Filipinos eagerly anticipate Blessed Calungsod’s canonization

By Ma. Teresa Yosores

After a long and tedious process averaging to two lifetimes of ordinary men, Blessed Pedro Calungsod will finally be canonized by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on October 21 at the Vatican in Rome, Italy.

The date of the much-awaited canonization Blessed Calungsond, who will be the second Filipino saint, was announced on a media briefing held on September 29 at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City. 

At the event, Fr. Marvin Mejia, assistant secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), also revealed that the Visayan martyr will officially be named “San Pedro de Cebu.” 

The significant wooden image of Blessed Calungsod, that will be used to depict his image at the canonization ceremonies in Vatican, was also presented at the briefing. 

Fr. Francis Lucas, executive secretary of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media (ECSCMM), said that the image was carved in Paete, Laguna province.

Father Lucas then explained the image was that of a young Visayan man holding palm leaves and the Doctrina Christiana. The leaves symbolize the martyrs who offered their lives for the Lord, while the and Doctrina Christiana, or the Book of Catechism, signifies Blessed Calungsod’s works as a catechist.

Blessed Calungsod will be canonized together with Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha of New York, United States of America, Blessed Jacques Berthieu of France, Blessed Giovanni Battista Piamarta of Italy, Blessed Carmen Salles y Barangueras of Spain and Blessed Anna Schaffer of Germany.

Around 50 Cebu diocesan priests and thousands of devotees will be leaving for Rome within this week to witness the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, led by its president, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, the Archdiocese of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, will hold a National Thanksgiving Mass on November 30 at the South Road Properties in Cebu. 

Among the expected guests are President Benigno Aquino 3rd, Vice President Jejomar Binay and other local, national and international luminaries.

Martyr and miraculous Pedro

Pedro Calungsod was born in Cebu in 1654. At the young age of 14, he was already serving as a sacristan and catechist. He also joined the Spanish Jesuits on missions to Ladrones Island. 

But it was on one mission with the Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores in Tumhon village in Guam, that Blessed Calungsod’s martyrdom happened. Set to baptize into Christianity the daughter of the village chieftain, Calungsod and Vitores were attacked and killed. 

The chieftain, who was angered by the baptism, threw spears at Calungsod and Vitores. He then tied stones to the dead bodies and dropped them both to the seas. 

The 17-year-old Calungsod was absolved by Father Vitores just before his death. 

His beatification came three centuries later on March 5, 2000 by the then Pope, now Blessed John Paul II. This came after almost 25 years (on October 18, 1987) when the first Filipino Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was canonized.

It was then on December 19, 2011 that the Vatican verified a miracle attributed to him. 

This miracle took place in 2002, when a woman from Leyte province, who was pronounced clinically dead after a heart attack by physicians, was revived through her doctor’s prayers to Blessed Calungsod. 

And just recently, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a decree and officially set April 2—the anniversary of his martyrdom—as his feast day.

Because of his martyrdom, miracles and faith, Blessed Calungsod continues to inspire many Filipinos to become his ardent devotees.

Century Park Hotel’s Oktoberfest Fever

Century Park Hotel joins the Oktoberfest fever with its line-up of activities and special promotions.

It is going to be a gastronomic experience of Greek indulgence as Century Park Hotel joins forces with El Greco Enterprise Corporation, for its Greek Food Festival on October 5 to 7 at Café in the Park. Feel the true flavours of the Mediterranean and reach Europe with just your taste buds for only P 1,215 net per person. 

In cooperation with the Wine Depot 2012, the hotel celebrates Restaurant Week from October 8 to 14. At a special promotional price of P 998 net, lunch and dinner buffet diners at the Café in the Park get a free glass of Veramonte Reserva Sauvignon Blanc or Veramonte Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Vittoria sparkling water and Vittoria coffee.

Century Tsukiji, recognized by the Miele Guide as one of Asia’s finest restaurants of 2012, extends its “Eat-All-You-Can” promo for all sushi lovers, still at P 888 + per person. Promo patrons for that week will likewise get a free glass of Veramonte Reserva Sauvignon Blanc or Veramonte Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Vittoria sparkling water and Vittoria coffee. This Japanese treat still includes a cup of miso soup and a plate of fruits of the day.

