In 1996, Patrick won the Best Child Actor trophy at the prestigious FAMAS awards for his role in the Sharon Cuneta starrer Madrasta. The actor received more TV projects courtesy of ABS-CBN, which includes Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi and Gimik. Patrick was paired with several young actresses, including Jodi Sta. Maria and Paula Peralejo. With his successful loveteams, he starred in more popular shows such as Pangako Sa ‘Yo, Tabing Ilog, and Kamapanerang Kuba.

Patrick transferred to rival network GMA after years of being an ABS-CBN talent. As he grew older, Patrick tried his hand on more challenging roles. He starred in more mature roles in movies such as Nagbibinata and Mano Po III.

His career gained more popularity when he became involved with actress Jennylyn Mercado. They had a long-time relationship which resulted to Jennylyn getting pregnant with his baby. In the middle of her pregnancy, Patrick decided to leave Jennylyn and went to the U.S. to study. This created headlines in showbiz, with people berating Patrick for the callous way he left the mother of his unborn child. The actor kept silent regarding the controversy. Recently, Patrick came back to the country and is now working on getting Jennylyn’s permission to see his daughter, whom he has not seen since she was born in August 2008.

Patrick is now linked to actress Glaiza de Castro, whom he starred with in an episode of the show Dear Heart.

The mountain is a favorite among mountaineers from Manila because it is the closest one where they can have a challenging climb. It takes around six to seven hours to reach the summit, which is a rim encircling the caldera, also known as ilalim. There are various caves, pools and waterfalls that can be explored as you go up the mountain. There are several hot or warm springs within Banahaw: Tiaong-San Pablo, Bakia, Sampaloc, Mainit and Cagsiay.

There are several trails leading to the summit. From Cristalino, it will take an average of nine hours to climb to the top. From Tatlong Tangke, it will take around five hours.

The mystic quality of Banahaw is such that the sites in the mountain were given religious names. There is a cave called Kweba ng Diyos Ama (Cave of God the Father). There is a spring at Barangay Kinabuhayan with waters that are said to have curing powers. The village is also known for selling all kinds of amulets, healing herbs and magical stones, which all came from the mountain.

The continuous climbing activities on the mountain over the years have taken its toll on the surroundings. Unbelievable amounts of garbage have accumulated in many parts of Mount Banahaw. Because of this, the mountain is recently undergoing massive cleanup and the government has suspended any hiking activity, except for mountaineers who are part of the cleanup efforts. The trails are scheduled to reopen in 2010.

Before entering showbiz, the young Richard worked at a McDonald’s fastfood chain. Richard started his career in entertainment as a model, and then eventually pursued acting. He starred in his first film, Super Islaw. His popularity soared when he was paired in a loveteam with Snooky Serna. Richard became a bonafide movie star then, making movies left and right. Some of his classic films include Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Ikaw Ang Lahat sa Akin and Nagsimula sa Puso. Both films earned him a Best Actor nomination from the Gawad Urian. He won the Best Actor award for his films Dahas, Saan Ka Man Naroroon and Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, to name a few.

Richard also made his presence felt in television. He was one of the main casts of Palibhasa Lalake, a sitcom which is one of the longest-running shows in the country. He also starred in many of GMA Network’s hit primetime shows, such as Encantadia and Marimar.

Aside from his accomplishments in acting, Richard is also famous for becoming one of the country’s most popular models. He is the original face for Bench. Along with his wife Lucy Torres and daughter Juliana, they are considered the “first family” of the popular clothing and lifestyle brand. He also got into directing, photography and sports. He became a spokesperson for MAD (Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga), an anti-drug organization that also promotes sports as an alternative for vices. Richard also got into fencing, and won a gold medal for it at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Richard is also the organizer of the Goma Cup, an annual celebrity golf tournament.

The hunky actor is also known for his numerous relationships in showbiz. He was involved with actresses Dawn Zulueta and Sharon Cuneta, as well as with model Patricia Borromeo. He finally settled down in 1998 and married Lucy Torres, a sugar plantation heiress from Ormoc and his partner in a commercial for Lux Shampoo.

