Tag Archives: travel

A Grand Gourmet Experience

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spirals1

spirals, sofitel manila

It was one unforgettable pre-Christmas dinner as well as post-birthday celebration of my nephew Denden.  I and my family were in Spirals, Sofitel Manila last night.   Spirals is the country’s biggest and widest array of culinary delights with 21 interactive Ateliers.

For me the best features in the buffet were the mouthwatering Chinese Dimsum; a raw bar of sushi and sashimi; the wide array of artisanal cheeses (inside the much raved about cheese room); the juicy steaks at Churrasco; the paneers and tandoori; and, of course the unlimited Foie Gras.

Though this was not my first time to dine at Spirals I still get so overwhelmed, I failed to take photos of the buffet.

the staff probably knew that i have a crazy noisy family we were billeted inside a vip room

sofitel staff probably knew that i have a crazy noisy family, we were billeted inside a vip room

me and nengkoy loved this bread...

me and nengkoy loved this bread…

a view from the hotel lobby

a view from the hotel lobby

No wonder Spirals at Sofitel this year was chosen as the Best International Buffet by the prestigious Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets (MBKRS Awards).

Burp…

My Country In 2 Minutes And 42 Seconds

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This post is not intended for my fellow Filipinos.  This is for those living a life outside the Philippines.  My country’s target this year is to hit the 4.5 million foreign tourists this year.

Have you been part of these fortunate inhabitants of this planet this year?  If not, watch this and decide if you wish to be part of that 4.5 million souls living outside of my fun country.  Watch this so that you can simply decide why you being a foreign tourist must come to the Philippines…

Also, if you’ve not been here this year, you still have roughly 90 days to be here and enjoy the smell, the tastes and the sights and sounds of my country.  See you here…

Eksayting!

Weiner in Melaka

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Early this year when I was at Osaka in Japan, I found pussy in Namba Parks  (press this LINK if you wish to read this hilarious post).  Last week during a long weekend in Malaysia, I found a weiner in Melaka.

Titi is a Tagalog word when translated in English would mean a man’s love-stick, prick, or pecker.  For a nicer and more appropriate label it is the male genitalia.

While passing through one narrow street inside Chinatown in Melaka, I and my colleagues noticed the signage of Titi Art Gallery.  Without hesitation we mindlessly took a photo of it.  It was for us hilarious and was actually laughing out loud wondering what interesting pieces of art could be inside.

Initially, I thought the gallery would feature the “helmeted yogurt slinger” in various artistic media.  But of course I am wrong because the gallery sells gorgeous drawings and paintings.  The reputed art works were even hailed and endorsed by UNESCO as indicated in one of its posters.

The gallery’s owner was the one who welcomed us and instinctively guessed that we were Filipinos simply because of our laughter.  He said that he knew we were Filipinos because his gallery receives the same reception and reaction from Filipino tourists in Melaka from the past.  He was nevertheless gentle and accommodating enough to explain that “titi” in Chinese means little or younger brother and when translated in Malay language would mean a small bridge.

The paintings and drawings were actually stunning but it was a bit pricey for our budget so we simply say thanks and bid goodbye to the gallery’s owner.

But since my brain’s dendrites were functioning very well after a cup of coffee from a nearby shop, I realized that the Chinese and Malay translation for titi is basically close to that of Tagalog.  Why?  It is because a lot of androcentric jocks consider their pecker as their little brother.  Also, a man’s joystick when interloped inside a love-hole would be the small bridge where the huge army of seeds or jellyfishes will have to cross so as to create a human being.  Thus, Tagalog, Chinese and Malay’s definition of titi is fundamentally the same.

In peyrnes, di madulas sa tindahan ni manong!

Photos of Malaysia

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Today is Malaysia Day.  Let me commemorate this day by posting few and selected photos I shot while I was in Malaysia last week (and were enhanced using Instagram and Photo360 apps).  This is my second venture into the world of photography…

title: malaysian-chinese temple

title: merdeka

title: petronas

Maleysha, Truli Eysha…

Ceramic Tile Painting in Melaka

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mr. ho, the ceramic tile painter

Along Temple Street in Melaka, Malaysia there sits a long-haired Chinese-Malay looking man who introduced himself as Mr. Ho.  He seems to enjoy smoking cigar from a classic looking wooden pipe during what seem to be a lazy afternoon in Melaka.  While smoking from his pipe, he paints on ceramic tiles that depict colorful mini-replicas of antique European china as well as artistic facades of mansions and colonial buildings found in Melaka.

