Something Old and Something New at Nurture Wellness Village, Tagaytay

It has been two years since I last visited this place but it feels like it was just yesterday. The well-kept lawn, the heart-warming ambiance and the delectable dishes that never fail to hit my cravings, Nurture Wellness Village (or Nurture Spa, to some) in Tagaytay City is indeed a must-experience place for local and foreign tourist.

A few days back, I had a chance to revisit one of my favorite places in Tagaytay City, the Nurture Wellness Village. An invitation to this place is really hard to resist, so without further ado, even for just a day, I packed my bags and went down south to feel the alluring weather and love of this must-experience tourist destination.

Just like before, Nurture Wellness Village welcomed us in a traditional Filipino way. Serving some of their freshest and most organic hors d'oeuvres, guests immediate felt the festive and enjoyable day awaiting for us.

Tuna, Kaldereta and White Cheese with Basil served with Malunggay Bread 

and specially concocted drink made of blueberry 

Unique and Affordable Christmas Finds at Circuit Makati Bazaar

With Christmas coming in less than a month, I bet that a lot of you are now cramming to get your children and god children some cool and unique gifts this Christmas. And with bonuses all flowing this weekend, I'm pretty sure that you are still after those items than can help you save a bit. Guess what, why not head to Circuit Makati Bazaar this weekend, and splurge on to some unique and amazing finds that come with pocket-friendly prices.

After the stunning and inspiring switch on ceremonies on Ayala Triangle Garden's Light and Sound Show, and the fantastic Ayala Avenue's Street Light Display, the unstoppable Makati City now brings a unique and amazing Christmas bazaar at the city's newest outdoor recreational area, the Circuit Makati.

A 3-day event that showcases exciting yuletide rewards, Circuit Christmas Bazaar features over 200 booths of budding kidtrepreneurs, instagrammers, celebrity entrepreneurs and Wellworth Department Store.

It's Christmas Time at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati!

More than 1 million environment-friendly LED lights blinking to eight beautiful colors and dancing to heart-warming Christmas songs medleys are what made this year's most anticipated music and light show at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City.

Dubbed as The Festival of Lights on its 5th year, Ayala Triangle Gardens Music and Light Show showcases the festive look and feel of one of the most colorful and cheered on celebrations in the world, the Rio De Janeiro Carnivale. And starting today until January 4, 2015, visitors of the world's Selfie Capital can enjoy these colorful show. 

Shows starts at 6 p.m. and with repeats every 30 minutes until 10 p.m.

This year's show is made possible by the award-wining lights and sound director, Voltaire De Jesus. 

A De Luxe Experience

Whenever I go to Baguio City, since I don't have a car, there's only one bus liner I have in mind to take me to the lovelies city of the north - the Victory Liner. And though, I'm kinda "kuripot" when it comes to spending my money on transportation, I won't spending more on transportation again after experiencing the convenience and satisfaction that their De Luxe buses has given to me on my recent trip to Baguio City.

Scheduled at 8:15 p.m., it was so nice to know that Victory has been so keen to their bus schedules until now. I was surprise to be on-board 30 minutes before the scheduled trip, and more surprised to know that we left at exact time. I dunno if the timing of my travel has something to do about, but it felt good to be on time - it gave me a feeling that this trip is gonna awesome!

This De Luxe trip that I got in to has no stopover since it has its own comfort room on-board. Aside from that, it also has a Wi-Fi and free snacks to enjoy while lounging on its soft and comfortable lazy boy chairs, and has a steward inside who is ready to serve or assist you on your needs.

The Sparkling Ayala Avenue!

You'll know Christmas is just around the corner when Ayala Avenue, the country's prime avenue, lights up its decorated center aisles with Christmas joy to spread hope and love to the working crowd of Makati Central Business District! 

At exactly 6 o’clock tonight, together with Ayala Avenue, the major thoroughfares of Makati Central Business District will light up with a dazzling display of more than a million LED lights which instantly put Makati denizens and visitors into a festive mood. 

Designed by Zenas Pineda, Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, and extending to South Avenue are ready to brighten up our moods with their lighted wild flowers and weeds design that are sure to kick the Christmas spirit in each and everyone of us.

Fright Night at Nuvali NightSky Cinema

If I'm not mistaken, this is the third time that I've attended and enjoy a night of movies under the beautiful clear sky of NUVALI in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This time, my experience is a bit different, because aside from spending the night with some former colleagues, well, what we had that night is something that scared the hell out me. Yes, just before the Halloween, I had a fright night at NUVALI NightSky Cinema.

Co-presented again by Sky Cable, this NightSky Cinema featured three thrilling and horroriffic movies that made everyone jump out of the cushion, covered their eyes and screamed at the top of their lungs. We had the  Zombieland, which is starred by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin; then followed by The Sixth Sense by M. Night Shyamalan, which stars Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment; and finally, the most scary movie that night, The Conjuring, which starts Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.