Filmography

Movies

• Inday Bote
• Filipinas
• Walang Kapalit
• Mano Po
• Ikaw Lamang Hanggang Ngayon
• Minsan, Minahal Kita
• Linlang
• Ang Babae Sa Bintana
• Walang Katumbas Ang Dugo
• Kahit Kailan
• Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin
• Eskapo: The Serge Osmena-Geny Lopez Story
• Saan Ka Man Naroroon
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie
• Bakit Pa Kita Minahal
• Kapantay Ay Langit
• Wating
• Paminsan-minsan
• Iisa Pa Lamang
• Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin
• Ang Siga at Ang Sosyal
• Ikaw Pa Lang Ang Minahal
• Para Sa Iyo Ang Huling Bala Ko
• Akin Ang Pangarap Ko
• Ngayon At Kailanman
• Buddy en Sol
• I Want To Live
• Dahas
• Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit
• Shake, Rattle & Roll 2
• Lover’s Delight
• Kapag Langit Ang Humatol
• Nagsimula Sa Puso
• Dyesebel
• Impaktita
• Rape of Virginia P.
• Isang Araw Walang Diyos
• Nagbabagang Luha
• Rosenda
• Tuklaw
• Super Islaw

TV

• Palibhasa Lalake
• Ang Boyfriend kong Mamaw
• ATM (Annette Tonyboy & Maria)
• Just the 3 of Us
• Tondominium
• Richard Loves Lucy
• Your Honor
• Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw
• Lagot Ka.. Isusumbong Kita!
• S Files
• Encantadia
• Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas
• Captain Barbell
• MariMar
• The Sweet Life
• Codename: Asero
• Obra
• Family Feud (Philippine Edition) - host
• All About Eve (Philippine TV Series)

The Banaue Rice Terraces are approximately 5000 feet high and cover more than 10,000 square kilometers of mountainside. It was said that if you put the steps of the terraces are put end to end, the length is enough to encircle half the globe.

The Ifugas built the elevated rice fields by using an elaborate farming system that carves the natural surface of the hills and an intricate irrigation system that involved harvesting water from the mountain tops or forests. Building the terraces requires the cooperation of the whole community of Ifugaos. This makes the terraces more than the result of ingenious farming techniques; it also shows that the terraces are a product of cultural tradition that binds the Ifugao people. They still use the same techniques that have been in existence 2000 years ago, and they are still teaching the same skills to younger generations of their people.

The beauty of the terraces has made them a popular tourist destination, which generates a major contribution to the provincial income.

The Banaue Rice Terraces was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The Philippine government is recently making efforts to protect the terraces against the damages of soil erosion.

You can get to the Banaue Rice Terraces by riding a bus which will lead you straight to Banaue. From Manila, the trip will take approximately nine hours. Daily trips are available at bus terminals, usually from 10PM to 7 AM.

Navarro says that the sexy billboards add to the traffic slow down. “It will lessen travel speed because people slow down to get a good view of the sexually explicit billboards. There is a co-relation between the travel speed and the sexy billboards,’’ Navarro alleged. Navarro said that he too gets distracted by a huge billboard of an alcohol company in EDSA where a girl with an “Egyptian two-piece attire” and “enhanced breast” beckons to motorists to give her a glance. “It’s so huge, you can’t help but look and in the thick of traffic, a split-second distraction can mean slow-down, if not accident,’’ he said.

Philippines Department of Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebane Jr. has already asked outside advertisers to remove sexy billboards. “They themselves know that some of these billboards are sexually suggestive. They (outdoor advertisers) should voluntarily remove these billboards,’’ said Ebdane, who admits that he too gets distracted by the sexy billboards. Earlier, Ebdane ordered Undersecretary Rafael Yabut to speed up the dismantling of illegal, unsafe and sexy billboards. Several billboard operators pulled down 20 of 37 billboards displaying indecent and immoral contents, but some of the sexually explicit billboards have remained.

