Capilla Santa Ana part 1 Labyrinth

What a wonderful experience it was stepping into the gates of Capilla Santa Ana or in English Chapel of Saint Anne. With a minimum entrance fee of 100 pesos  you are able to access and experience the labyrinth and be fascinated with the vast collection of Chrisitian artifacts and the unique details inside the chapel. 

By the way ladies and gentlemen reading this,  this post is just for the labyrinth garden. And another post will be made for the chapel. Because as I went through it, the labyrinth garden made me reflect on my life. Like the feeling you have when going around Good Sheperd during the Holy Week.

Anyway, as I was standing outside the labyrinth prepping myself for the experience. Mentally measuring the area. I thought that it was not like the labyrinth from the movie, "The Shining". Which had tall hedges and a much wider area. The area of the labyrinth garden was most like 100 meters and the bushes were just waist high. So you won't feel lonely going around the labyrinth garden but you would definitely feel breathlessness going round the circle especially if you don't walk a lot.

As I began my steps going around the labyrinth, I thought it would be quick but surprise, surprise it wasn't. Then the following words come to mind...It is not the destination but the journey.

The turns made me think that sometimes life has no shortcuts and literally the garden, as well has no shortcuts. Which is funny, personally deep in our hearts we want to be ahead of someone or of everyone. Which made me realize, for you to feel satisfaction of achieving a goal you work HARD for it. Plus, of course luck or divine intervention then you might get to your goal in a short time.

But honestly for most of us we got to work, work, work...work hard in life. To achieve that grand illusion of grandeur. But then again, we have to choose the right decisions in life which is not always easy to accept. Or accepted by commmunity.

As I continued my walk around the labyrinth, another  thought came to mind that our life has one entrance and it is also the exit...in the Biblical verse  it starts and ends with me. 

And yes, I finally arrive at the center with the image of Mother Mary with a special prayer that she gives me strength as I face the challenges of my life. 

And with the sun sinking behind me a sense of peace was felt in my heart.

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.

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.