e11eventh hourFEBRUARY 2017 • VOLUME 01

Like a splendid cu�ink adorning the coastal sleeve of Anilao (Mabini), Batangas, this new addition to the myriad of go-to places for rest and recreation for the busy citizen of our country’s demanding and challenging metropolis, is most certain to bring back the “zen” and inspiration in the most jaded of them.

Practical and yet interesting. Intricate and yet comfortable. Muted but never dull. A space where one can easily feel secure and snug and probably a li�le bit frivolous.

Paradiso Rito, though a proper� not boasting in scale, is a development skilfully cra�ed in a piece of land that is a bit over a quarter of a hectare in size. And this, is where the genius of this new waterfront oasis lie.

A brainchild of two people worlds apart in so many ways, yet so linked by their passion for art, creativi�, connectivi� and nature, that it brought about this concept of a li�le piece of paradise within one’s reach. Both, saw the need for a place where the harried human can find the right amount of fun, laid-back land and water based activities in a nature-friendly environment, equipped with excellent service and amenities. Where good food can be expected, served in a canvas of natural and man-made beau�.

Perfect to rejuvenate mind, body and soul. And relationships if need be. Conducive to building human bridges and memories worth looking back at.

Without breaking the bank.

For Paradiso Rito inquiries and reservations, please contact Jenna at +63 (995) 548 3524 / +63 (939) 765-3904 or on Facebook Messenger: m.me/ParadisoRito

PARADISO RITO

WHAT’S INSIDE

THE BUSINESS MAVEN -----------------------------THE MAKER AND HIS DREAM ----------------------THE SYMBOLIST THAT IS FIL DELACRUZ ---------FOR YOUR ZEN AND INSPIRATION ---------------ROOMS ------------------------------------------------

P. 2P. 3P. 4-5P. 6-7P. 7

A Waterfront Oasis Rises in Anilao(Mabini), BatangasPARADISO RITOPARADISO RITO

NEVER TOO LATE.START A NEW STORY.

BEHIND THE SCENES

“As a writer, I find it most di�cult to write about myself.”- PATRICIA FERNANDEZ JOVEN

Trixie, Trish, Trisha, La Lola, Mother, Mommy Pat, �ta Pat, Mam Pat, Ate Pat, Biw, �taTata, Ate Tata, Tata, Tating, Patring, Patricia.

All these names, just one me. But who am I in the hearts of those who know me?My cousin to the rescue. And she says that I am;

• A free-spirited person with a kind heart who enjoys searching for and finding exciting and beautiful places, scrumptious, lip-smacking food, and colourful cultures across the country and around the world. Sharing and experiencing these moments with family and friends. Because sharing is what she does best.

• A person who delights in the company of interesting, mindful and gregarious people, and, who’s sole mission as far as her social life is concerned, is to celebrate it with lots of music and dancing - cheered on with her best friend Jack (Daniel’s) or, if Jack’s not available (or a�ordable) on that particular moment, mojito or beer will do.

• One who pically fights for the truth (take note on the “pically”) and is a stickler for fairness and equali�. Her advocacies include protecting the environment and defending animal rights.

• Someone who people close to her call out for advice. And, those in-the-know, know, that if they want to have a really good time, or is simply feeling a bit down and out and in need of a friend, they can always count on her.

• Mild as a lamb she can be, but don’t be fooled, for her temper is legendary and she can be as hard-headed as any mountain goat could get.

• Currently, she is trying her damned best to learn how to cook and make healthy smoothies, do yoga religiously and be smart in picking ba�les to fight.

• And, finally. She’s gone digital!

Of myself I can say that I am not a fan of change. But, I somehow, literally on the eleventhhour, with the gentle prodding or probably thru some form of inception from my publisherand friend Lawrence Villegas, decided to embrace change. It was on that very night, when we came up with the name of this publication, that I decided with utmost conviction, to veer away from my comfort zone and pursue my passions. To take on things I am notfamiliar with. A leap of faith.

And now, I begin my new story. It’s never too late a�er all.