It seems that potholes, non synchronized traffic lights and buses that weave and cut you off have no influence on the speed of traffic in Metropolitan Manila. In the next few weeks after the incriminated billboards are removed shall we see an increase in traffic speeds? Or, will the DPWH issue another statement giving a different reason for the worsening traffic situation.

Following the footsteps of her older sister Vina, Shaina released a self-titled album under Star Records. She was only 11 years old then. She also did more movies, including Hiling and Wansapanataym: The Movie. In 2000, Shaina starred in the Laurice Guillen film, Tanging Yaman. Her role earned her several awards, including a Best Child Actress trophy from FAMAS and the Most Popular Child Actress Award from the 2002 Guillermo Mendoza Awards.

Shaina took on more serious, dramatic roles as she grew up to be a teenager. She was cast in the drama series Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin, which stars Claudine Baretto and Diether Ocampo. She also starred in Rounin, a series directed by Chito Rono. Shain appeared in an episode of the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya and the hit primetime series Lobo, among many others.

Her most recent projects include Mars Ravelo’s Dragonna, where she played the title role. She is set to star in the fantasy series Kambal Sa Uma.

Aside from singing and acting, Shaina is also into commercial modeling. The young star already has numerous endorsements in her name, including the clothing company Bench. The business savvy Shaina is invested her hard-earned money into several business ventures. She now owns an apartment complex and a branch of YSTILO Salon, which is a family business.

Filmography

TV

• Kambal Sa Uma
• Komiks Presents: Mars Ravelo’s Dragonna
• Lobo
• Maalaala Mo Kaya: “Telebisyon”
• Your Song: “Break It To Me Gently”
• Your Song: “Just A Smile Away”
• Rounin
• Love Spell: “Shoes Ko Po, Shoes Ko ‘Day!”
• Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv
• Star Magic Presents:My Friend, My Love, My Destiny
• Your Song: “Cuida”
• Love Spell: “Charm & Crystal”
• Komiks Presents: “Bampy”
• Komiks Presents: “Agua Bendita”
• ASAP
• ASAP Fanatic
• Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin
• Til Death Do Us Part
• Seasons of Love
• Ang Tanging Ina
• Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis
• Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay
• K2BU
• Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan
• Flames
• Marinella
• Mula sa Puso
• Kaybol: Ang Bagong TV
• Ang TV

Movies

• Estrella
• Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat
• Katas ng Saudi
• Bahay Kubo
• Happy Hearts
• Ang Tanging Ina
• Agimat: Ang Anting-Anting ni Lolo
• Mga Batang Lansangan…Ngayon
• Tanging Yaman
• Wansapanataym: The Movie
• Hinahanap-hanap Kita
• Hiling
• Pagdating ng Panahon

Dakak is a picturesque paradise of powdery white sand, clear blue waters, magnificent sunsets and abundant coral reefs. This makes Dakak a haven for divers. There are several excellent diving spots in the area, where coral growth and a wide assortment of marine life are waiting to be discovered. Some of the dive sites worth checking out are the following:

• Mushroom Wall

The Mushroom Wall is a shallow roof area which is 10 feet high. The wall is covered with sponges, corals and has small ledges and crevices.

• Cesar’s Reef

Divers can find fishes such as the large Napoleon Wrasses, parrot fish and tuna. Schools of different varieties of fishes such as snappers, barracuda, surgeon fish and sting-rays can also be seen here. Cesar’s Reef is recommended only for experienced divers.

• Liuay Rock

The Liuay Rock boasts of a good selection of invertebrates. It also has several starfish species and nudibrachs. This site is ideal for novice divers and check-out dives.

If you plan to visit Dakak, you can stay at the Dakak Park Beach Resort, one of the premiere resorts in the country. Aside from the private beach, the resort also has a natural plant and animal reservoir and 15 hectares of wooded land. Guests can enjoy the natural luxury of spring water in the resort’s pools. After a long day of exploring the beautiful sites of Dakak, you can dine on succulent, freshly-grilled seafood dishes. Or you can have a rejuvenating bath at the open air jacuzzi and sauna.

Dakak Park Beach Resort is located at Barangay Taguilon in Dapitan. To get to Dakak, you can take a plane from Manila to Dipolog City. If you are coming from Cebu, there are connecting flights offered to Dipolog. From Manila, it will only take less than an hour to get to Dakak.

