@philspectives.

This was the former platform of my blog | Content Creator

[philspectives]

My name's Philip Gimotea, a 20-something nurse by profession and content creator by passion from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Philspectives. is a lifestyle and personal niche for documenting my notions, enthrallment, and revelries in a cognizance I call life.

My ardor for translating ideas and experiences into words and photographs continues as my blog moves to its new home, with the same name, but with smarter features and widgets. See you, all, there, then!

[philspectives]

Vivo V15 Pro Helps You Shoot Professional-Grade Looking Images

Mobile photography is no longer limited to food shots and selfies. These days, even professional photographers rely heavily on their smartphones when capturing images that evoke a lot of emotions. A photo is a great way to communicate a message or even just to update loved ones of a recent trip. It may seem such a waste when an extraordinary location is not properly photographed. It's almost an injustice if the colors of a beautiful garden are either too bright or overexposed. One doesn't have to break the bank to get professional-grade images.

The Vivo V15 Pro's 48MP Triple Rear Camera addresses photography issues such as exposure, lowlight conditions, and sharpness, among others. The camera’s AI (artificial intelligence) component elevates mobile photography experience to the next level with its 12MP standard + 8MP super wide-angle + 5MP depth-sensing camera setup.

With its 48 Million Quad Pixel Sensor, the Vivo V15 Pro offers photography enthusiasts more than just stunning photos. It is almost certain that the photograph will have a crispier and more natural-looking image compared to those taken with lower megapixels.

In travel photography, landscape photos are a must. No portfolio is complete without a shot of the horizon or breathtaking flower fields. Mobile photographers can rely on Vivo V15 Pro's 8MP AI Super Wide-Angle Camera to do the job. Users don't have to change lenses depending on the need of the shot. Just press on the feature and it's ready to immortalize an image. The AI Super Wide-Angle Camera can expand up to 120 degrees, capturing more people and fuller landscape shots.

The 5MP Depth Depth-Sensing Camera will add more drama and effects on the captured image.

To deliver high-quality 12MP images, the Vivo V15 Pro's main rear camera has a 4-in-1 pixel technology. It means that one large pixel is combined with four pixels so that even in low light or even dark conditions, the images will still come out better.

With its Professional Mode feature, the Vivo V15 Pro can pretty much do the work of DSLR cameras.

Users who want to learn photography can practice by enabling the smartphone's Pro Mode capabilities. Adjust the aperture when taking a photo in dark or confined spaces such as hotels or function rooms. Test how the shutter speed works by adjusting it when taking a photograph of a race or moving vehicles. One can also play with the Manual Feature when taking photos of a city skyline — at night.

However, there is Vivo V15 Pro's AI Super Night Mode that can take multiple photos at different exposures. The finished product is a stunning combination of these shots. Night scenes are difficult to shoot, but through this feature, anyone can achieve a clear and beautiful night scene.

This enables images taken with the Vivo V15 Pro to be used in other platforms and not only for social media posts.

Still, for Instagrammers who like sharing their photographs to family and friends and feel limited by the available editing features, the Vivo V15 Pro's Editing Features can help them achieve just the right amount of brightness, contrast, or even saturation in their images.

The V15 Pro has been available in the local market since April 12. Vivo will offer the smartphone at 0% interest, thru 6-9 months installment payments using major credit cards and Home Credit, at all participating stores nationwide.

Vivo is a leading global technology company committed to creating trendsetting smart mobile innovations and services. Vivo is devoted to forming a vibrant mobile internet ecosystem, and currently owns and operates an extensive network of research operations, with R&D centers focusing on the development of cutting-edge consumer technologies including 5G, AI, mobile photography and next-generation smartphone design.

In recent years, Vivo has taken frequent efforts in the sports field and is committed to promoting the mutual penetration of the brand’s diverse fields and diversifying its brand image. Vivo Philippines announced its partnership with the NBA by the end of 2018.

Currently, Vivo has over two hundred million users enjoying its mobile products and services around the world. Vivo is present in 18 markets globally and features offline retail stores in over 1,000 cities worldwide. In the Philippines, Vivo is the top 3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.

This feature is sponsored by Vivo V15 Pro. All rights for contents such as photos and texts are reserved under the aforementioned brand.

[philspectives]

Shaping the Era of New Media

The new media is regarded as a more interactive and a more flexible form of communication outlet that primarily capitalize on the Internet and computing as an efficient and effective tool in information dissemination and consumerism. Now, everyone can read his daily digests, connect with the other side of the world, shop anytime and anywhere, update with the latest fads and trends, and be influenced by the sociopolitical landscape in just one click. Interesting enough, the eminent driving forces, with the likes of bloggers, vloggers, and content creators, are consequently called the new breed of “influencers.” With this, brands are now more compelled to shift their marketing strategies to content development and brand architecture in collaboration with the content creators of the new media.

With these emerging demands, Starpod PH, the Explorer’s Channel, Limketkai Center, Vivo Smart Phone, and the Professional Organizers Unlimited, Inc. created the concept behind CDO Blog Con 2019. This blogging convention aims to develop aspiring bloggers and vloggers in honing their respective crafts and to help them jump-start their career with the necessary tools and resources. Resource speakers from Cagayan de Oro and Metro Manila headlined the event to engage with the aspiring bloggers and vloggers, sharing their expert and empirical insights from the basics of blogging and vlogging, online content development, SNS optimization, and SEO management, to photography and videography.

Indeed, online content creation, may it be personally sanctioned or commissioned by brands, should not be done through mere whims and fancies. They should be deliberately prepared in a sense that even a 20-second video which features spontaneity should still be subject to quality control, as social media etiquette and the principle of quality over quantity are illustrious above all. Nevertheless, we can only share what we have and share how we want people to perceive us. Even though I am from far from being at the “influencer” level, if someone really wants to leave a mark or to make a name for oneself in the industry, it is important to offer something that makes you stand out from the rest, especially that platforms are already saturated with contents, which are at many angles similar to one another. Most of the time the authenticity and relatability of yourself and your contents to subscribers or followers would really drive them to you. People will follow you if you stir their interests, if you make them engaged as if just chatting vis-à-vis, and if they think you are worth their time. Unique, quality content is the key. As Chukie Dreyfus emphasized, “Be the blogger you want to read.” 

The Speakers

Content creation is not a mere walk in the park. It requires skills and resources if one ought to deliver quality content. I consider it as an art form. Just like any other forms of art, it is practiced with commitment and discipline. With invaluable insights from keynote speakers from Cagayan de Oro and Metro Manila, aspiring bloggers and vloggers were introduced to the ideas of how to think, act, and engage like content creators do.

Chuckie Dreyfus of www.chuckiedreyfus.ph on Blogging Fundamentals and Online Content Development

Clement Dampal of www.bestspotsph.com on Photography for Bloggers

Richard Paglicawan of www.lionheartv.com on Vlogging and Video Content and Story Development

Atoy Martinez of www.atoymartinez.com on Videography for Vloggers and Youtubers

Kaycee Enerva of www.kikaysikat.com on Influencer Blogging, SNS Optimization, and SNS Management (Photo courtesy of Paul Miki Sajulla)

The Brands

Eclipsing the heated contretemps of so-called entitlement of influencers, a commendable initiative by this blog convention is connecting aspiring bloggers and vloggers to various brands, with each brand showcasing its product exhibits. It fosters the understanding of brands on how social media platforms and content creators can become assets in optimizing their marketing strategy and online presence. It also jump-starts the camaraderie and relationship between brands and content creators for future collaborations at some point in time. After all, no matter how entry-level you are, brands will tap you if they trust your work and abilities. Everyone starts from small beginnings, right?

