Homage to Harana

"Homage to Harana"

Sun.Star Davao, June 27, 2009

Growing up in Davao, my fondest childhood memories definitely included a hearty meal at one of the city’s most frequented family restaurants, Harana.

Whenever my dad or mom announced that we were going to have dinner at Harana, shrieks of glee could be heard from my siblings and I. We were not just thrilled about savoring Harana’s well-loved specialties. Most importantly, we eagerly looked forward to hours of fun and frolic at the restaurant’s expansive playground.

Through the years, our family has remained loyal to the establishment. In fact, entertaining our out-of-town visitors would never be complete without stopping by Harana.

On the occasion of Harana’s 30th year anniversary along F. Torres St. this June 29, 2009, I had an insightful tete-a-tete with the grand dame of Harana—Mrs. Rosario “Charito” Abella-Lizada.

Born for business

At an early age, Charito Lizada was exposed to the exciting world of business because of her parents, Lucas and Miguela Abella, who were originally from Laguna.

“My father, a mestizo Chinese, was quite entrepreneurial. During the pre-war years, our family ran a restaurant, bakery, ice drop factory, lodging house, bus line and funeral parlor (interestingly named Popular Funeral Parlor) in Davao”, Mrs. Lizada relates. Mr. Abella even managed a marching band which was very in-demand during town fiestas.

Mr. Abella always advised his youngest daughter, Charito, to go into business. “Like the Chinese, go into the three basic needs—food, clothing and shelter”, he would say. However, Mrs. Lizada did not immediately heed his father’s suggestion.

After graduating from the Philippine Women’s University in 1952 with a degree in B.S. Education, she taught Filipino at the Immaculate Conception College and later moved to the Philippine Women’s University in 1953.

Together with her husband Rogelio “Noning” Lizada and sister Nita Abella-Fajardo, they became partners in establishing the La Suerte Bakery in Digos from 1956-1959. Mrs. Lizada also opened La Filipina Bakery from 1960-1966 in Toril.

Serenade

“Harana started in a little garden at the back of my brother Atty. Fermin Abella’s residence in Juna Subdivision, Davao City in 1966”, Mrs. Lizada discloses.

“I was sitting at a table during a party and was looking at the garden. Seeing how beautiful and conducive the place was for gatherings, I had a sudden idea to put up a restaurant there”, she recalls.

“With an initial capital of two thousand pesos lent to me by my cousin, I invested in a few open nipa huts sheltering bamboo tables and rattan chairs. Under the branch of a young mango tree stood the small barbeque pit. In the evenings, the place was lit with tiny gas lamps. Its specialty then (and now) were fried rice and spare ribs, my original recipes”, Mrs. Lizada describes.

Mrs. Lizada shares that she and Noning came up with the name “Harana” because it is the Filipino term for “serenade”, which was how her husband, a noted Dabawenyo writer and historian, wooed her.

“Noning would go to the PWU dormitory with friends in the evenings. Armed with a guitar and gifted with a brilliant voice, he would perform romantic songs and profess his love for me”, she smiles.

The name “Harana” turned out to be an apt name for the restaurant as it became a favorite hang-out/dating place of Philippine Women’s University and Ateneo de Davao High School students.

“Just to make sure that the students were properly monitored, I requested some of the teachers to sing at Harana on a regular basis from 4pm-6pm”, Mrs. Lizada laughs.

“We did not do any advertisements with the original Harana. It was through word-of-mouth mainly by the students that we became known to the public”, she adds.

Family haven

In 1970, the Abellas needed the little garden and Harana had to move out to its new home along MacArthur Highway in Matina. The place was spacious and the owners thought of a novel approach in the restaurant business. Thus, the playground concept—complete with swings, slides and bars---came about.

“I kept the prices of our food very reasonable. I wanted the families not to hesitate in bringing along their yayas and drivers to eat at Harana”, Mrs. Lizada says.

Aside from the bestselling Mongolian spareribs, Harana is widely known for its lip-smacking barbeques and Filipino dishes such as kare kare, kinilaw, longganisa, sinigang soup, crispy catfish, chicharon bulaklak and many more.

As devoted parents to four kids--Rene, Amylou, Benjie and Aileen and because the Lizadas were actively involved in the Christian Family Movement, they saw to it that Harana would be a “wholesome, clean and family-oriented place where there was no drinking and womanizing”.

