And It Was All Yellow

Boracay perhaps has one of the most picturesque sunsets in the Philippines. Despite having been here five times, this is the only occasion where I really had a chance to take sunshiny photos. And yes, I almost got blind even when I'm only using a digital camera (Penny, my Pentax Optio W90).

See more photos...

Mito's Place, Boracay

It's my 3rd stay in Mito's Place and I haven't really got a chance to promote it. Many thanks to my grade school friend, Cheska, who never failed to give me a discounted rate. =) Until next time...

There's Always A First Time: Chef Arch's Lime

A friend invited me over to try Chef Arch's Lime last night. It sounded familiar.

That's when I recalled my ex-officemate who happens to be a friend of the co-owners of Chef Arch's Lime. He recommended this place to me back in 2010 since it's near my place. And I didn't know what I was missing for these past two years.

If you're into streetfood (but prepared in a classy way), 90's music, and wouldn't mind dining in an old house without air con, Chef Arch's Lime might just be your perfect neighborhood hangout.

Here's what we've tried so far:

We've Got It All For You: SM City San Pablo

It was only recently when I've realized how true SM's slogan is. Indeed, SM's got it all for you.

As I needed to renew my passport, I had to secure an NSO copy of my birth certificate and my parents' marriage certificate. I was dreading it since that would mean I have to deal with government employees again. I originally thought of getting one in NSO's branch office at the Makati City Hall. The main requesting area queue is relatively short but the long queue awaits you at the cashier. Good thing, my friend saw this SM Business Center in Megamall offering various government-related services such as NSO documents last week. The queue was short. I was able to request and pay for the documents in 15-30 minutes then was told to come back in four days to claim it.

Last Saturday when I went home to our resthouse in Alaminos, Laguna, I was looking forward to see SM in San Pablo City, Laguna. It was a relatively huge mall in a province such as Laguna.

Back Home: Alaminos, Laguna

Last Friday night, I went home in our house (now resthouse) in Alaminos, Laguna to get some of my personal belongings. I just thought that it would be best to check on it before the house gets sold or my sister eventually decides to buy the house once she gets married.

I was excited to see the house since I haven't visited it for two years now. Amazed by our landscape of huge palm trees and these two giant pine trees, I couldn't wait to see the rest our garden the following morning.

Iconic Lolas in Philippine TV and Film

this photo from photo4asian reminded me of Vice Ganda

Last Friday night, my friends and I watched and made fun of Jolina Magdangal's (now Mrs. Mark Escueta of Rivermaya) wedding video created by Bob Nicolas. Aside from entertainingly annoyingly watching Jolina in her Tinkerbell-inspired wing, and cringing with her cheesy wedding vow, we started naming the invited celebrities we saw on the wedding onsite video.
 
Of course, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo was there, even Gibo (Gilbert Teodoro, Jr.), Mel Tiangco, and among other not-so-famous and long-forgotten celebrities. Then we saw this veteran actress from Mara Clara (playing Clara's mom) whom I've recently seen at Banchetto-Pioneer. I couldn't recall her name but one of my friends said her name is Vivian Foz. I said no, because Vivian Foz is mestiza.

Vivian Foz in sepia

On A Rainy Day...

Dare to take photos. Don't let the rain and lack of lighting stop you from taking beautiful pictures. Here's mine using, Penny, my Pentax Optio W90.

The Search For The Best Lechon In Cebu

I've been to Cebu thrice. The first two trips were just in transit to Bohol and the third trip I had just recently was a three-day stay in Mactan.

On my first day, my aim was to try Cebu's famous lechon. Prior to my trip, I already did my research and in most of the reviews I have seen, people claim that CnT Lechon is the best. Excited, I took Moevenpick's free shuttle service and asked the driver to drop me off CnT Lechon near SM Cebu. I didn't have a hard time finding it as it was just across the street of the mall.

Epic Storm Ondoy (Ketsana)

nearby warehouse flooded waist-deep

Mandaluyong, Philippines -- A horrific experience brought about by the epic storm Ondoy (Ketsana) last September 26, 2009.

The Amazing Race: Bohol (part 1)

It was my second time in Bohol but almost everything felt like the first time... though a lot of things have changed in three years.

I have paid for a Cebu Pacific promo flight to Tagbilaran as early as February but ended up flying to Cebu just to get to Bohol. Unfortunately, my friends and I failed to check-in earlier at the counter. We were ten minutes late and it wasn't boarding yet. Imagine how frustrating that was while we're arguing and semi-begging to Cebu Pacific officers to let us in as we counted the last few minutes of boarding time.

The Amazing Race: Bohol (part 2)

The next morning, we had our complimentary breakfast by the beach. The food wasn't too fancy but definitely filling. We had longganisa, egg, rice and a slice of watermelon. We took pictures of the resort while waiting for RJ to pick us up for our countryside tour.

First stop was the Blood Compact Site. We just took a couple of pictures and immediately left. RJ gave a few historical accounts of the site while naming the statues.

We then arrived at Baclayon Church and museum. Before entering the church, Luckysparks and Hot Momma were asked to cover their legs with sarong. Accustomed to the Boholano culture, church goers are not allowed to wear revealing clothes.

With No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain Visits The Philippines

photo from pinoylife.com

Best pig ever. -- Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations

This is how Anthony Bourdain described the well-known lechon of the Philippines. In this case, he tried out Zubuchon in Cebu.

See the behind-the-scenes account from the Marketman here.

Food Tripping In Boracay

Aside from basking in the sun and enjoying the white sand beach of Boracay, food tripping has always been my past time whenever I go here. Here's what I've tried so far:

There's Always A First Time: Wai ying Fastfood

Wai ying Fastfood


Category

• Chinese
• Fastfood / Diner / Eatery
• Open until 2am

 
Location

• Benavidez Street, Binondo, Manila
• Drop by in the evening to avoid the traffic
• There are many nearby parking lots which cost around Php40-50; some will require you to leave your car key
• Other nearby establishments are restaurants (President & Mr. Ube), bakeries (Eng Bee Tin & Baker’s Fair), and fruit/vegetable carts where you can buy fresh broccoli, corn, tomatoes, watermelon, etc.

  

There's Always A First Time: Business Trip Gone Solo

SLEX en route to General Trias, Cavite

Christmas was nearing when my client's sister company laid off hundreds of employees at its Philippines plant. As part of the company's retrenchment program, the company hosted a job fair and livelihood seminar for the retrenched employees. Thus, I had to solely attend the five-day job fair to man the booth and screen potential applicants at its the plant complex in General Trias, Cavite.

There's Always A First Time: Boracay

I've been to Bohol and Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan but never have been to Boracay. Why? I find it overrated.

And yes, that's what I thought but I did enjoy my three-day stay there with my high school friends. Here's what we did.

Rick & Dick: Together Forever At The Rick Astley Concert

Who would have thought Rick Astley and Roderick Paulate would sing together the famous 80's song Never Gonna Give You Up? Watch the live video concert here.

Roderick Paulate

Rick Astley

There's Always A First Time: Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan

Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan -- February 2008

• Asturias Hotel
• Sabang
• Underground River
• Honda Bay
• Vietnamese Village
• KaLui Restaurant

Another Pooh Adventure: Bohol, Philippines

Here's to share my pooh adventure in Bohol, Philippines.