December 25, 2012

Casa Rap talaga eh

“The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden.”
- Thomas Moore





Casa Rap salad

Suman sa lihiya

Caldereta sandwich

Ginataang hipon

Halo-halo



A garden to walk in, homegrown and organic food with few flowers on my plate, shining stars to wish upon, what more could I ask for? Perhaps another tall glass of kasarap na halo-halo, and a merry Christmas to each and everyone.

Casa Rap
Km. 90, Brgy. Banay-Banay
San Jose, Batangas

December 19, 2012

Casita Ysabel: Escape to Nature and Wellness

I put on the flippers. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I let the fishes nibble on it. Today is all I need to be happy.

















Balinese-inspired Casita Ysabel isn’t only a place of peace and relaxation. It also has a beautiful and vibrant coral garden just a stone’s throw way from its rocky shoreline for guests to enjoy. A former private rest house, the place was eventually developed by the owner Linda Reyes-Romualdez during a time when she was rebuilding her life. I know it was borne of out of love, as it was named after one of her greatest joys in life, her youngest daughter Ysabel.

Casita Ysabel
San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas
Tel. No.: 546-7083, 0917-6100005

December 17, 2012

Timberland Sports and Nature Club

In the vast space between the past and future are the new heights of luxury in a postcard-perfect club setting, beautiful cityscape at night, lonely clouds drifting in the morning, long scorching walk from the club to the gate, and a simple thought that new and beautiful things can grow in your life but only if you give it room and let go of the past.












Timberland Heights
San Mateo, Rizal
Tel. No.: 984-0428

December 12, 2012

M Café: Home is where art is

Make room for creative adventures.



Complimentary kutkutin

Norwegian salmon with aragula salad

Garlic confit chorizo

Impossible cake



Cap off your Ayala Museum tour with an impossible cake.

Museum Café
G/F Greenbelt 4, Makati Ave. cor.
Dela Rosa St., Ayala Center, Makati
Tel. No.: 757-3000

December 8, 2012

If you want a taste of art, meet me at Vargas

When I was still in college, I used to sneak my compact point and shoot camera inside Vargas Museum to clandestinely take photos of their Amorsolo paintings hehe. Until now, they still have that “no picture-taking” policy particularly in the upper floors, where their permanent art collections are located. How KJ is that? Especially now that you can’t just easily slip a bulky DSLR inside your trouser pocket.

One good consolation about this place is their Museum Café, where one can at least enjoy the refreshing view of the trees while dining al fresco. Anyway, trees are still art, only created by the hands of nature.




Zamboanga white alavar pasta

Oreo cheesecake - fluffy and yummy

White chocolate




I can now smell Christmas in the air. I so miss UP.