This is the first time, if I remember it right, that Sky Cable and NUVALI offer the NightSky Cinema with such theme, I personally think that this a great idea to celebrate the approaching Halloween. But if you think that all of the stuff that we had there were all tricks, well, some movie-goers got to enjoy some treats from the games and food fair that this event hosted.

How was your October?

October may be over, but for someone who had a great and exciting month of October like me, it will always be remembered! Special thanks to Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila for inviting me to their annual Oktoberfest celebration, I get to learn how Germans drink and party all-night while enjoying their very own music, food and style.

Last October 18, together with some blogger-friends, we get to enjoy what it is like to be in Germany's Oktoberfest through the wonderful accommodation of the German Club of Manila and Sofitel Manila. A festivity that spells beer, beer and more beer, everyone definitely had a great time dancing to Germany's music while munching on some German dishes and gulping some beer.

I think I had more than what I supposed to have, but come on, I rarely to go parties like this, so yeah, I enjoyed every minute of it - down to my last sausage, down to my last beer, down to my last click of my camera.

The Sweet 16 of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental

While everyone is going gaga over the exciting and colorful Masskara Festival - I'm guilty about this one too before - did you know that Negros Occidental, primarily, its capital, Bacolod City, has a lot more in store for all of its guests. I was lucky enough to somehow see and experience its Sweet 16 that I think Masskara party-goers could and enjoy and made them realize why they should keeping exploring the province.

Sit back, and enjoy the ride as I take you to the City of Smiles and the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines!

One: The Ruins

5 Reasons to Visit and See Quezon City this Weekend

If there’s one place or city you should be or must be in this weekend, make sure you are in Quezon City! Celebrating its 75th Jubilee Year this October 11-12, the city which is named after the Father of Commonwealth, President Manuel L. Quezon, has prepared a stunning and worth remembering spectacle not only for the country to see, but for the whole world!

Quezon Memorial Shrine

I was able to list down five of the must-see and must-experience happenings in Quezon City this weekend, and all I can say is make sure you drink a bottle or two of energy drink because this Saturday and Sunday is one helluva jam-packed weekend made to excite you, satiate your taste buds and take you back in time where Quezon City is the passage through of history and its people.

A Sneak Peak at Ocean Park Hong Kong's Halloween Fest

Personally inviting Filipinos to its spookiest and exciting festival, Ocean Park Hong Kong's management team visited Philippines last September 11 for the launch of its all-day-and-night fun and scary Halloween Fest.

Made more fun and exciting, this year's Ocean Park Hong Kong's Halloween Fest will feature the first-ever reservation-only limited-admission H-14 attraction including the haunting series of locked chamber, Asia's first super-sized Doraemon-themed Halloween celebration and the mega Scaremonies show.

Sam YG hosting the launch in Manila

Hosted by Radio DJ Sam YG, the launch here in Manila has brought some of Ocean Park's colorful characters who performed some of their tricks that added excitement to the air. Though, he isn't present at the launch, the day was also made exciting by Doraemon, which will be highlighted in Doraemon Halloween Party. For the very first time, Doraemon and friends will showcase their new Halloween looks in Asia at Ocean Park's Whiskers Harbour. Be the first to experience Doraemon's favorite gadgets "Time Machine" and "Anywhere Door" in Doraemon House of Gadgets.

Bohol Beach Club is Back!

All along I thought we will never see it again. Thank God, someone pumped in some blood and after some months, Panglao, Bohol's oldest hotel resort is back, beating its heart again and ready to share Boholanos beauty at its primest moment. Yep, I'm talking about none another than Bohol Beach Club.

After 8 months of hiatus, Panglao's premier hotel resort opens to the public once again sharing the very essence of Panglao, Bohol. Though I must admit that it lost some of its beauty, Bohol Beach Club is proud to share again its timeless appeal made more memorable by its lovely Boholano staff and delicacies.

If you are looking for a decent and family-friendly spot in the beautiful island of Panglao, I can assure everyone that Bohol Beach Club is the place to be. With 88 rooms classified into De Luxe and Beachview Suites, amenities such as swimming pool, business center, game room, beach-side restaurant, pool side bar and club aqua sports complete the whole new beauty of Bohol Beach Club.

Hamilo Coast's Pico de Loro Cove: A Balance of Everything

While most of you are busy booking flight through  "Piso Seat Sale" to see and experience your dream destination at an affordable price, two hours away from the busy and crowded Metro Manila lays a beautiful, peaceful and maybe adventure-filled spot hiding behind the green slopes of Hamilo in Nasugbu, Batangas. And yes, you don't need a long weekend to enjoy the beauty that Hamilo Coast's Pico de Loro has to offer.

Passing through the nice and smooth CAVITEX, reaching the quiet and clean Hamilo Coast is so easy and surprisingly breathtaking. Famous for its well-preserved diverse marine life, Hamilo Coast is currently gaining popularity as a haven for fitness activities like triathlon. But of course I didn't went there to chase time, you know me. I went there to put my feet up and experience the talked about Pico de Loro luxury, only few people can really afford.

