A Place to See and Be Seen: The Pen Lobby

Admit it, you would want to see and be seen in The Lobby of one of the best five star hotels in Manila -- The Peninsula. Now, it's not just known for the place where Trillanes et al. sieged after they walked out of their trial and marched the Makati streets, but it is STILL famous for its luscious ice cream desserts and just recently, their Chocolate Symphony Buffet. I know I have yet to indulge in this everything chocolate kind of buffet (but I'm not a fan of chocolates anyway).

After the stand-off, The Lobby has long been renovated. It has this certain warm glow in the afternoon from its tall windows from the sunlight streaming in. It boasts the artwork of famous painters and sculpture in the ceiling.

Last Christmas season, I had the chance to grab a dessert in the hotel with my former colleagues after our lunch reunion in another resto. Oh correction, we didn't "grab," we took pleasure in the taste of their ice cream in their dessert menu. Your taste palettes would really enjoy the rocky road or the double dutch embellished with almonds, chocolate chips and miniature brownies... even if you're not a sweet tooth like me. It's a good place to catch up with good ol' friends while experiencing the delectable treats, especially if you come in after lunch, when it is quiet and there's not much people -- well, unless you're the type who would really want to BE SEEN when you're there. ;)

I'm not sure how pricey this must have been (I wasn't the one who paid the bill) but once in a while, I know I should give myself a treat like this one. Mmmmm...

Contemplative Mood in a Church

"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?" --Psalm 8:3-4

Wherever I see this breathtaking view such as this which was in Caleruega Church in Tagaytay, I can't help but give praise to God with his majestic creations - the trees, the sunset, the sky, the hills. Man's creations, no matter how big or intricate a church structure, are nothing compared to His glory you see everywhere. Sometimes I wonder, why does He even bother with us? Yet He loved us unconditionally, I can't find the words how much so.

We caught this sunset in this Dominican church open for couples who are to wed, groups in a retreat / recollection, people to hear mass, or individuals who want to just want to find solitude (with a good view of the Batulao hills). I also found that it is a venue for renewal workshops, study, research, youth camps, marriage and family encounters, leadership seminars, art, music, and liturgy workshops, and environment an agriculture-related activities. This is one of the stop-overs you must come to when you're in the area of Tagaytay, going to Nasugbu.

Caleruega Philippines

Brgy. Kaylaway, Batulao,

Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines

+63 921-2709890 / +63 921-8304226

+63 (043) 706-0348

Ask for: Ms. Jackie / Ms. Melda / Ms. Cristalle

High Time Rollers at Tagaytay Highlands

One of the signs that you know "you've arrived" is if you own a property in Tagaytay Highlands, or you have a share in one of the clubs there. Luxury living in the Tagaytay Ridge, amidst the cool breeze, it's definitely one of the quickest escape from the metro.

I for sure am not an "RK" (Rick Kid), but I do have several high time roller companions who've brought me there in different occasions. One instance is when I joined a photo shoot in Tagaytay with my friend who encouraged me on getting a Nikon DSLR, who then introduced me to the applei photo enthusiasts in which one of them is a club member.

One of our destinations was in the Highlands Country Club. It's complete with amenities for sports and recreation, restaurant facilities with international cuisine, spa, pool and jacuzzi. Of course our purpose there was not to try allthe works but to shoot and practice what we got. It's a good travel photog destination, just gotta keep a good eye on what you see around.

It's where you can lie down and waste time.

It's where you can have a good quiet conversation with a friend.

Tagaytay Highlands is where an idea can spark and start your whole travel photography passion thing. :)

Tagaytay Highlands

Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines

+ 63 (046) 483-0888 or 413-3808

For club chares / properties inquiries:

Belle Corporation

Sales and Marketing Offices

20th Floor, East Tower

Philippine Stock Exchange Centre

Exchange Road, Ortigas Center,

Pasig City, Philippines

+ 63 (02) 635-3016 to 20

Peace and Tranquility at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife

Guess where this abounding greenery scene was shot? Right in the middle of the thick smug-filled Quezon City! Who would have thought one could still find such fresh and quiet location in the city? Yup, you can get that in Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife.

