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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Kitsch of the Week: Uraro Stars

We had to rebook our Calaguas trip this weekend because of bad weather. Damn you, typhoon Chedeng! I’ve been itching to see the legendary white sand and blue waters of that secluded island for months. Since I have to wait …

Paper Addiction

“Papemelroti is back!” I shrieked when my sister told me that the iconic ’90s stationery store reopened in Glorietta, Makati last year. The timing is just right. We now live in an eco-conscious era where people prefer paper products to …

What Makes High Tea “High,” Anyway?

While working on a Mother’s Day activity guide for www.spot.ph, my editor asked me to see if Peninsula Manila’s famous afternoon high tea is worthy of being featured. I’ve been there before, so it definitely made my list. I …

Who’s a Planeteer?

Let’s cut to the chase. Although the Earth Day Jam is a yearly free summer concert for the masses of Manila, it’s not all about braving the mosh pit to watch local bands for free. It’s about getting a message …

10.5 Decades Later, The Cookie Skillet Sundae

In the mid-’90s, Tony Roma’s came to the Philippines and won our hearts with their ribs and flame-grilled specialties. I remember enjoying the barbeque chicken dish with a cup of broccoli and cheese soup while the rest of my family …

Kitsch of the Week: Coffee and Glossy Paper

I’m a sucker for freebies and bundle promotions. One of my favorites is Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s Time Magazine deal. Whenever there’s a special issue, you can purchase a copy from any CBTL branch in Manila for P130 and …

Things That Fly (On Instagram)

If you have an iPhone and haven’t given in to the Instagram craze yet, you’re missing out. It’s a free application that makes any photo—and I mean ANY photo—look cooler. It’s a cross between a photo app and a social …

Things That Fly

What: 16th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Where: Clark Field, Angeles City, Philippines
When: February 10-13, 2011

Click here to view the scenes on Instagram.…

What’s With The Balikbayan Box?

Are you a non-Filipino who’s traveled with Filipino passengers to and from the Philippines? I’m sure you’ve spotted that extra large package that we call the balikbayan box—the one that’s plastered with lots of packaging tape and has the owner’s …

The Lure of the Perya

Part circus, part amusement park and part carnival, the perya is set up during a town fiesta in the Philippines or during special occasions such as Christmas and school fairs. I’ve been to theme parks such as Disneyland and enjoyed …

Authentic Jerk

Whenever people ask me, “What was the best food you ate in Guam?” my answer is easy—Jamaican Grill. The restaurant infuses the Jamaican style of barbequing with Chamorro flavors. Their signature dishes feature jerk seasoning, a highly spiced combination of …