Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City

My sister highly recommended this place to me if ever we went to Makati City. So even if she is not beside me anymore I had to go there to discover the wonder this place had that she love it so much.

I have heard so much about this place from my big sister because she lived and worked in Makati City for 10 years. And in her own words, Makati is the "creme de la creme"

It is a garden in the middle of a commercial area. Though there are a lot of buildings surrounding this place it has its own charm away from all the hustle and bustle of the commercial grind around it.

So after a lot of twist and turns and with the help of google map, I finally got to Ayala Triangle Gardens. It was a holiday so there weren't a lot of people as well as PUJs on the streets.

Surrounded by bustling commercial building this place is a haven with its tall trees surrounding the whole area - it is nature in the heart of the city.

Inside the garden, it houses a wide variety of food to choose from and a great place to hang out on a payday or just to meet up with a good friend or friends after work. But, if you work on the weekends or just gathering your thoughts after a crazy overtime day at work. This is the place to be.

But be warned though the restrooms in the area are limited and during the Christmas light festival and weekends there are a lot of people hanging around the garden -  the restrooms have a long queue so be prepared for your turn.

During mornings, you could also join other people jogging in the area or yoga classes as well.

My sister also said that especially during Christmas the gardens would be loaded with Christmas lights on the trees and it really makes the place cozy when lights are steady and entralling when the lights begin to move it is just an amazing site to witness.

Phantom of the Theatre (A Chinese Movie 2016)

Lately, I am hooked with Chinese movies.

I mostly watch fantasy movies, like the story of Wukong and such.

But this one, I was hesitant because I believe everybody has heard of the movie, book and so on of "The Phantom of the Opera".

The plot is like that, there is a burned scared man roaming around the theatre killing people, and there is this beautiful actress so innocent that caught the heart of the director.

Anyways, the twist of the story is a family of acrobats came to the city, did a show for a wealthy soldier because the soldier's son was celebrating his birthday.

The wealthy soldier had one son but had 5 wives already and was interested in having a 6th one the mother of the son caught the eye of the philandering husband. And because of her jealousy locked the theatre with 18 people in it, gassed it and lighted the place with a match and sent everybody in the theatre to hell.

The mother of the birthday boy later on committed suicide due to depression because she couldn't take that her husband would take more wives.

13 years after, the little sister of the acrobatic performer is all grown up and is cast as a leading lady of the director who is the son of the wealthy soldier all grown up as well, crossed paths and their story begins.

And...SPOILERS...REVELATIONS

Revenge is the motive of the the actress and the husband of her sister, for killing their family

Release is the motive the director because he is trying to accept the death of his mother and the infidelity of his father through the movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KaBJrItFoQ

Planet Vegis at Parkmall Cebu

This is quite a different palate to what I am used to. As you probably have noticed I prefer to eat meat - pork meat to be honest rather than vegetables. But at a certain point in one's life some of us need to stop eating such cholesterol - riffic dishes. And start eating healthy organic food.

Anyways, so I saw a banner outside Parkmall about a new restaurant called Planet Vegis, and like the name it bears it only serves vegetables. Thus, I was piqued to check it out.

It is located at the second floor of the Enclave Building at Parkmall at Ouano Avenue, Tipolo, Mandaue City.

So, finally I located the place went up the stairs which I must say is not joke if you are week on your knees, the height I believe is to build up your appetite. 

When I entered the place it was small and where I was sitting it was hot but thankfully their airconditioning was working. But there are other seats in the place which were cooler. I just wanted to sit there.

Once settled in, I ordered their highly recommeded budget meal dish.  I must say that I am impressed with the taste but not the plates they were served in. I felt like I was in a "karenderia".  And prices of food were expensive. And lastly, I wish their serving time was lesser than 20 minutes given the ingredients.

10,000 Roses Cafe in Cordova

The reviews says it all. But there seems to be a division of opinions. One side says its not good , while other says it was a wonderful experience.

Thus I had to investigate it myself. This popularly known cafe in Cordova called 10000 Roses & Cafe.

I went there on a motorbike late at night so that I won't be stuck in traffic in Lapu-lapu city on my way to Cordova.

Scared at first because it was dark but when I got there I realize that coming there was easy. Especially if you take the taxi the only hitch is the traffic. If you take the public utility vehicle like the jeep, it will take you some time to arrive there. But whatever mode of transportation you are in you will eventually get there.

