Daraitan: River Trekking and Spelunking in Tinipak

There is no such thing as love triangle. There is only someone in the middle who likes attention.

Tinipak is such a tease. Two municipalities (Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon Province) are fighting over land ownership of this long stretch of beautiful river that runs through them. Can’t blame them, even I fell in love the moment I saw those emerald-green waters, refreshing cave pools, giant white marbles, boulders and rock formations - some are shaped like natural Jacuzzi. Even the DILG was also smitten by its exotic charm, that it was awarded the “cleanest inland body of water” in the whole Southern Tagalog Region.  

How to get to Daraitan:

1. Ride Tanay-bound bus/van/jeepney at Shaw Blvd. terminal station.

2. From Tanay market, hire a tricycle P300 (good for 3 pax-one way) to Daraitan. Better hire a tricycle than wait for the Daraitan-bound jeepney (with only two trips per day). Travel time is about an hour. Expect very rough road going to Daraitan.

3. Register at Daraitan Barangay Hall and get a tour guide (P600). It usually takes an hour of trekking to get to Tinipak. Overnight camping is allowed.

Y2 Residence Hotel: Home to Yin and Yang

 “If we never experience the chill of a dark winter, it is very unlikely that we will ever cherish the warmth of a bright summer’s day. Nothing stimulates our appetite for the simple joys of life more than the starvation caused by sadness or desperation. In order to complete our amazing life journey successfully, it is vital that we turn each and every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom, and find the blessing in every curse.”

- Anthon St. Maarten

Lightness and darkness, male and female, life and death - these are just some of the many natural dualities in the world. Chinese philosophy adheres to the fact that everything in the cosmos is made up of two opposing but equal forces – yin (black side with white dot) and yang (white side with black dot). And their eventual union is believed to provide a state of balance and harmony in this universe.

Such is the interesting concept behind the Y2 Residence Hotel, managed by the Hospitality International, Inc. Since everyday city life could be quite stressful, the hotel offers the weary soul a distinctly serene and tranquil ambiance to restore the needed balance our mind and body need.

And interestingly, the yin and yang symbol is omnipresent right from the building’s exterior, lobby, hallways and walls to rooms (even furniture and furnishings), simply reminding everyone that a balanced and harmonious life is the key to eternal happiness.

The two-bedroom suite that comes with a modest living room and kitchen, is perfect for family staycation. There are Oriental sayings that could be found all over the room - Confucius’ “Silence is the true friend that never betray” and Buddha’s “Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.” Even the key card key card holder contains a Lao Tsu quote “Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity.”

Pink Panda, the all-day dining restaurant of the hotel, offers complimentary intercontinental buffet breakfast to guests. Managed by Erwan Heussaff, the diner has a modern meets old world Southeast Asian concept, another striking contrast.

The only part of the hotel that veered away from the Taoist concept is the penthouse, where the swimming pool and viewing deck are located. Maybe non-conformity is still part of that search for balance. Nonetheless, its relaxed, colorful and playful ambiance makes it an ideal spot to chill, day or night.

Undeniably, the Makati skyline is a picture of panoramic beauty. But even so, it still provides a stark contrast between those who have so much and those who have little in life, also a physical manifestation of the yin and yang.

But come to think of it, if there are no contrasts, differences or opposites, the world would be such an ordinary, boring state.

So I guess it justifies the thought that it’s okay to look into our dark side because in there lies our passion, hunger, and pain. And in order for us to be whole, we must learn how to embrace them.

Y2 Residence Hotel

#4687 Santiago St. cor. Valdez

and Singian Sts., Makati City

Tel. No.: 224-3000

Buddha Bar Manila

Suppose Buddha tells me “Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are. It solely relies on what you think,” then I’d like to think I’m some wealthy old man, who has the energy to party all night, and with real gold bars that could buy each and every regular patron of Buddha Bar.

At least the thought makes me smile, even if it’s just make-believe.

Okay, the Manila clubbing scene may be too far out of my league but the curious cat in me fancied being in one of the few best entertainment lounge bars in the city. And I’m not kidding you, the moment I stepped inside Buddha Bar, I was almost blinded by its lavish and sparkling beauty.

A Paris-based franchise, Buddha Bar Manila is a three-story establishment that can accommodate over 500 guests to its lounge, restaurant and roof deck. Other international branches of the bar could be found in Dubai, Monte Carlo, and Keiv.

The posh and vibrant interiors of the bar, including the stairs, chandeliers and lamps, and colorful throw pillows, are a visual Oriental treat.

There are actually more couches than regular dining tables to convey that the place is really for party people.

Even the wash room looks sleek and classy, in black and gold.     

I usually prefer dining al-fresco, even with the fatal summer heat. I had a hearty business set lunch menu. 

Side salad with grapefruit vinaigrette

Shrimp in crabfat pasta

Dessert degustation plate

Chamomile tea

The Buddha collection and the life-size Golden Buddha centerpiece are dazzling. I wonder if the club-goers party and pray.

Buddha Bar was named one of the 2013 Best Restaurants by Philippine Tatler.

Get a chance to drive the handsome Maserati Ghibli by spending P3,000 single receipt on food and drinks.

And even if I don’t know how to drive, I really want to take home the car. But then Buddha would probably tell me “It is better to conquer yourself than win a luxury car you don’t need.”

Buddha Bar

Picar Place, Kalayaan Ave.

Makati City

Tel. No.: 856-6859, 856-6719

Bar 1951

Death is inevitable. No one escapes it. It is part of living, and thus must be embraced gracefully.

But nothing prepared me for the untimely death of Penguin Café way back in 2009. After reading about it in Chris Martinez play “Last Order sa Penguin,” I tried finding Penguin, only to discover that it has already closed down. It was a popular tambayan then of artists who have strong inclination to Filipino art and live alternative music, and cheap cold beer. It even won the Lonely Planet‘s Editor’s Choice Award for its promotion of bohemian and culture vibes.

Rebirth happens. Maybe not all the time, but it happens.

So perhaps the original Penguin may not be coming back in its original form and appearance but it was reincarnated in 2013 as Bar 1951. The bar may have a new dwelling (at 1951 Adriatico St.) but it retained its old non-conformist soul. It also remain committed in showcasing the Filipino art, holding live gigs, and serving that cheap cold beer. And I couldn’t be happier to finally meet the infamous Penguin.

The ground floor is where the bar counter is located and where the live performance music happen. I really love the hip and quirky mural, particularly that of Jose Rizal and Marilyn Monroe sharing a strand of spaghetti. They make a historical and controversial love team that could swiftly hit and run KathNiel in Primetime Bida.

 

The second floor is the main dining and smoking area. It also has a loft for those who want a more relaxed ambiance.

The pulutan has some class in it. And even if I’m no drink connoisseur, I enjoyed sipping a glass or two.

Quesadillas  

Beef tacos

Seafood pizza

Pasta marinara

Mojito watermelon and Irish Bailey’s

Real party starts at 9 pm. I had the chance to see Escolta 3am perform and drink alternately. They may not be the One Direction but they play crazy good.  

Sometimes, beer and music are good escape from the reality we live in.

Bar 1951

#1951 M. Adriatico St.

Malate, Manila