It was a journey that took ten years to complete.  And on January 5, 2012 at 6:45 p.m. Antarctica time, Romi Garduce became the first Filipino to climb the seven highest mountains in each of the seven continents of the world.  Completing the “Seven Summits” is considered one of the highest mountaineering feats and Romi Garduce’s success has once again proven that the Filipino is indeed world-class.

This March, GMA News and Public Affairs brings together two faces of the Kapuso environment advocacy – Richard Gutierrez and Romi Garduce – for a special television event.  Perhaps unknown to many, these two “RG”s have a lot in common.  Richard and Romi participate in environmental work on and off camera, and both are outdoorsmen who love to explore nature.  In the special “Pito Para sa Pilipino,” Richard Gutierrez meets his idol Romi Garduce in a mountaineering adventure where the younger RG gains valuable insight from the seasoned climber.

“Pito Para sa Pilipino” tells us the stories behind Romi’s Seven Summits quest.  Using seven select mementos from his seven successful summits, Romi reveals little known details about his journeys as a mountaineer.  And as they exchange stories, Richard finds out about an “omen” in Romi’s dream days before his Antarctica expedition.  Richard also discovers what life could be like at icy mountain camps, including some of Romi’s strange “souvenirs” from Antarctica.  At the close of their adventure, Romi finally reveals what is perhaps the most meaningful memento from his decade-long quest to create a world record for the Filipino.

Don’t miss this rare television moment.  The GMA News and Public Affairs special “Pito Para sa Pilipino” airs on SNBO, March 4 at 9 p.m.

Mark your calendars on Feb. 25 and join Native Shoes as it brings you the NATIVE COLOR CARNIVAL!

Expect exciting games, awesome goodies, loads of fun, live performances and a full feast of colors as Native launches its Spring/Summer 2012 collection at the Bonifacio High Street in Taguig.

Come and join the event with your own pair of Native Shoes on and get a special promo at R.O.X. See you all there!

For more updates on Native Shoes’ events, news and promos, visit their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/NativeShoesPhilippines

Words by Caloy Libosada Jr.

Nope, I’m not talking about travelling to far-off places or the most expensive resorts or escaping from your in-laws for a few days’ peace of mind. It’s about visiting the 19th Travel Tour Expo in SMX on February 17-19.
The veterans (yup, their kind really do exist) have been making this an event an annual pilgrimage activity, it’s a sort of a secret they keep to themselves to get the best travel deals in the Philippines and international destinations. How about a trip to another country for only a third of the usual cost?

But secrets are always bound to be discovered and more and more people are  filling the hallways and booths of the travel expo.

So for the uninitiated, expect to be frustrated big time and wonder what the heck is going on as you try to keep at the dizzy pace of people and events in the venue.

Here are some tips to get the best travel deals you have been dreaming of.

1. Bring lots of money or that trusty credit card. You’ll never know how much travel you’ll want to enjoy in your lifetime.
2. Plan the places you want to visit, plus the possible dates of your travel (say, plan A, plan B, etc)
3. Increase the members of your group and immediately scatter yourselves to different booths. Queues can unbelivably extend to a hundred people seeking that same travel discount
4. Kids……. It will be a hard lesson if you bring very young and cranky kids in this event.

So after reading these tips, I hope that you will now be able to get the most of this travel tour expo and catch the best travel deals and tour packages offered in this three-day event. Explore the country and beyond on discounted rates!

Event Venue:
SMX Convention Center Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4,
Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Opening Hours:
17 February – Friday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

18 February – Saturday
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

19 February – Sunday
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

For more information, visit http://tte.ptaa.org.ph/index.php

Words by Upper Viceo

Sometimes you need not go faraway to enjoy special occasions, moreso spend time with your loved ones on special occasions only. May it be Valentines or anniversary with your beau, life partners, friends, family, and what have yous.

We at Dispatch give you a handful of our favorite spots within the metro where you can celebrate the love month with the special people in your lives.

