Secret Bar: Mandalay Whisky and Cigar Bar

Hidden drinking places or what we call speakeasies are a surefire dime for those seeking atypical and classier ways to enjoy some hooch, post-work or on weekend nights. It might sound like we’re being “titos and titas” but truth be told, you reach a point in your life when you would trade deafening and chaotic dance clubs over low-key atmosphere bar. I don’t know about you, but personally, I’m in that limbo at the moment. Thus the beginning of my search for Metro Manila’s speakeasies and the longing to be in the know. 

In the past year there has been a boom in these back alley, hidden door establishments. So yeah, I'm pretty stoked to learn that the Manila night life scene is slowly embracing these types of establishments. There’s quite a few but just make sure you can find your way in. I’ve been to 6 of them and just a few days ago, I finally got to check out my 7th one: Mandalay Whisky and Cigar Bar.

MESA Filipino Moderne Opens its 43rd Branch at SM Mall of Asia

Filipino cuisine have its roots to many different cuisines: Spanish, Indian, Malay, Chinese, American and Japanese to name a few. It has also evolved into somewhat like a fusion of sorts and continues to change as time goes by. But for whatever it is, when it comes to food, my palate will always search for what it is natively accustomed to. No matter what other cuisines I get to try, a big part of me will always enjoy Filipino food. I'm sure everyone around the world can relate to me when I state that good old home-grown cooking will forever be our first love when it comes to food. 

There are times when you tell yourself that you've grown weary of the usual food that you eat and you crave for something different like from a different cuisine. But then there are days when you crave for grandma's "sinigang", aunt's "beef caldereta" or mom's "pinakbet"; and when you finally satisfied your cravings, you feel a different kind of euphoria and nostalgia all at the same time. But I’m also always up for something new. Taking Filipino food to the next level by infusing some intermixture with other cuisines is a green light for me. After all, I heard it through the grapevine, that Filipino food is the next big thing.

Lorenzo's Way: A Tribute to Larry J. Cruz' Legacy

Tributes are an expression of appreciation and can be represented in so many ways. They may focus on the positive influence of a person on our lives, or focus on their accomplishments. In many cases both topics are combined. Tributes can also celebrate the success of a group, a business, or an organization, rather than an individual. We honor heroes through building a statue or naming a structure or street after them. Or we make a montage of pictures or a short film for a loved one who passed. Some are more grandeur than others, just like the creator of the Taj Mahal. Emperor, Shah Jahan commissioned it to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. 

We have had the opportunity to read so many poignant stories about everyday people coping with the realities of death in inspiring ways. These stories demonstrate how grief can produce something remarkable. Loved ones are driven to do something extraordinary in memory of another, whether to work through their loss or to show the world how special the person was to them. But it’s rare to hear about a restaurant being created in honor of someone. 

Hawker Chan: World's Cheapest Michelin-Starred Restaurant Now Open In Manila

I’ve never been to Singapore, but it surely is in my travel bucket list. My childhood friend and I are actually scouring the internet for affordable flights to this nation so we can travel there around Thanksgiving. We actually don’t plan to shop or tour that much but what we are after for is the food! Singapore is known for its cuisine because of the hawker centers. And that my friends is what I am looking forward to do on that trip: eat my way through the hawker centers. 

Since I am not going to be in Singapore until later this year, I am glad that I can still enjoy some of the great dishes here in my country. And guess what? There’s a new addition to the places where I can eat some food that originated from Singapore: Hawker Chan is now in the Philippines! Woot! Woot!  

Slay Any Event With Elegant Dresses from Rosegal

I used to not like wearing dresses when I was younger because more often than not, I get teased for wearing one and that I’m trying to be all girly-girl when most of the time you can find me in a pair of jeans and a shirt. Bit as I grow older, I became comfortable wearing dresses. I have quite a massive collection of dresses and I still continue to buy.

I don’t mind getting teased now, probably because I have embraced my femininity more than how I used to. Furthermore, dresses are comfier for me to wear and very practical. You can take them from day to night and to dress them up or down. 

Jipan Cafe & Bakeshop at U.P. Town Center

You can’t have too many Japanese food, said no one ever! It’s one cuisine I will never ever get tired of eating. I think I’ve eaten almost all the mainstream and semi-mainstream Japanese food that there is. I have a penchant for this cuisine as fond as everything about Japan and anything related to it. Maybe I was a Japanese woman or a geisha in my past life, just maybe.

