tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58991355023500500252020-12-03T15:00:06.359+08:00EYE IN THE SKY - Remote places whispering tales of a wanderlust. Travels in Madagascar, Brazil, Peru, the Seychelles, Bhutan, Maldives, Fiji, UAE, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Brunei, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Philippines, and then some. This is a Philippine blogsite; a "journal" solely meant to document my travels. Cover photo taken in Ilafy, Madagascar.eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.comBlogger9851500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-6122942027725348062018-11-03T16:14:00.000+08:002018-11-03T16:14:00.132+08:00

Denarau Island is a multi-use facility for Fiji's tourists located west of Viti Levu, Fiji's main island. Attached to the main land by a short causeway, the island is the home of Port Denarau, the jump off point for travels to the islands of the Mamanucas and the Yasawas further north. It has Port Denarau Shopping Center, cafes and restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe, a bakery; a pizza

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Wailoaloa Beach has limited choice for accommodation in this area. But when transiting in Nadi, I'd rather be where the sea is. Nadi City wasn't a very pleasant option. Of course, I also considered a B and B in Martintar, but that didn't pan out. There were elements in the online reviews that turned me off. Meanwhile, Tropic of Capricorn had free airport pick up, two swimming pools, a

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Four hours was enough sleep for me. I felt recharged like it was a new day. It was 4 PM. I was going to recover within hours from my impending sore throat which, for me, was usually a prodrome for the flu. From my 3rd floor balcony, Wailoaloa Bay looked serene. The gentlest of breeze blew from the west while I took a walk on the beach. I'd sit on the sand and just gaze contentedly at the

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On the morning of my arrival in Nadi, the airport town (now its newly minted 3rd city) of the Fiji Islands, I was blessed with a gloriously sunny Sunday. Fiji sleeps on its Sabbath day. Stores are shut and public transport rests. Nothing stirs, "not even a mouse". Between 7 and 11 AM, me and my luggage waited for a room to be vacated. Visiting Nadi Town, about 3.8 kilometers away, was out

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It was early morning Sunday when my plane landed in Viti Levu, Fiji's main island. The airport town of Nadi (the newly minted 3rd city of the country) slumbers on a Sunday. In fact, nothing stirs all over the islands. They take their Sabbath day seriously as a great number of its population are Christians, then Hindu and Muslims. Most shops are closed. Even public transportation isn't

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It was a pleasant surprise finding Upper Farm in Digos City, Davao del Sur. The joint is a hamburger and steakhouse set in a rustic ranch-inspired, rough-around-the-edges diner at the back of a department store. Some readings point out that the concept of the place is partially a tribute to the owner's parents who were farmers. I just dropped by and ordered a heavy set of chicken wings paired

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Zark's Burgers is home grown, make no mistake about it. From a small 18-seater, 3-man crew somewhere in Manila in 2009, the restaurant has grown with multiple branches nationwide. The restaurant was envisioned as a burger place that's more affordable, value-driven and one that can fill up your tummy with their huge serving of food. It is among the fastest growing restaurant chains in the

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Last Kadayawan Festival (August), I found myself scampering for a last-minute booking to visit the city. It wasn't for the annual festivity but for something else. Most of the major hotels were fully booked, understandably. Six hours before my scheduled check-in, I found Hotel Vicente. I arrived but was 3 hours too early so I just registered, left my baggage at the front desk and went my

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Along the roads of Davao del Sur, south of Davao City, you will sometimes find these makeshift stands selling Durian when they are in season. There are plenty of varieties, but the most popular and reliable is the Puyat variety which has milky meat, smaller seeds, and they're easier to break open. In this collection, there's a "Coob". Other varieties include "Puyat" (the gold standard), "

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Fukuoka is the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture. It is a city with two centers. The older area is called Hakata which used to be a city until it was merged with Fukuoka. Hakata has the main transport station. The other center is Tenjin, the social epicenter of Fukuoka. Financial operations and entertainment centers are in Tenjin. The city has 3 subway lines so it's relatively easy to get

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When my plane landed in Fukuoka, I opted for the bus to take me to Hakata Station which is 15 minutes away (about 2.7 kilometers). This was because the bus' access was easier, not to mention cheaper (260 yen), than getting a single subway ticket. It was too late for a day pass. The bus took me straight to the station which was a dizzying activity of manual traffic. It's one of the busiest

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Naka River from Fukuhaku Deai Bridge Someone wrote about Nakasu as "the underbelly of the dregs of Japanese society" where yakuza and the local mafia rule alongside street walkers and geishas. It is this picture that fueled my imagination. I've been to Quartier Pigalle of Paris, Reeperbahn of Hamburg, Soho of London, Kabukicho of Tokyo, Nagarekawa of Hiroshima, Tobita Shinchi of Osaka,

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"Do you have Ramen?" I kept asking that question in every diner at a corner of Hakata Station in the city of Fukuoka. Rows of food joints litter the space and I wanted a taste of the world famous Tonkotsu Ramen that Fukuoka is known for. But everyone I asked shrugged their heads. I was baffled. Ramen is supposedly everywhere, particularly by the roadside as makeshift stalls called "yatai"

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The photo above is that of the Yame Chuo Tea Plantation, the iconic symbol of Yame City, Japan's source of its best tea. The same photo is the cover of the Yame City Tourist Guide brochure. We're dedicating this post to share information on travels to Yame City if you come from, say Hakata Station in the city of Fukuoka. We're posting this because there are very few English-language

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Long time ago, a wandering Chinese monk traveled to Japan, bringing with him tea seeds. Before then, there were no tea plantations in the country. He loved the remoteness of the mountain that he eventually stayed to start a tea farm in Kurogi's fertile soil. Soon thereafter, tea plantations spread across the land. So goes the story behind Japan's favorite tea. It was indeed adjudged as the

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You have to respect something that has seen the world for 620 years, right? Like this Wisteria (Fuji) tree in the town of Kurogi. The village has put up a torii in honor of this tree. It has survived earthquakes, wars, typhoons. floods, and economic recessions (hah!) I just wanted to touch its bark and sort of "shake its hands". It was an honor to have met you, Mr. Wisteria Tree. The

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Yamanoi Park stands just a few steps beside a riverine community. The area I visited is sparsely designed with a torii at the front, flanked by pine trees. It looked a bit worn down. There's an interesting stone lantern at the back. There's also a stair at the side and an edifice that could be a temple, which is styled like the machiyas in town, with white walls. Surrounding it is a vast

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At the Yame Dentou Kougei-kan (Yame Traditional Craftwork Center), there is as giant lantern that might as well be a torii or a pagoda because of its size. It is the biggest Stone Lantern I know. In the olden times, stone lanterns were light towers that had double purpose: as illumination and as offering to Buddha. These days though, stone lanterns are ornamental elements of Japanese

