Russian Xmas card. A big thank you to all the thoughtful friends, family and countrymen who sent me their holiday greetings. I realized that more than anything, the gift of TIME was what I needed this Christmas. Bear with me if I share my Yuletide wishes here to all who are close to me in mind and heart, by way of reading this blog or communing with me in real life. May the coming year bring a lot of happiness and blessings to you all, and more inspiration for me :P Christmas this year was quite "enlightening" for me, in the sense that the 24th ... Continue Reading...

Santas in a row, originally uploaded by annalyn. The thought of Christmas engulfs people with giddy anticipation, and most specially in the Philippines. We don't have a Thanksgiving holiday to speak of but we certainly make a big deal out of Christmas - an opportune time for gift-giving, family reunions and spreading cheer all around. Here's how to make this busy and frantic season merry and bright: 1. Draw up sensible lists. The list should not only include the people you want to give gifts to but also your holiday budget and what items comprise your ... Continue Reading...

Pico de Loro is quite popular among my mountain-climbing friends. I don't have any narratives to share. During a recent visit , I only saw the beach and the vantage point of a couple of mountains from the viewdeck. Going here certainly took a long time. Pico de Loro lies at the edge of the coastal town of Nasugbu, Batangas which is peppered with lots of ritzy resorts, among them Punta Fuego, Tali and now Hamilo Coast of the SM group, of which Pico de Loro Cove is a part of. We counted almost three hours to reach the destination and the sea was serene. Smelling the ... Continue Reading...

As a former staffmember of the House of Representatives, I condole with the families of those who were killed in the Batasan Pambansa blast :( It all seems now like an insidious plot: first the Glorietta explosion, then the murder of Comelec's top lawyer, now a bomb blast in the country's legislative chamber. Don't know what to make of this except that the last two incidents targeted Muslim officials. We can never say for sure. At least the rich and powerful can hire extra bodyguards or reinforce the bullet-proofing of their cars, whatev. How about ordinary ... Continue Reading...