Julius Lu and Ruby Jane Mascariñas-Lu: Art, Love and Silence

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

In this world filled with noise and words, two people found another path to express love… the path of silence. Both hearing and speech impaired, this couple’s love rests in no less than the beauty of art.

Julius Lu and Ruby Jane Mascariñas-Lu were classmates when they were taking AB Fine Arts at the Philippine Women’s College. Both of them were active in their class as representatives of their school on visual arts competitions and that’s when, in a serendipitous instance, they bumped into each other and found their own world within this world.

Tracing back time, both of them were born with perfect hearing and speech abilities. But when Ruby Jane was 3 she was infected by an illness that damaged her speech and hearing. “Fortunately, she survived that illness. She was the youngest in the brood of four and we’re glad that she also fought,” says Jip Mascariñas, brother of Ruby Jane.

Julius, on the other hand, was four when he got involved in a car crash which caused loss of his hearing and speech.

Must-sees in the Philippines

By: Karina Melissa Y. Ibabao

With some simply stunning natural attractions and a rich history, the Philippines truly have a lot to offer to adventure-seekers and travelers. Here is a list of some must-see places in the Philippines:

The Banaue Rice Terraces

Have you ever seen a staircase that’s been carved into a mountain? Set your eyes on the stunning Banaue Rice Terraces and prepare to be amazed. The Ifugao tribe made the terraces some 2000 years ago, to optimize the cultivation of rice. The terraces are located 348 kilometers from Manila and can be reached by taking an eight to ten-hour bus ride. While the trip may seem like a tough challenge, the views on the way make up the long travel hours.

Off the Beaten Path in the Philippines

By: Karina Melissa Ibabao

If you want to see the other side of the Philippines, here’s a list of off the beaten path tourist destinations. With a total of 7,107 islands, there is no doubt that the Philippines have a lot to offer. Here’s some tips for history buffs, nature lovers and art critics!

A Daytrip to Corregidor for the History Buff

Corregidor is an island at the tip of Manila Bay. Because of its strategic location, the island was fortified with coastal weaponry and played an important role during the Second World War. Remnants of the war, including some artillery, ruined buildings and other structures, can still be seen on the island. Corregidor has now become a tourist and historic destination among Filipinos and travelers from around the world. When you’re there, remember to visit the Pacific War Memorial, Malinta Tunnel, Filipino Heroes Memorial, Japanese Garden of Peace and the Corregidor Lighthouse.

Davao City, the Prime City of Mindanao

By: Gen Caracena

On the south eastern corner of Mindanao lies the Davao Region of Southern Mindanao, which is designated as Region XI consisting of four provinces enclosing the Davao Gulf, namely Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur.

The regional center of the Davao Region is Davao City, which is part of Davao del Sur, but is governed independently from the province. It is the prime city of Mindanao with a land area of over 2,440 square kilometers, and with an estimated population of over 1.5 million as of 2011, making it the country’s largest city outside Metro Manila.

Miguel Braganza’s Journey to Broadway

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

Miguel Braganza II, a New York-based performing artist hailing from the Philippines, looks back to the days when he was still chasing his dreams to become a full-fledged performer. Being a student of Alvin Ailey Dance School where he studied with pop artists like Madonna while working part-time as a waiter was never an easy task. Quitting has never been his option.

Vivid memories

This kind of fire has been burning inside Miguel’s heart ever since he was young and still living in Mindanao. “My most vivid memories here in Mindanao have been very much about my discovery for this path that I am following right now,” Miguel confesses.

“I credit my interest for performing arts to Davao City. Our family stayed in Claveria and every time I disappeared in the house, my parents know they could only find me in the Puericulture Center – the place where San Pedro police station currently stands,” he adds.

Visa Regulations for the Philippines

By: Leonard Dalugdog

Foreign nationals are allowed to enter and travel within the Philippines for 21 days without a visa provided that they have valid tickets for their return journey to their port of origin or to their next travel destination port and that their passports are valid for a period of at least six (6) months. Extension of stay is available at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration after paying a minimal fee. For stays longer than 21 days, a Temporary Visitors Visa is required. Here are 9 easy steps as to how to obtain your visa:

• Determine if you even need a visa. You can enter the Philippines for a stay of no more than 21 days without obtaining a visa. If you will be staying for more than three weeks, continue to the next step.




• Obtain two passport photographs. When you apply for your Philippine visa, you will need to have a passport photograph that measure 2 inches by 2 inches. If you have existing passport photographs, they can be used as long as they were taken within the last six months.

Filipino Singer/Songwriter Jad Montenegro: Songs based on Emotions

By: Jesse Pizarro Boga

Jad Montenegro had it in her: her knack for music.

“I was in a whole bunch of bands and went to gigs whenever I could,”  she said, flipping her red colored hair, which appears to be her source of youth.

She’s now 27, but her passion for sounds, words, and tunes make her seem like she never grows old—as if she’s always been that geology student in UP Diliman who jumped from one band to another doing the things that she loved.

“I was rhythm for a pop punk band called Apollo Creed for a while. Then I was lead guitar for a band called Glory Days of Summer,” she narrated. She went on mentioning her stints in an all girl band and in a goth band. When she found herself working in Cebu City, she played solo at bars every weekend.

And when she finally came home to Davao she started her own self-titled band and humbly took off sky high, leading the independent music scene in the city.

Her continued love for music led her band to finish recording her original songs and independently released it in an extended play (EP) titled Fixed Points and Pendulums. Here, Latitudes talks to Jad about inspiration, her music, and the craziest thing about being an independent music artist.

Introduction to Visayas

By: Gen Caracena

A paradise at the heart of the Philippines, the Visayas group of islands is one of Asia’s most interesting travel destinations. Visayas is the archipelago’s  smallest island group, yet it has plenty to boast about – a progressive economy, natural wonders and resources, islands with beautiful beaches and natural landscapes, luxury resorts, rich culture, interesting cultural festivities, historical remnants, and friendly, hospitable and peace loving people.

Seated between the islands of Mindanao and Luzon, the islands of Visayas are the most visited destination in the country. It is composed of the islands Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar and is divided into three administrative regions: Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.

Do’s and Don’ts when in the Philippines!

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

As in any country, there are unwritten rules and customs that you have to go with when you are in the Republic of the Philippines. Below are a few do’s and don’ts that will help you to have great fun during your stay in the archipelago.

Do’s when in the Philippines:

1. Do follow designated pedestrian crossing and jeepney stops ( a jeepney is the most popular mode of transportation in the country and looks like the longer version of a jeep). There may be a lot of locals who dare violate those traffic and pedestrian rules but it will help you stay out of hassle if you abide by these rules.

2. Do tour around the place local style. Riding a jeepney or a bus will give you a more personal experience with regard to the place. As of press time, jeepney fare is at Php8. 00 (US$.19). You can also opt to ride in a taxi, the plug down rate is at Php40. 00 (US$.45), fare rate is subject to change at times, however. Transportation means are available almost all day, so one can while away time and choose to go around the place on one’s most preferred time.

Introduction to Luzon

By: Gen Caracena

Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao – these are the three primary island groups of the Philippines, of which Luzon is the largest. Luzon is also the country’s chief economic center and seat of political power since it is the location of Manila and Quezon City, Philippines’s official capital and most populated city respectively.

Economy in Manila is diverse and the majority of the country’s industries and services are found here. Manila hosts the international airport and it is the Chief Seaport of the Country. It is also the center of education being the home of the oldest and leading colleges and universities in the country.