An elegant toast to success

An elegant toast to success

By MA. GLAIZA LEE

May 26, 2011, 9:25am

Corte Riva owner Nieves Cortez (right) with Petra & Pilar executive chef Tristan Bayani (Photo by CARLO SUERTE FELIPE)

MANILA, Philippines -- No other Filipino has come close to making good wines better than Lawrence and Nieves Cortez who started Corte Riva Vineyards in the US, the first Filipino winery ever to be established in Napa Valley.

Twenty five years since Lawrence migrated to the U.S, a certain Romel Rivera had that same exact thought of pursuing an American dream. In a twist of fate, the two met in Napa Valley in Calistoga as they worked side by side in the vineyards:  tending the vines, picking grapes, and carrying crates, among others. “Working in the vineyard is not easy. When it is time to harvest the grapes, we pick them one by one. It’s a tedious process,” shares Nieves.

While doing all the hard jobs in the wineries, they became good friends and soon became a family when Lawrence married Romel’s cousin Nieves.

Lawrence used to do cellar work at Hans Kornell and Clos Pegase – managing, nurturing, and tending grape juices while assisting in the blending, aging, and bottling of the wines.

The two labored hard until they learned the tricks of the trade. In time, Romel and Lawrence began experimenting with wine recipes.

Using their intimate knowledge of grapes and wine production, they created their own line. Eventually, Lawrence and Nieves decided to invest and sell wines. They named their wine line Corté Riva, paying homage to the winemakers Cortez and Rivera.

“Usually, the master winemaker would just tell you to mix this and that to create a wine. Because we would help out in the blending most of the time, we had memorized the recipe. When you are making wines time and time again, you are able to create great wines and at the same time improve its taste even more,” shares Nieves who learned making wines through observation.

Having worked with the best winemakers in the region such as Robert Foley, Romel and Lawrence were able to create edgy wines with exacting tastes and of high quality with meticulously chosen grapes harvested from the Napa region only.

“Napa Valley is known for its vineyards. It has volcanic soil which stresses the vines in the right amount, thus creating small, tight, and well structured berry clusters filled with concentrated flavors,” says Lawrence’s wife Nieves.

She continued: “Since we have lived and worked in the Napa Valley for so long, we are quite familiar and knowledgeable about the variations in the Napa Valley including its climate, soil make-up, and terrain. That’s why we prefer grapes from Napa region.”

After months of experimenting, Lawrence and Romel finally released their own label – offering 350 cases of 2001 Merlot in 2003.  It was a huge success as evidenced by “Top Red of the Year” award given by Hi-Time Wine Cellars.

Their next release was 600 cases of 2002 Merlot, which was rated at 91 by Wine Spectator, and followed by 400 cases of 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon.

This year’s release included 600 cases of 2003 Merlot (awarded a score of 92 from Wine Advocate) and 400 cases of 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (rated a 91 by Wine Spectator and an 89+ by Wine Advocate). They plan to release 160 cases of 2003 Petite Shiraz soon.

Recently, Corte Riva launched its wine label in the Philippines at the Petra & Pilar by bringing in several wine varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Mabuhay, among others.

Corte Riva’s 2005 Merlot exhibits a deep concentration of fruit flavors such as blackberries and black cherries with a big, thick, and juicy mid-palate, full of undeniable succulence.

On the other hand, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon has a sweet nose of dark chocolate, blackberry, and cassis with a hint of fresh Earth in opaque bluish purple color. It is so ripe, dense, and full-bodied with soft tannins.

But their best-seller is the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Mabuhay, deep ruby-colored wine with full-bodied fruity flavors with hints of black cherries, coffee, and chocolate. It has a silky texture, with voluptuous finish. Sweet aroma of licorice, cedar, and currant fills the air as one opens a bottle.

With each bottle sold, Romel, Lawrence, and Nieves know that they have finally realized their American dream through bottles of wine. While they can just sit down and sip wine, they know that their dream has just started.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your retirement and real estate needs.

For more information, call Corte Riva vineyards at (707) 665-5698; cell no. (707) 696-2367 or visit www.corteriva.com.

Enduring Camarines Sur's adventure trail

Enduring Camarines Sur's adventure trail

By BRYAN B. GARCIA

May 26, 2011, 9:33am

A runner precariously navigates through slippery rocks near the Tumaguiti Falls.

MANILA, Philippines - Not until recently did people pay attention to the province of Camarines Sur. What was once an impoverished and calamity stricken land has now become one of the top tourism destinations in the country. Attracting both foreign and local tourism alike, CamSur has done so by developing facilities around the province suitable for adventure sports.

The most famous spot and arguably the main reason behind all the hubbub is the CamSur Watersports Complex. Designed virtually as a giant playground for all ages, CWC has succeeded in establishing a base for extreme adventure sports in the country with facilities such as their skate park, inflatable obstacle course as well as a cable park where riders can wakeboard to their hearts’ content.

