Why Spain filmfest picked tarsier ‘Gwapo’ as mascot

Poster boy of Asian Summer Film Festival in Spain

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – The tarsier from Boho was chosen as the mascot for this year’s Asian Summer Film Festival which will be held from July 15 to July 20 in the Catalan city of Vic.

The cute and tiny primate, aptly named “Gwapo”, will be gracing the event’s posters to represent the focus country of this year’s Festival–the Philippines.

According to the Festival website cinemaoriental.com, the mascot was conceived in honor of the country and named “Gwapo” to demonstrate the Spanish legacy in the Southeast nation–Filipino word “gwapo” came from the Spanish word “guapo” which both mean handsome.

One of the organizers of the Festival, Eva Clota, said that they always look for a typical animal or a symbol from the focus country to be the mascot. The mascot was drawn by Estudi Xevidom and designed by Valdrada.

“The consul (of the Philippines) from Barcelona proposed the tarsier because of his popularity in the Philippines and because they’re endangered. We thought they are really cute; also they have night habits, as (we have) our nights of dinner and cinema. And because of his big eyes, (which will help us not to) miss anything from the festival,” Clota added.

Philippine Honorary Consul to Barcelona Jordi Puig Roches said that they had had to choose among three animals: the butanding (whale shark), the Philippine eagle and the tarsier.

“Tarsier’s big eyes are good to observe Philippine filmography. The mascot also represents well the Philippine cinema–it might be small but it has big potential and great quality,” Puig said in Spanish.

Remember Weng Weng?

One of the Filipino movies to be shown is a documentary about Weng Weng dubbed as midget James Bond of the Philippines.

“The Search for Weng Weng” is written and directed by Australian Andrew Leavold who went to Manila to find out what have happened to the “For Y’ur Height Only” star.

In the course of his research and interviews about the 80’s blockbuster action star, Leavold discovered and unraveled the history of Pinoy B-movies, which he will be presenting in the Festival.

Also in the Festival is the action movie “Kabisera” directed by Alfonso “Borgy” Torre III and the country’s entry in the Official Section competing against 15 other films from India, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea. The winner will be voted by moviegoers attending the screenings.

“Currently, the Philippines has a great reputation in international film festivals due to its auteur, risky, experimental and profoundly artistic works that have won important awards. Directors like Raya Martin, Brillante Mendoza, Lav Diaz and Pepe Diokno have exported their personal stamp all over the world,” Clota said.

Likewise, the Philippines has produced movies which are more accessible to the public, and these are what the Festival is for.

The Festival, locally known as Festival Nits de Cinema Oriental de Vic, caters to mainstream and blockbuster movies from Asia and also line up activities that showcase Asia’s popular culture and traditional cuisine.

The star of Filipino fiestas ‘lechon’ will be served along with other Filipino dishes in the benefit dinner and inauguration night of the Festival. The dinner is organized in coordination with the Philippines Club de Catalunya and the Consulate General of the Philippines. Proceeds will be donated to the survivors of supertyphoon Haiyan.

Filipino residents in Vic are happy about the Philippines being the featured country of the 11th edition of the Festival.

“Excited kaming mga taga Vic! Magde-day off ako para dyan!” said Severina Galang who has been living and working with her family for may years in Vic.

“Syempre super proud tayong mga Pilipino lalo na kaming mga taga Vic. Mapi-feature ang Pilipinas. Kilala ang mga Pilipino bilang masisipag at magagalang na trabahador dito at sa pamamagitan naman ng proyektong ito ay makikilala rin ang bansa natin,” added Vic resident Nida Dimaano Lasig Octot. ABS-CBNnews.com

 Watch the related TV report in Filipino on Balitang Global:

 

Why rich families trust Pinoys with their mansions in Mallorca

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – Filipinos around the world have gained the trust of their employers, like Pinoys living on the Spanish island of Mallorca where most work as caretakers of mansions and summer villas owned by affluent British and German families.

One of them is Adonis “Don” Bautista who has been working with his wife for a British-German family for six years. The couple is entrusted to look after the family’s beachfront mansion while they’re away, which is practically the whole year, and help them out when they come back for vacation in organizing parties and dinners especially during summer.