I must say, price-wise, staying here for a night is quiet expensive, most specially if you are not a member of its Beach or Country Club. But knowing that  we now have  a chance to see and feel the place, I guess price doesn't really matter at all - most specially if you are staying at their Pico Sands Hotel.

Vote for Vigan City as New 7 Wonders - Cities!

The exciting and pushing-to-boundaries online search is on again - and this year, the organizers are in search for the most captivating and worth-seeing cities in the world through New 7 Wonders - Cities!

After our very own Puerto Princesa Underground River bagged one of the slots of the New 7 Wonders of Nature last 2012, Ilocos Sur's capital, Vigan City is now asking for support this year for them to be named as one of the New 7 Wonders - Cities in the world. 

Competing with equally stunning and colorful cities in the world, like Bangkok of Thailand, Beirut of Lebanon, Doha of Qatar, Istanbul of Turkey, Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia, Mumbai of India, Perth of Australia, Seoul of South Korea, and Shenzen of China, Philippines' Vigan City keeps fighting for a slot in this renowned online world-wide competition.

My Dream Balicasag Island Trip

It has been a week now and I can still vividly remember how my recent trip to Balicasag Island ended. It was pitch black, the wind was howling like a danger is coming after us and the thick darker clouds were hovering above us like we can't escape it anymore. Our boatmen had to kill the motor of our boat so as not to hit the corals below - yes, it was low tide too. And though, our boat was moving, I can sense the tension in the sealed mouth of ours. This is not how I dreamed of my first-ever Balicasag Island trip, this is not a dream to start with, it was some sort of a nightmare.

To most of us when we heard of Balicasag, the first thing that comes right up in to our minds is its pristine white beach barely touched or abused by people. Considered as a Panglao, Bohol's pride, my recent trip to this paradise has almost turned differently if not for the determined Panglaoanon guides who tried all their best to bring back us to the Panglaoshore safe and sound.

On the second day of my coverage of Panglao International Dive Fiesta, we were invited by our host - the Panglao Tourism Board - to see and experience one of the hottest dive sites in the country, the Balicasag Island. Boasting with rich marine life that has been attracting foreign divers, Balicasag is actually in my must-visit list here in Bohol.

The First Ever Panglao International Dive Fiesta

In an island surrounded by beautiful beaches with pristine white sands, Panglao, Bohol is now ready to take a different kind of challenge that aims to make their municipality a must-visit place in the world. World, say hello to Panglao International Dive Fiesta.

Boasting with thousands of unique underwater species, which can be seen in 16 famous diving sites off the pristine and captivating Bohol’s crown jewel, Panglao hosts the first ever International Dive Fiesta that is set to showcase the province’s well-kept and protected gems beneath its clear, blue seas.

Started today June 12, this 4-day event, which consists of diving training and seminars, search and rescue capability exercise, exhibit, underwater photo contest and food market among other will last until this Sunday, June 15.

Cintai Corito's Garden: Balinese Escape at Balete, Batangas

Flowers are in bloom, pastures are green as ever, different species of birds chirping and clucking and trees swaying along the refreshing breeze brought by the nearby Taal Lake – it feels like I am dreaming my great Bali dream, but actually, I am not. Everything was real and the only thing I was asked to do is savor every minute of my stay at Balete, Batangas' Cintai Corito's Garden.

If you Google the word “Cintai” (pronounced as Chin-tai), you'll see how this word is related to romance, passion and love. In Indonesia, where this place got its inspiration, Cintai simply means love. A place that is actually made out of love – the love of the children to their mother and the love of a husband to his wife – Cintai Corito’s Garden is overflowing with love that is set to captivate every guest’s heart, soul and mind.

When I visited the place with some friends a few days back, we were surprised to see such beauty exists just around 2 hours away from Metro Manila. Specifically located at Sitio Pandayan, Malabanan Balete, Batangas, Cintai Corito's Garden is currently managed by Paramount Property Management Company, the same group that handles Microtel Philippines.

The La Loma Lechon Festival 2014

Proving that La Loma, Quezon City still holds the title of Lechon Capital of the Philippines, on this year's festivity, La Loma offered more than just the typical lechons in costume parading down the street - they offered the start of a new beginning for La Loma Lechon Festival!

This year, the Tourism Board of Quezon City injected more activities to this filling celebration that gives guests and locals a reason to smile and weigh more. From the traditional Lechon Parade, last Sunday's festivity also includes Drums and Lyre Parade, Boodle Fight, Culinary Competition, Street Dance, Band Performances, Fireworks and more that made 2014 La Loma Lechon Festival more memorable.

I got there around lunch time, where I witnessed a crowd all gathered up at N.S. Amoranto Street. With drums and dragon dancers entertaining some of the town's guests, La Loma Lechon Festival also host a cooking contest that gave a new meaning to lechon eating.