On June 29, 1979, during the feast day of St. Peter, patron saint of Davao, a second Harana was opened along Florentino Street to serve the growing demands of a fast developing city.

“At that time, F. Torres was dark and avoided by motorists at night. There were only kangkong fields, wild reeds and clusters of unkempt banana shrubs. But, when Harana opened, F. Torres was no longer the same. Instead of darkness, the place was festooned with bright lights and the sound of music and children’s laughter echoed”, Mrs. Lizada proudly declares.

Now, F. Torres has become the number one food street in Davao City.

You’re my number one

“They say in business, the most important person is the customer. In my opinion, the number 1 is my people. Number 2 is my customer”, Mrs. Lizada states.

“Without my people, our business won’t be as successful. Therefore, I believe that taking good care of my employees is very essential. I let them feel very secure with me”, she explains.

“Some of my staff have been with me for over 20-35 years. I also hire from within my household staff/yayas. For my first batch of employees, we provided housing, insurance and a lot of other benefits. A few of them have even become my consultants upon retirement”, Mrs. Lizada reveals.

“I see to it that the service charge that we collect goes fully back to the employees. When the restaurant is busy, the staff won’t feel burdened or complain because they know that they will ultimately benefit from the influx of customers”, she shares.

Mrs. Lizada likewise awards incentives from the chiller cake sales of Bistro Rosario, one of Harana’s sister companies. “I share a certain percentage to the baker, decorator and sales girls”.

In addition, the Lizadas have an employees’ canteen and provide free board and lodging for the single staff who live far away from the city.

“I truly believe that, in business, we must share our blessings to our people”, Mrs. Lizada opines.

Homage to Harana

Now at eighty years old, Mrs. Lizada has amazingly defied time and maintains a youthful appearance.

When I arrived at Harana for my interview, she was busy overseeing an ongoing extension project at Sarung Banggi, the Lizadas’ steak house. “This outdoor area would be a lovely place to have grilled steaks”, she enthuses.

Even with grandson Carlo Aguilar, a graduate of a Hospitality and Management course from Switzerland now co-managing the various businesses, Mrs. Lizada still never tires in being hands-on with her other restaurants, namely: Mongolian Garden, Cups and Lowercase, Golden Peter Pan and Traliccio Pizzeria, all located along F. Torres St.

Her youngest son, Benjie, is also in the food industry. He owns and manages Taps and Kasagingan which have several branches in the city.

Robbie Aguilar, her other grandson, is soon going to enroll in a 4-year course at the Culinary Institute of New York.

To keep abreast with the latest restaurant trends, Mrs. Lizada often travels abroad. “I believe that it is through upgrading and continuous learning that a business remains competitive”, the passionate entrepreneur intimates.

After 43 years in the restaurant business, I asked Mrs. Lizada if she ever imagined that Harana would become a highly regarded Davao institution, she replies, “Not really...we started small but when I look back now at what we have achieved, I feel so thankful. God is so good. Thank God for the blessings!”.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

A modern Victorian-themed wedding

"A modern Victorian-themed wedding"

Sun.Star Davao, June 20, 2009

Joseph Edward Adrian “Jet” Tangtatco and Jennifer Aileen “Jenny” Ang first met in De La Salle University (Manila) in 2002. Jenny was on her 1st year in DLSU studying B.S. Biology while Jet was on his last trimester preparing for his thesis defense.

Jet and Jenny started going out as a group with common friends but they went their separate ways when Jet, who was born and grew up in Manila, moved to Davao to manage their various family-owned businesses while Jenny continued with college and eventually pursued her medical degree at the University of Santos Tomas.

They lost communication for a couple of years until their paths crossed again in 2007 at their favorite Greek restaurant, Cyma, in Manila.

Love blossomed between the two until Jet romantically proposed marriage to Jenny last August 8, 2008.

The most-awaited day was May 30, 2009. It was Golden Touch’s Noel Tanza who magnificently executed the modern Victorian-inspired wedding of the love-struck couple at St. Joseph the Worker Parish.

The church was tastefully decorated with lovely white gerberas, calla lilies, roses, liliums and snapdragons. It was especially chosen as the wedding venue because Jet’s birthday falls during the Feast of St. Joseph.