Mallorca is the largest island of Spain’s Balearic archipelago where the famous party island Ibiza also belongs. There is a significant German colony on the island as it is a popular destination for German tourists, and most vacation houses are known to be owned by Germans. Most signs that can be seen in its capital Palma de Mallorca are also written in German.

Don doesn’t have any complaint with his job as almost everything is provided—a house where he and his wife can stay, and all expenses including food are paid. The children of his employers, he added, are very polite and obedient even to them, not the typical rich brats.

Don felt fortunate when he was assigned to be the captain of the family’s yacht, yet he has never bragged about it. In fact, every time a fellow Filipino passes by and asks him if he works there as a cleaner, he just said yes.

He also said yes when asked to buy a yacht for the family back then when his employer was still planning to buy one. According to him, the companies couldn’t believe that a Filipino was looking around to purchase a yacht.

Buying a good yacht is an easy task for Don who has a degree in marine and nautical engineering. Besides, the family did not need to hire an instructor, Don himself taught them how to sail a Pearl 60 Yacht.

Inside the yacht

Don showed ABSCBNnews.com how the Pearl 60 Yacht looks like.

Inside, it looks like a two-bedroom fully-furnished carpeted condo unit.

It has a living room.

Beside the living room is a kitchen with oven, fridge and faucet.

It has two bedrooms, one is the master’s bedroom and the other is a smaller room with two beds.

One can also take a shower inside.

It has a terrace, and apparently has a place where its owners can soak up the sun.

It has all the amenities a regular house can offer, plus it’s floating.

Manning and maintaining this ship and caretaking the mansion at the same time may not be as easy as a sea breeze, but Don is grateful.

“Kahit na ganunpaman na mahirap ang trabaho namin dito, nabibigyan kami mga pagkakataon mga Pilipino na magtrabaho sa mataas na posisyon kasi marami kaming karibal din dito lalo na yung mga puti. Maganda’t napagkakatiwalaan pa rin nila ang mga Pilipino dito sa Europe.” ABS-CBNnews.com

 

Spain-based Pinay shares her fight vs breast cancer

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

BARCELONA – Marieclaire De Sagun Rivera, also known as Claire, had been actively involved in business and Filipino community activities in Barcelona. Until one day, she felt a painful lump in her left breast.

“At first naramdaman ko tumigas ang left breast ko. Agad naman pumunta ako ng doktor pero it was a misdiagnosis. I asked for another opinion. Nag-ask ako agad ng mammogram sa kanila. So from then, I was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer stage 2.”

The cancer was aggressive that they had to immediately remove her left breast.

She also had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment for a year.

“Noong malaman ko na may breast cancer ako, unang-una kong tinawag yung nasa itaas. Sinabi ko kay Lord, Ikaw na bahala sa akin. Isang malaking factor na nagpalakas ng loob ko, mayroon akong support group, isang pastoral group, they pray for me. Strong faith sa Diyos ang pinakalamalaking bagay.”

Claire, now a cancer survivor, also sourced her strength from her loving husband, family and friends. She continues to receive antibodies treatment and is grateful that cancer treatment in Spain has not incurred her any cost.

Support groups like Oncolliga, a Catalonia-based foundation, also provides psycho-social help to cancer patients and their families.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in developing and wealthy countries alike, according to Asociación Española Contra El Cancer. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

“Nowadays, we don’t know the main cause of cancer. We know that there are several causes, like contamination, virus, etc. It’s a multi-factorial event,” said Dr. Jesus Soberino, medical oncologist at Hospital Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona.

“A painless cyst in the breast is the most common symptom,” Dr. Soberino added.

“The best way to know if we have a breast cancer, first, is self-examination. Even more for women from 50 years old, that’s the age where the risk is increased. Apart from this, a very good screening program based on mammogram is also very effective. It is the most effective way to detect cancer in earlier stage where we can achieve more effective treatment and where we can cure the patient.”

Aside from early diagnosis, balanced diet, healthy lifestyle and regular exercise are also recommended in cancer prevention.

Claire, a nurse herself, believes in the old adage that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’, and has a piece of advice to all hardworking Filipinas.

