Golden sunset shots The Golden Sunset Resort opened only in January of this year but we've heard so much buzz about this place already. Maybe it's because the owner is no less than the mega-hairdresser Ricky Reyes who is known hereabouts as a savvy marketer and public relations person. When the invitation came, I just couldn't resist going to this place. Another factor is that I haven't been to Calatagan, Batangas where the resort is located. Arriving there, I wasn't disappointed. The resort was huge and the centerpiece was the beautifully-designed water ... Continue Reading...

High Y During my recent trip to Pagsanjan, we stayed at the La Corona Resort and found their Ropes Challenge Course very interesting.It is a series of "high" and "low" outdoor events that are surprisingly in-demand among top Philippine companies as a tool for teaching team-building, leadership, communication, coaching, and risk-taking. Could you do one of these? Like most people,I have fear of heights and will not bungee jump even if offered a million bucks. The closest I ever got to an adventure was ride this twistin'-and-turnin' super-rollercoaster at ... Continue Reading...

suite It was time to 'pretend rich' once again as we were billetted in a two bedroom penthouse suite over the weekend. Funky momma was off to work and brought the Three Cute Musketeers with her. view from the top We were on the 29th floor of this hotel which I liked so much for its design and cool Asian interiors. The Hong Kong hotel was pretty but this one was prettier and right smack home. ... Continue Reading...

Bacolod masks I enjoyed every bit of my Bacolod trip in late 2003, moreso because I was able to explore some secret spots in Negros Occidental Our group had an overload of old churches, houses, museums, nature and the best part of all - food! I can't forget Bacolod food. We had a native Filipino meal at Aboy's (ironically owned by a Kapampangan), stocked up on calories with irresistible desserts at Calea, munched on seafood at the turo-turo stalls of Pala-Pala and savored the roasted chicken in Manokan Country. The latter is a whole restaurant ... Continue Reading...

Hofilena ancestral house Have you wondered how the houses of the landed Filipino gentry looked like during the Spanish era? I was leafing through my photo archives and found some valuable pics of my visit to Negros Occidental in 2003, including Bacolod. Next to Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Silay City is the best place in the Philippines to view Spanish-era ancestral houses in their full-splendor. It is laudable that the city has tried its best to preserve the houses which were built between 1880 and 1930. Most have been turned into museums for public viewing ... Continue Reading...