The new media is one of the many upshots, resultant of the continuous emergence of different consumer markets and the posthaste development of the needs of the public. Certainly, change is the only constant thing in the industry. The traditional means may not be entirely disregarded. However, with the incipiency of new methods, a complementary and synergistic usage between them becomes a proactive symbol that, indeed, our novel means of communication and consumerism do change for the better.

[philspectives]

Better Days are Coming

It’s the New Year! Visions for oneself and for the people we cherish take precedence into our own introspections of the years that have been and of the year that will come. It’s that time of the year again when updating our bucket lists and wording our putatively life-changing resolutions primarily sets in our whims. But, then again, life ne’er go as planned. No matter how one may envisage a perfect life and scrupulously planning it in detail, fate guilefully takes its own course. I suppose that how our existence becomes both inspiring and exciting. It is in the uncertainty that we endure as blank slates open for the best possibilities in life.

One way or another, 2018 has been a great year for me. I have always been in utter gratitude to be given with a lot of opportunities to both hone and humble myself. First of which was graduating from college with a degree in nursing. It was enough benison in a country where higher education is a privilege more than a right. Second, in just one and half month of arduous intensive review, I was able to pass the licensure examination, rightfully earning that RN post-nominal initials and, to my surprise, ranking second in the whole country as a consolation, last June. It is indeed heart-warming to be an inspiration to other people in giving all their best for the best while still preparing for the worst. Honestly, I was expecting a low rating for the board exam. I have always been pessimistic, in a sense where I consider and expect every possible outcomes of my action or decision. In that way, I would be completely joyous if it turns out all well, while less disappointed if turns the other way around. For instance, in the board exam, my ultimate goal was to land on the top-notcher list even on the lower half, yet, I still did not rule out the likelihood of not passing it. You may call it low self-esteem, I call it preparation.

2018 was an almost perfect chapter of my ongoing quest in life. However, fate seems to not have “perfect” in its vocabulary. The rough waters always have their role. Challenges and hurdles have, as well, masquerading to become a spoiler to my achievements, often meandering through existentialist curiosities as “the you-are-not-good-enough type of mentality.” What’s more disheartening is that the people whom I admired and trusted the most have let me experience this harsh reality. At some point, it had degraded my success into somewhat half-baked. However, I must say the disparaging, stormy days were made to help us appreciate the blissful, sunny days to come. In the end, life is all about dispositions and outlooks. Optimism is necessary for not just mere survival but also for the sustenance of what a good life is.

Just like this mezzanine corner in the SM CDO Downtown Premier branch of Sunnies Specs Optical, optimism can be resonated from anywhere. You just need to unravel it yourself. The idea of better days and even a better life is both individual and relative. What is best for one may turn out the worst for the other. For me, dash of blissful colors and a hint of caffeine are enough to keep me on track and to uplift me from the downside. Coffee shops, like Cup Point, brighten up my days. 

You might be sailing through some rough waters now, but believe me, your are not alone. It’s not some kind of notion of comparing that others have have heavier loads. It’s the fact that at some point, a purpose is in store for you. And, it starts with you, rooting and betting for yourself. Better days are coming. Claim it!

[philspectives]

Perfect Pairings

The best things in life come in pairs: an engaging book on a languorous weekend, a bar of brownie or butterscotch topped with a luscious helping of sundae, a breathtaking view with the people you value the most, or a cup of caffeinated sip and a slice of intricately layered cake. Life’s wonders indeed become extra special when in twos (It takes two to tango, right?). Such good pairings come in handy now, thanks to cake and pastry shops that also serve coffee or tea that greatly complement each spectacle on the table. Sharmaine’s Cakes and Pastries definitely knows how to harness its delectable baked offerings and its cravings-quenching refreshments.

It is certainly a glee to every sweet tooth, like me, to welcome a shop that does not just boast a visually pleasing ambiance, but morsels that are all right dainty as well. As a self-proclaimed sucker for saccharine and coffee finds, I like my desserts well-balanced, that is, each ingredient should work in harmony with the others, rather than an overpowering one which tends to distract the diner or to become sated with the extreme sweetness (In Filipino, we call it “umay”).

Sharmaine’s Cakes and Pastries got the perfect balance of all the ingredients that it tries to put together, may it be from fruits, the frosting, or the base. The cakes that we tried were not too sweet, yet, not to a point of insipidness.   Added to that is the freshness of each baked good. These, in turn, work well like a seamless combo, with its variety of coffees, blended drinks, teas, and refreshments. Available on its menu are espresso, cappuccino, caramel macchiato, Spanish latte, Belgian hot chocolate, shakes and smoothies, hot teas, iced teas, lemonades, among others.

Blueberry Cheesecake. A scrumptious symphony of graham cracker crumbs on the base, a dominating layer of cream cheese that is light in the mouth, and a topping of blueberry spread, giving a tangy hint on the treat. 

Carrot Cheesecake. Instead of graham cracker crumbs as base, a carrot cake is used to elaborate a subtle approach on a classic confection. Meanwhile, the softly delish cream cheese layer is topped with nuts.

Dark Chocolate Cake. Alternating layers of sumptuous dark chocolate ganache and fluffy and moist chocolate cake. Surely, a hit to every avid customers that frequent the place.

Spanish Latte. Their best-selling combination of strong espresso and textured hot milk.

Hazelnut Mocha Latte. A sweet concoction of a delighting hazelnut, a tad of mocha, and the robust coffee.

Matcha. The bittersweet goodness of matcha tea powder and warm milk blended to perfection.

Perfect pairings bring out happiness in every slice and in every sip. A sweet tooth’s glee is never the same without the impeccable interaction of a treat’s inextricable features. Experience perfect pairings at Sharmaine’s Cakes and Pastries, located at Antonio Luna Street, Cagayan de Oro.

[philspectives]

The Fat Chef Inside

A unique feature of Filipino food is its penchant towards gathering, fellowship, and interactions. Salu-salo or getting together for food is a conspicuous element we share with our Asian neighbors which may be rooted from traditional mores on filial piety. Indeed, food is best served and enjoyed with the people you mostly treasure. Confabbing about life and experiences while satisfying ones’ appetites are surely amicable ways of how Filipino food does not just fill one’s stomach but also one’s heart. Last Wednesday, I was able to have sneak peak of the menu of The Fat Chef Restaurant before its soft opening on December 15. It is a concept restaurant that provides comfort meals that are apt to one’s budget and palate.

The concept of the restaurant is imbued from the owners’ family tradition of Sunday ingatherings over food. Thus, the menu reprises a flair of home-away-from-home nostalgia. Most of the dishes they came up with are personal recipes they usually serve in the said get-togethers. Hence, aside from the sumptuous Filipino food choices, an emphasis on wallowing in lofty dining experiences with chums and kin is promoted. It intends to satisfy its customers with cuisines that are right in one’s budget, yet, still lavish in taste.