“Siyempre ang main priority natin dito is magtrabaho pero dapat kailangan meron tayong time for ourselves, na kahit nagta-trabaho tayo meron tayong time para alagaan ang sarili natin. Yung medical necessity naman ay libre sa España, so we can have mammogram or physical check-ups sa mga doctors natin, at least makita kaagad kung anong kind of disease na meron tayo.” ABS-CBNnews.com 

Watch this related TV report in Filipino language aired on Balitang Europe, The Filipino Channel, ABS-CBN:

Pinoy martial arts school flourishes in Barcelona

Elmar Dimayuga and Taekwondo Jade D’Warriors

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

BARCELONA, Spain – “Madaling matutunan ang pagsipa at pagsuntok. Mas mahirap i-mold ang good character,” said Elmar Dimayuga, coach and owner of Sant Pau Jade Taekwondo D’Warriors.

Aside from teaching martial arts, Dimayuga recognizes the important role the Barcelona-based school plays in inculcating values among its students who are mostly young Pinoy-Spaniards.

He teaches them the values of perseverance, good time management and commitment to training when preparing for a competition.

“There should be a balance between physical, mental and spiritual. Although nag-train, importanteng humingi ng tulong at magdasal,” he said.

And if they win, he reminds them to stay humble.

The school has already gained the respect of taekwondo clubs in Spain as its young taekwondo jins bagged almost 400 medals and trophies from local and national competitions, including best coach for Dimayuga.

Recently, Dimayuga’s trainee and own son Jade Mariele had won gold in the national taekwondo competition and was selected to be part of the Spanish national team to compete in the 5th European Taekwondo Cadet Championships held in Bucharest, Romania.

Eleven-year-old Jade did not win any medal but was awarded for being the youngest contestant and was given the Fair Play Award in the Men’s Division for playing clean and fair, not committing any single foul in the entire game.

Jade carrying the Spanish flag in the 5th European Taekwondo Cadet Championships held in Bucharest, Romania.

Dimayuga is also aware of the problems that confront the youth and the Filipino community in Barcelona such as vices and teenage pregnancies, which he partly blames to lack of quality time spent by overworked migrant parents with their children.

‘Kinakausap ko lalo na ang mga babaeng istudyante ko tungkol sa pagbubuntis nang maaga. Pinapaalalahanan ko rin ang mga istudyante na kahit bata pa sila tungkol sa drugs, panandalian lang sira na ang buhay mo. Ang paninigarilyo useless din kahit athlete ka pa,” he said.

He is happy though that some parents manage to find time to cheer for their children every time they compete.

“Importante ang moral support ng pamilya. Nakakatulong sa relationship ng bata at parents tuwing may competition dahil mas nagkakaroon ng bonding,” said Dimayuga.

Dimayuga, a blackbelter and former Lyceum of Batangas varsity, dreams big and hopes that someday his students can also compete in the Olympics.

Asked which country they would represent, Philippines or Spain, he answered, “I would prefer them to represent Spain as they will be given all the support they need. Mas mabibigyan sila ng break. Spain looks more at one’s attitude and capability, and the system is more rigid. Mas maraming opportunities for them.” ABS-CBNnews.com

 

 

Former Pinoy dance champ takes on Spain’s dance floor

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – The world’s dancing arena has no boundaries, especially for international dancesport athlete Rodel Espinosa.

After migrating to Barcelona two years ago, the former Philippine representative and finalist in world´s Ballroom Dancing Olympics has continued to bring pride to the country as he shows Spanish and Catalan audience that Filipinos can also dance, and can even teach them how to dance.

Espinosa works as a dance instructor at Buena Vida Escola de Ball, a dance school in the Catalan province of Girona.

Not knowing Spanish or Catalan when he arrived in Barcelona, he recounted that at first it was difficult to communicate with the students. But he soon found it wasn’t a hindrance since “dancing is a universal language.”

His international reputation helped him pursue his passion and profession in Spain and gained the admiration and respect of his students and colleagues.

Espinosa competed in numerous dancing championships in Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, United States, and in Blackpool, UK, dubbed as the Olympics of Ballroom Dancing where he and his dance partner Marinette Alarilla placed fifth among 90 couples from around the world.