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If you're the type who likes to take home traditional handicrafts as souvenirs, then you'll have a grand time visiting the Yame Traditional Crafts Museum (Yame Traditional Craftwork Center/Yame Dentou Kougei-kan) located in Motomachi, Yame City. There's a giant stone lantern at the yard leading to the entrance. Once inside, a spacious hallway filled with traditional handicraft will greet

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Myoeji Temple was mostly deserted when we visited. It's an idyllic space filled with plants and trees, as well as a red Chinese-style temple at the side, seemingly misplaced in Japan's mostly earth-toned temples. Like the temples featured in our previous post, Moeji is part of the Yame-Fukushima Traditional Architectural Preservation Zone. Yame City Map in Japanese

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Shofukuji Temple, Yame City The temples in the central area of Yame City aren't particularly striking but they reek with local color. During our visit, it would intermittently rain so our time to check out the surroundings was limited. It didn't help that these temples were closed. Shofukuji Temple has a children's playground at its lawn. It has a more traditional design, with wooden

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Some of the most beautiful of Japanese countryside I have seen are in the remote corners of Yame City in Kyushu. That's a fact that doesn't need sugarcoating. Thus when I read about Fukushima District's row of "Machiya" (traditional town houses), I knew that's where I wanted to go first. Take me there! White Clay Walls There are about 130 documented buildings of varying designs from the

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Miyajima (Itsukushima) is a dream destination; one of the 3 most visited in Japan. But it also has a contribution for regional gastronomy, bridging a bit of history, culture and food consumption. I like food representatives from places because they elevate cooking and food preparation beyond appearances. With this, consumers gain a sensibility for the art of taste. Miyajima's favorite

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Soba has thinner noodles, and is made of buckwheat and wheat flour. Years ago, I met a girl traveling through England at an ATM machine in London. She had difficulty using the machine for some reason. I stepped in, and we were acquainted. After that, she left for her onward travel to Nice (France) while I stayed in London. We used to send postcards to each other until we lost contact.

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Just beside Tokyu Stay, my hotel in Shinjuku Suehiro, was a ramen shop offering no-frills dining in this metropolitan corner. Keika Ramen originated from Kumamoto - home of tonkotsu ramen, thus you see the prefecture's icon Kumamon somewhere in their shop. It's been in business for 30 years. Keika is a small ramen bar with affordable dishes on their menu. Upon entry, they will offer you

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Almost no one came to visit except one person who left just as I reached the top of the stairs. It's peaceful there. You'd hardly know that a noisy mercantile industry exists down below. Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple rises from a hillock providing an oasis in the hustle of Ameyoko, Tokyo's shopping street. Marishiten. This photo courtesy of Paghat the Ratgirl. The temple is a medium sized

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Shopping is one aspect of travel that I find tricky. Not for stuff I'd use but as gifts for the people back home. I'm not very good with it because I am impatient, and haggling isn't one of my better talent. On long haul trips, I'd usually do it the last few days before flying home. So I like places where you can get a variety of stuff all in one go. That's why day and night markets are

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Central Tokyo isn't a place for those on shoe-string budget. When you're in wards like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roponggi, Ginza or Harajuku, it isn't easy finding restaurants with inexpensive food... particularly when you're craving for the occasional steak. The area teems with high end shops and trendy boutiques. I was in Harajuku, visiting the H.I.S. Tourist Information Center when I noticed the

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Tokyo has its quirks and never fails to deliver an eclectic experience - like visiting a "cafe" for petting hedgehogs. It's not a proper cafe in the sense that you don't actually eat cake or drink tea, although tea is served for everyone. But nothing fancy. You're there for a first-hand encounter with hedgehogs, those spiny nocturnal mammals that curve into a ball when intimidated or

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Umeboshis are pickled and dried Ume fruits, usually referred to as green plums, and very popular in Japan. Some are aged in salt-filled barrels for 1 to 3 years before consumption. More like apricots than plums, Umes are Japan's sourest fruits so one needs to get used to it to appreciate it. In the olden times, samurais used ume as energy boosters. Meanwhile, umeboshis are usually

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The 400-year Old Pine Tree Odawara is one of my favorite finds in my travels all over Japan. It wasn't in my Lonely Planet. I got the idea from some sponsored blog that came out in Facebook a few days before one of my trips. It takes 35 minutes by Tokaido shinkansen from Tokyo, and a short walk from the JR station. Odawara (population roughly 195,000) is situated along Sagami Bay.

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Miyukinohama Beach. Tongue twisting name. Situated along the coastline of Sagami Bay in the slumbering city of Odawara (Kanagawa prefecture), the not-so-popular city is 35 minutes by shinkansen and roughly an hour by car from Tokyo. It's a 79.7 kilometer ride that's easy to do when you have the extra time to spare. My Lonely Planet didn't have anything about Odawara. But the castle is

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Hirosaki (Aomori Prefecture) is the �Kyoto of the North�. It took me 4 train changes and 13 long hours to travel from the Kansai region, south of Japan, all the way to the northernmost tip of Honshu Island. Aomori is the jump-off point for travels to the island of Hokkaido. The JR booking staff in Kobe had doubts about the itinerary because in one stop, I only had 10 minutes to find my

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Eels. This photo from matome.naver.jp. Japan consumes 70% of the Global Haul of Eels, yet I haven't tasted one. Their snake-like appearance repels me. But they're not snakes. Sea snakes don't have fins. They do. Eels are also nutritious because their meat is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, vitamin A and calcium. The Japanese terms: "unagi" for fresh-water eel, "anago" for salt

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Decided to reserve a seat for lunch at Al Muntaha, a luxurious restaurant serving modern French cuisine at the 27th floor of Burj Al Arab (BAA), the world's first 7-star hotel, and an iconic symbol of Dubai. I had been scouting for that perfect restaurant to suit my taste, cater to my curiosity, and experience something special. I liked the altitude, and that it's French more than Middle

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There are 4 ways to obtain a tourist visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), each is through "sponsorship". This is for the few countries that don't have visa-on-arrival (VOA) privileges in the desert state. The Philippines is one of such unfortunate countries. All Filipinos visiting Dubai, Abu Dhabi or the 5 other emirate states should secure a tourist visa before their visit. VISA

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It was the best and the worst of time. M Hotel Downtown by Millennium in Dubai was my sanctuary in the time of Ramadan, in the midst of the city's festering heat and humidity. One of my tour guides described how it's like being under the sun (even for just 5 minutes) - "like standing beside a raging barbecue". Another guide said, "it's like being pinched repeatedly." I had to stretch my

