My Refrigerator Door

In the past, the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines , of   which I am a member, has been renting an office space that it would only use for quarterly meetings and keeping files. For general membership meetings, we usually book a room in a restaurant where eating takes top priority. We've long given up our office space, saving rent money for our worthy projects instead. Last Thursday, we held our core meeting at The Office Project , a bright new concept that's perfect for a council like ours or small companies who need an office space for just a few hours. They have the conveniences of a real office - meeting nooks, wifi, printing and unlimited coffee. In this age of paperless files and the metro's traffic problems, this space is a really nifty idea. The Office Project Coworking Studio,  Unit 1C Alpha Salcedo Condominium, Bautista St., Makati 122, Makati, Philippines All the convenience of an office - wifi, printing Help yourself with un...

I love everything Japanese except perhaps sashimi. Call me unsophisticated, but I'm not a fan of raw food. I'm a big eater, I like burgers, steak and pork chops. I love cakes and all flavours of Kit Kat. In Japan, I look forward to eating wagyu, sinful bowls of ramen, and pork tonkatsu. The unlimited shredded cabbage that goes with your tonkatsu somehow diminishes the guilt of being a porky, and so I indulge. Here in Manila, the good news of the week is that Maisen , the go-to-place for tonkatsu has opened its second branch closer to my neighborhood, just across the cinemas on the third level of Megamall. I shall have my pork and eat it too. Itadakimasu! Maisen at Level 3 of Megamall I had the tenderloin katsu set, it comes with pickled cucumber, miso soup and fruits slices. "I shall have my pork and eat it too!"

I would often see Rajo Laurel 's Instagram posts of his childhood playground, Dumaguete. Tagged humorously #DIVAguete, the city boasts of blue green mountains, beautiful marine life, and the first American University in the Philippines and Asia. Last week, I was invited by a dear old friend to join her and other friends for a long weekend holiday in this tropical paradise. Located at the southern tip of Negros island, it is less than an hour away by boat to Oslob, Cebu or Siquijor Island. At a very relaxed pace, we enjoyed the cuisine, lounging by the pool, the windy boat rides, and the swim with the gentle whale sharks in Oslob. I heard Julia Roberts stayed for five days, now, I know why. A bird's eye view of Sumilon Island , 5 mins before landing in Dumaguete . Dumaguete's Boardwalk Monument to Paulinian Nuns who came to the city in 1904 Home of Dumaguete's famous Silvanas  The oldest known bellfry in the province stands next to the...

Lofty Dreams In a dream I was sipping my third cup of coffee Watching the western sky turn yellow to orange. In a dream I was living high above In a loft with dark wooden floors. In a dream I was safely tucked Under blue and white cotton sheets. In a dream I was home.