One of the World's Finest

Dubbed by CNN as one of the world's best beaches, Boracay's Puka Beach is the second-longest beach of the island and surprisingly the least crowded. Its coarse white sand is filled with puka shells, hence the name, and the water is a clear aquamarine.

I admit, when I got to the place, I wasn't all that impressed. After all, what does it have that the other beaches I've been to don't? But little by little, its beauty started to become apparent to my eyes. Being almost deserted, it began to feel...intimate. The stripped-down serenity of the place made it easier to tune out other people and just take in the beauty of the sun, the sand, and the sea. I felt so much closer to nature.

Watching the sun set was probably my favorite part. It was just breathtakingly beautiful with all its colors and melancholic hues. Naturally, my phone camera could not do justice to the masterpiece we have witnessed, but try as I may, not even my words could describe the beauty that was. All I could think of was how it reminded me of a familiar feeling. A feeling of a hopeful goodbye.

Franstar Takes On The World (Part 1)

Finally, some free time to catch up on some blogging! This one right here's long overdue, and has been sitting in my Drafts since the day I got back. (I'm a pro at procrastinating). Still, allow me to share the tale of my 2-month old adventure.

For the benefit of the uninformed, I recently went on my very first international adventure. Destination? Bangkok, Thailand.

Our adventure began on the last Friday of October. After having my flight delayed for 2 hours, I met up with my friend Sean at Suvarnabhumi airport. He had a good head start with our Bangkok adventure as he arrived about 20 hours earlier. When we met at Starbucks, he had already explored a little of the city, went to two Fitness First branches to work out, and sampled the world famous Thai street food! I had some catching up to do and I couldn't wait. As we made our way to our friend and host Mar's place, we were astounded by the vastness of the city. It was definitely not what I had expected. The scenes from movies I've seen didn't do justice in showcasing how modern and progressive the city really is.

When we reached our stop, we found ourselves in awe of the Bangkok high life. Luxurious malls and expensive hotels lined the street, and the people were dressed quite fashionably. With high-end boutiques such as Gucci and Alexander McQueen, it's easy to see why most locals consider Chit Lom to be an "expensive place", and even easier for my Captain America shirt to feel out of place.

Waiting for the train to Chit Lom.

After getting a little lost, we finally reached Mar's place 2 hours and 30 minutes later than originally planned. It didn't matter though, because the moment we stepped in his room, the crazy weekend had then begun. On our first night, we had dinner and beer in a quaint little pub called Mokka, took a walk around the city (passing by some bizarre places I dare not mention), and crashed a classy hotel playroom! And like I said, that was just the beginning.

The playroom at Pullman Hotel G.

The next day was dedicated solely for touristy stuff. We started with lunch at Siam Paragon, snatched up some free samples in the supermarket and had dessert in a little cafe called After You, where we tried the famous Shibuya Honey Toast. Let me tell you, that dessert was so unexpectedly good! Vanilla ice cream on toast with whipped cream on the side, drizzled with honey: yum!

After You's Shibuya Honey Toast.

After dessert, the boys and I went shopping at H&M before checking out the vintage shops at Siam Square. They say Siam Square is where the cool kids hang out, so naturally we had to go there. Y'know, since we're cool. Haha!

While walking along the area I noticed how different Bangkok's street fashion is. Unlike the Cebuanos' laid-back dress code, the Thais (or at least the ones I've seen) opt for something more...dapper. The trusty shirt-short-and-flip-flops combo may not work for a quick stroll in the mall.

Mar doing the Gangnam Style while trying on clothes at H&M.

The vintage shops at Siam Square.

Keeping it fresh before heading out to see the temples.

After a quick tour of the metro, we then headed out to see the temples which are some of Bangkok's major tourist attractions. However, due to our tight schedule, we decided to visit only two: Wat Pho and Wat Arun. As expected, the temples were packed with tourists! At Wat Pho, everywhere you look, you're bound to see someone taking snapshots of the place. With roofs adorned with golden accents and towering structures with intricate details, it's hard not to!

Wat Pho's official name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan. Quite a mouthful isn't it?

Did I mention that I got to see the Reclining Buddha?

