Here are three additional tangible pieces that are the end results of my recent brain breaks.
beautiful!!!
my first mandala
one tree and eight owis
These can be the additional art pieces which can be exhibited in my imaginary museum.
Humanda ka nashonal myusiyum, hir ay kam… balang araw…
Costa Pacifica is a high end resort/hotel place in Baler, Aurora Province. If I am to describe this stunningly relaxing resort in one word, the word would be “imperfect”.
first shot! the sun has yet to rise when we arrived
picture muna
Though ranked as the number 1 resort in whole of Aurora province, the soft, fine and sandy beach offering of Costa Pacifica (which is literally few steps away) is not the soft white variety that you would typically find in a high end resort in the Philippines. But you will totally forget about the color of the sand as soon as you would see the awesome color of the sunrise, hear the calming sound of the beach and experience the exhilarating swells of its waves.
aylavet!
relaxing…
amazing view
Though the very nice facilities and ambience of this resort can already be considered perfect, the reason for its imperfection is their overwhelming customer service flexibility. It’s more than perfect that is why I consider it ridiculously imperfect.
I know that check-in time for any resort or hotel is at 2:00 PM and request for early check-in would usually be granted starting at 10 in the morning depending on room availability. But what is insanely surprising is that we were granted a 6:00 AM early check-in even though we did not actually insisted or demanded for it.
Upon arriving in Baler super early in the morning, we went straight to this beautiful resort just to request on the possibility of our luggage to be kept in their storage area. And that we would just return at 2:00PM in time for our check-in. But surprisingly, we were already offered to check-in in our room right at that very moment!
super nice!
nice loots for nengkoy… she would hate me if i will just leave those…
fit for a king…
To prove and push further their incredible customer service flexibility, they allowed us to avail our breakfast – which by the way was a delightful buffet – on the day we arrived. When in fact, the breakfast should only be availed the following day after we have spent overnight in that beautiful resort.
These two rare more-than-perfect experiences made me incredibly so impressed by the customer service orientation of the whole resort! It shut off my usual petulant morning crankiness making my whole throughout stay in Baler very pleasing and relaxing. I have been to lots of expensive hotels and resorts, but never was I granted this amazing level of generosity and flexibility.
one happy & satisfied guest…
Walang kadamot-damot… Kakaiba ka Kosta Pasipika!
Last Tuesday night, the few pieces of artistic neurons present inside my cranial cavity were happy to have witnessed one historical event in the “Philippine art scene”. I was present during the formal turnover ceremony of artworks of Emilio Aguilar Cruz to the Philippines’ National Museum for Fine Arts. The event was coined as the biggest donation in the history for an art collection by an artist to the country’s national museum.
And from the poignant speeches I heard during the ceremony, this generous and selfless act was decided upon so that future generations of the Philippines would be able to see and appreciate contemporary yet refined works of Filipino visual art. This is aside from the fact that these valuable pieces would definitely be protected, preserved and maintained by the state.
EAC Gallery (Abe Wing)
photo grabbed from National Museum FB page
Aside from the formal turnover of donation of EAC art pieces, the program also includes the formal inauguration of the Emilio Aguilar Cruz Hall. Also known as the Abe Wing inside the National Museum, this hall exhibits the donated paintings, sketches and water colors done by EAC.
Activating the art connoisseur in me, from among all the art pieces hanged inside the Abe Wing, the two works of art that charmed and bewitched me were:
portrait of a lady, 1989 (oil on canvass)
This painting is a true representation of a Filipina beauty. Though the only color used was the varying colors of brown, the monochromatic shades – from lighting, to the clothing and to the color of the woman’s skin – were all so fascinatingly beautiful and captivating.
Paris, 1980 (watercolor on paper)
This watercolor is small but very engaging. The colors are so alive you would wonder whether such piece was recently been done when in fact it is already 35 years old. Onlooker would be able to appreciate it more if seen from a considerable distance (which for me is a typical EAC style).
Like any other great works of art found in the museums around the globe, EAC’s art pieces would someday, in some foreseeable future, shall become valuable tools for the next generation to better understand its past. Kudos to the family of Emilio Aguilar Cruz for such a generous donation!
