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Visiting the CCP Museum is one of the places in Manila that I want visit this year. I’ve heard a lot of good reviews about this museum. Here are the details in case your interested…

The Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino is an integrated humanities museum established in 1988. It gathers together the works of Filipino traditional artists and preserves Filipino artistic traditions; studies and interprets these to provide a deeper understanding of Filipino national culture evolving with and for the people; and strengthens the people’s awareness of the integral, dynamic role of creativity and artistic expression in national life and culture.

A permanent exhibit entitled “Diwa: Buhay, Ritwal at Sining” showcases significant Filipino artistic traditions and explores the development of Philippine art and aesthetics in the socio-cultural context.

Another important permanent exhibit is the CCP Collection of Traditional Asian Musical Instruments from the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, Thailand, China and Korea.

The CCP Museum also presents special changing exhibitions, provides curatorial assistance, and organizes workshops on indigenous art forms.

The CCP Museum is open from Tuesdays till Sundays, 10am to 6pm. Admission fees are P40 for adults and P20 for students and children. Exhibit hours are extended to 10pm if there are performances at the Main Theater. For inquiries and booking of guided tours, please call the Museum Unit at Tel Nos. 832-5094, 832-1125 local 1508

It opens from 10:00am to 6:00pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance fee costs only Php40 for adults and Php20 for students and children.

Our lunch didn’t take place at Jay’s Kinabuhayan Cafe. What’s unique about eating at Jay’s Cafe is that you have an option to eat at the cafe or at Kubli Springs. Since it was our Anniversary trip, I opted on the latter to make it more unforgettable. I was right. It was definitely a lunch we will always remember!

Booking for our lunch at Jay’s was quite a hassle. One is because the only way you can pay is through GCash. I didn’t know that I needed to pay a downpayment for our lunch so I had to asked Hubby to deposit through Gcash the last minute (in other words, the day before our trip!). We didn’t have gcash account then so we had to register then go to the mall for confirmation or payment. Good thing we were able to do everything in 2 hours.

Jay’s assistant, Ralph brought us to Kubli Springs. It was a wonderful site to see!

Although we had wait for more than 2 hours for our lunch, I can say that the wait was indeed worth it. We had a very sumptious and unique lunch, if I may add. It was cooked according to Jay’s mood – mushroom risotto, vegetable lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, and pako salad. It was definitely an unforgettable lunch for us!

We talked for a couple of minutes after lunch and everyone was entertained by Jay’s stories. I was amazed at his plans of organizing a Mid Summer Night’s Dream Play at Kubli. It will be at night he explained. So he will be needing epson projectors to highlight each scene. It will be a play to remember especially to the locals of Quezon. If I have time, I would definitely watch it! I don’t mind traveling for two hours for this play. It would be a different experience. I love plays and having it in a spring would make it even more exciting!

It’s been 2 weeks now since I’ve been doing a couple of aerobics at home after work. It would only take me around 30 minutes but these steps were making me feel good afterwards. The rewards are definitely great! So now I’m checking out pre workout supplement that I can drink to help out. I’ve also drank a lot of water after my exercises. Should I call it an exercise even if it’s only half an hour or less? I would say yes since it has changed my health ever since. I felt good every day after this short exercise. Waking up every morning is not a hassle anymore since I feel great. I don’t feel sleepy anymore while at work and I just feel stronger. I hope I get to do it everyday from now on and with in this case, my cholesterol levels will be lowered down. Wish me luck!

The 18th Philippine Travel Expo was last February 18 to 20, 2011.

The 18th TravelTour Expo is the ultimate shopping destination for the best travel deals in the Philippines. The event on 18 to 20 Feb 2011 was at Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the SMX Convention Center, MOA Complex, Pasay City. You can grab the best deals in town.

My friends went last weekend and I heard there were so many people. They got very good deals though and said that the lining up and travel time to go to SMX Convention Center at MOA was worth it. I was planning on going but really, I have no plans of traveling pretty soon, anyway.

