Chateau Hestia 2013

If you were to create a survey for the most convenient place to escape from everything Manila, the winner will be the City of Tagaytay. This blog most certainly is not about Tagaytay as there are already numerous post and articles about this popular tourist spot and I'm no expert of it either. I'll be sharing about a secret haunt that my mom-in-law just shared with us which I think is post worthy.

I'm talking about Chateau Hestia, which we found out online - thanks to google and other bloggers who shared their experiences of the place. We went there on a quiet Black Saturday to get some time off from the hustle and bustle of Manila. 

Les Miserables: Law vs Grace

I recently read from a Facebook post a powerful insight of the popular Broadway musical turned mainstream movie, Les Miserables. This was transcribed from the podcast link in oneplace.com

The Heart of Les Misérables 

Where Justice and Mercy Meet 

Eric Metaxas
January 17, 2013

One of the most vivid, most moving examples of God’s goodness and mercy is currently playing at a movie theater near you.

The long-awaited film musical “Les Misérables” opened on Christmas Day, and it’s well worth the wait. The original novel has been in print for over 150 years, and the stage version is beloved by audiences around the world, so you may already know the story. But for those who don’t: “Les Misérables” is about an embittered ex-convict named Jean Valjean, who steals from a bishop but is shown forgiveness. After the bishop intervenes to prevent him from going back to prison, a transformed Valjean spends the rest of his life serving God and others.

Chuck Colson used to say that “Les Misérables” was a story that meant a great deal to him personally. And I’m sure you can understand why.

multiply revisited: el nido loco over palawan

I'd like to post my old favorite travel photos in celebration of the inclusion of my beautiful country, The Philippines, into the Conde Naste Traveller's Hot Destination to Watch in 2013.

The archipelago of Palawan ticks all the boxes: palm-fringed white-powder beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, natural lagoons for wild swimming on Miniloc Island - all of it protected by UNESCO. Its Bacuit Bay is something like Halong Bay in Vietnam, only without all the tourists - for the time being, at least.

Sorry, Maldives... We love you, but we've got a new flame. 

These were taken on 2008, when our travel group, "Tarsiers?", set their eyes to visit the beautiful and hidden paradise of El Nido, Palawan. It as been 7 years since this intrepid group of wanderlusting folks started going about this annual pilgrimage to the off the beaten track parts of the country.  For all it's worth, El Nido, Palawan is my favorite place in the world!


Honda Bay