Canon 20D
trenZa salon one year anniv
With a fedora on my head and a feather boa around my neck, I was feelin rakenroll!
trenZa salon celebrated their one year anniversary last Friday, and treated bloggers and media (and their families) like rock stars, offering their various first rate services — everything from hair spas to foot scrubs to nail art (even glitter tattooing) — for free.
Ceremonies were kicked off with a spread of various dishes and desserts, before a short speech. Then, it was all rock and roll. Guests filled the seats to get their treatments, and even had a chance to create bracelets or necklaces, while waiting for their turn at some pampering and relaxation.
Here are some photos from the event…
[elaine gets some curls]
[gettin some ink done]
[sitting in the kids' corner]
[thumb(s) up for the shear]
[little rock stars starting early with the attitude]
[princess allana gets some curls too]
[az's first time...]
[rockin the fedora and boas]
[apple displays her apples]Bo’s Coffee Club @ High Street
Bo’s Coffee Club held it’s second blogger’s event last Friday, in their Bonifacio High Street branch. It was a cold and rainy morning, so hot mugs of our favorite brew awaited all the visitors.
Again, President and CEO Steve Bentitez introduced Bo’s to the bloggers, before initiating the “create a coffee” contest.
Here are a few photos from the event…
[coffee beans, pre-roasting]
[comfy corner for two]
[sack of beans]
[cooling off the roasted beans]
[creating their concoction]
[zee, arpee and noreen enjoying the cheese rolls]
[the amazing biyahilo]
[biyahilo and arpee]
[our winners, audrey and abbie with steve benitez]Hongkong holiday
Hongkong was a blast. Very tiring and extremely humid, but fun, nonetheless.
It’s a bit funny, now that I look back on it, that I almost didn’t make it. My passport wasn’t due to be released until the 23rd (our departure was on the 18th)… but I managed to find a way, thankfully. I would have missed out on the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Hongkong.
Our first day was really about exploring the are and getting our act together — i.e. planning what to do, finding a place to stay, getting the best exchange rate, etc. So after burning the free phone lines to book a hotel, accidentally getting a cheap fare into the city and stumbling across a good eatery, things seemed to be falling into place.
On day two, I had to go see my dad’s banker to sign some papers. I separated from the rest to find one of the Citi banking centers in Mong Kok, while the rest took the MTR over to Hongkong Disneyland. Naturally, after performing my familial duties, I rushed over to the theme park.
As it rained that day, the adult attractions like Space Mountain were closed. Since we were with the kids, it didn’t really matter anyway. One cool thing of note (and something I didn’t notice in the LA Disneyland) was the Filipino section of the It’s a Small World attraction.
On day three, we went to see Buddha… in the Ngong Ping 360 (cable car) and walking tour.
Day four, we said goodbye to Hongkong and all it’s attractions. Hopefully, we’l be able to make it back.
birthday weekend
This weekend, I celebrated my 30th birthday. It also coincided with a visit to Punta Fuego in the residence of my fiancées relatives as well as good old Fanny Lane in Tagaytay. Naturally, there was a lot of food… and I ended up stuffing my face, especially with sweets and other junk food.
Here are a few photos…
Now to hit the gym.
Porsche Cayenne S… Transsyberia style
After winning the Transsyberia Rally three years in a row (and taking the top 6 positions in this years contest), PGA Cars has finally decided to introduce the new Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia to the local market via a two-day test drive of the sturdy vehicle.
Last September 12, I headed over to McKinley Hill to witness the durability and exceptional performance of the vehicle, in a simulated environment.
For those of you that are unaware, the Transsyberia Rally is an intercontinental race from Moscow, Russia to Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Spanning approximately 7,200 kilometers, the rally is a grueling two week competition across various forms of terrain that takes its toll on both man and machine. So both driver and vehicle have to be first rate.
On hand that day was Mr. Eddie Keng, Porsche Sport Driving School instructor and two-time Transsyberia Rally participant. After showing us some clips from the race, and sharing some of his experiences, Mr. Keng led us out to the make shift rally course and introduced us to the obstacles we’d be facing. So after our quick briefing, we were off to experience the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia…
Anyway, here are a few photos from the event.