Although CWC has put Camarines Sur on the world map, it is but the tip of the iceberg in terms of the wealth of natural wonders and amazing sights the province has to offer. Situated at the heart of the Bicol region, CamSur is blessed with a variety of flora and fauna and an equally diverse terrain to go along with it. There’s no better way to explore these hidden treasures than an endurance race that navigates through its backyards and traverses its rough yet scenic trails.

When recently concluded ultra marathon event The North Face 100 laid plans to hold their endurance race in Camarines Sur, everyone involved, from organizers, sponsors and more importantly the racers, knew that it would be a challenging course. With previous races held in different spots around the country, which includes places like Sacobia Valley in Clark Field Pampanga and Baguio City in Benguet, this year’s race offers another unique ultra experience. “We don’t want repeat of races, because the nature of The North Face is testing the limits and exploring different areas,” shares race director Neville Manaois.

As the name suggests, the ultra marathon race runs through a distance of 100 kilometers through different terrains and seldom accessed routes testing the very limits of human endurance. Aside from the full 100 kilometer race, there are the shorter 50km, 22km and 11 km courses.

Covering such distances gave the organizers the opportunity to lay down a route that ran through a microcosm of the province’s landscape, starting from the CWC complex, through the CamSur plains and up and across towering Mt. Isarog. “Here we want to utilize the features of Mt.Isarog, the waterfall areas, the trail networks as well as the mountain bike trails,” Manaois says.

The course starts out flat from the base camp in CWC and begins to ascend as the trail pushes up Mt. Isarog, across rivers and through mountain passes that have a series of spectacular waterfalls. The course then descends and traverses the perimeter of the mountain eventually ascending towards Consocep Mountain Resort where the trail offers a stretch full of spectacular views under tropical canopies highlighted by a portion in which runners precariously navigate the tracks beside the Tumaguiti Falls.

“With this race we got to visit points na iilan lang nakakapunta, kagaya ng falls sa taas ng Mt. Isarog. Madaming bagong features sa trail and it turned out to be full of surprises,” shared 49-year-old 100km finisher Cesar Abarientos. “Of all people that you would expect na makakakilala sa Mt. Isarog, dapat yung mga taga dito,” the Naga local added.

From Consocep, the course then winds its way down to a deer farm, through a bike trail amid a bamboo farm and descend towards Barangay May-Ogob in the municipality of Ocampo which serves as the course’s turn around point.

Although the beauty of the trail offers a fitting consolation, the harshness and dangers of such a long endurance race are real. The challenge of merely finishing the race takes an incredible amount of determination and effort, not to mention countless hours of conditioning and training. “I came in expecting the unexpected. The course was very challenging but it was nice at the same time because it develops gradually and it’s not too rigid,” women’s 100km third place winner Ellen Tolentino shared. “I’m a nature lover and I’m very relaxed when I’m around it,” the 27-year-old Philippine Army runner added.

Despite the hazards involved, the race proved to be a success in terms of challenging each runner from all race categories as well as acquainting each one to the hidden wonders of the province, something which the organizers credit to the overwhelming support of the Camarines Sur locals. “We’re very happy with the support of CamSur and the communities around the areas here,” Manaois said.

The prospect of conquering a seemingly insurmountable challenge, coupled with an innate urge to explore, pushes some athletes to test their personal limits. Choosing to ignore ease and comfort, these elite runners lay it all out in order to successfully finish this grueling race. Regardless of struggles and hardships, these athletes brave the trail to reap a unique reward, an intimate relationship with the rich landscape of Camarines Sur.

BIR files tax evasion charges

BIR files tax evasion charges

By JUN RAMIREZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed Thursday tax evasion charges against two executives of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for alleged non-declaration of their fat bonuses and allowances.

In separate criminal complaints filed before the Department of Justice (DoJ), BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares identified the two accused as Esperanza Ocampo and Mario Ramirez, both members of the GSIS Board of Trustees.

The BIR also filed before the DoJ the same complaint against Danilo Cortez, cell phone traders from Urdaneta City, Pangasinan who reportedly owed the BIR more than P487 million.

Ocampo and Ramirez were among those investigated by a Senate committee looking into the excessive salary and other fringe benefits received by executives of government-owned and controlled corporations.

Records submitted by the GSIS to the BIR showed that Ocampo received P27.7 million for the years 2004 to 2010, but did not file any income tax return for the said earnings.

On the other hand, Ramirez got more than P18 million for the years 2008 and 2010 but did not also submit his ITR 2008 to 2010.

"Ocampo and Ramirez are Filipino citizens deriving income from the Philippines as such they are required to file ITR declaring their earnings and paying the corresponding taxes," Henares said.