When I got there, the place was located at the end of the road by the sea. Thus upon parking the bike, you can smell the sea breeze. It was around 10 in evening, it was windy and the tide was high which made the place for me very picturesque and did I mention the moon was out that night ah ha ha.

Yes, the place gave a romantic set up. But since I went there solo the place was instagram perfect.

So let us start, upon arriving you pay for the parking fee amounting 10 pesos.

Next is the entrance fee of 20 pesos per person. Shocking but true. Yes, for you to view the so called splendor of this cafe you have to pay the price.

Beside the entrance is a canteen with junk food available.

Then a few steps forward I was now able to see the splendor of the LED lights encased in plastic white roses. And yes, this is what I came for, the plastic roses.

I didn't stop there, I had to go in the cafe because it seemed picture perfect inside. 

I ordered some food, and I must say it was E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E but the serving was plenty so it was good for 2. As in, totally shocked me but in the moment of wonder I went along with the price. Note, they only accept CASH no credit cards. 

As I went around the cafe, it had restrooms for men and women. It is not people with disability friendly. Anyway, the interior was cozy and when I stepped out to the veranda. The view was dreamy, soft lights, big colorful seats, it was windy and as I said the moon was out-it had a romantic vibe.

Moving on, the experience was on one side amazing to see the plastic white roses but the downside of the trip was food in the cafe is not affordable for most of the Bisaya.

The view from Zen Room Alley 8

I went to Makati recently and since I did not make an reservations, checking in hotels on a short budget or no budget at all was a pain.

My first choice was  full that time when I was checking in plus it was a weekend and a long weekend at that. So checking in was difficult.

And my budget for accommodation was less than a thousand pesos, and I was in Makati City for that matter is not an easy feat especially if you are a tourist with a low budget for accomodation. 

So we walked around the area at 5 in the morning, across the street while waiting for a taxi to take us to our next destination, we saw a hostel sign. Thus we decided to investigate, after further inquiries we discovered ZEN ROOM ALLEY 8. 

Who was willing to check us in with special circumstances, thus it was gift from the heavens of the given opportunity. 

Upon going over the room it was big, but there was just one bed and a couch on the side with three guest it was cramp but we had to make do because we had no budget and no rooms available on short notice.

Also there were other facilities that made me very happy like wifi connection was really stable and fast, it had a kitchen for us to cook instead of buying food outside. And hot and cold shower. And not to forget, I was in the heart of Makati City more or less was a great deal for me.

The other plus factor for me, as I stayed in this place is being near the Ayala Triangle gardens. Upon tinkering my Google map, it will only take me 15 minutes walk, yes by W A L K I N G to get there. 

Amazing is it not.

Anyways, if ever you get lost in this area in Makati City and short on your accommodation budget try this place and  don't forget to view their rooftop, the view is priceless.

A wedding pictorial at Casa Pelaez Hotel and Residence

This old fashioned house was the scene for the pre-wedding pictorial of my good friend Adel. This place is located in 43 Ramahan Street,Cebu City. The pictures were taken on a sunny Sunday last March 18, 2018.

When I was young and residing in Sikatuna Street, passing by this place made me think that the area was a village for the weathy families. Big houses and huge lot areas. Frankly the few houses left in the area brings me back to 1930s. With the style of the architecture of the houses that are left in the street.

The place is big, on a house level but small for a hotel level. What I love about the place is our exclusivity within the place, it was just us all over the place.

The beauty of the house is its old architecture and fixtures in the house that gives you drama when the shots were taken.

In this time, where hotels are the "in thing" for pre-wedding pictures it was a nice twist that the couple preferred this setting. I love the homey feel it gave in the pictures.

A perfect wedding picture taking day I must say.

And it was a sheer joy to pose for the pictures as well as to be with friends on a joyful day.

Also if you want to hold a birthday party or any event in your life the place is an ideal location if your theme is classy, of a certain period and old fashion.

Moreover, since the wedding was held in Sacred Heart Church in D. Jakosalem St.it was just a short travel for us from the house to the church and we didn't experience any traffic on the way.

One of the disadvantages of the place  for me is the location or the place is not that well know, so I had a problem locating the place. But over all, it was an enjoyable experience in Casa Pelaez.