What I Got for Dinner?

Bulad Bruschetta. The classic Italian antipasto of grilled bread, topped with sautéed tomatoes in olive oil, delivered with a local twist through incorporating flakes of bulad or dried fish.

Talong Kinilaw sa Gata. Refreshing salad comprising of grilled eggplant, onions, and tomatoes filled in creamy and rich coconut milk.

Steak Rice and Egg Rice. Stir-fried rice bowls seasoned with garlic and spring onions. The steak rice is mixed with finely chopped beef steaks while the egg rice is topped with either sunny side-up, over easy, soft scrambled, scrambled, or boiled of your own choice.

Bulalo with Beef Tendon Soup. Perfectly tender beef shank and tendon, while being heartily simmered in a flavorful broth with sweet corn and Chinese cabbage.

Truffle Pasta. Spaghetti noodles cooked al dente and served in white sauce with an earthy and smoky aroma infused from shiitake and truffle oils.

Sizzling Sinigang. A modern twist of the household favorite beef dish served in a sizzling pan. The tender beef is smothered in a tart sinigang gravy sided with string beans, tomatoes, and onions.

Chicken Inasal sa Gata. The succulent grilled two-piece half-chicken bathed in a plush coconut cream and annatto oil. The creaminess of coconut complemented well with the smokiness of the chicken.

Pinakbet sa Gata. The Ilocano cuisine made up of steamed string beans, okra, eggplant, tomato, and onions, and shrimps on a sauce made of rich coconut cream and savory puréed calabaza squash, in lieu of a bagoong or alamang.

Mango Suman Float. A palatable deconstructed offshoot of two Filipino staples, mango float and suman or rice cakes. The glutinous rice is laden with a all-purpose cream and condensed milk filling and garnished with cubed mangoes and grahams crackers.

Pour-over Coffee. Ethiopian or Colombian beans prepared through a V60 manual brewing method, wherein the beans are subject under three phases of wetting, dissolution, and diffusion. The manner of pouring and water temperature are also considered to extract the finest flavors.

Family and barkada gatherings are never complete without victuals to chow down. And, if you are for a relaxing and cozy place while satisfying your appetite with cuisines hat are right in one’s budget, yet, still lavish in taste, then the Fat Chef Restaurant got it all covered for you. They will have their soft opening on December 15, at 5 pm. They are situated at Antonio Luna Street, Cagayan de Oro.

[philspectives]

Sailing Through the Gigantes

An enchanting retreat on the northern part of Iloilo, the Gigantes Islands is a chain of ten postcard-perfect islands and islets. The islands are known for their captivating rock formations which surround their respective topographies, almost comparable to the scenic features of Coron, Palawan. Reaching the place was an adventure on its own, taking up almost three hours of land travel from Iloilo City to the port of Carles and more than an hour of boat ride to the first island stop.  Known to be dwelt upon by mystic creatures, the Gigantes Islands will allure anyone who visits as each island has its own charms to be reckoned with.

The breeze of the morning dawn dandled us as we headed to our destination. The municipality of Carles can be reached from Iloilo City by a public transport bus or by a rented van. The convenience of a rented van, however, provided us with the convenience to take a halt wherever and whenever we want, that we even had the favorable circumstances to capture the beautiful sunrise and sunset of the countryside. We arrived at the port at exactly 7:30 in the morning. While waiting for our departure, we prepared ourselves over a “silog” breakfast (There are a lot of shops around the port which can cater to the needs of the travelers, from dining places and island-hopping needs to shower and toilet services).

The weather worked perfectly fine to our advantage as the calming sea and the beaming sun welcomed us to our first destination. Definitely, the ambient was calling forth a summer in November. And, we had to make the most out of it since out visit to each island is timed for only 20 to 30 minutes to really ensure that we can visit everything in the itinerary.

The itinerary we booked for encompasses six stops among the islands group. We first headed to Pulo Pandan, an uninhabited islet sheeted by abstract rock formations along its shore, perfect for those Instagram-worthy shots. Second destination was the Cabugao Gamay. If you have googled about Gigantes Island, its landscape might probably be familiar with you. It is where the famous viewing deck is located, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of the the island itself and surrounding vicinity. The island is also identifiable by the rock balancing figures laid on its coast. After the long lines we had to endure just to get a photo op on Cabugao Gamay, we sailed to our third, Bantigue Island which is known for its breadth of white pebbled sand stretch and clear calm waters that are suited for swimming. Peddlers are situated in the island selling popsicles and souvenirs. We then proceeded for a quick halt at Antonia Island. It is a private resort where one can impel for a water sport and activity or for a hearty lunch break. At nighttime, the resort accommodates visitors for overnight stays. Fifth, we went Tinagong Dagat, a secluded cove. It is also colloquially named as Little Boracay for its impeccably fine-grained white sand and turquoise lucent waters. This is where most of the tour guides encourage the visitors to take a fleeting dip in its waters. To end out tour in this majestic chain of islands, we went to mainland Gigantes Sur to partake a sumptuous lunch prepared by the locals, themselves. Talk about an array of native chicken soup, fresh-catch fishes, and unlimited scallops and oysters.

Pulo Pandan

Cabugao Gamay

Bantigue Sandbar 

Antonia Beach

Tinagong Dagat

As we sailed through the Gigantes Islands, I could not help myself but be thankful of how beguiling my country is. Truly, such wonders are worthy to be chased as these are true testaments of how nature projects its beauty through its most au naturel elements and attributes.

[philspectives]

Rebels in Black and Gold

Blogging has been my creative outlet for the past year. I delight myself in telling stories through inditing compositions and through capturing moments and pieces which titillate the writer and content creator in me. And, if you have been following me since my first entries, I have been dedicated in searching and in producing contents on my own. I do it because of mere passion and fecundity. Ergo, in order to hone my craft, I signed up to become a member of the premiere blogging group in my city, the CDO Bloggers Network (CBN). It has been three months since my first event with them and it is with great pleasure to be part of their 10th year anniversary.

In line with the first Kagay-an Experience Tour, the culminating activity was CDO Bloggers’ 10th year anniversary ball, entitled Rebels in Black and Gold. It was a night of fellowship and exchange of ideas such as tracing the humble beginnings of the group, as recounted by the pioneering member, Mr. Mike Abonatilla, to its achievements and strides, as spearheaded by the current president, Ms. Maia Poblete, towards fulfilling its vision and mission, that is creating a positive change by promoting Cagayan de Oro and the rest of Mindanao as a peaceful and thriving place.

Former representative, Hon. Rufus Rodriguez, graced the occasion by emphasizing in his capacious harangue on how bloggers, as social media influencers, shape the discussion of the most pressing issues in our society and how much is expected from us in observing truthful and unbiased delivery of facts in our own niche and in the responsible usage of social media. With such avenue and the significant followings, a blogger can incite a fad and a trend, or even hatred and fear.

Again, as a newbie in blogging, almost all of my contents are researched and made by myself, without having in mind any privileges or compensation, but with a common goal of extracting the goodness in every place or experience that I go through. I did not have a goal of awkwardly aligning myself into the pedestal of individuals who egotistically call themselves as “social media influencers.” Don’t get me wrong, but I suppose that regarding oneself as an influencer loses the essence of being called as such, just like a-person-who-labels-himself-as -humble-is-not-humble-at-all type of analogy. I was merely driven by my passion to document my wanderlust and epicurean adventures, in short my favorite things in my own perspective.

