Lost in Cebu

From the Cebu Business Park, it costs about 50 pesos worth of cab ride to get to Mango Square. Mango Square, we were told, is that area on General Maxilom Avenue bounded by the Fuente Osmeña on the west and stretches about four to five city blocks going south. It is reputed to be the city's nightlife hotspot. I never really understood what that meant until we got there. We were only looking for a good gay bar to have a couple of rounds of drinks.

Relaxing in Taipei

I don't know a relative or a good friend who lives in Taipei so the idea I had of the city is the one I got from guide books. This made me picture it like any other Asian cities dotted with temples and its downtown full of modern skyscrapers. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a city like no other. On top of the monuments, shrines, notable buildings, great shopping and good food scene, I found the less touristy aspect of this trip unforgettable.

¡Que suerte en San Juan!

It took me a while to find a slot-machine with the view of the wide screen tv. I wanted to secure a seat with a view so I can watch the much awaited Pacquiao-Hutton match. Earlier that day, we had gone beach hopping in San Juan where we walked what could have been four miles of coast line. We started from Isla Verde, east of the city, and walked westward to Ocean Park and then finally to Condado beach taking a cerveza break in between beaches. Take note that walking on sand is much harder compared to strolling on concrete sidewalk. So imagine how incredibly soothing on my back and legs to just sit down inside the hotel’s casino.

5th of July in a Philly bar

The next round of drinks is on me. My shout.
We are celebrating Nelson's birthday a day early because mijo and I will fly back to SF tomorrow and this is our last night in Philadelphia. I convinced them that it is okay since Nelson was born in the Philippines and it is a day ahead of the U.S. Technically, it is his birthday tonight. A belated 4th of July can also be used as an alibi to celebrate, I thought to myself.

4 Hours Of Deep Thoughts

I've been on my feet for almost four hours now, that I started getting shooting pains in my legs and my lower back, as if my body is telling me it has overdosed on seeing the museum's prehistoric artifacts and ancient Chinese and North American relics. My stomach also started warning me that a lunch break has been long overdue. We still had two more floors to cover at the Royal Ontario Museum so the museum's café sounded like the logical choice to get sustenance.

Ode to Kitakits*

by the water fountain
we were all supposed to meet
in a place called libis**
seems like a fun place to sit down and eat

Manila rain

There I was. Sitting alone at Café Havana while the rain outside seemed like not letting up. My sis and a friend had excused themselves earlier to freshen up. I took a sip of my chilled mangojito which is concoction of rhum, mango juice and crushed mint leaves. It is the Manila version of the classic mojito cocktail.

Viajamos a La Ciudad de México

Here I am again, back in Mexico, and my fourth time to be exact. This time we went to the mother of all Mexican cities instead of the coasts. I realized it is the most times I've visited a country other than the States and the Islands so when Mexicans in la ciudad ask for my ethnicity (probably because of the way I speak Spanish and with a thick foreign drawl), I jokingly tell them Soy un Filipino Mexicanizado. I get a smile back 99% of the time.