Sunday Morning
Last week, our entire family went up north to Catmon, Cebu to enjoy summer one last time before the wet season begins. It was a simple overnight stay. Of course, laughter, drinking and karaoke ensued. But I really did my best wake up early, sit at the shore and wait for the sun to rise, because I know watching a sunrise by the beach is always beautiful.
Sunday Morning
Last week, our entire family went up north to Catmon, Cebu to enjoy summer one last time before the wet season begins. It was a simple overnight stay. Of course, laughter, drinking and karaoke ensued. But I really did my best wake up early, sit at the shore and wait for the sun to rise, because I know watching a sunrise by the beach is always beautiful.
Cebu at Night
Sometimes all you need is a little change in perspective to fall in love again with a place you’ve known all your life.
Cebu at Night
Sometimes all you need is a little change in perspective to fall in love again with a place you’ve known all your life.
The Aftershock
This is an aerial shot of Cebu. On February 6, 2012, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck here and its neighboring provinces. It happened just 15 minutes before noon. I was still asleep when I suddenly felt my entire room shaking for what felt like the longest and scariest minute of my life. Since I live outside of the city, I thought people would just shrug it out and get on with their lives. But it was a different situation in the city. Apparently, the entire city of Cebu was gripped with panic after false rumors of a supposed tsunami that was already at the shores of Cebu spread throughout the city. It may sound silly for someone who didn’t experience the chaos but I really can’t blame them for acting like that. I mean, they’re only doing that to be safe and to survive. I’m glad Cebu is alright, despite the countless aftershocks that is still happening. But I’m sending all my prayers to our brothers and sisters in Negros who were seriously affected by the earthquake.
But that wasn’t the only thing that shook up. A friend of mine posted something that created an uproar online. It was meant to be a joke but people perceived it the wrong way. Hence, the hate messages and even threats ensued. We can’t really please everybody. And I always believe that Two wrongs can’t make a right. Bullying someone for their comments won’t make any difference. It won’t even make you better person than them.
I’m sure all this drama will die out soon. But we should all realize that there are so many lessons that we can get from the recent events. We should take everything with a grain of salt; orient ourselves with disaster preparedness measures; stay calm and not be quick to judge others. I can only hope that we become better persons after this, and peacefully move on with our lives. Maybe when we look back at this, we can at least laugh and say that we learn so much on that unforgettable February afternoon.
The Aftershock
This is an aerial shot of Cebu. On February 6, 2012, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck here and its neighboring provinces. It happened just 15 minutes before noon. I was still asleep when I suddenly felt my entire room shaking for what felt like the longest and scariest minute of my life. Since I live outside of the city, I thought people would just shrug it out and get on with their lives. But it was a different situation in the city. Apparently, the entire city of Cebu was gripped with panic after false rumors of a supposed tsunami that was already at the shores of Cebu spread throughout the city. It may sound silly for someone who didn’t experience the chaos but I really can’t blame them for acting like that. I mean, they’re only doing that to be safe and to survive. I’m glad Cebu is alright, despite the countless aftershocks that is still happening. But I’m sending all my prayers to our brothers and sisters in Negros who were seriously affected by the earthquake.
But that wasn’t the only thing that shook up. A friend of mine posted something that created an uproar online. It was meant to be a joke but people perceived it the wrong way. Hence, the hate messages and even threats ensued. We can’t really please everybody. And I always believe that Two wrongs can’t make a right. Bullying someone for their comments won’t make any difference. It won’t even make you better person than them.
I’m sure all this drama will die out soon. But we should all realize that there are so many lessons that we can get from the recent events. We should take everything with a grain of salt; orient ourselves with disaster preparedness measures; stay calm and not be quick to judge others. I can only hope that we become better persons after this, and peacefully move on with our lives. Maybe when we look back at this, we can at least laugh and say that we learn so much on that unforgettable February afternoon.
This year for Sinulog, I was only able to attend the novena masses and the solemn procession. Obviously there’s no photos of the grand parade because I just watched it on TV. I was cozily nestled at home while everyone partied their heart out on the streets. Hopefully I’ll be able to go out and party next year. I feel like this year, I want to take the religious side of the festival more seriously. The Sinulog Festival always makes me so proud to be Cebuano. Can’t wait for next year. Pit Senyor!
Last January 12, 2012, I was invited the launching of Cebu’s first online fashion magazine, BLANC Magazine Online. It was held at Yo.U Restobar in Cebu City. The night comprised of a fashion show, the presentation of the BLANC Staff, the presentation of their first issue and of course, the reveal of their first ever cover. BLANC, as they would like to put it, is an online fashion and art magazine dedicated to the underground youth, the vague and the implicit. Put up together by Cebu’s most artistic and experimental young minds, BLANC is the unconventional probe of the Queen City’s distinct chronicles on the latest in fashion, androgyny, art culture and streetstyle. I’m glad that I was able to contribute to their first issue. I’m really excited to do more for this magazine. It was also a great opportunity for me to meet the members of Cebu Fashion Bloggers, which I myself is a member. I met with old friends, and made new friends as well. For me, it was a great way of putting myself out there. I can’t wait be with them again in future events.
1. Blanc Magazine 2. My favorite looks from the Abstraq Fashion Show 3. The Models 4. Dress by Edward Castro Shoes by Aia Tupas 5. Blanc Covergirl and Queen of Cebu 2011 Bee Urgello 6. With Philip & Eden (Photo by Philip Lapinid) 7. With Mac (Photo by Philip Lapinid) 8. Eden Villarba 9. Gillian Uang 10. Yves Camingue 11. With Chyrel Gomez 12. Blanc-ception 13. Van Dela Bajan & Nicky Roa 14. Patterns, Heels and Rain 15. The fabulous people behind Blanc.
