then turn right on the first block."; the security person at DFS Galleria ("Excuse me please, where is Langham Hotel?" who, taking kindly to the bewildered lady lugging her shiny new luggage, showed me the way through a basement labyrinth where I eventually emerged on the other side of Langham Hotel. (Ah, so this is the shortcut!)

Short of kissing the ground, I was only too glad to get back to my cozy room and plunk down on my cozy bed, too tired, too sleepy and very hungry.

To paraphrase a saying, perspectives can truly get clearer on hindsight. Although I had been to Hong Kong before, this was the first time that I went out on my own. Unfortunately, I had the tendency to look at my map from a reverse angle, hence the wild goose chase. But actually, it’s easy enough to find your way in and around Hong Kong.

Upon arrival at the airport, you can actually take the Airport Express. This train system links the airport with urban centers of Hong Kong, with a route running from the Hong Kong station in the Central and Western District, crossing under the harbor to the Kowloon Station, then crossing the bridge to Tsing Yi Island, passing the Tsing Ma Bridge to get to the northern shore of Lantau Island to the Airport Station, then ending up at the Asia World-Expo Station. The Airport Express also offers a free bus shuttle service that takes passengers to strategically located hotels and sites around Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Although fares can be substantial (single trips from the Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tsing Yi Stations to Airport Station (and vice-versa) cost HK$100, HK$90 and HK$60 respectively), the Airport Express can get you to the heart of the city in about 20 minutes.

Getting around the city is not as troublesome as you think. Of course, with map in hand, you can walk like I did. Feeling more confident, I went to ISquare, corner of Peking Road and Nathan Road to meet the group for dinner. Seeing how the hotel was right on Peking Road, I just kept walking in the direction of Nathan Road, past the intersections of Ashley, Hankow and Lock Roads. I reached ISquare with plenty of time to spare for more shopping. At the HMV on the upper ground level, I was able to buy another Cirque DVD, this time "Fire Within", which is a reality series about the production process of Varekai. Still roaming around, I found Log On at the second level of the mall, where I bought some accessories, chocolates and witty luggage tags.

You can also take the bus. The Hong Kong bus system is quite comprehensive, with routes servicing the whole region. Most of the buses operate from 6:00 am until midnight, with the night buses marked N. All buses are air-conditioned and have disabled access. The main bus terminals on Hong Kong island are located at Central at Exchange Square and attached to Hong Kong Station and the IFC Shopping Mall, as well as in Admiralty, underneath Pacific Place on Queensway. On Kowloon side, the main bus terminal is in front of the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Another option is the taxi. While taxis abound, it would be helpful to note that they are color coded in terms of service areas. Plying all the areas of Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories, the urban red taxis have the highest fares among them at HK$18 for the first two kilometers and between HK$1 to HK$1.50 for every subsequent 200 meters. The green taxis are the the second most expensive at HK$14.50 for the first two kilometers and between HK$1 to HK$ 1.30 for every subsequent 200 meters, serving only parts of the New Territories, including Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long among others. The blue taxis run exclusively on southern Lantau Island, the Airport and Disneyland, and are not as ubiquitous, with HK$13 for the first two kilometers and between HK$1.20 to HK$1.30 for every subsequent 200 meters. Taxis do cross the channel from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and vice versa, but there may be a fare premium when you travel this route at night.

Then, of course, there is the Mass Transit Railway or MTR. This highly efficient train system was originally opened in 1979. Today, it includes 211.6 km of rail with 155 stations, including 86 railways stations and 69 light rail stops. Adult fares range from HK$3 to HK$47.50; there are discounted fares for students and the elderly, while children below the age of three travel for free. Aside from the single trip tickets, there is also the Octopus pass, which is a rechargeable smart card that can also be used for other commercial transactions as well.

For a faster commute, our group took the MTR to the first night's briefing at a venue in the New Territories. Right outside our hotel was the Tsimshatsui station, so we boarded its red line up to Mongkok. From there, we switched to the green line and went three stations down up to Kowloon Tong. Here, we switched again, this time to the blue line until we reached Sha Tin, from where we got a cab to our intended destination.

Had I been given another 24 hours, I would probably know my way around well enough to venture to places farther than the shopping district.
Which is exactly what I plan to do on my next trip to Hong Kong. This time, I will be stretching my legs and spreading my wings as I take a ferry and cross over to Macau. With map in hand, I am ready for another adventure. And echoing the NatGeo Adventure slogan, I say: "Let’s get lost!" Because sometimes, finding your way back home can also be an equally fun and rewarding experience.

the complete circus article

The abridged version of this article came out in the Lifestyle section of The Manila Bulletin, Sunday, July 17. A friend suggested that I post the original piece, so here it is in its entirety (still working on the pics, though):





Life in a traveling circus
Text by Malou E. Rosal
Photos by Pinggot Zulueta and Rudy Liwanag

This is a true story. When he was 16 years old, this young Pinoy lad would frequent a local circus near his family's house in the heart of Manila. As days passed, he got to know the circus guys and thought they were great. Then, finally, when the time came for the circus to leave, he just went and joined them, lingering as far as their Central Luzon tour. He was not a performer; just manned the ticket booth and helped with the equipment. But that experience was awesome and he had the time of his life. Till his father tracked him down and brought him back home to his urban reality.