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[click on image for larger view]Layout: Front engine, four wheel drive, 5 door SUV
Engine : 4,806 cm³ V8, 4 cam, 32 valve engine, with VarioCam inlet camshaft control and direct fuel injection system
Maximum output: 385 bhp (283 KW) at 6,200 rpm
Maximum torque: 500 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Transmission: 6 Speed Tiptronic S
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: Tiptronic S: 6.8 seconds
Top speed: 252 km/h (Manual) & 250 km/hr (Tiptronic S)
Standard equipment:
Enhanced aerodynamics [NEW]
Front apron [NEW]
Rear apron [NEW]
Load sill reinforcement [NEW]
Roof spoiler [NEW]
Tailgate finisher [NEW]
LED tail lights [NEW]
18” Cayenne S wheels
Sport button
Hydrophobic side windows
Porsche Traction Management (PTM)
ABS 8.0 with ABD, ASR and MSR
Exterior trim covers in satinated aluminum
Dual front, side and thorax airbags
12-way adjustable front comfort seats
Part leather interior in grained finish
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Alarm system with central locking remote
Tyre repair system
Individual options:
Metallic paint
Air suspension with PASM
Front and rear floormats
18” collapsible spare tyre
Servotronic
Roll up manual side window blinds
CDC-4 six disk changer
Power liftgate
Front and rear park assistant
20” Cayenne SportTechno wheels
Tiptronic S transmission
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Bose Sound System
Sport Tail pipes
Light comfort package
Sports exhaust
sexy dancers, lap dances, zsa zsa and girls kissing girls
The title says it all.
Last night, at Eastern Communications‘ party to celebrate 130 years of existence, attendees got to witness a plethora of entertainers. From the 50s musical stylings of Vince Camua, to Zsa Zsa Padilla’s comedy and musical renditions, to gorgeous dancers, to steamy numbers by the sultry female quartet Mocha, the crowd experienced a myriad of performances designed to tantalize the ears and eyes.
And rather than explain what happened, let me just show you…
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[click on image for larger view]La Maison
Last friday, I headed over to La Maison over in The Podium for a quick photoshoot, as birthday boy and Resto Manager Robi Caguiat needed a few photos for some of their new products.
A few of the photos here are the new dishes offered at the second floor of La Maison, in their new Resto / Bar, Regis.
All in all, there were 12 dishes… all of which, I got to taste.
Here are some of the results:
[creamy wine mussels]
[chef's duck liver paté]
[us beef ribs]
[chimi changga]
[meaty bounty (super barkada size)]
[southwestern chicken roll]
[spicy lambada]
[eggs norweigan]
[eggs benedict]
[steak & eggs (super power breakfast)]
[monte cristo]
[french toast]
C’ is for great Italian food
Although in plain view, C’ Italian Restaurant is one of the hidden treasures of Pampanga, unknown to many. Located just outside Clark (1210 Don Juico St., Clarkview, Malabanas, Angeles City), C’ has been frequented by socialites and celebrities alike, just to get a taste of some authentic Italian cuisine. The food is so good, that the resto was voted as the Best Restaurant for 2005 and 2006 by the Philippine Tattler. Not a bad seal of excellence…
The food does not come cheap, though. If you’re looking for Amici prices or are used to Sbarro or Pasto, don’t expect to spend the same amount of money. But as the old adage goes, “you get what you pay for.” And in C’, you will see, and ultimately, taste the difference.
The dishes here use the finest quality ingredients — from the cheese to the meats, from the bread to the fish. Everything is top drawer, super special ingredients. And the portions are generous. One of the dishes we ordered was the Pasta Roberto [see photo above], a penne dish, swimming in creamy Gorgonzola heaven, topped off with sundried tomatoes, a healthy serving of sliced chicken bits, and a chunk of rosemary bread. And I am not exaggerating when I say that every bite of of the pasta came with a piece of the viand.
However, I believe the Panizza is truly one of the reasons people will keep coming back to C’. It’s basically a a large panini in the form of pizza, with a twist… or a roll, if you will. The delectable creation is cut into long strips, which you roll and eventualy pop into your mouth. Of course, to make the experience more fulfilling, you must add the alfalfa sprouts and arugula leaves into your panizza roll. My order: the Rolls Royce: a panizza topped with shrimp, scallops, pecorino, bacon and a few other ingredients I can’t recall at the moment.
