The United States of America, for me, is a place for visiting family and loved ones. If I had really wanted to stay there, I would have done so ten years ago, when I set first set foot on the US mainland and had all but one kid. If I had really wanted to stay there, I would have acceded to my mother and sister's requests to petition me for the Green Card. In all instances, I've said NO because silly old me wishes to make my home in Manila where I feel comfortable with the smog, the dirt and the 'flying' jeepneys. I am sure this sentiment is shared not only by me ... Continue Reading...

Desserts-to-die-for at the newly-launched The Cake Club of the Manila Diamond Hotel at the second floor of Rockwell 2008 may as well be the year of the Pinoy commuter and alternative means of transport like the E-jeepney. In 2008, we celebrate the cause of the hoi polloi who brave the long lines of the LRT/MRT and hang on to pesky PUJs for dear life. Riding around town in a 3.5 gas guzzler with the impudent wang-wang is out! Commuting is in, especially as it's the only way our great middle-class can cope with ever-rising gas and diesel prices. ... Continue Reading...

Am a car owner who also happens to be a big fan of commuting, specifically using overhead LRT/MRT trains to reach North to South of Manila, and vice versa, in a jiffy. I find jeepneys obtrusive and a nuisance, although I could tolerate the airconditioned ones in Makati and the environment-friendly e-jeepneys, which I have written about in this blog a number of times already. Now comes the latest news from Greenpeace: the transportation department has officially classified e-jeepneys as public vehicles and will now be allowed to operate in major thoroughfares. ... Continue Reading...

We were able to catch up with top models Bianca Valerio and Isabel Roces after the Avon fashion show, where the dinner party showed that long, flowing dresses are definitely 'in' for summer - the longer, the better. Bianca wore a green frock which she bought for 200 baht in Bangkok while Isabel slipped on a multi-colored dress from Supre, an Australian brand. Here's getting to know Bianca: "I love buying from ukay-ukay, shopping in bazaars and bargain-hunting. Among the brands, I really like Forever 21 and Salsa Trends, a local designer which has these pretty ... Continue Reading...