Back to Bay Leaf Hotel, Intramuros (Jan.2024)

It is always special and feels so nice when I go back here to one of my favorite rooftop restaurants in the Metro.

After our Fort Santiago night walk, we then went to Sky Deck at the Bay Leaf Hotel.

It is best to go and dine here from sunset to night time because the view is fantastic. You will get to see the 360 degrees breathtaking view of Manila – Manila Bay to your right and Intramuros golf course to your left. You can also see in the distant the Manila Cathedral, National Museum and Manila City Hall.

The food’s a bit pricy but it’s worth the price.

My first time here was back in 2015 with my volunteer friends and the next one was back in 2017 with my boyfriend then (now husband).

Latest was this January 24, 2024 with now my husband, my brother and his girlfriend.

It was already 10 in the evening when we went here and we just had drinks.

It feels great to be back here and to witness once again the majestic yet peaceful different views it offers.

 

This is a highly recommended place so try visiting it!

As for me, I would love to go back here over and over again and each visit is a special memory to cherish and treasure.

Fort Santiago, Intramuros (Jan.2024)

Back in Intramuros

A quick walk back in time.

For tonight's destination, our stop was at Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila.

After our Binondo Food Crawl earlier that day, we decided to have a night visit at Intramuros, specifically at Fort Santiago.

As we all know, this place is historical and rich in memorable, remarkable and painful stories during the Spanish and Japanese era.

We paid 75 pesos per head for the entrance fee.

 And then we’re off to a long walk around the park as if we’re going back to the past.

I didn’t take a lot of pictures here because it’s night time but I would love to go back there when it’s daylight and promise to take a lot of photos. I think I’ll appreciate the whole place more when it’s daytime.

 

For me, the highlight of our visit there was when we entered the dungeon.

Photo credits to Google:

It was my second time going to Fort Santiago but the first time was already a long time ago. I think I was seven years old during my first visit there and I can’t remember it well.

So, it really feels the first time again after more than two decades.

The dungeon has a sad story during the Japanese time.

I can’t imagine why the Japanese soldiers let more than 600 Filipinos died in there.

It was actually depressing reading the stories with real life photos posted on the walls as we walked inside the dungeon.

I felt sad for all my Kababayans who suffered there.

They were the unsung heroes and innocent people of our country during that time.

I hope that they already got the justice that they deserve and they’re in peace now.

It was more than 80 years ago but the effect of the World War 2 has really a great impact on our history.

Outside the dungeon was a huge white cross that later on I found out on the internet that it was where the 600 people were buried.

So, basically, that part of Fort Santiago was a mass graveyard.

Photo credits to Google:

We also went to the part of Fort Santiago where you can see the Pasig River and it was an amazing view. We even stayed there for a while for some kwentuhan. We didn’t even realize the time.

It was already 10 pm when we went outside Fort Santiago.

There’s a parking fee of 30 pesos by the way.

I would really love to go back here, revisit our history, walk down the memory lane and take a lot of photos of the present time for reference of the future. 

Our Binondo Food Crawl (Jan. 2024 Edition)

Our Binondo Food Trip_January 2024

The date was January 24, 2024

For this day’s food trip, I was with my husband, my brother and his girlfriend. 

We started our Binondo walk at 4pm and we headed to Ongpin Street. We passed through Binondo Church.

Our first food was the infamous fried Xiao Long Bao.

It has long que since it was featured on some vlogs and so we waited for our turn.

We bought one order – 10 pcs for 200 pesos and ate it on the street. Honestly, it didn’t exceed my expectation. 

Our next stop was the Shanghai Fried Siopao and it’s flavorful! I didn’t expect that it was so good! It's worth the hype.

Next was the famous Bicho-Bicho. I personally liked it. But I like the plain one (sweet bicho) better than the milky bicho.

We also went in to a restaurant where we dined in. We orderd Beef Briskette, Beef wanton, Kuchay and Sharksfin for dumplings. All the food we ordered were delicious! Our total bill was almost 800.

We also bought hopia at Eng Bee Tin.

And the last one we tried was the sugarcane juice and I didn’t like its taste maybe because I’m not into sweets lately.

Overall, it was a fun experience and adventure again.

I would love to go back there and try other food stalls or restaurants that we haven’t tried yet.

 

Binondo Food Crawl is definitely a must try for all the food lovers out there.

Angono, Rizal_Coffee Escapades (2023)

Angono Escapades

Coffee.

Nice View.

Sunset.

City lights.

Just good vibes.

 

These are the things we got to experience when we tried different coffee shops with overlooking view in Angono, Rizal.

Cafe Infinite

The first one we tried was the Café Infinite.

I loved their egg drop and iced café mocha.

It’s a perfect tambayan, kubo feels on top of a mountain.

 

Thank you, Waze and thank you to our motorcycle that got us here.

City Escape Cafe 

The second one we’ve tried was the City Escape Café and we were lucky enough to witness the sunset view upon reaching the café. It was amazing!