How about you? Were you able to get good deals?

We settled down at Casa San Pablo, took a nap and then prepared for our much awaited lunch at Jay’s Kinabuhayan Cafe. The directions to the place was not very clear so we passed by one landmark without knowing it. No wonder our supposedly 15-minute drive to Tiaong Quezon took us more than 30 minutes. Good thing there was another route to the town of Dolores, we didn’t have to go back from where we started.

We arrived at Jay’s Kinabuhayan Cafe at exactly 12 noon. We explored the place while we waited for our lunch (Jay was currently cooking). I couldn’t quite describe the place because it was my first time to ever see such a place. I grew up in the province but I haven’t seen a place such as Jay’s cafe. Surprisingly, the place looks very nice and attractive to the cameras.

Jay’s Bar

I told Hubby I don’t think I could stay overnight in Jay’s cafe. I needed to sleep in something familiar. Somewhere where I’m used to. I would have to look for dehumidifiers too to prevent basement moisture and allergy attacks. But I don’t think Jay can provide that for us. But when we got to try his lunch, I think I changed my mind and will consider it some other time. Here are more photos of the place taken by the Hubby.

The place was small so it took us only a few minutes to explore the entire backyard. So we waited again at the cafe for them to bring us to Kubli Springs, our next stop.

This is a nice way to spend your summer! For photography enthusiasts, there is a documentary photography workshop by Alex Baluyut on March 5 and 19. Read on…

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LEARN FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERTS | Documentary Photography
March 5 and 19 (9 a.m.-12nn)
with a photo trip on March 12

This workshop takes an introductory look at how images are used to tell stories. It will equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills needed to produce a photo story.

The workshop, which combines lectures and hands-on sessions, will deal with the following topics:

· Definition, history, context, and purpose of documentary photography
· Conceptualizing your story
· Elements and techniques to maximize the impact of your story
· Gaining access to your subject
· Shooting your story
· Editing and sequencing photos for your story

The participants will gain experience in doing actual documentary projects under the guidance of Alex Baluyut, an experienced practitioner in this field. After the lecture, a photo assignment will be given to immediately apply new techniques, practice new skills, and encourage creative experimentation.

During the photo trip, the mentor will give additional field shooting tips.

As a culminating activity, each participant will present his or her photo story. This will not only provide an opportunity for participants to review their work in class but also gain insights from the mentor and co-participants.

Requirements

· Working knowledge of digital photography
· Digital SLR camera
· Tripod and other accessories, optional

Venue
Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City (across The Peninsula Manila)

Speaker
Alex Baluyut is a lecturer on the history of photojournalism at the Ateneo de Manila University-Asian Center for Journalism. He also manages Raw File Images studio. He has worked for Ad Photo Studio, Associated Press, Ang Pahayagan Malaya, The Manila Times, Agence France Press, Sigma Photo Agency, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, On-Asia Photo Agency, and the International Herald Tribune.

Joining fee and discount
P6,000 inclusive of handouts, meals, transportation, and certificate. Cash or check payments are accepted at the library or through a BPI bank deposit. Payment through BPI EPS and major credit cards are also accepted.

Due to the limited number of available slots, interested participants are requested to register on or before February 26 by paying at least P2,000 (nonrefundable; full payment is due on the first day of class). An early bird discount of 5 percent will be given to those who pay in full on or before the deadline (except for credit card payments).

For more details, please call 892-1801, send an SMS to 0917-559-4417, e-mail cruz.ct@ayalafoundation.org, or visit www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph.
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Viaje del Sol is a destination or a tour around San Pablo Laguna and Tiaong Quezon. Surprisingly it is just a 2 hour drive from Manila. As for Hubby and I, it took us only an hour and a half since we left around 6AM. The trip was a breeze!

Our first stop on our first day: Casa San Pablo at San Pablo Laguna.