Espinosa, a member of Federació Catalana de Ball Esportiu, is the only Filipino in local dancesport groups such as Team Dynamik and Avança and the only Asian competing in local tournaments.

Despite his years of experience in professional dancing, Espinosa keeps on learning new techniques from dance camps all over Europe.

And despite being a celebrity dance instructor, he would rather keep his feet on the ground and dance. He used to teach dance steps to Filipino celebrities Assunta da Rossi and Lucy Torres-Gomez. He even once appeared on the hit reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother.

Rodel in Pinoy Big Brother

Espinosa, who hails from Angeles City, Pampanga, hopes to establish a Filipino dancesport team in Barcelona especially among the youth. In the Philippines, he was able to produce child Dancesport athletes who dominated national dance competitions.

To realize this, he opened a dance school in Barcelona called Barcelona Dance Athlete, where he teaches Latin dances such as rumba, jive, cha-cha, samba and pasodoble to Filipinos of all ages.

“Dancesport is an athletic side of social dancing. It needs a lot of discipline and focus. It deals more with technicalities to improve the body and make it physically fit so one can go beyond one’s physical limitation,” he said.

Even individuals in wheelchairs can dance and compete in a type of dancesport called wheelchair dancesport, which he also teaches.

Espinosa wants to promote dancesport in Barcelona knowing the social and health benefits one can get from it.

“Unang makukuha mo sa pagsasayaw ay ang (correct) posture, endurance, at the more na pinapawisan ka, lumalabas ang mga toxins sa katawan mo, lalo kang sume-sexy, ika nga ay fountain of youth, lalo kang bumabata,” Espinosa said.

One of his students, Victor Domingo agrees, saying dancesport is a good way of bonding with his wife and daughter who also attend Espinosa’s newly opened dance academy.

“Dati wala akong interes na magsayaw… Nagustuhan ko yung pagtuturo nya kaya sumali kaming mag-anak…yung exercise talagang napakaganda, nangangayat na nga ako eh”

Dancesport competitions are also a good way of boosting one’s self confidence and socializing with people of different cultures and nationalities.

Another student Karen Joy Salvador said that it’s a good way of relieving stress.

“Mas na-improve yung patience ko since dancing nga requires a lot of technique, requires a lot of discipline, at the same time stress-reliever siya kasi physical activity nga siya,” she said.

Espinosa will hold a dance show on March 9 at Sala Ouverture, Via Tripoli 22, Rome, Italy. ABS-CBNnews.com

 

Mass for ‘Yolanda’ victims held in Spain’s Sagrada Familia

Archbishop of Barcelona Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – A Sunday mass was celebrated in Antoni Gaudi’s world-renowned basilica, Sagrada Familia, in honor of the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

The mass, usually attended by more than 4,000 faithful, was officiated by the Archbishop of Barcelona Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach.

Cardinal Sistach offered prayers and expressed his sympathies to families and friends of the victims of the tragedy.

He also said that the collections in the mass, which coincided with the closing of the Year of Faith, would be donated to the victims.

On the website of the Archbishop of Barcelona, he urged everyone to help the Philippines.

“We have to help the Philippines in cash donations or in prayers due to the serious consequences of the typhoon. My condolences, prayers and support to the Filipino people,” Cardinal Sistach said in Spanish and Catalan.

Pinoy Church Iglesia de San Agustin

The day before, Cardinal Sistach also officiated another mass in the Filipino Personal Parish Barcelona, Inmaculada Concepción y San Lorenzo Ruiz or popularly known as Iglesia de San Agustin.

Cardinal Sistach also offered prayers and expressed his condolences. He reminded the gift of faith the Filipinos have amidst the calamities that have struck the country.

The Saturday solidarity mass, organized by a federation of Filipino associations in Barcelona Kapulungan ng mga Lider Pinoy sa Barcelona (KALIPI), was attended by local public officials, non-governmental organizations leaders, relatives of typhoon victims and the Filipino community who braved the rain to offer prayers and donations.

Filipino Personal Parish in Barcelona: Parroquia de Inmaculada Concepción y San Lorenzo Ruiz or popularly known as Iglesia de San Agustin

Lhyna Ramos from Tacloban City, who currently resides in Barcelona and had lost contact with her family for a few days, offered a candle during the mass.