However, with the platforms we have, social media responsibility is expected from all of us into potentiating and disseminating only the right ideas into fruition. My membership to CBN is an added solicitation in finding my niche and in bettering my identity online. It is fulfilling to find like-minded and more experienced individuals who share their passion and insights which help one to develop their potentials.

With the rise of new media, blogging has become an indispensable platform in disseminating information and in influencing others. Hopefully, its cause will be furthered towards positivity and tolerance, just as how CDO Bloggers Network wants to effect camaraderie both online and offline.

This event was made possible by the following partners and sponsors: SM CDO Downtown Premier, Restaurant Damaso, Ororama Supercenter, Odyssey Airport Express, N Hotel, Emerald Suites, 1A Express Hotel, StreetBy, and the rest of the restaurants and cafés we visited for three days.

[philspectives]

KEx Tour '18 Chronicles: Part 2

The Kagay-an Experience Tour is an initiative by the CDO Bloggers Network in showcasing the outstanding restaurants and cafés that hail from the city while promoting the plush epicurean cultures and traditions, by-products of sociocultural commerce among different ethnic groups. It is an avenue to foster food tourism to Northern Mindanao in the thick of insurgency and security issues that the entire island faces. Indeed, there is more to other parts of Mindanao than all the stereotypes and biases the media superficially accounts it to be. Its cultural diversity and natural wonders are compelling enough for someone to peregrinate into this so-called Land of Promise.

With diverse individuals come cosmopolitan palates. Thus, different dining experiences are continuously flourishing in Cagayan de Oro to cater to everyone’s needs. I will be continuing in here my previous post with the recently concluded Kagay-an Experience Tour.

Mykarelli’s Grill

A venture on family business, Mykarelli’s Grill, is a portmanteau from the second names of the owners’ daughters, Julia Myka and Jiani Marelli. They are known for serving delectable Filipino meals good for barkadas and family gatherings in a homey atmosphere, reminiscing the good ol’ days of your mom’s or grandma’s impeccable savvy in cooking. Best-selling fares include chicken inasal, bulalo, grilled tuna panga and belly, kinilaw, baby back ribs, pork barbecue, and boodle meals, which may go either by an all-meat or an all-seafood selection. Their recently opened uptown branch is accentuated with a festive vibe, truly apt for its feast-like offerings. 

Samgu-i House

Apart from homegrown restaurants catering to local Filipino favorites and heritage cuisines, foreign eateries have already burgeoned into the city to fill each one’s cosmopolitan palates. One of which is the Samgu-i House, a Korean-style grill and barbecue restaurant. Staples in Korean dining are featured here such as Samgyub-sal, pork belly with veggies; Tteokbokki, spicy mix of odeng noodles, rice cake, veggies, and noodles; Jab-chae, sautéed Korean glass noodles with vegetables; Kim Bab, rice, meat, and egg wrapped in nori sheets; Je-yuk, stir-fried spicy pork; Odeng Tang, a fish cake soup; Cheese Deung Galbi, spicy back ribs smothered in melted cheese, among others. To neutralize the spicy victuals, an ice cream and popsicle corner fronts the store.

Seda Hotel Centrio

Just in time for the holidays, different establishments are already gearing up for their yuletide presentations and setting up their Christmas trees, each having their individual adaptations of how the season should be celebrated. Well, Seda Hotel Centrio heralds it as a season of giving. They partnered with Smile Train, a nongovernmental organization dedicated in helping children with cleft lip and cleft palate. The hotel will sell Christmas decors that can be hanged on one’s Christmas trees. Proceeds will then be for the benefit of the children supported by Smile Train for surgery. The Christmas tree in its 4th floor lobby has also been lighted, joyously commenced with Christmas carols from a chorale and an audio-visual presentation inspired from Vincent van Gogh’s painting, Starry starry Night.  A cocktail-style reception was served by Seda’s very own restaurant, Misto.

Superstar KTV Lounge and Club

On the last stop of our second day, we sang our hearts out. Good thing, Superstar KTV Lounge and Club got us covered! Opening last August, this multifaceted bar features four exclusive, soundproof lounges for those who want to mellow out and to showcase their vocal prowess in the game we call, karaoke. If you want the other way around, the club encompasses almost all of the place’s vicinity, with comfortable tables and couches or high stools. Most of all, local and high-end spirits and wines are served and mixed. The club has set and themed each day with different moods such as salsa day Thursdays and freaky Fridays. Finger foods (or even meals, you decide!) are available such as calamares, buffalo wings, grilled squid, french fries, chicken snakes, and sinuglaw.

Missy Bonbon

For one’s sweet tooth cravings, Missy Bonbon can surely fill and satisfy that. This place, known for their gelato, pastries, pastel, and cakes, have long been captivating the heart of the Kagay-anons through its saccharine treats. From a comely breadshop, it has expanded as an all-day breakfast diner, serving comfort food to regulars and transients. Still in line with the Christmas season, Missy Bonbon released its holiday cakes and holiday brownies. According to one’s personal choice, the holiday cakes can be made up of soft chocolate or vanilla sponge base, detailed with icing designs of all-time favorite Christmas symbols like santa, elf, or Christmas tree. Meanwhile, the holiday brownies have two varieties. First is the Walnut Brownies, chewy chocolate brownies, topped with generous amount of nuts. Second is the Food for the Gods, a fruitcake-inspired treat, melded with raisins, brown sugar, and fruit flavorings.

Food. Such a powerful word! More than a mere provision or aid to physiological satiety, to me, it is an art to be experienced and to be appreciated. It is how one can greatly immerse oneself into a culture, a society. And, an indispensable element that shapes Cagayan de Oro’s identity is food, ready to be unraveled and reckoned by anyone adventurous to try it.

[philspectives]

KEx Tour ‘18 Chronicles: Part 1

Cagayan de Oro has, by its looks and by the numbers, blossomed into one of the country’s most pivotal socioeconomic hubs. Along with such momentum in development, the culinary scene has contemporaneously thrived to make its strides in regaling the local and outside markets, alike. To showcase this exemplary elaboration, the CDO Bloggers Network spearheaded a, hopefully, annual Kagay-an Experience Tour wherein homegrown restaurants and cafés were featured. Content creators and bloggers from Iligan City and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon were also invited to take part in this remarkable food crawl.

Again, most of the places we visited were homegrown, espousing the appreciation to local culinary fares while promoting businesses which trace its roots from the city. Since the city has been a cradle of different ethnicities from Christians, Moros, Lumads to foreigners, the Kagay-anon cookery has been heavily influenced by the interactions of this group, creating a thin line between the original local finds from the hybrid versions of nonnative dishes.

