Asian Eats 2014 Press Release

This weekend, let's embark on an Asian gastronomic adventure!

Happening tomorrow 'til the 10th is the Asian Eats food festival at the 2nd Floor Atrium of The Podium, Ortigas. Asian Eats will feature a plethora of traditional and modern/fusion flavors from Philippines, Turkey, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, India, and many more. The 3-day event, hosted by Asia Society Philippines, Pinoy Eats World and The Podium, is part of Pinoy Eats World’s regular World Eats bazaar.

 

"Take a culinary tour around Southeast Asia, starting off with traditional Indonesian cuisine by Chef Rita Binibule (Rita’s Indonesian Kitchen). Thai restaurant NAV, Vietnamese restaurant P.H.A.T. Pho, and Singaporean bistro Your Local will be stirring up taste buds with a modern take on Southeast Asian cuisines. Chef Claude Tayag’s Downtown Cafe by Bale Dutung will serve up Filipino fare with a twist, while Inasalan sa Dalan will offer Ilonggo classics.

To add to this gastronomic feast, Manila-based cooks from around Asia will be sharing authentic dishes from their homelands. Maharajas Kababs by Aashish Mirpuri will spice up the event with Northern Indian cuisine. Suzy Lee’s Spring by Ha Yuan will offer a fresh, healthy take on Chinese comfort food classics. Turkish-national Aysegul Ozden Trifyllis (Ayse’s Turkish Cuisine) and Korean-national Tina Hong Garcia (Bi Won) will present their interpretations of the flavors of their home countries.

Foodies can look forward to pairing their food with unique concoctions by EDSA Beverage Design Studio. Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth by checking out modern patisserie Pink Wasabi, who will be serving their trademark kashi maki (sweet hand-rolled sushi cakes) and other unique desserts.  

Guests will also have the opportunity to learn more about the culture of our Asian neighbors. On Saturday, August 9, there will be a live Roti Canai cooking demonstration by chefs from Berjaya Hotel Makati, and musical performances by acoustic guitarist Alyza Barro and Indonesian singers. On Sunday, August 10, there will be a demonstration by Turkish Chef Illhami and a performance by K-pop cover group NEO.

Asian Eats is presented by Del Monte and sponsored by SYSU International and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ANC, Solar TV, Manila Times, SPOT.ph, WhenInManila.com and Rappler are media partners for this event."



For updates, stay tuned on #AsianEatsMNL and visit the event’s page http://tiny.cc/asianeatsMNL for more information. You may contact Marge or Rina at 550-2612, 810-8983 or at info@asiasociety.org.ph for questions.

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The Amazing Race Philippines Season 2 Auditions

This could be your adventure of a lifetime!

TV5 and internationally renowned independent production company activeTV Asia will launch the second season of The Amazing Race Philippines (a reality game show based on the American series The Amazing Race) this 2014. Derek Ramsay returns as its host.


And the search is on for couples or pairs (with pre-existing relationships) who meet the following requirements:

- Filipino citizens
- Aged 21 years old and above
- Physically and mentally fit
- With valid passorts
- Bursting with personality(!)
- At least one member must have a driver's license who can drive automatic transmission and manual transmission

The Amazing Race Philippines Team will be holding on-ground auditions on these dates:

June 20- Matina Town Square, Davao
June 22- Marqee Mall, Pampanga​
June 28- Eastwood City Libis, Quezon City

Visit the show's website for more details: www.theamazingrace.ph/

"It is like a voyage of discovery into unknown lands, seeking not for new territory but for new knowledge. It should appeal to those with a good sense of adventure."
~ Frederick Sanger

 
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Driving (And Eating) North With Chevrolet Spark And Yak Pak Philippines

"Is it a sport utility vehicle?" I inquired over the phone. "And where are we going?"

Melo of OutOfTownBlog.com, on the other end of the line, replied "No. It's a small car. Ilocos Norte." 

"Oh.", was my only reaction. And it wasn't the 'oh-okay' kind of Oh. It was the 'oh-are-you-out-of-your-mind?!' kind.