“Masaya ako na okay yung pamilya ko pero siyempre kahit na okay sila malungkot pa rin kasi nagkahiwa-hiwalay sila. Malungkot pa rin, siyempre nasasaktan ako para dun sa mga kababayan ko, kalugar ko, mga kaibigan, kilala ko, na hindi sila naka-survive. Yung mga bata, ang sakit-sakit, nawalan sila ng magulang, nawalan sila ng anak, nawala lahat sa kanila,” Ramos said.

“It’s a shame that after the earthquake, you have to suffer this new catastrophe but I’m confident, I believe that the Filipino people are strong enough to overcome the bad things that happened the last time,” said Miquel Mateu, director of Asia-Pacific department of the Barcelona City Council.

Approximately 1850 euros (around P109,000) were collected and will be coursed through Philippine Catholic Church’s National Secretariat for Social Action.

Aside from this amount, Paulita Astillero, president of KALIPI, reported that donations amounting to 1200 euros (around P70,000) were already received in the account the federation had opened for the victims of the calamity.

Caritas Diocesana de Barcelona, meanwhile, has already raised almost 150,000 euros (around P8.8 milion) which will be coursed through Caritas Philippines according to its Ciutat Vella director Juana Martin.

Iglesia de San Agustin still receives relief goods after having sent 13 boxes of canned goods and clothes to the Philippines.

“Ipinagdasal natin ang mga biktima na mabigyan ng pagkakataon, mabigyan ng lakas na babangon ulit, ipinagdasal din natin ang mga tumutulong na kahit papaano sana ay magampaman nila ang kaulukang misyon at ipagdasal din natin ang mga tutulong pa. At higit sa lahat huwag nating kalimutan na kahit anong mangyari kasama natin ang Diyos,” said Fr. Eliza Cielo, one of the priests who celebrated the mass. ABS-CBNnews.com

 

Pinoys in Spain find creative ways to help Yolanda survivors

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – From roasted pig to ambush photo shoots, the Filipino community in Barcelona are finding ingenious ways to raise funds and show their solidarity with their fellow kababayans affected by super typhoon “Yolanda.”

More than 100 people attended a benefit dinner where pancit, barbecue, puto and kutsinta and macaroons were served.

But what really caught the attention of Filipino guests and foreigners was the lechon, introduced as something bigger than Spain’s cochinillo from Segovia.

Aside from enjoying the Filipino cuisine, Barcelona-based Irish Andrew Jennings found the event a wonderful experience as it was for a special cause – to raise awareness and funds for the victims of the disaster.

“Obviously, we can only give our hearts, and our minds, and our thoughts to what happened there, but we can also take our hands, put it in our pockets and also contribute to helping them. So that’s why I’m here. That’s why I think we are all here too, to do what we can,” Jennings said.

 

The dinner, organized by the Philippines Club de Catalunya, was able to raise around 1,500 euros from the entrance tickets.

“It’s very successful, kontento lahat. Everybody was so happy, nagsobra pa yung in-expect namin na binigay nila as donation, it was like around 1,500 para lang matulungan ang mga biktima ng Yolanda,” Philippines Club coordinator Christina Elloso said.

Works of Barcelona-based photographer Albert Ian were also auctioned during the dinner. All cash donations will be sent to Philippine Red Cross.

Ambush photo shoots

Albert Ian, also a president of Pinoy photo association Barcelona Exposure Club, launched a donation campaign with Barcelona-based videographer Rodel Juacalla.

Together with other members of the club, they converged at the entrance of the Philippines Club with portable photo printers, DSL cameras and donation cans.

They offered instant photos to passersby and tourists who flocked Plaza Real in exchange for donations to ‘Yolanda’ victims.

“Very positive ang response. Marami ang nagpa-picture at marami rin ang nag-donate,” said Albert Ian.

One of the donors was Philippine Honorary Consul Jordi Puig Roches who had his photo taken while holding a sign “I-DONATE”.

Another group of photographers, the Barcelona Photo Project, has scheduled a fund-raising project entitled “Photography for the Philippines: A Charity Night.”