Koloring buk ko kaya tanggapin kung i-doneyt ko sa nashonal myusiyum?
Here are three additional art pieces that is the fruit of my recent brain breaks.
still can’t believe i made this…
love your own…
i know my color wheel…
The Secret Garden coloring book has definitely made my time and concentration within a relaxing bubble. Choosing the right shade of green, avoiding going over the lines and slowly filling up the page has at least temporarily fades my intense concerns. It shuts me off from the rest world and brings me to a different level of calmness.
And it is good to know that based on neuroscientific research, Art Therapy to human beings can physically change, grow and rejuvenate the brain. Another benefit of this activity is that, it unplugs me and kept me away from the world of the worldwide web for some considerable time.
Pang myusiyum talaga ang peg!
My presence into the world of internet has been reduced for the past week. This is because I have been busy utilizing my brain’s right hemisphere for the past few days.
No, I have not been reading a book but instead – believe it or not – I have gone crazy with a coloring book. I know it sounds like another childish silliness, but this coloring book seem to relax me.
the book itself, uncolored, is gorgeous!
my first venture!
Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book by Johanna Basford has so far been completely entrancing! It has been the book that surprisingly calms me and at the same time enabled me to squeeze a lot of my creative juices.
I have yet to know or read an actual science that proves coloring in a coloring book makes the person happier or reduce stress. But for me, it has been an effective tool for a blissful meditative escape from stress and pressures of daily life.
flowers and the “ipis” (as per nengkoy)
primary colors!
my next project…
And after finishing three pages by simply coloring away to my heart’s content, I was chilled out to realize that there exist some creativity in me. This book is so engrossing, it is like being so immersed in your own Secret Garden…
Aminin! Pang Nashonal Myusiyum ang gawa ko!
It is a common notion and a customary aspiration that if you are in a foreign land, you would want to taste the best and most favorite that such locale or country has to offer. Meaning, if you are in France you would normally want to dine in the best or most preferred French restaurant. Or if you are in Italy you would of course aspire to eat at the best or most popular Italian restaurant. But when in the Philippines, has it been determined which would be the restaurant where to taste the best and most preferred Filipino cuisine?
The Filipino cuisine is experiencing a renaissance in the world cuisine stage. The world is now discovering that the Filipino cuisine is not just the exotic “balut”. Thus, it is essential to determine in today’s generation which Filipino restaurant in the Philippines is the best and the most favorite. Here are two trusty basis for this. One for being the best while the other for being the most favorite.
One would be based on the selection made by MBKRS which is short for Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secret award. MBKRS is a biennial awarding body considered by a lot of Filipino foodies and food establishments as the most prestigious award that recognizes excellence in city dining scene.
Two would be based on the honor given by the recently concluded Choice Awards 2015. A new food-scene recognizing body which was established and organized by popular and “powerful” food bloggers in the Philippines. This award does not recognizes the best of the country’s food and food establishments but instead honors the most commonly preferred and most favorites.
These two recognizing bodies has bestowed honors to food establishments in various categories – best or most favorite: buffet, Italian resto, Spanish resto, burger joint, coffee shop, steakhouse, Chinese resto, and a lot more. But these recognizing bodies being based in the Philippines, I would personally consider their choice or their award for being the best and most favorite Filipino Restaurant would be the most prestigious. It’s like bestowing the Best Picture award during the Oscars or the Golden Globes of Philippine dining scene!
Few people I guess knows that there is one Filipino restaurant (in the Philippines) which has received and has been awarded by both these recognizing bodies. MBKRS in 2012 awarded it as the “Best Filipino Restaurant” while the first Choice Awards held this year (2015) chose it as the “Most Favorite Filipino Restaurant”.
That restaurant is Abe.
at the trinoma branch
at the serendra branch
Award wining!
maestros d&g
So finally the duo has come into their functional senses and realized that the remarks were nothing but ill, faulty and discriminatory. Domenico Dolce, the half of Dolce & Gabbana according to vogue.com has finally said sorry and expressed that his words were inappropriate and that it was not his intention to offend anyone. This is with regards to their ill remarks about gay or straight parents having “synthetic” babies, or “chemical offspring” from a “rented uterus”, making them this year as the most hated fashion icons on the planet.
