Gondar, famous for being home to many emperors, warlords, kings and courtiers, is home to Fassil Ghebbi, a palace founded by Emperor Fasilides in the 17th century. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Apart from a five-year occupation by Mussolinis’ Italy, it has never been colonized and the monarchy ended only in the coup of 1974. But to fully experience and understand Ethiopia’s distinctive culture and history, the best way is to visit the various sites that dot the region. From museums and castles that define its origin, to exciting tours and townships and quaint villages, there’s lots to see and do. Upon arrival we were met by Henok Tsegave, a knowledgeable tour guide who promised everyone an unforgettable experience in Ethiopia. And we were more than eager to start our adventure.
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and Africa’s undisputed diplomatic headquarters of the African Union. Interesting sights include the merkato, the sprawling market that’s home to anything and all things Ethiopian that you’d ever want to purchase, from pungent spices, to other interesting paraphernalia. Centrally located is the Radisson Blu Hotel which sets new standards for the discerning travellers. Combining excellent service with ultra-modern rooms, a world-class restaurant and a well-equipped business center makes Radisson a perfect base from which to explore Ethiopia and its neighboring towns.
the National Museum of Ethiopia, located in the capital city of Addis Ababa, houses a collection of Ethiopian art, including weapons, clothing and other cultural artifacts. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
The National Museum’s most popular piece is Lucy, a skeleton of the female of the Australopithecus afarensis, dated 3.2 million years ago. Discovered in the 1970s, it acquired its name from The Beatles song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
The National Museum houses artistic treasures as well as many of the most precious archeological finds such as the fossilized remains of early hominids the most famous of which is “Lucy”, the partial skeleton of a specimen considered to be the earliest child. Why Lucy? Interestingly while the fossils were dug, the popular Beatles song entitled Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds was being played repeatedly.
Lalibela (The Eight Wonder of the world) is a town on the north famous for monolithic rock-cut churches and is considered one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities. Each church was carved from a single piece of rock to symbolize humility and spirituality. It has been said that they were built with the help of angels, as they are exquisitely chiseled in the stone.
Among the churches we visited was Bete Medahine Alem, House of the Redeemer which is the largest with a vaulted dome, four aisles and 72 pillars. Bete Maryam, House of St. Mary is the most decorated among the rock hewn churches. Isolated from the others and undoubtedly the most famous is Biete Ghiorgis, the Church of St. George which is carved like a cross out of the red rock. The interior has no pillars, but four cross-shaped posts are connected to the central part. All the eleven churches in Lalibela are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and represent a unique artistic achievement, in their execution, size and the variety and boldness of their form.
The Bete Giyorgis, or The Church of Saint George, is one of eleven monolithic churches in the holy city of Lalibela. Also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the church is made from a type of limestone called tufa and is famous for being carved like a cross. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Gondar, the 17th century capital of Ethiopia and popularly called the Camelot of Africa was home of many Emperors and warlords, kings and courtiers who led the country from the 12th century to the last decade of the 20th century. Unfortunately, several historical buildings were damaged by British bombs during Ethiopia’s liberation campaign of 1941. Nevertheless, most of the famous castles and imperial buildings survived the ravages of time and form one of Ethiopias’s most captivating antiquities.
Bahar Dar, the third largest city in Ethiopia is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, the longest river in Africa. Its main attraction is the selection of Ethiopian Christian monasteries which are found on some 20 of Lake Tana’s 37 islands. The monasteries date from the 16th and 17th centuries and have changed little since their founding. They are simple huts decorated with colorful scenes from the Bible and lives of the saints.
Ethiopians are a creative bunch and everywhere you go, something colorful and striking will catch your eye. Whether it is the beautiful crosses and other religious objects masterfully created by silversmiths, or the intricate beaded works made by the local women , there’s plenty to choose from. What’s more, the arts and crafts are totally inspired by their past and include unique offerings like wall-hangings, basketry, etchings and other outstanding selections.
Mentewab Castle, located within Fasil Ghebbi in Gondar, is a castle dedicated to the Empress of Ethiopia. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
So how does one get there to experience the many exciting and exotic adventures? Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline and aviation technology leader, recently welcomed its 787 Dreamliner, a new-generation Boeing aircraft, that services the Manila-Addis Ababa route. It has won several awards for its exceptional international services playing a significant role in connecting Africa to the rest of the globe.
Ethiopian Airlines flies to Addis Ababa from Manila with a brief stop in Bangkok three times a week. To celebrate the launch of its Dreamliner service to Manila, Ethiopian Airlines offers special round trip prices for both economy and business class.
Today’s Ethiopia is more than a must-visit destination. It’s transcendent and magical with a flair found nowhere else in the world, a spirit as expansive as the landscape with many opportunities and lots of soul. Go fly and enjoy it.