But the GSIS said that Ocampo is no longer a member of the pension fund's board of trustees since the new administration took over last year.

Ramirez, Philippine Public School Teachers Association's representative to GSIS board, meanwhile, declined to comment on the tax evasion complaint filed against him. (with a report from Chino Leyco)

147 studes finish Eteeap at USJ-R

 TOTAL of 147 college students graduated from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) under its Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

The graduation ceremony was held recently at the USJ-R’s center for performing arts.

Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter A. Silab, OAR, USJ-R president, awarded the diplomas to the program’s eighth batch of graduates.

There were seven graduates from the college of art and sciences; seven from the college of education; three from the college of information, computer and communications technology; 46 from the college of commerce; and 84 from the college of engineering.

Majority of the graduates were Philippine-based employees and entrepreneurs, while there were also a number of overseas Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia, United States of America, Singapore, North Africa, Malaysia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

ETEEAP is an academic assessment and accreditation scheme that recognizes knowledge, skills and prior learning obtained by individuals from non-formal and informal educational experiences.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Avail of the opportunity to own a condominium unit in Cebu City for only P12,000.00/month with its own parking lot. Hurry while the supply of units last. Just call the Tel. Nos. shown below.

Tel. No. 555-8464/09164422611/09173373687

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 27, 2011.

Senator wants 6-hour work for public school teachers

• 
  Saturday, May 28, 2011

MANILA -- A lawmaker sought lesser hours to be devoted by public school teachers in classroom and administrative tasks each day.

Senator Manny Villar filed Senate Bill 2454, providing a six-hour workday for public school teachers and exempting them from compliance with the regular eight-hour duty.

Besides higher pay, the senator said teachers have been clamoring for shorter working hours, since their current work schedule allegedly leaves them stressed out and exhausted.

Reducing the number of working hours, Villar said, will allow teachers to have more time to innovate and enhance classroom teaching. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

Retirement age dilemma

By: Raul J. Palabrica Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

If there is one legislative proposal that senior citizens in our country can find common cause with today, it’s Senate Bill No. 2797 sponsored by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago.

The bill seeks to extend the compulsory retirement age of government employees from 65 to 70 years.

Echoing the sentiments earlier expressed by a retiring University of the Philippines professor, the bill cites improved life expectancy due to advances in medicine and the productive use of experience gained from long years of service as justifications for its enactment into law.

In the private sector, the general rule is, if a business entity has no retirement plan or agreement providing for retirement benefits in place, mandatory retirement kicks in at age 65.

The law exempts from this requirement retail, service and agricultural establishments or operations that employ not more 10 employees or workers.

The exemption rests on the premise that these businesses are considered “mom-and-pop” or family enterprises that engage the services of household members or people who are within the traditional Filipino extended family network.

The benefits of the support system that family businesses usually provide for their relatives or loyal workers often exceed the retirement pay due them computed at 15 days’ salary for every year of service.

Incentive

The arguments raised for extending the period of service in government apply equally to the private sector.

In fact, in terms of health protection most private companies, compared with government offices, are more generous in the grant of medical privileges and benefits to their personnel.

The growth of the health maintenance organization (or HMO) business in the country has made it possible for companies to make available to their staff prompt and effective medical assistance at affordable costs which are, for tax purposes, considered deductible expenses.

While retaining employees for longer periods may be advantageous to the company and to the veteran employees concerned, the employees below them stand to be adversely affected by such extension.

Prolonging the services of retireable executives invariably delays (or prevents) the promotion of young, competent subordinates.

The average (or mediocre) employees may be content with any work assignment given them, but not the intelligent or ambitious employees with marketable skills.

The latter, especially if they are graduates of elite schools or have completed higher studies in their chosen discipline, will have no incentive to give their best if they think the route to the executive floor is blocked by overstaying executives.

Ambition

A company can only give so much compensation, perks and privileges to hardworking, ambitious employees to encourage them to stay on the job while waiting for the people above them to wake up one morning and decide they’ve had enough of corporate life.

If the room at the top is clogged with septuagenarians in good physical and mental health, those waiting in the wings cannot be faulted for opting to move to the competition, or putting up their own business before they become too old to test their managerial skills or lose their attraction value in the professional market. The corporate headhunters will only be too glad to call on them.

Besides, sooner or later, there is bound to be generational differences between “senior citizen” executives and young, MBA-toting underlings on their management styles.

There is no assurance that the ideas learned by Generation Y members in graduate school would find an approving ear from Generation X executives who learned the ropes of the business from experience or books written by Adam Smith and his contemporaries.

True, experience is the best tutor. But specialized education or training is sometimes needed in certain areas of business to enable the company to keep up with developments in the market or meet the challenges of the competition.

