The Sweet Escape
I love adventures. Traveling with your closest friends? Priceless.
Destination: Fontera Verde, Nuvali, Enchanted Kingdom & Megamall - all in a day!
Boating in Nuvali was divine. Though the route was a short, the experience cleared my mind and suddenly it’s just the waves, the breeze, the nature and good company. Sweet Escape!
Of course we availed the free ride around Nuvali - Solenad 2! Lunch then after c/o Birthday Girl Mara then we surprised her with a cake (success!)
Off we went to EK! I wasn’t able to take as much “magical” photos bec I didn’t want to keep changing lenses, expose my camera (we were there during “meltdown” hours) and of course I wanted to enjoy too! :)
EKstreme (?) Ride. I wanted to ride thiiiiiiis! Sadly we were running out of time because Mara had to be in Manila by sunset for a meeting :(
Nonetheless, we enjoyed very much. Thank you Kuya Em and Ate Jade for the accompaniment/ride, and Mara for the treat! Happy Birthday, Little Miss Awesome!
We missed you, Aimee! See you guys again soon x
Bulacan
Our family = Always in the hustle, so nothing beats a family quality time for the Holy Week. I hope everyone had a meaningful one as well :)
Of mysticism, tranquility and soul-searching
A few kilometers past east of Manila, a mountainous province hovering on the western slopes of the southern part of the Sierra Made Mountain Range can be found the beautiful yet humble land of Rizal.
Now, now, don’t yawn!
The adventure starts with the scenic views from your car window: Sierra Madre mountains to your left, overlooking Manila cityscape to your right. It may not be as solemn as the sound of seaside waves, or as luxurious as of a trip abroad; but it’s equally breathtaking and surprisingly, a soulful trip!
Sunset View Castle Hotel along Sumulong Highway (from Cainta). It’s located beside the noted Cafe Lupe (overlooking Manila view + live music performances) and the newly opened Wensha Spa. Stay here and live the life!
That awkward moment when tumblr make your photos waaay less vivid
Antipolo Church! Travelers from all places make it a point to pay homage to the “Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines” every once in a while. We used to hear mass here back when I was a kid, and my dad will take photos using his film SLR. Time passed and the Church still looked immaculate as it had been. It felt good to be back. Suddenly, nostalgia.
Hinulugang Taktak Falls
Regina Rica Marian Pilgrimage in Tanay, Rizal where you can find a 71-foot Mama Mary Statue and celebrate mass underneath it. The place is maintained by Dominican nuns.
Last stop: The Dike in Tanay, Rizal where residents often go to fish, jog or watch the sunset.
A few notes:
- Thank you Kuya Em for lending me your Nikon FF! It was a (small as it may seem) dream come true (to shoot all day with a Nikon and a FF). Definitely learned a lot on the other side (since I’m a Canon user) :)
- I actually photographed these on different dates. Extended fun!
- This is also a school plate.
Truly, an escapade worth remembering ❤
PAUmpanga Adventure!
12.19.11 My twin (Sandy/Pau/PauPau)’s 18th Birthday Celebration part 2 @ her hometown, Pampanga!
I love love love love adventures. I don’t mind commuting at all (as long as I’m given a detailed version of what to ride to where, lol) just to get to destinations. Keeps the thrill pumpin’ + you get to exercise your geography skills (which we all know, I’m in dire need of)!
Oh and adventure time with blockmates? OZOOOOOM!
We stayed overnight at a lovely villa in Fontana. Private pool, yessir!
“Livin’ the life”
The Chamber of Craziness have been opened. Viewers of this entry, beware!
We played card and dare games as the night passed. I LOVE OUR EPIC DARES!
Lonely nights under the moonlight ft. Jeno HAHA
SHOT OF THE CENTURY HAHAHAHAHA I’ll spare you with the horrid details
Dare, not drunk ;)
We visited Nayong Pilipino the next day. Sandy’s dad greeted her via P.A.! “Happy Birthday Anak, Love you! Aalis tayo ng 4PM!” ♥♥♥
Happy Birthday Twin! We love youuu ♥
Fashion Watch 2012
Last night (11.04.11), Geeni and I attended Fashion Watch 2012 at the Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-la hotel huge thanks to Ms. Trish Velarmino!
The Fashion Watch Quartet (brainchild of Inno Sotto and Richard Tann) Year-Ender Show featured the collection of today’s premiere designers: Ferdi Abuel, Ivarluski Aseron, Alex Bitong, JC Buendia, Ito Curata, Patrice Diaz, Jun Escario, Joel Escober, Arcy Gayatin, Oj Hofer, Francis Libiran, Jojie Lloren, Dennis Lustico, Jerome Lorico, Len Nepomuceno, Norman Noriega, James Reyes, Philip Rodriguez and Lulu Tan-Gan.
Not much pre-cocktail photos because my camera suddenly acted up. Big sigh of relief though when it came back to life again during the show itself!
On to the photos!
A few inspiring words by the Inno Sotto himself.
I’m so gaga over this.
this.
and especially this! Dear body fat, ain’t the hot Philippine weather enough to melt you off?