The event which will be held on November 23 at Centro Cultural Valentina, Plaza Regomir 2, Barcelona, lined up activities such as picsharing and photo workshops.

Señoras to donate

Some Filipinas employed in domestic work conveyed the willingness of their señoras to contribute.

To respond to this, a federation of Filipino associations in Barcelona Kapulungan ng mga Lider Pinoy sa Barcelona (KALIPI) opened a bank account to facilitate the reception of donations. Approximately 1200 euros have already been received by KALIPI.

The donations to KALIPI will be sent to Catholic Church’s National Secretariat for Social Action in the Philippines. ABS-CBNnews.com

 

How Pinoy-owned spa is promoting ‘hilot’ in Barcelona

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – ‘Hilot’ is the star of services offered by a day spa owned and operated by Filipinas in Barcelona.

Aside from facial and body treatment and other services usually offered by day spas, Maya Khasmine Valencia, owner of The Oriental Jasmine, wants to give the Barcelones a chance to experience another traditional Asian massage other than the popular Thai massage.

“I love to travel and I have tried different kinds of massage–Ayurveda, Thai massage, the massage they have in Mexico. So far I have always looked for hilot. I grew up with hilot whenever I get sick,” said Valencia.

Filipino tradition of healing and hilot’s therapeutic wonder are what manager of the spa Beth Flordelis explains every time a Spanish customer asks about the massage.

“Maraming nagtatanong kung ano ba raw talaga ang hilot so ine-explain ko na ang hilot ay isang treatment. Sa Pilipinas, nakaugalian na hindi tayo pumupunta kaagad sa doktor, kailangan pumunta sa manghihilot muna,” said Flordelis.

What distinguishes hilot from other massages, Maya added in Spanish, is its “toque de amor” (touch of love).

The Oriental Jasmine also believes that not anyone can perform hilot. One has to have a supernatural gift of healing hands to perform authentic hilot.

“We would like to offer this genuine experience of hilot massage. All our massage therapists grew up in the Philippines. They have been involved inside the hilot culture,” said co-owner Javier Zarzuela de Buey, adding that it is now time to promote the traditional Filipino massage outside the Philippines.

To make the experience more authentic, The Oriental Jasmine imports virgin coconut oil from the Philippines and all of its massage therapists are Filipinas who are mostly professional physical therapists.

It also puts a premium on excellent service, which has kept Italian customer Lisa Mariani coming back.

“I had a hilot massage today. It was absolutely wonderful. It’s the second time I’ve had it. I feel energetic, relaxed, content. It almost takes me to another area. It’s wonderful here to be with the girls. They do wonderful job so you keep coming back because you like it. It makes you feel good,” said Mariani.

Valencia also feels good and positive about the reception of the local clientele towards the spa which has just opened April this year, notwithstanding the economic crisis that hits Spain.

“During crisis, people tend to take care and pamper more themselves. I have always wanted to put up a day spa business. I think this is as good time as any to start because when in crisis the prices are lower, especially the shops, the products are on sale and when I want something, I always want to work for it,” she said.

She added that it’s her dream to have a day spa and she wanted to fulfill that dream while young and still have the energy to run a business. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch this related TV report in Filipino language aired on Balitang Europe, The Filipino Channel, ABS-CBN:

 

Why ‘tapsilog’ is a hit in Spain island Mallorca

Tapsilog restaurant in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – All-time favorites Tocilog, Litsilog and Chicken Inasal are also selling like hotcakes on the Spanish island of Mallorca.

Not only because there’s a demand from the Pinoy community there, the largest island of the Balearic archipelago is also an important destination for international cruising lines manned mainly by Filipino seafarers.

“Kasi masarap ang Pinoy food, iba pa rin talaga ang pagkain dito,” said Mitch Manantan who works in a cruise ship docked in Mallorca and a regular customer of restaurant Manila Bay Crew Bar Tapas Asíaticas.

Although the name of the restaurant appears to cater mostly to seafarers, according to its manager Angelo Cruz, Mallorquins and tourists are starting to try “Asian tapas”.

Tapas are very typical of the Spanish cuisine and loosely resemble pulutan dishes.