Official name? Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan. Yeah, I'm sticking with just Wat Arun.

Compared with Wat Pho, Wat Arun seemed a bit quieter. Set in the Chao Phraya riverfront, it reminded me so much of the temples in Mortal Kombat. A friendly warning though, the central prang is not for the weak at heart. The steep climb to the top can make you feel a little acrophobic. The view up there, however, makes the climb all worth it.

After the solemnity of temples came the Hangover experience. Although the view from Wat Arun was spectacular, we wanted more. And by more, we meant a beautiful sunset at a world-class rooftop bar where we can see the city and the river at such an incredible height. So where else did we go? The Skybar at Lebua State Tower. The very same place where they shot The Hangover II's helicopter scene. Man, the view up there is just breathtaking! Sure, the drinks were insanely overpriced, and one of the waitresses wasn't very friendly, but the view and the place itself surely made up for it.

A photo of the magnificent view at the Skybar by Mar.

After the pre-dinner drinks at the Skybar, we made our way back to Chao Phraya for our next stop. Asiatique is a riverfront festival night market filled with tourists and locals alike. It has about a thousand shops that are filled with really cool stuff like vintage cameras, handcrafted leather iPhone cases, and trendy clothes. It even has its own Apple store! The restaurants had the swankiest interiors, and the strategically-placed industrial displays added charm to the open-air mall.

Having spent more than expected at the Skybar, we ditched the classy restaurants and opted for a more budget-friendly option. One thing you need to know about the food courts in Bangkok is that they're almost always good and cheap. I can't remember what I got and how much I paid for it, but I'm sure I got more than what I paid for.

Asiatique: The Riverfront.

In one of the many shops at Asiatique.

Tired from the day's adventure, I was ready to go home, but we weren't done just yet. We had one more stop before heading home: Khao San Road. The backpacker's haven where we originally planned on staying. It definitely was one of the highlights of my Bangkok adventure and I could pretty much sum it up in Sean's favorite phrase: personal growth. There we partied hard, met a few people, and got drunk (which was definitely a first for me). I admit to letting loose that night, but I was nowhere near Sean's hardcore partying! It was definitely his night, and he left proof of that on the sidewalk. Haha! The day ended with us dead-tired and longing for the comfort of a nice warm bed.

The famous Khao San Road.

Waking up late after the previous night's frenzy, I shook off the remainder of a hangover to accommodate the excitement I felt for what was about to ensue. SHOPPING. We originally planned a 2-hour shopping trip at the Jatujak weekend market, but who were we kidding? 2 hours of shopping at the shopper's mecca? Ha! We ended up spending the entire afternoon walking around Jatujak looking for great buys. I went a little overboard with the shopping that I wasn't able to bring home tacky souvenirs for family and friends. But I can't not buy stuff for myself! I mean it's not everyday that I'm in Jatujak, right?

Jatujak Weekend Market.

Tired from all the walking, we decided to end the day early. After all, Mar had to work the next day, and we were running a little low on cash. After having dinner at the classiest food court I've ever been to, we went back to Mar's place, watched Walking Dead, and then said our good-nights.

With Mar having to work the next day, Sean and I were left to explore the city on our own. We headed to a mall called Terminal 21 where Sean suggested that we part ways for a few hours. He ended up meeting a friend and ditching me, and I ended up alone in a foreign city. And it was awesome! You know how you sometimes wish you could go somewhere where no one knows you? Well, that happened to me, and I loved it! It was definitely a liberating experience.

Sampling the world-famous Thai street food.

Bound to leave early the next day, Mar, Sean, and I decided that we had to have a farewell dessert. Since I've never tried Thailand's famous Mango Sticky Rice, Mar thought it'd only be appropriate that I try it before I head home. It was past 10 and most shops were already closed when we went out to find a place that served the said dessert. Unlike the puto maya back home that we also eat with mangoes and pair with sikwate (or tsokolate), this Thai dessert is served with coconut cream to drizzle all over it. It wasn't exactly foreign to me, but I then understood why tourists were crazy about it!

All Six to Twelve's Mango Sticky Rice.

Bangkok, early morning.

