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.

December 6, 2012

14 Four Café and Sticks Design

If pain shows up in our lives to remind us that something needs to change, I learned that happiness too appears for a reason. Well, there may be different reasons but I’m certain it is not just to cover up our pains. All I know is happiness must be shared so others could feel it too.

Located in a quiet neighborhood somewhere in Taytay, Rizal, the 14 Four Café (named after the house no. which is 144) and the Stick Designs are beautiful dreams realized by a daughter and father duo who (maybe unknowingly) have brought so much happiness to their diners. I noticed how everyone smiled as if finding a long lost friend, the moment they entered the place. The café and custom-made furniture showroom are such visual delights, that I consider this food hunt adventure my “high” for this week.






Banana smoothies

Cinnamon bun pancakes

Chorizo pasta

Osso bucco

Strawberry macaroons







I could extensively write a long post about this one – from the delicious cinnamon pancakes I devoured, the stylish couches and chairs that suits different personalities (this place is such a couch wonderland!), the fun-looking and elegant lamps and overhead lights, the big bad bed inviting me to sleep, the inspirational and amusing food quotes handwritten on the glass windows which I enjoyed reading while having my dessert, the trees and garden which give shade and cool air, the comfort room graffiti which I find the most artistic from all the places I’ve been to, to the disarray and harmony of all the furniture and colors that make every nook, every corner, every piece alive and vibrant.
 
But really, all I wanted to say could be sum up in two words. Thank you - to the people behind this place, and to those I met and been with that day. They certainly made me happy.

14 Four Cafe and Sticks Design
144 Magnolia Lane, Gregoria Heights Subdivision
Bgy San Isidro, Taytay, Rizal
Tel. No.: 0999-8880144

December 3, 2012

Eden Resort: A Little Paradise in Santander

“There are all kinds of love in the world
but never the same love twice.”
- F. Scott Fitzgerald

From my room’s balcony, I enjoyed the sunset serenaded by gentle waves. Before I fell asleep, the last thing I saw were the lights from across the island, which seem like the reflection of stars. And when I woke up, I was greeted by a beautiful dawn reminding me that sooner everything is going to end. I wish all wonderful things are not ephemeral. I miss you just the way I am going to miss this paradise.












Santander is located at the southernmost tip of Cebu, three-four hours away from the city, and accessible via bus bound for Bato/Oslob. The resort is overlooking the Tañon Strait and is very near the fastcraft port going to Negros Oriental, which is just 20 minutes away by ship.      

Eden Resort
Liloan, Santander, Cebu
Tel. No.: (032) 480-9321; 0927-4411320