Japanese food is well loved by almost everybody. A lot of my friends love it, some though doesn’t like the raw stuff.  We tend to associate Japanese food to the context of just ramen, sushi and tempura. But really, it has so much more to offer. I just recently got fond of eating takoyaki and okonomiyaki which I haven’t tried until like 1-2 years ago I think. 

Keep Warm During The Sweater Weather with Zaful

It is the season for sweater weather and the winds are already forming a knot for the chill in the air. July is about to end and in few more weeks the "ber" months is here yet again. Can you believe?! (saying this in a Jonathan Van Ness way, if you don't know who he is, girl, you better watch Queer Eye stat!). It's just so unfathomable how time flies so fast. It's like New Year’s yesterday and then one blink, boom! It hits you like a truck half of the year has gone by. 

I have a love-hate relationship with this cold weather season. It kind of annoys me when it rains and it is cold. Just like the past two weeks, it has been raining intermittently every day. I don’t like it because when it is raining it's hard to get out of bed, go out and traffic is the worst. Although the cold weather triggers my allergies and asthma, I kind of like it because I hate the humidity for so many reasons. When it is chilly I don’t sweat profusely and I can sleep soundly.

4 Best Wigs for Men in Summer

Wigs are for women and men out there who want to have a new fabulous look. Likewise, some men want to hide hair condition such as baldness or thinning of hair. With this, men should have the latest wigs for each season including summer. Ideally, the short hair wigs are perfect for men during summer. To help you search for the suitable wigs in summer, we have rounded the following best wigs for men in summer.

Short Hairstyle Lace Front Wig

A better way to cool you from the warm summer is to have this cool hairstyle lace front wig. It features a youthful straight hairstyle and of high quality. This wig is made from 100% human hair and about six inches in length. Also, it creates a healthy and fuller look, which is ideal for summer. It is one of the top-rated wigs for men in the market nowadays.

Cafe Havana: It's More Than Just A Bar

I have a long list of places I want to visit locally and abroad, and one of them is Cuba. It’s one of the most colorful countries there is in the world with a rich history to boot. Besides all that, just think about Salsa dancing, its beaches, its diverse music & culture, its colorful colonial towns and Old Havana; it’s all but alluring to me. No wonder, it’s a place American author Ernest Hemingway loved to visit regularly. And oh of course, every time I hear the word Havana, I can't help but sing Camila Cabello's song "Havana-oooh-na-na!" LOL!
 

It’s a known fact that Cuba is one of the Caribbean’s most amazing travel destinations but I’ve also read from somewhere that food is amazing out there and the cocktails are even better. And they say Cuba’s food scene is a revelation. Cuban cuisine is a blend of Native American Taino food, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cuisines. So I won’t be surprised if Cuban dishes are bursting with flavors. 

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UNIQLO AIRism x Sample Room

One of the clothing brands that I love to get my clothes from is UNIQLO. It’s my go-to brand for jeans because I find theirs, especially those ones made with stretch fabric, always comfortable to wear. Now that I’m older, I chase comfort and ease of movement rather than being ultra-stylish.  I hate the feeling of being trapped in my clothes. There are times when I make exceptions and embrace the suck of being #TiisGanda, but for everyday wear to work or on casual weekends, I would prefer comfort over style. 

Speaking of comfort, Have you heard of the UNIQLO line called AIRism? It’s of the brand’s highly functional underwear which UNIQLO extended from its home market of Japan to across the other worldwide markets where it currently operates. AIRism is dubbed as Comfort Conditioning Technology. AIRism is created in accordance with UNIQLO's drive to continually offer innovative clothing to transform the lives of customers around the world. With AIRism, UNIQLO will deliver "comfort unlimited, in any season for any person, anywhere."

Stories by Lilypad: Food With A Story To Tell

“The world is shaped by two things - stories told and the memories they leave behind...“- Vera Nazarian. I think that quote from Nazarian’s book: Dreams of the Compass Rose, speaks volumes to just about every soul in this world because frankly, everyone of us has a story to tell or to share. Your story tells your loved ones where you’ve come from, who you are, where you are going, and highlights your, dreams, your hopes and your desires. 

When I started this blog, my main goal was to relate to anyone by sharing my life, experiences and things that I am deeply passionate about. Because I believe that when we share stories of the defining moments in our lives, we connect at a deeper level. I keep it a point to be always open, candid and vulnerable. The more I share my life or my stories, the more I feel like I connect to people around me. After all, it’s unarguably a human thing. 