To wash things down, I also ordered one of their fruit sodas. A tasty beverage that smooths the whole meal out.
The meal was so excellent that I ordered another panizza to take home, and let other people get a taste. Of curse, before it reached its destination, I had already chowed down on a few slices. And whilst I finish this small entry, I am already planning my next visit to C’!
Contact (045) 892-4059 to make your reservations. Or you can check out their website for more info… or make an online reservation.
daughtry presscon
Last night, I had the pleasure of going to the Daughtry press conference at Shanghai Bistro in Eastwood City. And although we had to wait for about two and a half hours, it was worth it (the wait).
Chris Daughtry and the rest of the band seemed like they genuinely wanted to be where they were. No airs, no qualms no prima donna attitudes. Plus, they seemed like five quirky and funny individuals, as a couple of the members even gave us a sample of a new dance they came up with — the “Double Dragon”. [Note: Since you can only see a photo in my Multiply album, it's basically a rendition of the moves from that classic Taito video game from the 80s in dance form]
And as an added bonus, I got to meet Mo Twister. No, he’s not my man crush (in fact, I don’t even think I have one), but he’s truly one of the wittiest and most original people in the world of showbiz.
Daughtry will be playing in a few hours in what everyone in the media seems to be calling an “intimate” setting. BS man. For the life of me, I can’t conceive how the term intimate even sprung up. Sure it’s much smaller than a normal concert, but having three thousand fans is far from it (intimate). But nevertheless, props to Eastwood City for coming up with a makeshift stadium.
Anyway, here are additional photos from the presscon.
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[click on image for larger view]flapjacks
Yesterday, I went with a few Yehey! employees to check out the rations over at Flapjacks restaurant in Greenbelt. As breakfast food is my favorite daily fare, I was excited to sink my teeth into anything that was being offered. I intentionally didn’t eat anything in the morning to increase my appetite for the up coming lunch (as I had heard that the portions were huge), but nothing could have prepared me for the feast I was about to partake in.
So, upon arrival, we each ordered our meals to try (and of course photograph). Unbeknownst to us, our host Mitzi Borbon (Marketing Manager of Fish & Co. and Flapjacks) also arranged for us to try some of their best sellers (aside from what we already ordered). As you can surmise, we had a lot of food to dig into. So, verging on committing the deadly sin of gluttony, we placed our napkins on our laps and grabbed our forks and knives and dove head in.
Here are a few photos from the BIG lunch.
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[click image for larger view]I tried not to eat too much of one dish, making sure to try all of the treats laid out before us, but before long, I noticed myself going back for second and third servings of each dish, as they were all that good. But of course, I have to list my special mentions of the meal:
- Rib Eye Steak Omelette – for the sheer creativity of putting two great ingredients together — eggs and prime rib beef! … (not to mention the healthy portions of sliced bell peppers)
- Five Stack Blueberry Pancakes - five pancakes, blueberry and a little bit of butter cream. Yum yum! No syrup necessary.
- Salpicao - this traditional Spanish tapas was given a Pinoy twist with rice and egg on the side. Think of it as a “sossy” Tapsilog.
So as we slowly felt our bellies bursting while adjusting our belts, we were in for another surprise. No it wasn’t more food… or even dessert. Instead, we were invited to another food tasting a week or so from now — for Flapjacks and Fish & Co. … both in the same day. But, hey, I’m not complaining.
Moto Mash Up
Continuing with its tradition of kick ass events, Motorola held a special Moto MashUp shindig last night at WareHouse 135. With food aplenty, beer and cocktails overflowing, prizes awaiting and music pumping through the night, the event was a big hit.
Featuring the stylish Motorola Rokr E8 and the very affordable Motorola W230, the local mobile set giant introduced the concept of Mash Up.
MashUp, you ask? Simply put, it’s a merging of two things to create one cool final product. Take the Rokr E8. It’s a mobile phone, yet, it can be transformed into a mp3 player, with the click of a button. And Motorola has taken the MashUp lifestyle one step further with their line up of musicians, merging different genres and melding diverse songs, creating totally unique sounds.