On the second day of our photography workshop, we drove to that northern side to practice our shooting skills on the park's animals, trees, gazebos, walkways, the lagoon, and people. It was a drizzly Sunday morning but we still managed to get some good shots like this one. Aside from taking photos, you can also jog, sleep under a tree shade, take a date, propose to someone, read a good book, have a picnic, or spend some of your own "moments" here. If you haven't done such in a long time, why not begin it in this park named after Benigno Aquino. :)

Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center

Quezon Avenue,

Diliman, Quezon City

+63 (02) 924 6031

Cubao eXpo Marks the Spot

Somewhere in the midst of urban metro Araneta Center, Quezon City is Cubao eXpo -- a haven for artists and art lovers, vintage collectors, Marikina shoe loyalists, food lovers, indie movie enthusiasts. This was the old Marikina Shoe Expo. To name a few shops, there's Bellini's (an authentic Italian restaurant), Mogwai theater (with underground Hollywood and Pinoy films), The Reading Room (for clothes and accessories). One of my favorite stores there is Heima Store, a lifestyle and home design store, formed by partners Bong Rojales and Rossy Yabut. It's not only an interior design store, but there are also lomography cameras, books, accessories, and music. On the second floor is The Kolektib Shared Space which is a venue for classes and workshops.

I came to this store when I joined a two-day Basic Creative Photography workshop at the 2nd floor conducted by photographer Allan Florendo last August. It was meant to improve our composition of photos and after each topic, we went out the store to shoot subjects inside Cubao X. Here's a by-product photo of that workshop which Allan liked.

Mark your maps 'cause you should visit Cubao X soon!

Cubao Expo, Gen. Romulo St.

Araneta Center, Cubao

Quezon City, Philippines

Why Don't We Stop and Smell the Flowers? (The SCTEx Road Trip)

Like this photo taken in SCTEx, "Stop and smell the flowers" is a saying which is not related to flowers at all. It's an idiom which means to stop rushing and enjoy the moment as time passes quickly and it won't return to you again.

Together with my cousins from the States and my tito and tita, we went to a road trip last December 2008 going to Subic where we traveled the SCTEx (Subic - Clark - Tarlac Expressway). But it was LITERALLY a road trip. We just drove to Subic and back to Manila (I wasn't the driver that time) and never had a chance to even enjoy the sights and tour spots in that area. My tito's purpose was bring us to Aling Lucing's Sisig for lunch which was in the riles or railroads of Angeles. Unfortunately, we realized it's still closed since it opens in the afternoon. We just ended up eating in one of the branches of Razon's, where we ordered the traditional pancit luglog and their ever-famous halo-halo. Okay, at least that's not bad at all!

But since we were already in Subic, of course we wanted to see Anvaya Cove, Zoobic Safari, Ocean Adventure (and recently I just heard about this Tree Top Adventure in Subic). I guess we shouldn't expect that when we're with our tito who just wanted to see and drive the SCTEx and who's not the type who would stop and smell the flowers.

How The Flowers Bloom

This is how the flowers bloom with me on the month of February. (This photo was taken February 2009)

One of the (million) things my mom is good at, which I'm not very good at, is gardening. We have a lovely garden at home, all courtesy by mom. I don't know how she does it, where she buys her tools and plants, how often she waters it (now you can really see how I'm not very interested at that)... all I know is she's passionate about it. How domesticated. So very housewife-y.

And I know I have to be prepare to be like her one of these days. If I plan to have a husband. If I plan to have a family. Haha!

So come visit my mom's garden at Pilar Street. You think only Sonya has the nicest garden? ;)

How The Sun Sets Down...

This was how the sun set down on me in Starbucks, Fairways Tower, The Fort, where I used to usually work, when I have no client calls. It was one of my favorite Starbucks stores since the place was quiet, not that crowded, and I can literally put my feet in up in the chairs (outside, that is). Having not been able to visit that outlet for quite some time, I went back a few months ago and found out that that Starbucks has been closed for months now. Sayang.

Now where will I get my Starbucks coffee PLUS this kind of view in the afternoon again?

Let's Not Waste It

I won’t waste my time, efforts, money, and my life on things I know that in the end would ruin me, complicate my life or lead it to nowhere.

Life is meant to be enjoyed, but not wasted.

So this blog was put up to help us remember this. Be it regarding relationships, friendships, family, career, I’d rather be living it up than wasting it.

So take a walk with me as I journey through life. This blog features basically two of my favorite passions: Travel and Photography. Click on  the Libby Malibiran photography tab to check out my photo works, on Libby's Travel Footprints tab about my globetrotting adventures, while on Thought Bubbles tab are some of my musings on anything or everything under the sun.

Thank you taking the time to read this and I would appreciate your comments. Hello world, here I come! :)