At dawn of October 30th, Sean and I started our journey back home. Leaving Bangkok was hard as we both fell in love with the city and the experiences we've had on our short stay. We wanted to stay a little longer, but it was just out of the question. Well, for now at least.

They say it's hard forget your first trip outside your home country, and with the help of two friends from high school, I don't think I'll ever forget mine. I went to Bangkok with little expectations and high hopes, and came back home with a few pictures and tons of unforgettable experiences. Thanks to Mar, we had a lovely place to stay and a kick-ass tour guide. If not for the itinerary he came up with out of sheer goodness, Sean and I wouldn't have been able to maximize our trip. We probably could've ended up lost too! Or not. After all, it's hard to get lost if you don't really know where you're going. ;)

Narra Park Hotel

You live in a big world. Make it your duty to explore.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, a classy Mediterranean-inspired haven sits on top of a hill in Alcoy, Cebu. A clear blue pool, cool shades provided by big trees, an endless view of the great horizon—you'd think you were in some expensive five-star resort. Narra Park Hotel boasts of a posh and relaxing atmosphere for a price that's unbelievably affordable.

Veranda with an overlooking view of Alcoy

Room rates are at Php2000.00 a night, good for 3 persons. Rooms have a maximum capacity of 5 people, with a charge of Php500.00 for each additional person. All inclusive of breakfast.

Restaurant Interior: keeping true to the Mediterranean theme 

If you're only planning to go on a day tour, don't even stress about the entrance fee, simply because there's none! You only have to pay a Php70.00 swimming charge if you're planning to take a dip in the pool.

Clubhouse sandwich and fries

Food is relatively cheap as it ranges from Php130-350.00, while drinks start at Php35.00.

If you're planning to go on a quick vacation, or simply to get away on a weekend, I suggest you try and see for yourself what Narra Park Hotel has to offer. It's a 20-minute drive from the foot of the hill and is currently in the process of development. But the view, the ambiance—all of it is worth it!

UPDATE:
Contact Numbers: 0918-548-6344 (cellphone), 518-0242 (landline)

2011: A Year In Photos

I am no photographer. Let's be clear about that. And if you're asking how I could be so bold to sum up the past year in photos in spite of this reality, well I account that to one thing: laziness. I now write for a living, and no matter how much I enjoy it, I have to admit that it can get exhausting. So bear with me on this one. Don't worry, most of it aren't my own shots anyway.

Celebrating Gwen's success at MO2. This was the night I lost my part-time job. LOL.

The first half of 2011 was dedicated to my personal growth. I cried, laughed, baked, read, did art, started a business. I tried to find myself then, and still am now. I guess it's a sort of journey that takes a lifetime to complete.

Wanderlust #1: Bantayan Summer Escapade with the Burkes. I've had my fair share of travels this year, but this has got to be my favorite. The reason? I got to share the experience with my best friends.

The best thing about coming back to Intelmed. :)

I turned 23, and gave up on the plans I've long been a slave to. I gave it up not because I lost hope, but because I'm making space for a new one. Hopefully this one turns out better than the last one.

Wanderlust #2: Meeting Peter in Manila. The trip I've been most excited about the whole year. I GOT TO WATCH PETER PAN ON STAGE! That show made my year.

Wanderlust #3: A Short and Sweet Visit to Beautiful Tagaytay. I've only had lunch at Sonya's, and already I'm in love.

Lucas Nathaniel. This little bundle of joy came to our lives. He almost peed on my phone, causing me to drop it, but I still love this bugger.

Wanderlust #4: Palawan Paradise. By far, the most beautiful place I've ever been to. I was gonna write about it in detail, but I've been swamped with work. :| I'll try to get around it really soon.

These are the only pictures I could find, but this thing right here is the highlight of my 2011. Enough said.

There. 2011 summed up in photos. I'd love to say more, but there's not much I could say. 2011 was a very interesting year for me, and I hope 2012 proves to be a whole lot better. To friends old and new, to places I've been and will be going to, to the family that's ever growing, and to life that's never boring, I lift my glass up for you. Cheers to a new year!