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I had Sewai ***** in this restaurant Near this street below! While touring Abu Dhabi with a motley of other tourists from Romania, Kazakhstan, Germany, India, Singapore, China, India, and

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The expansive emptiness of the desert is nothing short of hypnotic. In one of the stops during my Dune Bashing activity in Dubai's Al Lahbab Desert, I just gazed at the undulating golden sands, and was for a minute, transfixed. If it wasn't exceedingly hot and humid, at 45 degree C and 80% humidity, I could stay there for hours. But sweat was dripping and I was parched. It is not advisable to

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Traditionally, a Japanese meal starts with a miso soup served on a table. Miso is made from fermented soybeans and grain. In Nagoya, one of its traditional dishes is Misokatsu, a deep fried pork cutlet with red miso sauce, usually served on a sizzling plate. This was one of the three Nagoyan dishes we looked for in Nagoya, Japan's 3rd largest metropolitan conurbation, located in the Chubu

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Sometimes, I just hop inside a restaurant that looks interesting. Like when I saw "liver steak" done Japanese style called Rebateki Liver with Green Onion for 680 yen. Most rebatekis I know are grilled on a stick, but this one was served on a sizzling plate, and seasoned accordingly. The meal included a cup of rice. This liver steak was plump, tasty and tender. I wanted more. This was in a

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A rice ball of shredded dry kelp and Hidaka Kelp for 228 yen. I was lost for two hours, navigating the deserted streets of remote Hirosaki, this city at the northern end of Honshu, the Japanese mainland. From its castle grounds, I took the wrong exit and couldn't find my way back. What's worse, there were absolutely no one walking the streets. I was in a set of a post-apocalyptic movie.

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In a sudden burst of inspiration, one rainy day in Fukuoka, I decided to go to Kumamoto, 114 kilometers southeast of Fukuoka. I had 4 hours to spare so why not see another Japanese city from a different prefecture (Kumamoto prefecture). By shinkansen, the trip took less than an hour. My destination was the castle. Since its devastation from an earthquake, Kumamoto Castle has been closed

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One stormy day in Yame City, I ventured to try the world-renowned Yame Tea, voted as Japan's best tea for 9 consecutive years. Meanwhile, the prefecture of Fukuoka was being battered by the torrential rains of a typhoon that killed people in the ward. But would a tourist stop on his track to avoid a storm? Not me! Yame City is known for its hillside green-tea plantations. I was there

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The northern stretch of black sand from Dawis Pier used to have rows of cottages facing the beach, now there's none. Talisay trees and coconut palms line the shore. It is accessible from the lone restaurant beside the pier. South of this, there's a smattering of hole-in-the-wall beach resorts with limited facilities. To get to Dawis Beach, you can hail a pedicab (tricycle) from the city

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At the eastern coast of the Davao Gulf, south of Digos City, is the burough of Dawis. People used to call the stretch of black sand as "Dawis Beach" stretching northward from the pier. Now it is just "Barangay Dawis". The more open area is the southern stretch. We found Unicolor Beach Resort. If I am not mistaken, getting a cottage will cost you P300 (or was it P500). These is a

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Dining options in the mystical island of Siquijor are quite limited for the backpacker. There are no fast foods and any mid-range restaurants to speak of. Even carinderias are very few and far from each other. You'd have your breakfast in your hotel or guesthouse then pick from the relatively expensive options of dining in resort restaurants. My meals here were unexpectedly upscale, ranging

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I love mornings at I-Residence Hotel Silom for so many reasons. Located along Narathivas Rachanakarin Road, the hotel stands just at the footsteps to the Chong Nonsi BTS station. It has a 24-hour convenience store nearby. A fruit vendor occasionally sells those sinfully sweet Thai lansones. In the morning, I would leisurely take my time before the 10 AM breakfast cut-off at the 10th floor.

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In the last 10 years or so, Japan has incorporated the English language in their grade school curriculum. As a consequence of this, the concept of being "lost in translation" is gradually diminishing, particularly in big cities. Still navigating around Japan isn't as easy as you'd think. Vending machines found everywhere (fro train tickets, fast food, etc.) don't exactly have English

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A day after doing Machu Picchu (MP), I was leaving for a day out from Cuzco, this UNESCO heritage city, but I haven't had breakfast yet. It was 10 AM already so I knew I had to eat first. I asked my driver to take me somewhere good but cheap. Maybe "chifa", Chinese? So he did. "It's a local shop locals order their take out from," he spoke in Spanish. Looking at the door, I wasn't so sure. The

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"I was told that these are sought after cakes," my brother told me, as though he was revealing a much guarded trade secret. And that they're not easily available, he continued. That intrigued me so I had to read up to learn about Purple Oven. Where have I been all these years? I wasn't even aware of this bakeshop which serves some of the best desserts in the metropolis. They have a shop in

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Tavolata. Italian for "table". Lunch. Getting there was tricky because not a lot of people from central Cebu City would make their way to Mandaue City just for a leisurely lunch. The 4th taxi I flagged finally had an idea, but even his knowledge was sketchy at best. It was like driving from Makati to Las Pinas for a meal. It doesn�t help that Cebu�s traffic has mimicked Manila. I hopped

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It's safe to say that the main attraction of Magic Lagoon (Bar and Restaurant) is the novelty location beside a lagoon where hobbyists can actually fish for their own seafood then have them cooked. It's the perfect place to relax those tense muscles outside a therapeutic massage, breathe a dose of fresh air and just kick back and consume delicious food. Reviews for the food are mixed so I

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If you want a taste of the Holyland but Jerusalem's either too laborious for your schedule - or too expensive for your pocket, try Holyland Subic. For starters, there's a Wailing Wall similar to that found in Jerusalem where people can write their petition and prayers on paper and leave them on the wall. Holyland Subic is still a work in progress and is roughly 60% completed. There isn't

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I love lighthouses, so the sight of one along the promenade is a welcome activity. A week after my Subic visit, I saw the same view figuring prominently in a Star Cinema movie, the action-comedy, "Extra Service". There isn't much to do in Subic Bay, but relax, take the fresh breeze in from the sea; maybe a dip in one of the pools; shop, eat, eat again, and catch a few winks. I loved

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Sunsets in Subic are golden. The sheen and hue of the sun infect like a virulent strain of joy. I have been here several times, but this is the first time I wasn't in any rush. The beach promenade, aptly called boardwalk by the freeport zone, is gorgeous and nothing too fancy. In this area, near Mansion Garden Hotel, there's less commerce, which I prefer. From the hotel, it's a 3 to 4