Balance

While business stands to benefit from longer service by veteran employees, it cannot be denied that the regular infusion of new blood is essential to continued growth.

Age bias aside, no matter how chronologically challenged employees may try to keep abreast with the developments in their business field or be receptive to new ideas, youthful exuberance and innovative disposition cannot be easily duplicated.

By and large, the levels of intellectual comprehension and, in this computer-driven world, technological dexterity of a person are affected by the biological changes that accompany the aging process.

Getting the benefits of experience by tried and tested employees without dampening the professional enthusiasm of younger employees or profiting from their exuberance calls for a delicate balancing act by management.

Creating consultancy or advisory positions for soon-to-retire employees may be good in the short term, but not in the long run.

Unless the “baby sitter” is a major stockholder or closely related to the owner, no executive worth his salt would take lightly to any form of oversight supervision by a former superior or colleague.

In the corporate world, age versus youth is as sensitive and controversial an issue as gender representation in the executive rooms.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Avail of the opportunity to own a condominium unit in Cebu City for only P12,000.00/month with its own parking lot. Hurry while the supply of units last. Just call the Tel. Nos. shown below.

Tel. No. 555-8464/09164422611/09173373687

Premium travel packages, amenities for HK visitors

By: Cheche V. Moral
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cathay Pacific Airways offers special package tour to Hong Kong

The Package seems thoughtfully designed so there’s money left for your trip’s main objective: shopping.

In time for Hong Kong’s summer shopping festival, Cathay Pacific Airways is offering a three-day, two-night “Visit Hong Kong Now” package starting at US$275 (plus taxes), inclusive of Manila-HK round-trip air ticket, hotel accommodations plus a selection of free gift offers. (Business Class package starts at $717. There are similar packages for flights departing from Cebu. Call 7570888 in Manila, 2313747 in Cebu, and 2228901 in Davao.)

CX has 30 hotel partners to choose from, and the package is valid for departure until Aug. 30 (selling period is until Aug. 27). As a freebie, passengers can choose from round-trip airport-hotel transfers, Ocean Park entrance ticket, a copy of Hong Kong-Macau Michelin Guide 2011, a Peak tram Skypass and admission at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum or a duty-free coupon worth HK$150.

It seems that even as there are now budget airlines servicing the Manila-Hong Kong route, CX still enjoys the patronage of travelers who prefer the comforts of flying with a premier carrier. CX and its partner Dragon Air fly to Hong Kong from Manila 42 times each week.

“They [budget airlines] have not really taken a chunk of our passengers from us,” says Jan Charmaine Te-Agoncillo, CX marketing manager in the Philippines. “It’s just that the traveling market has grown a lot.”

CX has just launched its newly redesigned business class – wider, more relaxing and comfortable private space for long-haul travelers. Akin to the old, long-haul business-class seat of the airline, seats convert into a flat bed with foams ergonomically designed to ensure a restful sleep. While the new seat provides utmost privacy, it will also delight claustrophobes as it’s not as confined as the previous design.

The New Business Class has ample storage space for passenger belongings like handbags and laptops. There’s a side cabinet that doubles as a privacy screen, a shoe locker, and even a vanity mirror inside the cabinet door. Unlike before when the window is to your back, the seat is now angled to provide a view of the window.

Along with the New Business Class, CX has also just launched The Cabin, its ultra-modern lounge for first- and business-class passengers, as well as Silver and above Marco Polo Club, Sapphire, Emerald and oneworld members, located at Gate 23 of Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 1.

Sleek design

While smaller than CX’s other lounges (The Wing, The Pier, G16 and The Arrival), The Cabin’s sleek, contemporary design makes up for what it lacks in size.

Designed by the London firm Foster + Partners, The Cabin is the default destination for many passengers in transit at this time as The Wing is undergoing a facelift. In place of The Wing’s famous noodle bar is The Deli, which serves a good selection of antipasti and salads, as well as hot, grilled sandwiches, and a buffet of Asian and Western dishes.

The Health Bar on the other side of the lounge serves the usual alcoholic beverages and cocktails, as well as fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies and shakes, and herbal teas.

There’s an IT Zone that has high-speed WiFi Internet, 11 PCs, six iMacs, as well as 20 iPads preloaded with the latest apps and reading materials. Adjacent is a coffee machine with a selection of cookies and tea cakes (and magazines and newspapers) if you can’t be bothered to cross the room to get to the main mess hall.

The Cabin also features the Solus Chair, handcrafted by the Italian firm Poltrona Frau, so designed to provide an individual private space to work, eat or relax.

From the privacy of the New Business Class, to the privacy on the Solus Chair. In the frenzy of an airport as busy as Hong Kong’s, sometimes we all just vant to ve alone.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your retirement and real estate needs.