Whirlwind Weekend

Earlier this year (around April, I think), Gwen and I talked about watching Peter Pan on stage with nonchalance. It was a casual talk with a half-serious tone that usually ends up in oblivion. Fast forward to October, I found myself in the center loge of the theater, clapping loudly in the audience to bring Tink back to life. I knew after buying our plane tickets and theater passes last May that we were actually gonna go see it for real. But until our plane landed in NAIA, it was all just talk for me.

Our arrival didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped. Just a few minutes after we got off the plane, one of our companions realized that her pouch that held her valuables went missing. We literally spent hours in the airport to try and sort things out. The pouch was never found, and so we left the airport with a heavy heart.

From there, we went straight to Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio for brunch. If you're unfamiliar with the place, it's a weekend food market right in the middle of a business park. There you'd find layers of boxes filled with pastries, buffet pans overflowing with pasta and native dishes in banana leaves. That is where we drowned the bad mood with good food. Kebabs, back ribs, cheezy potatoes, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, green tea mochi, homemade mango yogurt, and a cup of steaming brewed coffee to wash it all down. I still regret not being able to try everything! Oh, and a little (useless) FYI, the last scene from the movie No Other Woman was shot there too.

After a scrumptious brunch, we burned off some calories by walking to Bonifacio High Street to check out the five-decked Fully Booked store. A must-visit stop for bookworms like me. I swear, I could stay there the whole day! They have Starbucks and White Hat inside the store for your gastronomic needs, and a comfort room for when you need to tinkle. It's like book heaven! The 30 minutes we spent there sure wasn't enough, and I ended up not buying anything as I can't decide what to buy. And as I'm writing this, I curse myself for not going up to the topmost floor to explore. I have just found out of their annual sale that runs from Oct 6-16 and, of all the luck, is held only in The Forum (the topmost floor!!). Oh, well. Maybe next time.

A 45-minute cab ride (a rough estimate as I was asleep) later, we reached our little hotel where we slept in the rest of the afternoon. The place was alright. Not bad for about three grand a night for six people. Later that evening, we went to Metrowalk for dinner before the play. I'm telling you, if you're ever near Ortigas, you should definitely try Steak Plus in Metrowalk! (Sense the sarcasm)

Mushroom soup (tasted like gravy with calamansi) and Green Salad (lettuce with a slice each of tomato and cucumber, paired with ketchup & mayo dressing)

The dessert was alright...had they told us first hand that it was going to be turon. We were told that they'd be serving gelatin for dessert, so imagine the surprise on our faces when a plate of turon was placed right in front of us. The main course was alright. Average at best. The place was just too pricey, and the service wasn't very good either. Half a star out of five for me.

A moment later came my most awaited part. The reason why I came to Manila in the first place. PETER PAN! It's one of the things I'm glad I didn't miss. The music was enchanting and the stunts were a sight to see! It's based off the original play by J.M. Barrie and lead by the talented Sam Concepcion as the boy who didn't want to grow up. The Darlings were endearing and the Lost Boys amusing. The Indians gave it color while the Pirates brought adventure. It was a swashbuckling treat that I enjoyed every minute of! It was enough for me to forget all the misfortunes of the day, and left me smiling as I dozed off to my own Neverland.

The next day started early as we had to be at our next stop by 7:30AM. We were headed to the country's biggest broadcasting company, ABS-CBN, to watch their Sunday afternoon musical variety show. But before the show, we had to be on a studio tour as part of the package. From what I've heard, people actually book months in advance to see the show live, and, as always, TFC subscribers are given priority. The tour was pretty educational. I've learned that the studios are actually pretty small, but they appear bigger and wider on TV with the aid of a wide-angle lens. Also, they use industrial sized air-conditioning in each studio to neutralize the heat emitted by the lights. When turned on simultaneously, the studio lights could give you a first-degree burn.

We've met some pretty interesting characters in the compound. The lady in blue who wants to be in all the pictures, the cute tour guide who might be gay, the guy in the front desk who acted like a bitch on her period, and the teenage girls who sadly dressed up like whores just so they'd get noticed on TV. It was also comforting to learn that TV stars are not as perfect as they seem. They just use a better concealer. Make up or talent in acting—either one's good to hide the flaws.