Bigby’s Café and Restaurant

Setting, once again, the “Come Home to Bigby’s” theme, this proudly homegrown Kagay-anon restaurant has continuously been offering much pursued comfort foods, from steaks, salads, pastas, and sandwiches, to refreshments and hefty desserts, that usually come by generous amounts of serving. Along with its sister restaurants, Boy Zugba, The Nest, and Missy Bonbon, Bigby’s never falls behind on its approach in providing both quality and quantity among its distinguished array of specialties and on its harmonious conception between an adventurous life and the comfort of being at home. On the other hand, they presented their seasonal all-time favorite Christmas Pineapple Ball Ham. A sure feast to the palate, this premium quality ham is an fusion of flavors among the tender pork meat, luscious pineapple glaze and syrup, and broiled vegetables at the sides.

Cucina Higala

Branded by the City Health Office as “The Best Restaurant in Cagayan de Oro,” Cucina Higala boasts Mindanaon heritage cuisines on its menu, through its own renditions of dishes hailing from the island. Among its bestsellers are Surol Chicken, a chicken stew with coconut milk from Camiguin; Sinuglaw, a raw fish dish, mixed with coconut milk, aromatic vegetables, and  grilled pork, from Cagayan de Oro; Humba, slow-cooked pork on sweet black soybean sauce, still from Cagayan de Oro; and Beef Rendang, a Mëranaw beef stew on charred coconut milk, paired with palapa. Sweet treats include Sizzling Binaki with Caramel Sauce, Old-fashioned Tablea Chocolate Cake, and Mango Mambo Cake.

Pane e Dolci

To take a break from the ordinary (Or shall I say from the feast-like servings of the previous restaurants), we took a halt at this coffee shop, known for their pasalubong-perfect Sylvanas, a cookie version of the Sansrival, made by delectable buttercream perfectly sandwiched in between two cashew-meringue wafers. We also had a crash course on the differences among first, second, and third wave coffees, with a special exhibition on manual coffee preparation of cappuccino and caffè Americano .

Boy Zugba

A kusina Bisaya-themed food destination, specializing in upscale Kagay-anon home-cooked meals, setting a mood for new dinning experiences for big groups such as barkadas and families. This hole-in-the-wall is known for its wittily constructed menu, inspired from karenderias and eats at home, a modern take as a down-to-earth food destination. Dishes presented were Sinuglaw de Cagayan, served in a hollowed bamboo branch; Sospa (Sisig Oh! Salad Pa!), a hybrid recipe of kiping and sisig; Pork Barbecue and Chicken Inasal; and Bandihadong Krispy, a set of calamares, fried chicken, kropeck, and lumpia.

Krispy Kreme Limketkai

In line with the Yuletide season Krispy Kreme in Cagayan de Oro launched their 2018 holiday doughnuts which comes in two waves of product line-ups. The first wave includes Peppermint Cake, Santa, and Holiday Glitz in strawberry and lime flavors, which will be released from Nov. 16 to Dec. 31. Meanwhile, the second wave, to be released on Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, will highlight Holiday Sprinkles, Rudolph, Snowball, Holiday Bright, and Holiday Tree. All of which are adorned with Christmas trinkets and symbols, made even more special by Krispy Kreme’s doughnuts dipped in varieties of chocolate and icing.

Chingkeetea

This quaint tea house is known for its authentic Taiwanese milk teas and fruit teas, suited for everyone’s liking. Flavors include wintermelon, black sugar, honeydew, cookies and cream, taro, caramel, blueberry, among others. One can also enhance their milk tea experience with the available add-ons such as rock salt and cheese, ice cream, pearls, chocolate pudding, coffee jelly, and nata de coco. In addition to dainty and refreshing thirst-quenchers, fit for small talks or as a solitary companion, Chingkeetea is known for its genially enviable interiors. Its Velez branch, for instance, is saturated with wood and rustic notions and autumnal schemes, a definite feast for all senses.

 The Kagay-an Experience Tour was a dedicated approach in promoting and exploring the best finds in the city. And, what are other great ways to get the hang of a place than its food, right?

[philspectives]

Go Local with AirAsia

I believe travelling is both an idyllic and a learning experience. We enjoy the novel charms of each scenery and spot while harmoniously assimilating the culture and customs of its society. It blossoms an enriching perspective which in turn cultivates personal growth. Aside from being beguiled by both natural and man-made wonders each place tries to present its visitors, its histories and culture are true testaments of how travelling swerves us into whole new worlds and introduces us into the abundant faculties of each tribe or nation. Recently, I was able to venture on a journey to Iloilo, where most of my relatives came from, courtesy of AirAsia's inaugural flight from Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo. This was made even more special with company of select members of CDO Bloggers. First activity that primed my itinerary was, no other than, a food crawl!

The Ilonggos are known for their opulent antiquated history and for their prowess in their signature dishes and delicacies. Its significant history and innovative people have created and blended the sundry elements which are reflected on their culturally sound gastronomic culture. The oldfangled Spanish influences are marked in their efficiently preserved quaint mansions and in the techniques continuously used in meal preparation. Indeed, travelling to Iloilo brought me back down memory lane, where the ilustrados of the príncipalia class during the Spanish era have traversed and raised the city into what it is now.

Knowing that I would just have a minimal time in strolling around the city since I decided to join the group for Carles, Iloilo, I immediately thought of an itinerary wherein I could relish on the local cuisines the Ilonggos are known for, with, of course, a stretch of historical side trips to two of its famous ancestral houses.

Camiña Balay nga Bato

This heritage mansion was built circa 1850s. The balay nga bato or house of stone is a symbol of wealth during the Spanish era in contrast with lower classes' bahay kubo made of mostly organic materials. Currently, the house is owned and managed by the fourth generation of the Avanceña family. Remarkable features of the house are the almacen, the warehouse which is a typical element hailed from preceding nipa huts, and the outrageously steep escalera, stairs, primarily made as such to prevent any attacks of the bandits. One's tour in the balay nga bato would not be complete, if without the tasting of flavorfully rich tsokolate-a with baked pastries on the sides. This is prepared through manual stirring of the chocolate drink in the traditional batirol. They also serve pancit molo for booked tours and a heritage buffet for a minimum of 10 people. Camiña Balay nga Bato is located at 20 Osmeña Street, Arevalo District, Iloilo City.

Netong’s Original Special La Paz Batchoy

A famous and common staple among tourists who visit the City of Love is La Paz Batchoy. Batchoy is a noodle soup, comprising of pork or beef offal, cracklings, broth, and round egg noodles. And, when it comes to authentic and original batchoy, right inside the market where it was derived from, Netong’s Batchoy is a formidable authority among those who claim to be for its rich broth from long-drawn-out simmered “buto-buto” or pork and/or beef bones, for its wide array of choices for noodles, toppings, and sides (A puto or rice may come in handy for your taste buds!). The eatery has also organized quite of a show with an open kitchen at the entrance of its La Paz Market branch where one can gradationally follow the preparation of the flavorful soup served which is rather a resemblance of the hawker centers found in other parts of Southeast Asia. It is located at La Paz Public Market, Rizal St, La Paz, Iloilo City, Iloilo.