Looking through the walls of his artworks inside his gallery I was bitten by an artistic bug.  I was easily mesmerized by the colors, artistry and intricacy of his work.  It was like an out of body experience.  Though with a limited budget, I purchased myself one of his works mounted inside a stylish wooden frame.

inside mr. ho’s gallery

my purchase, entitled: “melakan malay courtyard”

a closer look

the written description at the back of the frame

Mr. Ho was courteous enough to allow me to take his photo while he does his painting on one of his ceramic tiles.  Good thing though, I asked for his name because when I stepped out of his shop there was no signage to fully document this artistic experience.

Ma-pintahan nga ang mga tayls sa banyo!

Dress Code in Heaven?

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Resorts World Casino at Genting Highlands in Malaysia refused to accept fashionably dressed people in their establishment.  I was in my premium Japanese-branded spring/summer ensemble – three-fourths cut sleeved plaid shirt matched with rust-colored twill shorts, trendy almond-toed gray loafers and of course premium branded underwear – all in extra fine cotton fabric when I was refused entry.

The security at the entrance door refused me entry because according to him I was in shorts cut above the knee.  While being reprimanded, I wanted to answer back the uncouth obsolescent security officer that shorts cut below the knee are sooo ‘90s!  The security officer and the Genting Highlands management in itself do not realize that the cost of my chic and trendy shorts would probably be more expensive than the gown worn by the lady who entered before me at their starting-to-dilapidate entrance hall.

Too bad, Genting Casino refused me entry simply because of my chichi-looking shorts when in fact I was all ready to splurge millions of ringgits in their establishment which in a way can help rehabilitate their somewhat old and outmoded facilities.  Instead, me and my colleagues settled for the nearby Starbucks.

inside the church in kuala lumpur

Later in the afternoon, I joined my colleagues’ plan to hear the Holy Mass celebrated in one of the few Catholic churches in Kuala Lumpur.  I was hesitant to join at first because I might also be refused entry because I was still in my chic fashionable shorts.  I thought that if hell (the casino) can refuse me entry it is by all means that heaven (church) would definitely not allow me in.

But while making my way under the roof of heaven here on earth no one frisked or stopped me.  And when I was regenerated by prayers and while stepping out of the church, I realized that heaven is truly more fashionable than hell.

Kaya mag-shorts kung plano mo ng mamatay.

Vogue-ing Baguio: The Potential Fashion Capital of the Philippines

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i can never wear this ensemble in manila

I always believe that fashion is governed by the temperature.  People for sure dress up differently when they go up to Baguio.  It’s a strange thing that happens unconsciously.  You can’t just pack a simple shirt, singlet, shorts and jeans when going up to spend a day or two in Baguio.  That is why for me cool breezy Baguio City has the full potential to become the fashion capital of the Philippines.

People in the Pine City can wear lots of layers, lots of dark or neutral colored fabrics and lots of accessories to go with it.   Baguio can have warm sunny days from March to July and very cold weather from August until the end of February which means it is but logical to see true shifts in wardrobe throughout the year.

In Manila or other places in the Philippines that has invariable temperature donning in a trench coat or wrapping your neck with a scarf would simply be laughable.  When a lady feels cold in Manila, which is never an outdoor occurrence but usually inside a cinema, a mall or a hotel, she would simply wrap herself with a shawl or ask somebody to adjust the aircon.  But in Baguio, when it’s cold outside you would have to have chic overcoats, trendy scarves, stylish knitted hats and even fashionable knee-high leather boots.  Thus, you could simply play dress up!

Too bad, only few Baguio inhabitants seem to have embraced the idea that their place can be the true fashion capital of this country because of the climate.  They are so drawn with Manila-fashion they do not realize that they can actually improvise and vogue-up the Pinoy fashion which could flicker worldwide fad, craze and attention.