On hand for the evening were Ciudad and Overtone; Radha and Top Suzara; and DJ Funk Avy and Taken By Cars. And we all got a glimpse of the intense musical mash ups.
To get a better idea, check out OdysseyLive.
Here’s my favorite video from the bunch:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55o9PDpeR2Y&hl=en]
more photos here
my Pilipinas
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[click on image for larger view]a taste of decadence
Sweet Tooths were in for a treat as Diamond Hotel brought a Taste of Decadence to the Archaeology Wing of the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell Center in a feast of desserts.
Laid out in a wonderful spread for all attendees was a myriad of choices from cakes to pies to tarts to various other sweet treats I couldn’t even identify. The term overload soon came to mind, as I couldn’t even begin to decide which dessert to start with, let alone fit on my plate. They (DIamond Hotel) weren’t kidding when they said they boast of one of the most extensive (if not the most extensive) stand-alone dessert catering services.
So as any sensible person would do, I just dug in and chose the most appetizing treat (a feat easier said than done). And being a saccharine sucker, I found myself in heaven, popping sampler after sampler into my waiting mouth. Naturally, the sugar found its way into my system, and the sugar rush kicked in. But at this point, I was hooked. So after a few more bites, I decided to call it quits, having my fill. Plus, the fact that I could return to this dessert haven eased my thoughts for the moment.
Yes folks, for those of you that couldn’t catch this event, Diamond Hotel has established The Cake Club, a pastry paradise cum coffee shop, at the second level of the Rockwell Powerplant Mall. And to give you an idea of what you can find, here are a few of my personal faves that can be purchased when you make your first visit:
- Supermoist – Diamond Hotel’s signature moist chocolate cake made more delicious with layers of rich ganache (This is simply the best chocolate cake you will ever taste)
- Baked Cheesecake – Diamond’s classic rich cream cheese cake
- Le Royale – Dark Valrhona chocolate mousse with almond meringue and hazelnut crispy
- Green Tea Creme Brulee – the classic French dessert made extra special with a hint of Japanese Green Tea flavoring
[click photo for larger image]audi R8 launch
Releasing another monster of a vehicle, Audi recently officially launched the new R8 – a beautifully crafted automobile bred from racing championship DNA and packed with features that will make your head spin.
Don’t believe me? Here are just some of the highlights of the vehicle:
- mid-engine mounted
- Quattro technology permanent all wheel drive
- 32 valve, V8 engine
- 0-100 kph in 4.6 seconds with 420 horses under the hood and a top speed of about 300 kph
- FSI technology (the fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber giving it better engine performance and combustion efficiency)
- Racing Style cockpit
- Monoposto cockpit integrated as an autonomous unit (it is laid out as an arc that wraps around the driver)
- Alcantara leather sport seats
- Bang & Olufsen Sound System
… and the list goes on and on.
Of course, I can only dream about getting my hands on one of these babies for a test drive, let alone owning one. So till I can actually figure out a way to convince Audi to lend me one of these bad boys, I’ll just continue visiting their website and drool.
the tides boracay
One week after our trip to Boracay for our coverage of The Tides, here are a few articles and specials that we churned up for the hotel.
- 1. A
- courtesy of yours truly
- 2. A
- by
- 3. A
recant of a Boracay first timer
- by Karla Henson
- 4. A
- of The Tides — both food and hotel
If you are an establishment that wishes to be featured, similar to what we did, simply contact me via email or email our department and we’ll get back to you.
batanes… not the movie
Batanes has always been one of my “must see” destinations. But after two years or so of dreaming and planning, I never found the time to book a flight to the northernmost island of the Philippines. So when Brownie aka Julia invited me to her hometown to attend her wedding, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Not only was I going to witness the marriage of one of my oldest (not by age) friends, but also get to discover one of the most beautiful and picturesque islands in the Philippines.
So on Labor Day, I set out for Batanes. Armed with my aging DSLR, my Lomo and my Holga, as well as a few rolls of film, I excitedly left Manila for a new adventure.