Madge Café

Coffee is our trusted companion to set us up into every morning and Ilonggos surely have their own traditional way of getting out of the best of their daily coffee grind. Since 1951, Madge Cafe has made its mark as the locals’ favorite neighborhood coffee shop, placing itself as a highlight in every visit to La Paz Public Market. Madge Cafe is known for its local brew flocked by both regulars and newcomers. The beans are harvested from northern parts of Iloilo and Guimaras. Meanwhile, the coffee is extracted and prepared using a curador, a flannel sieve, in contrast with the conventional espresso machines. One may also customize their coffees according to their liking from strong, mild, to regular coffee with mill or black coffee; and cappuccino, vanilla latte, chocolate caliente, and varieties of teas.  It is located at La Paz Public Market, Rizal St, La Paz, Iloilo City, Iloilo.

Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafood

Almost all places in the Philippines have their own versions of the ihaw-ihaw style of cooking. But only a few can be considered as having distinct trademarks in taste. One of which is Iloilo’s very own, Tatoy’s. It is synonymous with its Native Lechon Manok, a symphony of tastes from calamansi, lemongrass, tamarind leaves, and charcoal grilling. Seafood finds such as grilled milkfish, kinilaw, fish soup, grilled stuffed squid, sizzling crab meat, and baked scallops, guaranteed to be freshly caught as the place is just around the vicinity of the coastline, are available to suit one’s cravings. A definite winner for me was the baked talaba, filled with melted cheese, garlic bits, and seasonings, wherein the oyster meat literally melts in your mouth. As the number of patrons continue to swell, the restaurant became a reputable institution and a big name in Ilonggo dinning.

Despite the rise of different cooking methods and cuisines, the Ilonggo cuisine’s resilience has been tested through time considering that what was once a general tradition has became those as of familial ones where each family continues its own kindred versions and practices and pass these down to its own posterity, somewhat considered as a family tradition such as taking a daily coffee buzz after a mass at Madge Café or going home just for the much sought Netong’s Batchoy. That is how culture becomes alive more than ever and hopefully that shall be the course of other customs and traditions of other parts of the country while adapting to the urbane landscape. Chase these wonders in Iloilo with AirAsia, as they now cater flights from CDO to Iloilo and vice versa, thrice a week!

[philspectives]

Double Treat

Situated at the heart of downtown Valencia City, Double M Hotel is not your typical dime-a-dozen accommodation customarily seen in this flourishing city. The hotel, with its contrasting intricacies of modern-day flair and rustic expediency primarily resonated through its façade and interiors, complements the needs from temporary journeyers’ demand of unpretentious warmth and from staple residents’ seeking of staycation affability. Its commitment to ergonomics, style, and amenity is jointly observed with the use of natural hues and industrial vibe. Meanwhile, one can also gastronomically feast in four signature eating places which correspond to its constancy with engaging service and epicurean inklings, laudable enough for their matchless offerings.

Among Bukidnon Roadhouse Café, Tirso’s Deli and Roasters, Totsy’s Cakes and Pastries, and Tisa Lounge, I was able to lunch in the restaurant and to pep up in the café that both front the hotel. Worthy enough for starters and first-time foodies, Tirso’s Deli and Roasters offer Western-style favorites and light meals presented on generous amount of servings, while Totsy’s Cakes and Pastries caters to both sweet-tooths and coffee enthusiasts, fairly contributing to the third wave coffee fad.

Tirso’s Deli and Roasters

Contemporary meals accompanied by semi-formal dining experience set the theme for this restaurant. Gracing its menu are tasty hors d’oeuvres such as buffalo chicken wings and wild mushroom cream soup; scrumptious sandwiches such as open-face roast beef sandwich and French-style grilled ham and cheese; classic pizzas and pastas; and focal to its menu, the deli plates such as half-spring chicken confit and tenderloin steak. It is undeniably a haven for meat lovers as they do not just retail cooked light meals but they also have delicatessens or frozen products for sale. To top it all off, specialty wines from the other side of the globe can be ordered per glass or per bottle.

Adobo Flakes Pizza. A modern fusion of two distinct Filipino and Italian favorites, this pizza is made more special by the rivaling of the salty hint of cheese and the umami flavor of corned adobo cuts topped on the perfectly baked dough.

Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles. Actually, it is my first time to try this classic American pairing originating from soul food and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. The maple leaf syrup unbelievably enhances the delectability of the fried chicken while the waffle acts as the main starchy food on the scene.

Totsy’s Cakes and Pastries

What I find ultimately remarkable about this café is its finds that can be enjoyed at the most reasonable prices, though still incontestably upholding to the quality of their coffees and the freshness of their desserts and baked goods. What more can you ask for with its top quality offerings at par with famous coffee shop franchises, while being priced lesser? They offer a variety of classic, flavored, and iced coffees; cakes such as Oreo cheesecake, red velvet, green tea opera, mango mousse cake, among others; and gourmet breads such as cinnamon with caramel, Danish blueberry, and mango-pineapple puff.

Tiramisu. A bliss-inducing symphony of alternating layers of cream, coffee-flavored cocoa powder, and chiffon cake, garnished with an abstract slice of thin, carved-out chocolate on top.

Cinnamon with Ganache. A luscious roll of cinnamon stuffed with chocolates and nuts made more gratifying with drizzles of chocolate ganache.

Aside from the two mentioned above, other dining facilities include a branch of the renowned Bukidnon Roadhouse Café that reprises its Filipino comfort food menu, whereas, the Tisa Lounge at the 5th floor that highlights as a high-end bar serving drinks and finger foods.

Double M Hotel is located at M.L. Quezon Street, Poblacion, Valencia City. Tirso’s Deli and Roasters is open from 11 am to 9 pm while Totsy’s Cakes and Pastries is open from 8 am to 9 pm.

[philspectives]

House of Fries and More

Originally started in the United States in 1921, fast food restaurants have been unstoppable in making waves all throughout the world due to the sheer convenience they provide to almost everybody. The casual dining they provide to every customer who looks for great food on the go seems to perfectly assimilate into everyone’s hectic schedules while the typical meat-sweet menu, though very Western, conforms to everyone’s own palate and liking. Hence, they became a total hit to both regulars and first-timers. House of Fries, a homegrown hole-in-the-wall from Iligan known for attracting long lines of food hawkers, found an opportunity from this fad and carried out their own version of American-style diner experience tweaked with a Mindanaoan patina.

Initially, we, CDOBloggers, have been informed (or shall I say have been warned) by one of our fellows about the remarkably large amount of servings the diner staggers its loyal habitués. Truth be told, it has the definite elements of what you shall expect from American fast food restaurants: good food, affordable prices, impressive menu, and big servings. Now, that’s certainly assuring quantity and quality without the lickpenny compromises! The owner devotes to such as he prefers of making  the customers crave and go back for more than basically trying the place once and then not coming back at all.

Without any hyperbole intended, all we have exclaimed with every dish they presented to us was “Wow!,” considering that indeed their servings were one-of-a-kind having the almost similar prices of meals good for one from most established fast food chains.

Their menu ranges from fries smothered with different toppings and sauces, big pieces of hamburgers and footlongs, chicken specialties, beef savories, seafood fiestas, and refreshing shakes and bingsus. Speaking of a Mindanaoan patina, they have also incorporated on their menus local fares such as sisig, kinilaw, beef rending, and adobo.

Quick Chunks

Craft Meals

Bingsus

Get the best food fares in the most generous servings and at the most affordable prices at House of Fries! Check the place out at Cruz Taal Street, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City.