Overcast skies and heavy rains did not deter Enchanted Kingdom (EK), the country’s premier theme park, from staging its much-awaited annual event Flores de Mayo.

Originally scheduled to go around the Park, like the real troupers they were, the cast members of EK staged the parade at Eldar’s Tent instead. Eldar’s Tent is a sprawling 600sqm. air-conditioned venue perfect for corporate events and personal milestones. The new location did not discourage people from flocking to the place and witnessing a colourful and grand event right before their very eyes. The show must go on!

Accompanied with the band music of Los Baños Drum & Lyre, the beautiful sagalas along with their debonair escorts paraded in their colourful and glamorous gowns to pay homage to the Virgin Mary who took the center stage.

The Flores de Mayo featured the works of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines headed by current President Johnny Abad and Junjun Cambe.

Aside from Mr. Cambe’s models, winners from the Slimmers World / Ms. Bikini Philippines 2009 Jocel Gimenez Kusain - 2nd Runner Up, Mariella Castillo - 1st Runner Up, Kimberly Brandon - Ms. International and Kim de Guzman - Ms. World together with Alexis Sy Go - Ms. Phils-Earth Runner Up 2009, Michelle Martha Braun - Ms. Phils-Earth Air 2009, Adie Adelantar - Ms. Phils.-Earth Eco Tourism 2009, Venus Raj - Ms. Phils-Earth Eco Tourism 2008 and Razel Eguia - Ms. Phils-Earth Air 2008 also sashayed around the tent in their full regalia.

Enchanted Kingdom’s VP for SMILE (Sales, Marketing, Imagineering, Leisure and Entertainment) Cynthia R. Mamon, Ph.D. was the hermana mayora of the event with Bea R. Mamon complementing the mother-daughter tandem.

Despite the gloomy skies, EK weathered the night with flourish, providing yet another magical moment for the park goers.

The evening was later capped off by “Enchanté Summer Musical”, a unique under the sea experience featuring EK’s cast members a.k.a. employees and a grand fireworks display to bid the last night of summer farewell.

Visit Enchanted Kingdom where the magic stays with you! From June 8 to August 28, 2009 we are open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00AM to 9:00PM with Fireworks Display at 8:00PM. Enchanted Kingdom is located at San Lorenzo South, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna with Sales Office at Ground Floor, The Biltmore Condominium, 102 Aguirre Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. For inquiries, please call 843-6074 to 78 or 830-2111 to 16 or log on to www.enchantedkingdom.com.ph.

This teardrop-shaped island in the province of Surigao del Norte province is known as “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines” because of the famous Cloud 9, one of the best-known surfing waves in the world. The excellent surfing conditions is Siargao is caused by the very deep offshore waters that surround the area. The island’s reefs, which face the Pacific Ocean, are located on the edge of the Philippine Trench. The powerful ocean swells made the Cloud 9 possible in this part of the country.

Siargao gained worldwide fame when John Callahan, a photographer from the U.S., featured Siargao Island in the March 1993 issue of Surfer magazine. His amazing pictures atracted traveling surfers, who were always on the lookout for the best waves in thr world. Because of the powerful waves and relatively cheap accommodations, Siargao became one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world. This led to the creation of Siargao Cup, an annual surfing competition for both locals and foreigners. Surfing is best from August to November, during the monsoon season.

Aside from great surfing, Siargao boasts of abundant natural beauty. The island has some of the biggest mangrove forest reserves in the Mindanao region, as well as long stretches of wetlands. The beaches are dotted with mighty coconut trees swaying in the breeze. There is a 200-meter long white sandbar and massive coral reefs in the crystal waters. This makes Siargao perfect not only for surfing, but also for other activities such as island hopping and snorkeling.

There are many ways to get to Siargao, either by air, sea or land. All the domestic air carriers offer trips to Cebu or Butuan City. From there you will take another ride to Surigao City, and from there, you can take a van, motorcycle or jeepney to get to Siargao Island.