Xocolat

It’s okay to self-medicate with chocolate.

Hot Xocolat

Goat cheese salad

Chicken ala Xocolat

Xocolat chicken pasta

Affogato con Xocolat

Xocolat

#172 B. Gonzales St.

Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Tel. No.: 929-4168

Amihan Villa, Puerto Galera

“I will give your heart a place to rest

when everything you had has turned and left.”

- The Last Lost Continent

Needed a transient home for your restless mind and weary heart to rest? Well, Amihan Villa, about three to four hours away from Manila, may be just the perfect place to unwind and forget life's problems. Set on a romantic hilltop setting in Aninuan, Puerto Galera, Amihan is a two-storey villa, assured to provide guests with the much needed relaxation and simple recreation.

It's a mild cardio-workout just getting up there

 

Very tropical vibe

The communal living area has a modern-rustic feel, with its wooden ceiling and furniture, and some art works. There are several books and magazines for those who want to lounge around the area. 

They have Dan Brown's Angels and Demons

The villa consists of five modern, spacious bedrooms equipped with sliding glass door, flatscreen TV, internet connection, air conditioning, and a bathroom creatively designed with a free-standing bathtub and separate shower enclosure. Each room has its own balcony where guests could wine and dine or simply enjoy the panoramic views of nature.

The surrounding scenery, which includes the deep-blue West Philippine Sea and verdant Mt. Malasimbo, is breathtaking and soothing to the eyes. Don't you wish you could take it all home to Manila?

Within the grounds of the villa is a swimming pool and Jacuzzi.

A promising daybreak

I couldn't resist the inviting water

The in-house restaurant offers a decent selection of food. Never to be missed is their mouthwatering garlic prawns.  

Salt and pepper love triangle

American breakfast

Aglio olio

Garlic prawns

Mango chocolate cake

Wines

When the ocean becomes too enticing, guests could bask on the sand of Aninuan Beach, a good leisurely 10-minute downhill walk from the villa. The neighboring infamous White Beach, which is just a short walking distance, is also accessible from the shores of Aninuan.

The way to the beach

Bumped into this cute puppy

Goodbye stress!

But all good things must come to an end 

Amihan Villa may be small but it is truly stunning and intimate. The staff, particularly Ms. Gemma, is warm and helpful, ensuring guests’ hassle-free respite or vacation. Staying in this gem of a place is like being gently blown by Amihan or cool northeast wind – refreshing and invigorating. I’m certain, you heart will leave happy again.      

Amihan Villa

Brgy. Talipanan, Aninuan

Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Tel. No.: 0927-6142300

Shanghai National Accounting Institute

You don’t always get what you wish for. You get what you work for.

Despite not having seen the Bund, I was still able to appreciate and enjoy the scholarly discussion among labour migration experts during an RTD on Labour Migration in Asia organized by the Asian Development Bank Institute in Shanghai. Plus I get to bond with my boss.

With the freezing weather, buffet cafeteria food from morning ’til night, a big room all to myself, and the thought that I’m far away from piles of paper work on my desk, somehow, nakaka-miss being in the biggest country in the world.