The Nautilus Whiskey Bar: Food, Drinks and an Epic Skyline View

I have a confession to make, I have a thing for roofdeck bars and sunsets. It’s a giveaway why I or anyone loves a sunset; it’s Mother’s Nature’s way of showing off. It’s easily my favorite colors and I never met a sunset I didn't like. And rooftops, I love roof tops. There’s quite a magical vibe to them; the feeling like you’re on top of the world, the fantastic views or maybe just the fact that each one is unique. While the city hums below, roof tops with an epic view of sunsets has the power to make one pause for a moment, find that silence and no matter where you are in life right now, consider that life is pretty amazing. 

Moreover, there’s no better way to view a city than from high up, right? I’ve frequented Quezon City in my lifetime, but I have never experienced it from up high, unlike in Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Alabang or Manila. That is until I set foot on the top floor of the new Prime Hotel, where its in-house indoor/outdoor lounge: The Nautilus Whiskey Bar, is located. This chic and cozy year-round hangout spot is the newest of the very few whiskey bars in the country, you can even get a pipe lighter to smoke a pipe with a glass of whiskey.

Kenny Rogers' New Animated Short Film Highlights #AwesomeTogether Pairings: The Bacon Roast

So last week, my friend Bettina tagged me along to witness a short film showing and launch of Kenny Rogers' new product at one of the cinemas at Ayala Malls The 30th. To be honest, I mean, really really honest, I was quite excited for this because the current ambassadors of Kenny Rogers are my favorite celebrities at the moment: Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico and Nico Bolzico.

I don't usually follow local celebrities on social media, but with for these two, I made an exception. I mean common, Solenn has been my #WCE for a long time now; she's pretty, fit and super talented. On the other hand, Nico is one of the hottest of the It Girl's husbands. But besides those qualities, what I love also about them are their personalities. Their both witty, funny and real. 

Octoboy Japanese Takoyaki Restobar’s New Tomas Morato Location

There are so many things why a lot of people love Japan. Their attitude, culture, traditions, arts, literature, fashion, work ethics, craftsmanship, discipline, technology and food are among the aspects that they take much pride of and also what citizens of other countries so admire about this country and its people. ICYMI, Japan went viral a few weeks ago during the 2018 FIFA World Cup because of how such class acts the Japanese are. Even after their defeat, Japanese players apologized to their fans by bowing quite low, leaving their designated locker room in pristine condition and even leaving a note in Russian saying thank you. Moreover, Japanese fans in turn stayed after the games to pick up and collect trash left behind by other game attendees. These gestures warmed the hearts of many around the world. 

Like many people, I have always dreamed of traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun. My dream hasn’t happened yet but you know what drives it? Primarily 3 things: food, Kimono and Sakura. I had a phase in my life where I was so obsessed with its literature and culture. It’s in my bucketlist to undergo a traditional Kimono wearing ceremony (or like how Geishas would do the dressing up ceremony). I also want to witness when the Sakuras are blooming. Many have told me it is a sight to behold. And of course, eating my way around Japan and trying the best and authentic Japanese cuisine. 

Top 8 Popular Wedding Dresses

June, as most girls and women know, is wedding month, it’s all over now. But it’s nothing to sad about. One doesn’t have to be a June Bride just so you can feel all the glory of being a bride. You can have the best wedding and be the best bride on the vey date that you choose with your soon-to-be hubby. After all, it’s being together for the rest of your life that matters right?

Yet we all can agree we're still dreaming about the newest wedding dresses that our favorite designers debuted a couple of months ago. There was no shortage for inspirations from each collection that each designers sent off the runway. There were standout designs, patterns and silhouettes but I have some favorites of mine that I’ve pin on one of my Pinterest boards. 

Shoes That Make You Taller

During the onset of my puberty, and mind you I started way earlier than my classmates and friends, I was taller than most of them even than the boys. But when I got to my first year I high school, almost everyone outranked my height. My growth spurt has halted. I’ve taken growth vitamins when I was younger but I have always found a way to dodge when my parents or grandmother make me take afternoon naps. I do not know if that was the reason I did not grow taller or I just acquired the petite DNA of the women of both sides of my family.

For years I have struggled with my height and have always wanted to be taller even for at least a couple more inches. It is one of my securities and to be honest it is still until to this day. Because of that, I’ve always worn high-heels or wedge shoes. Even in college I wore black closed shoes with 1 ½ - 2 inches of heels. I was not comfortable at all, but I really wanted to look taller than I really am so I endured the pain.