Radiant and beaming with so much joy, Jenny marched the aisle wearing a Chardin creation exclusively designed for her by Rodel Macatangay. The umbrella-cut bouffant bridal gown cut on the empire with attached see-through shrug was made from off-white French lace and fully embellished with Swarovski crystals, sugar beads and flat sequins.

The ever elegant gown had a long detachable train with embroidered appliqués cut from the lace of the gown. A shimmering tulle veil completed the romantic ensemble.

Jenny had not only one but three bridal bouquets: white paeonia for the church; orange tulips and orange roses for the reception.

At the reception, the Davao Convention and Trade Center was magically transformed into a beautiful vision of white as Noel Tanza anted up a notch and dramatically covered the walls with white drapes coupled with white-colored ceiling works, bedazzling crystals and lanterns.

The white background enhanced the colorful contrast of exquisite gerberas, calla lilies, roses, liliums, alstroemeria, carnations, dancing ladies and moccaras. Chandeliers, intricately-carved wooden decorations, pillars, mirrors, lace and feathers were also used to further evoke the wedding’s theme.

Jet’s parents, Edwin and Angeline Tang as well as Jenny’s parents, Joseph and Angelita Ang, warmly welcomed over 500 guests coming from Davao, Manila, Cagayan de Oro and the U.S.

The Tangs are involved in the telecom (Cellstation and Twice Telecom) and garment industry (Urban Sports, franchisee of Folded and Hung in Gaisano Mall Davao and the local partner of Mango Davao). On the other hand, the Angs manage their family-owned Five Jewels Corporation (UNILAB and BMEG Distributor) and FJC Farms, Inc.

Super Chef Booboo Carandang-Maramba whipped up a very impressive five-foot ecru-colored fondant wedding cake which had a quilted pattern highlighted with gold painted sugar beads.

The lacework on Jenny’s gown was masterfully replicated not only on the cake but on the risers separating the layers as well. Handmade edible rust orange and buttercup roses, stenophanotis flowers and olive green leaves playfully adorned the mock vase on the top layer.

For their first dance, Jet and Jenny chose the reggae version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” which was uniquely choreographed by Liclic Garcia.

Jerome Go, who is Jet’s cousin and Jenny’s batchmate in the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, was the master emcee as he eloquently spoke and sang in both English and Mandarin.

As guests feasted on the sumptuous buffet, they were entertained by the talented singing family, The Asidors.

Special guests of the couple included their principal sponsors, namely: Jaime Tan Sr., Johnson Dy, Vicente Ang Jr., Antonio Yu, James Gaisano, Dr. Renato Maranan, Ricardo Camua, Nestor Valeroso, Evelyn Ang, Bernadine Dy, Josephine Hong, Leticia Tai, Ester Rebucan, Dra. Emilia Gonzales, Roxanne Gamboa and Sonia Cembrano.

We share photos of the memorable occasion taken by top gun photographer Lito Sy.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.

Ten years of kiddie art

"Ten years of kiddie art"

Sun.Star Davao, June 13, 2009

Mary Anne Tan-Guinoo was indeed beaming with pride as she showcased the latest art works of her summer workshop students at Cafe Andessa recently.

The art exhibit marks Mary Anne’s 10th year anniversary in teaching her craft to young artists every summer. Some of her talented students such as Clarisse Carreon, Amanda Lu and her daughter Ela Guinoo have been joining her art classes since 1999.

Aside from her home-based studio, Mary Anne has likewise taught art in Mountain Haven Resort and Woodridge Country Club for children ages 5 years old and up.

Mary Anne is herself a product of summer art workshops from age eight until high school conducted by renowned Davao artist Brenda Barba who is presently the Fine Arts department head of the Philippine Women’s University.

After graduating from Ateneo de Davao High School, she took up Bachelor of Fine Arts at the College of the Holy Spirit Manila.

"Upon finishing college, I was the store artist of New City Commercial Center (NCCC) and even taught art lessons to the children of NCCC owner Henry Lim," shares the mom of three lovely girls.

Married to fellow Dabawenyo Miles Guinoo, Mary Anne was based in Bergen, Norway for several years before returning to Davao in 1997. Back home, she started joining art exhibits such as “Symmetry of Spirit: A Contemporary Art Exhibit of 10 Davao Women Artists”.