[philspectives]

Worth the Watch

One art form I have always inclined to binge myself with are TV series. Like movies and books do, TV series bring us to whole new worlds, usually impelling its viewers with a side effect of gaining a broader perspective on things at hand. Though television is certainly a medium of entertainment rather downplayed and associated by critics as some sort of brainless engagement and tawdry rhetoric, it has patently influenced the masses in the most critical times of history. One TV series, though usually disclaimed, maybe for a matter an indirect reflection of prevailing contexts of our society today.

Moreover, as the media shift from previously eminent television screens to newly introduced digital playgrounds seconded by original contents from streaming sites, TV series just keep on evolving. From rarely tackled, sensitive topics to diverse and pragmatic castings and depictions of characters, story lines of these contents have been creative outlets that goes beyond imaginations and even realities. However, the rationality of plots and scenes should always take precedence for TV series to be truly called an objet d’art and not to be some mere pretentious block-timers or advertising vacuums, just as what is happening in the Philippine television. It is also important for us viewers to sift out the good ones from the bad ones; to critique the thought-provoking ones from the obtuse ones. Thus, I’m sharing to you the 8 TV series I highly recommend for their great writing, swooning scores, and the stark, out-from-the-cliché narratives.

1. The Americans

The series features the cat-and-mouse plot of Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russel), undercover KGB spies in D.C., and the FBI authorities epitomized by their clueless but leery neighbor, Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich) in the midst of the Cold War era . Each episode is packed with staggering action and deliberately etched theatrics as they switch from one veneer to the other. Apart from this, the series also revolves around the couple’s family life and struggles in order to realize their patriotic duties while rearing their children in an environment distant from their ideological standpoints and mores.

2. Dark

Regarded as a darker and more in-depth version of Stranger Things, this Netflix original has earned its reputation as more perplexing and dumbfounding than the former. The narrative starts with mysteriously successive disappearances of children in Winden, a rural German town (Yes, it’s in German language!), only to be discovered that they are strewn among four different timelines by an ineffable force that cycles every 33 years. There’s a lot of characters to familiarize and to intertwine, so make your notepads handy!

3. Scandal

Led by Olivia Pope (Kerri Washington), a DC fixer and crisis manager, and her team of Gladiators-in-suits, get ready to be flabbergasted as they use each bag of tricks to aid DC’s most influential while juggling the harsh circumstances of their personal lives. Each case they handle makes them miracle workers who either walk the talk or be dismissive with wayward clients. What makes Scandal more scandalous are its depiction of savage political vendetta, heinous power plays, and appalling amorous affairs. An added subplot in the series revolves around the operations of a rogue organization, running outside the US government called B613.

4. The Blacklist

Get inside the criminal underworld and the psyche of the most notorious in The Blacklist. The ensemble is led by an FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), as she and her team of covert FBI operatives incarcerate (or sometimes set free) America’s most wanted with the help of America’s most wanted, himself, Raymond Reddington (James Spader), who brokered a deal to reveal the personalities in his “list” in exchange for his emancipation. Though using the usual contextual matrix of procedural dramas, James Spader’s monologues and the multifaceted backstories of each “blacklister” is sure enough to get you hooked in this series.

5. The Handmaid’s Tale

Set in a period after a fictitious Second American Civil War, an infertile-causing plague, and a peak in environmental pollution in the distant future, the story exploits on everyone’s inclinations on the “what ifs” of a possible dystopian society where castes are made and where civil rights are uncompelled, as previously reprised on the silver screen by The Hunger Games and Divergent trilogies. It centers on the silent melee of “handmaidens” who are deemed to be capable of childbearing and are thus subject to religious oppressions and ideological anomalies just to continue the growth of the country’s population.

6. Narcos

An unadulterated narrative of Pablo Escobar’s life as a drug lord and a family man, while being hailed by his countrymen as a “champion of the masses.” It comes to grip with the unceasingly tedious drug war that has plagued the Americas in the 90’s with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency posing as the gringos who can always save the day with direct political and socioeconomic interferences among its belligerents. It also presents the lavish lifestyles of the members of drug cartels and series of killings that dominates the global scenes while concealing the ill-gotten wealth that conveniently pedestaled them on top of the food chain.

7. Young Sheldon

The comic relief in this TV series comes from the seemingly innocent and delicate brain waves of a 9-year old child who is way more advanced than people double or even triple his age. As the name suggests, the series is a prequel to the life of The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper (Ian Armitage/Jim Parsons) as he face, alongside his pious mother Mary (Zoe Perry) and scatterbrained father George (Lance Barber), the hurdles in having an enormous frontal cortex while still addressing the rather gullible and rudimentary milestones of his humble life in the South.

8. The Gifted

A weekly dose of X-men is finally here. The series is set on haughtily degrading period of the almost never-ending rift between humans and mutants, but the twist is set in the fact the primary defenders of the mutants, the X-men, is nowhere to be found after a succession of events that led to an all-out hatred and annihilation of humans to the mutants. Maybe not a newfangled story line, however, it takes us to the extremes where mutants seem to be as destructive as a nuclear weapons but as powerless as a wailing sheep because of uncoordinated efforts. The series brings to life the comic book characters of Fenris, Polaris, Dreamer, Thunderbird, Blink, Eclipse, The Stepford Cuckoos, among others.

For a creative like me, TV series is an imagination turned into fruition. It brings us to discrete spheres that gradually accompany us to a whole new world of possibilities and to far-reaching outlook on the circumstances that surround us. It facilitates us to think, and that I believe is the most overtly powerful fashion to be influenced by the characters that we love to hate and hate to love and to engage in intelligent discussions that beget creative ideas and thought-provoking, enmeshed involvement. How about you? What makes you consider a TV series that will take up an hour or so of your precious time?

[philspectives]

Between Boundaries

Bukidnon has always been my second home. It has been the most convenient and quickest escape from home when circumstances tend to demand for a tad of a breather or when I, myself, call for a simple shift from difficult instances to a brisk atmosphere. The province does constantly take me aback with the diversity that it unswervingly mesmerizes to every person who visit it. From the ever gratifying dip to its cold springs and the exhilarating climbs along its lush mountain ranges, to the warm accommodation brought by its delish treats and its friendly locals, Bukidnon always presents a different kind of adventure that makes you want to come back over and over again.

I, together with some relatives, once again journeyed the winding road that leads us to the boundary between Bukidnon and Davao City. It’s like catching two birds with one stone! Colloquially called the BuDa (stands for Bukidnon-Davao) Road, this area is known for its cool climate, seemingly likened to the one in Baguio. Aside from claiming the name Baguio of the South, it is quite a refuge as resorts are already available along the highways to welcome tourists who want to get a taste of what this side of Bukidnon has to offer. The road trip took us about two hours from Valencia City to our first stop among the three.

The Overview Park

This is one of the iconic sites in the BuDa road where you will get a 360-degree view of the winding path that is considered the gateway to Davao City from Northern Mindanao. With its picturesque vista, this viewing deck is a favorite stop-over among tourists. On the other hand, figures, crafted by the Davaoeño artist, Kublai Millan, further made the place more interesting as it gives a considerable touch of the culture and mores of the ethnic communities of Mindanao. The best way to showcase slope’s beauty? No other than selfies and panoramas.