Limbaga 77 Cafe Restaurant: Nothing Beats The Flavor Of Home

I don’t know about you, but for me, home is where the most divine and heartiest dishes are made. When it comes to comfort food, our moms and grandmothers really do know best, do you agree? Family heirloom dishes make any old morning or any given Sunday meal even better. Moreover, the perfect ending to a hectic day is sitting around the table with family enjoying a warm home cooked meal. It’s that idea of not just about enjoying a meal together, but about celebrating good food and chatting about the day’s events which will definitely bring a family together.

The moment I got off my ride and stepped foot in front of Limbaga 77, all the feelings of nostalgia came rushing in. It brought back wistful memories of my younger years when life was all but simpler or less complicated. This 50-year old house greatly reminded me of our very own ancestral house in downtown Pasig. I seriously had flashbacks of those summer afternoons where I would play old-school street games with my childhood friends on our backyard or on the sleepy street adjacent to our house. And most especially, it got me thinking about the sight and smell of my grandma’s cooking which still makes me feel all warm and fuzzy up to this day.

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Papa Kim's Korean Bakery And Coffee - Antipolo

Koreans have invaded the Philippines, literally and figuratively speaking, and Filipinos for the most part are very welcoming. The term “kinain ng sistema” (consumed by the system) is jokingly being thrown to people we know who are die-hard fans of Koreanovela or K-Pop bands. I even have friends who would choose watching Korean drama series over going out; moreover, celebrities like Anne Curtis are obsessively fan-girling Korean celebs as well. I’ve never gone out without coming across a Korean tourist, expat or immigrant. Almost all major Philippine communities have their fair share of Korean establishments. They are everywhere and so is their influence. Heck, Starbucks even have Korean translations on their store signs. 

I’m not ashamed to admit, I have watched a few Korean dramas and admired a few Korean celebs; but I only stick to shows and music by 2NE1, Hye Kyo, Joong Ki and Rain. Hehe, I’m too selective like that. But what I love about the Korean influence to the Philippines besides makeup and beauty products (which are so good btw) is the cuisine. I was introduced to it when I was in elementary by my late father and I wasn’t as fond of it then as I do now. My vivid memory of that introduction was that I was a bit repulsed of the taste of Kimchi as I was not a fan of spicy and fermented food. But after being exposed to other Korean food, it has found a soft spot in my heart and tummy. My favorite Korean dishes would have to be anything Korean Barbeque, Gyeranjjim (fluffy steamed egg casserole) and Japchae (Korean stir-fried glass noodles). 

Change Your Looks With Human Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are the latest entrant in the field of cosmetology to help you get the look that you desire. In human's quest to look beautiful, the field of cosmetology and beauty has reached unbelievable heights. Human hair extensions can be used to entirely change your hairstyle and give you a completely different look. Human hair extensions are extremely popular with both the younger generation as well as people who are a bit aged. It seems that there is simply no age bar for anyone who wants to experiment with their looks and appear different. Human hair extensions can work wonders for anyone who wants to experiment with the way their hair looks.

Human hair extensions can be used by a person to get any kind of look that they want. Comparatively human hair is expensive than synthetic hair, so you can opt for anyone depending on your budget and the kind of look that you want to have. There are different techniques that can be used for putting hair extensions. These techniques vary depending on the type of hair extensions that you want to undergo.

Gamiss.com Haul #6 + Review

I don't know if I'm procrastinating, have a some sort of writer's block or just plain too busy that I was not able to finish this review right before my trip to Taiwan. Every time I open the draft, nothing just comes to mind or I get distracted all over. So today I'm here in front of my computer and will do my best to finish this post. 

Like what I said in my previous Gamiss Review, I decided to separate this haul into two: clothes and then accessories. But the accessories featured here are all earrings as I am big on earrings and rings and most of them are fancy ones. I'm not someone who is a fan of jewels or the real stuff because I usually lose stuff and buying expensive jewelry and losing them will be a complete disaster. 

Encima Roofdeck Restaurant's TACO ALL-YOU-CAN

I just can't help but reminisce how fun was last year's Encima's launch; the night was filled with entertainment, exchanging of stories, meeting new people, catching up, plus tummies filled with comforting Tex-mex cuisine goodness and a little more than what my alcohol tolerance can handle.

To top that up, nothing can probably beat al fresco dining whilst enjoying the a panoramic view of the Makati Skyline. I’ve always had a soft spot and space in my tummy for Mexican food because of how colorful they are and how flavor-packed the dishes are. You can check out the blog feature of Encima that I wrote almost a year ago here: Tex-Mex Fare at Encima Roofdeck Restaurant - City Garden Hotel Makati.