My Refrigerator Door

A decade ago, traveling for me meant two huge suitcases, one carry on luggage, a huge tote and a body bag. A trip to the outlets was as exciting as seeing the haute couture exhibit at the Met. It may sound cheesy, but in the past couple of years, making memories have become more important than finding tri-colour brogues. It must be age. Nowadays, it's all about watching a beautiful sunset, getting hungry from laughing too much and laughing some more looking for ramen in the middle of the night. It's spending the whole afternoon marvelling at 18th century portraits, or lining up to buy the best tasting pizza. It's still a thrill to find a perfect fitting black sweater but shopping ceased to be the contact sport it used to be. Traveling light has made checking in and riding trains easier, and it has given life a new meaning as well. All photos in this post were taken with my new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge . Now, I don't need to bring a camera and a tablet in my trips. ...

Weekend before Holy Week, my college buddies and I trooped North to celebrate our friend Tonette Aquino 's big 50. Affectionately called Contessa, she commandeered her high school and college friends to Vigan and Curimao for two days of delirious banter and cholesterol overload. Vigan and its adjacent towns were a visual feast for us heritage lovers. The Syquia Mansion A portrait of Vicky Quirino President Elpidio Quirino 's bedroom Across the street from the Syquia Mansion, you'll find one of the best tasting Ilocos Empanadas. Sunset in Curimao, Ilocos Norte The Banaoang Bridge. On our way back, we passed by the Our Lady of Assumption church in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. On the roadside are small stores selling garlic, onions and vinegar.

burn·out ˈbərnˌout noun 1 .  the reduction of a fuel or substance to nothing through use or combustion. "good carbon burnout" 2 .  physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress. "high levels of professionalism that may result in burnout" Hours before my vacation, at the St. Luke's Medical Centre emergency room. One beautiful wedding after another, December and January are Manila's wedding-est season. As the radiant bride marches down the aisle, I head back to the atelier to check on the next batch of bridal gown and bride's maids' dresses, each beaded neckline, each hem fold. I've already cut back on accepting orders as age has been catching up on me, but my obsession for the perfect fit and fall of a dress has kept me glued to the workshop till Dr. Love signs off on the radio. I've postponed going back to the gym and I've rewarded myself with food after my work hours. In a win...