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We try to avoid repeat dining in hotel restaurants so we can experience a variety of gastronomy in the places we visit. But I was hungry and was feeling lazy to roam just yet. I needed to fuel up before I can do that. After all, the hotel's surroundings has duty-free shops, walk-worthy streets, the comely and tree-filled Malawaan Park, a charming boardwalk and beach promenade, and a

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People keep saying that a Subic visit isn't complete without visiting Meat Plus Cafe. That didn't seem very appropriate, to be honest. But I wanted to try Meat-Plus anyway. While walking around, I was eyeing the cafe all day. The place was eternally packed. It looked like a fastfood chain. You place your orders and pay at the counter. Then they bring your food to your table. Simple. Each

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Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of weekend revelers, Mansion Garden Hotel is ideally located at the fringes of Subic Bay Freeport Zone, about a kilometer or so away from the main commercial hub of hotels and restaurants, but close enough for a leisurely stroll. It is relatively new so everything seems to work in place. The compound is roughly divided into two buildings, while a new

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From afar, they look like "turon" (banana lumpia). Once closer, you'll rethink your guess. It's hotdog on a stick. But are they? Well, they're really rice balls wrapped in thinly-sliced meat - the nikumaki onigiri. There are two food concepts here: the "onigiri" refers to the rice balls; the "nikumaki" refers to the thinly-sliced meat, as I was told. These items are delicious and cheap at

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Visiting the favelas (slums) of Brazil used to be impossible for estranhos e estrangeiros. It meant possible bodily harm and loss of life and property. These were dens for drug dealers, violent gangs and lowlives. But during my visit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's most important city, there was an opportunity to visit a favela - through an NGO that sponsors this tour. What's more important, the

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I was going to just let this slide, but something about inaction bothers me, particularly when my party has been wronged. But I am getting ahead of myself, am I not? CHARLATANS IN LUXURY RESORT HOTELS There are charlatans even in luxury resort hotels and casinos. What am I talking about? A few days before the Christmas holiday, my brother, who's section editor of the Philippine Daily

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In the exotic island of Praslin, in luxurious Seychelles, everything is expensive. Believe me there's no hyperbole involved when I say that no meal can be had below $30. The towns are few and far apart, and activity takes the glacial pace. This so-called island paradise, with its tropical forest shelter, is drop-dead expensive, so much more than the Maldives. Prince William of Britain took

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We've covered every nook and cranny of NAIA Terminal 3, but with the opening of the Food Court in this terminal, there's so much more to cover and explore. A few weeks ago, we were there waiting for an arrival. We decided to get a snack and finally settled with Mary Grace Cafe, with its elegant interiors and homey feel. NO ONE CAME We sat outside. After 10 minutes, no one came so we called

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He lived his life like one big adventure. Within the confines of his interest as a hobbyist, artist and lepidopterist, i.e. someone who studies and collects moths and butterflies, Mr. Julian Jumalon, a U.P. Fine Arts graduate, devoted his remaining years collecting species from all over the world. In fact, he has one from Madagascar, an island off the African coast that I visited 6 months ago

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If you're craving for authentic Ilocano dishes in the heart of Davao City, you'll get your fill of igado, dinakdakan, Ilocano empanada, crispy dinuguan, etc. in a restaurant called K-Twins in Damosa Gateway in Lanang. I was told they used to have a branch in Obrero, but moved to this new location, which opened last March 2015. Ilocano dishes aren't exactly popular in Davao, except for

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Every Christmas, I take my family to a special place. This year, I decided it was going to be at the High Street Cafe in Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City. The term "cafe" seems to be a misnomer here. After all, the term refers to "a small restaurant serving coffee, beverages, and light meals". But use of the term has evolved. Posh hotels now use this as a more welcoming name.

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Their most popular meal is the set of "boodle fight" entries, a Philippine Military Academy traditional meal where a variety of food and rice are spread on a table covered with Banana leaves and shared by everyone. This feast is enjoyed bare hands (well, there's disposable plastic gloves you can wear). But we aren't fond of this style so we ordered the traditional Filipino dishes. Their

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One lazy night in Cebu, I suddenly had the urge to try something different. I debated if I go to a Spanish restaurant called Arana (recommended by a friend) or an Italian restaurant called Anzani (mostly because I had a problem with Arana's location). After checking out directions, I decided with Anzani. Like the previous restaurant, Anzani is urban chic and ultra modern, with a tablet used

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I love clean spaces particularly if it plays with geometric figures, color, and lights. My German friend once pointed out how I kept taking photos of hallways. I just like the possibilities of open spaces, the what-could-be's. In this post, I am posting several areas at the Diamond Suites and Residences in Cebu City. The Archbishop Reyes Street and Escario area is a haven of big, mostly new

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I've wanted to visit "La Maison Rose" 3 or 4 Cebu visits ago, but for some reason, I kept putting it off. But I am weary of crowded restaurants. i wanted to visit during off-peak hours. Finally, after visiting Jumallon Butterfly Farm/Museum in Basak, I decided to head straight to the "Pink House" - at 4 PM, perfect when you don't want a crowd. Once seated, a tablet was handed to me by a

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Some prefer it with chocolate fudge and brownie chunks, others with a coterie of sweet and sour gastronomic wonders, I like it plain with sprinkles of cheese. It is crunchy enough you're being seduced to take a bit more. Egg waffles are popular in Hong Kong and Macau. Now they're getting to be a common sight in Manila. Yo! Panda Restaurant is a Hong Kong-styled dining place that offers "egg

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Drizzled. The road to Circa 1900 restaurant is dark, sinewy, bespattered. I was worrying how I'd get a ride out. Cebu is truly getting to be a world-class cosmopolitan city. I wanted to try something special so I went. I used to be so timid asking about unfamiliar items on a menu. Not anymore. I'd ask the waitress if she thinks I was capable of consuming a single order. She'd size me up and

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My first visit in Kuya J Restaurant was at their SM Sta. Mesa Branch, a place I rarely visit. I was trying to catch a movie that wasn't being shown elsewhere. I ordered kare kareng bagnet (PhP399), with their reinvented peanut sauce. It was okay, but nothing particularly worth a second trip. I've forgotten about it and never returned. Since then, Kuya J has sprouted all over the country, I

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I crossed Ayeyarwaddy River to get to Sagaing. Like Bagan, I could see several Buddhist structures rising from the hill and down below. Unlike Bagan, these structures were white pagodas, were newer, and were mostly white with golden peaks. An old kingdom, Sagaing has had 7 kings during the reign of the Sagaing Kingdom: from Sawyun of 1315 to Minbyauk Thihapate of 1364. And then there was King