Photo courtesy of Century Park Hotel

Tapas lovers can now enjoy their favourite pica-pica for only P 388 + in our beverage outlets, Top of the Century and Atrium Lounge. Three bar chow platters are available for patrons. The first one has the mini Master Butcher’s favourites, the second with Spanish Beef Salpicao and third with mixed grilled Spiedini. All platters have mini assorted cheese and bread basket. That’s also with a free glass of Veramonte Reserva Sauvignon Blanc or Veramonte Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Vittoria sparkling water and Vittoria coffee during the Restaurant week.

And to catch with the Oktoberfest fever, the Top of the Century at the 19^th floor extends its Beer by the Bucket promo of 6 bottles of your choice of Manila Beer, Coors, Tanduay Ice, Beer na Beer and Ginger Root beer for only P 300+ per bucket. This promo from Monday to Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is inclusive of a free plate of pica-pica of the day.

Atrium Lounge will continue the highly-successful unlimited Premium White Wine Promo priced at P 595 + from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 

Photo courtesy of Century Park Hotel

Enjoy a selection of Beringer Chenin blanc & white Zinfandel, Calvet Chardonay, Gruner Vetliner Hopler, Muscadet Sevre et maine, Pomino Blanco marchesi de Frescobaldi, Riverbank Riesling Wente and Stonehaven Riesling while listening to the wonderful soundscapes from the live musical entertainment courtesy of our resident pianist and Century Strings.

For inquiries and reservations, please call (632) 528-8888 and (632) 528-5907 or email foodbev@centurypark.com.ph

The Century Park Hotel is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation.

New advanced vaccine protection against PD and memory loss 

By Ma. Teresa Yosores

Pneumococcal Diseases (PD) and memory loss may already come to extinction. But one must remember first the importance of vaccination if you don’t want PD bring you to expiration.

Target vaccine recipients of this generation are indeed lucky for the new advancement developed to what is now considered as the wonder drug that fights the most common causes of morbidity and mortality for many generations among children below five years old and adults 65 years old and above.

Pfizer public affairs and communications director Patricia J. Pascual said the new advanced PD vaccine can now be given to infants as early as six weeks and adults 50 years old and above.

Pascual said that aside from protection from PD, the vaccine contains memory cells that prevent – what else – memory loss in old ages. Another advantage is that it can be administered only once and the protection is lifetime, he said.

In the recently-held second leg of the Prevent PD (Pneumococcal Disease) Campaign at the Alabang Town Center, Pfizer Philippines emphasized the importance of awareness in curbing the onslaught of this preventable disease.

Ironic, according to the guest speakers, specialists Dr. Tom Realiza and Dr. Glenda Pereira. Both doctors lamented that lack of awareness is the reason why the disease proliferates. Dr. Realiza revealed that even some doctors do lack awareness on the prevention of the disease.

So aside from proliferating awareness on the disease, the event was also aimed to convince senior citizens about the importance of keeping a healthy lifestyle and they were given tips on how to practice this. Likewise, they were given free medical tests including blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as consultations with doctors.

Dr. Realiza and Dr. Pereira discussed the severity of pneumococcal disease and the importance of recognizing its symptoms. They both agree that if the symptoms are treated early on, the patient has a good chance of surviving PD.

It would be best though to have the vaccination right away than procrastinate it until the symptoms show up, according to them. They said that the treatment can be burdensome physically and financially and there are always benefits with preventive care.

“In the Philippines, pneumonia is the most common type of pneumococcal disease. It is also among the top-ranking diseases for both morbidity and mortality. With its high societal burden to health, there is a need for an effective preventive measure, specifically vaccination,” Dr. Realiza said.

They strongly advised people to maintain good health especially when one is already at an old age because a weak immune system means he/she can be more susceptible to infectious diseases.

Celebrity advocate Pilita Corales also graced the event. Aside from rendering her singing prowess, she also shared to the crowd her own experience with pneumonia that landed her in the hospital.

“We have to make an extra effort to maintain good health, because it’s hard to get sick these days, not to mention that it is so expensive. Staying in the hospital is never easy. If it can be avoided, do so,” she pointed out.

She added that had she known about the vaccine, she could have spared herself the physical and financial tolls of the disease.

“Having said that, I believe that this campaign is a great way to encourage seniors to have themselves checked up, as they have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Corales stressed.