So, okay, hands up those of you who've thought about running away with the circus. Perhaps circus life holds its own mystique. And in one moment of awe, some have considered this move, thinking that it is filled with non-stop excitement and thrills.

Which it actually is. Think about it for a moment and imagine. Ever since the days when Circus Maximus enthralled the Roman crowds with their exotic animals and death defying stunts as a prelude to gory gladiator bouts, the circus has been a veritable merchant of happiness. The clowns tickle the funny bones; the jugglers impress with their ability to throw as many items up in the air without them crashing down; the firebreathers swoop like dragons on the warpath; the acrobats tumble and twist on nimble hands and feet; the contortionists cram themselves into a box in a tight squeeze. Through the centuries, the circus has evolved into more astounding and technologically enhanced acts; yet wherever the venue, spectacular performances are met with thunderous applause. And on top of all that, there's travel, travel, travel, moving from one city to the next, flying to different countries and even around the world! It's like dreaming while awake!



Hang on, angel!
Mark Halasi plays Icarus
Hungarian acrobat/aerialist Mark Halasi knows this life all too well. Playing the mythical "fallen angel" Icarus in Cirque du Soleil's "Varekai" for the past five years, Mark had also honed his craft by working in other circuses all across Europe before that. He confesses to getting hooked when at two years old, his grandparents brought him to his first circus.

"I just like the vibe," Mark recalls. "I just enjoy circus shows more than any other shows, more than dance and more than theater. So I wanted to be involved in it."

So the young boy started practicing. His home was his stage, where he would create a pillar of chairs and climb on top of them, then reach down to the bottom. He was agile, he was flexible. He was serious. Recognizing his resolute stance, his family relented regarding "this circus craziness". They encouraged him to enroll in the circus school, albeit with a simple caveat. "Apply in it and if you're talented enough, then that's going to be your life." He thought about it. "Yes, I knew that if they take me then this is what my life is going to be."

In Hungary, as in other parts of Europe, Canada, the U.S. and South America, the circus is taken seriously. There are even schools that specialize in this profession. Having chosen his path in life, Mark entered circus school at the tender age of 10.

Mark explains: "The first four years in the circus school, you learn the basics, like classical ballet, acrobatics, juggling, balancing, aerial stuff. And during those four years the teachers, and also you, kind of have an idea about what you can specialize in for the next four years. At the beginning, they put me in a group number doing the roller skates, and another group with a juggling number. But towards the very end, the group sort of split up and I started to do an aerial number, a solo number on silks."

Mark Halasi
Fortunately for Mark, a teacher took note of his flexibility and upper body strength and coached him into a more impressive aerial act. By the time he graduated from circus school in 2004, Mark had two numbers tucked under his belt. These routines did him well as he began his independent circus career and also opened the door for a casting call with Cirque du Soleil. And in 2006, he joined "Varekai" to play the role of Icarus, mesmerizing audiences as he glides on the net.

While the number was originally created for another performer, Mark adapted and took to it like duck to water. He shares: "(The net) is different than any other equipment I had trained on, but I just had to get used to it. But because of my aerialist background, there were certain things that were pretty easy to learn, although there were elements that I specifically had to learn from this show like making a handstand in the net."




Ulf Hampus Jansson
Flyboy living his dream

Not too far from Hungary, another young man was discovering the circus world. Swedish aerial acrobat Ulf Hampus Jansson, the other half of the Aerial Straps duo that is also featured in "Varekai", saw the Cirque du Soleil show "Quidam" in Denmark. Beneath his blue makeup, Hampus smiles at the thought of that experience. "They were all my heroes and idols; they were really amazing at what they do."

And so began a singular detour that defined his future. Hampus continues: "When I was young, I wanted to be an actor like my father. I actually did a lot of theater and some movies then. But when I grew up, my sisters started to do cirque in a circus program. And it looked like so much fun and I wanted to try too. So I started to train and I liked it more and more. I wanted to give it a hundred percent so I moved to Montreal. They have a circus school there and I went there for three years."

In search of his act, Hampus found himself naturally gravitating to the aerial straps. From long years of playing tennis, he had developed strong arms. Then in circus school, he discovered that he was a natural on the gymnastics rings, so good that he didn't really need much practice. At that point, he decided to embrace aerial straps, which is very similar to gymnastics rings.