To prepare for her kiddie summer art workshops, Mary Anne studied how to teach visual arts for children under Mrs. Barba in 1998.

Last summer, 17 students enrolled in her annual art workshop divided into various levels, namely: beginners, primary, intermediate and advanced.

The budding artists learned the basic art principles: line, shape, color, value and texture using several media such as pencil on paper, oil pastels on paper, charcoal on paper, colored pencils on paper and acrylic on canvass. Stimulating art activities include drawing and painting (still life, landscape and composition).

This year’s participants were the following: Beginners class-Anyssa Julienne L. del Castillo, Janna Alexandra L. Ramirez, Arian Melina T. Guinoo, Crisha Jann G. Lima, Caye Alessandro R. Francisco, Lawrence Edward U. Lu and Lance Nathan Y. Lim; Intermediate class: Felix Arthur C. Dioso and Jezka Roxel K. Ratilla; and Advanced class-Denise Marie A. Suarez, Abigail Denise L. Louh, Emylou Ann T. Guinoo, Maria Luisa B. Suelto, Derianne C. Maramba, Amanda Kelsey U. Lu, Marja Elana T. Guinoo and Clarrise Natalie U. Carreon.

Kudos to Mary Anne for ten years of delightful kiddie art!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.

Davao's top commercial model

"Davao’s top commercial model"

Sun.Star Davao, June 6, 2009

With three popular television commercials currently airing on TV, you can’t miss pretty model Meriette “Mapet” Palaruan Aquino as she swiftly serves up luncheon meat for her hungry family—Kung Fu style; protects her brood from the “basura monster” by drinking immuno active-packed iced tea and surprises her daughter with a homemade fruit cocktail birthday cream cake in class.

Born and raised in Davao City, Mapet is the only daughter of Rey and Letty Palaruan who also have two sons, Arman and Arnel. She studied grade school at the University of the Immaculate Conception, high school at the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) and college at PWU and Ateneo de Davao University.

Get up close and personal with this young Dabawenya as she shares her story on how she became the city’s top television commercial model in this one-on-one interview.

Did you always wanted to be a model?

Yes, I always wanted to be a model ever since I was a little girl. I would always look at the mirror and pretend that a director was instructing me to act/model.

At what age did you start modelling?

I started as a ramp model in Davao when I was 13 years old.

Who would you consider as your most important influences as a model?

I would say Kate Moss, Paulina Poriskova and Cindy Crawford. In the local scene, it would be Tweetie De Leon as a commercial model. I was fascinated with the Heno De Pravia commercial of Ms. Tweetie before. It was such a classic. “Ang ganda nun”. I said to myself, “Magkaka-commercial din ako balang araw”. Then, I started accompanying my mom to the gym, salon and spa. I learned proper skin care and got valuable beauty tips from my mom.

What were your most memorable experiences as a model in Davao?

When I was chosen to model for Renee Salud and Randy Ortiz in 1995.

Who are some of the Davao designers that you’ve worked with in the past?

Juliet Pamintuan, Alfonso “Boy” Guinoo, Bamba Limon, Bobby Castillo, Otoi Mercado, Melvin Lachica, Rooney Tan, Silverio, Don Don Maceren and Aztec and Popoy Barba. We had shows in Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to all of these talented designers for giving me the chance to shine as a model when I was just starting.

Why did you decide to go to Manila to become a model?

I got a lot of offers for Manila. I decided to go there because I could get a lot of exposure there, which means more projects and not to mention, bigger talent fees.

Please share what was your experience like when you were starting out as a model in ramp, print and TV.

Doing ramp is difficult because it is a live show. You can’t afford to make mistakes. On the other hand, print ads/TV commercials have several takes. Both are tiring considering the lengthy practices and shoots. Normally, television commercials take 2 to 3 days to shoot. Early call time is at 4:00 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. whether it’s in the studio or on location. We usually finish our shoot by early morning.

What was the first TV commercial you did? How did you feel “making it” in the competitive modelling world in Manila?

The first television commercial I did was for Gold Eagle Beer. It was with professional basketball players. Of course, I was overwhelmed that I was able to compete with other commercial models in Manila. To be chosen over them gave me more confidence which enabled me to get bigger projects like the Vaseline Shampoo commercial. That was one of the biggest breaks I had not only in terms of endorsing a product but also a big talent fee.