“Transformative transitions. That’s what Eleventh Hour is all about.”- LAWRENCE VILLEGAS They say that we humans are creatures of habit. I am no exception. Yet, I have learned to thrive on embracing change. Having an inquisitive mind and the desire to explore new possibilities has been instrumental for the multiplici� of lives that I am living.

From being a student of the Sciences in Pisay and UP, to pursuing a passion for the Arts through theater and advertising, I have built a career in the business world by understanding human psychology and behaviour as it relates to brand marketing, product consumption and economics and trade.

Frustrated with how today’s corporate world has found it easy to sacrifice human capital in favor of satis�ing shareholders‘ greed for unsustainable growth and profit, I joined the many Gen Xers’ struggling with their mid-life career crisis and made it my goal to burst the bubble concept of retirement age.

Sharing personal stories among those on the same boat, I discovered that my case isn’t exactly unique. The urgency and universali� of the need for a�rmation, communi� and support among my generation is real and begs to be addressed. Teaming up with colleagues who want to find solutions, Eleventh Hour hopes to pave the way for the telling of such stories of journeys, discoveries, struggles and successes from heroic individuals who possesses the courage to embrace failure and defeat and mustering the grit and determination to begin their process of discovery of what could become the Third Act of the lives.

For me, Eleventh Hour is about closing a volume of one’s life, to start writing again from page one. It is about taking a new chance at life without prejudice to one’s past, and with hopeful expectation on what wonderful experiences the future can still bring. And just like a caterpillar who must endure the dark uncertain� of the cocoon process, the Eleventh Hour is a mindset of hope and faith on the mystery of metamorphosis from which bu�erflies emerge to live a life in flight.

PARADISE. LIVE. LOVE. CONNECT. HERE.

LAWRENCE VILLEGASlawrence.villegas@gmail.com

GERALDINE MAPAmapa.geraldine@gmail.com

PATRICIA FERNANDEZ JOVENtrishjoven@gmail.com

ELEVENTH HOUR | CREATIVE TEAM

EDITOR / WRITER PUBLISHER

ART DIRECTOR

The fairly young “Old Irish Blessing” of the Paradiso Rito duo, Peter Marrs, is an avid art-collector and a rather unassuming IT professional holding the position of Senior Vice President for Dell EMC. Though a Boston native with Gaelic roots, Peter has lived in Asia for a good fourteen years and has spent more than half of it in the Philippines with his wife Christina. They are blessed with twins, Rory and Siohban, who are now frisky two and a half year old water-babies.

More than just wanting to set up a viable investment in Anilao, Batangas, Peter hopes to make this vibrant communi� their second, rather third home if and when retirement calls, as he already has a rest house in Boracay in addition to their current home in Alabang. He was drawn to this Anilao proper� because of its quaint charm, its beautiful ocean view and the dramatic Maricaban Island ju�ing out in the background.

It brings a smile to one’s lips seeing his eyes light up as he talks about Paradiso Rito’s humble organic vegetable garden, his collection of art pieces they plan to put on scheduled display at the resort and, the possibili� of brewing and serving their own cra� beer on site hopefully, in the near future. His childlike enthusiasm wonderfully peering through his corporate persona.

THE BUSINESS MAVEN

THE PARADISO RITO CONNECTIONe11eventh hour

The first floor is also comfortably appointed with areas for catch-up and lounging. Wide glass doors opens out to the pool, the patio and the beachfront which has a nice open pit for a warm bonfire.

To go diving, just ask the receptionist where to find the resort’s Dive Facili� Manager Bobby Manas or Dive Instructor Popi Torralba, and for certain, you’ll be in good hands exploring the wonders of the underwater world of the area.

The second floor is where you find the dining area with its walls also showcasingpaintings of Fil and other works from the private collection of Peter Marrs. You can also relax and enjoy the view from the al fresco deck that looks out to the sea and a majestic sight of the Maricaban Island.

The ART HOUSE has 8 comfortable air-conditioned rooms with its own toilet and bath and flat-screen television.