Yeah, living in Manila looks good but staying in Baguio feels good.  If Baguio is a drink, it is a Martini while Manila is an Iced Tea.  When it comes to fashion, Manila is the Los Angeles of the Philippines but Baguio can be its New York.

Hoy Baguio gising!

Colors of Abe’s Farm by a Newbie in Photography

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Here is my first venture into the world of photography using only my iPhone as my tool as well as the wonders of photo apps, Instagram and Camera360.  As a newbie, I decided to start with landscape, still life and plants as my subject using only the natural light.  These photos were taken at Abe’s Farm located in Magalang, Pampanga.

You be the judge if I have the inkling and if this could be my possible fallback career…

title: wooden wheel

title: wind chimes

luggage

title: blue stones and a pathway

title: bricks column

title: modern hut

title: violet tips

But then again, Abe’s Farm is such a beautiful place any clear, sharp and on-focus shot you make still ends-up being very nice.

Konti pang praktis!

Cab Drivers of Civilized Baguio

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I like Baguio.  After staying for a long weekend in this city located at the northern part of the Philippines, it made me realize that it is the more civilized version of Manila.

Green parks and beautiful landscapes, limited number of mendicants, rosy pimple-free skins of charming inhabitants, pedestrian-courteous motorists, less congested streets, breathable air, healthy produce, efficient services and a no smoking city with limited cigarette smoking spots were remarkably impressive.  Aside from all these, what really impressed me about Baguio are its cab drivers.

green breathable park of baguio

In wicked Manila, taxi drivers don’t know the concept of “change fund” and almost always never give you the exact change for your payment.  Your change is always rounded off to the next tenth of your fare, i.e. if your fare is worth 72.50 pesos and you handed a 100-peso bill ridiculous drivers would only give you 20 bucks as your change.  Insisting that you have been short-changed and demanding for the remaining change is like inviting hostilities and luring dangerous confrontations.  They would usually justify in an unfriendly douchebag manner that they don’t have smaller bills or loose change to fulfill your demand.

Stumbling upon a Manila cab driver who is nice and runs a spotless vehicle and will give you all your change is like finding a little miracle in itself in this city.  I don’t require cab drivers to smile or converse with me while traversing the streets of the metro, giving me my exact change is all that I need.

But in Baguio civilized, honest, fair and courteous cab drivers abound.  It was so surprising that these drivers issue the exact change.  I actually thought I was vacationing in a very civilized first world country when I counted the exact change handed to me by the driver.  This may be too trifling for something to be amazed about, but for me after having been subjected to a galaxy of horrors by Manila cab drivers, such character is something to smile and acclaim about.

These drivers are one of the first inhabitants that a tourist would encounter in Baguio and usually the last ones to be engaged with when leaving the city.  No doubt, these motorists gave me a good impression about the City of Pines.

Hoy sukli ko?!

Possessed by Sisa and Don Tiburcio De Espadaña

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In the novel Noli Me Tangere written by the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, two colorful yet secondary characters were Sisa and Don Tiburcio De Espadaña.  The former is a loving mother with sadomasochistic tendencies who turned nuts when her two accused of theft sacristan children, Crispin and Basilio, has vanished and were nowhere to be found.  The latter is an emotionally disturbed, toothless, poorly dressed limping Spaniard who stutters and is often maltreated by his social-climbing wife yet collects exorbitant fees out from his being a quack doctor.

Noli Me Tangere was written in the era when the now preserved mansions and houses now rebuilt in Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar heritage resort located in Bagac, Bataan flourished.  This is the magnificent resort that I and my travel-buddy Karen spent our weekend.

While exploring the marvelous resort, we found a studio that offers pictorial services in which clients will be photographed wearing traditional Filipino dresses during the 18th and 19th century.  We availed of the photo shoot package and were handed with our respective Filipiniana costumes.

Inside the dressing room it seems that we were possessed and controlled over by the spirits of Sisa and Don Tiburcio De Espadaña that resulted to the following bizarre and wacky images.

No we were not in some serious drugs!

Ano sa Tagalog ang “jumpshot”?