Please list what were the other memorable commercials you have done in the past.

I had a lot that I liked. One of them is the TV ad for Alaska milk with Janice and Gelli De Belen in 2007. Actually, I have a long list of memorable ads.

For television commercials, they include: (2001) Gold Eagle Beer and Kohler; (2002)Vaseline Shampoo and Alaxan; (2003) Pantene Shampoo (Hair Talent For A Famous Celebrity) Hush!; (2004) Nido Milk and Mitsubishi; (2005) Downy, Bonakid, Owtel Hong Kong Telecom for USA and Hong Kong airing and Sari Sari for Sari Saristore webpage—USA television commercial airing for The Filipino Channel and Aji Ginisa Mix; and (2008) Carnation Milk.

Print ads and billboards: (2002) Globe Telecom and Whirlpool; (2003) Sony and Megaworld; (2004) Fox’s Candy, Robinsons Mall and Maybank; (2006) Lee Kum Kee; (2007) Sara Lee,

Ariel, Ayala Malls, DMCI Real Estate; (2008) Ayala Land Avida and Smart Telecom web ad.

Which do you enjoy most--ramp modelling, print or TV?

I prefer print and TV ads because it is more challenging to do. It requires more skills like acting, posing and being creative. Despite the hectic schedule, it has a bigger audience thus I get a lot of exposure which would lead to more projects.

What are your current commercial shows being shown on TV?

For 2009, I have Eight O’ Clock Juice/Iced Tea with print ads and billboards, Del Monte Fruit Cocktail and CDO Luncheon Meat Style. I also have existing print ads with DMCI Real Estate and Avida Ayala Land as well as Smart Telecom print ad/website collaterals.

The Eight O’ Clock TV commercial shooting was so unforgettable. My call time was at 6:00 a.m. and we ended at 8:00 a.m. the next day. The last frame we did was with me being suspended with the help of a harness. I was not allowed to eat from dinner till 8:00 a.m. because of the mid-air stunts. “Parusa because the food at TV shoots are always catered at ang sasarap pa--from breakfast to midnight snack. Naiyak talaga ako after that frame!”

What are your interests other than modelling?

Gym, yoga and boxing. I hardly go out at night. I like to eat, as in eat a lot! I play badminton. Now, I am currently enrolled at Maquillage Professionel (MUFE), a European/French make up school at the Fort.

I also intend to enroll in hair styling and hair cutting courses and thinking of going back to culinary school. In addition, I plan to venture into real estate and finish what my mom has started. I want to go into the retail business in the future, too.

What qualities do you think should a successful model have?

Many people think that being a model is all about looks and that is very wrong. Although you really have to take care of your body and appearance, to be successful you should also have to make the right decisions in your career. Carefully choose your projects and you also have to set a very good rapport with the people in the industry.

Did your being a Dabawenya prove to be an advantage/disadvantage as a model in Manila? Why?

It has been an advantage for me because growing up in Davao gave me unique qualities. We have a mix of the urban and rural environment. It made me flexible because I am a modern person yet traditional at the same time. These are very good attributes of being a model or an artist.

What do you miss about life in Davao?

I miss my family very much especially my mom and there's still no place like home. I miss the natural beauty of Davao where the hills and beaches are just 15 minutes away. Davao is still my home!

What do you like about life in Manila?

The big city atmosphere in Manila is a perfect fit for my work. Time is fast. Work is fast. I can easily have access to the essentials for my work like salons, boutiques and other model necessities.

Lastly, what is your advice to fellow Dabawenyos who are interested to pursue professional modelling outside Davao?

Follow their hearts and dream. As a model from Davao, we should embrace the diverse lifestyle and culture of Dabawenyos. We should not change it. We should bring our being Dabawenyos wherever we go. Do not try hard to be ultra modern. We should be proud of being adaptive with the new and traditional way of life of which Dabawenyos are known for.

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My two-year old blog, www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com, is currently unavailable so I’ve created a temporary blog, www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com, which will contain my “Mom-About-Town” articles starting from May 30, 2009. To all my loyal blog visitors, thanks so much for your messages of concern.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com.