ROOMSRATES

FEBRUARY PROMOTIONS

ART HOUSE TWIN-SHARING ROOMSMaximum of 8 rooms available

Paradiso Rito Newbie Promo Enjoy a special newbie rate of Php 3,000per person-per night on your first visit to Paradiso RitoOffer valid only on weeknights(Mondays to Thursdays)OFFER CODE: NEWBIE-11HR

Dive Date Valentine’s Package A special Valentine’s treat for you and your loved one:Enjoy a Dive Discovery session with our in-house dive instructors and spend the night together in the Paradiso Rito Art House

Php 4,500 per person – per night(twin-sharing)Rates are inclusive of VATOvernight stay includes lunch, dinner & breakfast at the Art House dining hall

FOREST HOUSE Common Quarters Doors opening March 2017.Please contact Jenna for advanced bookings.

Please contact Jenna for details and available schedules.

Scan the FB Messenger

code above on your mobileapp to reach usfor bookings or

inquiries.

His close connection to water, having been born and raised in Hagonoy, Bulacan also allowed him to be Charlie’s elemental guide in creating the aesthetic blueprint of the site.

Visitors of Paradiso Rito will be treated to a grand, visual delight as Fil’s masterpieces will be up on display for everyone to appreciate and possibly, even acquire. He is best known for his critically acclaimed “Diwata” series, a vast collection of richly textured paintings featuring a young B’laan woman, which has across the decade of his career, showcased his mastery and artistry in creating vividly engaging and thought-provoking paintings.

THE SYMBOLIST THAT IS FIL DELACRUZ

FEATUREe11eventh hour

When Fil Delacruz, one of the country’s highly respected and established artists and good friend of Charlie, saw the raw proper� where Paradiso Rito is to be, he saw pages of an unwri�en book waiting to be filled. A blank canvas waiting to be painted on. But what he saw was no ordinary story, no ordinary painting. Rather, a story of his friend’s rebirth, the second half of Charlie Gamboa’s journey.

A natural excitement stirred the artist in him, inspiring him to visualize and eventually put paint on canvas, to what now is the icon and landmark of Paradiso Rito.

When you arrive at Paradiso Rito you will find yourself in between two structures, 43 steps up from the road will lead you to the landmark Treehouse View Deck which will give you a good vantage point to appreciate the ocean and the horizon beyond it.

A few more steps will take you to a charming open garden with vegetable patches perfect for intimate walks to soak in the sky and the view or for family picnics and other small gatherings. Down 27 steps from the road, is the main resort where you will find the ART HOUSE.

A few more steps will take you to a charming open garden with vegetable patch-es perfect

for intimate walks to soak in

Entering the ART HOUSE an impressive mural, a masterpiece of Fil Delacruz, willwelcome you. And, if you look around the walls surrounding the first floor, it is swathed with paintings of Fil, his son Janos and other up and coming artists.

FOR YOUR ZEN AND INSPIRATION

SPACESe11eventh hour

THE MAKER AND HIS DREAMBut, if there is one person who could outshine Peter’s enthusiasm for this unique venture, it could only be Charlie Gamboa, a proper� developer and social awareness advocate who completes the Paradiso Rito pair. Charlie and Peter’s bond is probably just as strong and interesting as Peter’s Alabang home which Charlie constructed. Their first collaboration led to their second one as each discovered their similar advocacies,interests and life-goals. Presumably, over countless mortar and co�ee and roof beams and beer.

Happily married for 31 years to Georgia, they have two accomplished daughters, Grace Ann, who is a banker like her mom and Christine, who is a freelance contemporary dancer. Both are an inspiration for Charlie in creating the spaces and developing the amenities and activities o�ered at Paradiso Rito. He saw the need for people like Grace Ann, his firstborn, to have a sanctuary where they can rest, reconnect and rebound. And for the likes of his artist daughter Christine, a venue to express themselves and share their talents.

Charlie’s vision is for life to be art and art to be life here at Paradiso Rito. A living, moving gallery to showcase creations fueled by positive energies and interactions as well as an oasis that is in itself, soul food to-go.

Definitely, Peter and Charlie, with a li�le help from extremely talented friends have integrated in this new and charming waterfront resort, a win-win situation for themselves, the resort’s featured artists and performers, its sta� and crew and most of all, for the clientele of Paradiso Rito.