May 2012 musings: the other side
SURPRISING. Inspiring. The past days, the Universe was actively displaying its wonders without having to travel too far and opening my mind to what’s on the other side, whether it’s of a story, of a relationship, of an opinion, of a place, but not past the pearly gates, not just yet. There is so...
Rocking the bay
“MERON bang ganito sa Davao?" asked Miguel Dominguez, governor of Sarangani Bay, when I bumped into him at the party venue of his region's most-awaited annual celebration.
An oasis of wellness
AFTER days of discovering new paths, chasing after tuktuks, navigating the vehicle-filled roads, enriching the mind with culture and diving in a sea of culinary flavors, it was time to slow down. I know just the place, no need to stray from home.
The path to healthy skin
DE-STRESS. Everyone has the need to escape the taxing daily grind. While some find relief in retail therapy, most would escape to the tranquility of a spa.
With the growing trend of specialized services brought closer to the market, preferred therapies like retail and body rejuvenation...
The Abaca, the Japanese & the making of Davao
THE Davao Museum and Ethnography (DMHE) recently unveiled its latest show in its temporary exhibition hall entitled Davao Kuo: The Abaca, the Japanese and the Making of Davao. The temporary exhibition will run for six months and is presented in cooperation with the Consular Office of Japan in...
By the river Chao Phraya
COUNTLESS trips to Bangkok and more plans are piling up by the bucketful with each visit. There is no end in sight to my must-do list with surprises popping every time I find myself in this Asian capital city. To say Thailand is amazing is an understatement. Maybe, this is how a wanderlust-...
Michaelangelo's mother
I WONDER how the great artists like Michaelangelo, Botticelli and Vasari, BenCab, Ang Kiukok and Malang spent their summers as kids? Were they sent to art classes as well? Was it the spark in their illustrious career?
If so, these kids are lucky. Their paths are paved to their possible...
Home to literary greats
I AM a famous writer, in my dreams. Few really recognize how great a writer I am- my very patronizing friends and on top of the list, my mother. From heaven, I know she’s reading my printed stories but praying she stops there. If she goes further, like reading my mind, she’ll be shedding the...
Curtains up for Marks & Spencer
RUSTAN Marketing Specialists, Inc. unveiled its brand new Marks & Spencer in Abreeza Mall. The brand new 1,000 square meter store is the 19th in the family of Marks & Spencer stores around the country and the first in Davao City. Let’s look forward to a few more to open soon.
...
Mandarin Oriental. Bangkok, feels like home.
I NEVER thought I’d get the chance to set foot on this place again. The plan to dine in a fancy hotel beside the famous waterway of Bangkok and tell a story didn’t materialize. But fate had a funny way of working things out for the better and making things happen. Finally, after countless trips...
April Musings: Of RSVPs, Q&As & F&Bs
Répondez s'il vous plait.
The Lion City, at your pace
SPEED up, slow down. How much of the Lion City you and your clique want to see will depend on your pace. How much time do you have?
They say a couple of days is enough, or one visit is good. I think not. Singapore is a contradiction - small city, big adventure. What you perceive it to be...
The popular British brand finally in town
A FEW more days and Marks & Spencer in Davao will be launched. Of all the stores in Abreeza, this opening must be the most awaited.
It’s not that surprising. For years, the Dabawenyos have become loyal shoppers of this British brand that whenever trips to Manila or abroad come up, a...
Dear Dorothy, she just wanted her sister’s shoes back
IT WAS just for that reason that she was after Dorothy. That’s wicked?
So much has happened before Dorothy showed up. That’s where the truth to the story lies. Unfortunately, not everyone knows about this. Not until they see the play themselves, which I highly suggest they do.
A depot for art
“ART is everywhere,” expressed Mary Anne Tan-Guinoo, an artist, a painter and teacher, when asked about the unconventional venue of her “Kids at Art (and Adults, too!)” classes from May 2nd until the 23rd. “If there is one thing I have learned in my craft, it is to keep an open mind and...
Appetite for FOOD: Singapore
THE Lion City sates everyone’s appetite. When it comes to food, the Singaporeans mean business. Name the cuisine, they have it. Name your budget, they’ll match it. Restaurants are all over this city and just about every corner, a hawker’s place.
Good food joints are easy to spot, just...
Resurrections
Aaaaand He’s back! And in good company.
It’s been forty-six days ago since day one of Lent, the onset of your penance and penitence- fasting from food or Facebook. Included in the count is the much-awaited Holy Week, which you were quite eager to observe- in church, at the beach or other...
Eglises magnifiques
DON’T ask me why I have a fascination for Churches. It’s one of the first things I look for whenever I find myself in a new place somewhere in this globe. Perhaps a visit to my past life may reveal the root of this.
Luckily, my travels have taken me to places where the “Houses of God” are...
Star light, star bright
CONTRARY to the fearsome events forecasted to transpire as a calendar cycle ends and the stars align, everything good has been happening in the city so far. One of which was the rising of another Davao-born star.
Some kind of Wanderlust
NO SOONER after Singapore Tourism Board (STB) made a presentation in town to entice the locals to spend summer in the Lion City, I found myself on board the plane heading this island republic. It seems like this is becoming a regular destination, three times this year so far. Who am I to...
March 12 musings. Food, fashion & fine arts
THE month started on the right note - courtesy of the ivory keys. Two talented artists, four hands on one piano. It was the latest musical collaboration by two good friends who believed Davao deserved to enjoy its share of live classical music. Thus, they took the mountain to Mohammed. The...
Chopsticks for three?
TABLE for three?
Yes, please. In three Chinese restaurants in Singapore, it was our requested seating. With this cuisine, it is best enjoyed in the company of friends. After all, for the Chinese food is at the center of many social interactions. More company would definitely be merrier....
In Perfect Harmony
TAKE two talented pianists, two pianos and have them run their fingers in unison and make beautiful music. It’s a duet on two sets of ivory keys. Fantastic!
Done that.
It has been more than year since these two talented artists collaborated and played magnificently for the Davao...
Tending the sweet tooth
AFTER the sweet tooth’s G-Spot was hit head on by P.S. Café’s orgasmic 3G treat, it started asking for more, more, more! The dessert maniac was so turned that no amount of counseling (or even Oprah’s intervention) will help. Saccharine shots were in order.
The Mediterranean Tour
ON THE bucket list- Istanbul, Santorini, Athens, Mykonos Morocco, Egypt, Monaco, the South of France and I don’t mind visiting the other islands and cities of interest that comes along the way. Why not make the most out of the trip and scour the Mediterranean Sea?
Let me share this good...