"I actually went to a circus school next to Cirque du Soleil. It’s called International Circus School of Canada in Montreal. Cirque sponsored the school a lot, but it’s not really Cirque," Hampus remarks. "When I was in the school I didn’t think that I was worth getting into Cirque du Soleil. It was like a dream, I can’t, maybe it's impossible. But now I’m here." (Previous to "Varekai", Hampus also performed the tissu or aerial silk act in "Dralion".)

Ground control

Not all members of a circus perform breathtaking acts. Some of them work steadily and silently behind the scenes, banking on their administrative and organizational skills to avert logistical disasters or imaging crises. After all, moving over 45 humungous container vans filled with equipment, costumes, offices, personal effects and even toilets around countries and continents is no walk in the park. And in every city that they visit, "Varekai" is deluged with requests for interviews and publicity opportunities that would make any PR professional's head spin.

Jason Carothers (left) and Robert Morgan

For Jason Carothers, Front of House Manager for "Varekai", adjusting to circus life was a slow burn. He says, "When I first arrived and I was in my security role, I had no idea what to expect. I just learned it through the day to day. After I had that exposure when I actually applied to become a permanent employee of Cirque, then I knew exactly what to expect and I knew how everything operated and worked."

"Varekai"'s Public Service Director Robert Morgan had an altogether different career before he joined Cirque. He was an Executive Chef, slaving away in the claustrophobic confines of a hot kitchen, yet longing for something more, heretofore elusive amongst the pots and pans. For Robert, it was simple and logical: "I just decided that the last job I had was not fulfilling my every dream and wish so I quit. This came up and it worked out."

Travails of a traveling troupe

Shifting careers in mid-stream, especially if that entails joining the circus, can present its own set of challenges. But, as pragmatic souls would say, one simply has to adapt.

Jason muses: "When you think about touring and things like that, a rock show, you know, or arena shows, for example, you move every day, every two days, every three days. With us, it's six to eight weeks, it could be 12 weeks. So I guess in general, I expected to be shocked by that. And you have this certain anxiety, you're apprehensive about what that's going to affect, like everything from laundry and groceries and things like that all the way to you get off the plane one day and the language you spoke for the last three months is now different. So you say "thank you" in the wrong language a hundred times before you finally catch up."

The Grand Chapiteau is transported to cities all over the world.
 
Jason says that he had been used to normal office hours in his previous job. But with Cirque's schedule, he had to teach his body to go with the flow and adjust to the time zones. "For example, my second city was Spain. The late show in Spain starts at 10PM, so I would leave work at 2AM. So that’s a total 180. You go to another continent where you have to get used to the time change and then your job requires you to basically flip what you’ve known predominantly for the rest of your life. Then all of a sudden you’re a night owl, or your body thinks so. That was a big one for me."

Robert had two major things that he had to adjust to. "Communication and laundry," he declares. "Communication, because it’s very difficult to go from city to city and just try to get a phone card and try to figure out the best deals so that you can talk a lot if you want. You don’t realize that but those couple of things are just huge deals for you because you do want to communicate with your family and your friends and be able to do it on a fairly regular basis. But sometimes because of internet connections, or you’re not able to get a SIM card right away or all of those kind of things, it cuts down on communications. So they’re always wondering, 'what happened to you?', 'where have you been?', especially when we’re going down on tear down and set up because a lot of times we won’t have internet connection for a while. And that’s a little frustrating but that’s the biggest (challenge). Other than that it’s been a blast."

So what's with the laundry?

Funny how such an ordinary domestic chore that many take for granted can become such a big concern for a troupe in a traveling circus. But yes, come to think of it, when you're constantly on the move, how do you get your washing done?

"High on everyone’s list," Jason concurs.

Robert explains: "We have laundry here but at the first part of the setup it’s not a priority. So you can go a week or so without doing laundry, or more and it gets just a little crazy. It becomes a hassle, so you’ve got to find out where a laundramat is or once again, all of a sudden you’re in communication in a different city and a different country. You don’t know how to read the language, you know what I mean? Those little things become a big deal to you."

Apparently, laundry has become such an issue that sometimes, when he's up there playing Icarus, Mark is still thinking about his tons of washing. Perhaps the net reminds him of clothes in the hamper. Good thing he's not one to get easily distracted.

Hampus is a study of concentration.
Quite the opposite for Hampus. He is in his own space, totally focused when he's hanging by his wrists on the straps. He says, "You know, you get into this kind of concentration. So when I return backstage after the act, I don’t remember really what I was thinking and what I was doing. And I think that’s good, like you’re into it. And that’s what I really like in performing, like you can be someone else onstage and really express yourself."

Face value

Each character has a custom-fitted mask.