]]>A high-powered gathering of some of the most extraordinary and inspiring Filipina women from all over the world takes place during the 13th Filipina Leadership Global Summit ongoing until August 24 at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
Keynote speakers at the summit include Vice-President Leni Robredo, Senator Loren Legarda, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Angelica Barrie (Screengrab from FilipinaWomensNetwork.org)
Attended by Filipina women leaders, influencers, thinkers and public figures, the global initiative was launched 13 years ago by the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) to foster a renewed understanding of the Filipino culture’s emerging influence as a community and create a network of Filipina women that will work together in shaping the Filipina image as effective leaders of society.
Stella Bernabe, Chit Lijauco and keynote speaker Angelica Berrie
The organization started out as a small group of Filipinas with a vision to identify and support Filipina leaders in the U.S. It was established in San Francisco as a non-profit professional association for women of Philippine ancestry committed to promoting the social welfare of Filipinas worldwide and advocating their rights.
Today, FWN has evolved into a global community of powerful Filipinas representing multiple industries around the world.
One of the most-awaited events organized by FWN is the annual Filipina Leadership Global Summit that serves as a platform for discussions, learning journeys, and sharing strategies among members.
The highlight of the Summit is the Gala and Awards Night where the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World are recognized. These women were selected for their outstanding work in their respective fields and have risen to influential positions in corporations, organizations and government institutions, changing the face of leadership in their local communities and in their adopted countries.
Nominee Gina-Garcia-Atienza of Sun.Star Management with columnist Honey Jarque Loop
The FWN100 Award
was aptly divided into seven categories. Behind the Scenes Leaders recognizes Filipinas who have gone beyond the call of duty to advocate for those who need a voice or support the organization she works for; Builders honors women with deep passion for a cause through collaborative initiatives or alliances with NGO; Emerging Leaders are Filipina women who at the age of 35 are already making their own mark in a leadership role; Founders and Pioneers is for trailblazers, CEOs, presidents and founders of their companies; Innovators and Thought Leaders pays tribute to those who changed the way people think and live by helping develop a product or service in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts or Mathematics; Nicole honors Filipinas whose words, action, and activism inspire others to act and revolutionize society’s way of understanding traditional beliefs and customers; and Policy Makers and Visionaries is given to Filipina women with exceptional acumen and forward-looking vision in the development or influencing of policies, campaigns and laws that impact business, industry and society.
Born in Northern Italy, Gianni, father to Gianluca and grandfather to Giorgia, Matteo, and Paolo, moved to the Philippines in the late 1970’s, fell in love with the country, and never left. All throughout Gianni’s life in the Philippines, Gianluca shared that despite the number of Italian restaurants in town, his father always preferred home cooking from their very own kitchen.
Time caught up with the food-loving Gianni, and he passed away last year, leaving two of his helpers, Antonia and Jean, with no one to attend to any longer. Since then, the idea of putting up a family restaurant has always hung over the head of Gianluca. As a result, Trattoria da Gianni was created. The fruition of the restaurant gives Antonia and Jean something to take care of now that their beloved Gianni is gone. It’s also the family’s way of thanking the two women who have served them for more than two decades.
Trattoria da Gianni, which translates to “a small Italian restaurant by Gianni,” is casual and unpretentious. All the love that goes into the restaurant doesn’t only reflect in their food, but it extends to their cozy and inviting interiors as well, giving you the warm-hearted welcome you’d get at an Italian friend’s home. As a family restaurant, Trattoria da Gianni serves the best of Italian home cooking with time-honored recipes right from the Guidicellis’ kitchen.
One thing that sets Trattoria da Gianni apart is that instead of pizzas, they have a wide variety of bruschettas. With toppings ranging from Parma ham with figs and fresh ricotta, to Taleggio cheese with apricots, the Guidicellis make the Italian staple more exciting than usual.
Diners can also expect freshly made pastas with homemade sauces for that personal touch, different kinds of mouthwatering mozzarellas, a variety of fresh salads, traditional Italian cold cuts and cured meats, premium Italian cheeses, hearty soups, and of course, delectable desserts. The menu also indicates which dishes were Gianni’s personal favorites. Some of these include the minestrone, spaghetti with pesto Genovese, ragu della Nonna (spaghetti with tomato meat sauce and Parmiggiano Reggiano), and tiramisu.
Crafted out of love, Trattoria da Gianni is the Guidicellis’ way of welcoming everyone into their kitchen, hoping to spread the love that Gianni had for food across Cebu. At Trattoria da Gianni, home is where the heart is.
TRATTORIA DA GIANNI
Crossroads Mall, Banilad
63. 977 842 2786 or 998 846 4996
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