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Bali? Nu-uh. It's an odd fountain-cum-pond standing in front of a chapel at the GAP Farm Resort in Davao City. Located along the Diversion Road (a few kilometers from D' Japanese Tunnel), the place is a recreational and leisure center with agriculture and Philippine History as its theme. The air in this little corner is fresh. I could sit on a bench and allow my mind to wander. This is a

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Devoured by ravenous little swimming creatures at a fish spa in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The sensation is exquisitely ticklish because you feel their nibbling mouths taking on your dead epidermis. Though you don't noticeably see the "smoothness" in your skin after this ordeal, there's a degree of catharsis to be had. Think survival from mini-piranhas. Think micro-vanity. Think trying on a new

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Butterfly Garden. Seems too benign, right? I have never enjoyed any Butterfly Garden until my visit at Cameron Highlands' Butterfly Farm, 3 kilometers north of Brinchang. They weren't limited to butterflies, but display other creepy crawlies as well: the leaf insect, the stick insect, spiders, scorpions, beetles, etc. With a minimum fee of 5 RM (PhP70/$1.50), you can enjoy all these amazing,

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In Old Dhaka, even the riverway is congested. There are 35 shipyards based in Keraniganj area alone by the side of the Buriganga River. They are part of the approximately 100 shipyards throughout the Buriganga Coast. Meanwhile, 15,000 workers are being employed for this trade. I'd say this is a very conservative number. Further on, if you're just cruising the river, you wouldn't notice this

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Out of the way, civilization! I was on my way to a temple on a hill, Wat Phnom, riding my moto (tuktuk) when I chanced upon an elephant walking along Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh's major riverside boulevard, running along the confluence of Mekong and the Tonle Sap Rivers. The 3 kilometer tourist strip is filled with hotels and cafes, a pleasant "tourist trap". The promenade has changed a lot in

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Mongolia celebrates the life and times of their national hero at any chance they get. Airports, food and beverages, hotels, grocery stores, travel agencies, even art works are named or dedicated after him. But Genghis Khan, conqueror of nations, is attributed the massacre of 1,748,000 people - all in a single hour! In one biography, the leader of the Mongol Empire was said to be responsible

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A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose. Right. But it isn't all roses at Cameron Highlands' Rose Centre. There's more. If you love flowers, you're get more than your fix here. What's more, there are animated statues fit for Disneyland, playful tunnels (photo above), and even Snow White and her seven dwarves. Children will have a blast. Romancing couple would get their vibe. Budding photo

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Not all visitors in Angkor Wat are foreigners. Some locals find their way inside. They mill around, sit on windows, observe the manual traffic inside. You find them after entry into the most popular temple, the sprawling temple. I found this boy asking for alms. He seemed very comfortable talking to strangers. And though this may be cliche, he's better off inside a classroom, isn't he?

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A few blocks from the famed China Beach, at an underdeveloped area of DaNang in Central Vietnam, I found Long Beach Cafe, one of the few decent restaurants in the vicinity. With very few people (locals and tourists) around, you have the surroundings mostly to yourself - and you'd find yourself monopolizing empty streets. I stayed at Mango Hotel which is just 7 kilometers from Marble Mountain

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Rattan Fruit or Littuko is a rarity in Southeast Asia. I've traveled all over the region and hardly see the "fruits" in abundance. It's scaly, as though they come from snakes or some other reptile. You peel them like you do with lansones and out pops a triumvirate of clustered pods with the sourest taste this side of Datu Puti. While I love fruits, these are another matter. Online

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Somewhere between Apollo Bay and the lighthouse at Cape Otway of Victoria, the road levels and spreads inland through Otway's rainforest. My tour bus stops at a roadside filled with gum trees. Perching on forked branches were koalas in the wild. The tourmates had a field day koala-spotting. Even from a distance, it was easy to spot them. I would look for a fur ball jutting out of branches.

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Kuching, capital and most populous city of Sarawak (population: 325,000), was dubbed the wettest place in Malaysia owing to the abundance of rain fall in the region. I expected to get drenched sometime during my trip. This didn't happen. But during my stay, the weather cooperated and only rained on my way back to the airport. It was downpour with thunder and lightning, and fury reminiscent

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Located along Thanon Maharat, the main street where songthaews to Ao Nang wait, Wat Kaew (Wat Kaew Korawaram) indeed looks like a "shiny white wedding cake", as described by wikitravel. The gorgeously new temple, in iridescent white, sits on the top of a hill, accessible through a series of stairs lined with naga sculptures (snake-form deities) from the commercial street. I have to say that

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I never get tired of Ta Promh, the temple built by King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. This was going to be a place for learning as well as a dwelling for the monks. Built between 12th and 13th century, Ta Promh, aka Rajavihara, is built in the Bayon style. These days, huge silk cotton trees and strangler fig trees with gigantic adventitious roots have coiled

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My backpack is 3 years old. It's been a steady companion whenever I travel out of the country. Though I mostly empty its 4 compartments, there's a side pocket that I never bother thinking that what's in there is inconsequential. But side pockets tell stories. I wondered why my bag was still heavy despite it being practically empty. Lo and behold, I found a variety of coins, some of them

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I saw a sinking boat while waiting for Ao Nang's famous sunset - a tail boat gradually sinking. And I remember having come across a long'ish poem about sinking boats, probably a metaphor to life. The author, George Krokos, is Greek who now lives in Melbourne. He usually writes about philosophy and the spiritual aspects of life, and of nature. I'd like to share an excerpt from Mr. Krokos' poem

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"Their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place," said Captain Arthur Philip, founder of the settlement which became Sydney and New South Wales' first governor, referring to the place's indigenous inhabitants. The adjective stuck. Now imagine if he saw very feminine inhabitants. It would have been named "Girlie Beach", wouldn't it? My visit was a

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The Turtle Sanctuary of Gili Trawangan was a minor site to visit; as though an after-thought conceived to provide harmless, if fleeting entertainment for the myriad of backpackers roaming the big Gili island. What was more fascinating - a row of colorful umbrellas and equally huge multicolored pillows languidly sit in front of the aforementioned sanctuary. It was a good spot to be lazy and

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So I checked out of Cube Hotel (above), the budget-friendly hotel located along Jalan Pudu. Cube would be one of the better surprises although if you wanted "space", you'd have to look elsewhere. PALPABLE SUSPENSE It was going to be a mad, mad rush to LCCT. Procrastination involves an eventual degree of palpable suspense. Somehow, it will catch up with you. It almost caught me. I

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Isn't it amazing? That we�re continuously blessed with a new day to clean the slate of our lives; to re-invigorate the body and rejuvenate the soul; to make new beginnings; and to once again view the world in a better light? Eleanor Roosevelt, the longest serving First Lady of the United States (1933-1945), once said, "With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts." It's a chance