I totally don’t understand why it took so long for fashion maestro Dolce to realize the error in his inflammatory comments except for the possibility perhaps that there has been significant drop in their sales and revenues. May this be the reason behind such a change of heart or not, what is important is that there is an emergence of consciousness among the human beings of this planet. That no institution can tell people how to love and people who wants to create or develop a family can freely choose on how to go about it.
the classic d&g scent
I have always believed that earnest humility and expressions of sincere apology helps mend shattered relationships. So I guess, it’s now time to locate, take out and use my long-been kept bottle of D&G perfume which have been shelved for some period of time now as part of my joining the boycott of their products. Now I can wear the D&G scent again.
Mabuti nag sori na kasi ubos na yung mga pabango kong Dyoban at Tsarli.
I grew up listening to her music. I grew up liking her ever changing image. I grew up idolizing this woman who ignited an entire generation to express themselves.
photo from madonna.com
Seeing a Madonna Concert is the only thing that is lacking of my being a die-hard fan. Click this LINK for you to know how big a fan I am of Madonna: https://neillangit.com/2008/08/17/a-fan-of-a-golden-girl/
To fulfil my self-imposed requirement, I seriously considered travelling to Tel Aviv, Israel in 2012 to watch the Sticky and Sweet World Tour. I chose Tel Aviv because that seem to be the nearest country where I can watch that concert. Also, being a Filipino I need not apply for a tourist visa in that country. But due to budget constraints I obviously was not able to go.
Then just about two weeks ago, my super friend Jesse who’s based in Sydney messaged me and invited me to see the Rebel Heart show in Australia. He sent me the link on how the purchase should go. This is despite the fact that Madonna performing in Manila is already becoming a big buzz. I was so close to buying the ticket! But for some weird reason, obviously I did not.
Until two days after chatting with Aussie Jesse, the big news was announced that Madonna for the first time will perform in Manila. I did not believe it still, until I personally checked the official Madonna website. And when I saw for myself that Madonna is indeed coming, I was like feeling so moved!!! I know I’m not religious, but I felt so moved, it made me wanna pray!!!
the only one in asia!!!
Then, 4 days prior to the official selling of tickets to public, I received a text message from Citibank informing me that I got the opportunity to buy Madonna tickets because of their pre-sale program. I of course did not let this chance go! I moved my ass and bought 2 ticket seats.
I need someone to accompany me during the concert so I bought 2 tickets. One for my dear sister Gaying. My sister during the event has been assigned to pinch my nose and slap me in the face to remind me that what I am about to see and experience is not a dream.
finally!
Now that I got myself her concert ticket, one of my life’s bucket list will finally become a realization. See you there…
Parating na ang sugo. Bili na ng tiket!
Nengkoy has a new look, particularly the header. It is sourced and adapted from the cool calligraphy by http://howyouare.com/calligraphy which I found in Facebook. 
Happy reading…
Stey kul… bukul…
bienvenido!
“We stayed in an old Spanish-colonial house”. This is my usual response to a lot of friends who asked where did I and a couple of friends stayed when we were in Taal, Batangas. We actually stayed in Paradores Del Castillo, an old Spanish-Filipino house turned into a hotel.
For those who love the old world flavor with the illustrado-Spanish-Filipino touch, you will truly enjoy staying in this hotel. And true enough, as soon as I saw the façade and entered this old house, I immediately wanted take photos of the whole place. Every space, wall and décor seem to have rich characters. It would be one of those places that Ernest Hemmingway or Jose Rizal would approve of. It felt like I was in some old Filipino period movie produced by LVN or the Sampaguita pictures.
Here are a few photos of this beautiful and uniquely Filipino hotel.
paradores del castillo
stylish!
translation: please con’t disturb. and that’s the super old door knob! hahaha!
those capiz window panes are so uniquely filipino!
even the door key is so old… i love it!
seating/reading area at the ground floor
filipino dining area also known as “hapag kainan”
delicious breakfast by the garden: tapang taal with kapeng barako
a nice sunny weather…
Sinverguenza! Ang bongga bongga!
Nengkoy 