VOLUME III NUMBER 1 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2012 !" INSIDE ASIA’S SANTORINI Patterned after Santorini in Greece, Marinduque’s Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is the perfect romantic destination this February. "& MARINDUQUE is February, we bring you to the “Heart of the Philippines”—the island province of Marinduque. #% Read about Bessie Badilla’s successful campaign, “Come Visit My Philippines” and the positive power of social media. ! balik!"#"$ February – March 2012 30 THE BEAUTY OF HOTEL PONTEFINO Read about the wonderful experience of the Miss Earth 2011 delegates at Hotel Ponteno in Batangas. 46 REMEMBERING EDSA I In celebration of the 26th anniversary of EDSA I, we bring you back in time through a Paulinian’s memoir. 52 MANILA IS ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC <strong>Balikbayan</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>’s review of Resorts World Manila’s e Sound of Music. 54 “HERE’S JOHNNY!” Do you know that the creator of the iconic Johnny Bravo character is a Fil-Am? Read about Van and Johnny here. #$ 58 DENTISTS TO THE STARS Discover what Dr. Nelda Valencia Eufemio and her partners have in store for you at NU.U Asia Cosmetic Dentistry. 60 IMELDIFIC! Do you know how the rst pair of Marikina shoes came to be? Discover the story here. 62 THE ROADS OF MARILAQUE A balikbayan’s essay about his recent road trip via the roads of Marikina-Rizal-Laguna- Quezon. 64 MANILA THEN AND NOW A photo essay of Manila’s once revered spots. INSIDE MALACAÑAN PLACE We take you on an inside tour of the Philippines’ presidential home. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage of retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the Publisher. Asian Journal Publications, Inc. regrets that no responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited material, which will be returned only if stamped, addressed envelope is enclosed. Printed in the Philippines. Distributed in the Philippines for newly arrived balikbayans at Duty Free Philippines, as well as at select hotels, resorts, restaurants and cafes and major bookstores and magazine distributors. Circulated at special events and through subscription in the United States of America. Publisher & CEO Roger L. Oriel President & Co-Publisher Cora M. Oriel Vice President for Business Development Raphael John C. Oriel Editor-in-Chief Lito Ocampo Cruz Managing Editor Katherine Castillo Eustaquio Features Editor Danielle Clara Dandan Rowena Mara Diocton Events Editor Kristine Bernadeth Manaog Contributing Editors Cynthia de Castro, Rueben Nepales Contributing Writers Christina M. Oriel Marionette Ocampo-Martinez Victor Benedicto Contributing Photographers Raphael John C. Oriel, Jerey Bulanadi Rowena Diocton, Kristine Bernadeth Manaog Oliver Bayani, Victor Benedicto Senior Graphic Designer Richard Erpilo Multimedia Developer Nicole Alvaro Vice President for Advertising Noel Godinez Vice President for Sales Sharon Ann Bathan-San Pedro Vice President for Circulation and Special Events, Philippines Vince Samson Circulation & Special Events Director, USA Ed Ferrer Marketing Executive Rowena Mara Diocton Circulation Manager Arthur Sibulangcao Accounting Managers Ria Fabro, Gemma Fabro Accountant Joseph Mark Camiring BALIKBAYAN MAGAZINE is published by Asian Journal Publications, Inc. 2/F Units D&E Fort Palm Spring Condominium, 30th Street corner, 1st Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 1200 Philippines <strong>Te</strong>l. (+632) 856-4921 USA Advertising Offices Los Angeles: 1150 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, San Francisco: 841 San Bruno Avenue West, New York: 5 Penn Plaza, Ste. 1932, New York, New Jersey: 2500 Plaza Five, Harborside Financial Las Vegas: 3700 W. Desert Inn Rd., Las Vegas, WEBSITE www.balikbayanmagazine.com Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/balikbayanmagazine Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/balikbayanmag For subscriptions, email subscriptions@asianjournalinc.com