BORACAY Escapade Part 3 Where to DINE

The culinary fare in Boracay is as diverse as the nationalities of its visitors. French, Australian, Belgian, German, Spanish and Thai----- they are all here side by side the native cuisine. Lending ample support to this virtual rainbow of gastronomic pickings are Boracay's famous selection of fruit shakes--- from sweet yellow mango, green mango , pineapple, coconut milk, cantaloupe and banana.

Trying out the local cuisine in a place is like giving you a good gllimpse of the people living in the place. And this is very true in Boracay. Having a taste of the local cuisine gives you a better understanding of the Boracay liefstyle.

One of my goals in Boracay was to be able to shoot great pictures of landscapes of the beach at dawn. Every morning I would get up at 4:30 am....  prepare my camera and Iggy and I would hire a tricycle to go to different locations on the island. By 6:30 am ..... we would be done with our photo shoot and head back to the Elizalde resthouse.... really hungry.... All we could think about was... WHERE to have good breakfast...

BORACAY Escapade Part 2

Boracay's attractions do not stop at its natural beauty. A wide range of accommodation serving every visitor's lifestyles is available on the island. To satisfy every palate and for the night-lovers, Boracay's beachfront is lined with varied international restaurants, open-air bars, karaoke bars and discos. During the day, tourists having a soothing massage under the shade of a coconut tree beside the shoreline is a common sight. And from dusk to dawn, Boracay turns into one big party place where everyone is welcome to join in.

Boracay indeed boasts of sugary white sand beach and azure blue waters. The best part of the island is the four-kilometer White Beach known to be the " finest beach in the world ". The surrounding water is shallow and the sand is finer and brighter than most beaches in the archipelago.

BORACAY Escapade Part 1

The beautiful island of Boracay has much to share to its guests and visitors. This island is not only for people who love to bask under the sun in white sand beaches and those who love to swim in the island's sparkling waters. It is also for those who love adventure ( like me ) as well. People who go to Boracay do not only enjoy the island's white sands and crystal blue waters; they also enjoy doing different activities in this enchanting island in the Philippines.

If you are one of those people who are thinking of visiting Boracay but do not know what it awaits you there, this article will give you an idea of what to expect in the island. Here are a few things you can do in Boracay Island.

LUCBAN PAHIYAS FESTIVAL 2010

WELCOME TO THE PAHIYAS FESTIVAL !!!

One extravagant festival that everyone is excited to see is the Pahiyas Festival in Quezon, formerly known as Tayabas. It is the second largest province in the Southern Tagalog region. Nevertheless, people go to Lucban because of its extravagant preparations which by tradition started during the 16th century as a way of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. The Pahiyas Festival is celebrated every year on May 15.

The feast of San Isidro Labrador is celebrated in Lucban, Quezon. It has the reputation of being the fiesta to end all fiestas. Tourists and locals alike flock to this small town at the foot of Mount Banahaw to enjoy the extravagant displays of the bountiful harvest in the houses that line the procession route.  The Pahiyas Festival is a pride for all Lucbanons to keep their culture and religion alive. The highlight of the event is their rice - based delicacies which they serve to their guests and the kipings which are used to  decorate their house during the fiesta.

MOM & TINA'S Bakery Cafe- Sweets for my Sweet tooth

Desserts for me has always been synonymous with the words " sweets ".... ( I am a sweet tooth lover! ).. but it does not always have to be that way.  A visit to Mom and Tina's Bakery Cafe -- an American country-style cafe proved me wrong.  It had a huge selection of baked goodies that are truly delicious to the the taste and very tempting to the eyes.From what I gathered during my visit to this cafe--- they started as a small bakery cafe in Pasig.

PhiLIPPINE HERITAGE MONTH 2010 part 4 SANTACRUZAN @ INTRAMUROS

The Philippines is rich in tradition handed down by our ancestors. Festivals are part of the Filipino culture which are largely influenced by Spanish religious practices. Some festivals are in honor of a patron saint or major events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Filipinos love fiestas. They are celebrated all-year round. Visitors, both local and tourists, are always welcome to celebrate the festivities which are special occasions for Filipinos to extend their hospitality and friendship.

All over the country, especially in the summer months, May is the merriest time of all. It is the season of colorful festivals and Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan is one such festival. Another festival to watch out for is the Lucban Festival in the province of Quezon.

The Santacruzan is a big event for many towns. Traditionally, it is a way to give thanks to God and to the Virgin Mary for the rains that begin to bless the land and cause the flowers to bloom. But the central event of the festival is the procession of religious statues. For Filipinos, there is no limit to expressing their utmost devotion to the Mother of God. During this month of May, petitions and prayers have more chances of being answered.

Mother's Day with my family

" A Mother carries the child in her womb for nine months and in her heart for the rest of her life ".

                                   HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU !!

These few words sum up the meaning and significance of the word.... MOTHER. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful and lovable word in any language. It stands for the sacrifices, pain, grief and sorrows she has to undergo to keep her children happy and secure. No joy can match the joy of a mother looking at her child.

PHILIPPINE HERITAGE MONTH 2010 part 3 " Saludo de la Virgen de los Desamparados "

Philippine Heritage Month 2010 brings us to one of the most important landmark in the district of Santa Ana, Manila,  Nuestra Senora de los  Desamparados or Our Lady of the Abandoned. Better known today as the Santa Ana Church. The church is a living testament to the rich history of the Philippines.

It is one of the oldest church outside the walled city of Intramuros. This church was built in 1720 by Fr. Vicente Ingles who was a parish priest there at that time. It was also Fr. Ingles who brought the image to the church of Our Lady of the Abandoned.

THE ROOM UPSTAIRS @ the LRI Business Plaza

The LRI Business Plaza on Nicanor Garcia street ( formerly known as Reposo ) has become a place where you can find home furnishings and art works under one roof. Only a few stories high, the LRI has around 30 stores and galleries showcasing artworks of some of the country's visual artists. Most of the shops feature contemporary paintings and modern furniture. There are 2 restaurants that I have tried in this building... Cafe Caruso ( at the ground floor )... and The Room Upstairs ( which I am trying out today ).

PHILIPPINE HERITAGE MONTH 2010 part 2 " the LIVING MUSEUM "

The Philippine Heritage Month was established on August 11, 2003 with President Gloria M. Arroyo " declaring the month of May of every year as National Heritage Month. " The event is in recognition of the need to create consciousness among the Filipino people, to respect and pride ourselves for the legacies of the Filipino cultural history and love of one's country..

" Nothing can break the Filipino faith. It's the one thing that keeps us going despite the many adversities we encounter ". These were the words of Filipino Heritage Festival director Bambi Harper said at the launching of the 2010 Philippine Heritage Month. Harper said that this year's theme will be " the gift of faith ", it is timely since the Philippines have suffered a lot of disasters in the previous year, the most disastrous one were the two big typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng that left a lot of people homeless.