Visit their website www.blanc-mag.com to know more about the magazine. Click here to read the January-February issue of Blanc Magazine Online.
Sunrise at Mactan Cebu International Airport
Sunrise at Mactan Cebu International Airport
Crossing Bridges
I recently came to a point wherein I had to choose between sticking to my original plan of being an unpaid nurse here while waiting for opportunities abroad and exploring other career options. I had to choose the latter. So far my experience with my new found career has been nothing short of fun. Plus for the first time ever, I’m actually getting paid for just showing up. In hindsight, I really wished I did this a long a time ago. Although this is just temporary. My original plan will have to be put on hold until I gather up enough resources in order to put it in full swing. Here’s to the bridges and detours that life gives us!
Crossing Bridges
I recently came to a point wherein I had to choose between sticking to my original plan of being an unpaid nurse here while waiting for opportunities abroad and exploring other career options. I had to choose the latter. So far my experience with my new found career has been nothing short of fun. Plus for the first time ever, I’m actually getting paid for just showing up. In hindsight, I really wished I did this a long a time ago. Although this is just temporary. My original plan will have to be put on hold until I gather up enough resources in order to put it in full swing. Here’s to the bridges and detours that life gives us!
Homeward Bound
This was my window seat view when the plane was hovering above Cebu City. This was taken when I went home from my little trip to our nation’s capital. Manila was awesome and all, but there’s really no place like home. You know what they say, you can take the boy out of Cebu, but you can’t take Cebu out of the boy.
Homeward Bound
This was my window seat view when the plane was hovering above Cebu City. This was taken when I went home from my little trip to our nation’s capital. Manila was awesome and all, but there’s really no place like home. You know what they say, you can take the boy out of Cebu, but you can’t take Cebu out of the boy.
Marié Digby
Me and my friend went to see Marie Digby perform a small gig at a new mall opening event here in Cebu. She’s unbelievably beautiful in real life. And she sounds so amazing live. But what’s so funny about this is whole thing is that she performed in the middle of a Grocery Store while people are shopping around her. It’s very weird, but I really enjoyed her performance. And I agree Marie, It should have been a proper show.
Marié Digby
Me and my friend went to see Marie Digby perform a small gig at a new mall opening event here in Cebu. She’s unbelievably beautiful in real life. And she sounds so amazing live. But what’s so funny about this is whole thing is that she performed in the middle of a Grocery Store while people are shopping around her. It’s very weird, but I really enjoyed her performance. And I agree Marie, It should have been a proper show.
It’s not that often that I share about my obsession for food. But this dish is an exception. I’m talking about my new favorite from my favorite Asian & Fusion restaurant here in Cebu. It’s the Vietcondobo from Ilaputi.
A Vietcondobo is made up of Lemongrass beefadobo with cilantro pesto, chili-garlic, red onions, pickled cucumbers on wheat baguette.
It’s served on a chopping board with some fries on the side. It’s light, tasty and very cheap. My only concern is how I’ll get the sandwich to fit in my mouth in one bite. And as I was doing my research, (aka Googling about Vietcondobo) I found out that this is exclusively available at Ilaputi. If you’re in town, you should try this. I highly recommend it.
UPDATE: I wasn’t aware of this, but apparently Ilaputi has a weekly photo contest. It was about taking a photo of any dish in their menu. Best photo of the week win. And I won. And this is the prize.
Another Vietcondobo! Thank You so much Ilaputi for the free meal. You guys are the best!
Up Dharma Down / Artwork 5x5
Yesterday, Artwork celebrated its 5th Anniversary in Cebu with the Artwork 5x5 event with live music by Up Dharma Down, and a t-shirt exhibit featuring 5x5 t-shirt designers at Ayala Center Cebu.
Truth be told, I really wasn’t after the shirts, (although they’re all very awesome especially the metronome shirt which I will get soon) I was more excited to see Up Dharma Down live, for the first time! It’s been a while since they last came here so this opportunity to see them live in my own backyard was perfect. If there’s one OPM act that I’ve always loved since day one, it’s definitely Up Dharma Down. That night they performed my favorites like Taya, Sana, Oo and Tadhana. And they sound perfectly amazing live.
After I had a photo with Armi, I felt very gutted after I turned down her invitation to watch their gig at Handuraw later that evening, which is a million times better than the one hour set they performed earlier. Her cute frown and her beautiful freckled face will forever be etched in my memory. Nonetheless, I had an amazing time watching them perform live. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again. Also, a huge thank you to Artwork for bringing Up Dharma Down here in Cebu.
P.S. Armi looks absolutely divine in the first photo, right?
Up Dharma Down / Artwork 5x5
Yesterday, Artwork celebrated its 5th Anniversary in Cebu with the Artwork 5x5 event with live music by Up Dharma Down, and a t-shirt exhibit featuring 5x5 t-shirt designers at Ayala Center Cebu.
Truth be told, I really wasn’t after the shirts, (although they’re all very awesome especially the metronome shirt which I will get soon) I was more excited to see Up Dharma Down live, for the first time! It’s been a while since they last came here so this opportunity to see them live in my own backyard was perfect. If there’s one OPM act that I’ve always loved since day one, it’s definitely Up Dharma Down. That night they performed my favorites like Taya, Sana, Oo and Tadhana. And they sound perfectly amazing live.
After I had a photo with Armi, I felt very gutted after I turned down her invitation to watch their gig at Handuraw later that evening, which is a million times better than the one hour set they performed earlier. Her cute frown and her beautiful freckled face will forever be etched in my memory. Nonetheless, I had an amazing time watching them perform live. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again. Also, a huge thank you to Artwork for bringing Up Dharma Down here in Cebu.
P.S. Armi looks absolutely divine in the first photo, right?
