Loving Malaysia at the 2014 PTAA Travel Tour Expo

If you can still remember, it was almost a year ago, when I was gifted to be part of a group of bloggers who will experience the maiden flight of Zest Air (now AirAsia Zest) to the beautiful and shining City of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. It was a memorable time for me since it is my first glance at the beautiful world and I can still vividly remember everything.

Last Friday, as the most anticipated and exciting 2014 Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) Travel Tour Expo opened, thousands of travel aficionados and great-deal buyers flock SMX, SM Mall of Asia to witness and be the first buyers of the amazing packages and trips prepared by the organizers.

Though, I'm not really there as the doors opened, I had a free time in the afternoon, after work, to see what's happening inside the place and how great are the great deals. I didn't really went there to buy, but rather check out what I can find out on the scheduled trips.

Guam Visitors Bureau at the 2014 PTAA Travel Tour Expo

It's that time of the year again as the travel aficionados of the country converge in this exciting and all-out travel bargain exposition brought to us by Department of Tourism and Philippine Travel Agencies Association - the 2014 PTAA Travel Tour Expo.

Composed of about a hundred of booth offering both local and international destinations packaged with amazing tours and really affordable travel fare, this year's PTAA Travel Tour Expo is not just about sharing the fun that our country has to offer but also the goodness that we can see in other place. One of them is the relaxing and home to many Filipinos, Guam.

Located west of the Pacific Ocean and accessible though a short four-hour flight via Philippine Airline and United Airlines, Guam offers Filipino travelers a tasteful weekend getaway in a US territory with their rich culture, flavorful cuisine, captivating beaches, and duty free shopping. 

Dinagyang 2014: The First Day to My Dream Philippine Festival

Funny it may seem that it took me a year to prepare for this and yet I'm still unprepared to what I'll be doing here. One thing I'm sure of, I'm excited to experience one of the most colorful and celebrated festivals in the Philippines - Dinagyang Festival.

Happening every fourth weekend of January here in Iloilo City, Dinagyang is celebrated with tons of fun and excitement together with some faith as the Señor Sto. Niño of Cebu brought into a procession on the streets of Iloilo along with a great number of street dancers all dressed in shinning and shimmering costumes and swaying to unique drumbeats made by different band groups.

This year, there are about 16 contingents from different parts of Iloilo and of the Visayas are vying to be the Dinagyang 2014 champion. And on the first day of my Dinagyang vacation here in Iloilo, January 23, I am welcomed by not just some drumbeats and colorful masks and costumes but also genuine sweet smiles from Ilonggos, who made the festivity more memorable and worth-experiencing.

Feast of Sto. Nino de Tondo, Shadow of the Sinulog and Ati-atihan Festivals

When it comes to celebrating the Feast of Sto. Nino, we at Tondo, Manila, know very well that we cannot compete with the kind of celebration they have there in Cebu. But despite of that, nothing could actually stop us from celebrating the coming of Sto. Nino to the Filipinos. Subukan nyo, nang makita nyo ang mga Siga ng Tundo! Hahaha!

Happening the same Sunday as Sinulog Festival and Ati-atihan Festival, which is on the third Sunday of January, is Tondo, Manila's Lakbayaw Festival, a festival composed of sing and dance dedicated to Sto. Nino de Tondo. Just like in Cebu, a weekend full of street dancing and chanting of "Viva, Viva Sto. Nino!," the Lakbayaw Festival of Tondo is a mixed of street dancing and solemn procession whereas participating schools in the area dress up and dance to compete on this year Lakbayaw Street Dance Competition.

The Festival is basically new, but it already caught some attention from the country due to its resounding success. I haven't seen any of the Lakbayaw shows yet, but I always make sure that I get to visit the church on the feast day - to give thanks to one who we basically consider as our patron saint - the Sto. Nino.

Cebu: Revisiting Mactan Shrine

A first time visitor must do what a first time visitor should do, and so I visit probably Cebu's second most visited tourist site, the Mactan Shrine a.k.a. Lapu-Lapu Shrine. But, hey, this is not my first time here. I've been here last 2009, but it seems like it was a long time ago, and so I revisited the place hoping that I'll still be amazed. 

Morning flight is really not my kind, so after checking in to my hotel, The Henry, I took a nap just enjoy the beauty of the room I really deserve.

I didn't expect The Henry to be this beautiful and inspiring, and so after an hour or two of sleeping, I woke with a huge smile on my face and excitement as I can feel that the is gonna be great.

The Henry: Your Artsy Sinulog 2014 Home

If you are heading south this Sto. Niño weekend to witness and experience the resounding and really colorful Sinulog Festival of the Queen City of the South - Cebu City - and you are still clueless as to where to stay over the weekend, here's an artsy option for you that you will certainly enjoy and captivate you heart - The Henry.