“Yung mga tourist po at saka yung mga nakatira na dito, mahilig din silang mag-try ng ibang pagkain. Yung iba nga, nung na-try nila lalo na yung lechong kawali, talagang gustong-gusto po nila,” Cruz added.

Mallorca is frequented by tourists coming from northern Europe, especially from Germany, to enjoy its postcard-perfect coves and have a taste of ensaïmada mallorquina the island is famous for. Considered as the birthplace of ensaïmada, the pastry has traveled the world and has adapted to local taste, ingredients and climate as exemplified by sugary, buttery and cheddar cheese-topped Pinoy ensaymada.

The Asian tapas served by the restaurant comprised not only of Pinoy breakfast meals but also of Indonesian dishes such as Nasi Goreng and Chicken Satay as there are also Indonesian seafarers visiting the bar. They also serve Japanese dishes like Yakisoba and Chicken Teriyaki.

African seamen are also starting to like Pinoy food as they consider it very tasty and affordable.

“Minsan hindi na namin napapakain kasi pila pila sila. Yung iba po pinapa-takeout na lang ang pagkain,” cook Arlene Cayanan said.

Sometimes they also accept special orders if some customers request for Sinigang, Pinakbet or Dinuguan.

The restaurant located on the island’s capital Palma de Mallorca hasn’t celebrated yet its first birthday and as Cruz admitted, is still affected by the decrease in the number of cruises coming to the island as a result of the Italian cruise line Costa Concordia sea mishap.

But they put up the business anyway and offered another reason for customers to come—free Wifi.

“Siyempre bukod sa masarap na pagkain, masarap na pakinggan na meron restaurant dito sa Palma, may free Wifi pa,” Victorino Sumalinog said, who also happens to manage a bar of a cruise ship.

Aside from enjoying Pinoy food, which one of the things seafarers miss about the Philippines, they also get to talk via Skype or Facebook to their loved ones whom they miss the most. ABS-CBNnews.com

Filipino seamen enjoying Filipino food in Mallorca, Spain.

Pinoy pilgrims pray for Spain train crash victims

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – Filipino pilgrims who walked the Camino de Santiago, a famous Spanish pilgrimage route which ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, were shocked and saddened upon hearing the news on Spain’s worst train tragedy.

The accident took place on July 24, in the eve of the feast of St. James the Apostle, an important public holiday in Santiago de Compostela and the rest of the Galician region.

“Noong nabalitaan nga namin na may aksidente, nabigla kami, kasi nga pumunta tayo para doon sa festivities ng Santiago. Nakakalungkot na nangyari yun at marami pa ang namatay pero despite that tuloy pa rin tayo and hopefully pagdating natin sa Santiago ipagdadasal natin yung mga naapektuhan,” said Eleanor Merca, a Filipina pilgrim from Belgium who had taken the earlier Alvia train from Madrid before the crash happened.

Another pilgrim from Belgium, Arnel German was staying in Arzua, nearby town and expecting to finish the pilgrimage in time for the local celebration, was also saddened by the unfortunate news, and has expressed his sympathies to the victims and their families.

All scheduled activities have been cancelled as the whole Galician region declares seven days of official mourning. Black ribbons can be seen in shops and local establishments in the capital city Santiago de Compostela. A picture of a black ribbon has been placed on a stage in Plaza de la Quintana, and masses and minutes of silence have been also offered.

A picture of a black ribbon has been placed on a stage in Plaza de la Quintana.

Nats Sisma Villaluna, a Filipino pilgrim from Barcelona, felt the gloomy atmosphere in the city.

“Habang naglalakad ako, I was thinking of the victims. Pagdating ko sa Santiago, the ambience was very solemn, very sad. I dedicate my Camino to these passengers, those who perished and those who were injured.”

According to Spanish website Libertad Digital, the accident claimed 78 lives and 178 passengers were injured. Among the fatalities identified, most were Spanish; three came from Algeria, Mexico and United States.

The Philippine Embassy in Madrid said that they are closely coordinating with hospitals and city councils to determine if there are any Filipino casualties. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch this related TV report aired on Balitang Europe, The Filipino Channel, ABS-CBN: