It is, perhaps, the dream of every hopeless romantic to go to France and fall hopelessly in love with a stranger. Me, however, I dream of going to Paris to drink wine, eat Boeuf Bourguinon, and gorge on petit four. Paris is such a far off land, which I only get to watch on films and television shows. I hear about it in songs and read about it in novels, poems, and articles. For a lot of people, it is the place where art takes flight, where fashion takes center stage, and where people so carelessly demonstrate their passion... be it for food, the arts, or their special someone. It is a place where dreamers dream to go so that their dreams can turn into reality. I was recently bitten by the travel bug and Paris, France is definitely now on my list of places to visit. (Along with the rest of the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Japan, Greece, and Italy.) I want to find place to rent in Paris and just take in all the culture, arts, and food it has to offer. As in most European cities, there are a lot of apartment rentals in Paris France and I…
Category: hobbies and interests
Why I Love Iloilo
Everybody knows I'm fiercely in love with Davao but if there's one place I'd consider relocating to, it would be Iloilo. Iloilo is a small city with a whole lot to offer. Historical and Cultural Tours I love that Iloilo has a lot of nice architecture and historical places from our colonial past. The photowalk I did with friends was very interesting. We took a walk around downtown for several hours. We had a friend, who's a history nut, do the tour with us and he shared some very interesting anecdotes. We ended up in Fort San Pedro to watch the sunset over Guimaras. Such a beautiful site. And a great place to have your photos taken. Recently, I was able to visit and take a tour of the Camiño Balai nga Bato in Villa de Arevalo. It is a well-preserved house from the colonial times. The Camiños was one of the pioneers in the Iloilo weaving industry. And the entire ground floor used to be dedicated to weavers and weaving looms. Most of it still is now. The modern weavers create various sinamay and other cloths that would make for great Filipiniana wear. The Camiños still live in the…
100 Days Project: Share your Light
This year, I am bound to celebrate my birthday in another unconventional manner. Our chapter, JCI Davaoena Daba Daba has been appointed as the lead chapter for JCI Philippines in the 2012 implementation of the "Liter of Light" project. The "Liter of Light" project aims to provide a cost-effective, ecologically sustainable daytime light source for the urban and rural poor communities. Watch this video: The Liter of Light project helps communities save on electricity costs and also provides livelihood for those who have been trained to install the solar light bulbs. This is a project which gives citizens the opportunity to help out others in a simple and concrete way. It is a great way to live and celebrate the Bayanihan spirit. I have been appointed to spearhead the launch of "Liter of Light" on April 28, 2012, the day I turn 30. And while it will probably cost me a heart attack, I accepted the challenged with the confidence that all you people... relatives, friends, business clients, colleagues, and readers will be there to help me out. Here's where I ask you to help me make my 30th birthday extra-special. This year, I ask you to collect water and…
Re-Discovering Chinatown in Binondo
I have been to Manila countless times and I kinda lived there when I was in college. So every time I look for something different to do each time I go back for work or vacation. When I made my November 2011 Manila Checklist, a Binondo Tour was one of my priorities. Binondo is Manila's Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in the world. It is where most Filipino-Chinese families settled during the Spanish era. It is located along Pasig River across the Manila's Walled City of Intramuros. The enterprising Chinese settlers made it into a bustling center for trade and commerce. Until now, a lot of Fil-Chinese families reside in Binondo and a lot of their businesses are still located in the vicinity. And of course, it is teeming with food establishments that specialize in various Chinese cuisines. I have been to Binondo only a couple of times. Both times, I enjoyed the tour despite the scorching heat of the sun. The combination of food and history was irresistible to me. I was happy that my friend, a Binondo resident (100% born and raised in Binondo) offered to be my tour guide. As a Chinese food lover with Chinese roots, I…
I’m Leaving on a Jetplane…
Well, not really on a jetplane. But I'm leaving for a while. Gonna take a trip to Manila. And to Iloilo. My Manila trip will be full with official functions and work meetings. But I am going to squeeze in some fun. Will try very hard to everything on my Manila checklist. Really looking forward to Binondo, Mercato Centrale, the museums, and the MRT! And I might be able to cook for my friends again. ;) It will be a long trip full of stuff to do, work to accomplish, and people to get in touch with. Might be a bit stressful, but it will definitely be fun. The Iloilo trip will be much shorter but I'm looking forward to doing as many things as I can while I'm there. Iloilo is one of my favorite places. Mostly because it's like Davao, but also because it has a lot of heritage spots and great, great, greaaat food. Won't be able to do a lot in 2 and a half days but I hope to enjoy the trip a lot. :) I know I'll be leaving a lot of work while I'm gone and a lot of things will be put…
Get a Makeover for 2012
If you've seen in in public events, you're likely to ask yourself how I can manage to look nice despite my busy schedule. There's an army of fab stylists who make me look that way. And I'd like to share my army with you. If you think you need a style change for 2012, get a chance to have a makeover by joining my simple promo. Promo Mechanics: Like the Ria Jose FB Page. Post your photo on the page wall and explain in 30 words or less why you need a makeover. You may nominate your friend, girlfriend, cousin, sister, daughter, mother, aunt, or any lady in your life by posting her photo on the wall and explaining why she needs a makeover. Yup, there are only two steps to this promo. This promo is limited to Davao-based ladies only. Deadline is December 2, 2011. I, together with representatives from Envy Me Salon and other promo sponsors will be picking the lady (or ladies) who will be getting a makeover. Submit those entries now. :) Image courtesy of Bernie of HabagatCentral.com.