Post-Valentine Date at Nuvali Night Sky Cinema

While some of you had a great time spending Valentine's Day with your special someone, I, for one, being single, had a great time spending my "post-Valentine's Day at the very relaxing and nature-ish place of NUVALI in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Think of open sky, sunset, friends and good movie - isn't it a fun date, different from the ordinary dining out?

Last February 16, together with some of my blogger-friends, we were able to enjoy our "Valentine Independence" (single's way of celebrating Valentine's Day) on the grounds of Nuvali Field as we gather along with a number of single people, families, and yeah, still some lovers to the first ever Nuvali Night Sky Cinema.

A free-for-all cinema that features three of the world's best romantic movies, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Pretty in Pink and Like Crazy, everyone was treated to an afternoon and night of cool breeze, peaceful surrounding and a wonderful experience that I HOPE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SOON!

Catching the Romantic Sight of Patar Beach

It's Valentine's Day, I know, and even though I'm all single and dateless this day, I cannot deny the fact that I already felt the love that I'm looking for when I visited Bolinao, Pangasinan a few days ago. Love not for someone but for the nature, that is, because when I caught the most romantic and most splendid sunset in my life in their most beautiful beach, I know that everyday could be a Valentine's Day here in Patar Beach.

A few days ago, together with my travel-blogger friends, we spend a day escaping the hustle and bustle of the metro and head up north to one of Luzon's most tranquil places - Bolinao, Pangasinan. Though, the place wasn't that commercialized compare to the other provinces in the country, Bolinao holds a lot of dear scenic spots perfect for barkada, family and even lovers.

After checking in to our hotel that day, which is the Puero del Sol, a place so beautiful that is so hard to leave, we found ourselves chasing the sun as it sets on the west giving the Boracay of Pangasinan to most amazing view I never thought exists here - the sunset.

The 20th Travel Tour Expo 2013

Since I had the chance to experience this expo, I made sure that I every year, even though I'm not planning to book on anything, I'm there to see the hottest and coolest promos on travelling. And this year is no exception, definitely, because with The 20th Travel Tour Expo 2013, it's more fun in the Philippines!

This coming weekend, from February 15 to 17, 2013, Travel Tour Expo  will be celebrating its 20th year of showcasing the widest array of tour products at the SMX Convention Center Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4, and Function Room 5 in Pasay City.

Dubbed as Gateway to Getaways, this 3-day event promises an even grander showcase of booths featuring the cream of the crop in Philippine travel and tourism, with an overwhelming number of exhibitors this year, thus, the venue is much more bigger and wider!

From the exhibitor presentations, fun games, and prizes upon prizes, visitors of this most awaited travel expo will also have a chance to this year’s special activities including the launch of the first PTAA TravelTour Expo Gateway to Getaways Coupon Book. A compilation of all discounts and freebies, PTAA TravelTour Expo Gateway to Getaways Coupon Book that visitors could get from the participating exhibitors, plus two (2) complimentary entrance tickets to the event. 

Welcoming The Year of the Snake at Ramada Manila Central

I guess there's really no reason at all to leave Manila before and during the height of Chinese New Year, because with the addition of this newly opened international branch of Ramada Hotel in the oldest Chinatown in the world - Binondo - a unique, oriental Filipino style Chinese New Year celebration is what awaits to every visitors of this colorful district.

Last weekend, together with some bloggers, I was invited to join them in welcoming one of the most colorful celebration in the world, the Chinese Lunar New Year. And with our host, Ramada Manila Central, an exciting and truly memorable experience is set for us that is said to inspire us in discovering Binondo and to entice us with bits and pieces that will make our Year of the Water Snake slithericious! 

Ramada Manila Central is just a few months old, and with their goal to promote Binondo to the world, they have this "Discover Binondo" program, a campaign that is available to all their guests who wants more of just relaxation and comfort in the busy district of Binondo. Sounds exciting, right?

Makati Hosts Art Fair Philippines 2013

Who would've thought that a plain and sometimes scary looking car park could be turned into a place where art pieces burst into an orgasmic riot of creativity and talents made by or very own local artists. I guess, there's really one city that could make things happen, and as far as I believe, this is the best contemporary art exhibit that you could find in the country! Yes, it's Art Fair Philippines 2013 here in Makati!

If you come often here in Makati,  you'll definitely not miss the banners that speak of the words "art", "fair" and "Philippines", and I'm sure that all these banners lead you that one place you'll never expect to be - the Car Park of The Link in Ayala Center.

Kenneth Cobonpue

Transformed by the Filipino design superstar Kenneth Cobonpue, the 6th level of The Link's car park was  turned in to a heaven of art collections from different renowned art studios and galleries in the country to join the first ever Art Fair Philippines. And to add some splash of colors and creativeness to this Contemporary Art Fair, 24 of the most forward-thinking galleries and art groups were chosen for their carefully edited and specially curated shows. Among the galleries featured in the art fair were Art Informal, Altro Mondo, Blanc, Boston Gallery, CANVAS, Finale Art Gallery, Galleria Duemila, Manila Contemporary, MO Space, Silverlens, Tin-Aw Gallery, The Drawing Room and West Gallery among others. 