The flight didn’t take long. It was approximately an hour and fifteen minutes from the domestic airport to the Batanes landing strip. And thanks to Brownie’s perfect planning, our hotel (Shanedel’s) had provided a shuttle for our group to our residence for the next few days. So after settling in and taking a short nap, Kan and I headed out to discover the Basco, the capital of Batanes, as well as the largest and most populated town of the islands. The town seemed devoid of people, when we were navigating the streets… but we later discovered there was a feast in another town, thus the shortage of people loitering the streets.
After grabbing a bite to eat, we decided to head up to the lighthouse on the hill, to check out the view and “watch the sunset”. It was a good 20 minute hike from the plaza, but it was the best sunset I ever saw. But instead of narrating the rest of our day’s exploits, let me illustrate them via my gallery.
Day two offered a full set of activities. We all woke up at 5:30 to get ready for the Batan Island tour. We drove through…or I should say around the island, literally, stopping at several locations and points of interest. Along the way, we visited Lola Florestina Estrella, resident of the oldest standing (131 years and counting) Ivatan stone house; the Honesty Coffee Shop where visitors drop their money for purchases made in a makeshift piggy bank, as no one else is there to collect your money; the rocky shores of Valuga Beach, strewn with large volcanic rocks spewed from a volcano; and numerous other sites.
Day three was the wedding day. So instead of exploring the island a bit more, we decided to rest and get ready for the celebration ahead. At about 3:00, all dressed in our formal gear, we braved the afternoon sun and headed over to the picturesque chapel on the hill, built by the Abad family, to attend Julia and Andrew’s union.
The chapel was beautiful, the ceremony was laced with comedic bits but solemn, nonetheless, smiles were abundant, and the music provided by Noel Cabangon set the perfect mood for a wedding. Even the local residents couldn’t help but flock to the ceremony to witness the first grand occasion on the island… and biggest thing to happen since Dawn Zulueta and Richard Gomez filmed “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit”.
After the lovely ceremony, we all hoofed it to the Abad residence for cocktails, followed by the dinner and party at the Fundacion Pacita.
Day four — our last real day for any exploration. Naturally, we all wanted to make the most of our trip, so once again, we got up at the crack of dawn to make our way to Ivana and catch a boat to Sabtang Island. The ride was a bit unnerving, as the waves were huge and our engine was smoking all the way, but once we got our feet on land, we soon discovered that the queasiness was all worth it.
We first headed over to Savidug, to check out some Ivatan houses in the area and quickly made our way to Chavayan for more sightseeing. But along the way, we just had to stop for some photo ops along the gorgeous coastlines and striking scenery.
In Chavayan, I had the lucky opportunity to take a few snaps of the locals, including a very shy lola in her vakkul, the local headgear. And after a bit more investigation, we all headed to one of the local beaches for a short dip and some lobster lunch. The water was pretty cold, and unfortunately, it started to rain. But all in all, the experience was still all worth it.
Fearful of the rain (and its effect on the already ginormous waves), we all decided to head back to the port and back to Ivana. After another short nap, we headed over to the Abad residence (again) for our last night of fine food, wine and partying.
Once again, Noel Cabangon (as well as a few other guests) provided the musical stylings for the evening, with intermittent comedy adlib by Jimmy Javier and Sen. Noynoy Aquino.
As the evening wore on… and we stuffed our faces with food and drink, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad that when I woke the next day, I would be leaving such an island paradise. But with another swig from my beer bottle, I told myself to enjoy the moment and bask in the fact that I could always return to Batanes!
- Batanes has a population of about 15,000-16,000
- only the islands of Batan, Itbayan and Sabtang are inhabited by people
- Batanes is the northernmost and smallest province of the Philippines
- Batanes is composed of ten islands
- the islands are surrounded by the South China Sea and the Pacific ocean
- Batanes has a crime rate of 0%
- there is a delicious pizzeria on the island! Check out Casa Napoli along Abad st.