North seemed like a good idea. But hey, not when you're driving or riding a subcompact hatchback that's relatively new in the market. The long northward road, well-trodden by all sorts of vehicles, has several parts that are under construction. For the Chevrolet Spark, passing such unpaved thoroughfares is like off-roading.

So, Ilocos Norte? Really?

The Spark made it to Paoay! Photo by roadtrip buddy Michael Sagaran.   Few days after that phone conversation, I found myself ensconced in the backseat of a lemon yellow Chevy Spark. Beside me, the hubby. Beside him, my mom. On my lap, our snoozing three-year-old. Surprisingly, we all comfortably fit. Quite snug, yes, but a cozy snug.

Stopover in Villasis, Pangasinan for just-off-the-grill tupig.  

Michael of MichaelAnthonySagaran.weebly.com was behind the wheel and Melo was in the front seat. The two picked us up from The Linden Suites where we stayed for a night, and offered to drop off my family in Tarlac. By that time, our destination was still uncertain.

What we were sure of, the highlands couldn't be an option for the rainy season has made its ingress in Philippine territory.

One of my travel companions for this trip, the Yak Pak Voyager Lunch Bag which kept our tupig warm.

After delivering my family to our home, us bloggers pushed on northwest-bound. As miles were covered, destinations slowly surfaced between random conversations. Destinations in the form of food: Tupig, dinakdakan, bagnet, Vigan longganisa, pinakbet, and Batac empanada. 

 And we wondered, "How will the Spark fare?".

Eye-catching prints. Bold colors. That's New York-based lifestyle brand Yak Pak for you.  

Michael was quick to notice its solid handling, a nifty trait when you weave through city traffic. And as expected from a small car, the Chevy Spark is fuel efficient. Also, its brakes performed well, but let's not ask how Michael and Melo were able to test this.

Early morn sunbath at Urbiztondo beach, San Juan, La Union. My Yak Pak bag beside me kept my bottle of water cold.  

The Chevy Spark's got a LED-lit dashboard installed on the steering column that's easy to read. Other features: Remote keyless entry, power locks, power mirrors. Quite a number of cubby holes. It's a four-door cabin (five, including the boot) which makes it easy for passengers to climb in.

Snub-nosed. Cute.

Venturing further north.

But it proved to be beast!

First day of our road trip/test, our end point was San Juan, La Union wherein we did bopis, sisig, grilled liempo and laing for dinner at Urbiztondo Grill House and retired in Sebay Surf Central. On the second day, after my sunbath and Michael's quickie dip at Urbiztondo Beach, we resumed our journey.

Vigan Heritage Mansion. Photo by Michael.  

Michael breezed through La Union and Ilocos Sur municipalities until we arrived in UNESCO World Heritage Site Vigan, a city I visited (a trip I chose over my graduation march) more than a decade ago. We had late lunch at Kusina Felecitas in Granda's Inn and crossed three items off our itinerary: Bagnet, pinakbet and dinakdakan. When we finished, we proceeded to the street which Vigan is famous for, Calle Crisologo.

Eager to venture further, we only did a quick stroll then jumped back in the car. We soon drove out of the city after passing by a Vigan longganisa and bagnet store where Michael bought pasalubongs.

  Late lunch at Kusina Felecitas, Grandpa's Inn (Donato Ancestral Home). Clockwise from top left: Bagnet, pinakbet with bagnet, carrot cake, warek-warek or dinakdakan.   

Truth be told, I had doubts about reaching Paoay Church — a destination we all agreed on just around noon — that same day. Not so much because I had little faith in our teensy ride, but because I knew we were pressed with time for we were also to head back home in the evening.

  UNESCO World Heritage Site Paoay Church. We did heed its stentorian call.  

Thanks to Michael's skillful driving and Chevy Sparks' capability, not only did we reach the Church of Saint Augustine in Paoay way before sundown, we even had time to visit nearby Batac after. We came for empanada, and empanada we had for early dinner at Lanie's Batac Special Empanada.

  Batac's pride, the empanada.  