Puerto del Sol: Your Mediterranean Home in Bolinao, Pangasinan

Its been a long-time dream of mine to experience basking under the sun of Bolinao, Pangasinan, and a few months ago, together with some of my friends who worry nothing about long travel for hours, I experienced a first-class Bolinao escapade that I'm dreaming of. Thanks to Puerto del Sol for this memorable experience that I would love to try again soon.

Traversing the smooth highway to the north, after some bus stops and 8 hours of traveling I found myself standing in front of what seems to be a very quite and pleasant town of Bolinao. Alaminos was my farthest place in this side of town that I've been to, and though it didn't differ that much, Bolinao offers a more relaxing and convenient vacation spot perfect for people like me who loves to see a lot of from the place.

A quaint room at what is said to be the best accommodation you could find in this side of the world, Puerto del Sol was my home on this weekend of exploration and fun in Bolinao, Pangasinan. I've heard a lot about this place from my friends a million times before, and I cannot believe that it was only this time that I finally gave in to its call.

Paete Reboot at Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences

Known for its artsy-artsy appeal to local and foreign guests of Makati City, Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences is happy to host a unique exhibit that display the magnificent and truly world-class talents our of artists from the beautiful and artistic town of Paete in Laguna in this Paete Reboot exhibit.

An exhibit prepared by Paete Artists Guild and curated by Mr. Glenn Cagandahan, Paete Reboot showcases that amazing talent that the town of Paete was known for - sculpting. With 15 artists namely Bayani Ray Acala, Phaern Afurong, Angelito Baldemor, Ely Kid Baldemor, Lell Baldemor, Patricio Balquiedra, Otep Bañez, Dhan Cads, Christine Cagandahan, Glenn Cagandahan, Odette Cagandahan, Nestor Cagayat, Benjamin Dailo, Bisoy Iglesia and Dominic Rubio, Paete Reboot will give you a glimpse of what more to expect from Paete, Laguna.

The main gallery of this exhibit is located  on the 4th level of Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences. Sculptures and other wood carvings by Angelito Baldemor, Phaern Afuring, patricio Balquidra, Dhan Cads, Glenn Cagandahan, Nestor Cagayat, Benjamin Dailo and Bisoy Iglesia are to be see in the his room.

Staycation at Ramada Manila Central

Chinese New Year is fast approaching, and even though I'm not really a Chinese, I'm so in love with their culture that is just so rich and colorful. That's why if you are looking for a nice place to stay in Manila to catch the celebration of our fellow Filipino-Chinese, well, I recommend that you come and stay at Ramada Manila Central.

The newest and latest addition to the evolving town of Binondo, Ramada Manila Central was our home a few days back when I, and my superfriends, decided, to have this "staycation".

Just on the side of Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz or popularly known as Binondo Church, Ramada Manila Central is really not that hard to find and actually safe to locate. With an ambiance for luxurious travelers and deep-pocketed backpackers, this hotel offered me and my friends a relaxing and enjoyable stay that we would love to experience again and again.

Feast of Sto. Nino de Tondo 2013: Viva Santo Nino!

From Kalibo to Cebu, from Pandacan to Tondo, I guess, there's really no reason to doubt how many people believe and keep their faith to the young Jesus brought by Spaniards centuries ago. And this year, as I celebrate the Feast of Sto. Nino in my hometown once again, Tondo - after that memorable and wonderful experience I had last year in Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan, I guess, there's still no place like home! Happy fiesta, Sto. Nino de Tondo!

Compared to the provinces from the south, Sto. Nino here in Manila has completely changed its image, but despite of that, the devotion given to the holy child was very evident to the number of people flock to its churches to celebrate his festivity.

And yesterday, together with my aunts who are devotees too of the Sto. Nino, I visited once again the first district of Tondo to see how the celebration was kept alive and how the people of Tondo show their unique way of thanking the miraculous image that started Catholicism in the country.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013: The The Love, The Devotion and the Cosplay

If the celebration last year left we with questions as to how come the number of devotees of the Black Nazarene keeps growing and do all of these devotees really know what they are doing, I guess this year, as I brave myself again in facing the challenges of capturing some bits and pieces of one of the most celebrated feast in the country, the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013 leave with simple joy and amazement as to how miraculously every thing goes in its right place.

Compared to last year, this year's procession took a little less shorter. From the longest 22-hour procession, this year, the procession only lasted for 18 hours, so by 1:30 in the morning of January 10, the replica of the Black Nazarene was finally back, safe and sound, to its place inside the Basilica of the the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.

Having a family who's a devotee of the said patron, it s a tradition for us to visit the church  see the procession even if we all hail from the neighboring district, Tondo. It was my father who's very active to this kind of stuff back then, so don't ask me to whom I get the habit. But then again, more than a habit, seeing and praying on to the Nazarene on this festive day is actually an eye-opener.