The Wine Museum

Are you the type of wine you drink –
still, sparkling or fortified?

Greek salad

Paella marinera

Fish fillet with almonds

Mango jubilee

The Wine Museum Hotel and Restaurant
2253 Aurora Boulevard (formerly Tramo Rd.)
Pasay, Manila
Tel. No.: 239-4278

Gulugod Baboy

“Siya naman ang unang nakapag-move on. Sa aming dalawa, siya ang unang naging masaya. Ako ngayon pa lang.”

- Julie

The break of dawn offers fleeting moments of happiness – a beautiful sunrise, the smell of the morning dew and the solitary silence so peaceful you wish the world is just made of it. It was 5:39 am. I was the first to get up, hoping the sun is also about to get up. I haven’t slept the whole night because of the crazy, intense rain and wind which soaked my tent and clothes. My body was longing of sleep after three hours of climb but the weather just won’t permit. 

During those hours being awake, I kept on thinking about the victims of the recent typhoon victims. Now I know how it feels being wet and shivering in the middle of the night wishing you are somewhere safe and dry. I also remember my friend telling me I should get a tadpole tent because it could weather a storm. Instead I got a spacious beach tent. Now I know its hooks could be easily blown away by gusty wind. Ah I should have listened to him!  I remember praying the rain hopefully stops and just go somewhere in a dessert where it is much needed. When I got tired of thinking, I amused myself listening to music. I love the upbeat feel of Big Deal drowning the snore of my fellow campers who enjoyed drinking tequila until the rain forced them to call it a night. Eventually the rain stopped. I peeked outside and the camp site is enveloped in fog. No sunrise for today.

It was such a daunting task being on a pig’s spine (gulugod ng baboy).  But it was a welcome challenge. After all, challenges if endured, have their own rewards.

Thanks to Malou and the Lufthansa Technik Philippines Malaya Mountaineering Club, sumabit kami ni Nes sa kanilang fun climb.

The Lobby at Acacia

“Then one day it dawned on me:
If my value to others hinged on what I’d do for them,
then their approval of me was of no real value.
So I did myself a favor – I learned to say no to all favors
but those I could do with a giving heart.”
- Sandra Kring

Green mango shake

Asian chicken salad

Salmon medallion

Goat cheese linguine pasta

Cherry shortcake

The Lobby, Acacia Hotel Manila
East Asia Drive Commerce Ave.
Alabang, Muntinlupa

Segara Villas

“A cheerful frame of mind, reinforced by relaxation...
 is the medicine that puts all ghosts of fear on the run.”
- George Matthew Adams

Segara Villas
Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Tel. No.: 736-0020, (047)-252-8632 

Once upon a time, I fell in love with the wrong person

But wrong choices sometimes bring us to right places.

LuLu: Remarkably Wonderful

"Given the burdens of this office, if there were someone you could confide in, someone you could talk to, someone who would tell you 'You're still doing ok', then of course that would be a key to your inspiration."

- President Benigno Aquino III

After typhoon Gener and a low pressure area bid the Philippine area of responsibility adieu, strong to gale force wind brought about by the surge of Western Monsoon is still affecting Metro Manila. This week-long incessant rain shower is blocking my solar chakra hehe. Despite the inclement and gloomy bed weather, I found a ray of sunshine in LuLu…

Espresso

Amuse bouche of zucchini blossom tempura

Foie gras with wild berries

Surf and turf (US tenderloin steak and baby lobster tail)

Truffle fries

Mango madness

I sinfully enjoyed my rainy LuLu experience. Maybe much more if I weren’t only a mere commoner hehe. Food was exceptional. Chef Tom Hines went from table to table offering free drinks and desserts. Isn’t he gregarious and so karenyoso? Same goes for Dixie and Zane.

PS.

Showbiz scoop: Lulu is where President Noy-noy took TV personality Grace Lee on their first public date. It made quite a headline, relegating to corner some important economic and political issues during that time. Well, it was understandable since for Filipinos, the President’s love life comes first before the GDP, the stock market or Batman. Those were the (summer) days. Unfortunately, na-thunderstorm din ang relasyon nila. Sana next weekend, umaraw na.

LuLu

G/F Joya Tower, Joya Drive

Rockwell, Makati City

Tel. No.: 403-3991