After partying on the set of ASAP and beating the rain on our way to the train station, we set out to our next stop: Tagaytay City. From the TV station, it took a cab ride, a train ride, a bus ride, and a trike ride before we reached our destination. We stayed in a quaint little villa at 3.5k a night, and went hiking the next day to get a glimpse of the famous Taal Volcano.

In front of Keni Po Rooms (Tagaytay)

Hiking in Picnic Grove (Tagaytay)

After a tiring hike and fueled only by a cup of coffee and some lengua de gato, we set off to our last stop in Tagaytay before heading back to Manila. Brunch at Sonya's Garden may seem pricey at P600+ for a buffet, but it's something one should try. The place looks like something that came off straight of a wedding magazine, and the food is organic and guaranteed fresh. The salad was more than enough to make up for the one we had at Metrowalk. I could honestly just eat salad all day and not move on to the main course! And the sesame bread. Yum! The main course was pasta and fried salmon belly. Really, just writing about this now is making me hungry! Then for dessert, we were once again faced with turon. Haha! But not just turon, mind you. There's chocolate cake and sweet potatoes, too. All served with a warm cup of refreshing tarragon tea. Ah, Sonya's, you are sorely missed!

After bidding Sonya adieu, we took another bus ride back to Manila. We had originally planned to stay in Makati before we had to leave for the airport, but a certain celebrity invited us to come visit him on the set. So instead of strolling along the streets of the financial center of the Philippines, we braved through the streets of Tondo on a tricycle to meet Mr. Gabby Concepcion. He was very nice, and quite the looker for a man in his forties. After a quick meet up and photo session, we had to leave in a rush so as to avoid missing our flight.

Homeward bound and quite exhausted, I realized how much fun I had that weekend. I didn't get much rest, seeing as we're always on the go, but still it was a weekend well spent. It gave me a chance to renew my views of Manila, get to know familiar faces a little better, meet new people, try something new, and of course, see a play I've always wanted to see. I may have missed out on a lot of things for that weekend, but I regret nothing. I arrived home with little money in my pocket and no souvenirs, but had a big smile across my face. I had a whirlwind weekend and enjoyed it.

The trip that I've been looking forward to for months is over. I'm back to my old routine, and my solitary world is back to being quiet. But not for long, I hope. ;)

Coming Back and Changing Minds

Ten years after I last set foot in Manila, I was astounded at how much the place has changed. It is to be expected, of course. Ten years is a long time after all. The country is keeping up with the times and the capital is intent in being a globally competent metro. Metro Manila has put up a facade that’s far greater than the last I’ve seen. I even admit to falling in love at first sight with Bonifacio High Street. Having the biggest book shop I’ve ever been to and a line of top brand boutiques, I need not see the entire place for me to declare it as one of my favourite places to visit. However, no matter how much the place has changed physically, it still holds the same old stench: the crazy traffic, overpriced food, suspicious characters, overcrowded streets, and rude people (case in point, that stuck up bitch from ABS-CBN Tours’ front desk). Just when you think you might actually like living there, these things make you stop to reconsider. They make you miss home’s far more tolerable traffic, less crowded streets, reasonably priced food, and the people who are far more eager to please its clientele.

I’m not saying my hometown’s far better because, like every other place in the world, we have our own flaws. We have our share of shady characters and soap opera-like antagonists. Commercially, we are a little behind compared to Manila. We are growing at a much slower pace and I think we need to learn a thing or two from the capital city in terms of innovations. The only thing I can guarantee is that Cebu has a much more laidback atmosphere. It has the right mix of the metropolitan high life and the homey feel of the country. But much to my chagrin, Manila would easily trump us in terms of industrial growth and modernization.

Manila sure made me appreciate home, but I can’t say I didn’t like it there. The three days I spent there was more than satisfactory that I even ended up writing about it. This year's visit is a far cry from my last memory of the place. I enjoyed it enough to not make me cringe at the idea of coming back. Well, to put it more accurately, I intend to come back. To visit, that is. A wider selection of books, fashion strip you can't find at home, international concert tours, and professional theater productions of well-loved plays and musicals! I'd say Manila hasn't seen the last of me yet. ;)