Our drive back to Manila with only one stop was taxing. But the man behind the wheel and our little yellow beast did not falter. Indeed, big things come from small packages. And the Chevy Spark is a testimonial to that.

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The Circle Hostel, La Union: Amidst Artists And Adventurers

I woke up next to someone new. And I wasn't sure if we were even introduced.

The scent of salty hair hung in my nostrils, and for a moment, I couldn't recall where I was. I tried to rise but a pang in my head made me plop back down the bunk. The pain disabled my brain, completely. I rolled over to my other side and came face to face with a wall made of bamboo strips. Beyond which was a figure — awake and moving about —  I caught sight of between the tiny gaps.

I watched mindlessly for a while.

There are no strangers here.
Berths and personal spaces.  

Was brought back to my senses minutes later when I heard a constant shuffling of feet. Lots of feet. I managed to sit up and saw the strangers I rode with, on a land journey of almost six hours the previous night. All just outta bed, and were nameless to me at that point but I greeted each with an inaudible "g'morning".

So I finally remembered where in the world I was, and how mad I was for traveling to La Union straight from Boracay. The heady concoction of eight hours on a vessel plus eight hours in vans surely was the culprit for my hammered head.

The brekkie nook, right by the locker area.

 The lounge/common area upstairs.

I spotted a familiar face. The figure from the other side of the wall, I soon found out, was fellow travel blogger and my homegurl Christine of JovialWanderer.com. She who managed to convince me to pursue the trip even if I already begged off days earlier. Well, she and Aldous of AldousAteTheWorld.blogspot.com who organized the weekend bloggers' shindig.

We, along with four other bloggers, were checked in The Circle Hostel, La Union. We arrived about half past three that morning. In which time I randomly chose among the bunks assigned for the group and passed out right away.

Hammocks for rent. Such cozy cocoons.
This lattice wall spoke to me. So I just had to try it.  

The Circle Hostel La Union is a very affordable hostel for both surfers and non-surfers, that sits on a lot away from highway noise but just two hundred meters from the beach. Its layout is set up with the backpacker culture in mind. The open plan structure — having only 2 bunk rooms, 1 hammock area and 1 lounge/common area — paves way for interaction between guests. Bed in the bunk room (has privacy curtain and mosquito net) is P450 (about $10), and a hammock is P350 (about $8).

Facilities: Free WiFi (common area), lockers (bring your own padlock or rent one), toilet and bath.

A towel may be hired for P40, with a P100 deposit.

Day use of facilities is a pocket friendly P150.

 Anyone can grab a bucket of paint and send a message through art.

Couldn't help it.

"There are no strangers here.", says on their website.

True enough, our motley band of bloggers congregated with other guests for an uncomplicated power brekkie of pandesal all-you-want with two choices of spread. I introduced myself to the rest of our party: Samantha of greenspired.wordpress.com, RD of rdllarena.com, Rhea of rheabue.com, and Kat of katvaldez.com.

Everyone was up for surfing. Except me. 

As the sun inched higher, the crowd at the lounge thinned, group by group. Ours headed off as well, led by one of The Circle Hostel's owners Rafael Oca, to catch the early waves.

Not exactly what we were hoping for.

 Brief lesson from Surf Star School Of Surfing.

The waves, we were told, were too wild for us beginners. We then parked our arses on the sand, thinking we'll prolly just call it a day and start chugging beer at 8 in the morn (Okay, that was just me thinking!). But because we saw other beginners braving the shoulder-height waves, the rest said they might as well surf.

So they did, after a brief lesson from Surf Star School Of Surfing.

I watched each one attempt and stand and fall and laugh. And found myself wanting to attempt and stand and fall and laugh too. 

So I did. I was able to stand on the board on my first attempt and I was the most surprised of all. I felt so victorious that after the first ride, my thoughts went back to beer.

First and almost last attempt.

From left: Christine, RD, me, Aldous, Samantha, Kat and Rhea.

And beer happened during lunch at Gefseis Greek Grill. Christine and I had to bail out later that day so we took the opportunity to get to know more about the individuals in our group. Individuals from different niches. Over platters of souvlaki, we discovered common interests and frustrations. We shared stories that, although very random, entertained everybody on the table. We made friends.

There really are no strangers. Just friends we have not met yet. The Circle Hostel is out to prove that. Come spend the night, leave your inhibitions behind. And prepare to meet a new circle.

How to get to The Circle Hostel, La Union: Visit this page for info http://www.launion.thecirclehostel.com/location


The Circle Hostel La Union
Urbiztondo, San Juan
La Union,Philippines
www.launion.thecirclehostel.com


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2014 Thus Far: The First Quarter

We had the temerity to change.

Finally.

Towards the end of 2013, we moved in our little shack (okay, it's not really little and not really a shack, but it's cute to call it such) in the Philippines. It's been gobbling half of our income for a year and five months now, and has pushed me to the breaking point. Three months on since we spent our first night in it, am still not coping well with this settling down situation although the hubby and I took preparatory measures.

More on that drama some other day.

Green Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.  

For now, let me blabber about all the jaunts and shindigs that kept me sane during the first quarter of 2014. And a heartbreak that shattered me into pieces. Here's the year thus far...

First day of the year, woke up to a sparsely furnished room. A room that hubby and I can finally call ours. The night before, we were able to celebrate New Year's Eve with my parents after missing the previous two in the Philippines.

Attended Jacob Maentz's The Forgotten Ten Photography Exhibition in Yuchengco Museum. The exhibit showcased a year and a half of Jacob’s documentary work from various indigenous communities around the Philippines.

Impromptu Baguio trip with Melo of www.outoftownblog.com and Julius of www.lakwastserongtsnelas.blogspot.com. Finally entered the Laperal White House, chanced upon the Ifugao Bamboo Carving Art Exhibit there, and luckily met Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Edgardo Manda.

Co-organized a The Linden Suites staycation which I dubbed Pajama Party Wherein We Don't Wear Pajamas for Pinoy travel bloggers. Sabrina of www.justonewayticket.com and Kate of www.adventurouskate.com also joined the Pinoy food pig-out and videoke madness.

Vacationed in Siargao for the first time and was hosted by Buddha's Surf Resort. Celebrated Melo's name day with an island hopping tour. And nope, we didn't surf cause our lazy arses would rather hammock-surf.

Blindly jumped in an exploration semi-conducted by fellow travel blogger Edgar of eazytraveler.com. Destination, Sulu. The night before my flight, my father was confined in a hospital for tests after a mass was found in his brain. I left him with a heavy heart. I left because that's what he wanted. He who passed me the travel bug would rather see me in photos exploring an unfamiliar place, than see me weeping in pain by his side.

Celebrated the hubby's birthday at White Beach, Puerto Galera over authentic Italian pizza and a stunning sunset. Day after, we partied like there's no tomorrow (and like there's no toddler in tow) with two other travel bloggers. Learned the basics of poi dancing whilst inebriated on the same night.

My sister, daughter Luna and I trooped to Mt. Malasimbo for the Malasimbo Music & Arts Fest for the first time. Went mainly for Jose Gonzalez. Mishka Adams was a plus. Eating a P40(!) balut was one of the night's highlights.

Broke out of my blogger shell and agreed to be a "reviewer" for Pop Talk's Third Anniversary Special. The show brought me to Boracay. It was my second visit on the island. Day before the trip, my father was again rushed to the hospital. Apparently, he had a silent stroke. And once again, he let me go while he was confined. He said, "I want to see you on TV again."

The Pop Talk crew encouraged me to face my fear of the deep. After much whining and yapping and almost-sobbing, I dove down a colossal aquarium for an "ocean walk".

From Boracay, went straight to The Circle Hostel in La Union with a bunch of new faces — except for my homegirl Christine of www.jovialwanderer.com. Even though I was feeling under the weather, I tried surfing for the first time, and was able to stand on the board on my first attempt! I was the most surprised of all.

March ended with the beginning of our Cairns-Sydney roadtrip. Found ourselves in a paradisiacal place called The Great Barrier Reef.

Where we are now...

Just finished our 9-day Cairns-Sydney roadtrip yesterday — a journey of about 3,000 kilometers — and we intend to hibernate here in my mum-in-law's house until we leave Australia late April. The season's perfect for swimming in sheets anyway. And for devising our lives for the second quarter, which may include one long haul flight, and a lot more sun-basking — wherein I expect to finally try on the swimmies and kaftans I fished from Zalora.

Huh? What house?


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Win A Staycation For Two At The Linden Suites!

I was up all night to get lucky. With the karaoke microphone.

Midnight, the after-effects of merlot and moscato were depicted by off-beat dancing. Were heard through off-key singing.

No matter how hammered, mic hoggers were on standby.

There were about seventeen travel bloggers in our Linden Suites one-bedroom suite. Fifteen Filipinos, one American, and one German. They all came for an event organized by The Linden Suites' Marketing Communications Manager Michael Anthony Sagaran and Melo Villareal of outoftownblog.com which I dubbed "Pajama Party Wherein We Don't Wear Pajamas".

One of The Linden Suites' refurbished suites. Space matters.  

On our agenda: Eat, drink, sing. Which we all accomplished. And then some.

After which, we crashed in our respective suites to experience The Linden Suites' refurbished rooms. Except for one, all suites on the ninth floor were assigned to our party (slightly similar to how it went down during our first staycation).

  A box of Frontera wine (Yes, a BOX!) from Fly Ace Corporation. Photo by Kirk Acebron of kirkanatomy.com.   The buffet spread. Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly, undoubtedly, was the star of the table.  

Being one of the early birds, I was able to peek into every type of refurbished suite the hotel's currently offering. Each suite boasts the same massive floor space. The same sophisticated design, but with a more modish touch. And all of the suites' rooms now got bathtubs!

Just every bit ideal for a staycation.

  The rowdy crew. Pinoy travel bloggers with Kate of www.adventurouskate.com and Sab of www.justonewayticket.com.  

You could experience The Linden Suites' refurbished awesomeness also! Join our contest and get the chance to win an overnight stay for two in a deluxe room. Includes brekkie at Mesclun.

Prize is transferable and winner must book in advance.

Just "like" a bunch of Facebook pages, leave a comment below, and share the news to others. Let Rafflecopter lead the way.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Open to Philippine residents. Contest runs from March 5, 2014 to March 26, 2014. Winner will be announced on March 27.

Good luck, fellow travel junkies!

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The Laperal White House, Baguio City: Ifugao Bamboo Carving Gallery

Memories of drunkenness and youth flowed like a stream.

"Ma'm, hindi ho kayo pwede pumasok (Ma'm you're not allowed to enter)", a man stepped out of the shadows and warned my aunt. "No trespassing ho."

My aunt snickered. Everyone else snickered. We snickered our way back to an old house across the street which our family rented for a weekend vacay (it was to become PNKY Home Bed and Breakfast) and sat around the bonfire where that dare was born.

The Laperal White House has been known to be haunted. And my aunt, who chose consequence over truth in a spin-the-bottle-game, was challenged to enter the premises. Our whole crew accompanied her to see if she was determined/crazy/inebriated enough to do it. Turned out she was so into the dare that she even attempted to climb over the fence. That was when the house's caretaker shooed us away...

The Laperal clan's haunted house.

Number 14, Leonard Wood Road.

This scene that I played in my head happened about a decade prior. 

Bloody History

Two weeks ago, I found myself standing on the same spot where I watched my aunt try to pull off a tipsy hurdling stunt. At past ten in the morning, under a clear sky, the structure's aura was nowhere near eerie. I looked up at each window, and saw none of them ghosts that some claim to have seen. This house, named after the family who once owned it, served as a garrison during World War II. And stories say that the Japanese who occupied the house murdered people here including its inhabitants.

I entered the gate. My travel buddies Melo of Out Of town Blog and Julius of Lakwatserong Tsinelas were already inside for some exploring.

We were told that just before our arrival, a child's arm was 'grabbed' by an invisible hand while climbing this staircase.

The master's bedroom.

Ifugao Bamboo Carving Gallery

I fished out fifty pesos from my pocket, handed it to a lady manning the makeshift ticket counter and jotted my name on a logbook. Business tycoon Lucio Tan now owns the Laperal White House, and the Ifugao Bamboo Carvings Exhibit held on the first floor is a partnership project of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and the Tan Yan Kee Foundation of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies.

Being the only visitors at the time, Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Edgardo Manda himself gave us a guided tour. I was in total awe of what we've stumbled upon that I forgot we were in a famed haunted house.

Visitors be like... "Whoa!"

"The bamboo art fell accidentally on my lap.", Edgardo Manda, Philippine Bamboo Foundation President

Accidentally In Love... With Bamboo

Mr. Manda was appointed General Manager of NAIA from 2001 to 2004 under the Arroyo administration. "After my airport stint I was moved to Laguna Lake Development Authority, an attached agency of DENR from 2005-2010, where I acquired my interest on bamboo because of the watershed surrounding Metro Manila and its environs causing flash floods..."

"The bamboo art fell accidentally on my lap when Baguio was hit by a typhoon about three years ago which resulted in the collapse of a dumpsite in Irisan near the wood carving village of Asin Road in Baguio City. My team went to the area to assess and do an ocular so we can introduce bamboo for hillside erosion control. We found out that it was a thriving wood carving village for many decades. However, they lost their livelihood because of scarcity or lack of wood."

He wondered if the Asin carvers could work with bamboo.

Local art conceived from a competition

Artworks are sold for thousands of pesos. A gargantuan aid to the artist and the local community.   

He did a house to house visit and offered each carver P2,500 to engage them into bamboo carving. His suggestion was met with much skepticism. "Showing no interest, I promised carvers that I will do a bamboo carving competition with a top prize of P25,000. And the early bird entries will get P2,500 each entry. The rest is history."

Bamboo Advocacy And Philippine Bamboo Foundation's Future Plans

"The exhibit is conducted by way of showing bamboo carving... Which is now our teaching aid. Through this medium we are able to segue our small talk to climate change, where bamboo is a solution to to carbon dioxide sequestration, erosion and landslide control specially in the Cordilleras.

The future plans of PBF is to improve its information and education campaign modules by complying with the regulations of TESDA. Dovetailing our IEC into skills training to provide more people, specially farmers, a better understanding of bamboo as a commodity. PBF will also provide technical assistance to investors on how to incubate the program into a commercial bamboo plantation."

On the way to becoming awesome.

Sitting on the cheapest buy in the room. P4,000 I believe.
There was a spark in Mr. Manda's eyes all throughout his talk. And that visual of passion stayed with me for days. After the tour he let us off and we roamed freely upstairs.

In case you're wondering, nope, we didn't encounter any hostile spirits. Just Baguio's hostile cold that crept in the rooms (temperature dipped to 8.1℃ later in the evening) which haunted me in the form of a high fever a day after the trip.

Julius, Melo, Mr. Edgardo Manda, and moi at the Laperal White House's main entrance.  

Ifugao Bamboo Carving Gallery

The Laperal White House

14 Leonard Wood Road

Baguio City 

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Anma Lifestyle: Luxe Travel Accessories

This gypsetting mum thrives in clutter. My hybrid trolley could attest to that. If I'd be ambushed by a fellow travel blogger for a what's-in-your-bag interview, I'll sprint away no matter how weighty my backpack is and never look back.

Or I'll agree to it but will warn the interviewer, "Open at your own risk!".

I was introduced to packing cubes and gadget organizers many moons ago. I actually bought a few. But they all ended up parked on shelves in my granma's house. Sitting pretty and collecting dust. Meanwhile, elsewhere exotic, reused plastic bags took/are still taking their place in our bags.

Why?

Well, they're weightless. Can hug any form. And a hard habit to break.

Luna with our Anma Lifestyle grab clutch Ipad case.  

November last year, a couple of luxe travel accessories came in the mail. My hippie self ain't particularly attracted to travel accessories that are tagged "luxe"—heck—I ain't particularly attracted to travel accessories, period. So I let them hang out with ze packing cubes and gadget organizers on granma's shelf for some time.

Recently, I gave these two gifts a go.

Anma Lifestyle jewelry rolls. In pink, violet, bronze, gold and silver.

Anma Lifestyle

Anma Lifestyle (launched in November 2012) is about travel accessories that are both functional and stylish — traits that allow the user to explore the world with ease and grace. The brand's products are made of high quality materials, yet easy on the pocket.

And it's proudly Pinoy. 

Jewelry roll/organizer and my boho trinkets.

Grab Clutch Ipad Case (Black/Purple)

A rectangular main with contrast detailing, a grab handle to the front, and a gold-tone zip through fastening to the top, in a smooth, leather look finish. Interior features slip pocket. Padded. Color-block design.

We use this to stash our tablet and phones. It serves its purpose well, and I hope it will be available in more pastel colors in the near future (other colors: white/aqua, beige/tan)

Jewelry Roll (Violet)

Has four zippered pockets (to safe keep your chokers, necklaces and bracelets), twelve earring posts, three dangling posts and a ring bar. Micro-suede interior ensures your gems and ornaments remain scratch-free. The compact size of this jewelry case enables it to fit snugly in most travel bags.

Before owning one, I used to stash my accessories in a small pouch. My necklaces, bracelets and dangling earrings always got tangled with each other! This jewelry roll ain't exactly a roll, but a slim envelope. Fits in my small weekender bag! This is my fave Anma Lifestyle product.

Some of their products can be monogrammed! Perfect gift for a travel junkie friend or relative!

... Like Anma Lifestyle's travel wallet.  

Travel Wallet

Has four compartments: Tickets, passport, documents and cash. Zippered compartment for coins, and an exterior compartment for boarding pass. Genuine leather with satin lining.

I reckon I'll never be a neatnik, but I hafta admit, there's something about organized clutter that calms a backpacker mum's mind. Am glad Anma Lifestyle is helping me manage my mess!

Visit Anma Lifestyle's Facebook account now and order eye-candy travel accessories for your next trip.

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The Forgotten Ten: Photography Exhibition By Jacob Maentz

For two weeks they're not the forgotten. They're the stars. And it was a privilege to be there on the opening night to see them twinkle.

"The exhibit entitled ‘The Forgotten Ten’ will showcase a year and a half of Jacob Maentz’s documentary work from various indigenous communities around the Philippines. In partnership with Asia Society Philippines, the exhibition will give an inside and depictive look into the diverse and culturally rich lives of our nations often forgotten people, featuring images of their everyday life, culture and traditions.

One of my faves. Photo can also be seen on Jacob's project's website www.katutuboproject.org.

‘The Forgotten Ten’ refers to the estimated 10 to 20 percent of the Philippine population considered indigenous and the exhibit will highlight groups such as the Badjao, Agta, Mangyan, Tagbanua, Manobos, Kalinga, Applai, Pala’wan and more. The aim of the exhibit is to educate and help foster a heightened appreciation for our indigenous brothers and sisters while emphasizing their major struggles to self-determination.

The photographs to be displayed are part of a long-term project called the Katutubong Filipino Project started by Jacob Maentz in 2012. The aim of the project is to help bring about awareness of the Philippine archipelago’s indigenous peoples’ by visually documenting their slowly disappearing and changing cultural heritages. Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context."  

Starstruck and tongue-tied! Jacob is an American freelance travel, culture and documentary photographer currently based in the Philippines.
  Underwater shot to my right is also one of my faves. With Darwin of TrackingTreasure.net.  

"Images themselves don't change the world, but images have caused reactions in people..." Jacob said in his brief speech at the opening. And those reactions could change the world. His vibrant collection of modern day imagery of the Philippine Indigenous Tribes possesses the power to tap sentiments. 

Now if only these sentiments translate to something bigger... That's up to us. 

Be there. And be blown away.

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The Linden Suites, Ortigas: Sweet Suite Review

Faces, battered and blooming/raucous and reserved trickled in past meetup o' clock. I was one of them late birds who arrived looking befuddled after tearing my way through the rowdy check-in crowd at the under-refurbishment lobby. When introduced to The Linden Suites' Marketing Communications Manager Michael Sagaran in Mesclun Restaurant and Café, I waved a hazy hello and plopped on a seat. Amongst fellow travel bloggers deep in wanderlust talk.

The Linden Suites sitting on San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center.

Right away, this afternoon delight was served.

That sweet baby, croclair. Photo by Kirk Acebron.

And was devoured faster than you could say "hybrid dessert".

Soon as I washed it down with their bloody brilliant tamarind juice, the motley crew was ushered to the suites. Our accommodation for the night. We had the entire seventh floor (a mix of two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites) to ourselves. And like Hunger Games tributes, we battled each other. Not for survival, but for territory. We marked our rooms with backpacks and weekender bags.

How we exhausted ourselves in the process, and the party was just beginning.

 One bedroom suite's lounge. That's a darn comfy couch!

The Linden Suites, an old time favorite of balikbayans and staycationists (the suites are sooo huge they can accommodate guests' extended family), offers 168 spacious rooms and suites. Now speaking of 'old', wear and tear may be (and perhaps still is) evident, but most areas retain a trace of grandeur. During our stay in October last year, some rooms were already being refurbished.

We were assigned in old suites at tower two but they did show us one of their finished products at tower one. A modish executive suite, designed with the business traveler in mind.

Because I like it dark.

Suites' bathrooms got tubs!

Each suite, refurbished or not, is equipped with:

The Linden Suites' Amenities

Kitchen and dining facilities
WiFi internet access (with alpha-numeric passwords that'll drive the inebriated you insane)
Ipod jack (!)
Electronic safe
Iron and board
Home entertainment system
Heaps. Of. Power. Outlets.

And guests have access to:

Recreational Facilities

Indoor heated pool (may be currently under facelift)
The Health Club (gym)
Sauna and massage rooms

Also, parking slot is free, though only one's provided per room.

Birthday cake for Ron of www.fliptravels.com. Photo by Elal Lasola.

The 'hotel tour' ate only about half an hour. Once the marketing team let us off, we were on our own. And on our own, we're not entirely safe. Pizza happened. And Smirnoff Gold Collection Cinnamon Flavored Vodka happened. Then unnecessary dancing happened (Because hello, what else were we to do with all that massive floor area?!)

Oh, and this!

"Uhm, can anyone please help me outta here? Anyone?!"  

Not unusual when travel bloggers congregate.

That event we dubbed "Pinoy Travel Bloggers Pajama Party" wherein nobody wore a pajama concluded past two in the morn. We had that much fun. Surprisingly, everybody was able to get up at seven for the brekkie buffet.

Tastes as good as it looks.  

What I liked about the spread: Fried tawilis and the salad bar. Their brewed coffee, though it took forever and a day to be served, was a winner as well.

So let's say I was able to convince you to book a stay because of this, uhm, review. Here are some terms and conditions imposed by the management you might need/want to know:

Third-party credit card is not accepted.

No additional charge for children (maximum of 2) below 12 years if sharing rooms with parents (duh!).

Smoking/non smoking room is subject to room availability.

Incidental deposit of P2,000 per room is required upon check in.

Check in time is 2:00 PM for executive suite and one-bedroom suite, 3:00 PM for two and three-bedroom suites. Check out time is 12 noon.

Guest must be at least 18 years old to check in under his/her name. Govenment issued ID must be presented.

Special deals may be available, visit www.lindensuites.com.

Am definitely shelling out the dough for another stay, but it'll be for either a two-bedroom or three-bedroom suite. Most prolly for a shindig as well.

And you know, I loved  their beds!


The Linden Suites
37 San Miguel Avenue
Ortigas Centre, Pasig City

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