We stayed at Casa Pablo for one night. Checked in was 11AM but even if we arrived early around 9AM, they were still able to accomodate us. We had a very good “Laguna” breakfast as soon as we arrived.

A yummy tocino, tomatoes with salted egg, dried fish and fried rice. Hubby and I were supposed to be on a diet since our cholesterol levels are getting high these days, but who could passed on these type of breakfast? Good thing we had a reason to binge – it was our 6th anniversary. Another good thing was, we can buy apidexin anytime we want since it’s already available online! So we forget about our diet for one weekend and enjoy the most out of it.

I would highly recommend staying at Casa San Pablo. It was the most restful vacation I ever had in months!

Casa San Pablo
Gomez Compound, Barangay San Roque, San Pablo City, Laguna
It is along the main road going to San Pablo city proper
Email: inquire@casasanpablo.com
Website: http://www.casasanpablo.com/index.html
Mobile: 0917-8126687, 0917-5268628

Since I’m into food these days, this test perhaps is very timely….

You Are Peanut Butter and Jelly

When you’re stressed out, you seek food that evokes good memories. More than anything, change tends to wig you out. And during those times, you crave what you know. You take solace in things that remind you of a more innocent, happier time. When it comes to comfort food, there’s no such thing as too simple. Peanut butter and jelly totally fits the bill!

Well, I guess this is somehow true. I crave for a routine and I sometimes go crazy if things change.

Here’s another reason to check the travel expo this weekend!

I was actually checking out lipozene reviews when I came across this promo! I didn’t plan on going to the travel expo because all our travels were already booked for the year but this is just worth posting! I came across diet solutions that I would like to share here too but for now, here are more details of the PAL promo:

- Manila to Luzon or Visayas v.v., As low as P888.
- Manila to Mindanao v.v., As low as P1,888.
- Sale Period is from February 18 to 20, 2011 only.
- Travel Period is from February 21 to March 23, 2011 and June 4 to August 31, 2011.
- Valid only at The 18th Travel Tour Expo 2011 in SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
- Rates are quoted at One-way Fiesta Class ALL-IN Fares.
- Inclusive of VAT, Exclusive of ASF and Ticketing Service Fee.
- Limited seats only.
- Travel Conditions apply.

So visit the PAL booth at Hall 3 and I’ve read that they have other exciting offers too! For more information, you can call PAL Reservations Hotline at 855-8888 or your travel agent.

My sister celebrated her 29th birthday at John and Yoko last month. And up to now, I still couldn’t forget how delicous the food was. Although the place was not kid friendly because the resto seems to cater yuppies and barkadas. The place was cozy and nice for a date place too. When I checked out their menu, I noticed that this is an upscale resto of SumoSam (which is our favorite). I can’t seem to find the difference except for the price which is way higher.

This is what we ordered…

Sunset Prawn Salad

Very tasty especially the prawns which I assumed were grilled.

Dynamite Roll

A favorite from SumoSam which I also found here. The taste were very similar. I wonder what’s the difference…

Chicken Teriyaki and Mango Pizza

Very unique. Love it! This one is my sister’s favorite too and I highly recommend you try this. The combination of chicken teriyaki and mango in a pizza is just to die for! Very yummy.

Beef Teppan

I realized that we also order this from SumoSam but in different name. Everyone loved this though, even the kids.

Bacon Wrapped Dory

Since the kids loved this from SumoSam, I just had to order this again.

Ok, now I realized that almost everything that we ordered were a favorite of SumoSam’s (except for the pizza). And I would say the taste was very much similar. Since we were with the kids, I made sure that we had something familiar. But still they weren’t able to eat as much since they were so giddy and excited to play.

Oh well, it just means only one thing, Hubby and I should go back and order for something that we haven’t tried it. Hopefully next time!

John and Yoko
2nd Floor Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St., Legaspi Village
Makati City
Tel No: 729-8698