I can already imagine Tessa Prieto-Valdes in these!
Ecstatic over this!
Lulu Tan-Gan!! Did you know she took up Advertising Arts at UST too? #proudthomasian #proudka-cfad #proudka-adver #inspiration
We killed off some time at Glorietta after, then finally had my dose of Toffee Nut Frap! Check out the Starbucks 2012 planners.
11.04.11
Fashion Watch 2012 at Makati Shangri-la with Geeni!
I will try to blog more about this soon, but here’s a glimpse of that night. This was Lulu Tan-Gan’s piece and obviously one of my faves. I dig the look, too. Fresh, noh?
Fuego Weekend
10.22-23.11 Fuego with Ate Jemma, Ate Anj, Kuya Pierre and Kuya Rurik!
Warning: Photo-heavy post!
Also, tumblr, Y U make my photos less vivid?
Stopover at Santi’s to grab herbs for Kuya Acky’s Pizza Party then breakfast at Mushroomburger, Tagaytay. Not as cold as I expected it to be, considering I was wearing shorts. Did you know they’re constructing I think 5 buildings for this SM mall already? Sigh.
Kuya Pierre and Kuya Rurik are chefs and they once competed at this show “Kitchen Battles”. We bought ducks that they cooked and made another show for them, “Keychain Bottles!” hahaha
Oh and I had my hair re-dyed since the roots were growing out already. Redder than ever!
We stayed overnight at Casa Ferreria. Super thank you for the hospitality, Ate Anj! Before going to bed, we had a massage oh and we went to mass at The Peninsula where there’s this kid who srsly looks like Amy Farrah Fowler! 
Aside from this korean family, the beach’s practically ours in the morning. This scene won’t be for long though, long weekend’s coming!
They were dragging their dog into the sea. INTO THE SEA! I mean okay it’s cute but srsly PEOPLE ACTUALLY DIVE INTO THE OCEAN! Sea animals are enough.
Suddenly… Kuya Rurik’s texting in the middle of the ocean! Hahaha dope
Gourmet food everyday. I’m pretty sure I expanded over the weekend :(
The Peak before going home! It overlooks the whole of Nasugbu, Batangas.
Paniki
Zen/Master Shifu
My 3rd time of Fuego and still not (and won’t, anyway) tired of it ♥
Serenitea after sooooooo long!
Ate: “Wow, bird!”
Ate Anj: “Wow, carabao!”
Kuya Pierre: “Mga nasobrahan sa city life…” =))))
Good times!
Bottoms Up!
Warning: This post may contain too much pink.
052911: Lady Lyn’s strictly-all-pink-or-die party at Area 05, Tomas Morato!
I missed dressing up lol- and I missed these people! AD6 FTW.
Dope drink.
Thanks Lady, we had a blast :) So happy I can wear black again, haha!
Philippine Fashion Week ‘11: Penshoppe
This season, Penshoppe steps up with its campaign, “Trailblazer” — the collection depicts those who conduct their lives off the beaten path: an innovator and pioneer, as it were.
I was having a pretty rough Sunday but instead of sulking in the corner, I grabbed this opportunity (to change scenery) and even with eyes all puffed, off we go to SMX! Huuuuge thanks to Geeni for everything!
(Edit: I still didn’t have my telephoto lens with me that time, so these were taken with a 50mm)
Victor Basa and Solenn Heussaff!
^HAHAHA ME GUSTA
Penshoppe answered all my blazer prayers. Search for the perfect military blazer is finally over! *camps out at penshoppe stores*
Self-manicured nails done once upon a girly time with R and N. Some are starting to chip off, though! Boo.
Late dinner after at A Veneto, MOA. Delicioso!
Weddings and Beyond
Last Saturday, my sister and I went to the “Weddings and Beyond” Expo at the PICC Forum. Manila Bay, we meet again! I was supposed to meet up with Janica but we missed each other since my transpo took longer than expected. Sadface.
Edible flowers!
Yes, we had shots in the middle of the day. They’re free and yummy! Problem?
Hello Trina! Please ignore my Hagrid hair.
We ate at this seafood restaurant with inhuman service charge fee after (no photos though). My sister and I just keep ranting and laughing how we could have eaten on a fast food restau instead. Overall, t’was a fun day!
Farmville
We recently acquired a new farm at my dad’s hometown. This had always been one of my mom’s little dreams you know, to own a farm. Even though she’s not with us anymore, we’re still trying to live her dreams. ‘Tis for you, mom, and advance happy mother’s day!
There’s a resthouse near the farm. THE WIFI’S SO SUPERSONIC FAST MY 987654 DOWNLOADS CAN FINISH IN A ZAP. Anyway, non-stop karaoke! A few more practices to go and I can smoothly rap out Jaden Smith’s part in “Never Say Never!!!”
I’ve been watching a ton of cooking shows lately. Not a good idea since I’m on my summer break and the fridge’s always loaded. I really, really want to try Sofia’s “Petolé” italian dessert from Junior Masterchef, though!