Bemwa Farm

The second stop to our itinerary is this private farm, where we dropped in for a while to grab lunch. The farm has been once in the hype due to its offering of unadulterated farming experience, matched with the laidback, cool breeze of the mountains. The farm is known as the leading producer of fresh and organic produce such strawberries, lettuce, and herbs in Davao City. The main attraction in this place is the opportunity to harvest some finds straight from the farm. Inside their mini store, products which include packed lettuces and strawberries, ice creams, chocolates, and dressings and vinaigrettes under the name, Great Harvest, are sold.

Seagull Mountain Resort

We finally wrapped up this half-day journey in this famed resort. Of course, anyone who is familiar with the spots in Bukidnon knows that Seagull Mountain Resort comes with the territory. Visiting the place will never be disappointing since it tenders a variegated array of activities. Situated atop 4,200 feet above sea level, the resort is quite the ideal setting for respite; to just simply indulge in the tranquility of the mountain ranges and to temporarily nestle into the splendor of nature. Besides being mollycoddled into your warm blankets and being basked in the Baguio-esque mountain breeze, one can also enjoy activities such as dipping into their natural pools located beside a waterfall (That if you could manage the cold!), giving your best shot in their golf course, camping with some pals, or just candidly strolling around the whole property. Also, they are starting to add more amenities such as a playground for kids and more quaint accommodations.

Communing with nature has never been this involved since almost everything that seem to surround us with the hassles and bustles of the urban jungle. At times, we just want to briefly move away from everything that begets stress and frustrations and they are indeed everywhere. It’s a no no-brainer. Thus, making an effort for yourself or for the people you treasure now requires time and planning. And, the BuDa area is certainly worth your consideration.

[philspectives]

Our Next Go-To Store

When it comes to our homes, we always want a personal touch on everything. Whether its façade, architectural styles, paint colors, furnishings and fixtures, or even its most subtle fractions, we always prefer a certain degree of personalized details. Some are even so hands-on when building their dream homes or when renovating years-old abodes. After all, our homes are reflective of an intimate space within the realms of our being. Our homes become an appropriately subjective morsel where they transform from mere living spaces to critical extensions our lives. Hence, we only fancy the best finds and deals for our homes.

Looking for anything that suits your need for your homes? Fret not. AllHome, hailed as “the country’s only full-line home center,” alongside its sister brands, AllToys, AllSports, Bake My Day, and Coffee Project unveil their newest branches in the City of Golden Friendship.  This go-to store is indeed your one-stop shop for everything you fancy for your home, sparing us from the frustrations and time wasted in transferring from one store to the other (Talk about the traffic congestion just to get in there!). AllHome’s first store in Mindanao ensures convenience and quality to all its customers by eliminating the need to go to several locations, since everything is available in store. On the other hand, if you want to grab some snacks or to be buzzed by coffee or just being hungry from being indecisive what to buy among the multitude of finds, Coffee Project and Bake My Day got your back.

AllHome

This fastest growing home depot is all you need for your construction and furnishing materials, furniture, décor, and appliances. From chandeliers, flower ornaments, loungers, tables, down to the tiles and household materials, AllHome continues to extend its scope of local and imported brands. And, speaking of imported brands, it is the exclusive distributor of the Japanese sanitary ware INAX, the Italian tile brand Iris Ceramica, and Spanish tile brands Cicogres, Alaplana, and Platera. With AllHome, your dream home becomes handily all set and complete within your reach.  

AllSports and AllToys

Opening its 6th store, AllSports offers an array of sports apparels and sports equipment. It’s an all-in-one shop for athletes and hobbyists, themselves, who look for better options when it comes to both performance and athletic leisure wear. Whereas, AllToys brings delight to both kids and kids-at-heart with an expansive collection of educational and recreational toys, carried from brands such as Hot Wheels, Barbie, Disney, My Little Pony, Lego, Hape, Star Wars, and Marvel. Other finds include arts-and-craft materials.

Bake My Day

Craving for fresh-out-the-oven goodness? Bake My Day caters to any liking of one’s palate, whether it is sweet, savory, or anything that completes your fave sandwich treat. It offers more than 50 variants of baked goodness such as breads, cakes, and pastries. Among for the books are its signature breads, Sushi Roll and Okonomiyaki. Celebrations can also be made even more special and memorable as they offer cake customization services.

Coffee Project

The most Instagrammable boutique café in the country is finally making its wave in Cagayan de Oro. Aside from being Instagrammable, it is also “workable,” with its free WiFi and accessible sockets perfect for extended work hours. The “workable” concept roots from Mr. Manny Villar’s hankering for coffee shops that are well-suited as workspaces or extended offices for businessmen like him. Thus, it has variety of accommodations from long tables apposite for business meetings to quiet corners for chill spots and me-times. Aside from the work-friendly environment, it also offers premium blend coffees and pastries. Most importantly, it does not just boast its Instagrammable interiors but as well as its commitment to bringing warm service to its customers.

The AllHome is a store anything you’ll wish for your home and recreational needs, paired with scrumptious grubs and drinks from Bake My Day and Coffee Project. This go-to store brings stress-free and convenient world-class retail experience at the heart of Limketkai Drive, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

[philspectives]

More Than Just Art

I just graduated from college and the twists of fate have quite overwhelmed me, both pleasantly and repulsively. There’s always two sides of the coin, right? When you graduate, you become free from all the academic responsibilities, yet, you become fully exposed to the realities of this damned world, as you were previously sheltered by the four walls of your classroom. Circumstances may be too much engulfing, but the point is, it is you who have a hold over your stability, your fate. So, I go to see cafés as a form of a breather. Recently, The Studio Art Café opened its doors and the social media photos were inviting enough for me to try the place.

Judging from the name, itself, the place gives a “were offering more than just food, were offering a lifestyle” kind of impression. And, so it was! I mean social media shaped the competition among businesses. The most Instagrammable places become the most sought after spots. Call it the vanity of this generation, the millenials, others will consider it as an opportunity – a shift in their marketing strategy. The ones with the freshest ideas attract the more people. And, this café used art through murals and furnishings on point at their advantage. 

One notable piece was a wall vibrantly painted with a mellow image and an eye-catching calligraphy. Truly, there’s more to art than just a humdrum exhibition. There is self-expression. Thus, I find it as a very moving and a pleasure-seeking one, at the same time.

Adding to their nicety as a remarkable café is their display of live plants. I was just amazed by this act since I’m used to places with decorative plants made of plastics. Aside from those, the ambiance is also flattered with the respite brought by the tones of pastel colors used.

They serve hot/brewed and iced coffees, milk shakes, milk teas, lemonades, pancakes, pastas, spicy ramen, fries n’ nachos, and sandwiches. Meanwhile, I treated myself with their tuna in olive oil pasta and iced pink latte. The pasta, cooked al dente, was a winner for its complementing flavors of basil and olive oil. A chic place and some options of good food at the most reasonable and student-friendly prices, what more could you ask?

To get the best out of cafés, I often ask in advance for their opening time. I deem that such is an opportunity to relish in the uncrowdedness of the place, to get as much pictures as I want, and to experience the amenities of the place all to myself. Hence, try out The Studio Art Café as they open everyday from 10 am to 8:30 pm. They are located at 3rd Floor, Marcos Building, Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro.