Archive for November, 2008

Snow World (Star City)

Snow World (Star City)

November 30, 2008 8 Comments

Before we proceed, let’s be clear on two things. First, what is written here is my opinion and I might be wrong, very dead wrong. Don’t hate me for it. Second, if you’ve been to Disneyland or, locally at Enchanted Kingdom, and you’re interested in sights other than in Snow World, you may not want ...

Bonifacio Day (November 30): In Honor of Andress Bonifacio

November 28, 2008 12 Comments

Among the legal holidays in the Philippines is Bonifacio Day, traditionally celebrated every November 30. This was changed, however, under Republic Act 9492 (an Act rationalizing the celebration of national holidays), which moved the official holiday to the Monday nearest November 30 (which is why December 1, 2008, a Monday, is a holiday).

Tags: , , , Holidays, Tips & Reminders

Ghost of (Philippine) Christmas Past

November 26, 2008 1 Comment

When we say “ghost”, we mean it the good way, perhaps just like Casper. We’re talking of fond, loving memories of Philippine Christmas. Whether you’re a Filipino or a non-Filipino who spent Pasko or Christmas in the Philippines, it’s safe to assume that you have a fond memory of something or some place (please share ...

Tips & Reminders
Books and Bookstores

Books and Bookstores

November 23, 2008 4 Comments

Books, at times, could make the waiting and down time in our travel not-that-boring. For instance, we could read a good book while waiting at the airport lounge when the flight is delayed.  For others, however, reading a book goes beyond a filler of dead air. So, let’s review some of the bookstores when you ...

Top Christmas Destinations in the Philippines

November 20, 2008 4 Comments

Cool air has officially invaded Philippine shores. It’s beginning to feel and smell like Christmas. Okay, it’s only cold at 5 a.m., but that’s what PAG-ASA said. But if there’s any doubt that Christmas is here, you need only experience the heavy volume of traffic in and around the Metro starting last weekend. Now that ...

Places to Go, Tips & Reminders

Pygmy Tarsier: Long-Lost?

November 19, 2008 No Comments

After more than 80 years, scientists found a pygmy tarsier mountaintop at the Indonesian island of Sulawesi (Mt. Rore Katimbo in Lore Lindu National Park). The report notes that the pygmy tarsier is one of the planet’s smallest and rarest primates. Pygmy tarsiers can turn their heads 18 degrees, weigh about 2 ounces (50 grams), ...

To See
Dapitan Arcade (Quezon City)

Dapitan Arcade (Quezon City)

November 15, 2008 7 Comments

Maybe you’ve bought a new home or transferred to a new one. Maybe you woke up one day and felt the urge to rearrange or add furniture and other accessories in your home. When looking for accessories or decorations for your home, you could very well go to the shopping malls or home depots. Or ...

Abe (Serendra, Fort Bonifacio)

Abe (Serendra, Fort Bonifacio)

November 10, 2008 5 Comments

The only establishment I go to when I visit the vicinity of Bonifacio High Street or Serendra (Fort Bonifacio, just across Market!Market!) is the Fully Booked bookstore. This changed today, when I “accidentally” discovered Abe, a restaurant serving Filipino food.

Cheesecake and Kapeng Barako at Bag of Beans (Tagaytay)

Cheesecake and Kapeng Barako at Bag of Beans (Tagaytay)

November 4, 2008 8 Comments

A bag of beans. This phrase doesn’t sound much. It may conjure memories of making addition and subtraction more visual in earlier learning, with the old-fashioned bag of beans as a tool. It may conjure other things to different folks. For me, it’s linked with cheesecake, kapeng barako and a relaxing place to consume the ...

The Mystery of the Movable Holidays in the Philippines

November 3, 2008 No Comments

Maybe holidays are fixed in your country. So when you take a vacation, you know exactly the time frame and you know whether others would also be on vacation at that time (which is crucial for those who don’t want crowds in resorts, beaches or other vacation spots). We Filipinos use to have fixed holiday ...

Tags: , , Holidays, Tips & Reminders

Boxing: The Pacquiao-De La Hoya Dream Match

November 2, 2008 2 Comments

We’ve already noted that it’s rare in the Philippines that roads are eerily quite — no traffic, not much people and crime rate is practically down to zero. No fighting in politics (but not the “politicking”). No war between the military and the rebels. The reason? Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is in the boxing ring in ...

To See