- bring cash! no establishments accept credit / debit card payments
- there is an ATM. but according to residents, it is usually offline
- be prepared to stay an extra few days, if you decide to visit during the rainy season
- flights to and from Batanes are limited
a few shout outs:
thanks, brownie for inviting me to YOUR beautiful island ^_^
thank you tito butch and tita dina for your gracious hospitality, and unending generosity
thank you to the basco lighthouse and special tree stump for the perfect location >_<
starbucks cool coffee experience
Welcome, summer!
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If you haven’t noticed the rising temperature, then you’ve probably been stuck at home with your aircon blowing full blast, and all your shades have been pulled down. But for those of you that have been sweating it out in the scorching summer sun, here’s a bit of good news…
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Starbucksis initiating its Summer Oasis Mall invasion. Mall invasion, you ask? Get to chill out in beautiful, Brazilian inspired cabanas while enjoying a back rub or hand massage; relive those fun-filled beach days by getting a henna tattoo; or simply relax with Starbucks’s new Coffee Blend — the Dulce de Leche Frappuccino Blended Coffee (or Blended Cream). Here are the tentative dates for the mall tour:
- May 3-4: Bonifacio High Street
- May 9-10: Glorietta Mall
- May 17-18: Powerplant Mall
- May 24-25: Robinson’s Place Manila
- May31-June 1: SM Mall of Asia
- June 3-5: Glorietta Mall
- June 14-15: Shangri-La Mall
[click on image for larger view]Luckily, I don’t have to wait for those dates, as I was able to get an ‘advance preview’, along with a few other guests. Back rubs and hand massages, henna tattooing by Tanging Henna (from Puerto Galera), and some of the new products awaited the guests. The new Dulce de Leche Frappuccino Blended Coffee (or Cream based) was the main attraction. Also served, for our gastronomic pleasure: the Dulce de Leche Bars, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, Passion Fruit Cake and to break away from the sweetness, a Shitake Mushroom with Farmers Ham sandwich (which was loaded with pesto and some other good stuff). Oh, there was also a salad…which I didn’t try as it just looked too healthy.
[click on image for larger view]So as the sun set in Harbour Square, I enjoyed my cool coffee blend, experiencing the beach, right in the middle of the city. Too bad I was in office attire. For your own cool coffee break, ask your local barista in your favorite Starbucks outlet for more info. But take note, not all outlets are offering this sizzling treat.
paramita chat event
Paramita came over to the Yehey office for their second chat event to promote their sophomore self titled album, ‘Paramita’.
diamond hotel wedding packages
Getting married is serious business, so Diamond Hotel is offering some help for couples getting ready to tie the knot.
Last Friday, the Pasay hotel hosted a Wedding Package Tour at the spacious Restaurant Le Bellevue on the 27th floor, led by our tour guide, Issa Litton. For about an hour, we were taken through the various rooms in the area, and shown the various stages of the wedding process — from the Bridal Shower to the Pre Nuptial Spa pampering to Bridal coaching. There was even a session wherein Wesley Villarica (Wedding Photographer extraordinaire) took the participants’s photos ala pre-nup pictorial. And to top the event off, we were served lunch in the hotels Japanese restaurant Kohikan which was decorated to suit a Japanese Wedding motif.
Shakey’s V-League Opener
Yesterday, the Shakey’s V-League officially opened its new conference at the San Juan Arena, with four teams facing off to lead off the new season.
The first game featured the ADMU Lady Eagles versus the PLU Lady Pirates. Here are a few photos from the game…
Paramita @ Yehey! take 2
Local band Paramita makes their second appearance in Yehey! this Wednesday at 3:00pm.
If you wanna join, simply log on to Yehey! Chat on Wednesday to ask them anything under the sun, or simply shoot the breeze.
pilar turns 1
my cousin’s baby, pilar turns one tomorrow (25 march). to celebrate her birthday, we all went to tita cheche and tito del’s place in bay. as it was easter sunday, the kids had an easter egg hunt in the morning, followed by a few games and, of course, lunch.
pilar enjoyed all the food (especially the spaghetti), fun and games, and opening of gifts.
subic weekend
despite my previous post on the horror of staying at the subic international hotel, the weekend was still pretty fun. i was able to hit the beach, relax and spend some time with kan and her family.
and while hanging out at the beach, there was this pretty cool band, kawangis ng tribo churning out some funky tunes with their ethnic instruments.
