Posted Monday, June 27, 2005; 20:00 HKT


GARY VALENCIANO, Pop star

BEST PLACE TO BELT OUT A TUNE
Luneta Park, Manila

"Luneta (a.k.a. Rizal) Park is at the heart of Manila, right beside the restored areas of old Manila and Fort Santiago, where I played as a kid. There is a monument to Jose Rizal, one of our heroes, and they hold concerts and orchestra performances there. There is no other venue in the Philippines that can reach so many people. One of my concerts there had an audience of 800,000. I offer free concerts in the park so that those who cannot afford a concert can see what a paying crowd gets to see. I sing songs that encourage and uplift, that make life a little bit easier to deal with."



GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Philippines

BEST PLACE TO ESCAPE THE STRESS OF POLITICAL LIFE
Her bedroom, Malacañang Palace

"I go to my room and take a nap. It's like going back to the womb. When I'm in my room, I lie down and I pray a lot, then I fall asleep. I do that all the time, usually at 3:30 p.m., after Mass ... I think that helps me to keep my energy."



MORRIS CHANG,
Chairman, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

BEST RECENT READ
Dangerous Strait: The U.S.-Taiwan-China Crisis
Edited by Nancy Bernkopf-Tucker

"This book consists of eight essays, each written by a specialist, addressing historical, political, economic and military issues in the mainland China-Taiwan-U.S. triangular relationship. For anyone who is actively interested in cross-strait issues, this book may bring a new perspective and insight to his or her understanding."



TEAGE EZARD, Chef-patron, Ezard (Melbourne), and consultant chef, Opia (Hong Kong)

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN ASIA
• The Restaurant, The Legian hotel, Bali "Chef Nam Quoc Nguyen is Michelin-star trained and it certainly shows in the quality of his cuisine. He is renowned for his carpaccio of baby zucchini, pine nuts and baby mint. How could something so simple be so good?"
• One Harbour Road, Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong "A perfect setting with stunning views. I tend to enjoy restaurants with fabulous seafood, and chef Li Shu Tim's wok-fried prawns with spicy sauce and crab coral are to die for."
• The Pavilion, Datai Hotel, Langkawi, Malaysia "This restaurant is set high in the rain forests and the tranquility is quite amazing. We ate fresh lobster, and soft-shell crab done Thai-style. Brilliant!"

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