Meanwhile, Pascual said that the company’s campaign through information and education about PD and teaching effective preventive measures would empower the Filipinos to evade the burdens of this highly-invasive disease.

“Although to some, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may be as simple as having balanced diet and regular exercise, but experts recognize health education as an important part of good health,” Pascual said.

Records show that pneumonia is the leading cause of morbidity and the 5th leading cause of mortality in the Philippines.

Data released by Philhealth states that in-patient claims for pneumonia totalled 295,390, which amounts to over 2 billion pesos in 2010. In 2011, Philhealth claims rose to 327, 515, amounting to P2.5 billion.

Against this backdrop,Pfizer Philippines is inviting Filipinos aged 50 years and above to be a PD-prevention advocate by joining the Pfizer Life Club. For those interested, you may call the Pfizer HealthLine numbers 671-1000 (MM) and 1800-10-6711000 (PLDT Provincial Tollfree.  These are open from 7 am to 7 pm daily.

Italian priests’ influence on a Filipino chef

By Ma. Teresa Yosores

Century Park Hotel has a new pride added up to its roster of aces.

As the hotel’s management gears up for its upcoming 36th anniversary on September 22, Eric Beza, Public Relations , not only presented ideas on what sumptuous dishes and other treats their Cafe in the Park has to offer their guests.

Beza also introduced the man behind the delectable food presentation. The cafe’s new chef indeed has culinary skills and expertise that are far from the ordinary.

Though a Filipino, Sous Chef Ritchie Loteria is an expert in Italian cuisine which he gained in his 10-year stint as a chef in Italy!

Sous Chef Ritchie Loteria
of the Century Park Hotel

Chef Ritchie at work

Chef Ritchie readily narrated when his parents brought him abroad to study. He was 16 years old then.

His “training” in the kitchen started when he served as a dishwasher for Italian priests. During vacant hours, he would watch with enthusiasm how they prepare their food. Fortunately, he said, the priests were helpful and so they would let him learn the way they cook.

Being surrounded by priests in that stage of his life, it could easily be construed that he could probably be influenced to become a priest one day. But no, he wanted to be a cook!

And so in 1999, he pursued his dream at the Italian Institute of Culinary Arts, Fontana Del Papa in Rome, Italy.

He then became a Resident Executive Chef of Hotel Exedra in Rome in January 2004, the first Filipino chef the hotel had ever had. There, he was awarded and rated 2 Michelin star chef. His hard work also earned him a nomination as Chef/Restaurateur of the year in Rome in 2009.

As the year 2010 ushered in, Chef Ritchie decided to bring his craft to his homeland, the Philippines. He delighted his fellow Filipinos (and foreign guests as well) as he served as an Executive Chef as well as a Consultant in different posh restaurants and hotel. He finally joined Century Park Hotel only last July.

As the hotel welcomes another bright year – its 36th year – in the hotel and restaurant business, it has been giving out enticing promos and delightful treats of Chef Ritchie’s specialties that would surely satisfy one’s hungry pangs and even crave for more. Starting last September 1 until September 30, 2012, dining at the hotel’s Café in the Park is now at 36% percent discount.

Chef Ritchie presented his Tutto Italian cuisine that is available on Wednesdays at the buffet area. These are 

Roast Beef with stir-fried vegetables and herb sauce

Pasta with Black Truffle Sauce

Risotto Al Funghi Porcini
where the rice was cooked in broth
until the consistency was creamy
(the Porcini is a mushroom –
a delicious favorite ingredient
in Italian dishes that is
only available in Italy)

Skewers

Roasted Chicken marinated in rosemary oil

As for desserts, one would definitely go crazy for 

Baked Apple Panna Cota
and

New York Cheesecake

Meanwhile, Chef Ritchie can also be versatile as he would manage to come up with different dishes other than Italian ones. Since the Café at the Park has a themed buffet every day, Chef Ritchie and his battalion of assistant chefs would prepare Chinoy Cuisine on Mondays, Modern Filipino Cuisine on Tuesdays, Asian Classic Thursdays, International-Inspired Cuisine on Fridays, Chef Tavern Buffet on Saturdays, and Classic Filipino Cuisine on Sundays.

Chef Ritchie could only say that he has been having a wonderful time concocting dishes at the Century Park as he would repeatedly assure his guests that their restaurant is the only restaurant in the country that is strict with quality and not just quantity.