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During one of my arrivals in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, I decided to check out Sorya Mall again where I once watched Khmer movies, badly made chopsuey of horror and comedy, with slapstick sensibility. I proceeded to the fourth floor - "Sorya Food City" is what it's called. Not food plaza, not food court, nor food salon. I purchased my coupon at their coupon booth so I could start the "

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A holy temple? Nah, it's a singular structure at the White Palace's complex in the Rong Khun area of Chiang Rai. The "temple" is in immaculate white and most times, filled with tourists - truly one of the most gorgeous sites to grace North Thailand. This eye-popping rendition of a temple is built by artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat. But let me turn right back into the structure above. Hold

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If my driver-guide spoke English well, he'd be eloquent, I thought. My driver for the day, Ajam, was a far cry from the morose Odin, my driver the day before. He was particularly receptive and personable. He would open doors (which I disliked), and curiously tiptoe whenever he'd see me finish a visit. He was one of those who was eager to please. One of the places he took me to was a

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There are 3 ancient imperial cities that can be visited as day trips from Mandalay in Myanmar. Innwa (aka Ava) was my favorite. I crossed Ayeyarwaddy River to get there, hired a horse-drawn carriage to take me around, and checked out relics of old temples. Catastrophe got the better of this ancient Burmese kingdom, which reigned between 14th to 19th century. The Big Earthquakes of March 1839

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At least Metro Manila has Pasig River. The folks from Malabon and Novaliches have their Tullahan River. Kuala Lumpur, unlike most thriving great metropolises, doesn't have a major river flowing through it. The ones they have, Titiwangsa and KL Lake Gardens, are man-made, albeit worth visiting. Thus when I ventured into another pond at Taman (Park) Masyarakat, it was like finding needle in a

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I was trying to avoid a Vietnamese monk who was following me around from the airport in Yangon (Myanmar) to Bangkok, then took the bus with me to Phuket. Everything was peachy. After all, what's wrong with traveling with a new friend, right? People do that all the time. But along the way, things turned hairy and I felt like I was being stalked. So I avoided him - and I'd find him hanging

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Trowulan, a subdistrict of the Mojokerto Regency in East Java, boasts of almost a dozen temple-relics of the vast Majapahit empire (the last Indianized kingdom in Indonesia), many of them in disparaging states of disrepair. Candi Brahu (Brahu Temple) was among the more special. It sits on a majestic garden lined by flowering plants. Two kilometers from the Mojokerto-Jombang Highway, my

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The National Museum of Malaysia has several entries that mention or reference the Philippines, I was of course surprised. But why not? The Malays and the Filipinos have always been friendly neighbors. Some issues are of valid concern because they involve territories and sovereignty. I shall not discuss this fully, but will feature them as they are presented at the museum. The photo above is

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I wasn't looking forward to visiting the last two galleries (C and D) of Muzium Negeri (National Museum of Malaysia) because I was expecting static exhibits and pictography. What I wasn't expecting was a considerable entry on Manila and the Philippines' claim of Sabah, but I am getting ahead. Gallery C concentrates on the "Colonial Era", thus there would be considerable mention of the

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Like my country's National Museum, it took me forever to visit Malaysia's "Muzium Negara" due to the misperception of its location. I knew it was located near the Lake Gardens, and I specifically remember walking from the lakes to the KL Sentral. Though a pleasant stroll, this will take a bit of an effort on a simmering summer's day. This area doesn't have trains so there's a degree of

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Isn't it odd that the Philippines' 3rd busiest airport, Davao International Airport, an "international airport" by virtue of its Singapore flights, does not have trolleys (carts) for its arriving passengers? You read it right. During my last arrival in Davao, the arriving passengers of Cebu Pac's Air Bus couldn't get hold of a single cart! Not only does this snail-paced city plod on 30 kph

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I knew I'd love Metro Hotel even before I was able to stay in it. In fact, I booked a room 5 months before my transit to South America. I wanted to include it in my "been there" list. Why not? The hotel breathed life to that dreary, iffy corner of Jalan Pudu and Imbi. What used to be a derelict, albeit neglected construction carcass is now a concrete high rise; not particularly eye catching,

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It would be an outskirt of KL; a place called Miharja where an LRT station via the Ampang Line leads to a bus terminal that transports people to Cameron Highlands. People mostly forget that Kerayong River flows through this Malaysian niche. I was on my way to the highlands and had half an hour to kill so I decided to take a little stroll at the terminal's periphery. What I discovered was

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Things get complicated these days. Sandwich or sub? I didn't really care before but this post got me thinking. What really is a "sub"? How did it come about? Semantics try to be appropriate these days. People love distinction, delineation. This is the age that embraces evolution. Ideas evolve, as do species, phrases and words. While time moves forward, food gets re-imagined. Here's the

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You know how you constantly get these credit card offers in your emails about special offers that are too good to be true? Like getting a free scoop of ice cream if you purchase something worth PhP10,000. Just a lot of passing gas; a waste of email space, if you ask me. A few months ago, I completely ignored an offer from Diners Club International and Security Bank Mastercard. If you have one

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Art has a very liberating effect and offers some form of catharsis. Regardless of the medium, it is open to a variety of interpretations and most of the time, whatever you think of it, you're never wrong. On my recent departure from Davao City, I chanced upon these series of seemingly unrelated paintings, pieced together into one whole "mural" (though I am loosely using the term "mural" here

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"Unity", 41" x 41", epoxy on canvas. The pieces catch your attention. They glimmer from a distance, and upon closer observation, they look priceless. Gold, after all, is the hue worn by royalty. Speaking of royalty, these pieces hail from the genius of Lamberto "Obet" Acyatan billed as the "Grandfather of Epoxy Art". This surprised me. I've never heard of such medium. It's easy to disregard

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As a child, the market wasn't a place of interest. I wasn't encouraged to visit it. It was congested, wet, hot and not the most pleasant place. Fast forward to 2015, I find market visits fascinating because you'll never know what to expect to find - the fruits in season, the flowers peddled, the food stuff available and its slew of very transient characters. Digos City, some two hours

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Have water and sand. Will make beach. Or so it seems. One of my favorite moments is discovering unheard-of places like Punta Piapi, a fishing village at the eastern coast of Padada, Davao del Sur, located some 2 hours south of Davao City. County Piapi has this bucolic atmosphere and unfazed by the dizzying turn of events; this strip with little hint of commerce. From the highway, I took a

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Raul Agas' acrylic painting, "Magellan's Cross" is worth PhP17,000. I thought I lost these files but found them while cleaning up my inbox. These were supposed to have been posted a while back but it isn't too late. These paintings have somehow been captured for posterity. Unfortunately, I've misplaced my notes so pardon me if I'm unable to label some of the paintings. They were on display

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When I was a child, I remembered visiting this site. It was this statue of a valiant warrior named Lapu Lapu, a less-than-noble Bornean who migrated to Cebu with the blessings of Rajah Humabon and his queen Maniwangtiwang. He fought for his domicile against the conquistadors lead by Ferdinand Magellan (Fernando Magallanes in the Latin American world). Fast forward to the new millennium. The

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It's easy to interchange the names. Golden Prince Hotel and Golden Peak Hotel. They're both located in the vicinity of the Ayala area. The former is along Archbishop Reyes corner Acacia Street, the latter is along Gorordo corner Escario. There's another "golden" - Golden Valley Hotel along Pelaez Street, but we haven't been there yet. This photo only courtesy of www.hotels-in-cebu.com.