Apart from the colorfully creative and outlandish costumes, another trademark of a Cirque show is the characters' makeup. Truly delightful for the audience but may not necessarily be that great for some of the cast members. Every day from Tuesday to Sunday, for months on end, they stay in makeup. It takes Mark 40 minutes to apply the professional products; Hampus finishes in 50 minutes, much faster now than his previous time of two hours. Both can't get to remove all the goo after each show fast enough.



 "I keep my skin healthy by trying to use different products," Mark shares the information about his skin care regimen. "I'm not really crazy about beauty products but as an average guy, I put a little cream, or I wash it and I clean it with products that are meant to clean stage makeup, not the regular ones but a bit stronger. Different climates can also affect your skin. Here, it's more humid ."


Hampus dissects his own makeup routine. First, he puts on foundation. Then liquid makeup for the eyebrows. Then cream and colored powder for the blue sections on his forehead. Then he outlines his lips. Add the feathery headpiece and voila! Aerial straps ready for flight. After the performance, he takes the warpaint off with oil in just about seven minutes. A more thorough washing awaits when he gets home.




Love life, or the lack of it

Indeed, it is difficult to pin a moving target down. Tell that to Cupid, who with his little bow and arrow, is hard pressed to hit a needful heart, especially if it's a circus performer swinging up in the air, jumping from one platform to the next, caught up in a twirling net, or dangling on a trapeze while shuttling from one country to another.

Against all odds, and despite long separations, Mark has been in a relationship for the past two years. His partner lives in Canada and holds a normal steady job outside of the circus environment. For them, Mark says that "everything is going super well". In the near future, they are planning to move together during the tour, then see what can happen after that.

Hampus, on the other hand, is single. And looking. "I have never experienced a relationship on a tour," he laments. "I had a relationship but she was living in Canada and I was in Australia so in the end it really didn’t work out. Long distance is not great."

Both artists have their own ways of coping with the emotional ups and downs that come with the job. Mark has developed close ties and friendships within the troupe; his best friends are Mercedes, the female lead clown, and Igor, the other half of the Aerial Straps act. On particularly lonely times, technology is Hampus' closest ally. With Skype and mobile phones, he is able to call his mother and sister and get some much needed encouragement. Or, when the time difference prevents him from doing so, he takes his dark moods out on heavier weights at the gym.

The Cirque family

But circus life is not for everyone. It may look fun and exciting, but what happens after the last round of applause has faded, after the lights have dimmed and the big top has collapsed into a decisive heap? What does it take to succeed in this environment?

Jason is quick to answer. "Right off the bat, I would say resilience. I mean if you’re not ready to go through the thick and thin..."

"Forget it!" Robert interjects. "And that’s the thing, it’s so diverse, it’s diverse weather, it’s diverse languages, it’s diverse, you name it… We change a lot in Cirque as it is, so it’s constant change. And it isn’t for everybody. What they tell you to do in the beginning is not to give up your "past’, like your apartment or whatever, and give yourself three months to kind of like settle in. Give yourself that time because I think it’s important. But some people don’t make it. Other people do, they find it fascinating and exciting and you grow with this family. It becomes your family. You share everything together, so it’s a wonderful experience."






Beyond the big top
The circus may be for life, but would there be life after the circus? The performers are human too and one day, they will have to fold up the net and leave the straps for the next generation. But Mark and Hampus look at this distant future with optimism.


Hampus (right) practices Aerial Straps with Igor Arefiev, Jr.

Hampus says: "I think I have a few more years in my body. And that’s also another very good thing with Cirque. We have two doctors with us all the time and we have massage. So the body feels good, they take good care of us. The conditions are perfect. And as to the future, you know what? I actually did my solo act in "Dralion" in my last show. It was like my big goal to do that, my solo act and I want to do that again, to be there alone on stage, to try to feel the whole stage. It's tough but I’m looking forward to that day when I can do that again... But after Cirque, I would like to go back to being an actor, perhaps in theater in Sweden."


Beyond Cirque, Mark sees "a beautiful house, a huge dog, living happily with my partner and having a nice steady job like a second career doing what I really like. Now I have different options. I want to go back to university. Of course you can't do this until you have wrinkles and also you want to finish it when you're on top."

But that's a long way from now. In the meantime, Mark will still be playing Icarus in "Varekai"'s South American tour while Hampus will still be soaring from stage right and all over the set with his Russian Aerial Straps partner Igor Arefiev Jr.

And Filipino audiences can still catch them and all the other Cirque performers in "Varekai" at the Grand Chapiteau, Luneta Park, Manila until July 24, 2011. For details and ticket sales, call (+632) 669-222 (within Metro Manila and international), 1800-1-888-6692 (toll free within the Philippines), (632) 881-0947, (632) 775-0939 or visit www.hoopla.ph.