As for the food, we just ordered Milk Teas and Iced Coffee. I went here with my Hubbs, my brother and his girlfriend.

Their drinks were okay but I love the food more at Café Infinite.

 

Kape-Hingahan

The third one we’ve tried was the Kape-Hingahan. I enjoyed the night vibe when we got there.

It would be my top two next to Café Infinite.

Visiting coffee shops in Angono with an overlooking view of city lights has been a quick escaping zone for me.

We have our daily life and routines that sometimes or even most of the time stress us out and there are coffee shops that took it away even for just a little while.

And then we’re ready to face the world again.

That’s life.

We just enjoy every second of it.

We’re ready for more coffee shop hunting!

CDO, Iligan, Bukidnon Trip (August 2023)

Aug 2-4, 2023 My Northern Mindanao Work and Play Trip

My dream destinations nowadays are the beautiful provinces of Mindanao.

And I was given the chance last August of 2023 to visit three! They were Cagayan De Oro, Iligan and Bukidnon.

Even though this trip was for work, I still had the chance to seize the moment and enjoy what I could had that time.

Our flight was from Manila to CDO.

We just had an early lunch at one of the restaurants in CDO then we’re off to Iligan to visit one of our stores there.

We finished early to we had the chance to visit Maria Cristina Falls – but the entrance only because it was recently closed then we went to Tinago Falls.

The falls was majestic! It enticed me to take a dip there if only we had a lot of time.

So, we just went down the 300 plus steps to witness its beauty up close and personal and then after some photo ops, we went back up again.

It was tiring getting down and up but it was worth it.

I had fun!

Then we’re off to Valencia, Bukidnon.

We had a dinner at CDO before heading to Valencia.

We reached Valencia already late at night and we checked in to a hotel near our store.

 

The following day, we went to our store after having our breakfast.

Then by after lunch, we went to Camp Philips where the Del Monte Pineapple plantation is located.

We also went to Del Monte Golf Course. 

We went to Dahilayan Adventure Park. And even though, it rained that day, we still had the chance to enjoy the place.

We bought pineapples for pasalubong!

Then we’re finally back to CDO because the following day was our flight back to Manila.

When we reached CDO, we went to our store there to work.

We checked in to our hotel then we had dinner there.

It was a quick trip but we had a little fun and enjoyed it.

I’m grateful for this chance.

And to more adventure in Mindanao please.

Hi, Universe! I’m waiting!

Thank you, Lord God for the chance to see your wonders!

April 2023 at Eastwood City

 Eastwood City: My Home Away From Home

For the holy week of April 2023, it was a five-day break from work.

And I chose to just spend it at home – with our dogs.

But Hubby and I had a chance to roam around Eastwood just like we used to every time we are free.

We had a quick church visit then we also went to the grocery.

We also had a short walk around Eastwood.

 

Eastwood City has been my home for more than 10 years.

Whenever I had money and time, I walk around here, spending time at coffee shops, affordable restaurants, parks and my favorite of all - grocery.

And I usually do it alone. I love my ‘Me Time’ here. But I also love hanging out with my friends and of course with my Hubby here.

 

It’s always finding the goodness in everything for me.

I maybe living in a community where high-rise buildings are situated with fast-phasing people walking around but somehow, I can still find some slow-life time.

When I roam around here, there’s a feeling of little at ease and less-crowded surroundings in which introverted ones like me love to hang out at.

 

The best time for me to walk around Eastwood is at 2 pm. There are less people and more peaceful. 

If my little getaway area become a little crowdy, then it’s finally time for me to escape and go back home.

But at least, I’ll be going home recharged and happy.

Eastwood City will always be a home (away from home) for me. Forever.

Ayala Triangle Revisited (2023)

 

March 2023

Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines

I go here occasionally.

Especially during Christmas time and most of the time with friends.

But it’s been a while since the last time.

Maybe five years ago?

 

And last March 2023, I had the chance to revisit the Ayala Triangle. It’s now a wider and prettier park.

Who would also have thought that this park (now) was once an airport?

That’s why it was called Ayala Triangle because it has a landing area before.

In the middle of a concrete jungle, there’s a flying zone.

 

Back to the present time, I love the way how it looks now.

Nature. Tranquility. Scenic view. A piece of a green paradise at the heart of a busy city.

When I walk around the park while waiting for my friends, somehow, I felt peace inside my head. I love walking. I love trees. I love scenic views. And this is a not-so-secret haven for me.

For this day, I took photos of my friends’ family for their kid’s birthday.

It was a tiring yet fun photoshoot day with the kids I love. I enjoyed being with my friends and their family.

I love taking photos of them as much as I love them!

I would also love to have a run around here sometime soon.

Or just sit on the park while reading a book.

If this is only near at home, I would always be here.

We need more people parks – not car parks, in the city, just like this one.

And I hope it will happen soon.