VAN GOGH IS BIPOLAR
154 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village
Quezon City
+63922 8243051

Jetro has a collection of vintage clocks and interesting trinkets that he got mostly from his travels       © Photo by Upper Viceo

A quaint café on the lively dining scene in Maginhawa St. is Van Gogh is Bipolar (VGIB).  This personal space-turned-restaurant is as quirky as it can get, just like the owner himself, travel photographer Jetro Rafael. People who are bipolar are known for their extreme moods, one can be elated and at his happiest at one point, and depressed the next moment, hence being bipolar himself, Rafael clearly knows what he’s talking about—or rather—cooking.

The Godfather III and fresh fruit juice with wild Palawan Honey © Photos by Caloy Libosada

Creating mood-inducing healthy food is the name of the game here. VGIB offers loads of delish dishes on their menu so feel free to pick which floats your boat. Choose from lambchops, to salmon dishes and veggie fixes to interesting concoctions—all made out of organic and healthy ingredients.

VGIB is operated by Jetro himself who is in charge with the kitchen as well. He gets help from his brother and friends that serve as VGIB gigolos and mistresses of the night; you will be surprised to see some of your fave celebs waiting tables for you when you dine in.

For tea-lovers, have your own tea fix after a loaded meal © Photo by UV

Inside VGIB is a beautiful chaos © Photo by CL

This place can only accommodate 12-15 diners so make sure to contact Jetro for reservations. By the way, this happy place got its own house rules, so make sure to spot the chalkboard when you get in. For more info, check out his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/vgibipolar.

THE FRAZZLED COOK
#916 Luna Mencias St., Brgy Additional Hills
Mandaluyong City
+632 782-5980

TFC is a treasure chest of vintage finds and cherished postcards from everywhere © Photos by Paelo Pedrajas

Every traveler who goes inside the restaurant will probably see the same thing: It’s like a huge chest of memoirs–of one’s childhood, travels, and knickknacks from family and friends from all-over the world.

A charming hole-in-the-wall restaurant off Shaw Boulevard, The Frazzled Cook stands synonymous to seventh heaven. It’s your happy place for foodies who wish to up their over-all dining experience–cozy ambiance, good vibes, and a hodgepodge of flavors.

Salad, pizza with special sauce and house specialty Paella Negra © Photos by Bim Legisniana

Dining in Frazzled Cook, expect a hit of flavors in every dish. Start off with an order of Herbed Chicken Salad for a light fix of greens and sweet. Their paellas are a hit too! Choose from normal, Seafood Paella or our personal choice, the Paella Negra, which is actually their specialty. For the main course, for meat eaters, Wagyu Salpicao literally melts in your mouth.

To cool you down, help yourself with their homemade iced tea paired with pancake ala mode. Dig in their crispy pancake topped with vanilla ice cream.

More about The Frazzled Cook here: www.thefrazzledcook.com

LA COCINA DE TITA MONING
315 San Rafael St., San Miguel, Manila
+632 734-2146, 734-2141
+63917 531-5203

Image courtesy of http://www.lacocinadetitamoning.com

It’s tagline, ‘Fine dining in an ancestral home’ says it all. It has that vibe of going back to your grand folks’ home and savoring your favorite dishes cooked by your grandmother.

La Cocina de Tita Moning may be the most expensive among the brood but it’s definitely worth the whip to be there. Going inside the compound is a field trip itself, with a complimentary tour of the old mansion of the Legarda-Montinola clan.

[All set menus come with a round of complimentary homemade lemon grass iced tea and our signature warm queso de bola toasts. Clients who do not want to pre-choose a menu may also order when they get here from the limited a la carte menu that we have available weekly. ]

A gallery of family photos and of some known artworks, dishes are served in antique chinaware © Photos by Robert Alejandro

It’s best to go here after a Manila tour with Carlos Celdran (which we highly recommend as you’ll view Manila in a very different way) as you may avail a lunch discount exclusive only for the tour goers.

Most of the dishes in the menu are secret family recipes passed on to every generation; all reminiscent of Sundays spent at home with the family. The place itself is heritage-rich with an over-all ambiance of downright homey. La Cocina de Tita Moning is recommended for couples or families who are looking for new and interesting places to celebrate special occasions at. No walk-ins are entertained so make sure to make a reservation first. Come for a visit!

For more about La Cocina de Tita Moning, check out http://www.lacocinadetitamoning.com/