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Archive for June, 2011
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French Kissed
In an attempt to look for the Manila version of Coachella or Woodstock, I found myself excitedly waiting for Fête de la Musique Philippines 2011. Sure, it’s not exactly a Rolling Stones festival, but it has gained global recognition since …
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Kitsch of the Week: Daet Goodies
It’s a Filipino thing to give “a little something from your trip.” We call it the art of pasalubong. Whether it’s an origami set from Japan or an “I love New York” shirt from Manhattan, it’s always a good …
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Bagasbas: Then and Now
Before my Calaguas trip two weekends ago, the last time I had been to Daet, Camariñes Norte was in 1995. My mother was born and raised in Daet, and we would go there to visit my grandparents when I was …
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Cowgirl Goes to Calaguas
In the Philippines, cowboy is a street slang used to describe an adventurous trooper who can adapt to almost any situation. He or she rolls with the punches and isn’t fussy about vacation amenities. He is the opposite of high …
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In-flight Entertainment: Topography
Contrary to popular belief, a private plane ride isn’t as glamorous as a Casablanca movie. As I’ve learned from my first Cessna flight, it’s hard work.
But the view is incredible. You will never see such beautiful cloud formations, …
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10 Things I Learned From My First Cessna Flight
A four-seat general aviation airplane, a Cessna 172 is usually flown by two pilots in front while accommodating a third person at the back during private flights. I was the third wheel—or third wing, if you prefer—on my first Cessna …
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When On Vacation, Say No To Starbucks
Don’t get me wrong. I love my iced caramel macchiato as much as the next guy. In fact, a big chunk of my money goes to branded coffee shops such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean. But when it’s time to …
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Kitsch of the Week: Pinwheel
If you’re interested in selling souvenirs and kitschy items, carnivals and fairs are the best places to sell them for jacked up prices. Kids and grownups alike are in a cheerful, gullible mood, so it’s the perfect time to introduce …
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The Best P500 I’ve Spent in Cebu
It was 1:00 p.m. We had just finished lunch and were already packed for the beach. The only problem was, we didn’t know where to go. We called Shangri-La Mactan and asked if non-guests are allowed to swim at their …
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Dry Run: Islands Stay Hotel
When a new establishment announces that they are on dry run, I usually brace myself for slow customer service and panicky new employees trying to get the hang of the busy pace. “Please bear with us,” a sign would usually …
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Kitsch of the Week: Eco Booklet
Eco geeks such as myself revel in positive developments in eco living, whether it’s a global philanthropic project or a small community endeavor. I was browsing through my favorite eco store Papemelroti when I came across this 4”x4” booklet, Super …
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Behind the Scenes: My Short Indie Film
Who cares about a 3:30 a.m. call time and 21-hour shoots when the location takes your breath away? Last month, we spent two days filming my new indie film, Habhab a Nice Day! in Tanay, Rizal. It’s only two hours …