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One look at the bed in my room and you'd know I'm somewhere conjured as special. Quest Hotel, along Archbishop Reyes in Cebu's Ayala Center, is indeed a cut from the street's row of hotels. Entrance to the lobby alone has a squadron of barong-garbed security men enough to guard the French president. The lobby has several corners of sophisticated nooks that lead to an imposing front desk.

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It's just 8:45AM as I write this and I'm already inside my room at M Citi Suites along Llorente Street, a block away from Fuente Osmena. It's my 5th time here and despite so many hotels sprouting all over the big city, I still manage to come back here. If I didn't like discovering new places, M Citi would probably be one of the few I'd frequent. To be honest, I have a review backlog of 8

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Scene 1: American guy, 50's, randomly picking his morning food at the breakfast buffet oblivious to the queue of locals, Koreans and mostly geriatric Germans and Americans in the room. Each food is understandably provided its own serving spoon. But he seems unaware. He uses the same serving spoon to pick his succeeding food. Morsels and bits and pieces of rice, egg, corned beef, fried fish,

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I am a sucker for "clean and modern spaces" so when I accidentally came across Bayfront Hotel's page in Agoda, my interest was piqued. On any well-lit night, the top 6 floors of its 168 guest rooms look like stacks of cards in organized disarray. Got it? Once you get inside, you'd be enamored by the ceiling-and-wall design: ribbon-like strips of wood that irregularly head towards a single

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Capitol Central Hotel and Suites brim with a lot of promise. Its location alone makes is more than considerable, with an location midway between Ayala Mall and the commercial-leisure hum of Mango Avenue. Osmena Boulevard (Jones) is also just a hop away. On a mild morning, your breakfast atmosphere turns more ideal when you get to their restaurant. Along with your morning sustenance, tocino

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Cebu City is a favorite so I find myself repeatedly transiting here. To keep the experience fresh, I always try new hotels. Mostly though, there's always a factor during each stay that doesn't make it "perfect". A haughty front desk officer. A check-in that takes a little too long. An area that's not too tourist-friendly. A bland breakfast spread. But to my memory, there's one hotel with few

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Staycation. Now there's a word I'm not very fond of. Is it even accepted in the English dictionary? The compound word doesn't seem to fit harmoniously that pronouncing it is like an elocution exercise. On the other hand, it gets its message across. Staying in in a place and doing nothing. A relaxing holiday. Cebu City's Best Western Plus qualifies for this word. I loved the rooms and its

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You're either stoked with excitement. Or with fear. A little or a lot of both. Either way, there won't be any yawning involved. Adrenaline diminishes that possibility. This is the place. They call it the Sky Extreme Adventure at the Crown Regency, one of Cebu's tallest buildings, with 40 stories of luxurious rooms. The adventure has several variants and "combos" to enjoy, but hanging and

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Tops. There is an "s" there. It's a lookout point boasting views spanning most of Cebu City, Mactan Island and even as far as the peaks of Bohol. It's a bit out of the way but considering that it's still part of Cebu City, in Barangay Busay to be exact, it isn't really as out-there as, say Lapu Lapu Shrine. It takes some 30 minutes from the city proper, and you'd have to shake hand with a

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Notice the graceful wooden calladas dividing the hallway. Along Lopez Jaena Street, in Barangay Parian, Cebu stands a beautifully maintained 19th century house built in 1850 by Alejandro Reynes. In 1863, this was sold to Spanish merchant, Juan Isidro Gorordo. Through the years, this became home to the first Filipino bishop of Cebu, Juan Bautista Perfecto Gorordo (photo below, left). The

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"Where to, sir," asked the taxi driver. "Number 9," I replied, "along E. Benedicto Street". He paused for a second and asked again. That's the name of the restaurant that's barely 6 months old. In fact it opened September 2014. In that short span, it has managed to make it as Trip Advisor's no. 3 best reviewed restaurant in Cebu City, just behind 2 hotel buffet diners. This one's a la carte

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Valentines Day in Manila moves in a frenzy you'd want to just stay home and hibernate until all the revelry has ebbed down. Thank heavens I was in Cebu City last February 14th and the experience was more pleasant. For this special occasion, I saw Fuente Osmena Circle (Fuente Osmena Park) all dolled up with its squirting fountain waters. In all my travels in Cebu, I have never seen

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Right in the heart of Cebu City stands Fuente Osmena Circle, oblivious to the constant vehicular hum going around the rotund. The fountain itself is built in 1912 in honor of Cebu's "Grand Old Man", Sergio Osmena, Sr. who was the second President of the Philippine Commonwealth. This is the epicenter of the Sinulog Festival and one of the city's green lung. Curiously though, I couldn't find

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I shall forever be curious and excited visiting new places, restaurants and malls included. New is fresh. New is garnishing life and opens up to new possibilities. After visiting the sparkling Light Mall a few days ago, we've finally decided to check out "Eduardo's Peri-Peri Flame Grilled Chicken" located at the 2nd level of the new SM Mall. We've tried a "peri peri" chicken from a

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There probably is no place like Metro Manila, where, with its vast space, malls proliferate in sheer dizzying speed. This conurbation such as the National Capital Region of the Philippines has 15 cities and the municipality of Pateros. Henry Sy's SM Malls and the Gokongwei's Robinsons Malls are ubiquitous. I was able to visit the newly opened Light Mall which is basically an SMDC

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-31233950217110376432015-03-20T16:30:00.000+08:002015-03-20T16:30:03.488+08:00

The swimming pool at Mergrande Ocean Resort has well defined borders, and it's wide enough for an enjoyable water adventure. The area is decked by palms and ferns, vines creeping on trellis, colorful slides, and dolphin figures. At the entrance are faded photographs of celebrities who have visited the resort. There's Sam Milby and Edu Manzano, among others. A lifeguard diligently does his