 

Nestled at the posh area of Banilad, a few kilometers from Cebu-Mactan Airport, which is basically in between the Downtown Cebu and the airport, The Henry will surely fill your Sinulog weekend with much more fun and excitement brought by the inspiring and unique interior of the place.

I had a taste of its colorful world a few months ago, and more than its accommodating staff, relaxing ambiance and great food, The Henry offers an art-gallery like kind of accommodation that brought out the artist in me. 

Azumi Boutique Hotel: Alabang's Next in Line

Come January 23rd, another boutique hotel will be opening its doors to the world to offer a unique staying experience that is sure to fill its guests with inspiration good for one's eyes and soul. All prepped up by Hospitality International Incorporated (HII), who is behind some of the country's much-admired hotels and service residences like The Henry in Cebu, The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences  in Makati and Crosswinds Resort Suites in Tagaytay, Azumi Botique Hotel in Alabang is the latest from the team offering affordable, convenient and stylish accommodation suited to business people who are always on the go.

http://www.azumi.ph/

I was lucky to be invited on its "sneak peek" day last week and even luckier to stay for a while at their rooftop where their amazing infinity lap pool oversees the bustling town of Alabang. But before I share to all of you what I saw and experience there, let me tour you around first they way the hospitable staff of this hotel toured me during my visit.

Located at the peaceful section of Madrigal Business Park Phase III in Alabang, Muntinlupa, Azumi Boutique Hotel is basically a tricolor hotel that shares this kinda manly (I think) feel but with dignified and simple touch fit for a woman to appreciate.

The bottom floor, which is the lobby, also houses a cafe-slash-restaurant that is so familiar to our palette, Romulo Cafe. Though, it wasn't completely done yet when I see the place, expect a different Romulo here for it is bigger and more colorful. I went and experience Romulo Cafe in Jupiter, Makati before, and I tell you, if this is isn't enough for you to experience Azumi, wait till you see their rooms and amenities.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2014: To God be the Glory

I won't deny the fact that for the past years that I've been witnessing and writing about the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, I mostly discuss the things that could make anyone's heart heavy, disappointed and afraid. The way this feast is celebrated is truly different and quite dangerous, and if you are not that serious and brave enough, fear more. But since I feel that I'm in this "Moving On" stage, I wanna start my year on a positive note, hence I will just share the things that made me feel how big God's love to me.

First, my new boss allowed me to take a time off from work to be here in Quiapo for the Feast of the Black Nazarene. I'm honestly not expecting him to allow me, but I'm really, really glad that he let me go. This is one of the many festivals in the country that is so important to me, and I'm glad that I witnessed it again.

Second, I was at the right time and at the right moment when I saw the replica. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time that the procession will be taking Escolta Street, and with its rich and colorful history just like the replica of the Black Nazarene, this is one great moment that I don't want to miss.

Ayala Triangle Gardens' Enchanting Lights and Sound Show 2013

Running from November 20 to January 5, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the most awaited Ayala Triangle Gardens' Enchanting Lights and Sound Show has finally come to life again giving delight and amazement to all visitors of the country's leading city, Makati City. But if you think that this one is just all about glitz and glam, witness as the shows opens up a noble cause for the survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda, local name).

Making this year's show more meaningful and in respect for those who have lost almost everything in life, Makati City, primarily Ayala Triangle Gardens, made this year's show comes with a spark hope for those affected by the calamity in the Visayas region.

Launching "Bulig Bisaya" campaign, Ayala’s response in the aftermath of the typhoon, along with this year's Enchanting Light and Sound Show, donation boxes have been positioned around the Ayala Triangle Gardens and Tower One & Exchange Plaza fountain area where people can drop cash donations of any amount. 

It's Christmas in Makati City!

Yes, its that time of the year again where Christmas lights are all over the major thoroughfares of Makati Central Business District visible and adding delight to every passerby of this modern and evolving city. With this year's theme "Season of Sharing", get ready to be welcomed by amber-colored Christmas light, white ribbons, colorful rings and arches that depicts Filipino tradition of festivity.

After years of displaying a wonderful and futuristic spectacle on the avenues of Ayala, Paseo de Roxas and Makati, Makati City has brought the dim lights back through a display of amber-colored Christmas lights this year mounted on the trees around the three avenues.

Though amber in color, Mel Ignacio, Assistant Vice President of Ayala Land, said that these lights are still LED lights, which are still safe for the trees they hanging on to. She also added that this year, Makati's Christmas celebration will be going beyond the spectacle and pleasure derived from streets all aglow. The city that makes it all happen is also a city with a heart.