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I've been to Mergrande Ocean Resort twice before. This was my third. There's a bold sign that warns against swimming due to "Big Waves" but I do wonder if this sign is actually removed out of sight. I remembered this from my last two visits. To be honest, I was looking for evidence of these gigantic waves. They seem to have gone elsewhere. A Caucasian guy had two of his huge backpacks laid

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Davao City scorches from late March to early June. During the succeeding summer holiday, what better way to spend your lazy days than lounging in pools, if beaches are too much of a production number to arrange. Just grab your towel and swimming outfit, and head straight to take a dip. One such no-frills place to check out is Villa Carmelita In-Land Resort and Hostel. The pool area opened

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-51910906103138922942015-03-14T17:05:00.000+08:002015-03-15T00:36:53.780+08:00

Most places acquire its own vibe through time. Felcris Centrale, Davao City's latest leisure-shopping center, will surely have that in the next six months or so. For now, several spaces have yet to be occupied. It's like a soft opening with minimal commercial buzz; in fact, the main supermarket has been bunched up in one huge hallway alongside apparels, toys, cosmetics, and at the corner are

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Touted by some as home to the best paellas in the country, Alba Restaurant doesn't just do paellas. This is home of the most sinfully salivating Spanish dishes we've ever tasted. In fact, during our buffet dining, it was hard to pick a single dish we didn't like. Every gastronomic serving seduced our palate. This gastronomic extravaganza wasn't even a whim or random accident. Senor

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Prizm Plaza. That's how it's called owing to the elegant, ultra-modern design of the building called Two E-Com. The park itself is situated at the 4th level, a breathtaking sprawl boasting of ponds, cafes (there's Coffee Bean) and restaurants (there's Alba Spanish Restaurant). To its east is the boardwalk overlooking Manila Bay, and to its west is the glimpse of the rising landscape being

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-11103676184429496652015-03-09T13:19:00.000+08:002015-03-09T13:19:00.409+08:00

So you don't have enough time for a chitchat but you're famished and wouldn't mind a quick bite. Try Icerberg's "Lechon Kawali", roast pork with rice and atchara and their sweetish liver sauce. Or maybe you're on a diet and would rather have their Mediterranean Salad - grapes, apples, cucumber, tomatoes and feta cheese with vinaigrette sauce. This one's from CCP Complex's Harbour Square!

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-3383640428676113442015-03-06T21:29:00.000+08:002015-03-08T14:06:08.662+08:00

Fundacion Santiago Hall I was "tickled pink" and gagging with excitement as I made my way inside the National Art Gallery, one of the three parts of the National Museum Complex. This shall be my favorite museum in the Philippines; the home of the national artists. And it took me forever to visit. It's about time that I actually come in close proximity with original art works from names I

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-64768483542821699342015-03-04T17:17:00.000+08:002015-03-05T03:05:06.584+08:00

At the start of 2015, I planned on taking my family to a hop-a-meal fiesta extravaganza via buffet dining. I'd pick a place, we'd reserve seats and eat out every 4 or 5 days within the next two weeks. This was before the whole holiday season was over and people would be back knee-deep with work. One of my choices was Guevarra's by Chef Laudico. I have to admit that name recall was one of

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-74296168984988421142015-03-02T18:13:00.000+08:002015-03-08T14:09:27.900+08:00

In this 2nd part of our post on the National Museum of the Filipino People located in the Rizal Park compound, pre-Hispanic instruments are on display in one section of the museum. In another, the museum lists down the Philippines' indigenous groups: 49 clans! What's note-worthy is the further subdivision of the Manobo into 19 other sub-groups. Another section has been clumped together as "

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-70020765522608053452015-02-28T15:42:00.000+08:002015-03-08T14:08:23.845+08:00

Life sometimes basks on irony. Such is fact that I've seen all of the major museums in Southeast Asia and beyond, yet I've never visited my country's "National Museum of the Filipino People". In fact, I've seen Singapore, Vientiane and Maldive's museum twice. The idea that something "will always be there" is contributory to such glaring malpractice. But I've finally remedied this when I

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-50713816695349703062015-02-25T17:41:00.000+08:002015-02-25T17:56:46.086+08:00

One usually reliable and consistently enjoyable buffet dining experience is Makati Shangrila Hotel's "Circles". Most people that I know don't have much to complain about it - or its sister-diner "Heat" (in Shangrila Edsa Plaza Hotel, Mandaluyong City). I recently took my family here for one of our gastronomic soirees. Unfortunately, it was mostly an underwhelming experience - coupled with a

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-60206851771400625852015-02-24T17:52:00.000+08:002015-02-24T17:52:00.087+08:00

It has always been stuff of legends. As a child, I've always heard of its exquisite beauty - the sunset of Manila Bay. It took me years before I was finally able to witness this spectacle. I was after all a provincial kid. While I did frequent Manila every summer, watching the sunset was never among my parents' priority. The sunset wasn't going anywhere. It was always there so people didn't

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Three popes visited this university 4 times. The latest was during Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines. Is it any wonder then why the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is called the "Pontifical University" conferred by Pope Leo XIII in 1902? It was originally conceived as an institution that prepares young men for priesthood. It used to rise in the heart of Intramuros. Archibishop Miguel de

eye in the skyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172970161842361404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899135502350050025.post-57658020807744601152015-02-21T15:10:00.000+08:002015-02-21T15:10:00.143+08:00

Late Decembers seem to bring cool breezy winds from the East, fanning the slumbering commune of Acuatico Beach Resort. At dinner time, everyone ignores the pools. And this is the golden window to bask in the place's serene surroundings. The waters stand still and there's not a squeak by the poolside. Post-dinner is a different matter altogether. This is when some groups start bringing out

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Make no mistake, Acuatico Beach Resort is one of the most picturesque places I've visited in Luzon. But I had ambivalent feelings about the place for a lot of reasons; I'm getting ahead of myself, am I not?. Acuatico is beautifully designed and conceptualized, maximizing the limited space it occupies on the beachfront of Laiya in San Juan, Batangas. I took my family for a costly

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It may not look anything particularly eye catching, but San Juan Nepomuceno Church has had a lot of history behind it. In 1843, the original church was constructed in a town called San Juan de Bocboc, now called Barangay Pinagbayanan. It was made of bamboo and palm. This was later refurbished into a church made of stone in 1855 under Father Damaso Mojica. Twenty eight (28) years later, floods

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Let's say you've looked forward to celebrating a special occasion. You want this fail-safe, drop-dead gorgeous restaurant to celebrate it in. Why not Manila's flagship hotel? It has a lot of history around it. It is, after all, a 5-star hotel situated along Manila Bay built in 1909. Wouldn't you want to be as relevant as this 570-room, 106 year old establishment? But then you don't want a

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